Review: DS 4 - Brian Byrne, Irish Car

I finished a recent review of the current DS 7 by saying ‘not there yet’ in terms of being the premium luxury car that DS Automobiles aspires to, writes Brian Byrne. The upcoming DS 9 flagship saloon may well be the one that brings the French brand over the line. In the meantime, though, they're pushing to or maybe even through that boundary with their latest compact car, the new DS 4.

With 14 passenger car brands under its umbrella, from Alfa Romeo to Opel-Vauxhall and including Chrysler and Maserati, the Stellantis Group is now one of the world’s major automotive players. Combining resources is going to be a key part of its viability and with that comes also a need to be skilful at differentiating between models sharing common platforms and powertrains.

The new DS 4 is an example. In core platform, it is equivalent to the Opel Astra, Peugeot 308 and Citroen C4. Four models with the same DNA which have to appeal to different customers in the very competitive compact hatch segment. Given that all will have available the same engines and other technology, it is style preference that’s going to bring to each its targeted customer. Plus the customer experience, a relatively new touchstone for the car trade over a decade or so.

The Opel Astra has a sharp-edged styling with a tilt towards historic Opel models detailing, and there’s a distinct market group out there for this. The Peugeot 308 sheetmetal is softer, geared to the steady middle family buyer of which there is a particularly strong cohort in the French homeland. Citroen’s C4 appeals to those who have always valued that brand’s quirkiness and tradition of comfort. And the DS 4 is aimed at those in the segment who want to feel they are rather more special, who aspire towards something more than the ordinary in everything they acquire. Especially more ordinary that is visible or tangible.

So the DS 4, which I drove over a couple of days very recently, is offering a relative design luxury compared to its related cousins. It is distinction like an expensive watch on the wrist, or a high-end sweater with a subtle but carefully-placed brand tag, or the undeniably luxury scent of a Chanel Grand Extrait.

The visibility of the DS 4 is certainly way beyond its in-house brand cousins. A front face of glittering presence with cut diamond-sharp edges, the very powerful DS logo framed in a constellation of reflections as the grille elements catch the light. The distinctiveness is continued along the profile with especially the roofline bringing the overall style to a very pleasing and uncluttered rear treatment that has the look of a good designer's concept sketch made real.

Inside, within the overall dimensions available as a compact hatchback, there is an upscaled sense of premium. A quality leather look amongst the textures. Etched switchgear to offer more diamond effect. But, unlike the DS 3 smaller sibling, the treatment of controls and instrumentation is coherent and unambiguous.

This is a first drive report, so I'll reserve more detail and commentary until after I've had a full review period with the DS 4. There are five grades, and the car comes with petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid powertrains. There will be a full-electric version next year in a similar policy to that effected in the companion models from the other Stellantis brands.

I drove the 180hp petrol and the 225hp plug-in petrol hybrid, which latter had the added technology of a camera operated suspension system which looks at the oncoming road and adjusts shock absorber settings to provide an extra level of comfort. It does seem to work.

My overall experience over the couple of days was good. The DS 4 in both guises felt a special place to be. Even a premium place. But I'll wait a while to see if the 'are we there yet?' question on luxury gets an affirmative.

PRICE: From €37,295-€54,640. WHAT I LIKED: The feeling that DS is at least almost there. 

EQS SUV is revealed

An SUV companion to the Mercedes-Benz EQS flagship electric car has, according to the company, redefined luxury in the segment, writes Brian Byrne.

The 7-seat EQS SUV has the same wheelbase as the saloon, but is taller by more than 20cm.

Like the saloon, it comes both in rear-drive and AWD, the latter by adding an electric motor to the front axle.

Range options are from 540-671 km.  

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New DS 4 on sale in Ireland

The new DS 4 from DS Automobiles has gone on sale in Ireland at a starting price of €36,300, writes Brian Byrne.

Available in five grades, and with petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid powertrains, the C-segment premium car is targeting a buyer who 'wants something different', according to the MD of DS Automobiles Ireland Des Cannon.

