Car4

A mobile fast charging unit which can charge up to 15 electric cars before needing recharging itself is to be installed by Volkswagen in its home town of Wolfsburg, write Brian Byrne . This is in advance of extending the initiative to other cities through 2020. The idea is that such units can be placed where a perceived need is while evaluating sites, or for events, without having to put in costly infrastructure. They can also be plugged into a suitable power source to be recharged themselves while in use. Volkswagen is planning a range of dedicated electric cars in the next few years, beginning with the 2020 MY ID Neo.

Current Passat Variant (estate). The Volkswagen Passat has achieved the distinction of being the best selling mid-sized car in the world, writes Brian Byrne . The nameplate was originally launched in 1973 and some 29m units have been sold globally since. First generation Passat, in 1973. Passat is sold on every continent. The next generation of the model will arrive in the first half of next year. It will be the ninth iteration of the nameplate.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car has again teamed with the Dublin Simon Community to help their campaign for the homeless over Christmas. Up to 20 Enterprise employees have volunteered to collect bags of donated winter clothing and food hampers from companies and organisations around Dublin over a 10-day period. The Enterprise team, with its dedicated van, aims to transport around 50 bags per day to the Dublin Simon shops on Thomas Street and Camden Street in the coming days. The donations that Dublin Simon shops receive are extremely important as they provide clothing and other items to people accessing their services, including individuals who are sleeping rough or using the charity’s emergency, supported housing or treatment services. Donated items are also utilised by service users who are preparing for interviews and work placements, with some eventually going to those moving into a home of their own. Any remaining items are sold in the shops to raise vital funds. Pictured abov...

Continental Tyres has developed the ' Rudolph ' guide for motorists who want to have a safe driving Christmas. Rudolph stands for R oadworthy – whatever the vehicle, make sure it is fit for purpose. U nder pressure – get a grip with properly inflated tyres, in particular on wet or frosty roads. D on’t ever drink and drive. O bservation – stay alert, other road users may change direction, sometimes with little or no warning. L oad – driving with an increased load (people or parcels) on board means that stopping distances increase - make allowance and also, make sure loads are securely in place. P ause – take a break when you need to. Tiredness can kill. H azards –The usual risks on the road exist, but also factor in festive revellers and, perhaps, wintry conditions.

Hyundai is to offer fingerprint unlocking and engine starting in its Santa Fe SUV in China, writes Brian Byrne . The company revealed the technology at the Guangzhou International Automobile Exhibition last weekend. Fingerprints of different drivers can be registered on the car, which is the first to have a fingerprint scanner system installed in the door handles.

The Mercedes-Benz A-Class has been given a Best in Clas s award by the Euro NCAP crash test organisation, writes Brian Byrne . The General Secretary of Euro NCAP, Michiel van Ratingen, notes that in 2018 ENCAP introduced new, tougher tests, with a particular focus on protecting particularly vulnerable road users. "The winners of the 'Best in Class' awards clearly show that the vehicle manufacturers are striving for the highest levels of safety," he says, "and that the Euro NCAP ratings act as a catalyst for significant progress where safety is concerned." Prof Dr Rodolfo Schöneburg, Head of Passive Safety and Vehicle Functions at Mercedes-Benz Cars, says the standardised crash tests only represent a small sample of the real-life accidents that may be encountered on the street. "For that reason, Mercedes-Benz designs all its model series using around 40 different accident constellations," he adds.

Kia Ireland is running its road race series again in 2019, in association with Pop Up Races, writes Brian Byrne . It's hoped that the Kia Race Series 2019 will add more records to the eight set by the 2018 series. The male and female winner of the Kia Race Series will get to drive a brand-new Kia Stonic for one year and there is the added incentive of €9,000 bonus funds on offer for course records. Kia will also be offering a “Masters” (O40 in year of series) prize of a trip for two to the European Masters for both male and female winners. There are nine regional races in seven counties across Ireland in this year’s series which will start in March with The Streets of Portlaoise 5K. It is open to all abilities and is encouraging runners to #runyourrace, be it for fun, to set a personal best or to take on your first 5k. For more details and to enter on-line go to popupraces.ie. The Calendar of the series is: 1. Streets of Portlaoise 5k: 17th March, 11am 2. Streets o...

