New SEAT Alhambra - a modern lifestyle MPV

Thu, Feb 03, 2011

SEAT is giving a debut to the versatile and stylish new Alhambra MPV this month.

Car2Cash roadshow returns to Galway

Thu, Feb 03, 2011

For those people in Galway who are looking to sell their cars and make some extra cash, Merlin Car Auctions is returning to the City of the Tribes with its Car2Cash roadshow.

Following the success of Car2Cash sales in both Limerick and Cork, the roadshow will hit the Galway Shopping Centre on the Headford Road on Saturday ( February 5) from 9am to 6pm, and on Sunday (February 6) between 11am and 6pm.

Stylish and functional - the new Volvo V60

Thu, Feb 03, 2011

The new stylish Volvo V60 sports wagon arrived here in December and I have test driven it extensively on Irish roads, good and bad.

Ford new C-Max provides options to MPV buyers

Thu, Jan 27, 2011

Ford's new C-Max has evolved to offer MPV customers the full flexibility of a seven seater with twin rear sliding doors. And the five-seat C-Max should appeal to those customers seeking sporty styling coupled with extra space. Ford new C-Max entry level prices start here in Ireland at €23,995.

And as a special launch offer and for a limited time only, Ford tells us that all C-Max Titanium models will come with active park assist as standard. This is an option that normally costs €750.

New Nissan Micra arrives

Thu, Jan 27, 2011

Nissan gets two new arrivals this month. The most important is the new Micra and the entry level 1.2 litre XE five-door sells for €14,195 ex-works. It arrives as a five-door supermini with a 1.2 litre petrol with CO2 emissions of 115g/km when married to the five-speed manual gearbox. This version qualifies for the lower band A rate of car tax. Fuel consumption for the manual model on a combined cycle is 56mpg or 5.0L/100km.

Stunning new Mercedes-Benz CLS on the way

Thu, Jan 27, 2011

This will be a busy year for Mercedes-Benz new car launches as the German carmaker is celebrating the 125th anniversary of the automobile. This falls on January 29, the date on which inventor Karl Benz registered the patent for his Benz Patent Motor Wagen.

Citroen's new C4 arrives here this week

Thu, Jan 27, 2011

Citroen’s stylish new C4 has just gone on sale with prices starting from just €18,990. For that, you get one of the most spacious, comfortable and well-equipped models in its class.

Citroen tells us of a new C4 launch finance offer of four per cent APR finance over three years with 30 per cent deposit.

Honda lowers prices and up-specs many models

Thu, Jan 27, 2011

Honda is reducing prices across its car range for 2011, effective immediately. The rate of reduction varies across the range but the biggest cut of six per cent applies to the Civic hatchback series. It should be noted that all prices that Honda quotes exclude metallic paint, as well as delivery and related charges.

Five star KIA Sportage and Venga

Thu, Jan 27, 2011

The Kia Sportage SUV/crossover and Venga B-segment MPV were both given the maximum five-star rating, placing them at the top of their respective classes, by the leading independent European safety organisation EuroNCAP. They now join the distinguished company of other Kia models such as the Soul, cee’d and Sorento.

Mercedes-Benz tops HGV market again in 2010

Thu, Jan 20, 2011

For the second year in succession, Mercedes-Benz heavy commercial vehicles have proven to be Ireland’s favourite truck.

Figures released by the Society of the Irish Motor Industry for the year just ended show that sales of Mercedes-Benz Actros, Axor, and Atego trucks totalled 161 units, equal to a 15.8 per cent market share. In second and third place were DAF and Volvo with 147 units (14.4 per cent) and 118 units (11.6 per cent) sold respectively.

Mercedes-Benz tops HGV market again in 2010

Thu, Jan 20, 2011

For the second year in succession, Mercedes-Benz heavy commercial vehicles have proven to be Ireland’s favourite truck.

Call for pan EU anti texting while driving legislation

Thu, Jan 20, 2011

MEP Jim Higgins has questioned the European Transport Commissioner in the European Parliament in Strasbourg over the Commission's inaction in combating texting while driving.

New BMW X3 diesel drives better value

Thu, Jan 20, 2011

BMW has just launched its new X3 SUV. And what caught my eye first besides the styling was that the new X3 xDrive 2.0d SE is even better value than its predecessor. At €46,660 OTR, it is actually €4,170 less than the outgoing model, yet is equipped with a higher level of standard specification including Nevada leather upholstery, two- zone air conditioning, iDrive controller, and colour display.

Discovery 4 retains 4x4 of the Year title

Thu, Jan 20, 2011

Land Rover did very well at the 2011 What Car? Awards. It walked away with two special accolades. Firstly, the Land Rover Discovery 4 scooped the model’s seventh consecutive What Car? win when it was once more named 4x4 of the Year.

But the celebrations did not end there, as Land Rover’s newest and most anticipated model, the Range Rover Evoque, won its first major title with the Reader Award for the most exciting car of 2011.

Mazda rings the changes for the New Year

Thu, Jan 20, 2011

At the Paris Motor Show last September, Mazda said that it would be focusing on low fuel consumption and reduced emissions, with three new model introductions.

Lots of enhancement on new Audi cars

Thu, Jan 20, 2011

In addition to the arrival of the all-new A1 and the updated A7 now being available, Audi has announced some enhancements to many models including a sports package available on A3, A4, and TT for a limited period.

All-new Mitsubishi ASX is the business

Thu, Jan 20, 2011

Mitsubishi has described its new ASX as new versatile family car with the space of a people carrier, the styling of an SUV, and the humble running costs of a small hatchback. That is a crossover and it says a lot but in a way the ASX is more than all that. It has that hard to define Qashqai quality, where you feel a manufacturer has got it just right.

New Lexus IS 200d delivers more for less

Thu, Jan 20, 2011

The arrival of the revised Lexus IS 200d with the new 150bhp, 2.2 litre IS 200d engine has been overshadowed somewhat by the publicity surrounding the arrival of the new CT 200h.

BMW 1 Series coupe and convertible here soon

Thu, Jan 13, 2011

Not to be upstaged by the launch of the stunning new BMW 1 Series M Coupé, the BMW 1 Series Coupé and Convertible ranges have received a number significant modifications and upgrades that BMW say makes them even more desirable and efficient. The new BMW 1 Series Coupé and Convertible should go on sale here next March.

Ford Vertrek concept previews sportier and more stylish compact SUV

Thu, Jan 13, 2011

Ford Motor Company has unveiled its vision for a sleeker, sportier and more stylish compact sport utility vehicle (SUV) at the 2011 North American International Auto Show taking place this week inDetroit. The Ford Vertrek concept previews the company’s ambition for a next-generation, global compact SUV that could lead the industry in both design and fuel efficiency.

The Ford Vertrek concept is based on Ford’s global C-segment platform, which includes the all-new Ford Focus range launching during the first quarter in 2011 in North America and Europe, plus the latest C-MAX and Grand C-MAX multi-activity vehicles. It represents the vision of the company’s top design and engineering talent on how best to attract and satisfy future sport utility vehicle customers around the world.

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