New Lexus RX is more efficient

Lexus's new RX 450h crossoverv has a revised Hybrid Drive system which has helped bring down CO2 emissions to 148g/km.



The new RX 450h is also more fuel-efficient than the RX 400h, the model which introduced hybrid power to the premium market. Combined cycle consumption is improved by 28 per cent.

The RX 450h is powered by a series/parallel hybrid system employing a 3.5 V6 petrol engine and two electric motors working in tandem to provide an ‘intelligent’ four-wheel drive capability. Total power output is 299hp, enabling a 0-100km/h acceleration in 7.8 seconds.

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New S80 detailed

Volvo Cars has announced first details of the revised Volvo S80 executive saloon which will be available this summer.



The front is more distinctive with a new grille featuring the larger iron mark badge, which is part of the more extrovert DNA as seen in recent Volvo models, including the new XC60 crossover. There is also new chrome detailing on the air intakes, lower part of the doors and under the tail lamps.

The interior of the car incorporates a super-slim floating centre stack upgraded with a Silk Metal frame

The twin-turbo five-cylinder 2.4-litre D5 turbodiesel offers 205hp and 420Nm of torque over a very wide range of engine revs. The upgraded Euro 4-compliant 2.4-litre diesel engine will also be available with 175hp and 420Nm of torque.

The Volvo S80 DRIVe model will come equipped with the same powertrain – 1.6-litre diesel engine and manual gearbox – as the smaller C30, S40 and V50 but with specially tailored engine software and different ratios in third, fourth and fifth gears. CO2 emissions to 129g/km are claimed.

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Fastest Bentley ever

This is the Continental Supersports, the fastest, most powerful Bentley ever with 630hp, a 0-100 km/h sprint performance, and a 329 km/h top speed.



It is also the company's first FlexFuel performance car.

And this muscular two-seater is 110 kg lighter than the Continental GT Speed.

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BMW launches 'Sterling Collection'

BMW Group Ireland has launched 'Sterling Collection', a new sales channel which will see 2009 cars being imported by BMW Ireland from BMW UK.

The company says that significant price reductions generated from the beneficial exchange rate will help decrease the end purchase price for Irish customers.

The cars will be sold through the network of 16 BMW and 12 MINI dealerships.

The are new vehicles, which have been registered in 2009 by BMW in the UK. The purchase process for the customer is similar to buying a new car, the dealer will look after delivery and all necessary VAT and VRT paperwork associated with importing a car from the UK.

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New small MPV concept from Kia

Kia will be showing a small MPV concept car at Geneva next week.



The Kia No 3 Concept Car features an extended windscreen and panorama glass roof with a diagonal supporting bar, and an automatic sun visor.

A new ‘face of Kia’ displays the front grille, head lamps and brand logo in a new constellation. The 4045 mm long concept is finished in matte Titanium Grey with contrasting gloss-white accents.

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First Focus RS allocation sold

All the first allocation of the new Ford Focus RS to Ireland have already been sold, Ford of Ireland boss Eddie Murphy said today. He was speaking at the European launch of the car in Nice, France. Twelve copies were allocated in advance of the car's launch, but further units are in the pipeline.



The car is the latest iteration of the legendary RS specification from the blue oval brand, and will debut to the public at the Geneva Motor Show next week.

The new car is powered by a turbocharged Duratec RS 2.5-litre engine with peak power of 305PS (300 bhp) at 6,500 rpm and peak torque of 440Nm between 2,300 and 4,500 rpm. The previous Focus RS, launched six years ago, had peak power of 215PS.

“This new Focus RS will be welcomed by a committed following of car enthusiasts in Ireland,” said Eddie Murphy. "Our Focus brand will benefit hugely from the addition of this stunning new RS model”.

The new Focus RS is capable of 0-100km/h 5.9 seconds. It offers a fuel consumption of 9.4 litres per 100km and an average CO2 rating of 225 grams per kilometre.

