"Make ESP mandatory" - Ford Ireland

Ford Ireland chief Eddie Murphy has called on legislators to make electronic stability programme (ESP) technology mandatory on cars across Europe.



Ford is the first manufacturer to standardise ESP in the compact family class in Ireland by fitting it to its best selling Focus.

At a demonstration event in Mondello to show the practical benefits of ESP systems, he added that ESP could prevent as many as 4,000 road fatalities every year in Europe

But he said that the imposition of VRT on safety systems such as ESP limits the take-up of the technology and he noted that Denmark has massively increased proliferation of ESP through Exchequer incentives.

At least 40 percent of fatal road accidents are the result of skidding. Studies show that ESB could reduce skidding accidents by up to 80 percent. ESP detects a deviation of the vehicle's motion from the driver's intended path, and brakes one or more wheels to get the vehicle back on its desired path. It is now standard on the Ford Focus, C-MAX, Mondeo, S-MAX and Galaxy models.

In the video clip, the red Focus at the beginning has NO ESP fitted. Its performance in the wet is clearly inferior to the silver cars which are fitted with the technology.


toyota.ie

Getting closer to electric cars

A practical lithium-ion battery system for cars is the holy grail of all manufacturers looking to electric power for cars as a practical future mainstream technology.

According to this piece in Technology Review, it's getting closer.

Ad: Ford Mondeo

More here

Just a minute: Fiat 500

We picked up a bright yellow Fiat 500 yesterday afternoon and decided to give you a one minute look at it. We did the shoot in City West.



The quick roundup is that the car is wildly cheerful, very distinctive in this particular livery, and drives very well with the 1.4 petrol engine in the review version. Noisy at low speeds, quite refined running on the highway.

It's a little bumpy in the Sport configuration. Other downsides include a driver's seat that's far too high for a tall person, and when lowered it leaves the front of the seat still uncomfortably pushing up the thighs. The back is for litte 'uns only.

A full review later.


yaris.ie


audi.ie

About being understood

Lets face it, cars like BMW's M3 make no sense at all. Except that, in circumstances that permit it, they thrill the senses.



That 'permit it' is the pothole in the M3's path. There's nowhere outside its home country that there are the opportunities to legally run such cars to their potential on the open road.

And even there, the squeeze is on. The state of Bremen has just passed a law that puts a speed limit on autobahns within its boundaries.

Want to read more?


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M3 Convertible released in RHD

The new BMW M3 Convertible, just launched in RHD form, is the first M car to feature a retractable hard-top.



It is also the first M3 Convertible to be powered by a V8 engine and the first BMW to feature an all-new seven-speed M Double Clutch Transmission (M DCT) as an alternative to the standard six-speed manual gearbox.

The car is powered by the same 4.0-litre, 420hp V8 engine as its M3 Coupé and M3 Saloon siblings and can do the 0-100 km/h sprint in 5.3 seconds.


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THUMS up from Toyota

A computer simulation programme used by Toyota for years to help provide safer production cars is now being used by the FIA Institute to develop safer racing cars.



The system, called Total Human Model Safety (THUMS), is a virtual representation of the human body that can provide Toyota engineers with precise data about the injuries real people might suffer in different kinds of vehicle accidents.


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The FIA Institute and Toyota have worked together to use the THUMS system to recreate high speed accidents and their effects on human physiology, allowing them to study the kind of serious injuries that are difficult to measure with conventional crash test dummies. The results of the new study are in the process of completion.

The FIA Institute targeted this technology specifically to help study high speed rear impact crashes in the FIA Formula One World Championship and Indy Racing League (IRL). THUMS has proved very effective for analysis of the complex interaction between the driver’s body and the car in a high speed accident.

The FIA Institute and Dr Terry Trammell, a fellow of the FIA Institute and consultant to IRL, have provided data on accidents of this type and information on racecar seat structures. These have been used by Toyota to create virtual collisions using THUMS and simulated racecar seat designs, which have succeeded in replicating spinal injuries from high speed rear impact collisions.

This co-operative effort has led to a determination of the mechanism for spinal-stress build-up -- the result of a combination of G-forces and the specific seating position used in F1 and IRL racecars. The research has prompted consideration of what measures might be taken to reduce stress on the spine during rear impact collisions.

Insignia detailed

Opel has revealed pictures of the production version of its Vectra replacement, the Insignia, which will go on sale in Ireland in November.



