Clara's Irish rugby star lines out for Tullamore Opel

Irish rugby star, Aoife Dalton, has been appointed an Opel brand ambassador at Main Opel Dealer, Tullamore Opel and presented with a new Opel Corsa, writes Trish Whelan. 

Welcoming her to Team Opel, James Brooks, Opel Ireland Managing Director said: “As official Car Partner to the IRFU, Opel continues to strengthen its commitment to both Men’s and Women’s rugby at club level and internationally and Aoife’s ambassador appointment through our partners at Tullamore Opel is yet another demonstration of our unwavering support for the Women’s 7s and XVs teams.” 

Aoife started playing rugby at Tullamore RFC when she was 15 and currently plays for Old Belvedere RFC. She had made her senior debut for Leinster in 2022 and months later was called up to the elite senior level in the national XVs women’s team. She is a member of the Ireland Guinness Women's Six Nations 2024 squad. 

Crowned Leinster Women's Young Player of the Year 2023, she boasts 10 caps for Ireland. 

Pictured above (from left) at Gowan Auto’s Distribution Centre in City West are: John Malone of Tullamore Opel; Irish rugby star Aoife Dalton; Olive Kearney, Marketing Executive at Tullamore Opel.

 

Nissan to up EV game in Europe

Nissan has announced plans to launch five new electric vehicles in Europe over the next three years, writes Brian Byrne.

These will include a new generation Leaf, an electric Juke, and a new Micra to be sold only in EV form. Two light commercial electric vehicles will also be introduced.

A third generation of the company's e-Power hybrid drivetrain, which runs the car on electric power from a battery charged by a combustion engine, is also being developed. 

Nissan in Europe is aiming to increase sales volume by 40pc by the end of 2026. 

Kia EV9 wins World Car of the Year

The Kia EV9 has won both the 2024 World Car of the Year and World Electric Vehicle titles, writes Brian Byrne. The win was revealed during the New York Auto Show.

The World Car of the Year Awards were established in 2003. The winners are chosen by a jury of 100 automotive journalists representing 29 countries.

The latest wins add to a list of other awards for the car, including the ‘Family Cars’ category of the Golden Steering Wheel Awards, the 2024 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year, 'Best Premium SUV' at the 2023 Newsweek Autos Awards and Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year (WWCOTY).

WATCH: Kia EV9, Driven in Two Minutes 

READ: Kia EV9 review: Brian Byrne, Irish Car 

Mercedes-Benz E-Class review: Brian Byrne, Irish Car

The E-Class nameplate has been around since 1993, but can trace its pedigree back 40 years earlier, when the 'e' was a suffix denoting fuel injection, writes Brian Byrne. As the best-selling car ever in the Mercedes-Benz models lineup, the mid-size E-Class is now in its sixth generation and has long been an aspiration car not just to potential owners, but for competing premium brands seeking space in its market.

For me, a recent review period in the latest E-Class was both a return to luxury and one of those few opportunities in these crossover and electric times to be behind the wheel of a diesel saloon. There was something really nice about that. Maybe even a preview of nostalgic, as the electric equivalent EQE is seriously trying to steal the combustion version's lunch in sales so far this year.

The E-Class styling has since 2009 been svelte and each succeeding generation has honed that theme further. This has made the car seem smaller than it used to be, although that's factually not the case. My review car in dark grey had optional 19-inch alloys, and chrome detailing from an Exclusive line upgrade, which together subtly enhanced the overall elegance of the car.

Inside the E-Class is both elegance and luxury, with ivory leather upholstery tempered by grey and black trim details. The dashboard has an overall clean shaping, the driver and infotainment screens separate and well integrated into the scheme. A panel on the passenger side had a stylised pattern of the Mercedes star which has a somewhat dazzling effect, not appreciated by one of my fellow travellers. Rear passengers have as much, if not more space than us up front, and there's a good boot capacity for the needs of a full people complement.

The ergonomics are in general very good, and the controls on the steering wheel are well marked and intuitive. Mercedes-Benz has worked hard to make the graphical interfaces on its screens bright, clear and not requiring much menu-hopping — I did appreciate very much the single button that got me to the driver assist screen so I could adjust those to my preferences before driving off.

