Nissan shows two electric concepts at Tokyo

Nissan showed two electric concepts at this week's Tokyo Motor Show, a crossover and a 'hot Nismo version of its Leaf, writes Brian Byrne.

The IMx is a four-seat crossover with a range of more than 600kms according to the Japanese system of calculation.

The twin electric motors can deliver up to 700Nm of torque, and the driving experience is very solid thanks to the low centre of gravity.

The Nismo variant concept of the new generation Leaf features improved aerodynamics with a sporty ambience.

Nissan also announced that it is entering the Formula E racing competition in 2018/2019, the same time that partner Renault will be leaving it to concentrate on its Formula 1 activities.

Nissan unveils new Leaf

Nissan has unveiled its new Leaf, which will go on sale in first European markets in January, writes Brian Byrne. It will arrive in Ireland in February.

The car has a longer range than the current Leaf, at 240km up from 172km. A bigger battery to be made available next year will offer more than 480km.

The new Leaf is a little longer and wider than the outgoing car, and will be available with high-level autonomous driving technology. Nissan’s ProPilot autonomous driving system allows the Leaf to drive itself in stop-and-go traffic and in single-lane highway journeys, even around curves. The car will also be able to self-park.

A new accelerate/brake function of the accelerator pedal means that one-pedal driving is possible for 90pc of normal driving needs.

At the launch in Tokyo, the company says it expects the new car to achieve at least twice the annual sales of the first generation model, which totalled 47,000 worldwide last year.

The original Leaf was introduced in 2010, but faces a much more competitive market today with electric cars being offered or imminent from every major manufacturer.

Apprentices offer from Nissan Ireland

Nissan Ireland is offering up to 40 places for Leaving Cert students as an alternative to the CAO, writes Trish Whelan.

Interested students should apply to the Nissan Apprentice Academy where up to 40 places are now available to anyone interested in training to become a qualified automotive technician.

James McCarthy

“This is no ordinary apprenticeship as it offers a unique opportunity to work with the innovative intelligent mobility technologies that are shaping the future of the motor industry and driving the demand for Nissan cars,” said James McCarthy, CEO of Nissan Ireland.

“We created the Academy to develop the technicians of tomorrow and to help future-proof our business so that we can service the demand for connected, autonomous and electric cars like the zero emissions Nissan LEAF and new Nissan Qashqai,” he added.

Applicants can now apply online and successful candidates will be employed by local Nissan dealers across the country before the end of the year and mentored and trained over four years to become qualified automotive technicians.

Apprentices will complete their normal block release apprenticeship with SOLAS. They will also receive Nissan product training throughout their apprenticeship relevant to their experience and ability. 

On successful completion of the standard SOLAS apprenticeship programme, the top scoring graduates will be given the opportunity to further their career within the Nissan dealer network. The highest performing graduate will be offered a scholarship into D.I.T. Automotive third-level degree courses and advancement within the Nissan Apprentice Academy where they will receive Nissan Master Technician Training including entry into NISTEC, Nissan’s world-wide skills competition. 

“This is an exciting time to be working in the motor industry. Nissan is leading the way with Intelligent Mobility and changing the way cars are powered, driven and integrated into society. Now is the time to be part of this evolution,” said Mr McCarthy. 

Nissan is currently testing advanced autonomous driving on public roads and the technology that will equip a car to pick you up, navigate heavy traffic and find parking all on its own, and that is happy to give you back control of the wheel, is within reach,” he added.

Nissan is also especially interested in receiving applications from first and second year engineering students who may be reconsidering their college choice, or from students who have recently completed a FETAC course.

Applications can be made online at www.nissan.ie/experience-nissan/apprentice-academy. The closing date for applications is Saturday, 30th September 2017.

Next Generation of young Nissan Ambassadors

Eleven young Irish innovators and achievers in the fields of business, technology, sport, fashion and music have landed the keys to new Nissan cars after being selected as Nissan Generation Next ambassadors.

The new car ambassadors have been given a golden opportunity to follow their dream of making it on the national and world stage with the backing and support of Nissan after fending off competition from over 1,000 applicants.

They were among the 20 finalists put forward to a three week long online vote where members of the public cast over 100,000 votes to decide who would join the prestigious ambassador programme for the coming year.