The car will be debuted at the British Motor Show in London in July in sedan and hatchback variants.

The Insignia will be offered with front-wheel and all-wheel drive. A FlexRide mechatronic chassis system with Adaptive Stability Technology helps the car adjust to prevailing driving conditions. FlexRide is also available in the front-wheel version.

The car will launch with seven engines with either manual or automatic six-speed transmissions. The four petrol engines range from a four-cylinder 115 hp unit to a V6 with 260 hp. The three new 2.0 diesels have outputs spanning from 110-160 hp.

Subsequently the Insignia engine line-up will be expanded with an EcoFLEX version offering very low CO2 emissions in addition to other, more powerful variants.

Among the design elements is the LED daytime running lights, which consume considerably less energy than a conventional system featuring halogen lamps.


volkswagen.ie

Take it easy, save fuel, money

More than 10,000 drivers have benefited from the Ford Eco-Driving programme which has been running since 2000 in Germany.



Drivers who adopt the Ford Eco-Driving style will see an average fuel saving of 25 percent and thus, a similar reduction in CO2 emissions. For the average driver this can mean a yearly saving of approximately 300 euros and a saving of 500 kilos in emissions.

Among the techniques taught to participants in the Ford Eco-Driving programme are these.


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Irish Ferries France offer

Irish Ferries has cut the price of their short breaks to France for those able to travel ahead of the peak Summer season.

To do this, the company has introduced a discount of up to 30 percent off all 6-nights stays in France applicable on travel from Ireland up to 17th June.

Available on all motorist and motorcycle fares for travel on their new cruise ferry Oscar Wilde., the initiative is particularly aimed at those who still have holidays left to spend.

Further details and bookings can be made on line www.irishferries.com or by telephone to 0818 300 400 or through travel agents.


audi.ie

Lexus sports car for the few

Only 15 Irish buyers will get to own a stunning Lexus IS-F sports car, the first performance car produced by the marque.



And the bad news is that most are already accounted for. So potential buyers will have to act fast.

They'll pay 107,500 euros for the 4-door car which comes fully equipped; the only optional extra being a sun roof.

For their money, they'll get a car with the most powerful engine yet in a Lexus - the performance tuned 5.0 litre V8 producing 423bhp at 6,600rpm and which comes with a whopping 505Nm of torque.

Pictured above is Mark Teevan of Lexus Ireland, with the new car on appraisal at Mondello Park racing circuit.


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Rexton upgraded

SsangYong have launched their Rexton II, a new look for their luxury SUV.



This 7-seater is powered by a 270 Xdi diesel common rail engine with either 164bhp or 186bhp on tap, and Permanent Torque on Demand or All Wheel Drive.

The latest version comes with quite a few exterior and interior changes. Mostly to the trademark grille, headlamps. Privacy glass, alloy wheels and roof rails add the finishing touches.

The Rexton II Sports model with 186 bhp adds as standard 3-person memory on the driver’s seat, powered and heated seats, LED Instrument clusters, rear air spoiler, 6 stack CD system, leather upholstery and permanent all-wheel-drive.

Three options are offered. RX 2.7 SCI 165bhp at 44,995 euros; 165bhp 7-seater Automatic at 47,995 euros; and the top spec 186bhp leather automatic at 54,995 euros.

Commercial 4007 announced

Peugeot in Ireland has announced a commercial version of the 4007, the first SUV to be launched by the brand.

Available in three versions, ST 2.2 Hdi 16-inch alloys, ST 2.2 Hdi 18-inch alloys and SV 2.2 Hdi 18-inch alloys, the new 4007 commercial range will retail here from 31,750 euros including VAT, plus delivery charges, or from 26,248 euros excluding VAT.

With its electronic on-demand 4WD system, the 4007 allows the driver to select three modes of drive while on the move with a choice of a permanent 2WD.

The 2.2 Hdi engine with 6-speed manual transmission emits 191 g/km C02 and is fitted as standard with a diesel particulate filter system.

Standard equipment includes ESP, ABS and eBFD, an electronic ‘on-demand’4WD system, automatic air conditioning with climate control, pollen and dust filters, 6 airbags, cruise control, roof rails and a refrigerated glove box.

Watch out below!

Drivers tend to ignore all but the most basic of road signs most likely because we all suffer from ‘signage overload’.

