travelfox.ie Celebrity Cruises from Dublin

travelfox.ie have some Celebrity Cruises on offer for 2018 where you pay for one cruise and the second guest only pays 50 per cent of the cruise fare! And both will receive free classic drinks. However, you need to book by 14 November 2017.

One such cruise takes in Italy, France and Spain on Celebrity Constellation. Guest 1 is charged from €1,860 while guest 2 pays from €1,115. You fly out from Dublin Airport on 23 June 2018 for seven nights. The cabin type is Ocean View Stateroom and ports of call are Rome (Civitavecchia), Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Nice (Villefranche), Ibiza, Palma Mallorca and Barcelona.

The Best of Western Mediterranean on Celebrity Reflection departs Dublin Airport on 28 May 2018 and is for 11 nights. Cabin type is Ocean View Stateroom. Ports of call for this trip include Rome (Civitavecchia), Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Nice (Villefranche), Barcelona, Gibraltar, Malaga, Categena and Ibiza. Guest 1 pays from €2,575 while Guest 2 pays from €1,505. 

If you fancy a cruise to Scotland and Iceland on Celebrity Eclipse you can treat a loved one and love paying half plus free drinks. Guest 1: pays from €2,140 while Guest 2 pays from €1,070. This cruise sails from Dublin on 10 May 2018 and is for 10 nights. Cabin type is Balcony Stateroom. Ports of call include Dublin, Belfast, Reykjavik, Akureyri, Lerwick/Shetland and back to Dublin. 

Mid-term family breaks at The Maryborough Hotel

The Maryborough Hotel & Spa Cork has some mid-term breaks for families to enjoy.

You can choose from a two- or three-night escape and enjoy luxurious accommodation, a sumptuous breakfast each morning and dinner in 2 AA Rosette Bellini’s Restaurant on one evening.

The whole family can enjoy unlimited access to the hotel’s swimming pool and kids can discover the Fairyborough Fairy Train nestled in the 300-year old gardens.

A two-night family break is €399 (total stay) while the three-night escape €499 (total stay).

The offer is valid for 2 adults and 2 children under 12 years of age. 

The hotel is located on Maryborough Hill, in Douglas. Tel: 021 436 555. Email: info@maryborough.ie

Beta to sponsor Motorsport Ireland Awards

Motorsport Ireland President Martin McKenna (left) welcomes Lorenzo Rossi (right) from Beta in Italy, and up-and-coming motor racing star Cian Carey from Co Meath.

Up-and-coming motor-racing star Cian Carey has spoken about his “incredible season” since winning Ireland’s Young Racing Driver of the Year award last December, writes Richard Burke.

Carey, from Co Meath, was speaking at the announcement by Motorsport Ireland that the renowned Italian automotive manufacturer Beta Utensili has come on board as the new title sponsor of their prestigious motorsport awards.

Carey, who is racing in Formula Three in the UK and recently won the internationally-acclaimed Leinster Trophy, said: “Winning the Sexton Trophy for young racing driver of the year is definitely one of the highlights of my career to date. It has opened so many doors that would normally be shut and has, without doubt, helped me to progress in my sport.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed the year so far. I have achieved several podium finishes and, with a few races left, I am lying 4^thin my debut year in the formula 3 championship. For me Beta’s sponsorship of the awards validates the great work that Motorsport Ireland do behind the scenes to help drivers like myself. Their support will encourage other young drivers to strive to achieve their goals.”

Beta has a distinguished history in motorsport throughout the world. In 1975, the company’s pioneering sponsorship in Formula One was rewarded when Vittorio Brambilla took an historic victory at the Austrian Grand Prix, driving at the wheel of the very distinct orange ‘Beta Utensili’ liveried car. From that day Beta and motorsport became inseparable.

Martin Bryers, Beta Head of Sales, UK and Ireland, said: “In association with our partners in Ireland, J&S Automotive, Beta are delighted to sponsor the Motorsport Ireland Awards and to be involved with Irish Motorsport.

“Passion and sports run in the veins of the Beta family. For 50 years we’ve actively supported competitive motorsport of every variety at every level. Now we’re looking forward to working with young Irish drivers and teams who are looking to develop their careers in motorsport.”

