Small cars get longer

New pedestrain-impact regulations from 1 October are part of the reason that small cars are getting bigger.

The regulations require increased length of around 10cm to the fronts of cars, to increase the crash-absorbtion distance to the 'hard' points like engine block and radiator.

The new Fiat Punto, due for European launch in September, will be the longest small car ever, at 4030mm, and its nearest competitor -- the next Renault Clio -- is just 44mm shorter.

Fiat will also continue to sell a spartan version of the current generation Punto for at least a year in tandem with the new model, at a projected price of €2,000 less in key European markets. Brian Byrne.

Transit hits 40

The Ford Transit, synonymous with vans around Ireland, turned 40 this month. Pictured with the latest one is a child of the 60s: Twiggy - AKA model Aoife Colgan - beside the current Ford Transit.

The first Transit went into production on August 9th 1965. Since then, over 100,000 Transits have covered more than 5 BILLION kilometres.

There have been four distinctive styles of Transits, the second of which came after 13 years. With it came more fuel-efficient OHC engines and a new automatic transmission. A new model in 1995 saw more developments, like new security features, three-point seatbelts with pretensioners and optional airbags.

The current Transit arrived in 2000, as the Celtic Tiger was in full roar, helping it to become one of the best-selling vehicles – car or van – on Irish roads. A unique engineering feat allowed for front and rear wheel-drive from a single platform, expanding Transit’s appeal into new sectors.

There were now over 100 configurations of the van available as standard.

Ford recently celebrated the production of the 5 millionth Transit worldwide. Brian Byrne.

'Think Awareness' programme to expand

Former Garda driving instructor Tony Toner has joined Rosemary Smith’s ‘Think Awareness’ Driving Programme for Transition year students and will be responsible for the development and expansion of the educational side of the business.

Think Awareness includes road education for future young drivers of Ireland. Over 100 schools from all over the country take part in the programme every year, for the last nine years.

The programme is supported by Ford Ireland and is approved by the National Safety Council of Ireland, An Garda Siochana and Alliance Insurance. Trish Whelan.

Citroen C-Sport is Frankfurt concept

Citroen will continue its traditional motor show styling previews with the C-SportLounge concept car at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show.

It has an imposing front end, with a large air intake and elongated, clear-cut headlamps. The sweeping lines have been designed to optimise the aerodynamics, and result in a drag coefficient figure of just 0.26.

The driving position features a steering wheel with fixed central controls and gear change paddles, while the one-piece driver’s seat and central console ensure that the automatic gearbox and climate controls remain within reach, whatever the seat position.

The C-SportLounge concept car is fitted with reverse opening doors for easy access to the rear seats. Brian Byrne.

Chivalry is - almost - not dead

Rural drivers are twice as likely to stop and help a stranded female motorist, compared with their urban counterparts, according to tyre firm Semperit Ireland.

In a roadside experiment to find out if Irish drivers really would stop to help an obviously 'distressed' lady, they set up a real-life 'damsel in distress' on the north and south side of the Dublin.

On the south side of the city, in the space of an hour just five people pulled over to help. On the north side, meanwhile, five good samaritans stopped to help in the space of half an hour.

In the rural test, motorists in Roscrea rose to the challenge, providing FIVE offers of help within just 25 minutes. The first to stop was Roscrea native Pat Quinn, a truck driver for a local haulage firm.

And in Moate, Co Meath, there were five offers of help in less than 20 minutes. Van and truck drivers, often the object of negative press, proved far more likely to assist than their car counterparts.

Research earlier this year indicated that 92% of men should have stopped to help Ailbhe but the reality was very different.

"There is a serious safety message in all of this," says Semperit Ireland's Paddy Murphy. "Female motorists need to realise that if they do break down, help may not be as forthcoming as they’d like. We’d urge all women drivers to learn how to change a wheel - it’s quite easy and could come in very useful some day." Brian Byrne.

Mondeo enhances diesel

Ford's 2.2-litre, 155hp Duratorq TDCi engine in the Ford Mondeo is now to Euro 4 standard, which comes into effect on January 1.

In addition the new engine now utilises an electrically-actuated variable turbocharger which provides a significant broadening of the useable power band, starting from just 1,250rpm.

New to the Mondeo range is Ford's 90hp TDCi Stage IV common rail engine. The car has also been given subtle exterior design changes to freshen it up for the 2006 model year. Brian Byrne.

