Opel Ireland renews Irish Rugby partnership

Opel Ireland and the Irish Rugby Football Union have announced a four-year sponsorship renewal, writes Brian Byrne. The continued partnership will see Opel remain as the exclusive car partner to the IRFU until 2028. 

First signing with Irish Rugby in 2021, Opel provides an extensive fleet of passenger cars and light commercial vehicles to IRFU personnel. James Brooks, Opel Ireland Managing Director said the company is immensely proud to continue sponsorship of Irish Rugby. "Since day one of our partnership, the collaboration has provided our brand with a unique platform to forge a strong connection with Irish Rugby at every level, spanning both the men's and women's teams and bolstered by an ever-growing fan base."

Opel's partnership benefit includes numerous in-match and digital branding opportunities and player appearances.

Pictured with the all-new Opel Grandland, launching this December, are Michael Collopy, Chairman of the IRFU Commercial and Marketing Committee; James Brooks, Managing Director, Opel Ireland; Declan Madden, President of the IRFU. 

Kia EV3 arrivers in Ireland

The new Kia EV3 is now available in Ireland at a starting price of €36,790, writes Brian Byrne. Following in the design theme of the EV9, the car comes in three trims and with choice from two batteries for the lowest specification.

The smaller 58.3kWh battery version has a rated range of 436km, while the long-range battery that's standard in the two higher spec cars is rated at up to 607km. Kia says an enhanced thermal management system gives the car an edge over rivals, and charging capability from 10 to 80 percent capacity in 29 minutes at appropriate high-speed charging units.

All EV3 owners will be offered a free home charging wallbox in association with Energia. 

Dacia launches Spring electric car at sub €20k price

Dacia has introduced its new Spring electric SUV to Ireland priced from just €16,990 which currently makes it the most affordable new electric car in Ireland, writes Trish Whelan. The model, now offered in right-hand-drive, was introduced here last week but has sold around 140,000 units since launch across continental Europe in 2021. Dacia say it is perfectly suited for urban use as well as for country roads. 

Two trims are offered: Expression and Extreme as well as two powertrain options. The 45hp and 65hp versions are equipped with a 7 kW AC charger that can charge the battery from 20pc to 100pc on a domestic outlet in less than 11 hours, or 4 hours on a 7 kW wall box. The 65hp versions come with a standard 30 kW DC charger for fast charging from 20pc to 80pc in 45 minutes. The 45hp /33kW engine is available on the Expression trim only. Energy economy is a claimed 13.5kWh/100km for the more powerful option and 14.1kWh/100km for the 45hp version. 

Dacia people said at launch that the 225km range for the compact 26.8kWh is mostly sufficient for customers who travel an average of 37km per day and they can recharge the battery at home overnight on a domestic socket using a specific cable with a 3-pin plug, available as an accessory. 

Expression comes with a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, Media Control system with USB port, cruise control, rear parking sensors; Extreme adds some copper finishes, power rear windows, Media Nav Live multimedia system with the 10-inch centre screen, rear camera, and connected navigation. 

A big range of new ADAS features are on-board to meet the latest European safety standards. Annual road tax is €120 for all versions. The retail price, after grant for private customers, is from €16,990-€19,990.

 

Skoda produces millionth EV battery

Skoda Auto has produced its one-millionth traction battery system for the Volkswagen Group at the company's main plant in Mladá Boleslav in the Czech Republic, writes Brian Byrne. 

The carmaker has been manufacturing high-voltage traction batteries since 2019. 

With capacities ranging from 55 to 91 kWh (net capacity 52 to 86 kWh), the batteries are installed in the Škoda Enyaq and Škoda Elroq as well as other Volkswagen Group brands including Volkswagen, Cupra and Audi. 

Fiat Professional reveals pricing for latest vans range

A complete specification and pricing matrix for the new Fiat Professional light commercial vehicle range in Ireland has been revealed, writes Brian Byrne. The models include Doblo, Scudo and Ducato.

