Mondeo ECOnetic here

Ford's ECOnetic variant of its best-selling Mondeo is now on sale here at a price of €29,715 and in CO2 Band B with a road tax liability of just €150 a year.



The car uses a combination of the latest common-rail diesel powertrain together with other features engineered to reduce CO2 emissions to the absolute minimum. Measures to make it so fuel efficient include an engine re-calibration, lowered suspension, low rolling resistance tyres, and aerodynamic improvement through grille blanking inserts.

In addition, changed ratios of the transmission and the new low viscosity transmission oil contribute to this vehicle emitting less than 140 g/km CO2.

SEAT announces Ibiza prices

SEAT has revealed prices for the forthcoming all-new Ibiza 5-door, which will be in dealers’ showrooms in early July.



The first cars to arrive will be powered by a 1.2 litre 70 bhp petrol engine, with a range of petrol and diesel options to follow.

New SEAT Ibiza five-door prices are 1.2 5dr 70 bhp ‘R’ €14,850 and 1.2 5dr 70 bhp ‘S’ €16,920. CO2 emissions of 139 g/km put it into Band B for annual Road Tax of €150.

VW boss: 'We can meet CO2 targets'

VW boss Ferdinand Piech says his company could cut CO2 emissions by 20 percent across its cars range 'in two years'.

That's the amount that VW has to cut by to meet regulations now due to come into place by 2015.

Volkswagen already has around 100 model variants which emit less than 120 g/km, the 2015 fleet target.

SEAT to go beyond

The name chosen for SEAT's planned competitor to Ford's Mondeo has its roots in the Latin exire, 'to go beyond'. The Exeo is slated for launch early next year, and will come in both saloon and estate formats.

The car will be built on the platform currently underpinning the Audi A4. It will be positioned above the Toledo.

Methanol under research

A number of automotive researchers are looking to methanol as a fuel which could solve problems with both hydrogen and CO2.

Methanol can be made from wood products, or synthesised by combining hydrogen with CO2 to provide a liquid fuel which can be used in current design petrol engines.

Researchers are suggesting that CO2 produced in cars could be trapped before it enters the atmosphere, and subsequently used in methanol reformation.

BMW's new 7 for Paris

The next iteration of the BMW 7 Series luxury saloon will be launched to the public at the Paris Motor Show in October.

Style changes will include a larger version of the kidney grille and wraparound headlamps.

The current 7 Series sells only about a third as many units as the Mercedes-Benz S-Class in Europe, and just half as many globally against the Stuttgart segment topper.

Navtec upgrade

An update CD for people with sat-nav systems that use the Navtec mapping can now buy an upgrade.

The upgrade is available for Northern Europe, including Ireland, at £69 or a boxed 4 CD set for all of Europe at £94. You can buy on line at www.navteq.com

The Europe map covers 7.8 million kilometres of road and 1.4 million Points of Interest; and includes a free Merian Scout Guide for Download.

Mini to sponsor beach

MINI will sponsor Ireland’s first ‘urban beach’ in the heart of Dublin city this summer. The event takes place from Friday 4 July to Sunday 20 July. Such beaches are already provided for sun worshippers in cities like Amsterdam, Paris, Prague and Berlin.

The venture will see George’s Dock in the IFSC in Docklands, transformed into a seaside oasis with summer activities and themed nights for people of all ages.

The beach will be dotted with palm trees, beach cabanas, lounge chairs and umbrellas, showers, and changing rooms, while a BBQ and a keep fit lunchtime class are among the attractions. Other activities will include giant chess or boules and there’s a dedicated ‘children at work’ play area at weekends.

MINI cars will be on display for the duration and MINI pedallos will be available in the Dock.

BMW restructures Service

BMW’s Service Inclusive package that keeps the cost of car ownership to a minimum will, from 1st July 2008 cover an extended range of products.

The packages offer owners reduced maintenance costs and peace of mind motoring for a one-off fee.

The restructured packages now allow owners to choose between two levels of Service Inclusive. Post 1st July, customers buying a new BMW will be able to choose from BMW Service and BMW Service and Maintenance.

The first covers the cost of all routine servicing within a 5 year/100,000 kms period, whichever comes first. BMW Service and Maintenance covers the cost of labour, parts and lubricant for all routine servicing and maintenance within the 5 year/100,000 kms period.

Customers can have work carried out at any of the 17 BMW Authorised Workshops in Ieland where all work is undertaken by fully qualified BMW Approved Technicians using Genuine BMW parts with a 2-year warranty.

Qubo from Fiat in October

Fiat in Italy has launched a passenger version of its new Fiorino van, called the Qubo.



Marketed in Italy at an entry level price of around 13,000 euros, it is due to arrive in Ireland in October.

The vehicle is 3.959 metres long, 1.735 metres high and 1.716 metres wide – and its turning circle is less than 10 metres. Power comes from the 75 bhp 1.3 multijet diesel engine which returns 4.5L/100 km.

