News: Car sales off to sluggish start in January

It hasn't been a good start to the year for car sales in 2013, as figures released by the Society Of The Irish Motor Industry show. Volkswagen sit atop the sales pile, following on from its best-selling performance last year, while Ford occupies second place in the charts with Toyota in third. 

News: Rugby + Land Rover = Irish victory?

Hmmm. Last week, we published a little piece on Irish rugby captain Jamie Heaslip picking up his shiny new Land Rover Discovery. And then, Ireland went out and utterly thrashed Wales in the opening game of the RBS 6 Nations. Coincidence? We think not! So here's a photo of the lovely Amy Huberman picking up her new Range Rover Evoque...
Amy, who's not just Brian O'Driscoll's wife but also a fine actress in her own right and a Land Rover Brand Ambassador, has taken delivery of her new Evoque.

News: McLaren's P1 supercar upstages its new F1 racer

We are, let's face it, absolutely nuts about Formula One here at eDrive Towers, so the unveiling today of McLaren's 2013 challenger, the MP4-28, was getting us up to boiling point pretty easily. But then, just as the presentation was getting going, all thoughts of F1 and the new racer went, pfffft, out of our brains as Jenson Button pulled up in the stunning new P1 supercar.

News: Ireland's first Toyota dealership hits 75

  

It seems to be that businesses are falling by the wayside every few minutes in these dark times of austerity, but there are a few, a select few, that have true longevity. How about one that began life as the dark clouds of war gathered over Europe, and has traded, survived and prospered through Cold War, moon landing, Haughey, Jack Charlton and Bertie? Well done Linders of Chapelizod, for hitting your 75th birthday.

News: Skoda to car buyers: Don't buy! At least not yet...

It's not often that you hear a car company exhorting buyers not to go out and put their hands into their wallets, but that's exactly what Skoda is asking Irish car buyers to do. At least, for the moment...
 

You see, Skoda has this week announced specification and pricing details for their third new model in just six months with the imminent arrival of the new Octavia to Ireland. Unveiled internationally  late last year the new Octavia will be available in Ireland from March with three different specification variants, both manual and automatic transmission options and five engine alternatives the new Octavia offers the Irish motorist considerable choice with prices starting from €18,995.
 
Originally launched in Ireland back in 1998, the Octavia has become a firm favourite with Irish motorists with more than 40,600 sold to the end of 2012. Now as Skoda enters its 20^thAnniversary in Ireland, the third generation of the Octavia will see Skoda challenge not only direct competitors in the medium family segment but, thanks to its increase in size, challenge vehicles in the Mondeo-Passat-Avensis class.
 
The new Octavia has grown significantly in length and width, the new model is 90mm longer and 45mm wider than the outgoing Octavia. The wheelbase has grown by 108mm enabling the Octavia break the mould for spaciousness in its model segment with interior length (1,782mm), more knee room (73mm) and more headroom at the back (980mm) as well as best in class boot volume of 590 litres.

The new Octavia is powered by the latest low emission TSI petrol engines as well as common rail diesel engines with Stop Start technology for excellent fuel economy.
Speaking on the price reveal for the new Octavia in Ireland, Raymond Leddy Head of Marketing, Skoda Irelandsaid: “We have increased specification levels for all versions of the new Octavia.  Additional airbags, Electronic Stability Control for increased safety and Stop Start Technology for reduced emissions and improved fuel economy are now standard features across the range.  Stylish alloy wheels are now offered on all models with the exception of the entry Active model. In dimension terms the new Octavia is wider and has grown in length by 9cm allowing for increased cabin space and luggage capacity. Despite this growth the new Octavia has in fact shed up to 100kg in weight compared to its predecessor. Less weight equates to better fuel economy and the new Octavia in its 1.6 TDI version consumes only 3.8 litres for every 100km travelled.

Leddy continued, “The new Octavia will be offered with attractive finance terms from €239 per month inclusive of servicing form Skoda Finance. The new Octavia goes on sale at Skoda Authorised retailers from 16^thMarch.  We would encourage anyone thinking of purchasing a new car for 2013 to consider the next generation Octavia before making that all important purchase.”
 

News: Lexus shows off new safety tech at CES

It may not be the prettiest Lexus you've ever seen, but this LS-based contraption is almost certainly the safest Lexus, possibly the safest car, of all time.

