McLaren-Honda unveil MP4-30

McLaren-Honda have unveiled the new MP4-30 which will compete in the 2015 FIA Formula One World Championships.

The MP4-30 is an important first step as McLaren and Honda progress towards a successful future and a strong partnership. A film has also been developed which can be viewed on http://youtu.be/yoOT0NiydEA

In addition, Honda have launched a new dedicated F1 Twitter account - https://twitter.com/HondaRacingF1

Pierce Brosnan makes a perfect getaway in 2016 Kia Sorento

Irish actor Pierce Brosnan, known worldwide for his sophisticated movie hero roles, again makes the 'Perfect Getaway' in Kia Motors America's 6-second spot for the all-new 2016 Kia Sorento CUV, making its broadcast debut during the third quarter of Super Bowl XLIX.

In the spot, Brosnan listens to a Hollywood agent pitching a starring role in an upcoming project. Kia say "Packed with first-class materials and amenities, the all-new Sorento delivers a premium utility experience, and Pierse Brosnan's persona is the perfect fit for our seventh Super Bowl commercial which finds the action star, and Kia's most capable CUV ever, charging up a snowy mountain road for a very different type of adventure that turns out to be the 'Perfect Getaway, says Michael Sprague, executive vice president of sales and marketing, Kia Motors America.

You can watch the clip on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSqqCI0LNHs

Carton House: €99 Winer Wonderland offer - dates closing fast!

Don't miss out on a magical winter break to Carton House, in Maynooth, Co Kildare.

Dates are closing fast for their €99 special available this February and early March only.

You can enjoy a luxurious overnight stay with dinner in the Linden Tree restaurant for €99 per person sharing.

This offer also includes a €20 Spa or Golf credit per room.

Applies Sunday to Thursday only and is subject to availability.

Carton House also offer gift vouchers for that extra special gift.

BMW, Toyota may cooperate on entry-level Mini

Pivotal doors

BMW and Toyota may expand their cooperation to include the joint development of a new addition to BMW's Mini range, according to a report in a German car magazine.

If built, the Minor is expected to be smaller and less expensive than Mini's core model, the three-door hatchback.

The car may be based on the Rocketman concept (pictured) which was shown at the Geneva Motor Show in 2011. It was a 3+1 seater with three doors and was just 3.4 metres long. It also had pivoting doors and a cargo drawer. There was wide use of carbon-fibre in the car's structure.

It is believed the Mini Minor will be 370mm shorter than the three-door hatch and could undercut it in price.

BMW is expected to add an electric version of the Mini Minor after the first conventionally powered models arrive in 2018 or 2019, the report said.

BMW and Toyota formed an alliance in 2011 to cooperate on diesel engines and have since expanded the collaboration to include fuel cell and battery cell technology, lightweight materials as well as the joint development of an architecture and components for a sports car.

Pictured below is our own photo of the Mini Rocketman from our Geneva Motor Show 2011 archives. It certainly impressed us at the time.

Martin McKenna is new President of Motorsport Ireland

Martin McKenna, from County Monaghan, has been elected as President of Motorsport Ireland and takes up the role as head of the governing body for four-wheeled motorsport in Ireland with immediate effect.

Martin McKenna

He says his priorities will be to continue the work of his predecessor, Joe Corcoran, in growing levels of participation in motorsport and ensuring that it continues to be a safe environment for competitors and fans.

"With more than 230 events due to be staged in 2015, it's important that we continue to look at ways of improving the sport for both participants and motorsport enthusiasts alike. Ensuring that we continue to make the sport a safe environment for all will be one of my priorities," he said.

Martin will represent the interests of the 34 affiliated clubs who are the organisers of the events. He will also represent Ireland's interests on the international front through the organisation's affiliation to the world motorsport governing body, the FIA, who recognise Motorsport Ireland as the sole authority for the sport in Ireland.

Mr McKenna added: "Through our seat at the FIA, I hope that we will not only influence the way the sport is governed internationally but we will be able to learn from other jurisdictions ways of making our sport more accessible to members of the public."

