Car10

Almost one in four cars sold in Europe in September were battery-electric, writes Brian Byrne . This was almost double the ratio for September last year and nearly five times the rate in 2019. The Tesla Model 3 was both the biggest selling electric car and also the biggest selling model overall in Europe in September, the first time an EV has topped the rankings. According to figures from JATO Dynamics, the growth in EVs has been mainly at the expense of diesel-powered cars, down to 17pc of all sales compared to 27pc in September 2020 and 30pc in September 2019. The global shortage of semiconductor chips has impacted the motor industry significantly, and in line with the consumer demand manufacturers are prioritising EVs over ICE cars for their limited supply. The overall European car market is up 7pc year to date compared to last year.  

Citroen Ireland offered a preview to journalists this morning of two models which they plan to have with us in March of next year, writes Brian Byrne . The key one was a prototype version of the new C5 X D-segment car, a hatchback on a long wheelbase and with a very stylish look. A flagship car for the brand, it will be available at launch as a petrol and plug-in hybrid, and a fully electric version is due in 2023. Comfort will be the key selling point with a very quiet drive and the brand's Advanced Comfort suspension and seating. There was no drive opportunity, but the car will also come with all the driver assist safety and connectivity technologies that would be expected from a fully-equipped premium level car. The C5 X will be built in China, where the D-segment remains a very strong part of the car market, and which will give the model enough volume to be viable in Europe where the medium and large family car arena is now dominated by the SUV-crossover trend. At the other ...

The percentage of automatic cars being sold in Ireland has increased almost five-fold in ten years, writes Brian Byrne . Of the 100,491 cars registered to the end of September this year, 48,670 have automatic transmissions, or 48.73pc. This compares to 10.27pc of the 87,150 cars registered in 2011. The strong uptake is probably due in part to automatics having become much more fuel-efficient, but also to the arrival of dual-clutch automated technology. The growing number of hybrid cars over the decade is also responsible for an increasing automatic percentage. Battery electric vehicles are also classed as automatics because they don't have a gearbox.  

Ford's mainstream Focus family car has been revised with new styling details and electrified powertrains, writes Brian Byrne . The exterior changes include a new bonnet design, and the move of Ford's 'blue oval' badge to the centre of the grille. New LED headlights are standard, and the LED taillights have been restyled. Main grades have grille details to differentiate them, and the ST-Line sportier variant gets side skirts and changes to the rear elements including a discreet spoiler. The 1.0 mild hybrid petrol engines are available in 125hp and 155hp outputs, and now come with the option of an automatic as well as 6-speed manual transmissions. There are also 100hp and 125hp standard petrols, and a 1.5 diesel in 95hp and 120hp options. A new Focus ST has a 2.3 petrol engine with 280hp, and a range of unique exterior and interior details. The latest Ford Sync 4 connectivity is part of the revised Focus package, with a larger screen, and subscription options add a vari...

Tesla Ireland has opened its online Design Studio for its Model Y SUV, where customers can select model options and pay for their car, writes Brian Byrne . The Model Y is available in two versions, Long Range and Performance, at €63,990 and €72,990 respectively. Features which can be added include an enhanced autopilot, and a 'full self-driving capability' that includes traffic light and stop sign control — these features still require driver supervision and do not make the vehicle autonomous. The rated range of the Model Y is 507km for the Long Range and 480km for the Performance version. Orders placed now have an estimated delivery of mid-2022.  

Volkswagen Ireland has given an Audi TT to Technological University Dublin's Vehicle Repair Workshop, which provides the only public sector provider of vehicle repair apprenticeships, writes Brian Byrne . The car was formerly used by Volkswagen Ireland as a training vehicle, and its multi-material body will help students make full use of the VRW's curriculum. Apprentices who attend the workshop are in the middle of a four-year training programme run by industry body SOLAS. Jason Phillips, Assistant Lecturer in Vehicle Body Repair, became an apprentice panel beater after completing his Leaving Cert 31 years ago. “Back in my day we used to rub down cars by hand with cold buckets of water but now everything involves sophisticated machines and the technology is constantly changing,” he says “Cars are made from high strength steel, boron steels and carbon fibre." The workshop includes a brand new spray booth and materials analysis equipment. The car was handed over by Oisin ...