It will arrive in Ireland from mid-April with a price tag of €43,565.

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New tests for NCT proposed

The Road Safety Authority wants to put additional test items into the National Car Test (NCT) regime, and has launched a public consultation exercise on the matter.

The items include regulations on the clarity of windscreen and front side windows, when 'excessive tint' is used; a check on reversing lamps, and rear foglamps where fitted; the requirement of an 'E' or 'e' certification mark on tyres; and the proper working of malfunction indicators for Airbags, Electronic Stability Control (ESC) systems and Electronic Braking Systems (EBS)/Anti-Lock Brake system (ABS).

Others include making sure that rear registration plate lamps are working; the testing of exhaust sound levels; and the provision of an annual test for cars aged 10 years and older rather than bi-annually. Cars over 30 years old would continue to be exempt for the moment.

The introduction of the new test items will have no implications for test fees. The owners of vehicles over 10 years old, however, would be required to bear the cost of an annual test.

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Hands-free mobile use gets conviction

Safety-focused businesses should ban employees from using all mobile phones while driving after a company director was believed to have become the first person in Britain to be convicted of careless driving over the use of a hands-free mobile phone.

The landmark court case has a significant impact for all businesses, as well as public sector fleets, says the British Government-backed ‘Driving for Better Business’ campaign.

Although, only the use of a hand-held mobile phone while driving is against the law in England, best practice advice says that using a hands-free mobile phone is equally dangerous. Department for Transport research reveals that using a mobile behind the wheel makes drivers four times more likely to have a crash.

Lynne-Marie Howden, a director and head of sales at business consultancy company Insights, was found not guilty of causing death by dangerous driving after crashing into another car on the A429 in Warwickshire in November 2007. The offence carries a possible jail sentence.

However, she was convicted on the lesser charge of careless driving and was banned from driving for 12 months and fined £2,000.

Warwick Crown Court had been told that the businesswoman, from Northamptonshire, had been involved in conversations on her hands-free mobile phone with her boyfriend and then a work colleague when driving her Mercedes CLK 220 at around 40 mph in a 60 mph speed limit she ploughed into an oncoming car on the opposte side of the road. The driver died at the scene of the crash.

Although it is legal to use a hands-free mobile phone, the prosecution claimed that the telephone calls distracted her enough to justify a death by dangerous driving charge.

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M-B cuts price of Business

Mercedes-Benz has reduced the price of their M-Class Business to a VAT-exclusive €29,750 ex works with road tax of €288 per annum. This represents a reduction of €9,750 on the previous price.



Adapted from their M-Class family SUV - from which it is virtually indistinguishable in appearance - the M-Class Business is a two-seater work vehicle in which both rear seats have been removed and replaced by a flat floor for the transport of materials, tools and equipment.

Dark tinted rear and side windows obscure the view into the load area.

It is aimed at vets, trades people, farmers and other commercial users who have need for a functional, four-wheel drive vehicle with the same prestige characteristics, appeal and specifications of the M-Class family version.

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Soul arrives in Ireland

Kia Ireland is putting the new Soul urban crossover on sale this week, at a starting price of €19,995.



The Soul is powered by a 1.6 128hp diesel, and will be available in three levels of specification. ESP is standard and the car carries a five-year unlimited mileage warranty. Six airbags are also standard.

The car is designed to appeal to the 'young at heart' who want something a little different, but without sacrificing economy or practicality.

The target customers are those who buy the Nissan Qashqai or even the smaller Mini or Fiat 500.

The top end GSE version at €22,395 includes 18” alloys, reversing sensors, reversing camera, and a 'speaker mood lamp' that offers intriguing colour shifts according to what is going through it.

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New Rolls to be showcased

They may be tough times, but that isn't stopping Rolls Royce from showing off yet another showcar at Geneva, the 200EX.



