Kadwahat Car

Three cars achieved a 5-star rating in the last round of Euro ENCAP crash tests for 2016, writes Brian Byrne . They are the Ford Edge , the Audi Q2 and the Hyundai Ioniq , each of which achieved the maximum score with standard equipment. The SsangYong Tivoli  (below) and its longer sibling the XLV each received a base 3-star rating with standard equipment, and four stars when tested with their optional safety pack. Suzuki’s new Ignis was awarded a 3-star rating when tested with its standard equipment and reached a 5-star rating when tested with a safety pack. The dual rating scheme helps small manufacturers where price positioning doesn’t allow for advanced technologies to be standard equipment. (All photos © Euro NCAP.)

Volkswagen-owned Skoda Ireland has launched details of its first ever Irish TV ad as part of a €650,000 investment to promote the brand, writes Trish Whelan . The ad will air on national TV on 5 December. According to Eimear Walshe, marketing communications manager with Skoda Ireland: “This is the first ad we’ve developed specifically for the Irish market so we’re very excited about it. In terms of timing, the brand has gone through really rapid change over the past two years. We now have almost 7pc market share here in Ireland so we felt the time was right to invest in our brand and show Irish people that we’re not just a Czech brand being sold in Ireland." She added "By listening to what our audience in Ireland wants and holding focus groups, we found that locally produced communications content resonates more strongly with an Irish audience. This ad campaign is about demonstrating how we at Skoda identify with our Irish audience and their lives.” Eimear says 'while Sko

A smart cruise control system being developed by General Motors will let drivers remove their hands from the wheel while in operation, writes Brian Byrne . ‘Super Cruise’ uses facial recognition to make sure that the driver is still paying attention to the road. The company is planning to roll out the system next year in the US, in a Cadillac brand car. Current cruise assist systems require that a driver have their hands on the wheel at all times, but this semi-autonomous mode would recognise when a driver isn’t paying attention, or if they’re falling asleep while the system is engaged. The Super Cruise would signal a red alert, vibrate the seat and play a recorded message. If there’s no response, GM would then use its OnStar driver assistance system to try and communicate directly with the driver. Super Cruise will hand back control of the vehicle to the driver if it notices that the road gets twistier. It will also turn on the car’s emergency hazard lights and slow the vehicle if the

Ford has unveiled its new generation Fiesta at an event in Cologne which pitches the car at a more upmarket position in the supermini segment, writes Brian Byrne . The seventh iteration of the nameplate has a much cleaner design and will be available in a crossover style as well as the Titanium, ST-Line and Vignale grades. The recent launch of the Ka+ 5-door hatchback into the segment has allowed Ford to upscale the Fiesta, which celebrated its 40th anniversary this year. The new Fiesta goes on sale in Europe next year, At the ‘Go Further’ event in Cologne, Ford also revealed details of two new special edition Mustangs for the European market — Black Shadow and Blue Edition. An ST-Line grade of the new Edge large SUV was also shown, as well as new versions of the Transit Custom Sport which include one with rear air suspension. The company also outlined details of its latest 1.0 EcoBoost 3-cylinder engine, which will have cylinder deactivation technology, the first engine in this format

Volkswagen Ireland is offering 0.0pc PCP Finance on the Passat Highline and Passat Highline Business Edition on all cars ordered from stock before 31 December 2016. The Passat comes with a choice of a 1.4 TSI petrol engine with 150hp, a 1.6 TDI diesel with 120hp or a 2.0 TDI with either 150hp or 240hp. Highline models include leather upholstery, heated front seats, 17” alloy wheels, tinted rear windows and adaptive cruise control. The Highline Business Edition adds a Discover Pro Navigation System, TFT touch screen, 30GB hard disk, SD card reader and DVD drive, voice control and app connect as well as LED headlights, Light Assist and a USB interface. This is a limited offer on existing stock cars only.

Four of Europe’s largest carmakers are joining forces in a plan to set up a network of ultra-fast charging stations on the continent’s main roads, writes Brian Byrne . They are BMW, Daimler, Ford and Volkswagen Group and the plan calls for the installation of some 400 stations across Europe which are brand-independent and use the Combine Charging System standard. Each company has committed ‘substantial investments’ to set up the network, showing their belief in the future of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs). Other car companies will be encouraged to come on board the joint venture.

