Car10

All-season tyres have registered a 'huge' growth in the Irish market over the last two years, according to Continental Tyres Irish boss Tom Dennigan, writes Brian Byrne . Speaking at a media briefing to Irish journalists, he noted a 158pc increase in all-season sales in passenger cars, and a 448pc rise in the van segment. "All-season tyres are a good option for our mild climate," Mr Dennigan said, noting that we rarely see the levels of extreme cold or hot weather as experienced in continental Europe. Overall tyre sales in Ireland have rebounded from the 12pc 'covid drop' of 2020, and during 2021 are up 124pc compared to sales in 2019. Tom Dennigan said much of this is due to increased sales of tyres for vans, reflecting the big increase in deliveries due to online sales.  

This is the next generation of the Kia Niro, unveiled at the 2021 Seoul Mobility Show this week, writes Brian Byrne . Though no technical specifications have been made available, the car will have hybrid, PHEV and electric powertrain options. The interior follows the theme set by the new generation Sportage, and the car will be officially launched next year. In nods towards sustainability, Kia said the headliner of the interior is made from recycled wallpaper, and the seats from plastics derived from eucalyptus leaves. The paint is water-based.  

This is a teaser for the next Kia Niro crossover which will be revealed tomorrow at the Seoul Mobility Show, writes Brian Byrne . Depending on market, the new Niro will be available in electric and petrol versions. The teaser suggests a quite radical change to the car, similar to what has been done to the Sportage.  

A Guinness World Record has been set by the Toyota Mirai fuel cell car of 1,360 kilometres without refuelling, writes Brian Byrne . The distance was achieved on a single fill of hydrogen which took just five minutes to do. With hydrogen as the fuel source, the only emissions from the car was water vapour. The trip was undertaken over two days around California in the USA. It was estimated that an equivalent internal combustion engine car would have emitted around 300kg of CO2 on the same trip.  

When Peugeot introduced their first generation 3008 in 2009 it was an immediate success, writes Brian Byrne . So much so that it rapidly went to waiting list status in Ireland. It was also the winner of the Semperit Irish Car of the Year 2010 which I remember very well, as I'm a longtime member of the judging panel for the award initiated more than four decades ago by the Irish Motoring Writers Association.   The car is only in its second generation now, though for many it might seem there's a third because the refresh carried out for this model year substantially primped up the exterior in the front and rear treatments. Already a handsome car, these details bring the styling into line with more recent renewed models like the 2008 and the upcoming new 308. Presence with a capital 'P' is probably not too strong a description. The car is in a seriously busy arena, in size a little bigger than Nissan's latest Qashqai, a bit smaller than Hyundai's Tucson. Both prim...

Two new versions of the Skoda Enyaq iV electric car will be going on the market in Ireland next year, writes Brian Byrne . The Enyaq iV 80x will be all-wheel-drive with 256hp. The Enyaq Sportline iV rear drive will be available with 180hp and 204hp drive options. The Enyaq iV first went on sale during this year in Ireland but demand outstripped supply. The Irish Skoda distributor says supply will improve in 2022.  

Three new electric models will be launched in Ireland by Mercedes-Benz in the early part of next year, writes Brian Byrne . The EQS luxury saloon is expected here in the first quarter of the year which will include a range of artificial intelligence features. The EQB will also arrive in the first quarter, slotting in above the entry-level electric car EQA. The EQE (pictured above) mid-sized car is slated for arrival in the second quarter of the year. There will also be high-performance variants of the EQE coming later in the year.  

Kia launched a concept of a new electric SUV, the EV9, and the Automobility LA show, to show what its next EV brand car will look like, writes Brian Byrne . The concept car has a strong form and is nearly five metres long. The interior includes an ultra-wide 27-inch display. Vegan leather, which is far more ethical and sustainable compared to conventional animal leather, was used throughout the interior space. Kia plans to gradually reduce the use of animal leather in all its vehicles.  

