Car10

Peugeot Ireland MD Des Cannon, with Marketing Manager Jana Solovjova, Sales Director Luke Messitt, and Technical Manager Martin Dunne. Peugeot Ireland has launched the new-generation 308 hatchback, with a wagon version coming along shortly, writes Brian Byrne . The new car is priced from €31,765 and there are three engine options — 130hp petrol and diesel, and PHEV in two power outputs of 180hp/225hp. There will be an all-electric version towards the end of next year, in line with the policy of the Stellantis Group driving towards full electrification across its ranges. All 308s here come only with automatic transmission, the only option available in RHD markets. The new 308 is the first production vehicle from Peugeot to have the new Lion logo, in a new grille style aimed at distinguishing its models in the upper end of the market. The new car is longer than its predecessor, with a longer wheelbase offering excellent space for adults in the rear, and a good boot. The car is lower to t...

The Harris Maxus group has launched a fully-electric 7-seat MPV to the British and Irish markets, writes Brian Byrne . The Maxus Mifa 9 will be available to order from August for deliveries in Q1 2023. It was introduced to UK and Irish markets at the recent CV Show in Birmingham. With a claimed range of up to 520km, the Mifa 9 price and specifications will be released later in the summer. 

Ford is experimenting with a system that automatically slows a car to the local speed limit by means of connectivity, writes Brian Byrne . The Geofencing Speed Limit Control System sends a signal to suitably equipped cars that tells them they are in a speed limit area, and the car automatically slows to that speed. It uses GPS and the in-car technologies already available such as Intelligent Speed Assist and Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go. The trial is the result of a collaboration between the Ford, city officials in Cologne and Aachen, and Ford software engineers. It is still only in the experimental stage.

The new President of the Society of the Irish Motor Industry is Antonia Hendron , Managing Director of M50 Truck & Van Centre, Dublin. Ms Hendron was elected to the position at SIMI's AGM last week, held in Killashee House Hotel in Kildare. In her inauguration speech she said she wanted to help the motor industry to become a leader and enabler of the green transition. She said 'consumer confidence is key' to making this transition and would require the Government to continue VRT and grant support for electric vehicles until at least 2025. 

Mercedes-Benz has introduced two important new models to Ireland, the large luxury EQS and smaller EQE, writes Trish Whelan .  With the brand’s EQA, EQB, EQC, and EQV people carrier, their arrivals increase to six the number of electric-powered passenger vehicles sold in Ireland while taking yet another major step towards their goal of having a fully carbon-neutral fleet inside the next 20 years.  Genetically modelled on the recently launched S-Class saloon (but looking very different), the EQS comes in a choice of two model variants: EQS 450+ (with rear axle eATS electric motor) priced at €129,965, and an EQS Mercedes-AMG 53 4MATIC+all-wheel-drive version (motors on both axles) at €180,015. It has an operating range of up to 735kms (WLTP), power output of up to 333bhp and a top speed limited to 210km/h. Electrical consumption is 18.9-16.2kWh/100km.  Mercedes-Benz Ireland sales manager Ciaran Allen (pictured above with the new EQS) describes the new EQS as ‘the embodiment...

Renault Group Ireland has appointed Kevin O’Leary Clonmel as the new Renault and Dacia main dealership for South Tipperary, writes Trish Whelan .  Kevin O’Leary Group is one of Ireland’s most established motor groups, founded in 1963, with dealerships in Bandon, Cork City and Clonmel. The dealership will have the full range of Renault and Dacia cars as well as Renault’s full van range. It will also offer servicing and parts facilities.  Paddy Magee, Country Operations Director of Renault Group Ireland said the Group are delighted to have Kevin O’Leary Clonmel on board. “The business has been built on excellent customer service and we looking forward to working together to represent the award-winning Renault and Dacia brands in South Tipperary.”  Kevin O’Leary, Group Director said they look forward to welcoming everyone to the showroom to view the Renault and Dacia range. “We will be in business 60 years in 2023, and employ over 150 people and will now grow our team in Clo...

Renault’s Scenic Vision, an innovative concept car, brings the brand’s vision for a greener, safer and more inclusive future to live, writes Trish Whela n . It is powered by a one-of-a-kind hybrid - electric and hydrogen - propulsion system. The 40 kWh battery is recyclable and will be made in France by 2024 at the Renault ElectriCity Gigafactory. It has a 14kW fuel cell to recharge it during long drives and thus extend its range. Renault say in 2030 and beyond, it will be possible to drive up to 800km with the hydrogen tank able to be refilled in five minutes or less, once the network of hydrogen stations is large enough.  Its design and manufacture incorporate methods that the Renault Group and its brands will use to achieve carbon neutrality in Europe by 2040 and worldwide by 2050. This includes Renault aiming for an entirely electric range by 2030.  Some 70 per cent of the concept’s materials are recycled and 95 per cent are recyclable. Its carbon footprint, including the...

Mazda has updated its electric car, the MX-30, for sale through Europe in July, writes Brian Byrne . Improvements to the charging system means the car can be fast-charged in 26 minutes, a ten-minute shorter period. Changes to the EV sound help the driver to be aware of the level of torque being applied, for a more natural driving sense. A new black and grey interior option sharpens up the inside look, and there are new exterior colour options.  

