Renault Scenic XMOD arrives

The New Scenic XMOD arrives in Irish showrooms from this month priced from €26,090-€31,190, writes Trish Whelan.

It combines the outdoor cues of a crossover with the more refined world of an MPV. It comes with raised ground clearance and alloy wheels, special front and rear bumpers and chrome-finish roof bars across the range.

In Ireland, the car will be available in two diesel Stop & Start engines, the Energy dCi 110 and dCi 130 engine.

The Energy dCi 110 has a fuel consumption of 4.1 L/100kms and a C02 emission rating of 105g/km (Tax Band A2). Also available is the new Energy TCe 115 petrol engine which is thirstier at 6.1L/100kms and is in Tax Band B2.

Two editions are offered here, Dynamique and BOSE.

It will be the first vehicle in the Renault range to feature the all-new Extended Grip system which enables the car to grip the road confidently under difficult driving conditions like mud, sand and fresh snow. The driver can choose from three types of assistance via the rotary control on the central console.

Seats are independent, folding and removable. The XMOD has 71 litres of additional stowage space spread around the cabin, and comes with a boot capacity of up to 555 litres, one of the biggest in its class.

New Kia Carens arrives next week

The new 2013 Kia Carens will arrive in Irish showrooms next week.

Powered by the economical 1.7D engine that powers its Sportage stable mate, the Carens comes in a choice of three trim levels, TX, EX and Platinum, with a starting price of €26,490 and has an annual road tax of €270.

Standard equipment for the entry level model includes alloy wheels, rear spoiler, LED daytime running lights, cornering lights, front and rear electric windows, luggage cargo screen, remote audio controls and voice activated Bluetooth.

The EX model, priced at €27,790, adds auto light controls, LED rear lights, rear privacy glass, folding mirrors with puddle lamps, seat back tables, dual zone air conditioning, rear parking sensors and rear view camera. The top of the range Platinum, at €31,790, adds luxury features like leather upholstery with heated front seats, 10-way power driver's seat, a panoramic sunroof, HID type lights, front parking sensors and a supervision instrument cluster.

The new car is shorter, narrower and lower than the previous generation model, but still comes with generous cabin space due to the new mode's increased wheelbase and cab-forward design which places the base of the A-pillar above the front wheel centre line.

All models come with six airbags, Electronic Stability Control, Vehicle Stability Management and Emergency Stop Signal. Kia expect the new Carens to earn a top 5-Star rating in Euro NCAP crash safety tests.

On-line Turkish visa applications

A new facility, supplied by Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, now means that anyone planning to holiday in Turkey can pre-purchase their entry visa before travelling, writes Trish Whelan.

Irish citizens travelling to Turkey (and indeed citizens of most other countries) are required to purchase a visa for entry to Turkey (cost €15 per person).

Previously, this could only be purchased at the Turkish airport of arrival.

However, you can now avoid queuing and purchase the visa on-line on www.evisa.gov.tr/en/

You should note that if you purchase the on-line visa and subsequently change your departure dates to dates outside the validity period of your visa, or cancel your holiday, you will be required to purchase a new visa and will not be entitled to a refund.

Fiesta sold every two minutes

The Ford Fiesta was Europe's top selling small car in March and for the first three months of this year according to JATO Dynamics, writes Trish Whelan.

Fiesta was also the best selling small car in Ireland for the first quarter of 2013.

European customers bought Fiestas at a rate of one every 100 seconds during Q1 of 2013. Parked bumper-to-bumper, the Fiestas sold during Q1 across Europe would reach all the way from Dublin to Killarney.

New Fiesta offers sub-100g/km C02 including the 1.0 EcoBoost engine which was 2012 International Engine of the Year. One quarter of Fiestas sold this year in Europe were equipped with this 1.0 EcoBoost.

New Superb shows new face

When the next version of Skoda's Superb arrives in Ireland for August sale, it will feature the new face of the brand as debuted in the Rapid and Octavia, writes Brian Byrne.

A strong contender against the mainstream D segment Mondeo and Avensis models, Superb has always offered rather more car for the segment and the money.