New Toyota Camry hybrid. Toyota's 2019 range of hybrid cars will be rolled around the country in January in a roadshow visiting dealerships, writes Brian Byrne . The convoy will include the Camry Hybrid, Corolla Saloon Hybrid, RAV4 Hybrid, Corolla Touring Sport Hybrid and Corolla Hatchback Hybrid. They will be visiting two dealerships a day during weekdays and one per day on weekend days, starting in Dublin on Thursday, January 3rd and travelling county by county until January 30th. Entertainment and appearances from local celebrity brand ambassadors will be part of the dealership visits. Toyota's 191 offers include three years' Servicing as standard on all new models, three years of free 24hr Roadside Assistance, and Trade In-Trade Up Booster of up to €3,000.

This is a prototype autonomous work vehicle from Honda that could end up in production for applications ranging from agriculture to fighting forest fires, writes Brian Byrne . Honda is reported to be seriously considering production of the vehicle, which is based on its existing and highly respected all-terrain vehicle chassis. For the prototype, the company has integrated GPS and sensor-based self driving technology. It is on test in a number of real world scenarios in various parts of the US.

The first SUV from Skoda to carry the RS performance livery is now available to order in Ireland, writes Brian Byrne . The Kodiaq RS will be arriving shortly in dealerships priced at €62,295. It is powered by a 240hp diesel and 4x4 and dual-clutch automatic are both standard. External style cues include gloss black details on the grille, window frames and mirror housings, as well as anthracite coloured alloy wheels. The interior of the 7-seat car includes as standard the Volkswagen Group's 'virtual cockpit', Alcantara leather seats and carbon and red detailing. Skoda Ireland expects to sell 50 Kodiaq RS units next year as part of a total number o f2,200 Kodiaqs.

The seventh generation BMW 3 Series goes on sale in Ireland in March, and its plug-in hybrid version will have a extra 10km of electric only range, writes Brian Byrne . The company says the latest version will have sportier handling and better steering, and innovative technology will include more advanced autonomous driving systems. Three grades will be available at launch, SE, Sport and M Sport. From the lowest grade, specification will include extended LEDs, a reversing camera, and park assist, as well as 3-zone air conditioning and acoustic glazing. The top end M Sport gets a 'digital cockpit' instrumentation and a larger central screen. Nine of the eleven offerings at launch will be diesel powered, with petrol reserved for automatic Sport and M Sport models. The price range will be €42,770-€53,460.

A revised version of Renault's Kadjar SUV will be appearing in the brand's Irish dealerships over the next couple of weeks, writes Brian Byrne . The car, which has been highly successful globally for Renault since its launch in 2015, now looks a little stronger, and has been tweaked inside to provide a bit more of a premium feel. A pair of new petrol engines will give the Kadjar more traction in the growing shift away from diesel, while the diesel engine offering is now both more powerful and efficient. With the revisit, the car takes on the trim names and specifications already rolled out in other Renault models in the Irish and British markets. There are four for the Kadjar — Play, Iconic, S-Edition, and GT-Line. Kadjar continues to be available in both FWD and AWD formats, though in the Irish market the latter only represents around 2pc of the model's sales. The new turbocharged petrol engine is the result of a joint venture with Daimler and comes at the moment...

Inspired by the exclusive Yaris GRMN performance hatchback, the new Yaris GR Sport is set to bring more sports driving pleasure to Toyota’s supermini range, writes Trish Whelan . This five-door, now on sale priced from €23,700 or from €192 per month, is the first GR Sport specification car launched in Ireland and throughout Europe. It demonstrates how the international motorsports success of Toyota Gazoo Racing is feeding directly into a new generation of GR-branded road-going cars. Toyota’s return to the World Rally Championship last year led to the development of the performance-focused Yaris GRMN which won high critical acclaim and was a a sell-out success with all 400 examples snapped up by customers before the car reached the showroom. The GRMN-inspired modifications are focused on the suspension, giving the car engaging handling and responsiveness. The car has a sporty stance with ground clearance reduced by 11mm compared to the standard Yaris, and with the gap bet...

Northern lights shone brightest at the Beta Tools Motorsport Ireland Awards today when young drivers from Belfast and Co Armagh landed two of the sport’s most prestigious honours, writes Richard Burke . James Wilson (24) was named Young Rally Driver of the Year, while 23-year-old Charlie Eastwood, a runner up in 2017, went one better this year by winning the Young Racing Driver of the Year award, at a ceremony in the Mansion House in Dublin. Both drivers will receive €50,000 in funding and support for the development of their careers during the 2019 season. Jordan Dempsey with John Naylor, President of Motorsport Ireland. The International Driver of the Year award went to Jordan Dempsey, from Mullingar, Co Westmeath. The event, to celebrate the success of the most talented drivers in Irish Motorsport in 2018, was attended by Mr Ronnie McBrien, Sport Ireland, Mr John Naylor, President of Motorsport Ireland, members of the media, award recipients and their guests. More tha...