'Get winter-ready', RSA urges

Winter safety warning to motorists

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is marking 25 years of the National Car Test (NCT) by urging motorists to get winter-ready, writes Brian Byrne. With colder, wetter weather on the way, keeping vehicles roadworthy is vital for safety.

Since 2000, approximately 26 million full NCT tests have been carried out. Last year, the NCT completed 1.7million full NCT tests which is the highest in the services history.

Brendan Walsh, Chief Operations Officer at RSA, says winter poses additional risks on Irish roads, and poorly maintained vehicles can be more susceptible to breakdowns or collisions in challenging conditions. "We are urging all motorists across Ireland to prepare their vehicles and carry out regular car maintenance checks," he says. "This includes checking tyres and lights regularly, keeping fluids topped up and windows clean for optimum visibility and ensuring you book in your yearly vehicle service."

The most common reasons cars fail the NCT include worn tyres, faulty brake lines, seatbelt and exhaust system conditions, as well as defective suspension. Many of these issues can be prevented with regular servicing. 

Cupra Terramar review: Trish Whelan, Irish Car

Cupra has gained a lot of recognition in Ireland in recent years with its line-up of performance-focused sporty cars. This has paid off with increased sales figures year-on-year. My latest Cupra test drive was in the Terramar compact SUV launched here at the end of last year, and described by the brand as their best hybrid SUV yet. It shares underpinnings with the VW Tiguan. 

Terramar has a strong and distinctive, even intimidating, exterior design that looks different to most of its mainstream competitors but is a practical and sporty family car, slightly larger in size than its Formentor SUV sibling. To me, it looks simply gorgeous from every angle. The exterior design includes a shark-nose-inspired front, athletic proportions emphasised by the long bonnet, sports bumpers, and strong rear end with 3D LED lights and illuminated Cupra logo. Roof rails are standard. An option is the 19-inch machined alloy wheels in Sport Black Matt finish. 

I really like Cupra’s trademark copper-coloured accents on the exteriors and interiors of their cars, which always lift the look. The copper-coloured logo is instantly recognisable to car fans. High door openings make it easy for tall people to get in and out and mean they don’t have to duck their heads in the process. 

The upmarket cabin is comfy and spacious with some nice quality materials and a good balance of copper-coloured detailing. But I’m not a fan of the grey fish-scale-like patterned plastic on the central spine — it looks cheap — or of the blue and grey colour scheme and black roof lining. Too dismal looking. The freestanding 12.9-inch infotainment touchscreen angled towards the driver is user-friendly, offering navigation, entertainment, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and voice control via Cupra Connect. The 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster works with the head-up display on the windscreen. You can customise the cluster via the View button on the steering wheel to show your current speed large in a central dial, by default it shows bottom right on the screen. Blue or red lines on the bottom of the central screen are for the dual-zone climate control, and the white lines in between are for volume control. All are easy to work with while on the go. 

Sporty bucket seats made from sustainable materials have integrated headrests and manual seat adjustments, including lumbar support, but when I moved my seat forward for a good fit behind the wheel, the long seat cushion hurt me behind my knees. Taller people may not have this problem. The leather multi-function sports steering wheel comes with two satellite buttons — one to start or stop the engine, the other to select your driving modes of Comfort, Normal, or Sport. The twisty gear selector is located off the steering wheel. There's a wireless charging pad, two C-type USB ports, as well as big door bins, and a good bucket-shaped glovebox. Rear seats can be moved back or forward depending on the amount of legroom needed. Boot space is up to 540 litres when they are moved forward. The boot has two adjustable height settings and a storage area below. 

Trims are V1, V2 and VZ. Entry-level features include 18-inch alloys matt black/silver, black roof rails, rear-view camera, front and rear parking sensors, 3-zone climate control with air conditioning, front fog lamp with cornering control, and a rear wiper. The Blind Spot Alert, part of the lighting strip on front doors, lights up when a car is approaching from behind. The V2 trim adds Adaptive Cruise Control, wraparound smart interior lighting, dark-tinted glass, front heated seats, and power tailgate. Options were the Dark Void special metallic paint, 19-inch alloys, an Edge Pack (power heated side mirrors, heated steering wheel, interior lighting, dark-tinted windows, electric tailgate and virtual pedal), Pure Performance (of Matrix HD lights and Dynamic Chassis Control), and Intelligent Drive (Intelligent Park Assist, Side and Exit Assist, Rear Traffic Alert, and top-view camera). 

