Car 6

The Toyota Proace City, Toyota’s latest offering in their LCV range, will arrive in Ireland for the second half of 2020 but will visit each local dealership in the Proace City Roadshow in March, writes Trish Whelan . It competes in the Light Duty Van (LDV) segment. Toyota claim it is built with the customer in mind, is practical, agile and flexible. It comes in a number of variants, allowing customers to choose their bespoke van to suit their needs and is available as a short or long wheelbase panel van. It comes with a choice of two or three seats in the front cabin. Capacity is up to 3.7m3 on short wheelbase models and up to 4.3m3 on long wheelbase models. It can also accommodate two euro pallets in both lengths and asymmetric rear doors make loading simple. It has a towing capacity of 1,500kg and a payload of up to 1,000kg. Toyota say, featuring a diesel powertrain with a choice of 75 DIN hp and 100 DIN hp, it combines low C02 with ‘outstanding’ fuel effi...

Nissan LEAF electric car Nissan’s new ‘Subscribe & Drive’ will allow motorists to own a new car for €356 per month without having to pay a deposit, writes Trish Whelan . Motorists signing up to Nissan’s new service will also have the opportunity to trade in their old car and to cash in on its residual value as part of the new subscription model. “Nissan is making it possible for Irish motorists to drive a brand new car for a price they can afford and to potentially put money back into their own pocket while doing so,” said James McCarthy, CEO of Nissan Ireland. “Our subscription service is made for anyone who wants to release the equity in their old car and to drive away with a new one, without paying a deposit, for a fixed payment that fits within their monthly household budget,” he added. Customers just need to sign up as a subscriber. They can then drive the car for an agreed term and hand it back on completion without any other obligation. Moto...

Toyota Corolla hybrid saloon Toyota will hold an event at its dealerships nationwide to make it easy for interested drivers to start their electric journey in hybrid with a range of offers for ’201’, writes Trish Whelan . They will showcase their big range of self-charging hybrid vehicles at the event.   Toyota’s Hybrid Advantage event takes place in dealerships across Ireland from 6-9 November, and ’is all about people discovering the myriad benefits of driving self-charging hybrids versus conventionally powered cars’. Benefits of hybrids over diesel and pure petrol-powered vehicles include 30 per cent lower maintenance costs and 30 per cent better fuel economy than petrol cars, as well as better resale value than comparative diesels. The ‘201’ offers include 3 year’ servicing as standard across all passenger car models:these include   Aygo with 2.9 per cent APR on x-play+ model, and up to €2,500 trade in booster for Yaris petrol and 3.9 per cent APR...

Peugeot’s new 208 will arrive in dealer showrooms just in time for the January 2020 registration plate, writes Trish Whelan . Available from launch with a choice of petrol, diesel or electric powertrains, the new 208 will have the latest-generation i-Cockpit and 3D head-up display, together with a range of driving aids usually reserved for more expensive models. The new model is available with a 5, 7 or 10-inch touch screen, depending on trim and options selected.   Buyers will have a choice of Euro6, three petrol powertrains (1.2 75bhp manual, 1.2 100bhp manual or 8-speed automatic, and 1.2 130bhp 8-speed automatic) and a 1.5 BlueHDi diesel 100bhp manual.   Built on Peugeot’s new common modular production platform, the new model is longer, wider and lower than its predecessor. C02 emissions are reduced through weight reduction (30kg lighter), improved aerodynamics and reduced roll resistance.   With Drive Assist, the new 208 comes with bes...

First deliveries of Nissan’s new Juke start in mid November with prices ranging from €21,995-€26,950, writes Trish Whelan . The new Juke is visiting Nissan showrooms around the country to give potential customers an opportunity to view the car which is  renowned for its strong, muscular looks combining the style of a coupe with a crossover stance.   Nissan say while new Juke has grown up, it still maintains its sense of fun with a contemporary interior exterior look. It competes in the B-crossover segment. The 115bhp 1.0 turbocharged, three-cylinder petrol engine is paired with a six-speed manual gearbox or a new seven-speed dual clutch automatic. The DCT transmission is available on all grades and adds €1,650 to the price of the car. C02 emissions range from 112g/km to 118g/km depending on wheel sizes and transmissions.   Five grades are - XE, SV, SV Premium, SVE and N-Design.   Interior of a left-hand-drive all-new Juke The e...

Volkswagen is to have the world premiere of its new Golf next week, on 24 October, writes Brian Byrne . It will be the eighth generation of what is now the modern icon of the company’s range. So far only teased with the illustration above, the new car will be on a revised version of the company’s MQB platform, and will feature mild hybrid technology. No major changes to the car’s long-serving style cues are anticipated when it is revealed in the metal at VW’s Wolfsburg headquarters. A strong focus on connectivity, driver assistance and safety technology, and enhanced driving dynamics will feature on the new Golf. There will be GTI and R versions as the car is rolled out in various global markets. Both are expected to receive substantial power boosts.