Ford is revealing a seventh-generation Fiesta at an event in Cologne, tomorrow, the latest in a line of the nameplate which began in 1976 (above), writes Brian Byrne . The car will be pitched more upmarket than the current model, and is expected to feature more upgrade interiors and higher levels of technology to bring it into line with more recent Ford models. The new Fiesta is expected to share the same global platform as its predecessor, so dimensions won't change very much. A move away from the long-serving 4-cylinder engine option is also likely, leaving it in slightly down-sized form for the new Ka+ just arrived in Ireland. The award-winning EcoBoost 1.0 will then be the primary powerplant for the new Fiesta. (Pic by Rudolf Stricker - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0 )

Volkswagen has released a sketch of a new premium large saloon which will launch in 2017, writes Brian Byrne . The Arteon will debut at Geneva in March and will sit above the Passat in the Volkswagen brand lineup. The 4-door saloon will have a tailgate access to a very large boot area. It's the second premium model from the brand revealed this year — the Phideon (below) was shown at Geneva 2016, for the Chinese market. Volkswagen's previous top end car, the Phaeton, was sold between 2002-2016, during which period some 84,325 units were bought worldwide. No engines have been revealed for the Arteon, but the China market Phideon offers 2.0 and 3.0 turbocharged petrol power, while the Phaeton used petrol and diesel engines ranging 3.0-6.0 litres capacity.

You see a lot of Hyundai Tucsons around these days, writes Brian Byrne . It has been very successful for the importers. So much so, it is the biggest selling car in Ireland this year. Unseating the Volkswagen Golf in this context is no mean feat. The current Tucson has been around for about a year now, and I had the chance recently to give it another run. An opportunity to see some of why it might be the success that it is. You've got to hand it to the Korean carmakers. They've gone the extra yard and more to give themselves the edge, to reach the top echelons of the global car industry. They set a plan, and followed it diligently. And now they are where they are. Which as I write is in fifth place and fighting Nissan tooth and nail to take fourth from the Japanese maker. How has Hyundai done this? Well, by using style, quality, and good engineering to shift from the budget car space to, arguably, beyond the median of mainstream. (And let’s not forget Kia while writing this — H

The new generation Opel Insignia due in Ireland in mid-2017 will be lighter, lower and wider than the current car, writes Brian Byrne . It will also have a longer wheelbase and shorter overhangs. Technologies on the car will include a further refined version of the adaptive chassis with three driving modes. Speed-variable steering and a lower driving position will offer a more sporty driving experience, according to advance publicity from Opel, who have been teasing out the dynamics on the Nordschleife section of the Nürburgring racing circuit in Germany.

The Ford Ka+ which is now on sale in Ireland is expected to change the brand's profile in the small car segment  writes  Trish Whelan . It's not an upgrade of that model but a completely different car to the city car nameplate which has been around since 1996. Indeed, it is quite close in size to the Fiesta, and may well draw some of its customers from that supermini's segment. The Ka+ is also a 5-door, whereas the previous Ka as a 3-door 4-seater kept Ford from competing in 85pc of its segment where people wanted a car with five doors and that could seat five people. "We know that was a key factor and put off many customers," Ford Chairman and Managing Director Ciaran McMahon explained at the car's launch yesterday at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park at Stratford in London where the 2012 Olympic Games took place. "We need to re-establish Ka+ on the market as an entirely different vehicle and to re-educate customers that it is not a replacement for the ol

Jeep Ireland are offering a special edition of the Renegade small SUV which offers styling enhancements and technology upgrades for a 171 registration period price of €171 more than the car on which it is based, writes Brian Byrne . The ‘Night Eagle’ edition gets 8” black alloys, a panoramic sunroof, privacy glass and a special exterior styling pack. Interior additions include bespoke upholstery and dual-zone air conditioning. The Jeep Renegade Night Eagle is available with a choice of two engines — a 1.4 Turbo 140hp petrol for €27,471) or 1.6 120hp diesel for €28,121) — and, included in the retail price, is offered in four new colours Granite Crystal, Carbon Black, Alpine White and Colorado Red.