When the tough get going...

Irish rugby international Alan Quinlan is used to being on the tough side, and that's why he has chosen the Mitsubishi Pajero to get to the match in.

He's pictured here with Alan Kennedy, Sales Director of Elm Motors, collecting his keys. Brian Byrne.

Supercharged VW engines

Volkswagen is to announce a new series of engines at the Frankfurt Motor Show which will revolutionise small-car performance.

The first will be a 1.4-litre unit with a power output of 170hp, thanks to being supercharged. It will initially be available in the Golf, the Golf Plus, the Touran and possibly even the Passat.

A VW specialist told Irish Car News that a 130hp variant of the engine will follow later, and that the increased power will not be at the expense of fuel consumption.

The move to supercharging comes as Mercedes-Benz is phasing out the technology in favour of turbocharging, now deeming the latter to be sufficiently refined to use in its petrol engines. Brian Byrne.

€1,000 Transit offer is no scrappage deal

Ireland’s Bodyshop Journal which is the specialist auto trade publication for the refinishing and auto repair parts industry is offering €1,000 to the designated charity of the owner of the oldest Ford Transit located in the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland.

It's not the one pictured above, the Portuguese World Tour Transit pictured in the Sahara desert in 1982.

But the deal is in conjunction with the John Creedon Show on RTE Radio 1 which has launched a campaign to find Ireland’s oldest Ford Transit van.

The legendary van recently celebrated 40 years of production.

If you know someone that has an old Ford Transit on its wheels and the owner has a tax book, tell them that they can earn €1,000 for their favourite charity.

In addition, the Bodyshop Journal will work with the owner to organise a complimentary face-lift (if needed) for the oldest Transit.

And, if you have an old Ford Transit yourself, contact John Creedon or Garret Daly of the John Creedon Show by phone: 1850 715 808; Text: 087 6272222 or Email: creedon@rte.ie Padraig Deane.

Audi rolls out its Crossover

Audi's take on the sibling VW Touareg SUV, the Q7, will be one of the brand's key models on the stands at Frankfurt this year.

Audi describe it as a 'crossover' that then a true SUV, aiming it at the luxury car market. It will also have seven seats, making it a rival directly against Mercedes-Benz's new B Class.

BMW are also moving into this crossover area, but the Audi will have a head start on it and will also benefit from the halo effect of the successful Touareg and the platform-sharing Porsche Cayenne. Brian Byrne.

M-B goes more robotic

Mercedes-Benz has made a tenfold increase in the use of robot technology to built its latest M-Class, from 80 to 800 in its Alabama, USA production plant.

This is part of an effort to bring the quality rating for the new SUV from well below the industry average of 118 defects per 100 vehicles.

M-B has also worked closely with suppliers -- responsible for 74 percent of the value of the new vehicle -- to ensure that parts quality is vastly improved.

As part of the strategy to bring back M-B quality to its former perception, every supplier was required to present a written documents outlining in detail their plans for improvement. Brian Byrne.

Magna Steyr to develop next Stilo

Fiat Auto has chosen Magna Steyr to engineer its Stilo replacement -- the first time it has gone outside Italy for such a contract.

The carmaker wants production of the new Stilo to start by the end of 2006, with sales beginning by summer 2007 at the latest.

Previous Fiat regimes delayed development of the Stilo replacement by twice rejecting designs. Brian Byrne.

Way out C2!

Brian Byrne. A one-off version of Citroën’s C2 VTR supermini has landed in the UK – and it’s worth a staggering £108,000!

The car is the culmination of six months work by modification specialists SQ Plus and comes loaded with £22,000 worth of stereo equipment from sound system experts Alpine, including 20 speakers and 8 subwoofers and 11 amplifiers -- which gives the futuristic C2 by SQ Plus an incredible 15,780 watts: similar to an average nightclub

A Cituning wide arch body kit, twin Powerflow exhausts which emerge from the front bumper, 20" chrome alloys and Mr Chilli’s air bag suspension have all been added while the coup de grâce is the stunning silver re-spray with airbrushed paint finish worth £15,000.

New Jetta here in January

Brian Byrne. The new Volkswagen Jetta will be on sale in Ireland in January, at a price yet to be agreed.

