New Subaru XV arrives

Subaru's new XV Crossover has arrived in time for the new 181 number plate, writes Trish Whelan.

The name is the only thing about the car that has stayed the same as this latest XV is new from the ground up, inside and out, and from top to bottom.

Changes include a new platform - which dramatically increases rigidity -  with a new suspension system, a new Boxer engine and a new transmission, and a redesigned and more spacious cabin.

Prices start from €33,495 for the new 1.6i SE Lineartronic CVT automatic, rising to €38,495 for the range topping 2.0i SE Premium Lineartronic CVT automatic. The Symmetrical AWD System is standard on all models and is equipped with X-Mode for driving on poor road surfaces which gives real SUV capability. Subaru's EyeSight driver assist technology is standard on all models.

Two trim levels are offered, SE and SE Premium. SE models

SE models get adaptive cruise control, alloy wheels, heated front seats, keyless entry, 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, smartphone  connectivity and a rear view parking camera. The SE Premium adds leather upholster, sat nav, sunroof and power adjustable driver's seat.

The new XV Crossover has recently won the Grand Prix Award for achieving the highest score on record in Japan's New Car Assessment Program crash safety evaluation tests.

Open Week at Citroen dealerships

New C3 Aircross

Citroen are holding their Open Week from today until 12 November, writes Trish Whelan.

Customers can avail of an exclusive offer of 3 years free servicing on all models ordered during the week. They can also receive up to €4,500 scrappage or opt for low rate finance starting from 2.9 per cent APR Finance.

The range includes the new C3 Aircross compact SUV which Citroen claims to be the most spacious and versatile SUV in it class and which comes with 85 personalisation combinations.

The upgraded family-friendly Grand C4 Picasso seven-seater MPV brings an additional €1,600 worth of equipment on the Feel Exclusive trim including electronic tailgate and half leather trim. For customers looking for something more compact, the top-selling new C3 is another option.

C4 Grand Picasso

In time for 181, Citroen has enhanced the trim levels on C4 Picasso and Grand C4 Picasso models. The high specced entry level Touch trim from €29,995, now comes with privacy glass and height adjustable passenger seats.

Pictured are the 2017 Citroen Ambassador Family for 2017 - Danielle Walker, her partner Keith and their two children, all from Co Wexford, in their seven-seater Citroen Grand C4 Picasso. Earlier this year, Danielle won the opportunity for her family by entering a competition on 2FM's Eoghan McDermott Show. They are sharing their adventures with the Grand C4 Picasso throughout the year via Citroen's Facebook page www.facebook.com/citroen.ireland

All Citroen passenger cars now come with 5 years unlimited mileage warranty.

Skoda Karoq here in time for January sales

Skoda's Karoq, the second model in the brand's SUV offensive, will arrive here in early December in time to order for January 2018, writes Trish Whelan.

Prices start from €27,715 for the entry level model.

Karoq sits just below the Kodiaq in the brand's line-up and offers big space and functionality for five people. Size-wise, it is larger than the Skoda Yeti which it replaces.

Features include new technologies including a digital information display and a new 1.5 petrol engine for the first time in a Skoda.

Customers have a choice of engine variants ranging from 116bhp to 150bhp with three DSG offerings as well as a 150hp 4x4.

Petrol engines are a 1.0 116hp and DSG; and a 1.5 150bhp. Diesels are a 1.6 116hp and DSG; and a 2.0 with 150bhp 4x4, and 4x4 DSG.

The optional Vario-Flex seats can be adjusted forward and back, folded or completely taken out allowing for the boot space to increase to a huge 1,810 litres.

There's also an umbrella beneath the passenger seat and the option of an electric tailgate.

It comes with a host of new technologies including driver-assistance systems and full LED headlights. A first in a Skoda is the digital instrument panel which allows the driver to view numerous pieces of information at the touch of a button. The top navigation systems, Columbus and Amundsen, offer a Wi-Fi hotspot. A wireless phone charger can be added.

Two trims are offered: Ambition and Style.

Standard on the Ambition trim are 17-inch alloys, an 8-inch touch screen Bolero radio, 2-zone air conditioning, rear parking sensors, Smart Link+ and chrome roof rails and window surrounds. The Style trim adds 18-inch alloys, 9.2-inch Columbus touch Screen Sat Nav, Sim card slot for Skoda Connect, a rear view camera, DAB radio and keyless entry with Start/Stop button.

At the car's launch, Mark Mulvaney, PR Manager at Skoda Ireland said this is a hugely important vehicle for the brand moving into 2018 and one that they see taking Skoda's SUV range to the next level.

Motorsport Ireland Weekend Round-up

Ian White from Kilkenny, already the winner of three Hewison Autotest Championship rounds this season, added another yesterday when he finished ten seconds clear of Darren Quille in the Westmeath event at Rosenallis to increase his points lead, writes Richard Burke.

An early pylon penalty for White left him fighting from behind, but he went ahead just after the halfway mark and opened out the gap over the remaining five tests. Chris Grimes was another seven seconds down in third place. 

Jason Ryan scored a five second victory over James Coleman in the Carrick-on-Suir Rallysprint at Waterford, while Kildare's Kevin O'Hara was best of the Irish contingent at Silverstone for the Walter Hayes Trophy, the last of the three major end-of-season Formula Ford races.

O'Hara, who won the Martin Donnelly Trophy at Kirkistown last month, took second position in his heat, but could only manage ninth in the semi-final. This left him down in eighteenth place on the starting grid for the Final, but he had a great drive through the field to finish fourth.

Fellow Kildareman James Roe was fifteenth, ahead of Keith Donegan from Meath. Niall Murray and Jordan Dempsey both retired during the semi-finals.

Toyota launches Diesel Scrappage Website

Yaris hybrid

Customers can see how much they will save by moving from diesel at dieselscrappage.ie, a new website from Toyota Ireland to help Irish customers see how much they could save by scrapping their diesel vehicle and making the move to a Toyota hybrid car, writes Trish Whelan.

The launch of the new website coincides with Toyota's upgrade to hybrid for free and trade in, trade up 181 promotions which make it easier for customers to switch to a hybrid or petrol model. Hybrids emit up to 90pc less NOx than diesel.

Users can see how much their current car is costing them each year by entering the registration of a vehicle on the website. The website uses a range of factors like depreciation, road tax, NCT costs, fuel economy and servicing when calculating the savings.

Toyota Financial Services has revised downwards its Guaranteed Future Value on diesel vehicles and increased the GFV on hybrids so the gap is now 6pc in favour of hybrids.