There's also a 73 bhp petrol 1.4 version which returns 7.0L/100km and can also be adapted for use with compressed natural gas (CNG).

The first service isn't due until 30,000 km.


yaris.ie

Prices for Volvo Ocean Race

Volvo Ireland has announced prices for its special Volvo Ocean Race versions of its AWD vehicles.



In addition, a wide range of associated merchandise is now available, produced by Puma in association with the race, arguably the world's most gruelling ocean adventure.

Prices start at 2,050 euros above the SE specification for the XC70 and XC90 and 1,750 euros above for the V70. Prices for the Volvo V70 start at 49,500 euros for the 2.0D and 51,950 euros for the 2.0F, while prices start at 66,150 euros for the XC70 D5 and 74,950 euros for XC90 D5.


audi.ie

Golf to get stop-start

The next generation of Volkswagen's Golf, due to go on sale early next year, will have the option of stop-start fuel saving technology.

The systems will be standard in the BlueMotion low-emissions version.

It has also been reported that the new Golf will get a smaller entry level engine than the current range, either a three-pot 1.0 or a 1.2 four with a suggested 75hp output.

The new Golf is planned for debut at the Paris Motor Show in October.


volkswagen.ie

BMW small SUV for Paris debut

An X1 small SUV concept will be one of two from BMW shown at the October Paris Motor Show.

The vehicle is based on the 1 Series platform and is planned for launch next year.

The group will also show a near-to-production version of an SUV for the Mini range, set for sale in 2010.

More here

Low-cost Hyundai

A new low-cost car which Hyundai is to build in Russia could be sold in western Europe.

The car is a replacement for the Elantra, but built with the same simplified ethos as Renault-Dacia's Logan. It will use the platform developed for the Hyundai i30 and the Kia cee'd.

It's not likely to be seen here until after 2010.

Radar tech can cut rear-enders

Mercedes-Benz says a fifth of all rear-end collisions in Germany alone could be preveted if all cars were equipped with its radar-based Distronic-Plus and Brake Assist Plus systems.

The technology would also reduce such accidents by an average of 36 percent on motorways.

The systems warn drivers when they are maintaining too little distance from the vehicle travelling in front and provide support in the event of emergency braking.

Around 40 percent of all German customers buying new S-Class vehicles equip them with this safety technology.

Car calls for help

Newly developed technology from car parts and logistics giant Unipart will automatically alert police if a car is involved in a serious accident, or is stolen.

Called Neo-Trac, the in-car black box pinpoints the exact position of the vehicle using satellite tracking, linked with computerised mapping. So even if a motorists ends up upside-down, unconscious in a ditch, the system takes over - alerting the police.

And if a Neo-Trac car is stolen, the police can track it safely at a distance without the thief knowing and, when the car stops, remotely disable the engine.

The system costs UK motorists around £1 stg a day.


volkswagen.ie

Mazda2 three-door arrives

The Mazda2 three-door has now gone on sale in Ireland at a starting price of 14,495 euros.



There are three specification grades: Comfort, Comfort SE, and Touring. The car is even lighter (up to 10kg, depending on engine) than the already lightweight five-door.

The fuel consumption is 5.4l/100kms and C02 emissions are 129g/km.

The body structure of the Mazda2 three-door is reinforced around the B-pillar and in the doors, including specific side impact protection bars. It comes with six airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution (EBD) and emergency brake assist.

More here

Irish Ferries renews low cost fare

Irish Ferries have relaunched their reduced price 109 euros one way midweek cruise ferry fare to Britain for a car plus two adults.

Coupled with their Kids Go Free offer, the package represents a saving of up to 40 percent on standard prices. It is bookable 14 days in advance up to Friday, 20th June and is valid for travel on Monday to Thursday sailings up to 4th July on Dublin-Holyhead and Rosslare- Pembroke cruise ferry services.

An extra 20 euros applies on Rosslare-Pembroke sailings and an extra 30 euros applies on Dublin-Holyhead cruise ferry sailings between 5th July and 31st August. Supplements apply Friday to Sunday and on DublinSwift fast ferry services.

Bookings can be made on-line at www.irishferries.com, by telephone to 0818 300 400 or through travel agents.

Road pricing call

A national road pricing scheme should be introduced as a measure to tackle environmental damage and combat traffic congestion, according to Comhar, the Sustainable Development Council.

The Council said all existing fixed charges for road transport – such as vehicle taxes – should be replaced with distance-based road charges, which would vary according to vehicle emissions, geographic location and time of travel.

A spokesperson said the Netherlands has recently approved the phased introduction of a national road pricing scheme, with popular support.

Comhar also wants the Department of Transort to consider the development of a national rural transport policy, and investment in and prioritisation of walking, cycling and public transport, especially in city centres.