Each of the 11 ambassadors got to choose a brand new, taxed and insured Nissan which best suits their needs. Nissan will also provide the new ambassadors with valuable promotional and marketing support for one year

In the four years since it was launched the Nissan Generation Next ambassador programme has helped 30 young Irish leaders to overcome obstacles, to realise their potential and goals and to bring innovative ideas to life.

“Nissan Generation Next supports Ireland’s leaders of tomorrow. The standard of entry this year was exceptional. We had a difficult task to select 20 finalists and the 100,000 votes cast during the public vote is a terrific endorsement of the programme,” said James McCarthy, CEO of Nissan Ireland.

“This ambassadors joining this year’s programme are fearless about following their dreams and competing and succeeding on the world stage. We look forward to supporting them on their journey and to building on our proud record of helping Ireland’s future leaders and champions to realise their dreams,” he added.

The full list of Nissan Generation Next ambassadors for 2017 is as follows:

Tony Browne (22) – Boxer, Dublin
Tony has recently been named at number 9 in the Four Nations rankings for the light heavyweight division. Tony has long been regarded a serious boxing prospect, and is a serious contender to represent Ireland in Tokyo at the 2020 Olympic Games.

Richie Commins (23) - Founder Dashcabz, Galway
Richie is a tech graduate from NUI Galway who has created an innovative new service called DASHCABZ, that allows students to get a taxi home safely, even when they have no cash, bank card or phone. The pilot project started in Galway and is now rolling out to colleges and taxis drivers across the country.

Nicole Drought (23) - Racing Driver, Tipperary
Nicole Drought, is one of Ireland’s premier female racing drivers. She became the first woman to win in the Irish Touring Car Championship last year. That feat of achievement also led to her being named as the 2016 Irish Sportswoman of the Year.

Adam Harris (20) – As I am, Dublin
Adam is the founder and CEO of AsIAm.ie, an organisation working to build an Ireland where every person with autism can “live and succeed as they are”. Adam founded AsIAm.ie based on his experience of living with Aspergers Syndrome, a condition on the Autism Spectrum.

Chris Kelly (20) – Patient Tracking System Software, Limerick
Chris is on a mission to improve patient care in hospitals worldwide. His company, Pinpoint Innovations, has developed a patient tracking system that monitors the flow, efficiency and utilisation rates of operating theatres in hospitals. The company has partnered with the Perioperative Care team in the University Hospital Limerick and is piloting its first product, Xsonor, over the next six months.

Colin Keogh (28) – Co-founder of The Rapid Foundation, Wicklow
Colin works as an engineer in UCD and is determined to change the world by using Science and Technology to solve some of the world’s biggest problems.  He utilises low cost disruptive technologies to make an impact on global issues and has already been named as one of ‘Forbes 30 under 30’ in Science and Medicine.

Niall Moloney (27) – PowCow, Dublin
Niall is a qualified dietitian and an expert in sports nutrition. He created Europe’s first high protein, low fat, frozen yogurt: Pow-Cow. He came up with the idea after discovering that his clients, who include Connacht Rugby, Irish Olympians, intercounty GAA players and other professional athletes, were struggling to find an enjoyable healthy dairy snack or treat.

Dave McGeady (36) – Wyldsson, Dublin
Dave McGeady, is the founder of 'Wyldsson' a health snack company based in Tallaght. His healthy food products have become the snack of choice for Manchester United players, rugby internationals and Ryder Cup golfers.

Michael Onalimi (43) - Flavour Safari, Laois
Michael, from Mountmellick, realised a long held dream when he launched his business, Flavour Safari Sauces, which is Ireland’s first African inspired sauce range. Flavour Safari is already a proud Food Academy Producer with Super Valu and Michael is currently working on securing new store listings across the country and on exporting his range of sauces into the U.K.

Kormac O’Halloran (37) – Performer, Producer and DJ, Dublin
Kormac is a multi-instrumentalist musician, producer and DJ from Dublin. Well known for his live performances, Kormac performs with a full ensemble, known as Kormac’s Big Band, who’ve appeared on primetime shows and at the biggest music festivals. His music is often used in TV advertising and his track ‘Wash My Hands’ has just been selected for use in the forthcoming John Malkovich/Glen Close Movie, ‘The Wilde Wedding’. His latest album features legendary Trainspotting author Irvine Walsh.

Chupi Sweetman  (33) - Jewellery designer, Dublin
Chupi is a young Dublin jewellery designer who quit her job to train as a goldsmith before creating a multi award winning international jewellery brand. Her jewellery brand ‘Chupi’ is stocked in stores from Paris to Tokyo.