Mercedes-Benz delivers power to ESB

The ESB Networks has strengthened its fleet with the addition of three new Mercedes-Benz Arocs 1845LS tractor units, writes Trish Whelan.

Going into operation at its Ballycoolin depot, the units were supplied by Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicles painted in the ESB Networks distinctive yellow livery.

Supplied as art of a successful tender, all feature a 2.3 metre Classic Space sleeper cab, sliding coupling and stainless steel outside storage compartments.

Commenting, Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicle sales manager, Fergus Conheady said: "Mercedes-Benz is proud to deliver these trucks to such a high profile customer knowing the reputation the Arocs has gained for being a resilient, robust and loadable truck."

Ian Madigan lines out again for Citroen

Citroen Ambassador, and professional rugby player, Ian Madigan lined out for Citroen once again as he was pictured earlier this week with his new C4 Cactus.

Ian first joined forces with Citroen in 2012 and drove their DS 3 as Brand Ambassador last year.

Last year, Ian also made his 100th appearance for Leinster. He currently has 13 caps for Ireland.

Picking up the car keys Ian said "The C4 Cactus is a very innovative and functional car that stands out on the road and is a really fun car to drive."

Louise Murphy, Marketing Manager Citroen Motors Ireland commented: "Over the past year, Ian has really come into his own with fantastic performances on the pitch for both Leinster and Ireland and we wish him the very best of luck in the Six Nations and the upcoming World Cup."

The C4 Cactus, Top Gear's Hatchback of the Year 2014,  is Citroen's top-selling car to date this year, with prices from €17,795. It is available also from €159 per month.

Arsenal stars salute 60 years of DS

Arsenal Football Club first team players Laurent Koscielny, Mathieu Flamini, David Ospina and Theo Walcott recently took part in an exclusive photo shoot to celebrate 60 years of the original DS, writes Trish Whelan.

The footballs stars embraced their club's heritage by donning the iconic red and white kit that their legendary predecessors would have worn 60 years ago in 1955.

In this same year, the original DS was launched at the Paris Motor Show, marking the arrival of what would become an icon of automotive design and engineering.

The original DS was produced between 1955 and 1975, with a total production run of 1,456,115 cars. Since the launch of DS3 in 2010, the DS brand has already sold over 500,000 models worldwide.

DS 5 appeared alongside the Arsenal players and a 1961 ID19 (Reg. No. 57 EKX) for this celebratory photo call to represent the brand's modern day values of innovation and avant-garde design.

While 60th birthday celebrations will be taking place all over the world, one of the main international events, on 22 and 23 May at the historic Montlhery track in France, is set to bring together 700 vintage DS vehicles.

The original DS appears alongside the DS 5 as Arsenal players test drive replica 1955 football kits.

Irish Ferries 'still Ireland's best ferry company'

Irish Ferries has been voted Ireland's Best ferry company 2015 for the fifth year in succession at the Irish Travel Industry Awards held in the Mansion House, Dublin, recently.

The award, an initiative of the Irish Travel Agents' Association, was bestowed on the company following a vote of Irish travel agents and suppliers.

Irish Ferries' latest success follows the recent 'Best Ferry Company 2014' award which the Company received at the Irish Travel Trade News Awards in November.

Pictured receiving the award from the Master of Ceremonies for the night, RTE's Miriam O'Callaghan, were Irish Ferries' Marie McCarthy and Dermot Merrigan, with Martin Skelly, President Irish Travel Agents' Association.

New Ford Focus ST here in March

Ford has launched its new Focus ST global performance model, the most advanced version yet, writes Trish Whelan from the car's international launch in Barcelona.

The order book is now open ahead of the car's arrival in Ireland in March.

It comes for the first time with a choice of petrol and diesel power. The first diesel Focus ST takes sportiness to a new level delivering the most fuel-efficient and lowest C02 Ford performance car ever, while also being a user friendly day-to-day car.

The 185hp 2.0 TDCi has been optimised to deliver ST performance and character alongside fuel efficiency and everyday practicality. It achieves 0-100km/h (that's 62mph) in 8.1 seconds, has an official fuel consumption of 4.2 L/100m (67.3 mpg), and emits 110g/km C02, the same fuel efficiency as a standard Focus 1.6, 95hp diesel model.