The 2.0 diesel in my review car was, unsurprisingly, a very quiet motor. The 9-speed automatic is of Mercedes-Benz's own design and production and thus there is an excellent match to the engine. Nothing else to say except that the performance is serene. With 197hp standard and the availability of 23hp more and appropriate extra torque when the mild-hybrid electric motor assists, there's power enough to give a reasonable 7.6 seconds sprint to 100km/h if wanted. In reality, one just drives in appreciation of the smooth rather than being swift.

With crossover-SUV formats accounting for almost half of car sales in Europe last year, the saloon car appears to be a dying design. Yet there is still a place for the type particularly in the premium segments, so perhaps I'll have the occasional opportunity to enjoy them for a while. But with premium pricing, that's a rarity for most.

PRICE: From €81,185. WHAT I LIKED: A touch of serenity in a fast motors world. 

Ford Explorer completes 30,000km globe circumnavigation

The price of the new Ford Explorer electric car will be from €42,120 in Ireland, writes Brian Byrne. Some 1,600 potential customers have signed up to Ford Ireland for continuing updates on the vehicle.

The price and specification for Ireland was announced at the finish of a record-breaking 30,000km drive around the world in a pre-production version by American adventurer Lexie Alford, pictured above at the finish line in Nice, France. The journey crossed six continents and drove through 27 countries on electric power alone. With power outages in Africa, a lack of charging infrastructure in the Atacama desert of Chile, unmade roads, mountain passes and freezing conditions, the achievement proved just what is possible in an electric vehicle.

Explorer is being introduced with a single motor rear-wheel drive in extended range form with a rated range of up to 602km. A single motor RWD powertrain with a standard-range battery will be available at a later date.

 

BMW previews new X series cars

This is a taster for what BMW are planning in the look of their X model variants, a close to production concept called Vision Neue Klasse X, writes Brian Byrne. A fully-electric derivative of the concept will go into production next year.

BMW has used Vision concepts to preview models for many years. Vision Neue Klasse was first used in 2023 to show the new sedans ethos.

Neue Klasse characteristics are both electric and digital, and the Neue Klasse X vehicles will have highly-sophisticated drive and chassis control systems underpinned by new software developed in-house. 

New compact Alfa unveiling next month

Alfa Romeo teaser of the new Milano.

A new Alfa Romeo compact car, the Milano, is to be unveiled globally on 10 April, writes Brian Byrne. The car will come initially as an all-electric model, but will be followed by hybrid variants.

The 150hp electric motor will be powered by a 54kWh battery and an expected range rating will be around 400km. 

The Milano will be on the same Stellantis platform that currently underpins the Jeep Avenger.

The Alfa Romeo franchise in Ireland is now operated by the Gowan Auto group. 

Pilot connectivity initiative for Irish motorists

Image: Kapsch TrafficCom AG.

A pilot scheme in Ireland will provide 1,500 motorists with notifications of collisions, congestion, roadworks, and adverse weather conditions directly in their cars on screens, writes Brian Byrne.

The initiative will operate in the Dublin area on the M50 and M1 motorway network, as part of the Network Intelligence and Management System (NIMS) operated by Transport Infrastructure Ireland.

The pilot will utilise what's called a Cooperative Intelligent Transport System provided by Vienna-Based Kapsch TrafficCom AG, which has been incorporated into the NIMS network since January of this year. 

Dedicated in-car monitors are being provided to the participating motorists in what is both a showcase of how technology can improve road safety, and an evaluation of the initiative in real-world operation.  

Mercedes-Benz Citan is Dublin Fire Brigade's new 'flame'

Dublin Fire Brigade has added three new Mercedes-Benz Citan vans to its fleet of light commercial vehicles, writes Trish Whelan. 

Supplied by Motor Distributors Limited - and factory painted in Dublin Fire Brigade’s distinctive red and yellow hi-vis livery - the three 108 Citan panel vans will soon become a high-profile addition to Dublin City when put through their paces aiding the Fire Brigade in fire, rescue and emergency service applications. 

Bedecked with an array of driver comfort features, each van comes complete with MBUX and smartphone integration package, multifunction steering wheel, cruise control, lumbar support driver seat and LED interior lighting.

 

Doran Motors celebrate joining Citroen network

To celebrate the arrival of the Citroen brand at Doran Motors Carrickmacross, a launch day is being held today between 4pm and 7pm with music, food, entertainment and the chance to win prizes, all alongside a visit from Monaghan GAA players, writes Trish Whelan. 