The model is available in petrol, mild hybrid (mHEV) and as a plug-in hybrid (PHEV). My car was the mHEV with 1.5e TSI 150hp and matched to a smooth-shifting 7-speed DSG automatic transmission and with a claimed fuel consumption of 8.1 L/100kms. Max torque is 250Nm and you have up to 1,000km available. Other engines are a 2.0 TSI 204hp DSG 4WD and an eHybrid 204hp. Only two engines are offered with the VZ version: an eHybrid with 272hp and a 2.0 TSI 265hp 4Drive. There is no diesel. 

On the road, I found the Terramar a lovely car to drive with good performance and also appreciated the smooth DSG transmission, but I found the engine quite noisy. As for annoying ‘driver alerts’, you can pull down a menu from the top of the screen to be able to manage any driver ‘assistance’ system you want to turn off. With its array of safety features, Terramar achieved the maximum 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating scoring well across all categories. The entry-level model is priced from €46,500; my review car €53,240. Road Tax €210.

 

John Linnane Motors does the double at Opel awards

John Linnane Motors, Main Opel Dealer in Wicklow, has been crowned the overall winner of the Opel Dealer of the Year award, writes Trish Whelan. In a double celebration, the dealership also picked up a second gong, the Opel Aftersales Dealer of the year accolade. 

Dealer Principal, John Linnane, together with his wife, Aedeen, and sons, Charlie and Aaron, were presented with the trophies at an Opel dealer network conference at Gowan Auto, Citywest on 7 October. The conference served as the Opel dealer launch of the new Frontera, first units of which are now in showrooms nationwide. 

A family owned and run business, John Linnane Motors of Rathnew, Co Wicklow, was appointed an Opel Dealer in 2006. The operation spans new vehicle sales, parts, servicing, used car sales, and lease and hire solutions. 

The award was presented by James Brooks, Managing Director at Opel Ireland who said the dealership has been synonymous with the Opel brand for almost two decades and has consistently and enthusiastically embraced every facet of their business in 2025 across sales, marketing and after sales. 

John Linnane said he was delighted ‘to bring two massive trophies home to Wicklow’. He thanked all his team for their dedication to the company, and his valued customers for their support throughout the years. 

Pictured at the awards ceremony were: Richard Dillon, Head of Retail Sales at Opel Ireland; Aedeen, Aaron and John Linnane; James Brooks, Managing Director at Opel Ireland. 

 

Aston Martin reveals powerful 700ps DB12 S

Aston Martin has introduced the DB12 S which it says is the boldest evolution of the original Super Tourer DB12 S, writes Trish Whelan. 

The DB 12 S is the most powerful front-engined, V8-powered, non-hybrid model in its class unleashing 700ps and 800Nm of torque, and capable of 0-100km/h in a blistering 3.4 seconds. Top speed is 202mph. 

Features include faster shift times, standard-fit carbon ceramic brakes, and a suite of chassis refinements and aerodynamic enhancements that combine to elevate the car's dynamic character to a whole new level.

Higher ranges for Tesla Model 3 and Model Y

Tesla is introducing upgrades to its Model 3 and Model Y vehicles delivering greater range and also more functionality for the Model 3, writes Trish Whelan. 

Model 3 upgrades include a new front camera in the front fascia with an expanded view of the car’s surroundings, and a new indicator stalk. The rear-wheel drive (RWD) version now offers 520km with 19-inch wheels; the Long Range RWD 750km up from 702km previously; the Long Range all-wheel drive offers 716km, increased from 678km. The Performance versions offers 580km range, up from 528km. 

The Model Y gets upgraded battery packs allowing the Long Range all-wheel drive version to offer 629km WLTP, up from 586 previously.

 

Greenhall Motors join Leapmotor dealer network

Greenhall Motors of Buttevant, Co Cork have been appointed by Leapmotor Ireland as its third official franchise dealer, writes Trish Whelan. 