The new car replaces the Bora, and the return of the Jetta name to Europe reflects a VW view that it is a global car. In the US, the Bora was called the Jetta, which is one of the most bought European nameplates in that country.

The Jetta is longer and wider than the car it replaces. At launch there will be 1.6- and 2-litre petrol engines and a pair of turbodiesels, but the Irish distributors, MDL, are negotiating for a 1.4-litre option as is the normal entry engine in this class.

New S Class will be biggest in class

Brian Byrne. When the new-generation Mercedes-Benz S-Class is launched in October it will regain its former attribute of being both the largest and most expensive sedan in its segment.

This follows a period of restraint since the eight-year reign of the W140 version launched in 1990. The next car was significantly downsized in length and power following criticism.

The new car will have a top-end engine with 517hp, and will also beat its rivals at entrey-level power of 272hp.

It will also have radar parking sensors as standard, better than the cheaper ultrasonic currently used.

206 to continue after 207 arrival

Brian Byrne. Peugeot's 206 will be replaced in Europe next year by a new car, probably named 207.

But the car that has for years been the top-selling small car in western Europe isn't going to drive off into the sunset. Peugeot plans to build it in developing countries as its global car to take a share of the world's 'new business' in cars.

And they may well produce a 4-door sedan version, because many of those markets have a preferance for the format.

Peugeot has already signed a deal with Malaysian carmaker Naza to build 206s which will be sold as Nazas in Malaysia. Neighbouring markets will get it as a Peugeot.

No Verso for next Yaris

by Brian Byrne. The quirky-looking Yaris Verso will not be continued as a format in the next generation of Toyota's supermini.

The new Yaris will debut at September's Frankfurt Motor Show, and will be somewhat bigger and more upmarket than the current model.

The arrival of the Aygo underneath the Yaris is making this possible.

First pic of Mitsubishi concept

by Brian Byrne. Mitsubishi Motors has now released the first image of its latest concept car, the Concept-Sportback.

Set to make its world debut at Frankfurt Motor Show in September, the Mitsubishi Concept-Sportback gives the first indications of the company's vision for its next generation of C-segment cars and debuts its design inspiration for a new European 5-door sports hatchback.

New Note from Nissan

by Brian Byrne. The new Nissan Note -- similar in size and sharing a platform with the Renault Modus -- will make its official debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

It will be accompanied by the Micra C+C, a coupé/convertible, and the new sporting Micra 160SR.

The Note is a five-door hatchback aimed at parents 'who don’t want to stop having fun behind the wheel', with a wheelbase of 2600mm – longer than that of a VW Golf.

There will be four engine options: two 1.5 dCi diesels developing 68hp and 86hp) respectively, a 1.4-litre 88hp petrol unit and a new 1.6-litre 110hp petrol engine found in the new Micra 160SR and C+C.

Customer deliveries will begin in spring 2006.

Chinese 'Opel' not for Ireland

by Brian Byrne. Plans by some Opel dealers on mainland Europe to sell a Chinese-built SUV based on the old Opel Frontera are not likely to be copied in Ireland because no RHD versions will be available.

The Landwind, which has a Mitsubishi engine, is projected to sell in Europe at about half the cost of the new GM-Daewoo SUV which will be sold as an Opel soon.

The Landwind is being imported by a Dutch car dealer, Peter Bijvelds. He has already lined up Opel dealers in Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands, and is talking with others in Spain and Italy.

Irish Ferries promote new fare

by Brian Byrne. Irish Ferries have announced new lower mid-week fares to Britain beginning from €99 one way for car plus driver on their Rosslare-Pembroke Route valid for travel on Monday to Thursday sailings from 29th August.

A €10 supplement applies on Dublin-Holyhead sailings. An additional €20 charge applies across the board for weekend Friday-Sunday sailings.

Bookings can be made on line at www.irishferries.com

New R32 Golf

by Brian Byrne. Volkswagen has announced a new R32 Golf version based on the Golf V generation.

It comes with 250 bhp under the bonnet, and will see its world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show

Presales in Germany start on 19 August with prices beginning at €32,200 -- the Irish prices in the punitive and anti-EU VRT regime will be considerably higher.

Refreshed Vectra for Ireland in October

by Brian Byrne. As first detailed on irishcarnews.ie last June, Opel has sharpened up its Vectra, and now it is confirmed that it will be on sale in Ireland in October.