Doblo comes in three trim levels, a choice of two or three seats, and with electric, diesel and diesel automatic. Prices start at €24,995.

The Scudo medium van comes in two levels of specification with diesel and electric powertrain options. Prices start at €35,995.

The latest generation Ducato large van comes in four different lengths, two wheelbases and three heights, as well as alternative body options that include tipper and chassis cab. Three diesel outputs and an automatic option in powertrains are joined by an electric version. Prices from €35,295. 

Rugby star Aoife Wafer lines out for Ferrybank Motors Opel

Irish Rugby star, Aoife Wafer, brand ambassador for Ferrybank Motors, Main Opel Dealer in Wexford, has been presented with a new Opel Mokka, writes Trish Whelan. She joins her Irish rugby teammates, Amee Leigh Murphy Crowe, Stacey Flood, Linda Djougang, Aoife Dalton and Beibhinn Parsons, as an Opel brand ambassador. 

From Ballygarrett, Co Wexford, and a physiotherapy student at UCD, Aoife started playing rugby at Gorey RFC aged six, initially playing for the boys’ team, before switching to the Under-15s girls, then moving to Enniscorthy RFC at the Under-16s level. She also played for Blackrock College and Leinster Rugby and earned her first Ireland cap in a 29-8 win over Italy in 2022. 

2024 has been a glittering year for the 21-year-old. Propelled to rugby-stardom and named in the World Dream Team at the 2024 World Rugby Awards in Monaco, she closes the year with the Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland’s Women’s 15s Player of the Year title, adding more accolades to her Leinster Young Player of the Year, the Rugby Players’ Ireland Player of the Year, and Young Player of the Year 2024 titles. 

Wendy O’Rourke, Ferrybank Motors Director said: “As official Car Partner to the IRFU, Opel continues to strengthen its commitment to both Irish rugby at every level; club level, nationally and internationally.” She welcomed Aoife onboard as their brand ambassador and wished her continued success in her rugby career. 

Aoife is pictured receiving the keys of her new Opel Mokka from Lesley Walker, Ferrybank Motors.

 

Dacia launches New Duster family SUV

Dacia yesterday unveiled its new Duster family SUV to the Irish car market in good time for the January 2025 new car sales market, writes Trish Whelan. Dacia say this new generation of the model will still be a value-for-money option for buyers with a start price of €25,990 and 9pc APR finance for 251 registrations. 

Now with a more robust and outdoor character, there’s also more space for passengers and luggage (now up to 517 litres of boot space) than the previous generation yet the vehicle is only fractionally longer overall. Features include a more digital and more connected cockpit including a new 7-inch cluster and new 10.1-inch central touchscreen and new infotainment system. Almost 20pc of the plastic used in the New Duster is recycled and the brand will stop using leather and decorative chrome in all its models for environmental reasons. 

Duster is available with 4x4 Terrain control transmission that includes five driving modes of Auto, Snow, Mud/Sand, and Off-Road. Ground clearance of 217mm (between axles) in the 4x4 versions are the highest on the market. New hybrid powertrains are the Hybrid 140, Tce 130, and ECO-G100 that provides a dual fuel option of petrol and LPG. The Hybrid 140 powertrain uses a 4-cylinder, 1.6, 94hp petrol engine with two electric motors, an electric automatic gearbox - the 1.2 kWh battery makes it possible to drive in all-electric mode up to 80pc of the time in cities; the Tce 130 comprises of a 1.2 turbocharged petrol engine and a 48V mild hybrid motor. This powertrain is available with a 6-speed gearbox in the 4x2 and 4x4 versions. 

Grades are Essential and Expression, and for those looking for more than basic technology there’s Duster Journey and Duster Extreme with more equipment and an outdoor focused style. Some 19,500 Dusters have been registered here since launch in 2013. 

About 1,000 Dusters roll off production lines at the carmaker’s plant in Pitesti, Romania, every day where the model is built on the flexible CMF-B platform also used for Jogger, Sandero and Logan models. New Duster is a finalist for European Car of the year 2025, a first for the Dacia brand.