It's called the Safety Research Vehicle and Lexus is showing it off at the vast (and vastly important) Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

The car has been built to demonstrate ongoing efforts around autonomous vehicle safety technologies and explain Toyota's approach to reducing global traffic fatalities and injuries. The vehicle, based on a Lexus LS, advances the industry toward a new era of integrated safety management technologies.
The vehicle systems are capable of tasks such as scanning movement of objects around it, identifying a green light from a red light and measuring the trajectory of the vehicle on the road by using a 360-degree LIDAR laser on the roof of the vehicle which detects objects around the car up to about 70 meters; three high definition colour cameras to detect objects about 150 meters away, including traffic light detection using the front camera and approaching vehicles using the side cameras.
Radars on the front and sides of the vehicle measure the location and speed of objects to create a
comprehensive field of vision at intersections. There's also a distance measurement indicator located on a rear wheel measures travel distance and speed of the vehicle and an inertial measurements unit on the roof measures acceleration and angle changes to determine vehicle behaviour.

GPS antennas on the roof estimate angle and orientation even before the vehicle is in motion and the research vehicle is a testing platform aimed at the development of systems capable of enhancing the driver’s perception of their environment, assisting in the decision-making process and improving overall driving skills.

“In our pursuit of developing more advanced automated technologies, we believe the driver must be fully engaged,” said Mark Templin, Toyota group vice president and general manger of the Lexus Division. “For Toyota and Lexus, an autonomous vehicle does not translate to a driverless vehicle, but rather a car equipped with an intelligent, always-attentive co-pilot whose skills contribute to safer driving.”

Toyota has committed to new research toward an Intelligent Transportation System (ITS), integrating the car with the driving environment. To accelerate development of vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-roadside infrastructure communications, Toyota began full-scale operations in November at new 8.6 acre ITS proving grounds, located within the Higashi-Fuji Technical Center in Toyota City, Japan. Modelled after urban roads, the driving environment replicates roads and traffic signals and simulates real-life traffic situations using other vehicles, pedestrians and control devices.

The system is designed to help prevent accidents involving pedestrians and other vehicles using information continuously collected by the vehicle from other vehicles, infrastructure and pedestrians. Connecting people, vehicles, traffic environments and infrastructure with state-of-the-art electronic and telecommunications technologies will help move toward safer and more efficient traffic environments. The Toyota ITS Proving Grounds will assist the company work toward the early practical adoption of evermore reliable systems by repeatedly conducting testing that can be difficult to perform on public roads, with changing environments.

“The real value of research projects like this is reinforcing our focus on what a few years ago seemed an impossible dream and is now becoming more plausible,” Templin said. “We, at TMC and Lexus, consider the elimination of traffic fatalities and injuries the ultimate goal of a society that values mobility.”


 

News: Skoda already boasting of six new car launches this year

Crikey, we haven't even gotten in to 2013 proper yet and Skoda is already talking about launches in December...

The Czech car maker, the apple of the VW Group's eye and well on its way to meeting its target of selling 1.5-million cars a year, has already launched the new Rapid hatchback in Ireland, and we've seen the first pics and details of the much-anticipated new Octavia saloon and estate which arrives in March. But what else have the Czechs got up their sleeves?

Well, there's definitely an updated Superb on the way, which Skoda insiders tell us keeps the clever/useless (delete as applicable) TwinDoor boot system but which does away with the bulky, awkward styling of the current saloon model.

Beyond that, there will probably be launches for the new vRS versions of the new Octavia and likely a facelift for the hugely popular Yeti.

Or, are there bigger changes afoot? Has Skoda got an all-new Fabia ready to go? Or what about the replacement for the oddball Roomster? Any takers?

News: Fiat plans to beat the Budget with new prices

FIAT Group Automobiles Ireland has announced its revised pricing for 2013 despite the lack of clarity from the government regarding VRT, road tax and number plate revisions in the run up to the announcement of those measures in Budget 2013.


In the light of such uncertainty, FIAT has chosen to extensively streamline its range, focusing on the most popular derivatives, which in turn facilitates low and fluid stock levels. The FIAT Panda range, for example, has the same number of versions available as in 2012 despite welcoming the new normally-aspirated, 65hp TwinAir and 4X4 Climbing models to the range for 2013.