For those who prefer petrol, the 250hp 2.0 EcoBoost delivers 0-100km/h (62 mph) in a quicker time of 6.5 seconds; has a fuel consumption of 6.8 L/100km (41.5mpg) and emits 159g/km C02. Both models offer Auto-Start-Stop for the first time that improves the EcoBoost version''s fuel economy by 6 percent and helps make it the most fuel-efficient petrol Focus ST ever. Maximum speed is 248 m/h (154 mph).

The increased power output - a 23 percent gain over the 150hp 2.0 engine in the new Focus range - is achieved using a unique calibration, a revised air intake system and a new sports-tuned exhaust.

Both engines use a six-speed manual transmission with a performance-orientated short-throw shift.

Standard spec on both versions includes 18-inch alloy wheels, the unique ST body; spoiler, front and rear bumper, rocker panels and front grille; ST scuff plates, heated front Recaro seats; auto lights and wipers; special ST suspension; keyless start; and Thatcham alarm.

"Whether for the enthusiast or novice, the Focus ST possesses all the great, fun-to-drive qualities that customers want," said Ciaran McMahon, Chairman and Managing Director, Ford Ireland (pictured above) at today's launch. "And with the choice of diesel power for the first time, the new Focus ST is in a class of its own, more enjoyable and rewarding to drive."

The car also benefits from technology and craftsmanship first revealed for the new Ford Focus - the world's best-selling global nameplate. These five-door models offer class-leading driver assistance technologies and connectivity features including the SYNC 2 in-car connectivity system.

The new Focus ST goes on sale in Ireland in March, priced from €39,100 for the 2.0 EcoBoost and from €39,800 for the diesel.

Production Civic R for Geneva

Honda has confirmed that the production version of its new Civic Type R will debut at Geneva in March, writes Brian Byrne.

This follows a number if teaser 'concept' versions at recent international motor shows.

The car will be powered by a brand new 2.0 engine outputting more than 274hp and driving the front wheels of the car. A special modification to the suspension, called Steer Axis, will deal with any torque steer issues that typically arise when such power is applied to FWD cars.

The Geneva show will also debut the production version of Honda's new NSX sports coupe, which was revealed at Detroit under the company's Acura premium branding.

Honda to end Accord in Europe

Honda will end sales of the Accord midsize saloon in Europe after the car failed to make headway against German rivals.

They are running out the Accord and won't return to the segment which includes VW BMW 3 Series, Mercedes C-Class, VW Passat and Ford Mondeo. They say the cost to compete is 'eye-watering'.

Honda launched the Accord in Europe in 1977 and began building the car at its factory in Swindon, England, in 1992. The Accord attracted buyers with its reliability and affordable technology.

The Accord's European sales fell 19 percent to 3,453 last year, according to data from JATO Dynamics.

Honda expects its European sales to rebound this year, helped by new models including the HR-V subcompact crossover which will go on sale in Europe in the spring. The company has also refreshed its top-selling car in Europe, the CR-V compact SUV.

Joe Duffy Motor Group expands

Joe Duffy Motors is expanding their footprint in the Volkswagen network of dealerships having purchased Commons Road Cars in Navan, the exclusive distributor of Volkswagen in Co Meath.

Having established the family business in 1991, owner Nancy Callaghan has now decided to retire from the business. Under the acquisition agreement, which will see the Volkswagen Commons Road employees transfer to the Joe Duffy Group, the dealership will continue to operate under the same name as part of the VW dealer network at its high-profile location on the Commons Road.

This latest addition is Joe Duffy Motor Group's 11th facility and brings the total number of Group employees to 340.

Age of fleet levels off as car industry in recovery

The age of the private fleet in Ireland has levelled off significantly for the first time in over 10 years. The age of the private fleet now stands at 8.83 years.

Vehicle history company Cartell.ie tracked the average age of a private vehicle in Ireland in January of every year between 2000 and 2015.

