Fiat launch new Grande Panda from €23,995

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 €23,995; 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. 

Frontera pushes Opel growth in Ireland

The Opel Frontera has driven Opel Ireland into the top ten in the country’s sales rankings for 2026, contributing to a 3.5% market share across passenger cars and light commercial vehicles, writes Brian Byrne. Launched just ahead of the 261-registration plate, the compact SUV has registered 859 units and ranked 17th among the year to date best-sellers. 

Available in three trims and options for five or seven seats, the Frontera has a rugged design and a choice of petrol hybrid and all-electric drivetrains. Priced from €24,606 for the electric version and €27,995 for the hybrid, it offers strong value for families. 

Opel Ireland Managing Director James Brooks said the model has quickly become a family favourite, backed by a five-year warranty and features such as wide-opening rear doors and spacious cargo capacity, up to 1,594 litres of storage with seats folded. 

Powered by hybrid options with 110PS and 145PS, and electric versions with ranges of 300km and 400km respectively, the Frontera complements Opel’s Mokka and Grandland SUVs lineup. 

Updated Astra here for 262 sales

The updated Opel Astra is scheduled to arrive in Ireland in late spring 2026, writes Brian Byrne, just ahead of the new 262 registration plate in July. 

Unveiled at the Brussels Motor Show, the new Astra and Astra Sports Tourer feature a modernised design with an illuminated Opel Vizor front face and a range of powertrains, including petrol hybrid, plug-in hybrid, all-electric, and diesel options. The all-electric model offers a range of up to 454 km, while the plug-in hybrid provides up to 82 km of electric range. 

The Astra also has improved interior comfort with AGR Intelli-Seats as standard and advanced Intelli-Lux HD lighting. 

Prices and standard equipment for the Irish market will be announced closer to the launch. 

VW's ID. Cross testing in Amsterdam

Volkswagen’s ID. Cross will debut in the European market in the second half of 2026, priced from around €28,000, writes Brian Byrne. This five-seater electric car targets customers seeking affordable, everyday mobility. 

Pictured here in Amsterdam with a camouflage wrap, the ID. Cross will provide flexible powertrain options with power levels of 114hp, 133hp, and 208hp, paired with battery sizes of 37 kWh and 52 kWh.

Volkswagen promises a compelling price-performance ratio with its compact size, advanced technology, and spacious interior. 

World Car Design win for Mazda6e

Mazda’s all-electric Mazda6e has been awarded the 2026 World Car Design of the Year (WCDOTY) at the New York International Auto Show, writes Brian Byrne. 

This marks Mazda’s third win in the WCDOTY category, following the Mazda MX-5 in 2016 and Mazda3 in 2020. 

The Mazda6e features elegant proportions and a warm interior, reflecting Japanese craftsmanship. 

The award underscores Mazda’s commitment to design excellence as it advances its electrification strategy. 

EV sales surge in Q1

Kia EV3, second place electric car this year.

Year-to-date electric car sales in Ireland have surged, with 14,004 new battery electric vehicles (BEVs) registered, marking a 40.5 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2025, writes Brian Byrne. 

In March alone, BEV registrations rose by 52.1 per cent, reaching 3,851 units. This growth has propelled the BEV market share to 21.5 per cent for the year so far, up from 18.9 per cent in 2025.

While there was an overall decline in new car registrations, which fell by 10.4 per cent in March compared to the previous year, Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs) saw a 13.5 per cent increase, while Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) experienced a 10 per cent rise, marking their first month of growth this year.

Hybrid vehicles continue to dominate the market, accounting for 27.36 per cent of new car registrations, followed by Electric at 21.56 per cent and Petrol at 21.24 per cent. 

The Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) noted that while the first quarter of 2026 saw a slight slowdown in new car sales, the strong performance of electric vehicles across all counties remains a significant highlight. 

Škoda Auto is set to unveil its new flagship electric vehicle, the Peaq SUV, in mid-2026, writes Brian Byrne. Based on the Vision 7S concept, this fully electric model will expand Škoda’s electric lineup, doubling the EV models in 2026. 

Measuring nearly 4.9 metres, the company claims a range of over 600 kilometres from the powertrain. 

With five seats, it offers a class-leading 1,010 litres of boot space. There will also be a 7-seat option.