Whereas the TwinAir Turbo commands a premium of around €1,000 (depending on the model) compared to the 1.2 69hp engine, the new TwinAir 65hp is only an additional €500, a small price to pay to cut CO2 emissions from 120g/km to just 99g/km which could be further offset by a potential reduction in road tax. Quite what the total saving to the consumer will be for opting for the new TwinAir 65hp we will have to wait until December to learn, however.

The FIAT 500 range is reduced from 11 derivatives to just four, with renewed emphasis on the low CO2-emission TwinAir engines, while the entry level price of the hardtop has been reduced by €400 to €12,495 compared to 2012. The 500C Cabrio now starts at €15,495, a price reduction of almost €1,000, while the entry-point for the award-winning FIAT 500 TwinAir is reduced from €16,745 to €13,495, a massive reduction of €3,250!

FIAT Punto range is reduced from eight derivatives to just three with reconfigured pricing to better suit Irish market conditions. The entry point for the five-door FIAT Punto, for example, has been reduced from €15,295 to just €13,495, a remarkable saving of €1,800! The TwinAir 85hp model is also reduced by €1,800 - from €16,295 to just €14,495 - and that despite the addition of two extra doors. With a price difference of just €1,000 compared to the 1.2 69hp it is expected to be a cornerstone model in 2013, particularly when its low CO2 emissions (98g/km, compared to 1.2's 120g/km) and improved performance are taken into consideration.

The price of the five-door FIAT Punto diesel remains unchanged despite significant technological upgrades to its 1.3-litre MultiJet engine. It now employs new efficiency technologies (Intelligent Alternator and Intelligent Flow) to reduce its CO2 emissions to a mere 90g/km while power increases from 75hp to 85hp for improved driver satisfaction. Priced at €15,495, FIAT Punto diesel will be one of the most competitive superminis on the market in Ireland in 2013.

Announcing pricing for 2013, Managing Director of FIAT Group Automobiles Ireland, Adrian C. Walsh, commented: "Despite the lack of clarity from the government regarding VRT, road tax and number plate revisions due in 2013, we believe that no matter what the 2013 Budget throws at us in December, FIAT will be ready with some of the most technologically advanced, environmentally sound and great-value vehicles on the market today."

News: Citroen offers buyers €500 worth of fuel

Citroën Motors Ireland has announced details of its upcoming Open Weekend taking place in participating authorised dealerships throughout Ireland from Thursday 8 - Sunday 11 November 2012.

With €500 of free fuel available - which can deliver over 8,000km of free driving - for customers who order over the weekend and an extended 5 year warranty now available on all passenger vehicles it’s the perfect time to buy a new Citroën.

Fredéric Soulier, Managing Director of Citroën Motors Ireland, commented; "We are committed to giving our customers more for their money and with our extended 5 year warranty and our free €500 fuel offer, customers can expect more at the upcoming Citroën Open Weekend.”

Terms and Conditions apply, of course, so for more information or details of your nearest participating Citroën dealer log onto www.citroen.ie

News: Is this the all-new Mazda 3?

A mysterious mole seems to have uncovered the first secret images of next year's all-new Mazda 3 hatchback and saloon.


Sent in an envelope to the offices of Auto Express magazine in London, these first images of Mazda's crucial new hatch, if they are the real thing, show a car with a dramatic interpretation of the company's new Kodo design language, with a gaping front grille, heavily contoured rear end and a distinctly aggressive mien. The saloon version, especially, looks good in profile, with more than a hint of mini-Maserati about it.


According to Auto Express, when Mazda UK was quizzed about the pictures, they claimed they were a digital image designed to show what a new 3 could look like. Which sounds to our ears rather like "yes, it's the new 3, but we're not allowed to say so yet."

Whether or not this is the new 3, it will get an all-new, lighter SkyActiv platform derived from the same chassis that underpins the CX-5 and the new 6 saloon and estate. Expect ultra-low Co2 figures and impressive fuel consumption, along with a distinctly sporty setup.

News: Volkswagen Ireland gives us Golf prices

Volkswagen Ireland has revealed the pricing for the all-new Golf, which goes on sale in Ireland in December, and they start from just €19,995.