Innovators aim to become Nissan Ambassadors

Nineteen young innovators from all walks of life in Ireland have been given the opportunity of making it on the national and world stage with the backing and support of Nissan, writes Trish Whelan.

Nissan received over 1,000 applications for the dream chance and the shortlist of 19 finalists will face a three-week long public vote to win one of ten places on the Nissan Generation Next ambassador programme. 

The seven finalists with the highest number of votes and another three finalists chosen by Nissan, will each receive the keys to a new taxed and insured Nissan to drive for a year together with valuable promotional and marketing support.

In the four years since it was launched, Nissan Generation Next has helped new Irish entrepreneurs to find their feet in domestic and global markets, elite athletes, writers, film makers and fashion designers to succeed internationally and young scientists to shape and influence the fast moving world of digital technology.

This year’s finalists include Ireland’s new generation of rising stars in the field of business, technology, medical care, food, sport, music, fashion and social enterprise.

James McCarthy, CEO of Nissan Ireland says “Nissan Generation Next has been phenomenally successful in helping the next generation of Irish leaders and champions to realise their potential. All of our finalists this year have been fearless in making their dreams a reality. They are driven to succeed internationally and we look forward to helping those joining this year’s Nissan Generation Next programme to get ahead on their journey to success.”

Members of the public can cast their vote online for any one of the 19 finalists at www.nissangenerationnext.ie up to Friday 14 July 2017. 

The finalists are:

Kormac O’Halloran (37) – Performer, Producer and DJ, Dublin. Kormac is a multi-instrumentalist musician, producer and DJ from Dublin. Well known for his live performances, Kormac performs with a full ensemble, known as Kormac’s Big Band, who’ve appeared on primetime shows such as the Late, Late Show. His music is often used in TV advertising and his track ‘Wash My Hands’ has just been selected for use in the forthcoming John Malkovich/Glen Close Movie, Wild Wedding. His latest album features legendary Trainspotting Author Irvine Walsh.

Chris Kelly (20) – Patient Tracking System Software, Limerick. Chris is on a mission to improve patient care in hospitals worldwide. His company, Pinpoint Innovations, has developed a patient tracking system that monitors the flow, efficiency and utilisation rates of operating theatres in hospitals. The company has partnered with the Perioperative Care team in the University Hospital Limerick and is piloting its first product, Xsonor, over the next six months. Chris is pictured below. 

Louise McGuane (39) – Whiskey Distillery, Clare. Louise returned home to her family farm in Kilrush on the wings of a high flying career with top global drinks brands in cities like New York, Paris, London and Singapore to create a business that has revived the traditional method of producing Irish whiskey. She is the founder of Chapel Gate Irish Whiskey Co. which produces whiskey under the JJ Corry brand.

Tony Browne (22) – Boxer, Dublin. Tony has recently been named at number 9 in the Four Nations rankings for the light heavyweight division. Tony has long been regarded a serious boxing prospect, and is a serious contender to represent Ireland in Tokyo at the 2020 Olympic Games. Tony Browne and Nicole Drought are pictured below.

Nicole Drought (23) - Racing Driver, Tipperary. Nicole is one of Ireland’s premier female racing drivers. She became the first woman to win in the Irish Touring Car Championship last year. That feat of achievement also led to her being named as the 2016 Irish Sportswoman of the Year. Nicole is pictured above with boxer Tony Browne.

Chupi Sweetman  (33) - Jewellery designer, Dublin. Chupi is a young Dublin jewellery designer who quit her job to train as a goldsmith before creating a multi award winning international jewellery brand. Her jewellery brand ‘Chupi’ is stocked in stores from Paris to Tokyo.

Niall Moloney (27) – PowCow, Dublin. Niall is a qualified dietitian and an expert in sports nutrition. He created Europe’s first high protein, low fat, frozen yogurt: Pow-Cow. He came up with the idea after discovering that his clients, who include Connacht Rugby, Irish Olympians, intercounty GAA players and other professional athletes, were struggling to find an enjoyable healthy dairy snack or treat.

James Corneille (18) – Positivity Pack, Limerick. James has already accumulated 18 awards in tech and business and has been named as the ‘#2 Most Powerful Young Entrepreneur in the World’ thanks to the success of his business, Positivity Pack. The teenager has also developed a massive social media presence with 450,000 followers online. James is pictured below.