The Motorsport Ireland Awards will be held in Mansion House on December 5th. Among the prestigious prizes up for grabs are the International Driver of the Year, the Sexton Trophy, and the Billy Coleman Award for the young rally driver of the year.

Drivers who have already secured nominations for this year’s awards due to their performances behind the wheel include Charlie Eastwood, from Co Antrim; Conor Farrell, from Dublin; James Roe, from Co Kildare; Jordan Dempsey, from Co Westmeath; Michael Boyle and Kevin Eves, both from Co Donegal; and Jonny Treanor, from Co Monaghan. Other nominees will be added as the motorsport season draws to a close over the next two months.

Previous winners at the Motorsport Ireland Awards include Craig Breen, now competing in the World Rally Championship; Keith Cronin, a four-time winner of the British Rally Championships; and former European Rally Cross Champion and Irish title holder Derek Tohill to name but a few.

Alex Sinclair, CEO, Motorsport Ireland, said: “In the world of motorsport, Beta Professional Hands Tools is instantly recognisable. To have them in Ireland supporting our awards is a fantastic endorsement of what we are trying to achieve in Irish Motorsport. We have more drivers than ever competing on the international circuits and many of them would have received accolades at our awards ceremony over the years.”

Review: Ford Fiesta

Ford's original 1976 Fiesta and its successors made such an impact that the company never needed to change the model name right up to today, writes Brian Byrne, unlike its compact and medium models which have changed names a number of times. With over 16m units sold to date, it has been more than good to the brand.

The latest version is both a careful evolution and a substantial upshift. The designers have been clever in retaining key shapes and cues, and those comfortable with their older Fiestas will be very easy with a new one. But there's enough of a modern twist to please those who wouldn't want to feel the nameplate's age.

Younger drivers ‘more fluid’ about insurance fraud

New research for Liberty Insurance suggests a serious discrepancy in what constitutes insurance fraud between 17- to 29-year-old drivers and their older peers, writes Trish Whelan.

The research has shown that younger drivers are ‘more fluid’ in their interpretation of insurance fraud compared to older drivers, but are ignoring the consequences.

Liberty Insurance’s Driving Motor Insurance Reform event held in Dublin early today, brought together leading Irish and international motor insurance experts to debate the challenges and actions needed to successfully deliver motor insurance reform. 

With the rise in claims culture, 82 per cent of Irish drivers believe a ‘claims culture’ is more prevalent in Ireland today than it was ten years ago, while 88 per cent think those who submit false claims should face harsher penalties.

Despite this, few are willing to blow the whistle on insurance fraud. Some 44 per cent would not out of fear of being found out, increasing to 51 per cent among those aged 25-34. 

Conducted by Red C Research among 750 drivers, the survey found that 32 per cent of young drivers consider being untruthful about the primary driver of their car to be ‘mild’ insurance fraud or not fraud at all; this compares to 19 per cent of all adult drivers.

Additionally, some 56 per cent of young drivers consider being untruthful about your profession to be mild insurance fraud or not fraud at all, and 58 per cent say the same about providing a false estimate of the number of kilometres driven per year.

But almost half, 46 per cent of all respondents said that being untruthful with your insurer about the number of penalty points on your license constitutes ‘extreme fraud’. And 43 per cent say providing your insurer with false information about your driving experience is also extreme fraud.

On consequences, in such cases, being untruthful about the primary driver, your profession, annual mileage or penalty points when applying for car insurance constitutes fraud. If detected, it may prevent an individual from securing insurance cover in the future or invalidate a claim. 

Citroen & DS Dealership of the Year 2017

Denis & Mary Ryan Car Sales, Bishopstown, Co Cork, has been awarded the Citroen & DS Automobiles Dealer of the Year Award 2017 from a network of 19 authorised sales dealerships nationwide, writes Trish Whelan. 

They were officially presented with the award by Chris Graham, Managing Director, Citroen & DS Ireland at the 2017 Dealer Conference at the Mullingar Park Hotel earlier this month.