Ford’s newest small car, the Ka+, arrives in Ireland this week at a starting price of €13,050, writes Trish Whelan from the media launch event in London . The 5-seater replaces the long-serving original Ka, and is a 5-door, 5-seat powered by a 1.2 petrol engine with a choice of power outputs. A 5-speed manual transmission is standard. It is shorter than the current Fiesta, but taller, offering class-leading headroom. A 270L boot space can be extended by lowering the 60:40 split seatbacks. An innovative element is a dock on the instruments area to mount and charge phones or portable navigation systems. There are two grades, Studio and Zetec, the latter with the higher power engine. In addition to normal financing, the car is available on a PCP deal from €29 a week.

This is BMW’s new competitor to the Mercedes CLA and Audi A3, the 1 Series sedan, writes Brian Byrne . But we’re not going to see it in Europe — the car is being produced only in China, where the saloon genre is much more favoured than hatchback, especially in premium brands. It was revealed last weekend at the Guangzhou Auto Show. Sweet …

Renault's new Megane Sports Tourer arrives in December, based on the fourth generation of the Megane that launched here last June, writes Trish Whelan . The Sports Tourer version is available to order now, priced from €20,490-€31,690. Renault says it provides features and technologies from the segment above, not usually seen on a family car. With a wealth of space for occupants and their belongings, the Megane Sport Tourer offers boot space of 521 litres with seats in place, and 1,504 litres with them rear ones down. Five trim levels are offered, all with a comprehensive specification as standard offering buyers the choice between luxurious or sporty at the top of the range. The entry level gets front and rear LED daytime running lights; six airbags, 16-inch wheels, tinted windows, electric windows, Bluetooth, DAB radio with fingertip controls, two-way adjustable steering column, height adjustable front seats, a 12-volt front socket and plenty of storage throughout the cabin. Four

Black Friday offers are available at SEAT dealerships nationwide from this coming Thursday until Sunday (24-27 November), writes Trish Whelan . Offers include a special Black Friday gift of a free three-year service plan, saving customers €700. In addition, anyone who orders a new 171 SEAT during the sales event period can avail of up to €4,000 scrappage on the Leon range including 0.0pc finance on selected Leon and Ibiza models. The offers come when the brand has welcomed new dealers to the network (now at 23) and have just launched its new Ateca SUV. The Leon ST Cupra is pictured above.

BMW’s new generation Mini Countryman is now on sale in Ireland with prices starting at €33,580 OTR, writes Brian Byrne . Irish customers will get their first deliveries in February 2017. Larger than its predecessor, the new Countryman also benefits from a new generation of engines and transmissions, as well as being the first Mini to offer a plug-in hybrid drive. The normal powertrains include 1.5 and 2.0 petrol engines and a 2.0 diesel. Another first is a central touchscreen in the area originally used for the iconic Mini central speedometer. The Countryman also features a Picnic Bench, a fold out loading sill cushion on the luggage compartment lid for outdoor use. The plug-in hybrid uses a turbocharged petrol engine and an electric motor, reducing fuel consumption to 2.1L/100kms, while its CO2 emissions figure is 49g/km. Prices for the plug-in hybrid model will be announced later.

Fiat’s new 124 Spider is now on sale in Ireland at a starting price of €31,495, writes Trish Whelan . The 2-seater sports car comes in three grades, Classica, Lusso, and Lusso Plus, and is powered by a 140hp 1.4 turbocharged petrol engine. The RWD car can accelerate to 100km/h in 7.5 seconds. The style of the car, which is being built by Mazda on the same line as its MX-5 roadster, has design details which reflect the original sports car produced between 1966-1980. The car shares the Mazda’s platform, interior and folding roof, but the body and engine are provided by Fiat. Going up through the grades adds features such as satellite navigation, larger wheels, and adaptive LED headlights. At the recent Irish media launch, FCA Ireland MD Paul Hunt said the 124 Spider is very much a halo model for the brand in Ireland and he was going to be ‘realistic’ about numbers to be sold. “The Spider is very much part of Fiat DNA, and is designed to give owners a sense of engagement,” he said.

This is the Jaguar XKSS, first built in the mid-50s based on the D-Type racer which won the Le Mans 20 Hours in 1954, writes Brian Byrne . Just 25 of them were planned, but only 16 were built because of a fire in 1957 at the company’s Brown’s Lane production facility. Now Jaguar is building the ‘missing’ nine cars, to almost the same specification and in the same hand-built manner of the originals. Only very minor changes, for modern safety reasons, have been made. It will be powered by a 262hp 3.4 straight-six, like the originals. All nine, planned for production by the Jaguar Classic division starting next year, have been presold, at prices estimated to be $1.5m each. One of the surviving originals, which was owned by film star and motor racing enthusiast Steve McQueen, is said to be worth $30m.