The new generation of the Renault Kangoo has won the International Van of the Year 2022 accolade, writes Brian Byrne . The LCV Business Unit of the Renault Group was presented with the award during the Solutrans trade fair held in Lyons, France, by Jarlath Sweeney, chairman of the International Van of the Year Jury. It's the fourth time that a Renault commercial vehicle has won the IVOTY award: Master (1998), Trafic (2002), and Kangoo Z.E. (2012).  

Kia has released artist renderings of its new EV9 concept car, which will be revealed next week, writes Brian Byrne . The concept previews the next car in the brand's EV nameplate series, showing how a full-size all-electric SUV will develop. The renderings show a very square styling, with the interior featuring an ultra-wide dashboard screen system and an intriguing take on the steering wheel. The concept will be revealed in Los Angeles on 17 November. The first car in the series, the EV6, has just gone on sale in Ireland.  

Opel's Mokka-e electric car has won the German Golden Steering Wheel Award in the Best Car under €25,000 category, writes Brian Byrne . It is the third electric model for the brand to bring home a Golden Steering Wheel, following the Corsa-e last year and the Ampera-e in 2017. The Mokka-e has a rated range of up to 338km on a full battery charge. Pictured is Uwe Hochgeschurtz, Opel CEO, with the award. Meanwhile, the Best Electric SUV category was won by the Skoda Enyaq iV.  

An introductory drive in the Cupra brand's first full battery electric vehicle, the Born, has confirmed the Volkswagen Group's determination to be the lead player in the European electric car market, writes Brian Byrne . Related to the VW ID.3, but with sportier credentials and styling details, first deliveries of the Born on the Irish market will be next March. The car goes on order here next month at a starting price of €31,440 after incentives. There will be three battery capacity options offering ranges of up to 540km. The middle 58kWh one with a rated range of 424km is expected to be the most popular choice of buyers, priced from €35,550. Charging times will depend on the capacity of the charging unit, but at the best a 5pc-80pc charge can be done in 35min while 100km of range can be charged in seven minutes. Three power outputs from 150hp-231hp will be available. At the most powerful, a 0-100km/h of 6.6s is possible. A dynamic chassis option will also be available, the...

90pc of current EV owners plan to buy another. Two thirds of drivers in an AA Ireland survey said they wouldn't buy a standard petrol or diesel car again, writes Brian Byrne . Two in five of current petrol-diesel car owners plan to buy a hybrid next, according to the survey results. A full EV will be the choice of 12.5pc of respondents. The study or more than 8,000 drivers polled showed that 90pc of current EV owners plan to buy another, while just 1pc would go back to internal combustion engines. The biggest barriers to buying full EVs as expressed by the results were the high purchase price of these vehicles (67pc), worries about the range (46pc), fear that charging takes too long (31pc) and the lack of regular access to a charger (30pc).  

Ahead of its arrival in Ireland next April, Toyota has given details of its new Aygo X, the first crossover in its segment, writes Brian Byrne . The car will be built on the same platform as the latest Yaris and that model's own crossover variant, the Yaris Cross Hybrid SUV. The Aygo X will feature a wedge-shaped roofline, high-tech lights design, and a large grille with integrated fog lamps and skid plate. The latest Aygo will be longer than the predecessor city car, and offer more luggage space to make it lead the segment in this regard. An improved version of the familiar 1.0 3-cylinder petrol engine will power the car.  

A new Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ Multivan is available to order now prior to its arrival here in the Spring 2022, priced from €55,435, writes Trish Whelan . It is the first Multivan model to come with a plug-in hybrid drive system and will be offered in two length variants each with a wheelbase of 3,124mm. Cargo space ranges between 469 and 4,053 litres. Towing capacity is 2,000kg. It is ideal for busy families with active lifestyles (with space for up to seen seats) and for use as a business MPV. It is available in ‘Multivan’, ‘Life’ and ‘Style’ specifications. The base version is longer, wider and lower while keeping its cabin space. The Multivan can trace its roots back 70 years and seven generations to the legendary T1. The new vehicle provides greater comfort and safety, and an innovative interior. It is built at the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles plant in Hannover in Germany, and is the first vehicle from Hannover to use the Modular Transverse Matrix (MQB) platform. This la...