Originally appointed to the Citroen Network in 1991, Denis & Mary Ryan Car Sales are the longest serving Citroen dealership in Ireland. As sponsor of Schull and Goleen Social Centres, and of the Fastnet Film Festival, the dealership places a strong value on supporting the local community.

Denis and Mary have built the dealership over 25 years and their son Donnacha is now working with them.

Chris Graham congratulated Mary, Denis and all their team on winning this year’s Dealer of the Year Award and looks forward to working with them to build on their success in 2018.

Mercedes-Benz announces plans for 2018 growth

Ciaran Allen of Mercedes-Benz with the refreshed S-Class

Mercedes-Benz Ireland is planning to match an increasing amount of product from the brand with a strong expansion of its dealer network, writes Trish Whelan.

The Irish distributor's sales manager for the famous Stuttgart carmaker, Ciaran Allen, says that two new Dublin outlets will be coming on stream at the end of October — a remodelled MSL Ballsbridge and a completely new MSL Grange Motors dealership at Pottery Road, Deansgrange with a 22-car showroom.

In addition to the recently opened Connolly Mercedes-Benz dealership in Sligo town, two further outlets are in the pipeline — one in Galway city and a second in Wexford joining up with Bolands of Wexford.

E-Class cabrio

Mr Allen noted that recent years have seen a huge number of new models from the brand as well as upgrades, many aimed at attracting younger buyers. Mercedes-Benz has now established a presence in almost every model segment. In the Irish context, this has helped a 36pc average annual growth over the past four years. "Even in the current year, sales are running 32pc above the same period last year, despite an overall 10pc market decline."

Refreshed S-Class interior

Mercedes-Benz plans to introduce some 18 new models over the next eight years as the company pursues its goal to secure the number one position in the luxury car market globally. Ten electrified models under the new EQ brand will come by 2023. 

Ciaran Allen had a word for the way the Mercedes-Benz market will go. "Awesome," he said. "Awesome cars with awesome specifications at awesome prices."

easytrip will pay your M50 toll charge penalty

Motoring services specialist, easytrip (Ireland’s only electronic parking and tolling tag provider), has announced a ‘pay the fine’ campaign for any motorists with an unpaid toll or a penalty notice for non-payment of an M50 toll charge.

Targeted at car drivers who are occasional users of the M50, easytrip is offering to pay up to four M50 penalty notices per driver plus the chance to sign up to a ‘pay as you go’ easytrip toll tag to avoid getting a fine in the future. Car drivers who received an M50 penalty notice can contact easytrip to get the penalty paid, set up an account and start saving on M50 tolls. The campaign runs for a limited four-week period starting from yesterday, 25 September 2017.

The M50 toll costs €2.10 per journey for cars that don’t have an electronic toll tag. With an easytrip tag, motorists only pay €2.10, saving €1.00 per journey.

M50 toll penalties can exceed €40 if not paid within 14 days, and  €100 if not paid within 56 days with the threat of legal proceedings to follow if still unpaid. 

easytrip’s multipurpose tag can be used to access express lanes at all toll plazas nationwide and motorists can also try their ticketless parking in Ireland’s major car parks across Belfast, Cork, Dublin, Galway, Kilkenny, Limerick and Waterford.

Special Banner for Cork’s Grand Parade

Cork City Council has partnered with Ford Ireland to unveil a new banner on Grand Parade which highlights the Ford-sponsored UCC Quercus Talented Students’ programme.

The banner, focused on education and learning, also supported the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities Conference which took place in Cork City Hall last week and attracted over 600 international delegates.

The Banner includes the image of a large oak tree - Quercus means oak in Latin. 

UNESCO presented Cork with one of the first 12 global learning city awards in 2015 for progress made in developing lifelong learning for all. UCC and Cork City Council are partners with CIT and Cork Education and Training Board in leading the Cork Learning City initiative.

Pictured above at the new banner unveil are: Emily Duffy, Quercus Active Citizenship Scholar; Ciaran McMahon, Chairman and MD of Henry Ford & Son; Lord Mayor of Cork, Councillor Tony Fitzgerald; Roisin Fox, Quercus Active Citizenship Scholar; and Prof. John O’Halloran, Director of Quercus Student Talent Programme at UCC.