Changes to the front of the car bring the range into line with the Opel family look - which was first seen on the latest Astra. Other visual upgrades include new wheel designs, a reprofiled back bumper on certain models, and a contemporary range of new colours.
 
Inside, the soft-touch facia material has a new grain and has been reshaped and there are new seat fabrics, extra door trim inserts and a new instrument panel.

New Magentis revealed

by Brian Byrne. Kia Motors Corporation has released initial details and photos of its all-new Kia Magentis four-door sedan, which will make its world premiere at the Frankfurt International Motor Show.

Longer, wider and higher than the previous model, a new 2.0-liter diesel engine will be introduced in Europe along with 2.0-litre in-line four cylinder and 2.7-litre V6 gasoline engines.

Kia now has a full range of new models, starting with the Sorento SUV, followed by the A-segment Picanto, the C-segment Cerato, the Sportage compact SUV and most recently the all new B-segment Rio.

First pic of new Vitara

by Brian Byrne. Suzuki has revealed the first official pictures of the new Grand Vitara range which will have its world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

Initially the range will consist of two 5-door models – the 2.0-litre petrol and the 1.9-litre diesel – and a 1.6-litre petrol SWB 3-door model.

For the first time Suzuki has opted for unitary construction for the Grand Vitara.

Prices and exact mechanical and equipment specifications will be announced at Frankfurt.

Opel announces OPC Vectra

by Brian Byrne. A high-performance Opel Vectra, the Vectra OPC, will be seen at the International Automobile Exhibition in Frankfurt in September, and will be introduced in Germany a few weeks later.

The Vectra OPC will be available as a five-door hatchback and a station wagon and will be powered by an aluminum 2.8-litre V6 turbo petrol engine which has an output of 255 hp and provides a top speed of 260 km/h and zero to 100 km/h acceleration in less than seven seconds.

The Vectra OPC comes with a six-speed manual transmission as standard.

The front end features large air inlets and a honeycomb grille, while the side profile is accentuated by large 18-inch rims in exclusive OPC design.

Citroen extends C5 VAT offer

by Trish Whelan. Citroën is continuing its offer of paying the VAT on its C5 until the end of August.

The deal means a €3569 saving on the C5 1.8 SX, €3909 on the C5 1.6 HDI 110 SX and €4760 off 2.2 HDI VSX Automatic.

The Citroën C5 1.8 SX can now be yours, on the road, for €23,131.

Standard features include ABS, Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Emergency Braking Assistance (EBA), 7 Airbags, Leather Steering Wheel, Driver’s seat height adjustment, Hydractive 3 auto-adaptive suspension, Electric Mirrors, Electric front windows, Climate control air-conditioning, Automatic hazard warning lights, and a 2 year warranty.

New Jeep concepts

by Brian Byrne. Jeep at the Frankfurt Motor Show will host the world premiere of two compact SUV concepts - the Jeep Patriot and Jeep Compass Rallye.

The Jeep Patriot concept offers a modern interpretation of classic Jeep styling aimed to appeal to young buyers.

The Jeep Compass Rallye concept is a contemporary styled Jeep concept that targets new buyers who might not have previously considered the brand.

New GM Daewoo Kalos replacement

by Brian Byrne. The replacement for the Chevrolet Kalos, the Aveo, will be launched in the autumn in many world markets.

As the GM Daewoo Gentra in other markets, the car is larger and more refined than the Kalos sedan and is positioned between traditional small and compact cars.

The interior uses new materials, soft tones and harmoniously integrated contrasting moldings. A newly designed audio blends in with the center fascia.

The Gentra with a 1.5-litre engine had its world premiere at Auto Shanghai 2005 in April as Chevrolet Aveo.

Caliber to have diesel

by Brian Byrne. The new Dodge Caliber, which will be an impportant part of the brand's revival in Europe, will include a 136hp 2-litre diesel engine in its power unit lineup.

It will also feature a new-generation continuously variable transmission (CVT).

The other engines will be a 140hp 1.8-litre, 150hp 2.0-litre and 170hp 2.4-litre.

Renault to show SUV concept

by Brian Byrne. Renault is presenting its new Egeus concept, an upmarket 4WD SUV, at Frankfurt Motor Show next month.

Its design is a natural continuation of the previous concept cars Wind and Fluence and carries echoes of a top-of-the-range saloon.