The car is a concept for RR4, a new Rolls-Royce model scheduled for production in 2010. It is noticeably less formal than previous models and the company describes it as a touring saloon 'with more than a little panache and perhaps more bravado than one might have expected'.



The car will be powered by a new V12 engine.

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Car trade 'has lost patience'

The motor trade may become 'more aggressive' if the Government doesn't pick up on its suggestions to invigorate the economy, its leader warned last night.

Paul Flanagan, President of the Society of the Irish Motor Industry said it was Government decisions which had left it with cars that had been rendered unsaleable, that left it carrying losses because of a reduction in values, and that had contributed to the loss of over 3,000 jobs in the motor trade.

Speaking at the Society's annual dinner, he said the trade's patience was 'at an end', and if decisions on proposals such as a scrappage scheme continued to be delayed, the motor business might 'have to take the agricultural route'.

"We have been cooperative and constructive," he said. "We are prepared to step up and take our share of the burden. But we are not going to bleed to death."

Mr Flanagan said the industry had 'done more than our share', in accepting tax and environmental changes 'that have damaged us'. "This must not happen again," he emphasised, saying that every day without Government moves to help made the problem worse. "Even a few weeks down the road may be too late. Every single day that goes by is an opportunity lost to solve the problem. It's another day with a dealer gone out of business."

He highlighted the problem of illegal imports as one of the biggest issues facing the motor trade in Ireland at the moment. "There are thousands of Irish drivers going around on yellow number plates. When we gave the Revenue information on this, a crackdown collected half a million euros. But there's a million euros outstanding in uncollected taxes on these vehicles."

On a positive note, Mr Flanagan said that out of adversity often came opportunity, and his members will come out at the end of 'this diffiecult period' stronger and fitter. Brian Byrne.

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Hyundai's 3-door i20

Hyundai has revealed the first picture of the new i20 three-door, which is due to go on sale in its first markets in April.



The front and rear remains unchanged, but the distinctive crease lines that run along each side are enhanced by the longer front doors and the upswept shape of the rear-side window.

Hyundai expects i20 buyers will make the 1.2-litre petrol engine – dubbed ‘Kappa’ – the best-selling power plant in the range.

The car will debut at Geneva next month.

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Fabia Scout in summer

Skoda has released first pictures of its Fabia Scout, which gives the wagon version of the car some dressing up in the style of an offroad crossover.



A special bumper and plastic cladding as well as protective elements on the sides of the body and a silver roof-rails are among the details.

Four engines will be available for the new Fabia Scout – two petrol and two diesel units.

Scout-specific upholstery brings the Scout styling to the interior along with floor mats bearing the Scout logo. The Scout logo also appears on the vehicle's tailgate. Other Scout features include the pedals with stainless steel surfaces and anti-slip, heavy-duty rubber elements.

Debuting in Geneva, the Fabia Scout goes on sale in European markets in May.

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High scores in new ENCAP tests

Toyota’s diminutive iQ and new Avensis both earned a five-star rating in the new tougher ENCAP crash test regime.



The new rating scheme uses a weighted score, combining all aspects of a car’s safety performance: adult (50 percent), child (20 percent) and pedestrian (20 percent) protection assessment results with the availability of driver assistance devices (10 percent). A minimum score of 70 percent overall is necessary to achieve a 5-star rating. To qualify for inclusion, the devices must be fitted, as standard across 85 percent of the EU 27 2009 model range.

The iQ achieved an overall weighted score of 79 percent. The new Avensis’s overall weighted score was 81 percent.

Six cars have been tested in this first 2009 round.

In addition to the two Toyota's, five-star ratings were awarded to the Mazda6 and Mitsubishi Lancer.

Citroen's new C3 Picasso and Subaru's Impreza were give four-star ratings.

Full details are available on the euroncap site.

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Mazda6 scores high five

The current generation Mazda6 with European specifications has been awarded the five-star maximum rating by the European New Car Assessment Programme* (Euro NCAP).