Dave McGeady (36) – Wyldsson, Dublin. Dave is the founder of 'Wyldsson' a health snack company based in Tallaght. His healthy food products have become the snack of choice for Manchester United players, rugby internationals and Ryder Cup golfers.

Jeanne Mahony (50) – Hope Beer, Dublin. Jeanne put her plans for retirement on hold in order to create Fingal’s only microbrewery with a group of her friends. Hope Beer brews a range of delicious craft beers from a state of the art facility on the Kilbarrack Road.

Colin Keogh (28) – Co-founder of The Rapid Foundation, Wicklow. Colin works as an engineer in UCD and is determined to change the world by using Science and Technology to solve some of the world’s biggest problems.  He utilises low cost disruptive technologies to make an impact on global issues and has already been named as one of ‘Forbes 30 under 30’ in Science and Medicine.

Cliona Hegarty (35) – Bella Bites, Dublin. Inspired the diets of clean-eating Australians during her time in Australia, Cliona returned to Ireland with a new-found passion for fresh, unprocessed food. She founded Bella Bites in 2014, producing a range of healthy, energy-boosting clean snacks. Her products can be found in over 150 retailers across Ireland. She is pictured below.

Marie Martin (22) – The Safe Scrub, Kerry. Marie Martin, invented a top selling product to improve farm safety and to help farmers to protect their health. Marie invented the Safe Scrub Sprayer as a Transition Year student after her father became ill from spraying pesticides. The front loader mounted sprayer allows users to spray pesticides from the safety of the cab and also saves time and money by reducing the amount of pesticides required by up to 50%.

Brendan Doyle (31) – Skeleton, Dublin. After a frightening attack while on duty, Brendan decided to leave his job as a Garda and returned to the sport he’d trained at as a teenager, skeleton sledding, overcoming some troubled times battling with depression in the process. He’s now a regular speaker on the topic of mental health, while also having one eye on competing in the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea.

Adam Harris (22) – As I am, Dublin. Adam is the founder and CEO of AsIAm.ie, an organisation working to build an Ireland where every person with Autism can “live and succeed as they are”. Adam founded AsIAm.ie based on his experience of living with Aspergers Syndrome, a condition on the Autism Spectrum.

Michael Onalimi (43) - Flavour Safari, Laois. Michael, from Mountmellick, realised a long held dream when he launched his business, Flavour Safari Sauces, which is Ireland’s first African inspired sauce range. Flavour Safari is already a proud Food Academy Producer with Super Valu and Michael is currently working on securing new store listings across the country and on exporting his range of sauces into the U.K.

Richie Commins (23) - Founder Dashcabz, Galway. Richie is a tech graduate from NUI Galway who has created an innovative new service called DASHCABZ, that allows students to get a taxi home safely, even when they have no cash, bank card or phone. The pilot project started in Galway and is now rolling out to colleges and taxis drivers across the country.

Andy Dunne (37) – Personal Health, Dublin. After suffering with an injury that caused him to retire from professional rugby, Andy was inspired to study musculoskeletal therapy. Excelling in the role, he became a leading physiotherapist in professional cricket, travelling with the Irish national team during the 2014 World Cup. Now, he’s the founder and managing director at Personal Health, a medical clinic providing lifestyle support to clients with chronic health conditions.

Niamh McCabe (25) – Luvguru, Dublin. Niamh is the co-founder of Luvguru, an innovative new matchmaking app that allows friends and neighbours to play Cupid, to meddle in another friend’s love life and to hook them up with a suitable date. The app has brought Ireland’s art and tradition of matchmaking into the digital age and is fast becoming the next big thing in the dating world.

Photos: Orla Murray, SONPhoto

All-New Nissan Micra here in April

The latest generation of the Nissan Micra supermini hatchback will go on sale here this April with prices starting from €16,650, writes Trish Whelan.

It will replace the current Micra and the Note.

First launched in 1983, Micra has 34 years of history and sales success in Europe and has seen huge levels of customer loyalty over its lifetime. More than seven million units have been sold worldwide since launch with more than 3.5 million of those in Europe. 

Many Irish drivers have happy memories of learning to drive in a Micra and hold the car in high esteem. 

Available only as a five-door model, the car is longer, lower and wider than before and has a longer wheelbase. It is the widest model in the B-hatchback segment and is among the lowest.

