Survey finds that motoring life starts at 59

Thu, Jan 06, 2011

On average motorists do not get the hang of driving until they reach the age of 59, according to a study by Continental Tyres.

2010 road deaths fall to record low

Thu, Jan 06, 2011

A total of 212 people were killed on Ireland’s roads last year, a record low for the country. However, while a fall in road fatalities, down by 26 on the 2009 figure, is good news, there were still more than 200 too many deaths on our roads, with hundreds more badly injured.

New Chrysler 300 breaks cover

Thu, Jan 06, 2011

The new Chrysler 300 luxury saloon has broken cover ahead of being officially unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show this month.

New Passat and Sharan get five-star crash test rating

Thu, Jan 06, 2011

The latest Euro NCAP crash testing has awarded the top achievement of five stars to the new Volkswagen Passat and new Sharan MPV.

Scoring an overall rating of 96 per cent, the Sharan achieved one of the highest ever results in what are Euro NCAP's most stringent tests to date. The results for adult protection in frontal, side, and rear impacts as well as child and pedestrian safety mean Volkswagen's most advanced people carrier is among the safest vehicles in its category.

Toyota delivers its twenty millionth vehicle in Europe

Thu, Dec 30, 2010

Toyota is celebrating the delivery of its 20 millionth vehicle in Europe, a landmark reached just 10 years after recording its 10 millionth sale here.

Cross border enforcement on horizon

Thu, Dec 30, 2010

The European Union (EU) is considering giving police new powers to prosecute European drivers if they commit offences in any of the 27 countries that make up the union.

Hat-trick for Kia in the 2011 Total Off Road Awards

Thu, Dec 30, 2010

Kia's newly-launched Sportage crossover and Sorento SUV have both walked away with wins in Total Off Road magazine's 2011 4x4 of the Year awards. Kia itself also scooped the '4x4 Manufacturer of the Year' award completing the hat-trick for the Korean firm.

The Sportage won the category of 'Junior SUV' fending off competition from 18 mainstream and premium models. The Sorento came away with top prize in the SUV category, ahead of 12 rivals, and overcame strong opposition from luxury brands too.

Kia draws the lines on new Picanto

Thu, Dec 30, 2010

Kia Motors has released the first official design sketches of the next generation Picanto city car designed to stand out from the crowd. The new model styled by Kia’s European design team based in Frankfurt, Germany will be officially unveiled at the Geneva International Motor Show in March 2011.

Toyota continues with special offers

Thu, Dec 30, 2010

Toyota Ireland offers a total saving of up to €4,000 after scrappage on a wide range of passenger vehicles.

Christmas promotion for new Citroen C4 launch

Thu, Dec 23, 2010

Citroen has launched an alternative and innovative Christmas competition where one lucky entrant will drive into the New Year in a brand New C4 model.

Fuel hikes hitting motorists

Thu, Dec 23, 2010

Petrol and diesel prices have hit record highs this month with motorists being asked to pay price hikes well in excess of the budget tax increases. This is according to the AA director of policy Conor Faughnan. “You cannot leave a forecourt these days without feeling that you are being gouged,” Mr Faughnan said. “AA members have been contacting us in large numbers through the AA blog and by email, complaining bitterly about what looks to them like a rip off.

“But to be fair it is not really the fault of the local garage,” he added. “Three distinct factors have gone against us this month. The euro has weakened against the US dollar and the barrel of oil has risen from about $84 to over $91. But we have also seen the wholesale price of refined product, the gasoline and auto-diesel, rise sharply in price on European markets. That last factor is probably caused by the very cold weather of recent weeks which has pushed up demand and caused worries about supply. The excise duty increases in the budget make a bad situation worse. Motorists generally are expressing frustration and suspicion about oil companies and local garages.”

Skoda Superb Estate wins another major award

Thu, Dec 23, 2010

Skoda is celebrating a Superb ending to 2010 as the brand’s flagship model was named Family Car of the Year by Channel 5’s hit show Fifth Gear.

New BMW X3 arrives with more for less

Thu, Dec 16, 2010

BMW has just launched the new X3 SUV. It is longer and wider than its predecessor, and it comes with a higher standard specification than the previous model. To top it off, BMW boasts that it also has a lower on-the-road price than the model it succeeds.

Mum’s the word when it comes to giving lifts

Thu, Dec 16, 2010

Mums clock up the most mileage when it comes to their children’s academic and social lives, an AA Membership survey of more than 2,400 parents with children under the age of 12 has revealed.

Two thirds of mums, many of whom liken themselves to a shuttle service, said they do the lion’s share of giving their children lifts. However just 20 per cent of dads surveyed said they fulfil this same responsibility.

Warning on garage servicing standards

Thu, Dec 16, 2010

The Automobile Association is advising garages to make sure they adhere to proper standards when servicing cars for customers, while also asking motorists to give feedback on their servicing experience.

Car scrappage scheme extended in Budget

Thu, Dec 16, 2010

The extension of the scrappage scheme for the first six months of next year will be widely welcomed by the motor industry

New five star safety rating for KIA Sportage and Venga

Thu, Dec 16, 2010

The Kia Sportage SUV 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, Euro NCAP.