For 2009, Euro NCAP has implemented a more stringent evaluation system that awards a single overall vehicle safety rating combining the scores achieved in four areas of assessment: Adult Occupant Protection, Child Protection, Pedestrian Protection and Safety Assist. The Mazda6 was in the first group of vehicles tested under the new framework.

Mazda models in Europe that received the highest possible five stars for Adult Occupant Protection under the previous Euro NCAP rating system include the Mazda5 in September 2005 and the Mazda2 in December 2007.

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Alfa considering past names

Alfa Romeo may drop the numbers naming for its 147 replacement, at least in the US, by calling it Milano.

That was revealed in a submission for financial help by Fiat's new alliance partner, Chrysler, to the US Treasury.

Alfa used the name before, in the US version of the Alfa 75 during the 1980s.

The 147 replacement is due in Europe next year.

The document also revealed that the 159 replacement due in 2011 will be called Giulia, a name also used by the brand in the past, during the 1960s.

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Hyundai cuts prices

Hyundai Ireland is the latest car distributor here to substantially cut prices against a background of a dismal car market.

The company has chopped the price of its Tucson SUV range by up to €5,000, with prices now starting at €24,995, while the larger Santa Fe gets cuts of up to €7,000 with prices now starting at €34,995.

Hyundai has also a special offer on its i-series cars, with cuts ranging from €1,000 on a i10 to €3,000 on an i30. These offers are fixed to the end of March.

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Charging infrastructure needed

Ireland will have to put in place a charging infrastructure for up to 250,000 vehicles if the country is to meet its target of having 10 percent of all road vehicles running on electricity by 2020.

According to Professor Owen Lewis, CE of Sustainable Energy Ireland, the target can be met, but the charging needs are just part of a 'significant large scale' infrastructure investment.

He was speaking this morning at a conference on 'Electric Vehicles and Sustainable Transport', in Dublin. He added that Ireland has a significant renewable energy potential in the form of power generated from wind and ocean.

Also at the conference, the ESB announced the introduction of a number of electric behicles to its fleet. The company is committed to generating carbon-free electricity by 2035.

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New E-Class Coupe for Geneva debut

Mercedes-benz is to use the Geneva Motor Show to a new E-Class Coupe.



The new two-door car achieves a new world best in terms of drag coefficient, with a Cd-figure of just 0.24. It is officially the world's most aerodynamically efficient series-production car.

The model programme includes two new four-cylinder engines, which consume up to 17 percent less fuel whilst offering a significant increase in performance and torque.

It will be in the showrooms of the European Mercedes-Benz dealerships and company-owned sales outlets at the beginning of May 2009.

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Cashback scheme for Fiat vans

A 'VAT Cashback' scheme from Fiat Professional, the commercial vehicle arm of Fiat Group Automobiles Ireland, has been announced today as a strategy to boost sales of the brand's vans in a depressed market.



Under the 'Double Your VAT Back' scheme, Fiat Professional will send a refund cheque of 21.5 percent of the cost of the new van to buyers.

The 'Double' in the name refers to VAT registered buyers, who are entitled to get their VAT refunded by the Revenue. They too will get the Fiat professional refund, effectively getting back twice the VAT content in the price.

This offer is now available and will run until March 31st 2009.

Pictured above is head of Fiat Professional in Ireland, Stephen McLernon, with Ruth O'Neill and Amy Nagle.

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Mondello Rallycross programme

Mondello Park's Rallycross programme has never been as hectic as the circuit prepares for another round of the Irish championship this weekend. Following the long winter break, the first event of 2009 had to be cancelled due to snow, and competitors now find themselves finishing off their championship over an exciting three week period.

