New midsize Leapmotor arrives

Leapmotor has launched its new B10 mid-sized SUV in Ireland, marking its entry into the C-Segment SUV market, writes Brian Byrne. The starting price is €32,984.

The 56.2 kWh battery version offers up to 361km WLTP range, and there's a 67.1 kWh version rated at 434km. A hybrid version will arrive later this year.

Features include a panoramic glass roof, a full suite of safety tech, and advanced connectivity. 

The B10 is supported by a 6-year warranty and expands Leapmotor’s presence in Ireland, which already includes models T03 and C10.

The Irish distributor, Gowan Auto, has established a network of seven dealers in Dublin, Cork, Kildare, Meath, and Galway. 

Ford partnership with Ohme for home charging

Ford and Ford Pro have partnered with Ohme as their EV home charging partner in Ireland, writes Brian Byrne. As part of the Ford Power Promise, Ford dealers in Ireland will offer free Ohme chargers to qualifying customers. 

Based in Cork, Ohme is the UK's largest and Ireland’s fastest-growing home EV charging company. 

The Ford Power Promise also includes an 8-year, 160,000 km warranty on high-voltage components and batteries, a free five-year service plan, and free five-year towing assistance. 

There's also access to over 3,900 public charging points via Ford’s BlueOval™ Charge Network powered by Octopus Electroverse, and use of the FordPass app for public charging payments. 

Pictured are John Manning, Ford Ireland Market Lead; David Watson, Ohme CEO; and Patrick McDonald, Ohme Director.

Citroen C3 review: Trish Whelan, Irish Car

Citroën launched its fourth-generation C3 last summer, as a more modern, assertive design that resembles an SUV rather than the traditional hatchback. It is likely to attract a broader audience thanks to its spaciousness, affordability, comfort, and range of powertrains. The model is particularly significant for the French car manufacturer, accounting for 30 per cent of its sales - the previous version sold around 5.6 million units. C3 competes in the market space also occupied by the Hyundai i20, Toyota Yaris, Citroen’s own e-C3, Hyundai’s Inster and the Dacia Spring. 

While it maintains the same 4.01m footprint as before, the new model is almost 100mm taller at 1.57m, making it taller than rivals. The generous wheelbase allows for a roomy second row. Ground clearance has been increased from 135mm to 197mm. At the front, the fascia incorporates a large oval ‘chevron’ logo, new front and rear light designs, and new taillight clusters that extend into the corners. My car was in a nice shade of blue with a contrasting black roof and roof rails. Fun elements are the coloured strips that provide contrasting accents along the car's exterior. It’s a good looker, to be sure. 

The cabin of this five-seater is simple and welcoming, creating a pleasant space to spend time, especially on long journeys, with extra legroom, headroom, and elbow room. Seating is now significantly elevated, allowing everyone a better view and the driver a more commanding driving position. Citroën is renowned for comfort, and this C3 features progressive hydraulic cushion suspension. The car also has the brand's Advanced Comfort seats. 

The dashboard conveys a sense of width, while the absence of a traditional instrument cluster is quite a novelty. Instead, you find a display positioned between the top of the dashboard and the bottom of the windscreen. This allows the driver to easily view all key information without taking their eyes off the road. A well-sized 10.25-inch colour touchscreen infotainment system is user-friendly and compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Below are three large knobs for climate control, eliminating the need to navigate through screen menus. My car had a traditional pull-up hand brake and no front armrest. The cubbies included large front door bins - cheerful in white - a small glovebox, and two cupholders. In the back, passengers have wind-up rear windows and handy pockets on the front seat backs for small items. There's a high transmission tunnel for the person in the middle seat to work their feet around. 

Boot space is 310 litres, decent for the class, and can be expanded to over 900 litres with the 60/40 split rear seats folded down. My Plus version lacked a rearview camera or blind-spot monitors. But it did have front LED headlamps, 17-inch alloys, auto wipers, power-folding and heated door mirrors, rear parking sensors, air conditioning, C-type USBs at the front and rear, Hill Start Assist, a manual child lock and six airbags. 