They say the difference between the age of the fleet in January 2014 and January 2015 is the lowest increase recorded since 2001 and an indicator that the age of the private fleet in Ireland may have levelled off.

It is taken as a further sign that the vehicle industry is returning to normality. The result may have been spared by new car sales and owners of older vehicles in the fleet, who may have held them for as long as possible, are now up-cycling.

The age of the whole Irish fleet, not simply private vehicles, now stands at 9.39 years.

Dongfeng Race Team claim Leg 3 for China

Dongfeng claim easy victory. Photo: Victor Fraile

Dongfeng Race Team claimed a key landmark in the 41-year history of the Volvo Ocean Race yesterday when they won Leg 3 in their home port of Sanya to take the overall lead with six stages to go.

No Chinese team has won a leg in the race before despite two previous entries - Green Dragon in 2008-09 and Team Sanya in 2011-12.

They had finished narrow runners-up to Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing (Ian Walker/GBR) and Team Bruneil respectively in Legs 1 and 2, but took a firm grip of the 4,670-nautical mile stage from Abu Dhabi to China, virtually from the start on 3 January.

Photo: David Ramos

Overseas journalists coming for launch of new Opel engines

Opel Mokka

Opel is set to welcome over 550 journalists from across Europe to Ireland next month for the international press launch of two new engines in the Opel Mokka and the Insignia, writes Trish Whelan.

The event will run from 16-27 February and will be based at the Druids Glen Hotel & Resort in Co Wicklow where Opel will launch a new 1.6, 136hp turbo diesel engine in the Mokka (claimed to be a very quiet engine and with road tax of €180 per annum) and a new 2.0, 170hp large turbo diesel engine in the Insignia.

The event will see a fleet of 40 new Opel cars being tested over the two-week period, across the scenic surroundings of Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow. The Palmerstown House Estate at Naas, Co Kildare has been chosen as the press conference location.

Opel is currently in the process of a major product offensive with 27 new models and 17 new engines due to be introduced before 2018.

The Insignia, Opel Ireland's best-selling model last year, accounted for 30 percent of the company's sales and was the second best seller in its segment.

Opel Insignia

Volkswagen to sponsor RTE's Ray D'Arcy Show

Volkswagen is to sponsor The Ray D'Arcy Show, Radio 1's brand new afternoon show which goes live on Monday, 2 February from 3pm - 4.30pm.

The 18-month Volkswagen sponsorship will include a suite of weekly promos across Radio 1's top ten shows.

Ray is a long term supporter of Volkswagen.

Driverless cars 'could increase congestion' - study

Driverless cars could result in worse congestion in cities if and when they become widespread, writes Brian Byrne.

That's a conclusion of a simulation study carried out by the Imperial College in London, which found that driving conditions at intersections would be more quickly negotiated by cars with active drivers.

The researchers tried a number of different scenarios, mostly by changing how the traffic lights at intersections operated. In all cases, the simulated exercises showed slower negotiation of the intersections if cars were driverless and relying on their sensor systems to operate.

The main reason is because the driverless cars would be designed to stop and accelerate more smoothly than is done by drivers, for the comfort of passengers. Therefore, the slowest vehicle in a line crossing an intersection will dictate the speed of all other vehicles.

(The image above is a Mercedes-Benz representation of how its driverless cars might be laid out for occupants.)

Toyota scores highest in NCT

Toyota cars had the highest pass rating for first time NCT tests in 2013, writes Brian Byrne.

Of the vehicles registered in 2007, Toyota models Auris, Corolla and Yaris scored highest with pass rates of 82%, 81.1% and 81% respectively, versus an average pass rate of 69%. Similarly, in 2005 the average pass rate was 55%, a percentage beaten by a considerable margin by Corolla (70.4%), Yaris (70.3%) and RAV4 (69.6%).

1.17 million vehicles were tested at NCT centres across Ireland in 2013.

Renault reveals its KADJAR C-segment crossover

Renault will be revealing information about its first C-Segment Crossover to be named KADJAR, through a social media campaign.