A very distinctive and upscale styling outside is matched with an interior that focuses on being beyond ordinary and using rich materials to match.

DS Automobiles is a stand-alone brand targeted at the premium level within the Stellantis Group. They are imported to Ireland by Gowan Distributors, and sold through the newly-opened DS Store in Dublin, located at Gowan Motors on the Navan Road. 

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Review: Polestar 2 - Brian Byrne, Irish Car

If Polestar is an unfamiliar brand, but somehow resonates, that's fair enough, writes Brian Byrne. As a car brand it only began selling here earlier this year, but the Polestar name has been used as a performance grade by its owner, Volvo, since 2015. The name began 26 years ago as a motor racing team developing its cars from the Swedish brand's models, and was later fully acquired by Volvo. Polestar was spun off as a standalone brand in 2017 by Volvo and its owners Geely Holding in China. 

The Polestar 2 is the first model to be sold in Ireland, and is the first of a range of all-electric cars which the brand is developing after a decision that it would only be an EV carmaker. In a compact liftback format, in size it edges in to the space occupied by, for instance, Alfa Romeo's Giulia, Skoda's Octavia, and Tesla's Model 3.

The style is distinctive by being clean and uncluttered. There are tilts to its Volvo connections, but the Polestar 2 is rather more smooth than, say, the Volvo C40 Recharge EV, the slightly smaller car to which it is related. The front lights design is similar, while the Polestar 2  sits lower than the Volvo. The rear styling may well be my favourite of any car design this year.

Inside, there's also a Volvo familiarity, with differences. The Polestar motifs are discreet but in numbers, the seats look and proved to be very comfortable, and my only criticism was that the door opening was low enough to constantly be rubbing my head getting in and out. Polestar is not the only problem car for me in this, which is probably due also to me not being as supple as I once was.

There's good room for the rear passengers, and a fine long boot space in which the dog we are minding at the moment was quite comfortable on a trip we took with him (said dog, a lively cocker spaniel, will be on the way to Australia as you read this, to be reunited with his owners, our daughter and grand-daughters).

Like current Volvos, there's no start-stop button. The car senses you are in with the key and sets itself ready to drive, closing things down automatically when you leave — also with the key, of course. It's a bit disconcerting for a while, but one gets used to it.

The Polestar 2 is unique to other contemporary cars in that the infotainment system, including the manageably sized centre screen, is an Android OS provided by Google. It works so cleanly and simply — including a 'Hey Google' voice control — that every other carmaker out there should be using it. I'm a critic of too-complex touchscreen management most of the time, but this one is intuitive, tidy, unobtrusive. Beautiful. Especially with the simple way the navigation tells you how much charge you'll have when you reach a destination, and how much when you return home. Talk to the system about where you want to go and it will select the most appropriate depending on traffic, weather, and the state of charge of your battery.

The powertrain comprises two electric motors and a 78kWh battery, with up to 408hp on tap and a potential sprint to 100km/h in only 4.7 seconds. The two motors mean the Polestar 2 is all-wheel drive, which helps to keep everything steady if you do much of that last. The practicality is that if you want to achieve the decent 480 km range, you mostly drive in a steadier fashion. A 35 minutes 10pc-80pc recharge is claimed, and proved to be correct during my time with the car. The safety technology is, as would be expected from the related brands, all present and working.

Polestar 2 is expensive, but it IS in the premium spectrum, with the performance of cars that would be powered by 5-litre V8s. Absent the sound and fury.

PRICE: From €56,135; review car €63,850. WHAT I LIKED: A smooth and practical alternative to the internal combustion engine breed. 

Review: Mercedes-Benz EQS - Brian Byrne, Irish Car

When you have a range of over 700km in your electric car, you simply forget about range, writes Brian Byrne. That’s a figure that nobody is likely to get anyway close to in any one day of their normal driving life. The Mercedes-Benz EQS 450+ had the longest range of any EV I’ve so far had out to review. 

