Toyota number one for scrappage in January

Thu, Feb 24, 2011

Reflecting the positive opening sales figures for 2011, the scrappage figures released by SIMI have confirmed Toyota is number one in the marketplace for January with some 24 per cent of the scrappage-linked sales.

David Shannon, managing director of Toyota Ireland, said: “January sales across the industry have been very strong and undoubtedly the continuation of the scrappage scheme by the Government has been a factor.

Euro NCAP’s best performing cars of 2010

Thu, Feb 24, 2011

Euro NCAP has unveiled its five safest cars of 2010. To be selected as safest cars of their categories, these vehicles achieved a high overall score and attained the coveted five-star rating.

Audi's new A6 on the way

Thu, Feb 24, 2011

The seventh generation Audi A6 is on the way in April. The model line dates back to 1968 with the Audi 100. The current generation has sold 1.16 million worldwide in the last six years.

Emissions have been reduced and fuel efficiency improved with the model. This is helped by it being 80kg lighter, thanks mainly to the use of aluminium.

New BMW X3 is voted Off-Roader of the Year

Thu, Feb 24, 2011

Only weeks after its market launch, it has already been hailed Off-Roader of the Year. The new BMW X3 has made an instant and lasting impression on fans of all-wheel-drive vehicles, namely the readers of Germany’s Off Road magazine who voted it their favourite in the SUV category.

Daytime lights now mandatory on all newly-built EU cars

Thu, Feb 24, 2011

All new cars and small vans manufactured in Europe are now being fitted with automatic daytime lights, so-called daytime running lights in a new bid to raise road safety.

Renault Ireland powers up for launch of Renault ZE

Thu, Feb 24, 2011

A new partnership between Renault Ireland and DIT to deliver tailored electric car training programmes to the Renault Dealer network was announced this week.

First Saab 9-4X rolls off the production line

Thu, Feb 24, 2011

The first Saab 9-4X crossover to be commercially produced has now rolled off the assembly line in Mexico.

Women drivers more stressed than men

Thu, Feb 24, 2011

Women are far more likely to get stressed out while driving than their male counterparts, the results of the latest AA poll suggest.

Selecting from a list of potentially stressful driving activities, such as talking to gardaí, entering and exiting motorways, and negotiating multi-lane roundabouts, female respondents consistently expressed far greater levels of anxiety than males.

Opel extends free servicing campaign

Thu, Feb 24, 2011

Opel is extending its three years’ free servicing plan on all orders for Opel passenger cars and light commercial vehicles placed by March 31.

The campaign, which was launched last November, ensures customes do not have to pay for servicing for the first three years and, according to the company, it “assures Opel’s customers peace of mind as only genuine Opel parts are used by Opel trained technicians.”

Sean O’Brien becomes Kia brand ambassador

Thu, Feb 24, 2011

Kia Motors Ireland has teamed up with one of Ireland’s young rugby talents, Leinster and Ireland player Sean O’Brien who will promote the Kia brand and drive a new Kia Sportage over the coming two years.

Skoda’s new Superb combi estate in Monaghans Galway

Thu, Feb 17, 2011

Following the successful launch of the new Yeti SUV, Skoda has just launched the new Superb Combi estate.

Special edition 207 and 308 are the Envy

Thu, Feb 17, 2011

Peugeot started the year with two special edition announcements. The Peugeot 207 Envy 1.4, 95bhp petrol five door slots into Band B road tax. Standard equipment includes bluetooth, six airbags, alloy wheels, front fogs, aircon, leather steering wheel, and remote audio controls.

Big success for Hyundai in January

Thu, Feb 17, 2011

Hyundai passenger car sales for January 2011 have jumped by 74 per cent compared with January last year, according to Hyundai Cars Ireland. This has resulted in a growth in market share from 3.3 per cent in January 2010 to 4.56 per cent in January 2011.

Historic celebrations at Mercedes-Benz Ireland

Thu, Feb 17, 2011

A milestone in motoring history - the 125th anniversary of the invention of the motor car by Karl Benz – was marked recently with a presentation to the Royal Irish Automobile Club by the Mercedes-Benz organisation in Ireland.

Renault extends van scrappage promotion

Thu, Feb 17, 2011

Renault Ireland is extending its Scrap My Van offer, which includes Renault’s award-winning LCV range, until the end of February.

Super new Ford Focus on the way

Thu, Feb 10, 2011

The long-awaited new Ford Focus will arrive here in April. And it is a real beauty.

Super new Ford Focus on the way

Thu, Feb 10, 2011

The long-awaited new Ford Focus will arrive here in April. And it is a real beauty.

Continental Irish Van of the Year 2011

Thu, Feb 10, 2011

The Land Rover Discovery 4 commercial and Volkswagen Golf van were voted category winners in the Continental Irish Van of the Year 2011.

Mitsubishi adds new Lancer diesel to its iconic range

Thu, Feb 10, 2011

A two-times winner of the World Rally Championship, the Mitsubishi Lancer, is one of the most recognisable and popular vehicles in the Mitsubishi range.

Motorshow 2011 Car Buyers' Guide annual

Thu, Feb 10, 2011

Ireland has the lowest priced cars (pre-tax) in Europe. And that is before the Government Scrappage Scheme is applied. If you have money saved, or are one of the minority who can get finance, there has never been a better time to buy a new car in this country.

The 2011 edition of Motorshow Car Buyers' Guide assists buyers with no nonsense verdicts on every new car. It also has all the new car scoops, with details of more than a hundred new models on the way.

E-paper

Read this weeks E-paper. Past editions also available from within this weeks digital copy.