A red light will still get most drivers to stop but a junction marking stating STOP is often ignored according to the Irish Advanced Motorists.

With so many direction and road signs competing for our attention, we already have our head full of information coming at us at eye level. This makes it easier to miss the ones painted on the tarmac beneath us.

A rule of thumb is the more paint there is on the road surface, the more potential danger there is.

Remember, a double white line down the middle of the carriageway is there to prevent vehicles crossing onto the other carriageway at that point.

Unofficial road surface markings include the long, snaking skid mark which means some unfortunate has had a crash, or a near miss.

When you see these, ask yourself what might have happened and avoid getting into the same situation!

Nissan offer extended

Nissan Ireland are extending their Double Take 2 offer.

The offer which ran to the end of March this year will still apply to the end of this month (April).

For consumers who avail of the officer it means that uncertainties in relation to the enw C02 and Road Tax regulations are elimated and customers can buy a new 2008 Micra, Note or Tiida and change it for an equivalent petrol or diesel model absolutely free in 2009.

Electric car in Ireland

An electric car is now available in Ireland following the introduction of the Mega City by Green Machines Ltd, who have been providing zero emissions vehicles here since 2001.



The Mega City is produced by the French Manufacturer Axiam-Mega Group, one of Europe's leading suppliers of these types of vehicles.

The car is built with an aluminium chassis and safety cell, and is clad in impact-resistant polycarbonate panels. The Manufacturer says this body is 100 percent recyclable. It has a top speed of 64kph with a range of 80 kilometers.

The car comes standard in either a two or four seat configuration. It takes eight hours to fully charge its batteries. However, due to the battery technology used it is possible to apply ‘top-up’ charges as required with no memory effect to the batteries.

Prices are 16,799 euros for the two seat and 16,999 euros for the 2+2.

Tesla coming to Europe

The California-based maker of electric sports cars, Tesla, is now taking orders for European delivery in 2009.



This special limited edition will sell for 99,000 euros for a fully loaded car and similarly to the early customers in the US, Europeans who reserve the car early will receive a special Signature edition.

The Tesla will be shown at the Top Marques Monaco event from April 24-27.

Q5 for reveal this week

Audi's mid-sized Q5 SUV will be debuted at the Beijing Motor Show on April 19, indicating the importance which the VW-owned brand gives to the China marketplace.

And there's speculation that the Q5 will also be built in that growing market. China is already Audi's biggest market outside Germany.

The Q5 is being built on an A4 platform and will be launched in mid-summer in Europe, the US early next year, and in China before the end of 2009.

The Q5 is one of 18 new models or variants which Audi plans to add to its range by 2015, by which time it expects to have increased its global sales by 50 percent to 1.5 million annually.


audi.ie

Garage rating website

A new Irish website, BestGarages.ie, has been set up to provide a rating system of motor retailers, car service, and aftermarket operators.

It relies on reviews from the public, but says it does not want to hear from people who have particular issues with a particular garage.

"We will not tolerate or publish any reviews which question the professional ability or integrity of a garage or persons connected with that garage, or any comment which may be deemed as libellous," the operators say. "Using this approach the only garages featured on this site will be garages which receive a favourable review from genuine customers so it will be in the garages interest to provide the best possible service to these customers."


yaris.ie

Nissan promotion extended

Nissan Ireland has extended its Double Take 2 offer to the end of April.

The promotion gives buyers the opportunity to buy a new 2008 Micra, Note or Tiida and change it for an equivalent petrol or diesel model absolutely free in 2009.

The deal is aimed at boosting sales in the uncertain market between now and the introduction of the new CO2 based car taxation regime from July 1.


volkswagen.ie

Kuga targets boom segment

When the new Ford Kuga arrives in Ireland at the end of May it will be targeting a market, the 'compact SUV', which was quite small in sales a relatively few years ago but in the first two months of this year sold 5,000 units. Or a fifth more than in the same two months of 2007.

It is the first Ford vehicle with AWD capability in this segment and will be aiming to take sales from Toyota's RAV 4 and Suzuki's Grand Vitara.

There will be two specification levels, Zetec and Titanium, and the only power unit at launch will be a 136hp 2.0 TDCI turbodiesel.

Prices won't be available until nearer the launch, but Ford Ireland marketing chief Denis McSweeney says it will be 'competitive' against the Toyota vehicle, and will have a price 'advantage' against the most recent entrant, the VW Tiguan.

