My first adventure in new Ford Explorer EV: Trish Whelan

Ford’s choice of an adventurous back-to-nature theme for the UK and Ireland launch of its new Explorer proved an appropriate one for this new all-electric crossover SUV, the first in a wave of new electric vehicles for Europe that will signal a complete reinvention of the brand. 

The New Forest area of Hampshire, England’s smallest National Park, provided us with a calming yet adventurous experience driving over country roads in and around the famed 400 years old woodlands grazed by deer, cattle and the Forest's indigenous ponies. It is also favoured by hikers and families who explore the many trails throughout the forest. 

Explorer is a new mid-size, five-seater vehicle engineered and assembled in Ford’s state-of-the-art electric vehicle centre in Cologne combining European engineering with strong American styling. It is actually built on the same platform as the Volkswagen ID.4 so both models share some components. Explorer is equipped to set active families on the road to adventure with features that include the option of a sleeping tent that sits on top of the vehicle. (The Select version is pictured above).

In size, Explorer is just a bit smaller than the Ford Kuga but has a longer wheelbase at 2767mm. Ground clearance unloaded is 193mm, and when fully loaded is 141mm. 

All the Ford UK top brass were on hand for our introductory presentation including Lisa Brankin, Ford Chair and Managing Director Ford UK and Ireland as well as those involved in the design and engineering of the Explorer in Europe which all helped emphasise the importance of the launch. Jordan Demkiw, Exterior Design Manager, said when they set out to design the car they wanted a very bold and confident vehicle, 'something that will exemplify the spirit of adventure and exploration’. 

The design includes a strong clean and friendly front end. The car’s futuristic exterior styling is matched by the ultra-modern interior with premium materials and features like sculpted sporty seats with integrated head rests and a massage function for the driver as standard on every Explorer which wasn’t needed when driving in the calmness and tranquility of roads in The New Forest where ponies grazing along the roadside barely lifted their heads as we slowly passed by. 

As this is an electric car, the designers could free up the centre console from more traditional controls and reuse the space with the 14.6-inch supersized movable touchscreen that you can lift up, leave in any position you find comfortable, and can also store your valuables in the Secret Locker behind the screen, and then lock it at the lowest position. The Ford SYNC fully connected infotainment system wirelessly integrates Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and comes with a built-in EV trip planner and satellite navigation. The extendable MegaConsole storage space between front seats with its 17 litres of space provides enough room for a large handbag, or laptop. It held the two large cold bags that contained our lunches on the day, with plenty of room to spare. The 5.3-inch digital cluster has all the trip information you could require. Driving the top Premium grade, I was intrigued by the shape of the soundbar-style B&O speaker on top of the dash which looks like something from outer space has landed there. The top trim has a power tailgate and boot space of 450 litres. 

A suite of advanced driver assistance features include Adaptive Cruise control, adaptive matrix LED headlights, and a 360deg camera. The driver Assistance Technology Pack features 12 ultrasonic sensors, five cameras and three radar sensors to keep you safe on the road. The Rear Wheel Drive 77 kWh Extended Range cars were available for us to drive in both the Select and Premium grades. Both have 1-speed automatic transmission. Other common features include max power of 286p, torque of 545 Nm, a 0-100km/h acceleration of 6.4 secs, combined energy consumption of 14.7 KwH/100kms, rear view camera, front and rear parking sensors. 

Explorer can undertake longer journeys with more than 600km driving range possible from a single charge with both of the extended range RWD models which eliminates any problems with range anxiety. The range is a bit less at 570kms for the Premium grade. Both grades can be fast charged from 10pc-80pc in around 26-28 minutes using up to a maximum 135 kW DC fast charger. 

While I enjoyed all the comfort the entry grade had to offer, stepping into the Premium version with its added luxury such as the panoramic sunroof and enhanced features soon made it my clear favourite of the two. Finding a perfect driving position was easy with the 12-way power seat adjustments. The excellent head-up display also helped, not to mention all the top end driver assistance and safety features that really impressed. Despite on-road testing, I could find no obvious fault of any kind with the car and thoroughly enjoyed both test drives travelling in big comfort with plenty of power if needed and look forward to driving the Explorer back in Ireland for longer test drives. 

Explorer prices start at €43,591 for the Select model; the Premium comes in at €48,006. Both prices include €3,500 SEAI EV grant & VRT relief for eligible variants.

 

Mazda CX-80 on sale in Ireland

Mazda's new flagship car in Europe is now available in Ireland at a starting price of €61,380, writes Brian Byrne. The CX-80 is a three-row SUV which can be configured for six or seven seats.