Citroen Ireland has appointed Doran Motors, Carrickmacross in Monaghan as its new authorised sales and after sales outlet in the north-east. The dealership, established by Peter Doran in 1979, was recently acquired by the Frank Keane Group. Citroen joins a stable of brands already offered in the dealership, with the French marque’s new showroom now open to the public. 

Colin Sheridan, Managing Director at Citroen Ireland extended a warm welcome to the entire team at Doran Motors on joining the Citroen Ireland dealer network and wished Gerard, Carol and the team every success. He said ‘this appointment solidifies the Citroen network and will support market share in the north-east’. 

Carol Kerr, Sales Director at Doran Motors says she is looking forward to showing new and existing customers what the Citroen range has on offer in both passenger cars and light commercial vehicles. 

 

High-powered Buzz incoming

A GTX version of the ID.Buzz with 340hp has been revealed by Volkswagen, writes Brian Byrne. That's 136hp more than the standard Buzz. 

The Buzz GTX will come with a choice of two wheelbases and two batteries, and will be capable of towing a trailer up to 1,800kg. All wheel drive will be standard from two electric motors.

Visually the vehicle will have a sporty bumper and air intake styling, high gloss black elements, and further options in wheel designs. Interior GTX cues will also feature.

It will be available for sale in Ireland towards the end of this year. 

Review: Audi A6 e-tron - Trish Whelan, Irish Car

Saloon cars have long been overtaken by SUV/Crossovers yet are the favoured style of car for many motorists, writes Trish Whelan. I believe saloons certainly still have a place both in the executive car park or on private driveways. 

The current generation A6 was launched here in 2018. The 2024 refresh adds a matte black honeycomb grille, silver air blades, new front bumper, some new wheel designs, and refreshed '3D' rear light cluster. My car sat on very smart 21-inch alloy wheels. Build quality is really good. The car is quite conservative looking compared with some of its more adventurous competitors like the new BMW’s 5-Series and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, but perhaps Audi A6 owners prefer styling that won’t date. 

The interior is impressive in design and quality materials, in my car's case a very upmarket dark grey/black colour scheme with inlays in matte brushed aluminium to brighten the look. Front sports seats proved comfy and supportive to my back. There’s simply huge head and leg room for those in the rear seats, though the person in the middle will have to contend with the transmission tunnel. Storage is good here with nets on the front seat backs and good door bins. The mid seat back comes down for some extra storage and two cupholders. 

A fully-digital instrument panel features a big 12.3-inch screen with superb 3D Google navigation maps. The driver's display can be personalised. The centre console is angled towards the driver, as is the infotainment touchscreen display that offers quick access to the car’s functions. A lower 8.6-inch display manages climate control functions. While I usually prefer good old-fashioned knobs, I found this screen worked very well with up and down arrows big enough to adjust while on the move. The front seat heating controls are also there. I appreciated the head-up display that projected my current speed onto the windscreen so I could keep my eyes on the road. I was also very taken with the aircraft-like gear selector on the flat of the central console and it felt in my hand and now neatly it worked. I also liked the blue ambient lighting in the cabin and how, when you open the driver’s door, the four Audi rings logo is displayed brightly on the ground. Cabin storage includes a decent and lockable glovebox, two cupholders, very good door bins, and a tray area below the wide front armrest where there are two type ‘C’ small USB ports. 

The boot with its high floor is more than adequate at 360 litres and a high viz jacket and First Aid Kit are standard. A few things surprised me. Side mirrors stayed put until I turned on the engine and the blind spot monitor was of the basic sort. There was no individual setting for the electric seat adjustments. I hadn’t expected such niggles in a costly, premium Audi like this A6. 

Petrol and diesel units are both offered, with power outputs ranging from 250 to 333hp. My car was the 2.0L 204hp 40 TDI S-Line model, perhaps the last diesel we will see in the A6. Matched to a 7-speed automatic gearbox, it was a joy over all types of roads, but especially so when cruising the motorways. Steering is direct, as I like it. 

My fuel consumption came in at 5.8-6.7 L/100kms depending on the journey. With 1,160kms available, no electric car can beat that for distance and this is why I appreciate diesel cars with no range anxiety to concern me on long journeys. But with diesels you have to keep an eye on the AdBlue levels so as not to be stuck on the road if it runs out. A warning alert should appear on the instrumentation if it is at a low level. 

