BYD hybrid SUV arrives

An SUV variant of the BYD Seal model family has arrived in Ireland to expand the Chinese brand range here, writes Brian Byrne. The Seal U Super Hybrid has a plug-in hybrid powertrain and a starting price of €42,150.

The power unit prioritises electric mode while there is enough charge in the hybrid battery, switching to a hybrid setup on journeys longer than the rated range of 80km on electric-only power. The combined range on a full tank of fuel is in excess of 1,000km. The car is AWD, and offers acceleration to 100km/h in 5.9s.

There are two grades available in the Seal U, which has a high level of standard specification, and can also power household appliances when mains power is out.

BYD is distributed in Ireland by MDL, and there are six main dealers, two in Dublin and one  each in Cork, Limerick, Waterford and Wexford. 

  

Plug-in hybrid powertrains from Cupra

New generation plug-in hybrid powertrains feature on the latest versions of Cupra's Formentor and Leon, now on sale at dealerships, writes Brian Byrne. The rated EV range is claimed to be more than 100km.

The redesigned cars also show a strong new design and in addition to the PHEV can also be ordered with a traditional turbo petrol engine as well as one with mild hybrid technology, and a diesel.

Cupra is a Spanish performance brand of Volkswagen Group. Special deals on both cars are available up to 11 October. 

Neglected tyres can invalidate insurance

Motorists who don't make sure their tyres are fit for safe use could have their insurance policy invalidated, writes Brian Byrne. The stark warning was given to mark Tyre Safety Day on 7 October.

Premium tyre manufacturer Continental, highlighting policy clauses that requires insured drivers to maintain their vehicle in a roadworthy condition at all times, says that if the roadworthiness of a car is deemed to contribute to a road accident, an insurance company can claim that a failure to properly keep up maintenance renders the policy invalid.

Tyres have such an important effect on the overall roadworthiness of a vehicle that drivers should regularly check them, according to head of Continental Tyres Ireland Tom Dennigan. Reinforcing the message, motor engineer and independent insurance assessor David Geary says faulty brakes and worn and defective tyres are generally the most common technical elements cited as key contributory factors in collisions. "The onus is very much on drivers to keep their cars in a roadworthy condition," he says.

Safety organisations and many tyre manufacturers recommend that motorists should think of changing their tyres when the tread depth goes below 3mm as the tyre’s braking ability can be seriously compromised the closer it gets to the legal limit of 1.6mm.

Final reveal of Skoda Elroq

The new Skoda Elroq EV will open for orders on 7 October in Ireland with deliveries to first customers expected in April of 2025, writes Brian Byrne. The level of €36,545 is priced below its combustion-engined stablemate the Skoda Karoq.

The car has just been revealed and is the first to be given a new Skoda design language labelled Modern Solid. The Elroq will feature an exceptionally aerodynamic body for an SUV format vehicle, with a drag coefficient of just 0.26.  

Three battery options will be offered, with rated ranges of 370/440/560km. An AWD version is planned for later in 2025, with the initial cars all being rear wheel drive. 

Biogas facility for HGVs opened at Junction 14 on M7

A new bio compressed natural gas refuelling station commissioned at Junction 14 on the M7 is the sixth public station to become operational in the country, writes Brian Byrne. The facility will supply biomethane produced locally in Nurney, Co Kildare by Green Generation, using local food and farm waste. 

BioCNG offers a cleaner alternative to diesel, reducing emissions from HGVs in the road transport sector, which accounts for more than a fifth of  Ireland's total greenhouse gas emissions. The Junction 14 station facility is provided by Gas Networks Ireland.

Of the 3,008 HGVs sold in Ireland so far this year, 59 were gas powered, most of them Scanias. Albeit from a low base, the trend is quite sharply upwards.

Pictured at the official opening of the new station by James Lawless TD, Minister of State at the Department of Transport and at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, are Martin Heydon TD, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Senator Fiona O'Loughlin, Donal Fitzpatrick, Director, Lidon Group which manages Junction 14, David Kelly, Director of Customer and Business Development, Gas Networks Ireland, and Liam Fitzpatrick, Director, Lidon Group. 

Mercedes-Benz electric Vito to deliver for Blas na hEireann 2024

A Mercedes-Benz electric Vito Van is being provided to the organisers of Blas na hEireann 2024 Irish Food Awards, in partnership with Bank of Ireland and taking place in Dingle next month, writes Brian Byrne. The eVito will be used to collect and deliver produce from food specialists on a route from Dublin to Dingle, in association with Irish dedicated EV web platform Nevo.

The products will include tea from Niks Tea in Rathcoole, Co Dublin, handmade desserts and cakes from Couverture Desserts in Naas in Co Kildare, jams from G's Gourmet Jams in Abbeyleix, Co Laois, and goodies from Kearney's Home Baking in Ballyhahill, Co Limerick.

The annual Blas na hEireann 2024 Irish Food Awards, now in its 17th year, is the biggest competition for quality Irish produce on the island of Ireland. Taking place from October 3rd to 5th, the pop-up village in the heart of Dingle, is a central point for producers across the country to come together and celebrate the very best of Irish food and drink.

Pictured are Nevo’s Simon Andreucetti and Derek Reilly with Fallon Moore and Artie Clifford of Blas na hEireann.  

Citroen launches Ami urban electric vehicle

A new urban electric vehicle, the Citroen Ami, has been launched in Ireland at a starting price of €9,990, writes Brian Byrne. Technically a quadricycle, the Ami is a 2-seater with a range of just 75km on a charge, a distance that the carmaker says is much less than that travelled daily by city and suburban commuter. The cabin is fully weatherproof and heated.

A 'cargo kit' converts the passenger seat area into a storage space so the Ami can be used as a small delivery vehicle. A B car driving licence is required to drive it in Ireland, along with the requirement for insurance.

An Ami Peps version adds sporty decoration to the exterior. The Ami can be charged fully in four hours via a Type 2 cable.

New Toyota Land Cruiser debuts at 'The Ploughing'

Toyota Ireland revealed the new Toyota Land Cruiser at The Ploughing Championships this week, writes Trish Whelan. 

The new model, which will be on sale in Toyota dealerships in the coming months, will again be powered by a 2.8 litre turbo diesel engine but now paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and capable of pulling up to three and a half tonnes, just like the brand’s Hilux. Noticeable changes on the interior include a more spacious interior, the Toyota Safety Sense technologies, electric power steering, and adaptive cruise control. 

Toyota also introduced the Corolla Professional Hybrid, (pictured below) and priced from €28,938 excluding VAT. It comes with a 1.8 hybrid engine which the company say is tailor-made for business professionals looking to reduce their carbon footprint. The only hybrid in its commercial category, Corolla Professional will be of interest for architects, surveyors, site managers, and salespeople who will benefit from the low 8pc BIK, better fuel efficiency compared to a conventional vehicle. The interior features two front seats and a spacious rubber lined loading area, and a full height metal bulkhead. Also featured is an 8-inch multimedia display, smartphone integration, dual-zone automatic air conditioning, and heated, height-adjustable seats with driver lumbar support. 

Visitors to the stand on Block 5, row 17, can also view a line-up of Toyota’s passenger cars as well as a number of its commercial vehicles.