Car4

A fully electric 'buggy' in the ethos of the American dune buggies of the 60s and 70s will feature on the Volkswagen stand at the Geneva Motor Show in March, writes Brian Byrne . The Beetle of that time was often the base of the dune buggy, made famous in California. This concept will be based on the MEB electric vehicle platform developed by Volkswagen. The show vehicle will be a one-off.

Volvo cars have long come with advanced safety, engineering and comfort technology, but one of my favourite things you get is totally tech free, writes Brian Byrne . It's the little plastic thing they fit at the side of the windscreen to hold a parking slip. Where it is easy for the parking warden to see, and for me there's no concern when I'm away that closing the door might have blown the ticket out of sight. That happens. And it can be expensive in unclamping. Anyhow, that was just a small sense of satisfaction when I got into the Volvo V60 for review. The other thing that pleased me was that in all this trend for SUV-style vehicles, there is still a space for a thing of beauty. Which the V60 is, without argument. Its format described as 'estate', the V60 is as far away as you can get from the original boxy — but cavernous — Volvo wagons of old. While we are still buying our cars with our hearts as much as our heads, something like this will always kee...

These are the first design sketches of Skoda's next SUV, the Kamiq, writes Brian Byrne . The car will debut a new split headlights styling from Skoda which incorporates daylight running lights in the top level. The Kamiq will debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

John Coyne competing in 2018 (image: Kevin O’Driscoll)   Motorsport Ireland has announced the launch of the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy, writes Richard Burke . The academy is being established to provide promising young drivers with a pathway from the junior rallying ranks through to competing at World Rally Championship (WRC) level. Those eligible to enter the high-performance academy will initially be chosen from the Billy Coleman Award nominees, and will be joined by Winners of the J1000, J1600 and R2 Junior classes of rallying. Drivers and navigators who are selected will undergo a rigorous training programme to develop their skills and discipline and move them up through the various competitive classes in Irish rallying through to the highest levels of the sport internationally. Leo Hassett, the CEO of Motorsport Ireland, said: “This new initiative is focused on creating a structured development programme for young Irish rally...

Mitsubishi will reveal a new concept vehicle at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show, the Engleberg Tourer, writes Brian Byrne . The teaser release suggests 'more SUV, more EV and more style'. More details will be revealed in advance of the show.

Volkswagen in Germany has gone into the electricity supply business, writes Brian Byrne . The company has launched a home and business electricity service based completely on power produced by CO2-free renewable means. The service is provided by a Volkswagen subsidiary, Elli Group, whose stated aim is to make 'eco-power easy and inexpensive ... for households and electric vehicles'. The company is also working on a comprehensive range of smart charging solutions, including hardware, invoicing, and additional digital services, prior to the launch of Volkswagen's first dedicated electric cars under the ID brand. Elli Group has claimed that its home electricity service, under the branding Volkswagen Naturstrom , could save a typical Berlin household €280 a year compared to the standard tariff of existing local suppliers. Meanwhile, Volkswagen Ireland is expecting to have its full battery electric vehicle (BEV) dealer network completed by mid-year. With the additi...

Volkswagen has celebrated the production of the five millionth Tiguan SUV, which left the assembly line in Wolfsburg in the middle of January, writes Brian Byrne . First launched in 2007, with the longer Allspace version added in 2017, it is now in its second generation. Last year was the model's most successful, with just under 800,000 units produced. The vehicle is produced in four Volkswagen locations (China, Germany, Mexico and Russia) and offered in the most important markets worldwide.

A new generation Renault Clio for reveal at the Geneva Motor Show in March will move the small car upscale in quality perception, writes Brian Byrne . Interior photos released today show a new digital instrument panel and a larger multimedia screen as part of the changes. Other details include higher quality materials on the dashboard, and satin finishes to interior brightwork. Pictures of the exterior are due for publication tomorrow. The fifth generation of the European market segment best-seller will be built on the Renault Nissan Mitsubishi alliance's CMF-B architecture. In technology terms it will be the first model from Renault to use mild hybrid systems, part of a plan by the carmaker to have a dozen models with electrified powertrains by 2022.

Just 20 copies of the new Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR will be offered in Ireland, writes Brian Byrne . The special edition is based on a racing variant of the Golf, and is powered by a 290hp turbo petrol engine. It is proced from €47,465 and first deliveries are expected in March.

MINI is kicking off its 60th anniversary year in Ireland with the introduction of a limited edition model, writes Trish Whelan .   Just 500 examples of this worldwide edition on sale in the UK and Ireland priced at €40,370. Built in the MINI Plant in Oxford, the Mini 60 Years Edition is the first of many celebrations planned for 2019.   The 3-door Hatch Cooper S 60 Years Edition is in New Racing Green exterior paint finish, with black contract roof and exterior mirror caps, special anniversary design bonnet strips and exclusive 17-inch light alloy wheels and comes with a unique interior. The 60 Years emblem placed on the left-hand bonnet stripe, completes the vehicle. The distinctly designed interior with model specific finishes using the 60 Years emblem, including the steering wheel and front seats. Seats are finished with MINI Yours Leather Lounge in Dark Cacao with contrast seat stitching and piping matching the new exterior paintwork.   This unique car ...

Honda will have the global premier of a prototype version of its new electric vehicle at the Geneva Motor Show in March, writes Trish Whelan . Honda’s new electric car is developed with a focus on functionality and purpose and the prototype sketch demonstrates this through its clean, simple and unique design. The image highlights a clear link to Honda’s Urban EV Concept initially show at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show. Honda are committed that two-thirds of its European sales will feature electrified technology by 2025.