If I were buying the car, I’d choose the higher Max grade for an extra €1,750, which includes LED rear lights, heated windscreen, front fog lights, navigation, heated steering wheel and front seats, wireless smartphone charger, and, most importantly, a reversing camera. Powertrains include petrol, hybrid, and all-electric (BEV) options. My car was fitted with a 1.2 turbo petrol engine producing 100hp, paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox. 

Accelerating from 0-100 km/h takes around 10.6 seconds, and the claimed combined fuel consumption of 5.6 L/100 km was accurate, as I averaged 5.5 L/100 km over various routes during my time with the car. This is a quiet and eager engine, and the car’s compact size makes it very nimble for parking in town. This new generation of the model hasn’t yet been tested by Euro NCAP. The C3 is built in Europe at the Stellantis plants in Serbia and Slovakia. 

The 100hp petrol is competitively priced at €23,900. The all-electric e:C3 has the same starting price.

 

New Leaf wins Women's World Compact COTY

The Nissan Leaf was named Best Compact Car by Women's World Car of The Year, the only all-women jury of motoring journalists, writes Brian Byrne. The WWCOTY awards are evaluated by 84 journalists from 54 countries.

The new Leaf features an aerodynamic design, two battery options (52 or 75kWh), and Google built-in for connectivity and hands-free control.

The third-generation Leaf was praised by the jurors for its design, performance, and role in the move to electric vehicle.  

Latest Kia EV set for spring arrival

The latest Kia electric car, the EV2 small SUV, will arrive in Ireland in the spring, following its debut at the Brussels Motor Show, writes Brian Byrne. The car completes the Korean brand's dedicated electric-car range, which is topped by the 7-seat EV9.

Two battery options will provide rated ranges of up to 317 and 448 kilometres, respectively.

The car features compact dimensions with generous space and versatility for the segment. There's up to 403 litres of cargo capacity

Pricing and specifications will be announced closer to the Irish launch. 

Opel Grandland hybrid review: Brian Byrne, Irish Car

Opel has no models among the top 60 cars sold in Ireland last year, writes Brian Byrne. Though that's against the backdrop of more than 320 models on offer from more than 50 carmakers operating on this island, and the Stellantis Group's German brand is comfortably within the top 20 marques in overall Irish car sales. 

It's notable that Opel's top three models are all within very close numbers of each other, and that the C-segment Grandland SUV looks on track to move from third to first in Opel sales, passing the current Mokka and Corsa leaders. There's also a new Frontera B-segment SUV that was recently launched, and a new Astra hatchback is coming in the summer. So, with arguably the freshest lineup of crossover SUVs — the Mokka also got an upgrade in 2025, along with the arrival of the new generation Grandland — Opel looks well set to drive forward through this coming year.

If you need to travel long distances and require family-size seating, the Grandland is worth considering for several reasons. For starters, it is well styled, with clean lines, edgy profile elements, and a flat bonnet with a central ridge, which brings back memories of the Opel Rekords I owned in the 1960s. It is longer, wider, and taller than the first-generation Grandland it replaced last year and offers more rear-seat room. In line with Opel's latest theme, the brand name is permanently lit at the rear, and the Blitz is lit at the front.

There's a distinctly upmarket interior, continuing the edgy theme of the outside. A wide central screen features large touchscreen controls, while physical buttons and switches remain for key climate and audio management. The driver instrumentation is precise, practical, and non-distracting — there's even a 'Pure' option that eliminates all but essential information.

The Grandland offers ample storage, and a refrigerated box is included under the armrest. A 550L boot cargo volume is standard across all powertrain versions. The extra width and height of this Grandland make a difference to the interior experience. A rethinking of seat design has, the carmaker claims, made them more comfortable for long-distance driving — I can attest to that being true, as one 400km round trip I did, while I had the car, was done with just a 10-minute turnaround in the middle, and I arrived home without a trace of back tiredness after some six hours of driving.