Not only is the new car lighter, safer, more advanced, more spacious, more efficient and better equipped than previous generations of Europe’s best-seller, of which over 29 million have been sold, but with a starting price of just €19,995 for the 3-door 1.2-litre 85bhp Trendline model it is still below €20,000. The diesel line up starts at just €22,695 for the 105bhp 1.6-litre TDI model. This new 1.6-litre TDI 105bhp engine will have CO2 emissions of just 99g/km.

From launch, the Golf will be available in Ireland in three trim levels: Trendline, Comfortline and Highline (the GTD, GTI and BlueMotion models will join the line-up in 2013). Three petrol engines and two diesel engines will be available to order.

The petrol engine range starts with a four-cylinder 1.2-litre TSI unit producing 85 bhp, rising via a 1.2-litre TSI 105 bhp up to the all-new 1.4-litre TSI 140 bhp engine with Active Cylinder Technology. This helps to create an extremely efficient engine capable of 4.7 l/100km (combined cycle) and 109 g/km thanks to the ability to deactivate the central two cylinders under light loads. This makes it 23% more efficient than the equivalent engine in the previous version of the Golf.

The two diesel engines at launch are a 1.6-litre TDI 105 bhp and a new 2.0-litre TDI 150 bhp unit. Both feature the latest common rail diesel technology for maximum efficiency. All new Golf models – both diesel and petrol – come with a Stop/Start system as standard, along with battery regeneration. A 90bhp diesel will follow in Quarter 2 of 2013.

Gearboxes are a mixture of five- and six-speed manuals, and six- and seven-speed DSG units, depending on the engines’ power and torque outputs.

Standard specification levels build on those of the outgoing Golf, bringing new items of luxury and technology to the class.

All Golf models come with seven airbags, including a driver’s knee airbag, five three-point seatbelts, ABS with ESP, XDS electronic differential lock and Isofix preparation for two rear child seats.

On Trendline models, the standard Composition Media system includes a 5-inch colour touchscreen, FM/AM radio as well as eight speakers (front and rear) and a CD drive (MP3 compatible). The CD drive is located in the glovebox along with the SD card slot.

Also standard is ‘Climatic’ semi-automatic air conditioning and an electronic parking brake, among a host of other features.

Moving up from Trendline to Comfortline trim brings an outstanding range of features, including Cruise Control, Bluetooth phone connectivity, Radio Composition Media which has a 5.8 inch touch screen display which responds to wiping and zooming gestures and there is access to ‘Phone’ and ‘Voice’ commands. There are USB and aux-in interfaces integrated into a separate compartment in the centre console in front of the gearshifter. On the outside, 15” Lyon alloy wheels come as standard on Comfortline models.

From the outside, the Highline model can be recognised by its 16-inch ‘Dover’ alloy wheels, front fog lights, deep red tail-light clusters, black radiator grille with chrome mouldings and electrically folding exterior mirrors. Inside, the Highline gets a 3-spoke leather multifunction steering wheel, sports front seats and Piano Black Mesh inserts for the centre console.

Optional equipment includes high beam assist, lane assist, park assist (which is able to parallel-park the Golf in spaces only 80 cm longer than the car itself in addition to providing automatic parking), ACC adaptive cruise control and a rear-view camera. Drivers can also select from a choice of alternative alloy wheels up to 18 inches in diameter, bi-xenon headlights, ‘Vienna’ leather upholstery (optionally with 12-way electrically adjustable front seats), 2-Zone climate control, the Discover Pro navigation system with 8-inch colour touchscreen, keyless entry and a panoramic sunroof, among other options.

Volkswagen retailers will start taking orders for the new Golf from mid-to-late-October, with first deliveries due in mid-December. As ever, attractive finance rates will be available from Volkswagen Bank, with Hire Purchase rates of just 4.9% available on new Golf and PCP (Personal Contract Plan) rates from just €239 per month including delivery charges.

For full details, see the price list. For more information on the Volkswagen range visit www.volkswagen.ie.