Although Toyota is not yet marketing a battery-electric vehicle (BEV) the company is pouring more than €11.6bn into battery development over the next nine years, writes Brian Byrne . Building on the experience gained through the batteries in some 18m Toyota hybrid cars sold to date, the company is expecting to be able to cut battery costs through 2030 by half, and increase their efficiency by 30pc. In addition, the carmaker believes it can improve battery degradation levels so much that a 10-year-old battery will still have 90pc of its original capacity. The upcoming EV from Toyota, the bZ4X BEV joint venture with Subaru which has already been revealed in concept form (above), will be the first of a range of EVs to benefit from this. Toyota is looking to solid state batteries as the future of affordable BEVs, and is testing a prototype in a car at this time. More information about the bZ4X in the Irish context will be forthcoming towards the end of this year.  

Renault's Megane E-Tech Electric, due here in 2022. The overall European car market is expected to remain the global leader in electric vehicle market share through the rest of this decade, writes Brian Byrne . That's the conclusion of a new report from international management consultants McKinsey & Company, Why the automotive future is electric , which also suggests that the 'tipping point' in passenger EV adoption occurred in the second half of 2020 when the sector accelerated to 8pc of new car sales across Europe. This is against a consumer interest background where almost half of car customers are considering the purchase of an EV. Regulatory targets in the EU and the US are now aiming for EVs achieving a 50pc share of passenger car sales by 2030. But the report also notes this trend is putting significant pressure on carmakers and their supply chains, and on setting up required charging infrastructures to meet the demand. The authors also say that the curre...

Forecourt retailer Applegreen has committed to reduce the direct carbon footprint of its Irish operation by 90pc by 2030, writes Brian Byrne . Under its 'Drive Change' plan, the company will focus on using 100pc renewable energy and what it calls 'increased EV solutions' to help it achieve the goal. These latter will include using EVs in the business's own staff fleet. Applegreen will also use carbon offsets to to balance any residual emissions that cannot be eliminated.  

Pre-sale reservations for Toyota's new RAV4 PHEV have been fully subscribed, writes Brian Byrne . First deliveries of the car, which has a starting price of €49,390, will be in January, in the Sport grade. A Sol grade will arrive in March. It is the first vehicle which Toyota Ireland have offered in a pre-sale opportunity, and the first allocations were reserved by 1 October. The car will offer up to 75km in electric motoring from the rechargeable battery.  

Tonale Concept. Iconic Italian carmaker Alfa Romeo has announced plans to introduce four new models between now and 2026, beginning with the Tonale compact SUV in 2022, writes Brian Byrne . The company, which has been struggling in recent years, has already committed to being an all-electric carmaker by 2027. It is now planned to be a key premium brand from owner Stellantis, formed by the merger of the PSA Group with Fiat Chrysler Auto. The Tonale will be Alfa's first plug-in hybrid. A concept of the car was revealed at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show. A smaller all-electric SUV is also expected later next year.  

The 2021 Texaco Support for Sport initiative is now open to sports clubs across the 26-counties, with a gross fund of €130,000 being set aside for distribution to sports clubs on a twenty-six, county-by-county basis, with successful applicants receiving €5,000 in each case, writes Trish Whelan . The scheme follows a similar line to that which proved so successful last year. Valero Energy (Ireland) Limited - the company that markets fuel in Ireland under the Texaco brand - has confirmed its commitment to host the 2021 Texaco Support for Sport initiative. Last year, winning clubs included popular sports of athletics, basketball, boxing, camogie, Gaelic football, handball, hockey, hurling, rugby, soccer and swimming. Cricket, climbing and diving also featured in the winners’. Speaking at the launch of the initiative, James Twohig, Director of Ireland Operations, Valero Energy (Ireland) Limited said they were delighted to host Texaco Support for Sport for the second year in succession. Fu...

The new Cupra Born, the Spanish performance brand's first all-electric model, will arrive in March at a starting price of under €39,000, writes Brian Byrne .   The car will have a claimed range of up to 540km and three power outputs of 150hp, 204hp and 231hp. Three battery options will be available, the two lower ones offering ranges of 350km and 424km.  

The new generation Mercedes-Benz C-Class has arrived in Ireland at a starting price of €53,350, writes Brian Byrne . The range at launch offers a choice from five petrol engines and three diesels. It is available in saloon and estate formats. All are automatic. The new car is longer and wider than the version it replaces, and a longer wheelbase adds extra room inside, including greater elbow, rear head and knee room. The first C-Class was introduced three decades ago.