It was also at the upper end of the significant number of very expensive cars that I’ve driven in more than three decades of automotive journalism. Adequate range is the least that you should get. But you do get a lot more.

First, it's a lot of car. The EQS sits larger in all parameters than the BMW 7, Audi A8, and the Jaguar XJ ... and even its own stablemate S-Class. But standing at the kerb it doesn't look so, thanks to the exceptional sleekness of its styling, which also makes it the most aerodynamic series production car in the world. For those unschooled in such nerd-speak, the claimed 0.20Cd drag coefficient is seriously impressive.

You have to like the styling details too. Where the radiator grille was in ordinary cars, there's a good-looking pattern around a Merc star which is much nicer than the blank 'face' we get in most EVs. AMG-Line sculpting on the review car also gave it a visual punch. The rear is surprisingly plain, a simple integrated spoiler on the liftback tailgate and a full width LED lights strip, muted in the graphite colour of my car. The optional 21-inch alloys' design stood out, though.

Inside, the size is apparent. Not least with the substantial room for the rear passengers who are likely to be the important ones. You could cross your legs and still not be touching the front seatback. From the driver's perspective the optional Hyperscreen in the review car is a very dominating feature (not to mention its price, but I'll get to that). Behind a single sheet of touch-screen glass with curves there's a central 17.7-inch display for the usual infotainment and navigation, with the driver's display in its usual place and another for the front passenger, by which they can control things like the massage seats — with several different kinds of massage possible. The front seats were also 'climatised', meaning they can be cooled as well as heated. The overall finish was pretty well what you'd expect. Superb.

Just to be nitpicking, I find the electric seat adjusting system in Mercs, a set of buttons in the doors laid out in a chair outline, a little awkward to operate. But if I owned the car, I'd only have to set them once anyhow. A plus feature which I've never found in any other car are the soft cushions on the head restraints. They feel funny at first, but then they add that little extra sense of plush which befits what we're in.

In terms of technologies for comfort, safety, and OTT, take it that the EQS is at Starship Enterprise level. Perhaps without the anti-missile shield, but including all the sensors and radars you could imagine needing.

The powertrain in the review car was the 333hp single electric motor driving the rear wheels — dual motor AWD versions are available. The 6.2s to 100km/h capability was once the province of loud supercars, but in this large luxury transport just provides eminently smooth acceleration. You can have a manufactured engine sound if you want one, but why would you? — the essence of travelling in a Mercedes-Benz flagship is serenity, as far as I'm concerned. I took advantage of my time with the car to get in a couple of longish day trips, on motorway, country roads and laneways to the beach. The overall drive experience was ... well, sublime.

Well, it should be. In addition to the base price, there were €38,036 worth of extras on board the review car. The most significant was the nearly €18,000 for the Premium Plus Package which included enhanced sound, more driver assists, and a panoramic roof. The €12,213 for the Hyperscreen was also one I'd have to think about. Or maybe I wouldn't, if I was in this buyer cohort anyhow.

PRICE: From €129,965; review car €168,001. WHAT I LIKED: It was silent, serene, and sublime. The energy consumption of 19kWh/100km was very impressive for such a big car. 

Jack Conan becomes ambassador for Windsor Opel

Irish rugby star, Jack Conan, has been appointed a Windsor Opel Brand Ambassador, writes Trish Whelan. 

He has been presented with a new Opel Mokka-e. 

Opel is a sponsor of Irish Rugby and the official car partner to the IRFU. Jack has been a powerful force in the Leinster and Ireland back row since 2014. Since making his Leinster debut that year, he has made over 100 appearances for the province, winning four PRO14 titles and a European Champions Cup. 

The Bray native also toured with the British and Irish Lions for the first time in South Africa last year. He has played 30 test matches for Ireland and was part of the winning Six Nations and Grand Slam team in 2018. He was also on the Ireland team that made history earlier this year by beating the All Blacks in New Zealand for the first time. 

Jack says the Mokka-e (Continental Irish Small SUV of the Year 2022) is more than spacious for a guy his size with plenty of room for all his training kit and even for his dog Riley. 