Standard features were a good rear-view camera, Matrix LED headlights, illuminated aluminium scuff plates, side and rear windows with heat-insulating glass and an electric tailgate. Options were a Black Pack at €2,946, 21-inch wheels at €1,446 which looked terrific, exterior mirrors in gloss black at €170, the ambient lighting pack at €403, and paint at €2,891, bringing an extra €4,965 to the base price. 

On the road, I was able to get a great driving position behind the wheel and travelled in sublime comfort. The engine was so refined, so very quiet and with nicely punchy acceleration that it made all my trips such a pleasure. 

The retail price is from €67,890; with extras my car came to €75,746.

 

New Peugeot electric SUV revealed

Peugeot has revealed its new E-5008 7-seat SUV with a rated range of up to 660km, writes Brian Byrne. It is expected in Ireland towards the end of this year.

The E-5008 will have two battery options and there will be AWD and long-range variants. A full hybrid version will also be offered which will operate in electric mode for 50pc of the time un urban driving.

More details and pricing for Ireland closer to the E-5008's arrival. 

Subaru Solterra review: Brian Byrne, Irish Car

Whether badged as Toyota or with the Subaru co-parent's name, the bZ4X or Solterra are both dramatic and striking to look at, writes Brian Byrne. Solterra is easier to say, and nobody asks you to explain it. 

The two Japanese carmakers have a track record in joint ventures — the Toyota GT86 and Subaru BRZ sports cars are twins, and there's also a strong ongoing partnership in advancing EV technology and cars connectivity.

For this first battery EV from either, both makers had more or less equal inputs into design and technology. On the final platform, Toyota developed the EV drivetrain and Subaru the all wheel drive and collision safety. In format, the car is a C/D-segment crossover.

There are some detail differences, mostly up front where the apron and non-grille stylings are individual to each. It may be because the Subaru is the one I have taken for review first, but I rather prefer its face, especially with the badge placement taking the bare look off the front panel. There are a couple of minor divergencies in the rear lights, but you'd have to look close for them.

The car's wheelbase is long, though maybe the stylists got in the way of making the most of it. The bZ4X/Solterra is about the same size as a VW ID.4, but the German competitor gives slightly more leg and head room front and rear and has a bigger boot capacity. A Starship Enterprise take on dashboard design takes up space in the Subaru/Toyota car, and perhaps pushes the occupants further back than a simpler arrangement might have. That said, there's actually plenty of room for a full set of five adults.

The interior style reflects the dramatic exterior. The driver instrumentation is forward and high, looked at from over the steering wheel a la current Peugeots, and close enough to the driver eye-line that it doesn't require any head-up display. The rather massive 'floating' centre console offers bag storage underneath, and there are good spaces for stuff in it between the front seats. Switchgear is neat and well-labelled, and the driving information is shown simply and is easily understood. I had the sense that I wasn't distracting as much back to the centre infotainment screen as I would have been if they were in line with each other as is the norm in most cars. 

There are two powertrain options, depending on whether you go for the Subaru or the Toyota. The latter offers a choice between front wheel drive and AWD with a second motor, the Subaru only comes with the AWD. Which has a logic, as the brand is famous for its AWD vehicles and also provided that technology in this joint venture.

The AWD car in this instance has a somewhat shorter range than available in the single-motor version from Toyota, but that's not unexpected, as they both use the same battery with a useable 64kWh. The Subaru spec suggests a possible range up to 465km, my car fully charged showed 308km, and an everyday driving estimate which I expect is quite accurate is 320km. The energy consumption averaged around 20kWh/100km, which bears that out.

I've grown to expect a level of heaviness in electric cars due to the weight of the batteries low down. It's a credit to the Subaru and Toyota engineers who tuned the chassis so well that the Solterra felt relatively light and with nice tight steering on the road. There's 215hp available and a 6.9s sprint to 100km/h is a respectable performance for a 2-tonne car, maybe even frisky. 

PRICE: €44,995. WHAT I LIKED: I grew to respect a quite coherent motor car. 

New electric Audi deliveries this summer

A new model in the Audi electric car range will open for orders soon with first Irish deliveries to customers in the summer, writes Brian Byrne.

The Q6 e-tron is the first production model on a new dedicated premium platform for electric cars developed in association with sister brand in the VW Group Porsche.