Available in five grades, the car is powered by a 2.5 plug-in hybrid petrol engine outputting 327hp, or a 3.3 diesel with 254hp.

All versions are all-wheel-drive, with 8-speed automatic transmissions.

There's a claimed EV driving range of 60km. 

Dublin councils initiative for more public EV charge points

A cooperative initiative by Dublin's four local authorities will see over 200 public fast-charge units installed over the next two years to facilitate EV owners who can't charge at home, writes Brian Byrne. The selected provider is Irish company ePower.

The first 200 chargers will be placed at 50 locations, including local authority-owned car parks in Dublin City, Fingal, South Dublin and Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown. Other locations will include community centres, libraries and sports clubs. Overall, the Dublin EV Strategy developed by the four councils envisages 1,650 charge points being deployed at highly frequented destinations.

Initial facilities will be at Bremore Castle, Howth Harbour, Bushy Park, Tallaght Stadium and St Anne's Park, as well as a number of libraries and leisure centres.

The authorities believe that around 138,000 EVs will have been registered in the Dublin area over the next few years. Around a quarter of those EVs will rely on public charging because their owners live in apartments townhouses and terraces, limiting access for home charging.

Pictured at the launch of the initiative are Alan Hayes, Deputy Mayor, South Dublin County Council; Teresa Walsh, Director of Services, South Dublin County Council; and Damien Mc Nulty , Senior Engineer, South Dublin County Council. 

VW debuts new large SUV

Volkswagen has revealed full details of a new large SUV, the Tayron, writes Brian Byrne. It is due to arrive in Ireland early next year.

The Tayron slots between the Touareg and the smaller Tiguan, and will be available with five or seven seats. 

A total of seven powertrains are available across markets, for Ireland there will be plug-in hybrid and diesel options at the start. All cars will be automatic.

Irish pricing will be notified closer to launch, but in initial european continental markets Tayron prices start at €45,475. 

Mini Cooper Convertible making open air comeback

After an absence of nine years, the Mini Cooper Convertible will be rolling into showrooms again at a starting price of €36,730, writes Brian Byrne. First deliveries are expected in early 2025.

The latest variant will complete the renewal of the Mini models range which has been happening over the last 12 months.

Two petrol engines will be offered, a 163hp version and a more powerful S model with 204hp.

Operation of the soft top is fully automatic and can be closed in just 15 seconds. There's an integrated automatic rollover protection system. 

Fiat 600e review: Brian Byrne, Irish Car

It's a long time since I looked under the bonnet of a new car, writes Brian Byrne. I only do that now when sent to check the fluids on our small family hybrid. An opportunity to marvel at the mix of engineering, plumbing and electrical work that the internal combustion engine has become since first developed in the late 1800s. There's mystery and symmetry in the packaging which still deserves observation.

I used to be able to poke around in that space. Resetting noisy tappets, cleaning burnt distributor contact breakers, oil changes needed much more frequently than now. Mostly that stuff became irrelevant, unnecessary, or impossible to the ordinary non-mechanic. But it was always interesting to look at how improvement and innovation was changing the look of an automotive system that fundamentally hadn't changed, yet had changed utterly. 

With the arrival of EVs, there's now no reason at all to open the bonnet. There's likely to be nothing more than a small storage 'frunk' to be seen. Traction batteries and sealed electric motors don't have the same 'wow' factor as had the proud engineering around pistons in cylinders, valves, crankshafts and transmissions, carburettors and even fuel injection arrays. A whole visual of mechanical mystery is leaving the automotive room. Once something that elicited similar passions as in those who follow football teams, the car is well on the way to becoming the equivalent of a fridge on wheels. Unseen underpinnings all the same, with different badges and shapes.

Which brings me to the latest EV from Fiat, a brand that in Ireland has been in the doldrums for a decade but is now in revival through the Stellantis group's distributors here. But being part of a global something put together by merging a number of smaller groups with multiple marques already, it all becomes rather a badge engineering exercise. So the 600e shares its platform and running gear with Opel's Mokka and Corsa, Peugeot's 2008 and 208, Alfa Romeo's Junior, the DS 3 Crossback, and the Jeep Avenger. 

The 600e's style doesn't try to stand out much apart from the quirky 'face' with flirty eyelids over the lights and the overall look a perpetual smile. The profile is devoid of tricky design details, albeit an interesting sill-level 600 logo-and-chrome line and wheels which look like they came directly from a motor show concept. The rear treatment is neat, unfussy to the point of making little lasting impression. In short, it's a car for everybody who doesn't care about showing off their automotive style. Which is possibly a growing cohort of buyers.