The name KADJAR is built around KAD- and -JAR. KAD- is inspired by 'quad', representing a go-anywhere four-wheeled vehicle, and -JAR recalls the French words 'agile' and 'jaillir' representing agility and suddenly emerging from somewhere.

From today, Renault will post new photos and videos daily via social media before the wraps come off the car on 2 February.

You can discover the Renault #KADJAR on Facebook: www.facebook.com/renaultireland, or on Twitter: @RenaultIreland.

John Kelly Motor Company are new Citroen dealers

Citroen Motors Ireland has recruited a new dealership in Co Meath; John Kelly Motor Company, based in Castlemartin, Kells Road, Navan, writes Trish Whelan.

John Kelly Motor Company is run by John Kelly who has over 20 years' experience working in the motor industry. The Citroen and DS brands will be on show in the dealership - three DS cars, nine Citroen passenger cars and three LCVs.

At the signing of the new dealership contract agreement at Citroen's head office in Airside, Swords this week, Frederic Soulier, Managing Director, Citroen Motors Ireland said they look forward to working with John, Fiona and the team in continuing to increase Citroen's market share in Ireland. The signing brings the Citroen dealership network to 21 authorised dealerships throughout the country.

Pictured at the announcement are Frederic Soulier; Neil Plunkett, Zone Manager; Kieran Courtney, Network Development & Quality Manager,CMI; and John Kelly, Dealer Principal, John Kelly Motor Company.

SsangYong Korando from €249 with 0% Finance

Bill Cullen Premier Cars are now offering 0% finance on selected SsangYong vehicles.

Bill says "We are committee to providing our customers with an affordable solution for purchasing their new personal or commercial vehicles. Contact us today for some information on our PCP finance deals on our range of SsangYong vehicles."

The dealership also has a large range of premier used cars available at their unit in Concorde Industrial Estate, Naas Road, Dublin.

All cars come fully serviced and valeted with valid NCT certificate and an appropriate warranty. They also accept trade ins.

McMullan Targets Glory in Ireland and UK

Rising star Jonny McMullan will target glory on both sides of the Irish Sea this year as he strives to break into the big time of international motorsport.

The reigning Dunlop Motorsport Ireland Young Racing Driver of the Year has unveiled an ambitious schedule for the 2015 season that will see him competing in both the Irish and UK championships.

McMullan will drive the Bernard Dolan-prepared Motorsport Ireland Formula Ford 1600 in the 2015 All Ireland Formula Ford 1600 Championship and also in the National Formula Ford Championship in the UK.

The 22-year-old, from Newtownabbey, Co Antrim, will have Dolan and fellow Irish motorsport legend Mick Merrigan in his corner as mentors during the season and believes it will be a big boost to his championship hopes.

Motorsport Ireland Weekend Roundup

Belfast driver Will Corry led a Northern clean sweep of the top three placings in TDC's Dave Griffin Memorial Multi Venue Autotest at Mondello Park yesterday, with his MG Midget a long way ahead of nearest challengers Robert Woodside's Mazda and the Mini of James Wilson.

Corry was quickest on ten of the twenty tests and shared best times on six others.Darren Quille was best of the home drivers with his Colt just beating two former winners and multiple Autotest champions, Eddie Peterson and Eamonn Byrne.

Joseph Smith added to his list of victories in Co Cavan MC's Autocross at Latton, with his Escort two seconds quicker than the Civic of Gary McNamee after four runs.

The last day of WRC2 proved a crucial decider for Ireland's Craig Breen. driving a Peugeot 208, he jumped from fifth to second to win a podium position in the climax of the Rallye Monte-Carlo.

Performance Crossover from Jaguar for 2016

Jaguar will introduce an all-new model to their line-up, to go on sale in 2016. It will be named the Jaguar F-PACE.

Jaguar's Director of Design Ian Callum says they received such an 'overwhelmingly positive response' to the C-X17 concept car last year that they had to make it a reality.

The F-PACE, inspired by the F-TYPE, is the brand's ultimate practical, family, five-seater sports car.

It will come with all-wheel-drive and the carmakers All-Surface Progress Control technology.

The F-PACE will be manufactured in Solihull, in the UK. Further details will be revealed later this year.