Established to commemorate this year’s centenary of Henry Ford & Son in Ireland, the Ford Centenary Quercus Scholarship will run for five years, beginning with the 2017-2018 academic year and will run until 2022. It targets students who show outstanding promise in the areas of Active Citizenship and Innovation / Entrepreneurship, seeking to nurture the talent of each student through support, challenge and mentoring. 

Over the five year scholarship period, the new programme will help approximately 50 talented students to realise their potential and to fully develop their talents through educational and practical support.

New XC40 arriving in January

Volvo will be filling out its SUV range with the new XC40 from January next, at a starting price of €47,450, writes Brian Byrne.

Initial availability will be the D4 engine with automatic transmission, with further engines available from May of 2018, including a new 3-cylinder engine and a 4-cylinder Drive-E petrol.

A feature will be a 'digital key' which will allow sharing the use of the car with family or friends without having to pass over a physical key.

The digital key will be part of an innovative Care by Volvo subscription package which uses the business model of mobile phone companies of a single monthly payment that takes care of all financial aspects of having a car, with it being replaced for a new one every 24 months.

The XC40 is the first of a range of cars from Volvo using the modular CMA architecture, which will include fully electric vehicles.

First sketch of new Sprinter from Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz has revealed first details of its next generation Sprinter van, in advance of its market launch in the first half of next year, writes Brian Byrne.

The sketch shows an evolution from the current vehicle which offers a strong design, and one distinctively Mercedes-Benz.

The van will have a wide range of driving assistance systems and connectivity services.

The company says it will also offer a much greater range of variants than the current Sprinter.

The nameplate was first launched in 1995. More than 3.3m units have been delivered since.

Prices for SEAT Arona small SUV

The SEAT Arona will arrive in November at a starting price of €17,995, writes Brian Byrne.

The brand's first contender in the small SUV sector will be available with 1.0 and 1.5 petrol engines with outputs ranging from 95hp-150hp, and two 1.6 diesels of 95/115hp outputs.

There will be three grades, and automatic options.

Bill Cullen appointed a Fiat Professional Dealer

Bill Cullen Premier Cars on the Naas Road in Dublin has recently been appointed a Fiat Professional Dealership, writes Trish Whelan.

Opening offers at Bill Cullen Premier Cars include Fiat Fiorino from €11,695; Fiat Doblo from €13,495; Fiat Talento from €18,935; Fiat Ducato from €18,780, and the all new Fiat Fullback Pickup from €25,621.

All the above come in a wide variety of variants including cargo van, maxi van, combi, chassis cab and 9-seater passenger. Prices quoted are ex. vat. 

The dealership is open Monday - Friday from 9am -6pm; from 10am to 2.00pm on Saturday.

Kristoffersson seals 2017 WRC Championship

Sweden’s Johan Kristoffersson has won the 2017 FIZ World Rallycross Championship with two rounds still remaining.

PSRX Volkswagen Sweden (Kristoffersson and team-mate Petter Solberg) has also won the teams’ championship after a dominant season with its pair of VW Polo GTi Supercars.

Kristoffersson took his fifth event win, and ninth podium, in a row at the Neste World RX of Latvia in Riga last weekend extending his commanding lead at the top of the driver standings to 62 points (60 points remain over the final two events of the season). PSRX Volkswagen Sweden also leve Latvia with a 112-point advantage in the teams’ championship, a big enough gap over Team Peugeot-Hansen to guarantee VW the team trophy.

The 2017 FIA World Rally cross Championship is presented by Monster Energy. 

Fancy spending Christmas in Spain?

If you fancy doing something different this Christmas like jetting off to the sun, travelfox.ie are offering some great bargains which include flying out on the 19  December from Dublin or on 21 December from Cork, to the Costa Del Sol to escape our dreary winter, writes Trish Whelan.