The car is powered by a 250hp 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine fitted with a particulate filter and fully automatic 4WD transmission regulates traction on the four wheels from 0 to 100% according to grip. There's a seven-speed flick-shift automatic transmission.

Volvo sponsors Irish polar yacht

by Brian Byrne. Volvo Car Ireland will be one of the sponsors of this year’s Polar Expedition by Irish Yacht Northabout, which will attempt to complete a circumnavigation of the North Polar Ice Cap.

Previously the Northabout successfully navigated the North West Passage and, in 2004, an attempt was made on the North East Passage. Unfortunately, this did not succeed due to adverse ice conditions around Cape Chelyuskin – the most northerly point of Russia.

The crew will fly out to Russia on Sunday 7 August to ready it for this year’s adventure.

Skippered by Jarlath Cunnane (builder of Northabout), the boat’s crew will consist of Kevin Cronin from Dublin, Colm Brogan from Kinvara, Gary Finnegan from Dublin, Dr Michael Brogan from Ballyhaunis, Rory Casey from Castlebar and Vladislav Samoilovich.

The expedition’s progress can be seen here.

Call to Government on VRT

by Brian Byrne. Passenger car sales for July were 12,409 a slight decrease of 0.27 percent on the same period last year (12,443). Year to date sales for 2005 at 149,472 remain up with an overall increase of 11.5 percent on January to July 2004 (134,017).

While welcoming the current buoyant state of the business, Cyril McHugh, Chief Executive of the Society of the Irish Motor Industry,reiterated that the Irish motorist is 'getting a raw deal' when compared with other European countries in motor taxation terms.

"If you examine the pre and post tax prices in Ireland for each different make and model, it is apparent that taxation adds on between 56 percent and 73 percent of the pre-tax price depending on the engine size of the car.

"This is a huge imposition on Irish motorists in addition to fuel taxation and annual road tax. Last month the EU came out strongly saying that vehicle registration taxes should be phased out over a period of ten years as they interfere with the free movement of goods in the Single market.

"The Government should now follow the recommendation of the EU Commission and not wait until they bring in a Directive forcing the Government to phase out VRT. We urge the Minister for Finance to start this process in the 2006 Budget."

Light commercial registrations at 2,601 are 5.6 percent up on July 2004 (2,463). Year to date light commercial registrations were 29,255, an increase of 26 percent on the same period last year (23,198). Heavy commercial registrations were 361, up nearly 18 percent on July 2004 (306). Year to date heavy commercial registrations were 3,652, an increase of 23.75 percent on 2004 (2,951).

Next Civic revealed

by Brian Byrne. The all-new, eighth generation Civic for the European market will be wider and lower than the out-going model, and will make its first public appearance at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

Sales are expected to commence in early 2006.



The concept car shown in Geneva already revealed Honda’s intention of moving the Civic into a sporty direction.

The overall length is now 35 mm shorter than its predecessor and overall height, 35 mm lower. But the overall width has been increased by 65 mm and the front and rear tracks by 34 mm and 45 mm, respectively.

Engines will include a 1339cc 83 PS petrol unit, a brand new 1798cc 140 PS petrol unit and a 2204cc 140 PS diesel unit. All of them are combined with a 6-speed manual gearbox. The petrol units can also be equipped with a 6-speed automated manual transmission.

407 Coupe for Frankfurt

by Brian Byrne. The new Peugeot 407 Coupe will get its world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

Early details reveal a large Grand Tourer that can easily accommodate four passengers and all their luggage.

It will be available at launch with a 2.2 litre petrol engine developing 160bhp, a 3.0 litre V6 petrol developing 211bhp, and a 2.7 litre V6 HDI Diesel with Particulate Emission Filter developing 205bhp.

All variants will be fitted with six-speed gearboxes – manual or automatic.

New Astra Twin Top detailed

by Brian Byrne. In what is likely to be deemed to sexiest Astra yet, Opel has combined its former cabrio and coupe variants into one new foldable hardtop, with the just-revealed Astra Twin Top.

The car will be seen in the metal first at Frankfurt.

Because of its its innovative three-part roof system, the trunk space of around 440 litres still leaves 200 litres when the roof is folded.

The wide engine range already familiar in the Astra will form the basis for the power units of the new car.

The TwinTop roof can be fully automatically opened or closed in less than 30 seconds.