Mokka-e can do around 320kms on a single charge. 

Peter Nicholson, Managing Director at Windsor Motor Group looks forward to working with Jack to promote the Windsor Deansgrange Opel and Windsor Liffey Valley Opel dealerships.

 

I.D. Buzz is 'smart device on wheels'

The ID. Buzz from Volkswagen builds on the strengths long offered by Volkswagen buses, writes Trish Whelan. 

It may have a retro look to it but the technology is state-of-the-art. With a maximum load capacity in excess of 2,200 litres, various clever storage solutions and pull up tables, captain’s chairs plus up to eight fast-charging USB-C slots (that can power a laptop from zero to 50pc in 30 minutes), it can be considered an office on wheels. 

The interior is an open space with plenty of room, great variability and a high level of comfort. It’s also a pioneering companion in the digital world offering the best connectivity thanks to its fully digital operating concept and infotainment system. 

The driver can operate the Digital Cockpit with its 5.3-inch display like a large touch display in the middle of the dash panel. To match the driver’s elevated seat position, the vehicle is equipped with a high dash panel. It will have five seats, including a three-seater bench and two wide-opening sliding doors. 

Using the We Connect I.D. app on their smartphone, owners can remotely control charging and the electric stationary air conditioning and also check the battery charge level. A seven-seat configuration will follow, with a longer wheelbase. 

No prices or other information yet.

 

Review: Peugeot 308 - Brian Byrne, Irish Car

When I wrote about the latest Peugeot 308 back in May, shortly after it was launched here, I was decently impressed with only a relatively short time with the car, writes Brian Byrne. After a recent week, which for various family reasons involved an unusually large amount of travel including some airport collection runs, that good impression has been cemented.

There's nothing like putting a car under more than normal daily pressure to show up any shortcomings. With this one there were ... none. None that stuck in my mind anyhow. Which shows that the French brand, now part of the comprehensive Stellantis Group, continues to make key models that are exactly what their market segment needs.

The 308 of course is still a hatchback — and a wagon too — in an overall market which has heavily tilted to SUV-crossovers in the last decade. But there's still a strong place for the compact family hatch, especially in Europe, and along with similar format cars from its key competitors, Peugeot is determined to meet that need.

The latest 308 is the third generation of this particular nameplate, but its compact hatchback antecedents go back all the way to the 306 introduced by Peugeot in 1993. After introducing the first 308 in 2007, the company stopped the practice of changing the last digit as it changed generations. So the carmaker has a long-tailed pedigree in this size and format, and a reputation that it is determined to protect.

The new 308 is longer than its predecessor. It has a longer wheelbase too, which means there's seriously decent room in the rear, and a good boot. It is lower to the ground, which makes for a very sleek profile even parked, a view enhanced by a more raked windscreen. But in the stylistic scheme of things, it is relatively conservative because that's where the Peugeot overall market is. Still, there's good presence in the front view, a new-style dark grille and a strong sabre signature from the daylight running lights.

The extra length adds to the profile, suggesting that there's more car than has been the case in previous versions. And that's true — there's actual comfort for rear passengers, for instance, who wouldn't be discombobulated over longish journeys.

There's quite an edgy feel to the well-executed interior, but not at the expense of the comfort which Peugeot customers have long been accustomed to expect. The dashboard and instrumentation stylists have been keen on lines and angles for a while now, and took advantage of the latest in digital graphics to make management of all the features reasonably easy to learn and operate. Some real toggle switches and knobs too, for main functions control. The main instruments offer a variety of styles, and I settled on one which was closest to old analogue information. The now-familiar Peugeot design of seeing instruments over the steering wheel rather than through it continues to be a good feature.

My review car this time was the petrol-only version — there's a diesel and a brace of plug-in hybrid options too, and a full electric variant is slated for Ireland in the last quarter of next year. This one proved to be a peppy 130hp unit, with a very distinctive note from the three-cylinder when pushing up the revs. All 308s in RHD markets like Ireland come only with an 8-speed automatic, which does mean that base price is higher than the distributor might like. But it's a very economical petrol-auto combination, and my time with the car saw a 5.8L/100km fuel consumption right in line with the claimed figure.