Hotels include the 3* Ecuador Park Apartments in Torremolinos, with self-catering accommodation, priced from €399pp; or the 3* Bajondillo Apartments, self catering from €549pp. Or you can stay at the 3* Barracuda, half board, from €499pp, or at the 4* Marconfront Beach Club, for an all-inclusive cost from €799pp. 

If you fancy the 4* Las Palmeras in Fuengirola, half board accommodation, the cost is from €569pp. 

All prices are based on 2 people sharing.

Prices include: Aer Lingus flights, 10kgs of hand luggage, transfers and 10 nights accommodation. Christmas dinner may not be included in some of the half board options and may have an additional supplement locally.

If interested, you can contact the company on 021 4976293 or res@travelfox.ie for more information or to book. These offers have limited availability, so it’s advised to book early.

Irish Ferries' Scarefest package announced

Irish Ferries has unveiled a ‘fright-fully’ attractive family package to Alton Towers Resort annual Scarefest - likely to appeal to brave parents and children seeking an action-packed break this October, writes Trish Whelan.

Valid for travel until 3 November, the €459 deal sees two adults and two children under 11 enjoy three nights with breakfast in the nearby Best Western Tillington Hall Hotel, inclusive of return car ferry travel and one full day’s entry pass to the theme park.

Coupled with spine-tingling favourites such as the House of Monsters, Rides at Dusk and the Freak Show Scare Zone, those seeking a less terrifying experience can visit Alton Towers Cbeebies Land which offers children the opportunity to meet favourites such as Postman Pat, Tree Fu Tom, Upsy Daisy and Igglepiggle.

Bookings can be made by calling 0818 300 400. For more information about Scarefest dates visit www.irishferries.com/alton. 

VW T-Roc prices revealed

Volkswagen’s new T-Roc crossover model, shown at the National Ploughing Championships in Tullamore this week, goes on sale here later this year priced from €24,750, writes Trish Whelan.

The entry-level T-Roc specification is offered with VW’s 1.0 TSI petrol engine putting out 115bhp which made its debut in the updated Golf earlier this year.

Standard spec on this grade has Climatronic 2-Zone air con, USB interfaces, Bluetooth and a 6.5-inch Composition Colour radio system.

The T-Roc Design spec, again with the 1.0 115bhp petrol (€26,995) adds 16-inch Chester alloys, a larger radio system with 8-inch glass touchscreen, a chrome package, Voice Control and App Connect.

The top Sport spec comes with a choice of 1.5 150bhp petrol engines or the 2.0 150bhp diesel, the latter offered in either 6-speed manual or 7-speed DSG automatic. Prices start from €29,750, the 1.0 diesel 4Motion starts from €34,795. Additional models will come later in 2018. The Sport trim comes with sports seats, 17-inch alloys, LED headlamps, tinted rear windows. The 2.0 150bhp 4M DSG diesel Sport is priced from €36,695.

A number of Technology Upgrade packs are offered. All T-Roc models come with Front Assist and Lane Assist systems.

Opel gives a special ADAM for charity

Recognising September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Opel Ireland is giving away a special Opel ADAM car to help raise funds for the Childhood Cancer Foundation, writes Trish Whelan.

Across September and right trough to midnight on Sunday 15 October, supporters have a chance to win this limited edition Opel ADAM designed by Irish Street Artist ‘Pan Cooke,’ when they make their donation of €4 to the charity by texting ‘GOLDOPEL’ to 50300 to enter the draw.

This special car features a unique roof design created by Opel ADAM Ambassador Pan Cooke. 

Opel Ireland as supporters of CCF for the past three years, recruited Pan’s help, along with children currently battling and recovering from cancer to create a fun roof design on the car in his own unique style.

Emily Barry, Senior Brand and PR Manager for Opel Ireland said they are hopeful that this latest campaign will help raise vital funds for the charity and shine a light on a very real issue that has such a profound and devastating effect on so many families in Ireland. 

Laura Cullinan of Childhood Cancer Foundation added “This campaign will help us to continue to raise awareness of childhood cancer and the devastation that a cancer diagnosis brings to children, their families and indeed their local communities.” She said “Every donation will assist us to continue to fund our projects at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin and other shared care hospitals around Ireland.”