Managing Director at Leapmotor Ireland, James Brooks says ‘the partnership significantly enhances our presence in Cork and the Munster region’. 

Established in 1963, the family-run Greenhall Motors is located just outside Mallow near the Cork/Limerick border and offers a full range of cars, light commercial vehicles, and high-quality used models. 

The dealership has been a trusted Opel dealer for over 60 years and earned Opel Dealer of the Year titles in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2016 and 2023. Gowan Auto is the national importer for Leapmotor in Ireland. 

Pictured at the announcement are Managing Director at Leapmotor Ireland, James Brooks; and Barry O’Shea, Dealer Principal at Greenhall Motors.

 

Meet the Hipster Dacia Concept

Dacia claims its lightweight electric Hipster Concept ‘reinvents The People’s car’ as it is designed for everyday use and offering sufficient range for daily journeys with two recharges per week, writes Trish Whelan. 

The concept measures just 3 metres long, has four proper seats and a boot that can readjusted from 70 to 500 litres. Dacia people describe its simple design as a block sitting firmly on four wheels at the four corners with no overhang front or rear. 

The concept is designed with one body colour and just three painted parts: the front and the side door entry elements. The front seat is a bench seat, the exterior door handle replaced by a strap and side windows are sliding. Your smartphone in its docking station acts as a multimedia screen and serves as the car’s audio system. The tailgate opens in two parts to provide ultra-practical access to the boot. 

Hipster Concept is 20 per cent lighter than its Spring electric car which means less raw materials and less energy used in manufacturing.

 

2026 Irish Car of the Year runners announced

Forty‑six new car models will fight it out for the coveted title of Irish Car of the Year 2026, in association with Continental Tyres, writes Trish Whelan. And for the first year in the history of the awards, the majority of eligible models are electric-powered vehicles.   

Voted on by jury members drawn from the Motoring Media Association of Ireland (MMAI), a group made up of 29 of Ireland’s most experienced motoring journalists, the Irish Car of the Year awards highlight for Irish motorists the best cars launched in the country each year, taking into account the particular requirements of the Irish market.   

Mark Noble, Chairman of the MMAI, said: “The fact that over half of the eligible cars for the 2026 Irish Car of the Year awards are electric is a clear reflection of where the market is going. Just a few years ago, EVs were a niche category — today, they are leading the field. This year’s line‑up shows the breadth of choice now available to Irish motorists, from compact city cars to large SUVs, all powered by electricity. It’s a milestone moment for the awards and for the Irish car market.”   

Tom Dennigan of awards sponsor, Continental Tyres, added: “Continental Tyres is proud to once again support the Irish Car of the Year awards, which shine a spotlight on the very best cars available to Irish motorists. The dominance of electric models in this year’s field underlines the pace of change in the industry. For car buyers, it means more options than ever before to choose sustainable, high performing vehicles — and for us, it’s exciting to see how far the market has come in such a short time.”   

Last year’s winner of the title of 2025 Irish Car of the Year, in association with Continental Tyres, was the Renault Scenic E-Tech Electric, continuing a strong run for EVs in the competition.  

Runners include Alfa Romeo Junior, Alpine A290, Audi A5/Avant A6/A6/A6etron/Q5, BMW M5/X3, BYD Dolphin Surf/Sealion 7/Seal-U, Citroen C3, Cupra Born VZ/Tavascan/Terramar, Dacia Bigster/Duster/Spring, Ford Capri, Honda HR-V, Hyundai Inster/Ioniq9, Kia EV3, Mazda CX80, MG Cyberster/HS Hybrid/S5/ZS Hybrid, Mini Aceman, Nissan Ariya Nismo, Opel Frontera/Grandland, Peugeot 5008, Porsche MacanTurbo/Taycan, Renault 5, Skoda Elroq/Elroq RS, Tesla M3 Performance/Model Y/ MY Performance, Toyota Landcruiser, Volkswagen ID3 GTX/Tayron, Volvo EX90, XPeng GS.

Pictured above: Mark Noble, Chairman of the MMAI, and Tom Dennigan of Continental Tyres Ireland, get to grips with the increased number of EVs in this year’s Irish Car of the Year awards programme.