As I've mentioned, I worked the car pretty hard through my time with it, and it served me well. I was glad of the auto box, and of the comfort that is part and parcel of the latest 308. I'll be very interested when the opportunity comes to live with the PHEV version for a while.

The SUV brigade can motor on in their trendy — and in fairness to family needs, useful — styles, but there are still plenty of people out there, like me, for whom a compact hatch is the right format for our life style. Good to see we're still being well catered for.

PRICE: From €31,765; review Allure grade €35,705. WHAT I LIKED: It suits my life style. 

BMW forecasts cheaper, better EV batteries

The cost of EV batteries could be reduced by up to 50pc by using recycled materials in manufacture, according to BMW, writes Brian Byrne.

The company also says the sixth generation batteries it will be producing for its cars by 2025 will offer a 30pc increase in range over current ones of similar size and weight.

BMW is developing a new design of lithium-ion cells that are round in shape, and use less cobalt than current batteries. Moving to an 800-volt architecture will also speed up charging times.

BMW will be producing the batteries at factories in China, Europe and North America, designed at its Battery Cell Competence Centre located in Munich. 

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Jeep showcases three new models

Jeep Avenger.

Jeep has revealed now models which will offer full electric power, as part of its plan to provide an electric SUV in every segment by 2025, writes Brian Byrne.

One of them, the Avenger, will go on sale in Europe in early 2023. It is described by the company as an 'urban SUV'. It will be built in Poland on the Stellantis Group CMP platform already used for the Corsa and 208 models among others.

A Recon off-roader will reflect elements of the iconic Wrangler, and there's also a new up-market model reviving the company's Wagoneer nameplate.

Both of these will eventually be sold in Europe, though not until after US sales begin in 2024. Jeep is aiming to have 100pc of its sales in Europe as EVs by 2030. 

Jeep Wagoneer.

Jeep Recon.

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Ford reveals E-Transit Custom

Ford has formally announced the all-electric version of its next generation Transit Custom, which will begin production in the autumn of 2023, writes Brian Byrne.

The E-Transit Custom will have a rated range of up to 380km, with an 1,100kg payload and a towing capacity of up to 2,000kg.

Under the Ford Pro division, the E-Transit Custom is also described by the company as a 'business hub', with 5G connectivity and a flexible workspace including a steering wheel that folds to become an holder for laptops and tablets.

E-Transit Custom is one of four new Ford Pro electric commercial vehicles coming to Europe by 2024. The E-Transit large van is already on sale and Ford Pro claims operating savings compared to the diesel version can be as much as 40pc. 

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Megane E-Tech EV here in October

Renault Ireland is planning to have its new electric Megane E-Tech model in dealerships for October, writes Brian Byrne.

Meanwhile, the Renault Group achieved an 11.2pc market share in Ireland in August, achieving second position.

The Renault Clio was number one in the B segment and third in the overall car market for the month.

The Dacia Sandero is in the number two slot year to dat in the B segment, with Renault's Clio overall the fourth best selling car.

For the year to end August, Dacia has recorded a 3.2pc market share, up 1.0pc on last year, helped by sales of the all-new 7-seat Dacia Jogger. 

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Review: DS7 - Brian Byrne, Irish Car

DS was initiated to become a premium brand from the PSA Peugeot-Citroen group, which subsequently expanded as Stellantis to include Opel, Fiat, Chrysler, Alfa Romeo, Jeep, Maserati, Dodge, and Vauxhall, writes Brian Byrne. I can't help thinking that DS has become fairly lost in all that.

But even if lofty aims of developing a new premium brand haven't succeeded — yet — the DS7 Crossback is a good car in the overall Stellantis space. It should be — it is underpinned by the platform and powertrains already well considered in its equivalents from Peugeot, Citroen, and Opel.