A two-year partnership between SEAT Ireland and 3 Arena will enable the motor company to showcase its models range within the venue, writes Brian Byrne . The arena is the fourth largest custom built music venue in Europe, with some 850,000 people attending events there each year. Neil Dalton, head of marketing at SEAT Ireland, says the partnership will offer an excellent platform to tell the SEAT story. Among the global artistes booked for the 3 Arena over the next year or so are Cher, Rod Stewart, Hozier, Lewis Capaldi and Elton John.

Suzuki Swift Attitude Suzuki’s Swift supermini had always been much loved by Irish motorists for its stylish good looks and for its drivability, writes Trish Whelan .   Swift is the car most people associate with Suzuki as it best demonstrates their design and engineering capabilities. It is getting close to reaching sales of seven million units globally. Now, a new version called Attitude has been added to the Swift line-up of SZ3, SZ-T, SZ5 and Sport. At the car’s launch on Thursday at The Johnstown Estate near Enfield in Co Meath, Ed Norman, Product Manager of Suzuki U, said this is a key model in the Swift line-up for 2019 which will draw customers who may not be able to afford €23,245 for a Swift Sport but who want a sporty looking car that is less expensive to buy. Attitude prices start from €17,245.   While the car’s exterior sporty looks compare favourably to those of the Swift Sport- which is armed with a 1.4 Boosterjet trubo engine out...

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles range Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ 201’ offers include 0pc HP on specific models across the range along with an upgrade bonus of up to €4,000, writes Trish Whelan .   The brand also has its own lease product where customers can pay a monthly lease with no deposit, starting from €248 per month. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is the only Irish manufacturer to offer a commercial PCP solution which will guarantee the residual value of a vehicle after 36 months of use. Service and maintenance are also available from €18.99 per month with their newly launched service plans.   The brand enters 2020 with a target of further growth following a record year in 2019. The Caddy is Ireland’s best-selling Commercial Vehicle. Crafter and Amarok are the fastest-growing models within their segments in Ireland. Transporter is set for growth again in 2020 with the launch of the new Transporter T6.1. This new Transporter is the brand’s ...

The SEAT SUV range, SEAT Ireland’s latest sales result show it to be one of the fastest growing car brands in Ireland, writes Trish Whelan . SEAT Ireland has announced ‘phenomenal sales results’ for the month of September with over 4,000 units sold year-to-date, which is up 10.5 per cent compared to this time last year and the highest achievement for the brand in Ireland in 19 years.   September sales have resulted in a record market share for SEAT of 3.5 per cent year-to-date. The SEAT Arona (winner of Irish Small Crossover of the Year 2019) accounts for over 27 per cent of the brand’s sales so far this year. The Ateca and new Tarraco 7-seater SUV are also strong contenders in this segment. Their SUV range accounts for 60 per cent of SEAT’s sales year-to-date.   SEAT’s success can also be attributed towards its expanding dealer network and the roll out of new state-of-the-art showroom branding across its full dealer network. Niall Phillips, B...

A survey carried out by German tyre manufacturer Continental of some 100 UK-registered vehicles on car dealer forecourts in Dublin showed that more than 75 per cent of them were fitted with budget tyres, in particular, cheap Chinese brands, writes Trish Whelan . For Road Safety Week (taking place this week from October 7-11), Continental Tyres is also urging Irish motorists to get into the tyre safety habit of regular checks.   According to Tom Dennigan of Continental Tyres Ireland (pictured): “Lower cost is what is driving the growing number of second-hand imports into Ireland and it is clear that, in an effort to keep the price as low as possible, the majority of car dealers are opting to fit the cheapest tyres on these vehicles.” He said independent tests by safety authorities in several countries have shown that so-called budget tyres do not have anything like the same performance and safety attributes as premium tyres. “This is particularly true when ...

Brian Cooke, SIMI Budget 2020, announced this afternoon by Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe, contains a number of measures specific to motoring, writes Trish Whelan . SIMI's Director General Brian Cooke has responded to matters relating to the Motor Industry. In his Budget speech, Minister Donohoe said: *No changes to C02 element of VRT. VRT will continue to be based on NEDC for 2020. *Replacement of 1 per cent diesel surcharge with a nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions based charge. This surcharge will apply to all passenger cars registered for the first time in the State from 1 January 2020. *Extend the Benefit-In-Kind zero rate on electric vehicles to 2020. *Extend VRT reliefs for conventional and plug-in-hybrids to 2020, subject to C02 thresholds. *Provide additional relief through the Diesel Rebate Scheme to hauliers to compensate that sector for the increased cost of fuel; and *Increase of the carbon levy on motor fuels of €6, adding €2 for a ta...

Figures from the Road Safety Authority’s (RSA) Annual Academic Lecture, show that 68 per cent of drivers with a positive roadside drug test between April 2017 and July 2019, tested positive for cannabis, writes Trish Whelan .   Cocaine follows closely behind as the main illicit drug detected after cannabis with 37 per cent of samples tested being positive for this substance. The Medical Bureau of Road Safety findings also show that cannabis is now not far behind alcohol in blood and urine samples it examined. This annual lecture marks the start of ‘Irish Road Safety Week’, and focused on drug driving. It featured insights on the subject from international and national experts. Minister Shane Ross TD Minister for Transport, Tourism and Spot, Mr Shane Ross TD said: “Driving under the influence of drugs has been a statutory offence since 1961 but it wasn’t until 2017, with the introduction of Preliminary Drug Testing, that we had a drug testing device capab...