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Initial expectation is that supply will dictate sales, and some 700-900 units are suggested for the total in 2009.

The Kuga has a class-leading CO2 emissions of 169 g/km, which after June 30 will reduce the VRT rating by 6 percent to 24 percent.

The Kuga will be available as a FWD or with 'on demand' 4WD. In a price range that could conceivably begin in the early 30,000 euros level, the 4WD option is expected to be only 2,000 euros more and that most buyers will spend the extra for the higher security in poor driving conditions.

A short introduction to the car today in the Andalucia region of Spain, showed us a vehicle that is of premium quality, good driving dynamics, and with a very distinctive and attractive styling.


audi.ie

'Work' drivers more dangerous?

People who drive for their work are more likely to tailgate and speed, according to a report published by the British-based road safety organisations 'Brake' and 'Green Flag'.

The reports says that 'at-work' drivers are more likely to indulge in such practices both on on motorways and in towns than other drivers.

The research indicates that the majority of at-work drivers are feeling pressurised to get somewhere fast, risking lives.

Six in ten such drivers surveyed admit leaving less than a two-second gap between their vehicle and the vehicle in front.

Three-quarters admitted speeding at 80mph or more on motorways, and more than three-quarters of at-work drivers admitted driving at 35mph in a 30mph limit.

Speeding is known to be a contributory factor in more than a quarter of deaths on Britain's roads

Tailgating (or ‘following too close’) was a contributory factor in at least 54 deaths there in 2006.

In its recommendations, the report wants companies to plan all journeys carefully to ensure that at-work drivers do not come under pressure to tailgate or speed. It also argues for tough penalties to be brought against employers putting drivers under pressure to break the law and drive dangerously.

Some 4,640 drivers were surveyed for the report, 2,510 of whom were people who drove for work (excluding commuters).

Electric initiative to extend

The second stage of a Renault-Nissan initiative to provide electric cars on a large scale will take place in Denmark.

Project Better Place will provide Danish customers with 100 percent electric vehicles to European standards in 2011, providing zero-emission mobility while at the same time offering driving performance similar to a petrol engine.

Nissan, through its joint venture with NEC, has created an advanced lithium-ion battery pack that both meets the requirements of this electric vehicle and can be mass-produced.

A similar initiative has already been announced for Israel.

In Denmark, the Danish government will provide tax incentives on 100 percent electric vehicles, Renault will supply the electric vehicles and Better Place Denmark will construct and operate an Electric Recharge Grid across the entire country.


audi.ie

X6 is detailed

BMW has released full details of its new X6 Sports Activity Coupe which it describes as a new vehicle category.



The crossover vehicle offers the drivetrain potential of a 4WD SUV in the format of a large Coupé.

It comes with the company's xDrive all-wheel drive technology and a Dynamic Performance Control that offers variable distribution of drive power between the two rear wheels, left and right.

Power comes from a newly developed V8 petrol engine with Twin Turbo technology and direct petrol injection. The 4.4 powerplant offers 407 hp output.


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Other power units include a 306 hp petrol six and six cylinder diesels with 286 hp options. The transmission is a six-speed automatic.


volkswagen.ie

Long Qashqai coming

A seven seat version of Nissan's Qashqai will go on sale in Ireland in September.

The vehicle is a stretched version of the current best-selling crossover, and according to those who have seen it its proportions are even better than the standard model.

Nissan Ireland's marketing manager Paul O'Sullivan says it will be a significant addition to the brand's range in Ireland. The Qashqai has been a runaway success since it was launched, surprising distributors and the manufacturer with the levels of buyer interest.


audi.ie

Hyundai launch i10 here

Hyundai have lauched their new i10 city car in Ireland at a post-July 1 price of 11,995 euros in a bid to bring forward buyers who may be waiting for changes in VRT to result in cheaper cars.

The new car replaces the Atos, and is powered by a brand new 1.1 petrol engine with CO2 emissions of 119 g/km. That puts it in the lowest VRT and Road Tax band A. Annual Road Tax for the car will be 100 euros for registrations after July 1. However, anybody buying one now can pay the existing tax for three months and take advantage of the new lowest rate on renewal.

The A segment in which the i10 competes against the likes of Toyota's Aygo and Fiat's Panda.

The company is also taking part in the Allianz/TSB 99 euros insurance premium scheme for the first year.