With a claimed range of up to 625km from its 96kWh battery system, the Q6 e-tron will initially be available in two AWD versions, with RWD variants coming afterwards. The Q6 e‑tron quattro accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds, while the SQ 6 e‑tron takes just 4.3 seconds.

The SUV-format cars will also feature new lighting systems. The interior is a re-imagined focus on the needs of driver and passengers, with the driver area and instrumentation designed in a curve while the front passenger can operate a display of their own with a technology that doesn't distract the driver.

Audi in Ireland had a quarter of the premium segment market in 2023.  

First drive: 2024 Mazda2 Hybrid

It may not be well known in Ireland, but the Mazda2 Hybrid has been selling in the market for about a year now, writes Brian Byrne. If you didn’t notice it, that’s because it is a rebadged Toyota Yaris Hybrid, produced for Mazda by their fellow Japanese brand.

A few tweaks to the design might make it stand out a little more for this year. Mostly at the front where there’s now a proper Mazda shaped grille, and a changed apron design. There have also been some small detail tickles at the rear. And there’s a new Mazda colour, a special shade of blue.

Other than that, the Mazda2 Hybrid is as was, the powertrain the familiar 1.5 3-cylinder petrol mated to an electric motor, offering 115hp in total output and a real frugal fuel consumption. I’ve recently driven a revised version of it away, and as our own family car is a Yaris, it all felt very familiar.

The car is sold alongside the brand’s own Mazda2, and essentially is there to help Mazda meet fleet emissions requirements in Europe while Mazda is introducing electrification across its ranges. Last year some 121 copies of the hybrid were sold in Ireland, slightly more than the standard Mazda2 petrol.

If there are purists out there concerned that it’s not a ‘real’ Mazda, they should look back at a long history of technical and models cooperation down the 100-plus years of the motor industry. A Mazda 121 of the 1990s, for instance, was a rebadged Ford Fiesta. And Ford has in the past sold rebadged Mazda 626s as their own Telstars. All through the American ‘muscle cars’ era, many from sibling brands bore no more differences than badges. Even today, within the Toyota family there are Lexuses that are essentially luxurised versions of the standard cars from the parent. Suzuki sells a Swace wagon that is a rebadged Toyota Corolla Touring. Depending on markets, Dacias can be sold as Renaults and vice versa. And Hyundais and Kias are essentially the same across their models offering, with visual bodywork differences and badging separating them from their shared platforms and motors. The VW Amarok equally is a Ford Ranger in slightly different dress.

As for powertrains, given the high investment and development costs, many competing brands have traditionally combined to share the burden at different times down the decades. In just a couple of very many examples, some Opel diesels were built by BMW, and diesel engines used in Fords and the former PSA Citroen-Peugeots were jointly developed, the same motors simply getting a different name for each. Electric drivetrains are also being shared today, notably between Volkswagen and Ford in the upcoming Explorer from the blue oval carmaker. 

So the current Mazda-Toyota cooperation is nothing unusual. Nor is it anything to sneer at, as both makers have an equal reputation in quality stakes. My recent drive in the Mazda2 Hybrid simply confirmed that, whether you buy your oranges imported from Spain from Dunnes Stores or Supervalu, they are equally sweet under the skin.

Skoda reveals small EV design study

It won't be here in Ireland until 2026, but Skoda have revealed a design study for their upcoming small electric car, which will be named Epiq, writes Brian Byrne.

The 4.1 metre car will be roomy enough for five people and will have a claimed maximum range of more than 400km, according to the carmaker. The format is crossover-SUV.

When the Epiq arrives here it will join the current Enyaq and a new Elroq coming next year, increasing the Skoda EV lineup to three vehicles. 

Volvo XC40 Recharge Review: Trish Whelan, Irish Car

The Volvo XC40 is a well designed, family-friendly 5-seater SUV that is a really useful and comfortable car to transport a family for their everyday use. 