Three efficient engines will be available from launch are a 0.9 litre 90hp turbo petrol; a 1.0 naturally aspirated petrol with 73hp; and a 1.5 90hp 4-cylinder turbo diesel.

Five grades are offered to meet every customer’s budgets, XE, SV, SV Premium and SVE. Not all grades are available with all engines. 

Every Micra comes with a two-tone interior and there are three different versions, one for XE, a second for SV and SVE, and a third for SVE. Leather trim is an option on SVE.

The entry level grade gets as standard, 15-inch steel wheels, LED daytime running lights, electric door mirrors with integrated turn signals, electric front windows, rear spoiler, Hill Start Assist, trip computer, manual air con, height adjustable driver’s seat, rake/reach adjustable steering wheel and a two-tone dashboard. The SV, expected to be the volume seller here, adds 16-inch alloys, 7-inch display audio system, cruise control, chrome interior door handles and gear shift surround, SV black and grey cloth trim. A spare tyre will also come as standard.

The new Note is manufactured at Flins in France at a plant operated by Nissan’s Alliance partner Renault. The Renault Clio and Zoe models are also built here. It is the first Nissan passenger car ever to be built at a Renault plant in Europe and returns Micra production to Europe after a break of seven years.

Benchmarked against key rivals in the B-hatchback segment, Nissan believes the all-new Micra meets, and exceeds, its targets.

James McCarthy, CEO, Nissan Ireland is pictured at this evening’s pre-launch event for motoring journalists held at Nissan Ireland. The car imported from the UK for the occasion, was a pre-production model.

Nissan taking on 40 more apprentices

Nissan is hiring 40 apprentices who will be trained over a 4-year period in Nissan dealerships around the country, writes Brian Byrne.

Applications are now being accepted online for the Automotive Technician apprenticeship, with a special emphasis on technology for connected, autonomous and electric cars.

The top scoring graduate will receive a scholarship to pursue a degree in automotive engineering at a third-level institute of their choice as well as a brand new, taxed and insured Nissan to drive for a year.

Apprentices will complete their normal block release apprenticeship with Solas, and will continue their education to qualify as Nissan Master Technicians.

Applicants should have completed the Leaving Certificate and Nissan is especially interested in receiving applications from first and second year engineering students who may be reconsidering their college choice or students that have recently completed a FETAC course who are interested in pursuing a career as a Master Technician within the motor industry.

The closing date for applications, which should be made at nissan.ie, is Friday, 25 November 2016.

The first phase of this scheme was announced in January 2015, when Nissan Ireland MD James McCarthy (pictured above with Declan Allen of DIT when making the initial announcement) said it would add 100 new jobs over four years.

New Micra replaces Nissan's Note

For those who were surprised at the big transformation in Nissan's supermini Micra at the Paris Motor Show, it's because the company is dropping the Note model, writes Brian Byrne.

The very striking Micra was one of the star turns at Paris, and will now pair the Juke crossover as the company's offerings in the segment.

The Note, technically classed as a small MPV, will be discontinued early in 2017. It went on sale in Europe initially in 2006, and was built in Nissan's Sunderland plant in the UK for the European market.

In the long in automotive terms gap between the cessation of the Almera and the arrival of the current Pulsar, the Note was a flag-carrier for the brand in the compact family segment, though the Qashqai crossover actually attracted more buyers. The Note was revised in 2013.

Centenarian is EV driver

A 100 year old Clonmel man who started driving in 1930 behind the wheel of his father’s Ford Model T, has become a pioneer for electric driving in Ireland after buying himself a new Nissan LEAF, writes Trish Whelan.

The 100pc electric and zero emissions LEAF is the first new car that John Walsh has ever bought and with average fuel savings of €1,400 per annum, his new EV would have netted him over €120,000 had the car existed during his motoring life!

“My motivation was to do something to improve the environment and to conserve the supply of fossil fuels. The banks are paying no interest, so I decided to spend my money on an EV to do my own little bit to protect the environment,” said John, who is preparing to celebrate his 101st birthday on 10 September.

The pioneering pensioner particularly enjoys being able to charge his new Nissan car at home.

“I love the car in so far as I drive it on trips into town and to visit friends. There are a few places that I’d like to visit soon like Dungarvan, Holy Cross or Mount Mellery Abbey which is quite a special place and somewhere I used to visit quite a bit in earlier years,” said John, who retired from his job as the chief accountant with Bulmers in 1981.