The Grandland is available with a choice of battery-electric, mild-hybrid, and plug-in hybrid powertrains. In this instance, I was driving the MH one, powered by a 1.2 3-cylinder petrol engine and a small battery, which nevertheless can have the car operating in EV mode up to 50 per cent of the time. It's a system used across the Stellantis brands, and I've been very impressed with it. The transmission is a 6-speed dual-clutch automatic, which, again, I've found is well matched to the engine. Long-distance driving proved effortless, thanks in large measure to the powertrain, the orthopaedically designed seats, and easy handling. 

Although I sorted out how to switch off the most annoying of the driver 'assistance' bits, there were some oddball warning sounds that I couldn't get to the bottom of, but I will be discussing them with Opel's technical people the next time I meet them.

My regular readers will remember that the Grandland was my personal choice for the Large Car category in the recent Irish Car of the Year 2026 awards in association with Continental Tyres. My subsequent time with the model hasn't changed my view, and I'd vote that way again if necessary.

PRICE: From €41,395. WHAT I LIKED: That my first good impressions proved right on the long haul. 

New Skoda 7-seat EV for summer debut

Skoda has teased a new 7-seater flagship due to debut in the summer by releasing its name, Peaq, writes Brian Byrne. The car will be an all-electric model, filling out the top end of the brand's EV portfolio.

Few other details of the car have been revealed, aside from the fact that it follows the themes established by the Vision 7S concept car introduced in 2022.

The images supplied suggest an angular, edgy look that is trending across the industry.

The company says it brings the brand values and spaciousness to a 'whole new level' in the segment.

Cedar automotive group sold to Salvador Caetano

The Cedar Group, one of Ireland’s largest motor distributors and retailers, has been acquired by the Salvador Caetano Group which is entering the Irish market for the first time, writes Trish Whelan. 

The Cedar Group is the largest independent motor group in Ireland and employing over 600 people, sold almost 28,000 vehicles in 2025, and has a turnover close to €1 billion per annum. It comprises Nissan Ireland, distributors of Nissan cars; Cedar Motors, distributors of Renault, Dacia and Alpine cars; and the Windsor Motor Group, one of the largest automotive retail groups in Ireland representing the Nissan, Renault, Dacia, Alpine, Peugeot, Opel, Mazda, Citroen, and Suzuki franchises. The acquisition ends almost 50 years of ownership by the Kuwaiti based Al Babtain family. 

The management team at the Cedar Group remains unchanged and will continue to lead the development of the Group into the future. James McCarthy, CEO of The Cedar Group, (pictured above) said: “This acquisition is the perfect fit for the future development of the business as well as being a sold endorsement of the Irish car market and the Nissan, Renault, Dacia and Alpine franchises.” 

The Salvador Caetano Group, headquartered in Portugal, is a global leader in the automotive industry with operations in 48 countries across Europe, Africa and South America. It has over 80 years of experience in automotive distribution and retail, bus manufacturing, industrial equipment, after sales service, information technology and renewable energy solutions.

Jeep Avenger CDV review: Trish Whelan, Irish Car

They may account for just a small share of the Irish van market, but small businesses and tradespeople are spoilt for choice when it comes to purchasing a car-derived van (CDV), as many vehicle manufacturers now offer one in their line-up. CDVs are built on passenger-car platforms, so they offer car-like handling and comfort while providing extended cargo space and a favourable VRT rate. However, modifications must be carried out to an appropriate safety standard, and the Revenue Commissioners keep a close eye on compliance. 

My latest Jeep test drive was the Avenger CDV, available in both fully electric (BEV) and hybrid powertrains, delivering genuine Jeep DNA with all-weather and all-terrain capabilities despite its front-wheel-drive layout. Its compact dimensions of 4.08m in length, 1.78m in width, and 1.53m in height make it ideal for city use. 