My latest Volvo test drive was the XC40 Recharge Single Motor electric extended range variant, with a rated WLTP range of 556kms. Volvo cars expanded their all-electric XC40 Recharge compact SUV line-up in 2021 by adding the single motor version. It joined the dual-motor XC40 Recharge Twin that comes with all-wheel drive. The car looks almost the exact same as its ICE and PHEV siblings, except for the blanked-off body colour front, as a grille is not needed in an electric car. I really like the 'Thor’s Hammer' headlights design, a distinctive feature on many Volvo models down the years, inspired by the Norse god Thor in a T-shaped LED. My car also had posh 20-inch diamond cut/black alloy wheels which looked the part and in-built roof rails. Front fog lights had a cornering function which I always appreciate. Getting in and out for my tall 6.2-inch hubby was a lot easier than with many cars. 

The interior is far bigger than you’d expect from the outside and everything is nice and simple and of high quality. The tilt and slide panoramic power sunroof in my Ultimate spec XC40 extended the length of the cabin and provided lots of light. No leather is used in the interior, just beautiful sustainable materials for upholstery and trims. However, the interior was a bit on the dark side for my taste and needed a bit more silver or other light accents to brighten it up. At night, though, a panel on both front doors lit up to provide light relief. 

Seats are hugely comfy, including lumbar support. Front ones had power adjustments, the driver’s had two memory seat and mirror settings. Front seats can be heated — ditto the steering wheel. People in the rear enjoy very good head- and leg-room, but, even though this is the all-electric version, there's a high transmission tunnel for the person in the middle seat to have to contend with. The two outer rear seats can be heated. Boot capacity is 419 litres, expandable to 1,295 litres with rear seats folded to give a flat floor and no lip, making it easy to lift items over. The floor was covered with a removable rubber mat and had a small space below. My car had a power tailgate. 

Centre dash has a 9-inch portrait style touchscreen, not as large as in many other SUVs but big enough for most users to feel comfortable with. Just tap and swipe to select the feature you require. The standard Google-based navigation system is one of the best around. Thankfully, there are some physical buttons including a huge volume control knob below the central screen. The large instrumentation cluster shows speed, power-charge indicator and you can choose to have the navigation shown here, as I did. There’s no Start button, as the car goes to 'Ready' as you sit in. Just select Drive or Reverse and drive away. When the journey ends, press the P for Park button and leave. 

The 252hp available provides decent acceleration, useful when joining a motorway or clearing busy junctions. But remember, driving the motorways at 120km/h will eat into range (as it does with any fuel) so it’s more economical to keep things at around 100-110km/h. Lower speed will pay off in the long run. 

When it comes to charging, a 150 kWh fast charger allows a 30pc-95pc 'fill' in around 35 minutes. Charging my car to 61pc gave me an indicated range of 240kms. Parking is helped by big side mirrors, reversing camera and a 360deg visualisation. You can also select on the front, side or rear of the car icon to show which viewpoint you require. However, I felt the rear camera view to be quite limited vertically. 

My Ultimate grade added the keyless drive/start, Pilot Assist semi-autonomous driving, and Adaptive Cruise Control, rear Park Assist Camera, Hill Start Assist, Hill Descent Control, excellent Blind Spot warming, Premium Sound by Harman Kardon, and 20-inch alloys as well as a wireless charging pad. The car receives automatic over the air updates, so features are always up to date. 

Start price is €58,210 (not incl SEAI grant).; my car €65,910.

 

VW reveals new GTX variants

Volkswagen has revealed GTX sporty versions of their ID.3 and ID.7 Tourer electric cars, which will arrive in Ireland in the second half of the year, writes Brian Byrne.

The GTX grade includes individual front and rear light signatures as well as other exterior and interior details. The GTX suffix has a similar ethos as GT has had for combustion engined cars such as the GTI, GTD and GTE.

The ID.3 GTX will come in two specification levels, the upper Performance one emulating the Golf GTI Clubsport and coming with adaptive chassis control. Distinguishing features include a specific front bumper, high-gloss black elements, and bespoke side sills and rear diffuser.

Similar treatment goes to the ID.7 Tourer GTX, the standard version of which only went on pre-sale last week.

Volkswagen sold about 394,000 electric vehicles last year.

Rare Merc sells for $12m

Photo of similar car by Benutzer:Softeis at de.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0.

A 1904 Mercedes-Simplex 60HP car that recently sold for over $12 million is one of just five remaining examples of a model that helped build the world's foremost luxury brand, writes Brian Byrne.

British press baron Alfred Harmsworth bought the car, of which just 102 were built, in 1903. The recent sale of the car also meant the car leaving the family which had owned it through successive generations for 121 years. With a 9.3-litre engine, in its time it was considered the fastest production car in the world, able to reach 80mph. Since the 1960s, the car was on display at the Beaulieu Motor Museum in Hampshire, UK.