Nissan's AVM in tough environments

Nope, despite the badge, it’s not a concept for the next Nissan Note, writes Brian Byrne. But it does show there are other applications for the Japanese carmaker’s Around View Monitor technology.

AVM is familiar to many current owners of Nissans, it allows a ‘bird’s eye view’ of the ... MORE

EV Leaf battery 'more reliable than petrol, diesel' claim

Electric car pioneer Nissan has revealed that just three of the 35,000 Leafs sold in Europe in the last five years had battery-failure issues, writes Brian Byrne.

According to the company, that's a far greater reliability record than standard petrol or diesel cars.

The Leaf is the best-selling EV, and in Europe last year increased sales by a third to more than 15,000 units.

In Ireland, Leaf sales are continuing to grow. With 188 units sold in 2014, the 2015 sales of the compact hatch are already at 165, only two and a half months into the year.

Nissan concept to offer Micra hints

A concept to be shown by Nissan at next week's Geneva Motor Show will likely preview the next generation Micra, writes Brian Byrne.

The Sway concept offers a more sporty look than the current car, and should show how the company plans to meet the competition in a much tougher market segment than it used to be.

The next Micra will be built in France on a Renault assembly line, probably using the same platform as the current Renault Clio.

Is Marai the FC future that never comes?

With Toyota rolling out its production Mirai fuel cell car this year — the name is Japanese for 'Future' — are we seeing the real start to a long promised 'car of the future' finally arriving?, writes Brian Byrne.

Maybe. Maybe not. Maybe it's still a 'sometime' thing. The truth is, part of the reason for the Mirai's rollout is auto-political. It will initially only be available in California, which has 'zero tailpipe emissions' legislation that penalises any carmaker who doesn't have at least one model available with no emissions. Toyota hasn't gone the pure EV route, so this is its 'zero' candidate. That it costs some $30,000 more than an equivalent gasoline powered sedan doesn't really matter.

But the Mirai's arrival is a pointer to the ongoing search for a real alternative to petrol or diesel as the energy source for our car travelling. And prompts me to look again at the situation in Ireland.

Pulsar, the details.

Nissan's new Pulsar family hatchback, launched this week, is available in three trims and three engine options, writes Trish Whelan.

Engines include a 1.2, 115hp petrol unit, returning a fuel consumption of 5.0 L/100km (56.5mpg), and with C02 Emissions of 117g/km so is in Tax Band A4 of €200; priced from €19,995. A CVT is available with this engine, also in Tax Band A4, and priced from €21,995. For another €1,600, buyers can choose the 1.5dCi 110hp unit, with 260Nm torque, and a very frugal fuel consumption of 3.6 L/100kms (78mpg) and Road Tax of €180 per annum (A2). This unit is priced from €21,595 and is expected to be the volume seller in Ireland.

Nissan's Peter Dynan said at the launch they anticipate around 20 percent petrol sales initially, the remainder diesel.

Trims are XE, SV and SVE. The mid grade is expected to be the volume seller.

Nissan engineers have spent a lot of time designing the car and the interior. It's all high quality materials.

Jeanne McGann of Nissan Ireland said the main benefits of new Pulsar include its competitive pricing, low fuel economy, low C02 emissions, a 3-year warranty, and high levels of safety and technology features.

Standard equipment on the entry level XE trim includes 16-inch steel wheels, 5-inch drive assist display, Stop/Start system, cruise control/speed limiter, air conditioning, all power windows, remote audio controls, iPod/USB connectivity, Bluetooth, Remote Central door locking, 6 airbags, ESP, height adjustable front seat, take and reach adjustable steering, daytime running lights, and a spare wheel.

The SV trim adds 16-inch alloys, front fogs, heated door mirrors, an Auto Pack (auto lights,wipers, dimming rear-view mirror, Intelligent Key and Engine start button, dual-zone automatic air conditioning, 6 speakers, rear centre armrest, leather steering wheel and gear knob and the SV interior trim. Options include forward emergency braking (€400), LED headlights (€500), 17-inch alloys + FR sliding armrest and privacy glass (€800), and Nissan Connect 2 plus rear view monitor (€800).

The top SVE adds 17-inch alloy wheels, privacy glass, LED headlights, Nissan Connect 2, Around view monitor, Nissan Safety Shield, folding door mirrors, front sliding armrest, forward emergency braking and the SVE trim. Leather seats are another €1,200.