Seamus Morgan and Jeanne McGann of Nissan Ireland with the new Ayria. Nissan claim their new Ariya electric car is ‘another game changer’ for the brand, writes Trish Whelan . Ariya is a fully electric sporty crossover that drives like a performance car. At last evening's launch, Seamus Morgan, Managing Director Nissan Ireland, said the brand is moving towards full electrification of their range, starting with Ariya which is the result of a combination of Nissan’s great success stories, Leaf EV, Qashqai Crossover and the performance expertise of the GTR. The front wheel drive version offers EV crossover style to appeal to high grade mainstream customers while the Ariya e-4ORCE gets dual motor all-wheel drive technology to offer increased balance, handling, comfort and performance. Ariya will be available with two batteries. The 218hp, 63kWh battery will have a range of 402kms while the 242hp 87kWh version will have a range of 529kms. Both get 300 Nm torque. The very powerful e4ORCE...

The third generation of the Range Rover Sport is now available to order in Ireland at a starting price of €114,150, writes Brian Byrne . Engine options include six-cylinder hybrids, a new V8, and mild hybrid versions of the six-cylinder Ingenium engine in petrol and diesel forms. A full electric version is scheduled for 2024. The styling is sleek and smooth with exceptionally slim headlights and a full-width surface-LED implementation of rear lights. The company says the new car has the most engaging driving experience in the model to date, thanks in large part to a suite of systems managed by an integrated chassis control system.  

With more than 130 motor dealers throughout Ireland to cater for, the Gowan Group has just completed fitting out a 110,000 sq ft warehouse in Dublin's City West Business Campus to ensure speedy distribution of parts, writes Brian Byrne . The Gowan Group Motor Division now distributes nine car brands, and the new operation will bring management of them under one roof. They are Alfa Romeo, Citroen, DS, Fiat, Fiat Professional, Honda, Jeep, Opel and Peugeot, and Eurorepar multibrand spare parts will also be stocked. There are 23,000 unique locations for storage of components in the facility, which allows the company to stock components of all sizes, including body panels and glass. Each dealer will receive an overnight delivery service, with three daily deliveries planned for all Dublin dealers. An Academy for training dealer staff and technicians is also being developed at the site, and there will also be a dedicated marketing suite where dealers can bring potential customers to see...

Nine children around the country have been selected as the Irish finalists of the 2022 Toyota Dream Car Art Contest, writes Brian Byrne . Their entries will now go forward to compete in the global competition. The competition is in its 15th year and is aimed at children aged 15 and under, asked to create their vision of what are the cars we'll be driving in the future. There are three age categories — 7 and under, 8-11 Years and 12-15 Years. The finalists making it through to the global competition are: 7 and Under — 1st Prize Mia Wiercioch Chinatamunnee, (Age 7, from Cavan) “Whale Car”; 2nd Prize Emma Guo (Age 7, from Dublin) “Water Making Car”; 3rd Prize Adam Goku Wiercioch Chinatamunnee (Age 5, from Dublin) “Cat Car”. 8-11 Years — 1st Prize  Preksha Tushar Utekar (Age 9, from Mullingar) “Supra Martian Car”; 2nd Prize Johan Felix Peter (Age 10, from Tullamore)  “To the Moon and Back!”; 3rd Prize Sophie Maria Vaughan (Age 8, from Ballyscanlon) “Hydro Girl Power”. 12-15 Years ...

Dacia’s new Jogger is set to shake up the family car sector, writes Trish Whelan . This 7-seat car blends the practicality of an estate car with MPV spaciousness and SUV styling.  In length, Jogger is slightly longer than Renault’s Grand Scenic, now discontinued, and the high roofline is maintained for the whole length of the car.  The interior is roomy and boot space with all seats in use is 212 litres rising to 699 litres with the third-row seats folded. Folding second row seats and removing the third row increases this to 2,085 litres which can easily fit a pram or a child’s bike. The launch engine is the TCe 110, 3-cylinder unit with a 6-speed manual gearbox. Dacia’s first hybrid electric model will follow in 2023 bringing an automatic transmission to the line-up. Launch prices are from €23,290 but this will rise by €900 on 1 June 2022. Liz O'Gorman, Marketing Manager Renault Ireland, with Paddy Magee, Country Operations Manager Renault Ireland, at the Jogger launch.

Kia has signed up to help clear the world's oceans of dumped plastics, writes Brian Byrne . Partnering with The Ocean Cleanup organisation based in The Netherlands, the carmaker will be providing funds and services to the organisation, which will be working in the oceans and also building devices for cleaning river water before it brings plastics into the seas. Kia will support The Ocean Cleanup financially to initiate ocean and river cleanup projects, and create a resource circulation system that will help avoid harvested plastics ending up back in the environment. Part of the catch from the operations will find their way back into Kia’s production process.  The agreement will run for seven years. Pictured are Ho Sung Song, President & CEO Kia Corporation; and Boyan Slat, Founder & CEO The Ocean Cleanup.