Ireland's G4 Gary jumps a high five

From a startup ranking of 14th place out of the 18 competitors, Irish contestant in the Land Rover G4 Challenge 2006 Gary Robertson jumped to ninth place when the results of the first stage were announced last night.



For the next week, the competitors in the second global G4 Challenge mounted by Land Rover will continue to face a daily potential dose of six competitions of endurance and strategy, though none are likely to ever complete all six.



Their achievement will be made more complex this time because the off-road driving required to get from location to location over the week will be in mountains rather than the soft hills of the south Laos rain forests.

Brian Byrne.

Galaxy, S-MAX, clear allergy tests

Coinciding with World Asthma Day, the new Ford S-MAX and Galaxy MPVs have joined the Ford Focus and Focus C-MAX as the only cars to receive allergy-friendly approval from both the British Allergy Foundation and the German TÜV. According to the Asthma Society of Ireland, one in ten people suffer from asthma in Ireland.

To mark the event, Ford dealers nationwide will be selling wrist bands all next month to support the Asthma Society of Ireland. Ireland has the 4th highest prevalence of asthma in the world, much of it among children. As such, the Galaxy and S-MAX’s credentials in this area will be a blessing for mums and dads.

More than 100 materials and components were tested for harmful substances and allergy causing potential. Additionally, all components likely to have direct and prolonged skin contact such as the steering wheel and seat covers, floor mats and seat belts were also dermatologically tested.

Ford development engineers decided to avoid using in these vehicles materials such as latex, chrome and nickel that can provoke allergic reactions in some people. Additionally, the vehicles are equipped with a high-performance pollen filter, which was also tested by the TÜV. The filter effectively prevents pollen – a particular concern for allergy sufferers – from entering the vehicle’s interior.

The Ford S-MAX and Galaxy are available in Ireland this summer.

Brian Byrne.

Citroën vans summer offer

Citroen is offering savings of up to €3,500 off the recommended retail on selected models within their van range.

The offer range starts with the Berlingo or Dispatch range where buyers can save €2,000. The €3,500 bonus comes with a Relay.

New A6 versions

Audi has added two Multitronic auto variants to its A6 range in Ireland.

These are a 2.0-litre turbo-powered,170 bhp FSI petrol version and a 2.0-litre, 140 bhp TDI version.

Prices begin at €46,870 ex works for the 2-litre TFSI petrol (€49,880 with Multitronic) and €47,940.00 ex works for the 2.0-litre, 140 bhp TDI version (€51,590 with Multitronic).

In July, a 5.1-litre, 435 bhp S6 version will be introduced in saloon and Avant estate versions followed, in 2007, by a top-of-the-range RS6 version.

Prices for these latter two models will be announced at time of introduction.

Brian Byrne.

Opel releases three new OPCs in Ireland

Opel has introduced three more OPC cars to join the Astra OPC launched late last year. The Zafira, Vectra and Meriva OPCs are distinguished by honeycomb grill covers, unique OPC body styling, Recaro seats, large ventilated disc brakes and trapezoidal exhaust tailpipes tuned for sound optimisation.

The Zafira OPC retails at €40,995 and is powered by a 2.0i 16v 237 BHP Turbo engine which sees the Zafira accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in 7.2 seconds.

The Vectra OPC is available as a hatchback and an estate, both are specced out with a 2.8 litre ECOTEC turbo engine. It will be available in Opel showrooms for €44,995 as a hatchback and €46,595 as an estate. The 255 hp provides 0 to 100km/h in 6.5 seconds performance.

The range is completed by the Meriva OPC, available for €28,400 and equipped with a 1.6i 16v 178hp turbo engine, the most powerful engine in its class.

All prices exclude delivery and related charges.

Brian Byrne.

Fiat, Nissan ENCAP results

Fiat’s small MPV, the Idea, and Nissan’s large off-roader, the Pathfinder, both achieved a four-star rating for adult occupant protection in the most recent round of Euro NCAP crash tests.

The testing organisation said if the Idea had ISOFIX mounts for tethering child seats also fitted as standard, it would have achieved a higher rating for child protection.

Euro NCAP also noted the Fiat Idea’s disappointing result in pedestrian protection.

Summary of Results

Small MPV:

Fiat Idea
Occupant Protection: 4 stars
Child Protection: 2 stars
Pedestrian Protection: 1 star

Large off-roader:

Nissan Pathfinder
Occupant Protection: 4 stars
Child Protection: 3 stars
Pedestrian Protection: 2 star

Brian Byrne.

Two new Jeeps unveiled

The Chrysler Group has unveiled two all-new Jeep vehicles at the New York Auto Show.



The all-new long-wheelbase Jeep Wrangler is the first Wrangler to offer four doors, a diesel engine and space for five adults.

It is expected to be launched in RHD form in about 12 months and will come with with a new petrol engine that offers more power and more torque as well as a new diesel engine.



The new Jeep Patriot is based on the concept first shown at the Frankfurt Motorshow in 2005 and is a ‘soft-roader’ with a brand new all-wheel drive system. It too is expected in this market next spring or summer.

Brian Byrne.

First look at new S-MAX from Ford

The price difference between Ford's two new MPV-type vehicles, the second generation Galaxy and the smaller S-MAX, will be €3,000 when they come to the Irish market in the summer.

Though actual prices have not yet been finalised, a Ford Ireland spokesman said last night that the differential was based on a seven-seat configuration in both vehicles, and at the 2.0-litre entry-level engine size.