The differences are in detail, the style elements aimed at setting the DS7 apart from its close cousins. Bespoke DS brand trimmings on the outside, notably a distinctive grille and logo with significant use of chrome on front, side and rear. Inside a plush design in the seating and lots of silvered switchgear on the centre console as well as a special dash-top timepiece from French luxury watchmaker BME Chronographes that rotates open when the engine is switched on. The overall sense does reach to a higher level, though DS hasn't yet achieved the same kind of differentiation as, say, Audi from Volkwagen or Lexus from Toyota.

I've reviewed the DS7 before — it has been around since 2017. Not a lot has changed about it yet, but the reason I drove it again recently was because it now has a plug-in hybrid option. As it happened, my driving pattern of that week meant I was able to test this feature close to how PHEVs should be used. 

There's a lot to like about being behind the wheel of the DS7. That level of plush it does have is pleasant. There's a sweep to the dashboard that enhances the sense of space. That analogue BRM timepiece offers a bit of old-school redolent of a gentleman's club. And there's something really smart about the DS logo, which I have liked since they first came up with it.

The information screens have good graphics — I particularly like the small detail of how the digital speedometer shifts from white to blue as the hybrid powertrain flicks in and out of electric driving. The centre console switches take a bit of getting used to, and I'd really like some knobs for climate control, but that's just not the way with this group, most of the time.

The car is sublimely comfortable to drive. It defaults to electric power until the PHEV battery has got down to about 12pc, then it becomes a standard self-charging hybrid. For my time with the car, charging it overnight from my 13A socket outside the front door, I actually drove almost all of the time on the battery, because my journeys were all local. The 50km EV range claimed proved to be absolutely accurate. Indeed, I left the car back with most of the petrol that had been in it when I picked it up. If an owner's week of driving is similar to what mine was, it's where a PHEV will shine ... and if there's a long journey to be done at the weekend, well, it'll still be very thrifty overall.

The primary engine in the DS7 PHEV is the 1.6 petrol originally a joint development by Peugeot-Citroen and BMW, and with the electric motor here there's a total of 225hp available, completely appropriate to the car. The transmission is the 8-speed Aisin automatic, which is a smooth unit and contributes to an overall thrifty fuel consumption.

The driver assist packages are comprehensive. As they should be in a car that tilts towards a premium cachet.

But I found myself feeling much more positive about the DS7 if I ignored any thought about it comparing to the established luxury brands. Somewhere from behind the back seat there's a ghostly French-accented premium designer asking 'Are we there yet?'. Eh, non. Pas encore ...

PRICE: DS7 from €31,045; review car €60,645. WHAT I LIKED: The essential DS7 beyond the notions. 

New Nissan X-Trail breaks cover

Nissan has today unveiled its new, fourth generation X-Trail, writes Trish Whelan.

Almost seven million units of the model have been sold globally since its launch in 2000, making it one of the world’s most popular family adventure vehicles. 

The new X-Trail has been designed and engineered from the ground up and will be available in both five and seven seater configurations. 

The new X-Trail will be available with the brand’s e-Power drivetrain, comprised of a high-output 1.8kWh battery integrated with a 1.5 turbo petrol engine, power generator, inverter and 150kW front electric motor, giving a combined 211hp and over 330Nm torque. There is no need to charge the battery. The petrol engine is used solely to generate electricity whilst the wheels are always completely driven by the electric motor. This means the engine can always run with its optimal range, leading to superior fuel efficiency in urban settings. 

The new X-Trail is equipped with Nissan’s e-pedal allowing the driver to launch, accelerate and decelerate using only the accelerator. The new model also features a new all wheel drive system designed to work with Nissan’s electrified powertrains. 

The car is equipped with Nissan’s e-4orce, their new 4WD technology for electrified powertrains. A motor on each axel delivers precise blend of power and control to each of the four wheels which results in a smooth ride, confident acceleration and traction, quick response in all conditions and reassuring braking. Being dual motor, there is no transmission tunnel to compromise rear interior space. 