Fiat Chrysler Auto will be targeting Nissan’s Qashqai and similar compact SUVs with the new Jeep Compass, writes Brian Byrne . The new generation Compass will fill a gap in the SUV sector for the brand, which currently is having big success in Europe with its small SUV Renegade. The Compass will launch in Europe sometime in the middle of next year, following its debut at the current Los Angeles Auto Show. It will be built in four factories around the world, with LHD versions for Europe coming from Mexico, and RHD versions from India. European versions will have 1.6 or 2.0 diesels and an as yet unspecified petrol unit.

 Fiat’s new Tipo is being sold on a strategy of giving more car for less money, with the tagline ‘Amore, For Less’ punning on the Italian word for love, writes Brian Byrne . At today’s Irish media launch of the compact family hatch and its wagon variant, MD of Fiat Chrysler Auto Ireland Paul Hunt said the car’s ethos is also about giving the customer ‘what they want rather than what they don’t need’. The Tipo nameplate has been revived for this new model, drawing on a heritage of the first version which sold more than 2m copies following its launch in 1989. Acknowledging that Fiat’s share of the market in Ireland is currently very low, Mr Hunt said this was partly because it has been absent from the key C segment for some years, depending on the 500 and 500l, along with the Panda small car for sales. “Our dealers didn’t have the product to sell, but now they will have,” he added. Outlining the Tipo’s details, he noted that the new vehicle is a ‘very substantial’ car in its segment when

Renault's 171 offer applies to all orders taken until 31 January 2017 and to all cars across the range, writes Trish Whelan . The 171 offer, available in dealerships, includes 3.0pc APR Finance, 3 Years' Servicing and 5 years warranty and roadside assistance. The 3.0pc APR offer applies on PCP and HP across the Renault car range. Renault's models currently have a 5.8pc share of the overall market with new models arriving into dealerships this month and early December including the all-new Megane Sport Tourer, the new Megane Grand Coupe, New Scenic, Grand Scenic, and new Clio Facelift. Renault has been the top-selling van manufacturer in Europe for the past 18 years and this success has been mirrored in Ireland. Their van range includes Master, Traffic, and Kangoo. The 171 offer includes 3.9pc APR on HP and 3 years servicing. Dacia will offer zero deposit and 4.9pc APR on PCP with Dacia Bank for 171 across its range. The Dacia range includes Duster (pictured above), Sandero,

Mazda has unveiled a new generation CX-5 at the Los Angeles Auto Show, which will begin its global rollout after launch in Japan in February, writes Brian Byrne . The styling is stronger and more aggressive than on the current model, which was first launched in 2012. The company has also upgraded the car’s interior, offering more premium finishes. Depending on market, power options in the new vehicle will be 2.0 and 2.5 petrol and a 2.2 diesel. The CX-5 is Mazda’s biggest selling car globally.

Volvo has always been at the upper end of mass-market, not generally accepted amongst the premium brands as a peer, or considered so by those who aspire to premium brands, writes Brian Byrne . And in fairness, that was partly due to presenting not always inspiring cars in the key medium-large executive space. Like the S80, always worthy, nicely specified, but not meriting a second glance for any presence. That changed somewhat with the arrival of the new XC90 a few years ago. Somewhere, Volvo had relearned style and well as adding to the not inconsiderable substance which much of the rest of its model range had already developed. And now, with the S90 which was launched here earlier in the year, Volvo has to my mind definitely earned its place in the privileged car classes, right there with BMW's 5 Series and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. The S90 has become one of those cars that turns the heads of even those who have no particular interest. Somewhere, the designers tapped into that v

Singer-songwriter Christy Moore helped launch next Sunday’s World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, with the rendition of a specially written song, in Dublin’s Smock Alley venue this morning. The RSA, which hosted the event, noted 23,949 people have died on Irish roads to date  since records began in 1959. Already this year, 165 families, friends and communities have lost a loved one. The RSA along with Road Safety Officers in Local Authorities and road safety support organisations have organised masses, services and commemorative events around the country this Sunday to remember the lives that have been lost and changed forever on our roads. A full list of the events is available on www.rsa.ie.