For more details visit the Opel Ireland Facebook Page and www.childhoodcancer.ie/OPELADAM.

Kia Stonic prices and details released

Kia's new Stonic small SUV will go on sale in Ireland at the end of October at a starting price of €18,599, writes Brian Byrne from Berlin.

There will be four engine options, a 1.25 84hp petrol for the entry K1 grade, a 100hp 1.4 petrol and 110hp 1.6 diesel in the K2 and K3 grades, and a 120hp 1.0 turbo petrol in the top K4 grade.

According to Head of Marketing & PR for Kia Ireland Aidan Doyle, the 1.4 petrol is expected to be the top selling engine variant. James Brooks, MD of Kia Ireland, says he anticipates that upwards of 1,000 units of Stonic will be sold in 2018. He added that his expectation is 74pc of sales will be petrol.

All versions will have as standard a 7-inch touchscreen for entertainment and information management, speed limiter and cruise control, Bluetooth connectivity, and a spare wheel.

The K2 grade adds, among other things, projection fog lamps, folding mirrors and roof rack. The K3 specification includes a suite of driving aids, heated front seats, sat-nav and digital audio radio and a rear-view camera. Personalisation with contrasting roof and body colours will be available in the K3 and K4 grades.

The top spec K4, in addition to the 120hp engine gets push-button start, blind spot vehicle detection, and fully automatic climate control.

The top price for the car, entering a very competitive arena, will be €24,599, for either the K3 diesel or the K4 turbo petrol.

Driving in the countryside outside Berlin demonstrated an easy to drive car with good accommodation for four adults. A stint on a handling track on an old WW2 aerodrome suggested that the Stonic is a nimble and accurate performer, especially in tight and difficult conditions.

The main competitors in the Irish market are the Renault Captur, Opel's Mokka X, the Peugeot 2008, and Nissan's Juke which is due to be brought out in a new generation soon.

A First Drive review will follow.

VW to show three new models at The Ploughing

Volkswagen Ireland will showcase three new models, never before seen in Ireland, at the National Ploughing Championships this week, writes Trish Whelan. The the new Polo (pictured above), T-Roc and Tiguan Allspace which will be among 15 models on display at the show, which is Europe’s largest outdoor event.

The new Polo is longer and lower in height than the previous generation and also larger inside and comes with a larger luggage capacity offering 69 litres more than the previous generation. It also has new technologies, with Active Info Display making its world premiere in the Polo. Engines for Ireland are predominantly petrols, 1.0 units ranging from 65-95hp and at the top of the range, a new 200hp GTI version will follow next year. There will also be a 1.6 diesel next year.

The new T-Roc (above) is a mid-size SUV that slots under the Tiguan in the brand’s SUV range. It comes to Ireland just before Christmas and will have both petrol and diesel engines. Most buyers are expected to opt for one of the new 1.0 and 1.5 petrol engines with 115- and 150bhp. Diesels will come in 2018.

Volkswagen is expanding the Tiguan range for the 181 plat with the Tiguan Allspace (above) which is an extended version of the Tiguan allowing space for an extra row of seats. This is VW’s first 7-seater SUV.

The Volkswagen stand will include demonstrations of Volkswagen Connect + Security & Service online services which tell you a variety of information about your car. There will be off-road displays of the 4Motion Tiguan and Touareg thanks to Orangeworks. Visitors will also have a chance to meet some of Volkswagen’s Brand Ambassadors including Bernard B rogan, Simon Delaney and Dave Moore.

JLR's debuts at The Ploughing Championships

Jaguar Land Rover returns to this year’s National Ploughing championships taking place this week from Tuesday 19 - Thursday 21 September at Screggan, Tullamore, Co Offaly, writes Trish Whelan.

Jaguar’s performance SUV, and winner of World Car of the Year 2017, the F-PACE will make its debut at the event alongside the Jaguar range of luxury saloons including the XE and XF as well as the F-TYPE sports car.

Land Rover will introduce two new models, the new Discovery (Land Rover’s most versatile SUV yet), and the recently launched new Range Rover Velar (pictured above) which sits between the RR Evoque and the RR Sport.