Last weekend's Rallycross went the way of Derrick Jobb who extended his lead in the series over the Coyne brothers Willie and Michael. Jobb's Supercar opposition fell by the wayside in the Division 1 'A' Final to leave his Escort and the Celica of Andrew Morris as the only Division 1 cars to make the Superfinal. On a very dry day the 4WD advantage of the Supercar's was reduced allowing the fastest six from the Modified classes to give them a run for their money in the main race of the day. In the end Jobb won easily from Michael Coyne and Willie Coyne who had a tremendous tussle throughout with Ian O'Connell's giant killing Mini and the Celica Supercar of Morris.

This Sunday Jobb will be back at Mondello hoping to tie up the championship prior to the final round in two weekends time. This would allow him to concentrate on getting in among the British championship runners in what will be the final round of the Irish championship and the opening round of the 2009 British series.

Seven Supercars will line up at Mondello on Sunday. Most likely to trouble Jobb will be local drivers Eddie Kinirons, hoping to be back in his Focus having reverted to his older Celica last weekend, and Tommy Graham, who is set to debut his new Fiesta ST. Also Fiesta mounted will be Declan Kelly while the Morris team from Wexford will bring a Celica for Andrew Morris, Michael Morris's Subaru and the teams other Subaru for Paul Pascoe.

If the weather continues to be dry the fastest modified cars can again be expected to be in with a shout in the Superfinal with the Vauxhall's of the Coyne brothers, Ian O'Connell's Mini and Lloyd Spendlove with his Lotus the likely contenders. A dark horse in the modified classes could be European Rallycross Championship Division 2 contender Derek Tohill who will race his Euro spec Honda Civic. The usual full grid of 'Ten-Tenths.com' Stockhatch cars and the ever growing 'Jondol' Junior class will be backed up by the Rallycars to complete the line-up for what should be an excellent days racing.

Event details
Motorsport Ireland National Rallycross Championship 08/09 Round 6, Mondello Park, Naas, County Kildare. Racing starts at 10.00. Adult admission €15, accompanied under 16s free.

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BMW to show WSB bike

BMW Motorrad will compete for the first time ever in the World Superbike Championship (WSB) in March of this year. To celebrate this BMW Ireland will preview one of the first S1000RR Superbikes ever produced to the Irish public at The Carole Nash Irish Motorbike & Scooter Show, in the RDS Dublin February 27-March 1.



To compete in the WSB all entrants must put the bikes that are been raced into general production. The racing bikes will be fairly close to serial production models allowing for the greater audience identification with the sport.

The S1000RR has a 999cc inline 4-cylinder engine which is very compact and light and produces about 200bhp. The dry weight of the motorcycle is 183 kg which is achieved through its light carbonfibre bodywork, aluminium beam frame and innovative design.

The serial production machine BMW S1000RR will be presented to the public in the early summer of 2009 but can already be ordered in dealerships.

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CO2 average drops rapidly

A new report shows that the overall CO2 emissions from cars in Europe is dropping rapidly.

The report, by automotive consulting group JATO Dynamic, reveals that by the end of the first nine months of 2008, the best performing 50 percent of the new car market is now averaging 130g/km, a figure which compares favourably to 39 percent in 2007 and only 24 percent back in 2003.

However, with EU targets now set to achieve 100 percent compliance by 2015, the industry must act swiftly and decisively to have a realistic chance of meeting this requirement within the 6 year time frame.

Advances in vehicle technology are making significant inroads into reducing CO2 emissions.

The report also reveals that countries that have introduced CO2 based taxation systems have generally witnessed the biggest reductions in emissions. Many European markets have benefited from the increasing popularity of the small ‘B’ segment cars, which are amongst the most efficient in the market place.

SUVs witnessed a decline in popularity in the first nine months of 2008, a trend that should assist in the ongoing reduction in emissions. JATO suggests that SUVs currently account for 9.4 percent of the total of European new car emissions.

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Open-top 500

The latest iteration of the funky Fiat 500 will be a cabriolet version, to debut at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show.



Paying homage to the open-top 1957 model, the new 500C is exactly the same size as the basic model (3.55 m x 1.65 m x 1.49 m), and uses the same three powerplants: 1.3 diesel with a 5-speed manual transmission, and the two 1.2 and 1.4 litre petrol engines, available with either manual or robotised Dualogic transmission.

