Electric Juke in spring 2027

Nissan’s all-electric Juke will arrive next year as the carmaker expands its European EV line-up, writes Brian Byrne. Unveiled at Nissan’s Vision event in Japan, the third-generation Juke is the first fully electric version of Nissan’s compact crossover.

Built on the CMF-EV platform and set to be produced at Nissan’s Sunderland plant in the UK, the new Juke is part of the company’s broader push toward electrification in Europe. Nissan said the model will join an expanding EV range that includes the new Micra, third-generation Leaf, Ariya, and Townstar, with another A-segment EV also planned.

The electric Juke will retain the bold character that helped make the model a success since its 2010 debut, while adding zero-emission driving and Vehicle-to-Grid capability.

Nissan said hybrid models, including the Juke HEV and Qashqai e-POWER, will remain in its line-up as it offers customers a mix of electrified options. 

Leapmotor prices B10 Hybrid EV SUV

Leapmotor Ireland has revealed pricing for the new B10 Hybrid EV ahead of its arrival in Irish dealerships in the coming weeks, writes Brian Byrne. The compact SUV is set to start from €36,995. 

The new model will be offered in two trims — STYLE from €36,995 and DESIGN from €37,995 — and features an 18.8kWh battery, up to 86km of electric range and a combined driving range of up to 900km.

The new Hybrid EV name replaces REEV to more clearly describe Leapmotor’s technology. 

EV2 is Kia's smallest and most affordable EV

Kia’s smallest and most affordable all-electric model has gone on sale here priced from €28,660, writes Trish Whelan. The car, compact outside and spacious inside, competes in one of Ireland’s fastest growing segments which accounts for over 22 per cent of all new car sales, with fully electric B-SUVs growing in popularity by 37 per cent year-on-year. 

EV2 was designed, engineered and produced in Europe - and tuned specifically for European roads - it is available exclusively as a five-seater in Ireland. EV2 follows the exterior design of Kia’s other recent EVs, with a bold and boxy exterior with upright proportions and strong shoulder line, like that of the EV5 and EV9. 

The new EV2 combines everyday versatility, upper-segment technology and a comprehensive Advanced driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and driving performance. It is available in four different trim levels, each with an impressive list of standard equipment and a choice of 42.2kWh standard-range battery with a 317km range, or 61.0kWh long-range battery option with a class-leading range of up to 453km. All variants are powered by a single front-mounted electric motor. In variants equipped with the standard-range battery pack, the electric motor applies 144bhp through the front wheels; the larger long-range battery pack is paired with a slightly detuned front motor to maximise driving efficiency applying 133bhp through the front wheels. All variants produce 250Nm torque. 

EV2 offers Kia’s latest triple-screen connected car Navigation Cockpit system integrating a 12.3-inch driver cluster, 12.3-inch central touchscreen, and 5.3-inch climate control display. Boot space is a decent 362 litres. 

Four trim levels are: Air, Earth, GT-Line and GT-Line Plus, with the latter two trims exclusively available in long range. The Air trim comes very well specced for an entry level model with 16-inch alloy wheels, Blind-spot collision avoidance, front and rear parking sensors, heated front seats and steering wheel, LED headlights, smart cruise control 2 and wireless CarPlay & Android Auto. Earth has 18-inch alloys, rear privacy glass, wireless phone charger, and 15 litre frunk; GT adds 19-inch alloys, GT-Line exterior and interior styling, vegan leather seats, power driver seat with lumbar support, while GT-Plus adds 12.3-inch infotainment with built-in maps and Kia upgrades, Hardon Kardon sound system, heat pump, Highway driving Assist 2, glass sunroof. 

DC fast charging from 10-80 percent takes approximately 29 minutes for the standard-range version and just a minute or so more for the long-range model. EV2 is available from €28,660-€30,530 for the 42.2 kWh battery variant, and from €31,940-€37,090 for the 61.0kWh model. 

After a short spin on launch day, I believe it could well become Kia Ireland’s best-selling all-electric model.

Range Rover Sport special edition

Orders are now open for the Range Rover Sport TWENTY Edition, a special model created to mark 20 years since the luxury performance SUV was launched, writes Brian Byrne.

The limited-run edition features exclusive design details, SV-inspired performance seats and a choice of flagship powertrains. It is offered in a new Sanguinello Orange finish, alongside Santorini Black and Ostuni White, with bespoke ‘TWENTY’ branding inside and out.

Range Rover said the anniversary model reflects the vehicle’s evolution over three generations, which have combined luxury, on-road performance and off-road capability. Powertrain options include a 4.4-litre Twin Turbo V8 mild hybrid and a P550e plug-in hybrid with an electric-only range of up to 115km. 

Fiat launch new Grande Panda from €22,995

Fiat Ireland unveiled its new Grande Panda to the Irish media at a special press launch event held at the offices of the Olympic Federation of Ireland in Abbotstown, the home of Team Ireland for whom Fiat is the Official Vehicle Partner. 

 The Grande Panda is Fiat’s bold reimagining of one of motoring’s beloved nameplates which stretches back 45 years over three generations. Over eight million units sold during that time. The model competes in the B-segment car. The target audience is first-time buyers, newly qualified drivers, empty nesters seeking to downsize and as a first, or second, family car. 

This latest Panda has been given a strong personality featuring a boxy, robust shape and bold stance inspired by the 1980s version and including the PXL (LED)s from the pixel art of that time, giving the car both a nostalgic and futuristic look. There’s a strong focus on colour and sustainable materials in the interior including a bamboo fibre textiles used on the dashboard. 

Features include a 10-inch digital cluster and a 10.25-inch touchscreen radio standard on Icon and La Prima with wireless mirroring with Android Auto/Apple Car Play. La Prima includes the embedded Navigation System. Boot space is 412 litres for the hybrid version, 361 litres otherwise. 

Trims are Pop, Icon and La Prima, all come well specced. Powertrains include full electric (BEV) and mild hybrid variants. The Pop trim is offered only with the battery electric versions while hybrids are offered in both the Icon and La Prima trims. All-electric (BEV) versions with a 44kWh battery and engine power of 83kW, have an electric range of 320kms, and can DC charge in 30 minutes. A world-first feature is the integrated retractable 4.5m front charging cable behind the FIAT logo, which works up to 7 kW AC only. If you upgrade to 11 kW AC, you lose the retractable cable and must use the rear charging port instead. Both Icon and La Prima electric models include the 7kW on board Front Spiral Cable for convenient charging. 

The Grande Panda will be the official vehicle for Team Ireland as part of their four-year partnership with Fiat Ireland, and used to support Irish athletes’ performances by providing transport solutions to make training, competitions and their day-to-day commitments more manageable and stress-free. A dedicated fleet of Fiat vehicles will be made available to athletes and sporting national governing bodies. 

Brand Ambassadors Kate O’Connor and Thomas Barr will be driving new Grande Pandas while Olympic Champion swimmer Daniel Wiffen has been driving the model as he competes in the Irish Open. Kate is pictured with John Saunders, Managing Director Fiat Ireland, at last week's launch at Team Ireland HQ.

At the launch, John Saunders, Managing Director of Fiat Ireland said: “This is a car that perfectly captures what Irish drivers are looking for right now. A stylish, versatile and affordable option with a choice of powertrains that doesn’t compromise on technology or sustainability.” 

The Pop is from €22,995; Icon from €23,995 and La Prima from €26,995. Fiat Ireland expect to sell around 250 units (based on supply) for the rest of this year, moving to 500-600 units in a whole calendar year.