Skoda’s flagship model, Superb, has just got better, writes Trish Whelan . The newly revised Superb goes on sale in Skoda dealerships from 12 October priced from €30,750. The first Superb was first launched in Ireland in 2001 and has become one of the Czech car maker’s best-selling models with over 18,000 vehicles currently on Irish roads. This is the third and most successful version that has now been extensively revised both inside and out. Available in a Combi (Estate) and Saloon (Lift back) versions, Skoda has slightly modified the exterior. The redesigned front bumper means the car’s length has increased by 8mm to 4,869mm and by 6mm to 4,862mm in the Combi version. The grille now bears double slats, is larger and protrudes a little further down into the front bumper. From the entry-level version, the narrower headlights come with LED technology as standard for the dipped and high beam. At the rear, a horizontal chrome trim connects the full LED tail lights ...

Peter Harte gets keys to his new Tesla Model 3 First deliveries of the new and more affordable Tesla Model 3 family saloon have begun in Ireland, writes Trish Whelan . Two of the first Irish customers were John Burke, managing director and owner of Burke’s Hardware & DIY, who lives in Wicklow Town. A self-confessed petrol head, motor racing enthusiast who has made the shift to electric, and Peter Harte, original Roadster owner who has added a Model 3 to his EV family.   Model 3 is Tesla’s smaller, simpler, more affordable car. Designed and built as the world’s first mass-market electric vehicle, it is a critical step in Tesla’s mission to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy. Model 3 combines industry-leading powertrain efficiency, aerodynamics and chassis technology to deliver the longest range of any comparable electric saloon. The car’s powertrain technology has been designed for ultra-high endurance and Tesla has proven its technolog...

The new Mazda CX-30 SUV is now on view in Mazda showrooms in Ireland priced from €29,495-€43,115, writes Trish Whelan .  These are left hand drive models borrowed from another market as the Irish company’s first allocation won't arrive until December - in good time for January 2020 sales. As they are static display models, they are not available to customers for test drives. However, a number of customers have already placed deposits on the back of these display cars with first customer deliveries due in January.   Mazda believe this compact SUV will be a very important addition to their line-up and expect to sell around 35,000 units of the model in Europe.   CX-30 enters the rapidly growing compact crossover SUV category which is a new market segment for them. Competitors here include the Audi Q2, Hyundai Qashqai and VW T-Roc. Size-wise, CX-30 sits between the best-selling Mazda CX-5 and the popular CX-3.   Designed in Europe, the ca...

Toyota Corolla Hybrid Saloon Just 16 months after announcing the cessation of diesel passenger car production, Toyota Ireland has made another significant move towards a cleaner and more sustainable motoring future by announcing the end of its Corolla and C-HR petrol models from 2020, writes Trish Whelan . The Irish company says ‘unprecedented demand for self-charging hybrid version of the world’s best-selling car eliminates the need for a petrol option’. This decision also sees C-HR switch to hybrid only as the 1.2L petrol engine has been dropped.   Steve Tormey, Toyota Ireland CEO, commented: “As evidenced by the massive swing in preference towards self-charging hybrid over pure petrol-powered cars that we have seen with Corolla, I am confident that if all other motoring manufacturers offered a full range of hybrids, Ireland’s environmental outlook would immediately be a lot rosier than it currently looks.” He added: “Our self-charging hybrids, which a...

James Brooks The Gowan Group has today formally completed the acquisition of Opel Ireland and has appointed James Brooks as Managing Director of the Opel operations in Ireland, writes Trish Whelan . James will succeed Gillian Whittall who is leaving the Company following the successful completion of the acquisition. A qualified accountant, he is joining Opel Ireland from Kia Motors Ireland where he was Managing Director. He is former Treasurer and President of the Society of the Irish Motor Industry. Michael Dwan, Gowan Group Managing Director said: “We are delighted to announce that James will be joining Opel Ireland as MD. He has huge experience in the Irish motor industry forged initially as Finance Director, Fleet Director and Business Development Manager at Opel Ireland for 9 years and latterly, as MD of Kia for 14 years. He is a highly regarded leader and I am confident that he will lead the Opel brand back to the market position it can justifiably achieve.” ...

While the ninety editions of Toyota’s new A90 GR Supra have already sold out globally, Toyota Ireland managed to secure one unit for Ireland, writes Trish Whelan . This is a very rare car indeed with such a small number built and with France, Germany and the UK all pitching for all ninety of them.   I got to drive this special sports car around the Mondello track in Co Kildare last week. It looks and drives like a sports car should giving an altogether thrilling driving experience. Toyota claim this is no mere sports car but 'is the purest expression of performance, designed to allow driver, car and road to become on'. They say it is set to define the next generation of performance. Before we took to the track, there was a short briefing on the car given by Aidan Timmons, Product Manager at Toyota Ireland who said to bring a Supra to market in 2018 would have taken years to achieve if the company had not cooperated with BMW to use their 3.0 engine (B...