Car 6

Peugeot has released photos of its new Boxer 4x4 concept ahead of its world unveiling at the international Recreational Vehicle Show being held at Le Bourget from tomorrow, 28 September to 06 October 2019, writes Trish Whelan . Designed to cross all types of terrain with ease, the concept boasts DANGEL all-wheel drive, increased ground clearance and BF Goodrich off-road tyres. It will be on show sporting a Canadian walnut canoe on its roof rack and the latest-generation Peugeot electrically assisted mountain bike on a rear hitch support. With over 720,000 units of Boxer vans sold since its launch, Peugeot will use the Recreational Vehicle Show to showcase its latest vision of ‘the perfect partner for adventurers’. Built on a Boxer L3, the 6m length offers a 10m2 living space for up to three people, to include a kitchen and dining area, a sleeping area, a bathroom and the driver’s station. Special attention has gone into choosing the materials used inside; ...

Over half of people researched personally know a learner driver who drives, or has driven, unaccompanied, writes Trish Whelan . This is one of the findings from research from Allianz (conducted by Red C Research in July 2019) that looked at how the Irish public feels about the current restrictions on learner drivers. Despite new regulations like the Clancy Agreement in 2018, which gives Gardai the power to seize cars driven by learners driving alone, driving with a learner licence appears to be a frequent occurrence. Almost one third of those polled admitted to driving unaccompanied as a learner, 34pc of which admitted to driving unaccompanied regularly, and 26pc admitting to driving unaccompanied all the time.   Some 44pc of those who have driven unaccompanied also knew someone else who has also driven unaccompanied. Both those who have driven unaccompanied and those who knew someone who has done the same, were more likely to be in favour of relaxatio...

Audi Ireland will be making the new RS Q3 Sportback available to order before the end of the year, writes Brian Byrne . The new variant has a number of styling features designed to give it a strong sporty appearance, including flared wheel arches, lowered suspension and a gloss black grille. The 5-cylinder 2.5 engine will have 400hp, and will have a claimed 4.5s sprint to 100km/h. No pricing yet.

The iconic Kylemore Abbey and Victorian Walled Garden in Connemara, one of Ireland’s best-loved tourist attractions, has just begun its electric journey by taking delivery of three fully electric Renault Kangoo Z.E. 33 vans, writes Trish Whelan . Pictured above are: Padraic Kenny, Estate Foreman at Kylemore Abbey; Gary Breen, Renault Ireland Fleet Sales Manager; Conor Coyne, Executive Director, Kylemore Trust; Barry Molloy and Joseph Burke both from JJ Burke Renault. The electric vans will be used by staff, maintenance, groundskeepers and cleaners in the course of their duties on the grounds and will be the only vehicles permitted on the newly landscaped area around the Abbey. Kylemore Abbey and Gardens welcomes over 550,000 visitors annually, making it the second most visited attraction in the Republic of Ireland outside of the Greater Dublin Area. It launched a new multi-million-euro visitor experience, From Generation to Generation, earlier t...

Dacia Duster Commercial Renault Group Ireland is introducing commercial versions of the New Dacia Duster and the electric Renault ZOE to its line-up, writes Trish Whelan . Available to order now, these are locally converted vehicles, with the conversions arranged by Renault and Dacia dealers on behalf of customers. Benefits of these conversions for business owners are that they can reclaim the VAT on the vehicle, enjoy a lower rate of BIK for employees taking a company van over a car, as well as the comfort and refinement of a car with an easily accessible and capacious load are in the back. The Dacia Duster Commercial has been a very successful vehicle for Renault Group dealers with its competitive pricing and low cost of ownership. Plus its rugged style and go-anywhere 4x4 capability.   Priced from €16,302 excluding VAT for the core version. The 4x4 version is priced from €17,675 excluding VAT. Dacia Duster Commercial  The electric...

Over 160 professional women from a variety of different sectors within the Motor Industry in Ireland attended the Society of the Irish Motor Industry’s 6th annual Women@SIMI event held on Friday, 13 September in the Clayton Hotel, Ballsbridge, Dublin, writes Trish Whelan . This was the largest attendance to date and featured an impressive panel of guest speakers -Breege O’Donoghue, former Primark Board Member & Group Director; Alison Comyn, award-winning TV and broadcast journalist and expert in effective communications. Master of Ceremonies was RTE’s Mary Kennedy. In his address to the attendees, Gabriel Keane, President of SIMI said: “While there are many challenges currently facing our Industry, we must not lose sight of the contribution made by the 47,300 people that work in the Irish Motor Industry that continue to keep Ireland moving. I am proud to be a part of our dynamic Industry and to be here today to support women in business. In her talk to the l...

Yet another electric car made it to my house a couple of weeks ago, causing me to wonder if I need to put in a wallbox charger of my own? writes Brian Byrne . The Kia e-Soul is the latest generation of the boxy but charming compact from the Korean carmaker. It is only being sold as a battery electric car in Europe, which means that the brand now offers two fully electric and one plug-in hybrid here. The style includes bright and cheerful dual colour combinations, so apart from its very identifiable shape you’re going to see it coming anyhow. But it’s also very practical, the upright driving position offering good visibility, and room in the back which rivals cars two segments above. I appreciated the tallness. It is one of the few cars I've driven lately where I didn’t have to scrape my head through while entering. The dashboard and instruments layout is cheerful and generally quite simple. Battery level and range is easily visible both on the centre screen and the mai...