The S-MAX arrives in June and the new Galaxy a month later. They share a platform and a number of powertrains, and the S-MAX is aimed at a younger and more 'lifestyle' customer.

In both cars, variants of a 1.8-litre diesel engine are expected to be the most popular powertrain choice.

Brian Byrne.

New Kia revealed

Kia Motors has issued a ‘preview sketch’ of its all-new Carens compact MPV.

The model will make its world premiere at the Salon International del Automovil de Madrid in May.

Longer, wider and taller than the model it replaces, the all-new Carens will be available with seven seats for the first time in Europe. The rear seats fold down flat into the boot floor when not required.

The Carens launch will represent the fifth new model -- following the Picanto, Rio, Sportage and Carnival -- to make its debut at a European motor show.



Brian Byrne.

Volvo coupe long planned

Although Volvo has only recently revealed the details of its planned C30 small coupe, the company has been distilling the project since 1998, when it began the larger S40/V50 programme.

And the final decision to produce it in 2-door/4-seat format was on the basis that European customers wanted that.

The car's exterior designer, Simon Lamarr, said the compact premium segment is larger and 'better understood' in Europe than in the US.

The upcoming car has design cues from the P1800 of the '70s, the car made famous in the TV series of 'The Saint'.

The C30 goes on sale in Europe this autumn.

Meanwhile, following on from the success of the XC90, Volvo's first SUV, the company is well on the way to producing a smaller version, the XC50.

Brian Byrne.

Fuel consumption figures 'off': claim

Fuel consumption figures provided by car manufacturers in Europe can be off by as much as 30 percent, some consumer groups in several markets are saying.

This is because the system of asessing fuel use figures are done by a standardised set of test cycles which, the groups say, no longer equate to real-world motoring.

They also say that official CO2 figures don't always work out in practice.

Because everyone uses the same standard, the figures are accurate enough for comparison purposes in most cases. But the disgruntlement of buyers who can't achieve what they feel they were promised.

"Automakers should reconsider fuel-consumption testing methods," says Automotive News Europe's Wim Oude Weernink. "More honest numbers will make it more credible in a critical society, where car buyers expect products that deliver what their makers promise. At the same time, realistic test cycles will help create real-life -- not academic -- improvements in CO2 reductions."

Brian Byrne.

A smart glow for diesels

A 'smart' glowplug for diesel engines might help the auto engine industry to meet upcoming very stringent regulations on emissions without costly after-treatment systems for nitorgen oxides.

The glowplug, in addition to providing an ignition source, would also measure the pressure in the cylinder, allowing complementary systems to regulate the combustion process more efficiently.

Stabilising combustion across a variety of engine loads and conditions can substantially cut the NOx emissions, especially in engines up to 2-litre sizes.

The new Euro 5 requirements come into force in the US in 2008 and the EU in 2009.

Brian Byrne.

Car sales rise again

Sales of new cars in the first quarter of the year, traditionally the busiest time for car dealers, are up 8 percent over the same period last year, according to the Society of the Irish Motor Industry.

Sales for March itself were up 6 percent on the same month in 2005.

In all, some 94,683 units were sold in the first quarter.

HGV registrations are up 20 percent for the first three months compared with 2005, while LCV registrations are 16 percent up over the same period.

Brian Byrne.

New offerings from Hyundai

Hyundai have launched an all-new Santa Fe, a new Accent (below), new 2.0-litre engines for the Sonata and a facelift for the supermini Getz.



The 2.0-litre petrol Sonata retails from €28,450. Standard equipment includes ABS with EBD, driver and passenger side airbags, front and rear curtain airbags, climate control, leather upholstery, 17 inch alloys, and front fog lights.

The first full model change to the Accent since it was introduced back in 2000 puts it on sale initially as a 4-door, 1.3-litre petrol. A 3-door 1.4 petrol is due in coming months and a 5-door version in 2007.

The New Santa Fe 2.2-litre diesel is also in showrooms, priced at €39,495 for the 2WD version; the 2.2 4WD is €41,495 and the 2.2 4WD Leather/Automatic at €44,495.

A new flagship mid-sized luxury saloon, Grandeur, is currently offered in a 3.3- V6 petrol matched with a 5-speed tiptronic gearbox at €41,000. A 2.2-litre diesel will arrive later in the year.

The New 1.1- facelift Getz now also comes with driver and passenger side airbags, a rear colour coded spoiler with integrated brake light, and all-new exterior styling and colours. Prices remain unchanged starting at €12,995.

Trish Whelan.

Citroen sponsors mini marathon

Citroën, through their Irish Importers, Gallic Distributors Ltd, is once again to be the official car sponsor to the Flora Women’s Mini Marathon 2006.

This is the third year that Citroën will be associated with the event.

The big winners are the charities associated with the race, but every year thanks to Citroën one lucky entrant drives away in a brand new Citroën C3 supermini.

Pictured are Deirdre Beirne and Sinead Gaskin Citroën C3 winners in 2004 and 2005 alongside their Citroën C3s.

Brian Byrne.

Lexus shows great growth

Against a background of an 11 percent increase in the premium car segment sales in the first quarter of the year, Lexus registered some 680 units, an increase of more than 180 percent over last year.

The majority of sales came from IS 250/220d (390), RX 300/400h (140) and GS 300/430 (135).

Lexus is planning three further model launches in 2006.

Brian Byrne.