That is retained with the latest version, because there are no dimensional changes in the new one. But every panel and feature from the grille and lights back to the A pillar are new. You'll see it coming too, the LED daylight running lights help make the new 'eyes' of the car very distinctive. Overall the front of the car is more crisply modern.

The rear has been modified too, mostly by means of the lights, which now feature the traditional 'C' motif in LEDs.

A recrafting of the inside ups what was already a solid level of quality. A new steering wheel, fresh materials, and of course that umbrella in the rear passenger door is still a unique feature.

The Twindoor on the limousine, which converts to a hatchback or boot as required, now has a simpler 2-button operating system.

The extraordinary amount of leg space in the rear, which has always made Superb stand out from its competitors, remains. And the Combi wagon is just awesome in its load-carrying capability.

But just in case you're feeling that this is primarily a cosmetic exercise, the powertrains have been fettled too. Economy has been improved by up to 19 percent, depending on engine.

All diesel engines now come with start/stop and an energy recuperation system. And the Greenline version now sips just 4.2L/100km of fuel, with emissions down to 109g/km. Very respectable for such a big car, and the kind of thing that taxation authorities find very hard to keep up with.

In Ireland, a very respectable 1,000 plus Superbs were sold last year, of which some 25 percent were Combis - that itself a very high penetration of wagons in the class.

According to Skoda Ireland's John Donegan, the car has become very popular in the fleet segment, as has the smaller Octavia. "The fleet channel of the business has held up over the last two years, and that's what's keeping the trade going," he adds.

I've been driving the new Superb in the hilly woodlands outside Vienna, and my positive memories of the current version have been resurrected and upgraded.

For Ireland, the key engine will be the 1.6 diesel, which adequately powers the car but does require attention to the gearshifting in push-on driving through the twisting hills. Ideal is the 2.0 diesel, which offers seamless progress without effort. With either, the 6-speed gearbox shifts cleanly in both cases.

There isn't any word on pricing for the new car until around the middle of July. Given the times and the market conditions, I'd suspect that the Irish distributor is working hard trying not to increase by much, if at all.

Skoda is doing well in achieving conquest sales in Ireland from many of its direct competitors. But it's arguable too that there are converts from the premium levels, especially with the Superb.

It doesn't offer the flash of cousin Audi, which is the point. Nor perhaps the power options of that VW brand gone premium. Which is the point too. This is a car for the solid business person who needs roominess as well as a quality feel. It works especially well if a wagon is appropriate for the lifestyle need.

Gotta like the Superb. Again.

First bodyshops get certified

The first bodyshops in Ireland were awarded the new 'Certified Steel Standard' (CSS) which is the new voluntary standards programme for professional bodyshops in Ireland. The standard, the first of its kind, was developed by the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) and is supported by the Road Safety Authority.

To achieve CSS certification, a bodyshop must pass an independent audit of their personnel, equipment, the suitability of their repair methods and the quality of their repair materials, which are inspected against set criteria.

The newly awarded bodyshops were presented with their accreditation in Dublin Institute of Technology by SIMI President Alan Lyons.

The bodyshops awarded with CSS accreditation represented a variety of counties, Dublin, Carlow, Kildare, Tipperary, Wicklow and Wexford. SIMI expects that this new standard will become best practice in the Industry. There should be a nationwide network of certified CSS bodyshops by early next year.

Pictured are Alan Lyons, SIMI President with Noel brett, CEO of the Road Safety Authority at the CSS presentation in DIT.

Algarve Villa Holidays

This year, Concorde Travel offers the possibility of booking a package holiday to the Algarve, departing from Shannon, Knock, Dublin or Kerry, staying in private villas with swimming pools, writes Trish Whelan.

Ideal for families or group of friends, the 2 or 3 bedroom villas are available for up to 7 people. However, if your party is larger, there are villas than can accommodate up to 10 people. Some have sea views, a close town nearby or relaxation in quiet, secluded areas.

Offers include depart on 1st June, from Ireland West Knock, from €634pp (7 sharing a 3-bed villa) of €674pp (5 sharing a 2-bed villa).

