Stylish new Fiesta Van is practical to boot

Thu, Oct 23, 2008

The latest version of Ireland's best-selling small van, the Ford Fiesta Van, has just been launched in Europe and will go on sale here in January.

Free winter check for all BMWs

Thu, Oct 23, 2008

To ensure maximum performance and reliability, as well as safe and secure driving during the winter months, BMW Ireland is offering a free winter check on all BMWs.

This offer is available at participating BMW dealers and BMW service authorised workshops.

Semperit Irish Van of the Year 2009

Thu, Oct 23, 2008

The shortlist for the Semperit Irish Van of the Year 2009 has been announced by the Irish Motoring Writers Association Van of the Year jury.

Fiat offers special low-rate finance

Thu, Oct 23, 2008

Fiat Ireland has given us details of its new finance offer for the forthcoming sales period and early 2009 registrations, designed to ensure Fiat cars remain accessible to all during the current economic uncertainty.

Turbo diesel adds appeal to Subaru Forester

Thu, Oct 23, 2008

Subaru’s widely-acclaimed new Boxer Diesel engine is now available in the new Forester where it is expected to account for the majority of sales and eventually turn the SUV into Subaru’s best-selling model.

New Opel Astra set for next year

Thu, Oct 23, 2008

The next generation Opel Astra will receive its premiere at next year’s Frankfurt Show, delivering a compelling mix of technical innovation and groundbreaking design that promises to raise the bar in the compact sector.

Change your driving habits with the change of season

Thu, Oct 23, 2008

As autumn brings a change in the colour of leaves, motorists also need to be aware of the hazards brought about by changing road conditions, says the Irish Advanced Motorists/IAM Fleet.

Lewis Hamilton chooses another Mercedes-Benz GL-Class

Thu, Oct 23, 2008

McLaren Mercedes F1 star driver Lewis Hamilton is about to get behind the wheel of another Mercedes-Benz GL-Class – his preferred car choice when away from the racetrack.

Your A to Z Guide to the Paris International Motor Show 2008

Thu, Oct 16, 2008

The first of Land Rover's environmentally friendly technologies made its debut at the Paris Motor Show. Probably from December all manual diesel versions of the Freelander will get stop-start as standard, and at no cost to the customer. The cars will be badge TD4. Fuel economy is improved by 3.8mpg and CO2 emissions are down by eight per cent. The consensus of opinion was this car can only be a good thing for the company.

Mazda

Thu, Oct 16, 2008

Kiyora is the name of a new lightweight urban car with a stylish exterior design that was unveiled by Mazda at the Paris show. It is powered by a four-cylinder engine with Smart Idle Stop System (SISS) to boost fuel economy and cut CO2 emissions. It hints at what a new A-segment car could look like.

Lexus

Thu, Oct 16, 2008

Lexus has unveiled the IS 250 convertible, the third model in the firm’s entry level range. This coupe/cabriolet is a rival to the likes of BMW’s 3-Series drop-top – is a proper four-seater with a three-piece metal roof that folds flat into the boot in 20 seconds. It will go on sale here by next summer.

Mercedes-Benz

Thu, Oct 16, 2008

The German firm unveiled the beautiful ConceptFascination, previewing a new design direction for an E-Class coupé. Its luxury fittings include a folding glass table, humidor and fridge in the luggage area. It’s powered by a 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel engine. A really great looking car!

Your A to Z Guide to the Paris International Motor Show 2008

Thu, Oct 16, 2008

Lotus
The British sports car firm’s Paris news was the debut of the Exige Cup 260, a fresh high performance derivative of the two-seater coupé. Tipping the scales at 38kg less than the standard car – it weighs just 890kg – it will hit 62mph in 4.1 seconds.

Subaru

Thu, Oct 16, 2008

Diesel was still the story on the Subaru stand, with the 2.0-litre boxer engine appearing in the Forester and Impreza for the first time. The firm is claiming the oil-burning SUV is now the class-leader for fuel economy and emissions. It believes no rival can better its figures of 44.8mpg and 167g/km. The Forester is available now, with the Impreza arriving in January.

Toyota

Thu, Oct 16, 2008

The new Avensis was unveiled at Paris. The MkIII model is due on sale in January in both saloon and estate body styles. It comes with a diesel automatic variant for the first time. There are also new variably valve timed (VVT) engines with emissions cut by 10 to 26 per cent and horsepower boosted by between three to 20 percent.

Suzuki

Thu, Oct 16, 2008

The wraps came off the next generation of Suzuki’s Alto city car at Paris. Measuring just 3.5 metres, it’s powered by the three-cylinder 1.0-litre petrol engine that’s already in the Splash. Fuel consumption is 62.7mpg with 103g/km of CO2. The Alto will arrive in Irish showrooms in or around next March. Cute styling and low-cost motoring are big attractions in the current climate.

Skoda

Thu, Oct 16, 2008

A facelifted version of the Octavia – Skoda’s biggest selling model – received its world premiere at Paris 2008. With revised bumpers and front and rear light clusters etc. cued from the new Superb, the new-look Octavia is expected to go on sale in January. It also gets the Superb's centre console and instruments.

Volkswagen

Thu, Oct 16, 2008

Some motor show unveilings will also draw people in and an all-new Golf GTi is certainly one of those. Power output it 210 bhp – it was 200 on the MkV – and it features an electronic limited slip diff linked to the ESP for the first time. The GTI is officially a concept but won’t change much before it arrives here in the spring.

Motorpark launches used car programme

Thu, Oct 16, 2008

This week Motorpark is launching a new used car programme called Motorpark Approved.

Stars shine through the clouds at the Paris Motor Show

Thu, Oct 09, 2008

It was overcast in Paris last Thursday and Friday, but a more threatening cloud hung over the 2008 Paris Mondial De L'Automobile (the Paris Motor Show), writes Padraic Deane.

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