Nissan's Leaf electric car is the best-selling passenger EV in Europe, writes Brian Byrne . More than 40,000 units were sold in Europe in 2018, with over 12,000 of these in Norway. In Ireland, the Leaf had 65pc of the EV market in 2018.

Skoda’s new SUV will be called the Skoda Kamiq, writes Trish Whelan . The crossover is the third SUV from the brand and marks the next step in the Czech manufacturer’s SUV campaign.   It follows on from the 7-seat Kodiaq and compact Karoq. The name links all three of the brand’s SUVs which now start with the letter K and end with a Q. The word Kamiq comes from the language of the Inuit people living in northern Canada and Greenland and describes something that fits as perfectly as a second skin in every situation. The Kamiq urban crossover will have its world premier at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

Maybe there are better ways to start a year of car reviews, but I'm certainly happy to do so with a 191 Mercedes-Benz, writes Brian Byrne . In this case, the C-Class estate, possibly quite the nicest Merc currently available and decently achievable. It's a facelifted version of the model that is one of the traditional cars from the brand. When it came out first in 1993 it was the 'baby' Benz, but since then has grown through its teens to adulthood and is very much a full car in size and accommodation. The 'baby' space has for some years now been occupied by the A and B classes which opened up the premium brand to a much younger demographic. The style revisions are relatively minor, mostly bumpers and lights, and some chrome highlighting. Minor is a good thing, because the sleek and smart style of the current C-Class is already close in aesthetics to the equivalent of the golden mean in art. And to my personal view is at its best in the estate. There...

Since it first launched in late 2015, the Renault Kadjar compact SUV has sold over 5,700 models here, writes Trish Whelan . Now, the new facelift model has arrived on Irish roads priced from €26,995. The exterior has been given a more sleek look with the body coloured area of the front and rear bumpers now larger lending a more premium feel. The grille is wider and the C-Shaped LED lights now incorporate the front indicator. Customers can choose from 17- and 19-inch wheels and from three new colours: Oural Green, Iron Blue, and Highland Grey. The interior has also been redesigned with the dashboard getting a more elegant, unbroken line. Seats come with dual density foam providing improved support for driver and passengers and also now feature a cushion extender. A new 7-inch multimedia touch screen gives a brighter display and greater sensitivity.   There’s a new control panel for the automatic air conditioning; other additions include bigger cup holde...

Forest Rally winner Marty McCormack. (Pic by Ger Leahy). Derry pair Marty McCormack and Barney Mitchell dominated the Willie Loughman Memorial Rally on Sunday with their Skoda Fabia taking the lead on the second of the six stages and staying there for the rest of the day to head the points table in the Valvoline National Forestry Rally Championship, writes Richard Burke . Former tarmac champions Garry Jennings and Rory Kennedy were the first stage leaders but their Impreza slipped to third at the finish behind the Fiesta of last year’s winners Andrew Purcell and Mark Wiley. After a close battle for most of the day, Robin Lyons ran out the winner of the Midland MC Hewison Autotest Championship round at Longford, five seconds ahead of defending title holder Ian White, with his main challenger Guy Foster in third position, less than three seconds behind.  

The Lord Mayor of Dublin has chosen to switch to hybrid for his 191 car, writes Trish Whelan . Each year Volvo provides the Lord Mayor with the first registered car in the capital. Conscious of the environmental impact of driving, the Lord Mayor choose hybrid powered Volvo S90 T8. Speaking at the handover, David Thomas, MD of Volvo Car Ireland (pictured above with The Lord Mayor) said: “We have made a commitment to electrification in preparation for an era beyond the internal combustion engine. It’s great to see the Lord Mayor move into a hybrid Volvo and an overall increase in customer demand for our hybrid powertrains.” Starting this year, every new car that Volvo launches will have an electric motor option. The company aims for fully electric cars to make up 50 per cent of its sales by 2025.   Later this year, Volvo will add a new hybrid powertrain to their compact SUV, the XC40, which won European Car of the Year 2018 and was recently crowned Irish C...

Sharon Murphy, Director of Clonskeagh Motors; Brand Ambassador Alison Canavan; and Fiona Murphy, Director of Clonskeagh Motors. Clonskeagh Motors has announced Alison Canavan as their new Honda Brand Ambassador, writes Trish Whelan . The international model, bestselling author and health and wellness coach collected her new Honda Civic last week at the Clonskeagh Motors Dealership. Alison says “Honda has a special place in my heart as my late father Tom was a Honda Dealer so it means a lot to me to be partnering with such an honoured family dealership like Clonskeagh Motors.” She added: “Honda’s reputation for safety and reliability are values I am highly aware of and are so important to me as a mother with a young son.” Speaking at the handover, Fiona Murphy, Company Director of Clonskeagh Motors said they are delighted to partner with Alison. “Firstly, the Honda association goes back a long way with the Canavan family and we are pleased that our partnership ...

Ford in Europe has revised its Mondeo with exterior and interior design changes aimed at offering a more premium experience across all grades, writes Brian Byrne . Changes also include the addition of Ford's 2.0 EcoBlue diesel with selective catalytic reduction, and the company's 8-speed automatic transmission. The updated car was revealed at the Brussels Motor Show in Belgium. A wagon version of the Mondeo Hybrid is also now available, with 403 litres load capacity beneath the cargo cover with the rear seats in place, and up to 1,508 litres with the rear seats folded.