There is a very strong presence at the National Ploughing Championships from the Irish motor trade over these three days, writes Trish Whelan . Many brands used the biggest such event in Europe to launch or preview some of their latest models. Among them are the new Subaru Forester e-Boxer , with a hybrid 2.0 petrol engine and a very high level of safety and comfort technology. It comes to Ireland in November. Sean Dunne of Subaru Ireland with the new Forester e-Boxer hybrid. Colin Sheridan and Emma Toner of Peugeot Ireland, with the new Peugeot 208. A preview of the new Peugeot 208 is the high point on the French brand's stand, gleaming in a honey colour in the bright sunshine which The Ploughing has enjoyed. The new Partner Van is also a strong point of attraction. Eoin Quinn and Emma Toner of Peugeot Ireland with the new Partner Van. John Donegan of Skoda Ireland with the new Skoda Kamiq. Both the new Kamiq SUV and the revised Superb are the key mode...

Rónán Furlong of DCU was the keynote speaker at a Future of Mobility event organised by Europcar Mobility Group , whose business is based on car rental, writes Brian Byrne . And he did say he was going to be controversial. Besides, his work at DCU Alpha is about nurturing tech companies focusing on the disruption of various sectors, including transportation. So saying something like 'car ownership is dead' was not to be unexpected. It may be, like Mark Twain's first obituary, a bit premature. But, eventually, I suspect he's right. And in the nature of change in these times, eventually can come more quickly than it used to. At the event held in Dogpatch Labs in Dublin yesterday, Furlong did say that cars and transportation are 'coming late' to the 'disruption tipping point'. "But the speed of the shift is extraordinary. There are really fundamental changes coming. They are inevitable." In what had to be, in the time available, only ...

Brian Cooke, Director General of SIMI, with Paddy Magee, Country Operations Manager, Renault Group Ireland. The Irish motor industry is seeking a no change in motor taxes scenario in the upcoming budget, along with measures to deal with the massive expansion of used imports, writes Brian Byrne . Otherwise there’s a risk to 10,000 jobs in the industry, a potential direct revenue loss to the Exchequer of €231m, and a crash of new car sales to as low as 70,000 next year. These were stark figures today in a market presentation by the Society of the Irish Motor Industry, which warns that ‘the mistakes of 2008 must be avoided’ and says the industry is now at its most vulnerable since the crash of 2008. Economist Jim Power detailed the national economic background to the Budget submission recently submitted by SIMI on behalf of its members. While there has been generally a strong recovery in the economy, he suggests this has been exaggerated. He pointed to sterling’s weakness since B...

New Skoda Superb. Skoda will have two new models at the National Ploughing Championships in Ballintrane, Fenagh, Co Carlow from 17-19 September, the new Superb and a Kamiq Crossover, writes Trish Whelan . The new Superb receives new exterior styling, refreshed interiors and upgraded specifications across the model range. It will launch in Ireland on 7 October. The Skoda Kamiq crossover will also be unveiled at The Ploughing and arrive in showrooms on 1 November. It will compete in one of the fastest growing segments in Ireland. With an elevated driving position and raised ground clearance, the Kamiq is positioned at the lower end of the SUV segment. Skoda Kamiq Crossover.

All-New Peugeot 208 Peugeot will have a special guest at the Ploughing Championships in the shape of its all-new 208 hatchback, writes Trish Whelan . With over 300,000 visitors expected, Peugeot will host a preview of the futuristic new 208 hatchback at the National Ploughing Championships from 17-19 September at Fenagh, Co Carlow, along with the full range of their passenger cars and light commercial vehicles. Available with a choice of petrol, diesel or 100pc electric powertrains, the all-new 208 has the Lion Brand’s latest-generation i-Cockpit and 3D head-up display along with a host of technology and comfort features. It is expected to arrive in Dealer showrooms in late 2019 ahead of the first customer registrations in early 2020. Prices and equipment will be announced closer to launch. Whether a customer chooses petrol, diesel or all-electric, the new Peugeot 208 retains the same dimensions, the same look, and the same unique character. Longer and wider than ...

Joe Donoghue, Minister Catherine Byrne, and Conor Dixon of Renault Ireland. Renault Ireland has handed over a specially converted nine-seater Renault Trafic minibus to Fatima Groups United Family Resource Centre in Rialto, Dublin 8, writes Trish Whelan . Based on the Trafic van, the converted minibus will be used by the centre during the course of its work within the local community. The centre is the representative body of residents and projects in Fatima and Herberton, and operates from community development principles providing key services in the areas of health and wellbeing, education, employment, arts, childcare, counselling supports, information and advice, family support and advocacy, civic awareness and community development. Renault supported the Family Resource Centre with the purchase of the minibus and also plans to supply an electric Kangoo Z.E. van to the centre for use in its catering service. At the handover, Conor Dixon of Renault Ireland sa...