Full price list:

Model                 Engine                   Trim                   Co2  Price
GOLF TL BMT 1.2TSI 3DR 85HP Trendline Petrol 114 €19,995
GOLF TL BMT 1.2TSI 5DR 85HP Trendline Petrol 114 €20,945
GOLF TL BMT 1.2TSI 3DR 105HP Trendline Petrol 116 €20,745
GOLF TL BMT 1.2TSI 5DR 105HP Trendline Petrol 116 €21,695
GOLF TL BMT 1.2TSI DSG 5DR 105HP Trendline Petrol 116 €23,445
GOLF TL BMT 1.6TDI 3DR 105HP Trendline Diesel 99 €22,695
GOLF TL BMT 1.6TDI 5DR 105HP Trendline Diesel 99 €23,645
GOLF TL BMT 1.6TDI DSG 5DR 105HP Trendline Diesel 103 €25,395
GOLF CL BMT 1.2TSI 3DR 105HP Comfortline Petrol 116 €22,395
GOLF CL BMT 1.2TSI 5DR 105HP Comfortline Petrol 116 €23,345
GOLF CL BMT 1.2TSI 5DR 105HP Comfortline Petrol 116 €25,095
GOLF CL BMT 1.6TDI 3DR 105HP Comfortline Diesel 99 €24,345
GOLF CL BMT 1.6TDI 5DR 105HP Comfortline Diesel 99 €25,295
GOLF CL BMT 1.6TDI 5DR 105HP Comfortline Diesel 103 €27,045
GOLF HL BMT 1.2TSI 3DR 105HP Highline Petrol 116 €24,045
GOLF HL BMT 1.2TSI 5DR 105HP Highline Petrol 116 €24,995
GOLF HL BMT 1.2TSI DSG 5DR 105HP Highline Petrol 116 €26,745
GOLF HL ACT 1.4TSI 3DR 140HP Highline Diesel 114 €25,995
GOLF HL ACT 1.4TSI 5DR 140HP Highline Diesel 114 €26,945
GOLF HL ACT 1.4TSI DSG 5DR 140HP Highline Diesel 113 €28,695
GOLF HL BMT 1.6TDI 3DR 105HP Highline Diesel 99 €25,995
GOLF HL BMT 1.6TDI 5DR 105HP Highline Diesel 99 €26,945
GOLF HL BMT 1.6TDI DSG 5DR 105HP Highline Diesel 103 €28,695
GOLF HL BMT 2.0TDI 5DR 150HP Highline Diesel 109 €29,695
GOLF HL BMT 2.0TDI DSG 5DR 150HP Highline Diesel 119 €31,645

News: Land Rover updates Discovery

One of our favourite cars, the Land Rover Discovery, is getting a makeover for the 2013 model year, including an understated new "Black Pack" that does away with some chintzy chrome.

For 2013, the Discovery 4 gets new optional features including the Extended Leather Pack inspired by the HSE Luxury Limited Edition, and distinctive Black Design Packs available with 19" or 20" all-black painted wheels and a host of black trim finishers and design details such as gloss black grille and fender vents.

Customers also now have a choice of five additional body colours and two new interior colours and trim enhancements, offering customers an even greater opportunity to personalise their car.
The infotainment system has been upgraded to include the latest generation DAB radio and a new digital TV tuner, whilst the navigation system now comes with premium features such as Off-Road guidance and 4x4i.

The existing 256bhp 3.0-litre LR-SDV6 and entry level 211bhp 3.0-litre LR-TDV6 diesels continue to power the Discovery with the ZF's 8-speed automatic transmission, producing CO2 emissions of just 230g/km and 224g/km respectively in EU5 markets, whilst the 375bhp 5.0-litre V8 naturally aspirated petrol engine is also still available, but presumably only id your surname is Al Saud...

"The Discovery 4 continues to win awards for its unrivalled versatility and breadth of capability, accommodating up to seven passengers in comfort whatever the terrain. For 2013, the breadth of choice gets better, with equipment upgrades and our new Black Design Packs enhancing the key design attributes that our customers identify with today. As the ultimate all-purpose vehicle, the Discovery 4 is now more compelling than ever before," said John Edwards, Land Rover Global Brand Director.

News: Honda teases new Civic estate

Honda has teased us with a sketch image of an upcoming Civic estate. The picture, flashed up on the screen at Honda's stand at the Paris motor show, seems to show a tightly-contoured compact estate with a distinctive wraparound rear-end.


Honda is keeping tech details close to its chest for the moment, but when a pre-production version gets an airing at the Geneva show next March, expect it to have a slightly stretched version of the current Civic hatch's platform and Honda's all-new 1.6 diesel engine which should push emissions well below the 100g/km mark.