Car10

Mazda's first plug-in hybrid car will premiere in Europe on 8 March, writes Brian Byrne . The CX-60 will be the new flagship model for the brand's SUV lineup in Europe. The powertrain will be a 2.5-litre PHEV with over 300hp.  

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...

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.  

Mazda will introduce plug-in hybrid models with two new SUVs for Europe, the CX-60 and CX-80, which will be introduced over the next two years, writes Brian Byrne . The vehicles, an expansion of the existing SUV lineup from the brand, will be 2- and 3-row seating respectively. The powertrain options will also include a new straight-six petrol engine and a new generation diesel, which will have 48v mild hybrid technology. A new version of the MX-30 electric car will also be introduced in 2022, with Mazda's rotary engine being used as a generator.