The Jaguar Land Rover kitchen will again host a series of cooking demonstrations with celebrity chef Rachel Allen over the three days of the festival. Irish Rugby International Jamie Heaslip will join Rachel on Wednesday for the cooking demo. 

Jaguar Land Rover stand is located at Block 3, Row 9, Stand 223 at the show. The Rachel Allen cooking demonstrations will take place each day at 11am, 1pm and 3pm. Guests are advised to arrive early as spaces are limited.

Rachel and Jamie are pictured below cooking up a storm at the Jaguar Land Rover kitchen last year. 

New C3 Aircross arrives here in November

The new Citroen C3 Aircross will be launched in Ireland in November, to challenge in a segment that currently represents 16pc of the Irish car market, writes Brian Byrne.

The small SUV offers what is claimed to be class-leading space and will be available with two petrol engines of 82/110hp and one 100hp diesel. There will be an automatic options too.

The C3 Aircross, which debuted at the Frankfurt Motor Show this week, will be available in 2WD versions only, though the PSA Peugeot-Citroen group's 'Grip Control' will be available for those who want a rugged terrain capability.

Colourful personalisation will be available, in line with recent Citroen practice. The C3 Aircross will come in eight colour variants with three contrasting roof colours and four 'colour packs' which will relate to trim on the roof rails, the headlight surround, the 'venetian blind' effect on the C-pillar and the wheel trims.

A claimed best in class boot capacity of 520L will exceed that of some crossovers in the C segment above the C3 Aircross.

Speaking at a motoring press reveal this morning, Product & Pricing Manager at Citroen & DS Ireland Ed Kelliher said the new car 'marries MPV aspects with the SUV packaging to provide best in class room for head, knees and elbows'.

A total of 12 technological driving aids will be available according to grade, with Lane Departure Warning being standard throughout the range. Another facility will be wireless mobile phone charging, and the vehicle has the only opening panoramic roof in its segment.

Pricing and specifications will be announced for the Irish market in October.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles launch petrol Caddy

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is launching the cheapest entry level van on the Irish market, a Caddy with a petrol engine, writes Brian Byrne.

The new version of the popular nameplate is powered by a 1.2 84hp engine, at a starting price of €14,995.

In combination with Volkswagen Ireland's new 'Eco Grant', which offers a range of incentives up to €4,000 against an approved trade-in to be scrapped, this can reduce to €13,995.

A 1.0 102hp and a 1.4 125hp are also available in the new petrol range, which sell alongside the 2.0 diesel that has been the mainstay engine for many years.

Announcing the move last night, MD of VW Commercial Vehicles Ireland Alan Bateson said it represents a 'strong option' for people considering a Caddy-sized van. Especially for operators who work manly in urban areas, the petrol Caddy offers increased power output with more refined driving, lower road tax costs for private users, and VAT can still be reclaimed on the vehicle for registered owners.

The offer is paired with a 0pc HP finance option.

The Eco Grant is available on Caddy, Transporter and Crafter Vans, ranging from €1,000 on the petrol Caddy to €4,000 on a Transporter or Crafter. It requires a trade-in of a vehicle from any brand which will be scrapped by an offial End of Life Treatment Centre.

To mark the grant, the company live-streamed on its Facebook the crushing of a Ford Focus at a Centre in Athlone last night, following which the buyer of a Crafter van under the schme was handed over his vehicle.

Volkswagen is this year celebrating 70 years of presence in the Commercial Vehicles business, since the launch of the first T1 Transporter.

Frankfurt Motor Show, getting around the biggest space

All pictures © Trish Whelan & Brian Byrne.

Frankfurt is the biggest motor show in Europe in sheer space terms, and we could have done with the special Land Rover Discovery above to get around, write Trish Whelan and Brian Byrne. The SVX features a supercharged 5.0 V8 that pumps some 518hp, which should pull it up any mountain at an unstoppable clip. Special wheels, tyres, and neat orange detailing give the thoroughbred distinction in any stable of standard Discos.