Up front, the signature seven-slot grille and full LED headlights stand out, and the skid plates reflect Jeep's iconic personality. Painted alloy wheels are from 16-inch to 18-inch. The Avenger Commercial has a very decent cargo area, although no official payload figures have been released. This is a smart-looking calling card for a business or sole operator when visiting clients, as it will impress with its stylish design and practicality. The model name Avenger is displayed on both sides, and a blue ‘e’ on the left rear shows it is an electric car, as does the green flash on the number plate. The glass on the rear side windows is left in situ, but the windows are fully covered to comply with regulations. From the outside, it is difficult to believe this is a small van, and I had to open the rear door to convince a friend that it was indeed a small load lugger, not a passenger car. 

The cabin is a nice place to spend time in. Seats, with cloth/vinyl upholstery and grey accents, and Jeep embossed on the seat backs, were very comfortable and supportive; the driver’s seat has 6-way manual adjustments, and the passenger seat has 4-way adjustments. There's some extra storage in the pockets left in place on both seat backs. Other storage areas include a half-sized glovebox with an open shelf above, a deep storage area on the central console with a foldable cover and two cupholders, an area below the front armrest, and large front door bins. Both USB-A and USB-C ports and a wireless charging pad are standard. 

The Altitude grade features a 10.25-inch infotainment system with navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and wireless Mirroring. There are physical buttons for volume, defrost (windscreen and rear window), fan, and climate controls (single-zone). The transmission selector is a row of separate buttons mid-dash and includes a B for more regeneration to help charge the battery. There's an electric parking brake with Auto Hold. The customisable driver’s instrument cluster shows relevant information, with the current speed shown at the centre top. I liked the ’twang’ sound of a guitar chord when I indicated to turn. My car had a power tailgate and a big rear wiper. The retention of the doors’ interior trim and armrest indicates a conversion, as do the disconnected power window switches and, of course, a see-through, wire bulkhead, which, with the large rear tailgate window, provides excellent rear visibility. The cargo floor is height-adjustable, and there is a tyre sealant below. 

Avenger BEV delivers 260 Nm of instant torque; both passenger and CDV vans share the same 115 kW (156hp) electric motor and powertrain. Altitude has a claimed electric range of 394km WLTP (573km urban) and a power consumption of 15.7 kWh/100 km; Longitude offers a slightly higher range of 400 km (580 km urban). Road tax is €333. 

The Selec-Terrain system includes six drive modes of Normal, Eco, Sport, Snow, Mud and Sand, as well as Hill Descent Control, giving it almost all-terrain ability despite being front-wheel drive. Both grades come highly specced. Other features included a reversing camera, rear parking sensors, heated and power door mirrors, connected services, Adaptive Cruise Control, vulnerable road user recognition for pedestrians and cyclists, an Emergency Response System, and a Mode 3 charging cable. The Jeep Avenger small 5-door SUV received three out of five stars in Euro NCAP testing. The BEV can fast charge at 100 kW DC from 20pc-80pc in 24 minutes. EV batteries are designed to last the Avenger's planned life. Jeep offers an 8-year warranty up to 160,000km. 

Customers can choose from the following exterior colours: Snow (my car), Volcano, Ruby, Sun, Lake, Granite, or Stone. Only the Volcano colour comes as standard; the others are an extra €950. The Jeep Avenger CDV was awarded the title Car-Derived Van of the Year 2026 in association with Continental Tyres in November 2025, following a vote by experienced commercial vehicle journalists who are members of the Motoring Media Association of Ireland (MMAI). I enjoyed it so much that I didn’t want to return it after my test drives. 

Longitude BEV Commercial is from €39,108 (€30,627 net of grant + VRT Relief); Altitude BEV Commercial is from €32,964 net of grant + VRT Relief and at €26,800 + VAT.