Big and powerful for its day, the car was popular with wealthy families. The model was built by Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft on behalf of Emil Jellinek, who was selling Daimler cars in France, using his daughter’s name Mercedes as the brand. The Mercedes-Benz name came about in 1926, when Daimler merged with Karl Benz's car company.

Details of new Skoda Superb Combi

Skoda have released full details of their latest flagship Superb Combi, a very sought-after large car in markets where estates are popular, writes Brian Byrne.

The car is larger in all key dimensions than its predecessor, including interior space. There's also a wider powertrain range including for the first time a 1.5 petrol turbo with mild-hybrid technology, along with a plug-in hybrid that offers an EV range of more than 100km. The 6-engine range provides output choices from 150hp-265hp.

A completely redesigned interior features comprehensive digital displays along with rotary knob management of climate and entertainment volume.

It's the third generation of Superb Combi cars since the first in 2009. Irish prices and arrival details later.

 

Maxus Mifa 9 Review: Brian Byrne, Irish Car

There’s no softer way to say this, but in my eyes the Maxus Mifa 9 is probably the ugliest car I’ve driven in years, writes Brian Byrne. Ever, even. But then, there’s no accounting for style tastes. Mine included.

The Mifa 9 is built in China by the SAIC carmaker. In today’s European crossover-centric automotive market, it is an unusual beast as a people-carrier — otherwise an MPV or multi-purpose-vehicle. Leaving its looks aside, I’m not sure where the Mifa 9 fits here. Launched on its home market specifically as a ‘luxurious electric van’ (read van as MPV a la American-speak 'minivan') it has been rolled out in other Asian markets and Australia. Ireland-UK is one of the ‘selected’ European markets where it has also been launched.

The vehicle — I hesitate to call it a car — has visual impact. Big, longer and wider by a significant amount than a Range Rover, for instance, the flat front has a scoopy apron that suggests a relationship with a megamouth shark, a fish which coincidentally averages the same length as the Mifa 9. The slab-sided profile is distinctively bisected by a chrome detail, and the rear is, well, square.

The shape as a rectangular box is good for interior space, especially with that length and the associated long wheelbase. It's easy for tall drivers like me to get in and out of, with none of the head-banging I too often have to endure. It has good visibility to front and sides, important when operating a big vehicle in traffic and urban spaces. The dashboard and instrumentation styling is quite simplified, a smallish screen for driver information and a not much larger centre infotainment one. Main climate controls are haptic types built into a decorative strip on the lower dash. They're not bad, but I still prefer knobs. As to the infotainment screen itself, I'm still of the opinion that in general Chinese carmakers haven't got these sorted, but in this case at least there's a fast access to setting the driver assist preferences before driving off. The interior rear-view 'mirror' is a screen from a rear-mounted camera. It suffered a bit from shiny surface reflected glare, but it did give a wide-view appreciation of what was happening on the road behind.

The Mifa 9's width allows generous front seats, and they're comfortable too. A large storage section between them is a kind of double-deck affair. Access to the seats in the rear — the Mifa 9 offers a total capacity of seven people — is via electrically operated sliding doors. The middle two seats cause a double-take when first viewed, the immediate thought being of a brace of 'thrones', each with solid high arms, and which can be electrically rotated to face backwards for a lounge effect with the other 3-occupant seating. That last can be folded in a 60:40 split if not in use. Those middle seats also have iPhone-like screens in the armrests to manage various configurations, heating and stuff. With all seats in use, even in this very long vehicle there's not much storage in the cargo area. Flipping the rear seat-backs does allow more space for cases, although with a far from flat floor.

The Mifa 9 has 'luxury' ambitions and pricing, but while there's some 'wow!' detailing, the overall trim sense does not take it to the level we appreciate from traditional European luxury carmakers. (On the other hand the BYD Seal, which I'll be reviewing shortly, will show that China does know how to challenge the likes of Mercedes and BMW in this respect.)

The Mifa 9 was launched as an all-electric vehicle, though in its home market a combustion-engined version has since appeared. The rated range of the review car is 430km, with an energy consumption of around 21kWh/100km. A tested real world range is closer to 365km and a consumption of 23kWh/100km. When I picked up the car, the 100pc charge suggested 308m, so I'm reckoning that above lower range is closer to the mark. 