The i10 is highly specified for its classand includes electric windows, keyless entry, and has an optional automatic transmission.

MD of Hyundai Ireland Sam Synnott said at the launch today that even though the segment is currently tine at around 2,000 units per annum, people are being encouraged towards smaller cars and there's no reason why it couldn't double or more in the near term.

BMW to score well in CO2 VRT

More than two-thirds of BMW entry level variants across its models range will fall in price when the VRT charging shifts to a CO2 based regime on July 1.

A typical example is the 118d, which will costs €29,192, compared with €34,600 under the outgoing VRT system.

Under the banner EfficientDynamics BMW vehicles employ a range technologies such as Brake Energy Regeneration, Auto Start-Stop and Electric Power Steering to help cut fuel bills and emissions.

BMW has introduced EfficientDynamics across almost all of its range in 2007. The Group is on target to meet its commitment to reduce the CO2 emissions of the combined fleet by 30 per cent by the end of 2008 compared to 1995 figures.

From 1 July 2008 the 318i ES Saloon, 2.0-litre petrol, will cost €36,366, a reduction of €4,484. At 142 CO2 g/km it will be in Band C. The 318d ES Saloon, 320d ES Saloon, and 520d SE Saloon will all be rated in Band B.

New Aston racecar

Aston Martin Racing has revealed the first official pictures of the Vantage GT2, which will make its race debut with James Watts Automotive at the first round of the Le Mans Series at Barcelona on 5 April.



The Vantage GT2 is latest racing car from Aston Martin Racing and completes its portfolio of GT cars in each of the four categories GT1, GT2, GT3, GT4.


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The Vantage GT2 has been designed to run on both standard and E85 bio-ethanol fuel.

Car sales down

Irish car sales were down by nearly a quarter for March compared to the same month last year, but a motor business leader says the unusual convergence of two bank holiday weekends in succession means not too much can be read into the figures.

Alan Nolan, president of the Society of the Irish Motor Industry said the holidays produced a month of 'significantly fewer' working days than in 2007.

Year to date sales for 2008 are recorded at 93,045 compared to 100,297 over the first three months of last year, a decrease of 7.23 percent.

Meanwhile, Ford was the top selling vehicles brand in March, when LCVs are included, gaining 13.3 percent of the market and confirming its Mondeo and Focus models as Ireland's best selling cars for the first quarter of 2008. In passenger car sales for the quarter, 4,291 units of the Focus were sold, followed by Mondeo with 4,208, Golf with 4,129, Corolla with 3,691 and Passat with 3,160.

In the March passenger car sales, Toyota was the leading brand with 3,000 units, followed by Ford with 2,603, Nissan at 2,581 and Volkswagen at 2,223. Commercial vehicle sales were down 28 percent at 4,443 units. Ford was the leading commercials brand with a 19.7 percent share (876 units), ahead of VW (575) and Toyota (418).

207 hits the million

The one millionth Peugeot 207 has rolled off the production lines, less than two years after the model's commercial launch.



The car is now sold in over 100 countries and exceeded worldwide sales objective by more than 20,000 units in 2007.

The 207 is available in Ireland in hatchback, SW (above) and Coupe Cabriolet guises.


volkswagen.ie

Call for standard EU CO2 taxation

The European car industry has warned that a lack of harmonisation on C02-based tax systems could end up with negative effects on the environment.

Almost all West-European countries now levy some form of CO2 tax on passenger cars. A survey done by ACEA, the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association, shows that over the past 15 months, France, Spain, Finland and Ireland introduced CO2-related car taxation, bringing the total of EU Member States with such a system up to fourteen.

In addition, countries such as the Netherlands, Denmark and Portugal implemented significant changes to their existing schemes.


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But they differ widely across the EU. Italy, for example, offers a one-off incentive when purchasing a new car. France and the UK use CO2 emissions systematically for taxing privately owned and company cars. Similarly, France, the UK and Luxembourg use CO2 emissions as the only factor for car taxation, whereas others apply a combination of criteria including car price, engine capacity and CO2 emissions. Some countries impose rather arbitrary cut-off points to increase tax rates stepwise.

The car industry advocates a linear system, in which tax levels are directly proportionate to the car's CO2 emissions and every gramme of CO2 is taxed the same. Car tax schemes should neither include nor exclude specific technologies and be budget neutral in end-effect.


audi.ie