The new 500C incorporates the company’s recently announced Start&Stop system.

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Sail/rail over plane to UK?

Irish Ferries says it has recorded a noticeable upturn in the volume of passengers choosing Sail/Rail travel to Britain, a development which the company attributes to the restrictions, hidden charges and delays being imposed on air travellers.

Under their Sail/Rail arrangement, passengers travel city to city from Dublin to some 2,400 rail stations located throughout Britain, crossing from Dublin to Holyhead with up to four sailings daily.

Current fare from Dublin to London is €44 per person each way with Dublin to Chester, Liverpool and Manchester at €40 per person each way. Children are half price.

Irish Ferries' Declan Mescal says the company has noticed increased useage of up to 15 percent, which he said is 'significant in a climate where there is a downturn generally in travelling'.

The most favoured destinations are Manchester, Crewe and London, and tests have shown that people travelling to Manchester can actually arrivae at their destinations in a shorter total travelling time than by air.

"The London destination appears to be favoured by people who want to get directly into the city centre," he says.

The train journey from Holyhead to London is around four hours. Though the schedules of boat and train are not linked, generally there's no longer a wait for a train than an hour after docking.

Bookings can be made in one call to Irish Ferries at 0818 300 400.

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New Alto on way

Suzuki is using the upcoming Geneva Motor Show to launch the new Alto city car, which will be powered by a new 1.0 petrol engine with CO2 emissions of 103 g/km.


Suzuki will also show its upcoming auto stop/start system, and a variable valve timing mechanism to the next generation Splash and Alto.

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New Nissan show car for Geneva

Nissan will use Geneva this year to show a concept version hinting at a new compact crossover due for production in 2010.



The Qazana show car will be produced at the Nissan Sunderland plant in Britain.

Qazana is a five-door, with the rear doors opening forwards once the front doors have been opened.



Other models to be on display at the show are the 370Z making its European premiere, with its 331hp V6 engine, and the all new Cube will be introduced for the first time in Europe in November.

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Skoda hits the big 50

The Skoda Octavia is celebrating its 50th birthday this year after the first production of the best-seller took place in 1959. The Octavia replaced the Skoda 440, also known as ‘Spartak’.

The Octavia was the first model to be developed internally in 1989 after Skoda became part of VW Group. The first concept car was made in 1992. The vehicle was launched in 1996; its Octavia estate version was introduced two years later, followed by the Octavia 4x4.

In 2000 a new, modernised Octavia was introduced that is still manufactured in Mlada Boleslav today - the Octavia Tour. In February 2004 the company launched the second-generation Skoda Octavia, which was then facelifted in 2008.

Skoda, the Czech Republic's biggest car manufacturer has sold over 2 million Skoda Octavias worldwide and currently offers a vast range of trims, including the sporty Skoda Octavia RS and the Octavia Scout.

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Fiesta, Focus, top January sales

In a car sales market that plunged 66 percent in January, Ford products held the first two places, taking between them 12.5 percent of the market.

The top ten sellers were 1. Ford Fiesta 1,041 units; 2. Ford Focus 956; 3. Nissan Qashqai 879; 4. Toyota Avensis 744; 5. Toyota Corolla 563; 6. Toyota Yaris 514; 7. VW Passat 458; 8. Ford Mondeo 456; 9. Opel Insignia 425; 10. VW Golf 368.

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Facelift for MX-5

Mazda has released full details of its facelift for its iconic MX-5, which includes detail metal changes as well as tweaks to the chassis and powertrains.



Details include a more aggressive front end with a new five-point grille, and new headlamp design.

The interior has also been improved, with new trim materials and new graphics in the instrumentation.

The 2.0 petrol engine has been revised for better performance, feel and top speed and the six-speed manual transmission has been improved also.

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