Depart on 5th June, from Dublin, from €594pp (7 sharing a 3-bed villa) or €644pp (5 sharing a 2-bed villa).

Other offers are from Shannon on 22nd July; from Dublin on 23rd July; from Kerry on 19th August; Dublin on 20th August or 8th September.

Prices quoted are for 7 nights and include flights, transfers, accommodation, baggage and tax. Other durations available. For more information visit www.concordetravel.ie or phone (01) 775 9300 to speak with one of Concorde Travels' representatives.

Dubliner wins new car with Topaz

Graham Bushe, from Firhouse, Dublin, is the winner of a new car in Topaz's new Play or Park loyalty game.

Graham drove off in his new four-door Seat Ibiza 1.2 SE after he claimed the prize for April. As well as winning a new car, the overall package valued at €20,000 includes free petrol and insurance for a year.

Graham works with the HSE in Cherry Orchard. His wife, Bernie, choose the car colour.

Karl Thompson, Topaz Area Manager for South Dublin is pictured presenting Graham with their new car at Topaz Newlands Cross.

So far over 100,000 people have registered to play Play or Park. The June prize is a weeklong stay at the five star Copacabana Hotel in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.

Reen's and Peugeot launch cycling club

Reen's Car Sales Rathmore, Main Peugeot Dealers for Co Kerry, and Peugeot Ireland are supporting the newly launched Sliabh Luachra Cycling Club. The 111-member-strong cycling club is now the biggest cycling club in Co Kerry and possibly the biggest in Munster. The official launch of the Club took place at Reen's Car Sales Rathmore last week.

The Club was formed by locals Donie Kelleher and Padraig Keane and now includes many local cyclists. Members will compete in ten events this year, including the Ring of Kerry. Plans are afoot to provide coaching and lessons to a juvenile club.

On 17 August, the Club will hold their own leisure tour with three routes planned and members from other cycling clubs are invited to participate. Visit the Facebook Page, Sliabh Luacra Cycling Club or email sliabhluachracc@hotmail.com

Pictured above are: Padraig Keane; Tim Reen, Reen's Rathmore; Emma Toner, Peugeot Marketing Manager; Donie Kelleher (Club Chairman) and John Reen, Dealer Principal, Reen's Rathmore.

A new AMD World Champion

An Irish bike has won the AMD World Championship in Germany, writes Trish Whelan.

Held for the first time in Europe, at the Big Bike Europe Expo in Essen, the Championship showcased the best in designs for motorcycles, scooters, trikes and sidecar outfits.

Thousands of entrants from around the world went through a series of qualifiers and were eventually whittled down to 122 machines representing 23 countries.

The 2013 AMD World Championship title was taken by Ireland's Medaza Cycles' creation 'Rondine' (pictured above). Don Cronin and Michael O'Shea, the two Irish men responsible for the build created a one-off frame to carry the single-cylinder, 1971 Moto Guzzi Nuovo Falcone 500 engine.

The Irish duo qualified for the competition by taking top honours at the international open qualifiers at the 2013 Carole Nash Irish Motorcycle and Scooter Show in Dublin last March.

Another Irishman, Noel Connolly from Galway (pictured right), took 16th place in the Freestyle Class with his sidecar outfit called The Chieftan.

Next Qashqai will be bigger, sleeker

Nissan may show a significant shift in emphasis with its second generation Qashqai, due for reveal in the autumn, writes Brian Byrne.

The Resonance concept (above) debuted at Detroit this year is believed to show the way to a more sexy styling that will build on the Qashqai's success as top Nissan seller in Europe.

And with the target market the compact hatch segment epitomised in Europe by VW's Golf, expect the new Qashqai to move more towards hatch from its current crossover SUV theme. Nevertheless, it will be bigger than the current Qashqai.

New powertrains are likely to include a supercharged 1.2 3-cylinder petrol engine with sub-100g/km emissions.

Qashqai is number eight in the European marketplaces overall. But Nissan has needed a compact hatch ever since the Almera was discontinued.