The inside has direct reflections of the Jeep Avenger. The transmission selector row of PRND buttons at the front of the centre console, the lid of which folds open like an Apple iPad cover. Above these a line of real switches for climate control, and a radio volume knob that has disappeared from so many cars. The infotainment screen is mounted high, with easily understandable graphics that even make the touchscreen less difficult to manage on the move. The little but perfectly adequate driving information pod is uncluttered and immediately comprehensible.

The review car came in a light ivory upholstery with unusual decorative texturing. Plenty of room for me in the front, not so much in the back for anyone behind me. But this is a sub-compact, so for most purposes a reasonable four-seater for the not yet grown family.

It drives like, well, yes, any of its Stellantis electric cousins. Which is smoothly and quietly and not trying to masquerade as anything but a car to do what most owners want, get from place to place reliably and in some level of comfort. 

This was the electric version. The range in my car turned out to be what I believe was a fairly realistic 400km. The platform is also designed for hybrid powertrains, and there's one in the list. When I drive that one, I probably will take the opportunity to look under the bonnet.

PRICE: Hybrid from €28,995; review EV €32,995. WHAT I LIKED: No fashion pretending. 

New Polestar models launched

Polestar have launched two new models, the Polestar 3 and Polestar 4, writes Brian Byrne. There is also a new version of their Polestar 2. All are fully electric.

The Polestar 3 has a starting price of €93,200 and a rated range of up to 631km. With 489hp available, the claimed sprint performance to 100km/h in 5s. A version with a Performance pack improves this to 4.7s, trimming the rated range to 561km.

The Polestar 4 starting price is €68,600, with 272hp and a rated range of 620km. A dual motor version starts at €76,200.

The new version of the Polestar 2 which was first launched in 2019 has now been changed from front wheel drive to RWD. The rated range is now 554km which is greater than before. With 274hp available it is also significantly more powerful — a 0-100km/h in 6s is claimed. The price is from €53,195. 

Pedestrians are a fifth of road deaths

The number of pedestrians killed in road incidents totalled 164 between 2019 qne 2023, writes Brian Byrne. In addition, 1,426 pedestrians sustained serious injuries over the same period.

A report highlighted by the Road Safety Association notes that the deaths accounted for 22pc of all road fatalities over the period.

Almost a quarter of those killed were aged 75 or over, and more than one in five of serious injuries were suffered by children aged 15 or younger.  

Kia prices the EV3

Kia's latest electric car, the EV3, will arrive in Irish dealers in November at a starting price of €36,790, writes Brian Byrne. The car will fill out the brand's electric range of Niro EV, EV6 and EV9.

The car will be available with two battery sizes, offering rated ranges of up to  436km and 606km. A breakthrough charging speed is claimed compared to rival models.

There will be three grades, with the top of the range GT Line costing €47,190.

A 0pc finance will be available for the 251 registration period. 

Peugeot completes EV line-up with E-408

Peugeot has completed its EV line-up with the new Peugeot E408, a fully electric version of its 408, writes Trish Whelan. This follows the launch of the plug-in hybrid version in 2022. 

The new E-408 combines the convenience of a fastback silhouette with zero emission efficiency; power is from a 157 kW/210hp motor and range is up to 453kms. 

Its arrival means Peugeot now have the widest of any mainstream manufacturers in the European electric market with 12 electric passenger cars and LCVs. 

The new E-408 will be built in the brand’s Mulhouse plant in France and is expected to land here in Ireland for Q1 2025. 

Pricing will be announced closer to launch.

 

 

Tesla unveils longest-range Model 3

Tesla has launched a new addition to its Model 3 line-up for Europe, the Model 3 Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive available in Ireland from €39,990, writes Trish Whelan. Offering a range of 700km (WLTP) and a consumption of 12.5kWh per 100km, it is the longest-range Model 3 ever and the most efficient Tesla vehicle built to date. Tesla also claim it is the most efficient EV available in Europe at the moment. 

Tesla say with the new 700km range, a single charge will sustain more than a week of commutes and point out that the Model 3 L/R RWD can travel a full kilometre on the energy it takes to heat a frozen meal in a microwave. This means that future owners will be able to drive further per euro spent on charging. It is capable of a 0-100km/h time of 5.2 secs; has a top speed of 210km/h, and a claimed energy consumption of from 20.1 kWh/100km. 

Customer deliveries begin in November.