Honda revealed it would have electrified options across two-thirds of its models in Europe by 2025. It also showed the prototype new CR-V coming next year, which will be hybrid, and very interestingly will not have a diesel offering. Pictured with Honda Ireland's John Saunders (below) is the company's little Urban EV showcar at Frankfurt which previews a soon-to-be production electric city car.

One of the least secret pre-show cars, Kia's concept of the next Pro_ceed is also arguably among the most beautiful, challenging Japan's Mazda for producing such. We can expect to see elements of it through the next generation of the whole cee'd family, but if they produce anything close to this it will immediately be an 'I want one. Now!' car.

The Kia Stonic small SUV, arriving in Ireland in a couple of weeks, is aimed at taking a good share of that busy crossover segment. It is based on the Rio supermini, and shares its running gear, but offers a much more interesting image.

The new Subaru Impreza finally achieved its European debut here, and is due for arrival in Ireland before the end of the year. The styling may be a bit bland, but the underpinnings of the car will certainly be top class. It has more space all round, and will be powered by 1.6 and 2.0 boxer-format petrol engines, with AWD. More interesting to some was the refreshed WRX STI, not likely to be for Ireland.

Dacia's 'Another one drives a Duster' budget SUV has been substantially redesigned without losing the style or the capability that has made it very successful across Europe. The front end is more modern, the interior has been upgraded, but it will still rely on the tried and trusted duo of 1.2 petrol and 1.5 diesel engine options.

The C-HR compact SUV which has been extraordinarily successful for Toyota is an important draw to their stand this year for the 'Hy-Power Concept' version. Not due for production until the end of next year, it will have a significantly more powerful hybrid motor system than the current car, hence the orange 'power' details around the otherwise unchanged shape. As we said before, a lot going on with the style here.

Toyota also showed a refreshed Land Cruiser, which follows the truism, 'if it ain't broke don't fix it' … but it does look smarter and is nicer inside. Key to its ability to survive any terrain or job is its body-on-frame build, old-school but still valid.

Jaguar was another marque on the electric trail at Frankfurt with their I-Pace crossover that will actually be on sale before the end of the year. But the wow factor at the show in this regard was the announcement of the first all-electric production car racing championship, and this is what drivers will be competing with. An I-Pace Concept also showed what might be a future coupe variant. And that starts next year. The company's newest other SUV, the E-Pace that's slotted under the best-seller F-Pace, was also given substantial exposure.

While limited to the very wealthy, there's always an interest in the Bentley brand, especially when there is a new GT. This is a beautifully evolved style from its predecessor, with a very modern rear design that further defines it as a coupe. A 6.0 V12 up front provides 630hp of smooth urgency to 100km/h in 3.7 seconds.

Following on from the launch of their Kodiaq earlier this year, Skoda unveiled their new smaller compact SUV, the Karoq 5-seater which will be in dealer showrooms this December in time for the January sales. It will be powered by a new 1.5 petrol engine offering from 115bhp to 190bhp, of which four variants are new.

Skoda’s Vision E concept was also on display with level 3 autonomous drive which can completely take over steering on motorways, control overtaking and evasive manoeuvres, accelerate and apply the brakes.The concept has no B-pillars for more space. Skoda will offer five purely electrically powered cars in its range by 2015.

The big blast from Hyundai was the N version of its i30, with some 250hp under the hood to challenge all the traditional European hot hatches. And if that's not enough, a performance package option adds more poke.

The Korean company also showed off its i30 Fastback, a more stylish variant of the current hatch. The Kona small SUV also graced the stand.

Citroen's new small SUV, the C3 Aircross, is claimed by the company to be the most spacious crossover in its segment. A full range of driver assistance systems will be available, including active safety braking, auto high-beam lights control, and speed sign recognition. Coming to Ireland very soon, there will be petrol engines of 80/110/130hp as well as 100/120hp diesels. Manual and automatic transmissions will be available.

They're calling it new, though most agree that it is a significant facelift to the Lexus NX, with revised 'more aggressive' front grille, and changed bumpers front and rear. There are significant interior enhancements too, but the powertrains remain the same, the primary one being the 2.5 petrol hybrid. Lexus say they have improved the suspension for handling.

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