Driving the Mifa 9 was quite a positive experience, very together, swift when needed, and silent. It isn't a vehicle that invites being thrown around, and I never felt an inclination to do so. But for the long motorway haul it is very comfortable, especially for those monarchs in the middle seats. I still don't know, though, where the  buyer cohort is in Ireland. Since it arrived early last year, eight have been registered in this country. So it seems the market itself hasn't sussed it either. 

PRICE: From €79,950-€98,500. WHAT I LIKED: The undoubted comfort. 

Toyota Prius Review: Trish Whelan, Irish Car

The first time I saw the Toyota Prius, I thought it one of the least attractive looking cars on our roads but this pioneering hybrid went on to become a world wide hit. 

Fast forward from 1997 to the present day and this fifth generation of the model, exclusively available as a Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV), is a world away from that original dull looking car. It is now one of the sleekest, most dynamic lookers on sale here and I believe will attract buyers for its looks alone. It is simply stunning from every angle. The aerodynamically streamlined body style cuts drag and improves efficiency. The car sits 50mm lower than previously and is also significantly wider and shorter. A caveat: we found that the low roofline impacts getting in and out of the car for tall people and also limits rear head and legroom. 

My car, in a vivid Tokyo Gold exterior colour was certainly eye-catching but there are six other more ordinary colours to choose from. The cabin is inviting with a simple, uncluttered dash and clean look. The raked windscreen seems very far forward and I found the size of the rear view mirror mounting and surround - that includes cameras and sensors - takes up so much space on the windscreen that it obstructed my visibility when approaching, and stopped at, traffic lights. Though A-pillar windows and Toyota’s thin A-pillars do aid driver visibility somewhat. 

The dark interior was softened by the mid grey roof lining, and some nice embellished silver trim. Seats in synthetic leather upholstery looked well and proved comfy; the driver’s has lumbar support and two memory seat settings. The main feature is a 12.3-inch multimedia system with wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto, navigation, MyT Connected Services, and smart voice assist. The screen has a dark background which shows off the coloured graphics to perfection. Below are a row of buttons for the air con, dual zone climate control, and controls for the front seat heaters/ventilation. A 7-inch driver information display screen is set high and far ahead on the dash almost in the driver’s line of sight. It shows your digital speed and where the power is coming from as well as how many kms are available in the battery. 

The gear drive selector is on the flat of the central console and I found it works well. There are six USB small Type C ports throughout the cabin. Boot space is akin to that of a normal hatchback and there's a tyre repair kit below the floor. 

Power is from a 2.0 petrol engine outputting 223hp, an electric motor and 13.6kWh lithium-ion battery pack. The PHEV has a WLTP rated 71kms in electric drive on a single charge which allows many owners to drive in EV mode to and from their workplace. For longer trips, the powertrain switches seamlessly to the petrol-electric hybrid system so you never have to worry about range anxiety. Three drive modes are Eco, Sport and Normal. You can also select EV mode to drive in all-electric mode. Toyota claim a possible fuel consumption figure of 0.7 L/100km (that’s 336mpg!), but in real use my car showed 4.6 L/100km (61mpg) when I returned it to Toyota. 

Safety features included Toyota Safety Sense 3, with a Pre-Collision system with pedestrian and daytime cyclist and motorbike detection, Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control, front cross traffic alert, a Blind Spot monitor, and rear view camera. 

On the road, this latest Prius is a pleasure to drive. Nice and quiet and super comfy. While it’s not exactly sporty, it can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 6.8 secs. It also offers a smooth ride and seemed to glide over poor road surfaces. Steering is quite direct. Charging the EV battery takes time as the maximum rate of charge for the battery is just 3.3kW so it’s best to charge at home or at your workplace as you won’t be welcomed at a fast DC public charging station, taking up valuable time for someone waiting to charge their fully electric car. Charging from a domestic socket takes around 6hrs, or 4hrs from a home wallbox. 

Toyota offers a manufacturer’s warranty of 3yrs/100,000km; a hybrid warranty of 5yrs/100,000km for all hybrid components including the hybrid battery; and up to 15yrs/unlimited mileage hybrid battery warranty once the car is serviced with a Toyota Dealer. The Toyota Prius is priced from €46,530. Annual road tax is €140.