New X-Trail is equipped with the next generation of ProPilot driver assistance, called ProPilot with Navi-link. It accelerates and brakes the car within a single lane on a motorway. It also comes with the brand’s Intelligent Forward Emergency Braking with predictive function. Sensors can read the road beyond the car in front to detect if a vehicle suddenly brakes and the system will apply the brakes to reduce the likelihood of a collision. 

Inside, Nissan say the cabin sets a new segment standard for ambience, distinctive design and enhanced usability. New X-Trail has easy-to-use core functions with simple heating/air conditioning controls as well as buttons that govern the central screen functions like audio and navigation. Access to the second row seats is more accessible due to the rear passenger doors opening to nearly 90 degrees, making it easier to load items, or to install a child seat. The boot is now larger than before. The two foldable seats in the rear can accommodate passengers of up to 1m 60, so are not just for children. 

The 12.3-inch NissanConnect display screen is a digital gateway to navigation, entertainment and vehicle settings and is compatible with both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, with wireless Apple CarPlay also introduced. A new 10.8-inch Head-Up-Display provides key navigation, driver assistance and road information projected on to the windscreen within the driver’s line of vision. 

Nissan say this versatile seven-seater crossover is ideal for those who aren’t quite ready to go full electric. European deliveries start this Autumn. Nissan is committed to ensuring that 75pc of their sales mix will be electrified by the end of 2023.

 

 

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New MMAI motoring association formed

The Motoring Media Association of Ireland (MMAI) has been established to represent professional motoring journalists across print and digital outlets in Ireland, writes Trish Whelan. It is the result of a merger between the Irish Motoring Writers Association (IMWA) and the Association of Professional Motoring Press (APMP). 

Pictured above are motoring journalists who were present at the meeting.

The MMAI will be responsible for organising the annual Continental Tyres Irish Car of the Year and Continental Tyres Irish Van of the Year Awards, Ireland’s most prestigious and widely recognised motoring accolades for over 40 years. Only members of the MMAI are eligible to vote in these awards which determine the best new cars and vans to be launched each year. 

Officers appointed at the inaugural AGM of the new MMAI held in Dublin recently included Chair: Joe Rayfus; Vice-Chair: Daragh Keany; Secretary: David Walshe; Treasurer: Martin McCarthy; and PRO: Caroline Kidd. Leah Carroll and Michael Moroney were elected to the Awards Executive and will be joined by Joe Rayfus to oversee the planning and organisation of the annual Irish Car of the Year and Irish Van of the Year awards. John Galvin and Cathal Doyle were elected to join Daragh Keany on the Association’s Members Executive which will oversee membership criteria of the MMAI. 

Membership will be restricted to media professionals currently producing original motoring related content in Ireland, with membership eligibility reviewed on an annual basis. 

The MMAI brings together Ireland’s most experienced motoring journalists across print, broadcast, and online media, with members representing the full spectrum of national, local and online media. The new Association has been created to be modern and inclusive, with members from around the country working in the interests of motorists and new car buyers across Ireland. 

At the AGM, newly elected Chair of the MMAI, Joe Rayfus, said: “As a new association, we will build on the great traditions and values of our former organisations, while working together to represent all our members and ensure that now and long into the future the Irish Car of the Year and Irish Van of the Year Awards continue to be the most prestigious and highly regarded awards among the industry and consumers.”

 

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Renault renews Late Late Show sponsorship

Renault Ireland is continuing as broadcast sponsor of The Late Late Show on RTE for the 2022/23 season, writes Trish Whelan. 

This marks the eight consecutive year of the partnership. 

Paddy Magee, Country Operations Director, Renault Ireland said sponsoring the show has been a great success for the brand. He added: “This season we will feature our latest electric and hybrid models including the Arkana E-Tech Hybrid and the soon to arrive all new Megane E-Tech 100pc electric." 

Geraldine O'Leary, Commercial Director, RTE said : "We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Renault whom we value hugely as a loyal and supportive business partner."

 

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