We first drove the 1.5 diesel unit, from Nissan HQ in Park West, Dublin to the launch venue of The Cliff House Hotel, in Ardmore, Co Waterford, via the N7, M9 and N25 routes.

We found it surprisingly spacious for the car's small exterior frame, almost Ford Mondeo size in the rear with huge legroom, even above that of some of the more expensive D-segment cars. This is down to the wheelbase being the longest in its segment. This also allows Pulsar the biggest boot space of hatchbacks in the segment.

When we arrived at our destination, the fuel gauge in the 1.5 had only moved a hair's breath from 'full', proving the claimed fuel economy of this engine.

On the return trip back to Dublin, we choose the 1.2 petrol unit. With three adults and their overnight cases on board, it proved very adequate and well up to the job.

Nissan to sponsor Manchester City

Nissan will sponsor English Premier League champions Manchester City in a bid to boost its brand image as the carmaker aims to surpass Toyota as Europe's top-selling Asian brand, writes Trish Whelan.

Nissan's five-year deal with City Football Group, owner of the Manchester City team, includes an in-kind exchange to introduce the carmaker's Leaf electric car to the team.

Nissan's CEO Carlos Ghosn said the agreement will help 'strengthen the brand globally'.

In April, Nissan signed a four-year deal as the sponsor of European Champions League soccer tournament, starting next month.

Across the city, General Motors' Chevrolet sponsors rivals Manchester United. GM is pulling its Chevrolet brand out of Europe, but is continuing a nine-year $559 million Chevy promotional agreement with Manchester United. GM's strategy is to appeal to the club's fans in Asia where it continues to sell Chevrolet-brand vehicles.

City Football Group CEO Ferran Soriano said Nissan will be providing its electric vehicles to a new football training centre in Manchester to open later this year.

Nissan will also have its brand displayed prominently at the club's Etihad Stadium in Manchester.

2014 Nissan Juke now on sale

Jeanne McGann of Nissan Ireland with the 2014 Nissan Juke

Nissan has launched the second-generation of its Juke crossover to the Irish market, writes Trish Whelan.

This rowdy little brother to the Qashqai has always been the funky member of the Nissan family.

The new car has retained the mix of crossover toughness and sporty appeal that has seen it become a design icon. Showing its muscle, the car still looks as if it's on steroids.

The new car hasn't differed in size from the original launched around three years ago and which went on to win Continental Irish Car of the Year; the only differences are some changes to the front and to the rear, a new top specification level, and the 40 percent increase in luggage space in the 2WD versions thanks to a two-deck luggage system which makes the space more flexible. This takes the luggage capacity to 354 litres. The car can carry a large and a medium suitcase at the same time, and is also deep and wide enough to carry a chassis-type pushchair. Flat folding rear seats make it easier to load large objects. New Juke also gets an open-air panoramic glass roof which covers two-thirds of the roof area.

Juke comes with the latest generation of NissanConnect which offers smartphone connectivity, and satellite navigation, through the big 5.8-inch colour touch screen which doubles as a monitor for the latest version of Nissan's 'Around View Monitor'. This allows a complete 360 degree 'helicopter' view around the car to make manoeuvring safer.

Customers can stamp their own personality on their car with a new personalisation programme called 'Nissan Design Studio', offering a range of new colours and interior and exterior themes.

Power is from a 1.5 diesel diesel and a new 1.2 petrol engine. Tax Bands are from A3-C (€190 - €390). Despite all the extra features, prices remain the same as before, from €19,295-€26,095. A 1.6 petrol CVT fully automatic version is available priced from €22,395.

Three trims are offered, XE, SV and SVE (new).

The new colour palette now has ten colours and includes three new shades: Sunlight Yellow metallic, Ink Blue metallic and solid Red.

While there's a big list of standard features, optional extras include a sunroof (€1,000), Metallic/Pearl paint (€500), Nissan Connect (€750), Exterior pack (€630) and an Interior pack (€320).

Juke competes in the C-Segment crossover market, one of the faster growing segments right across Europe and Nissan Ireland expect to sell about 500 units a year.

All Jukes sold in Europe, are built in Europe at Nissan's enormous production plant in Sunderland in the UK, where Qashqai is also produced.

Rivals are Renault Captur and Opel Mokka.

Pulsar for Paris Show

Nissan will give its new Pulsar hatchback its public debut at the Paris Motor Show in October, writes Brian Byrne.

Built on the same platform as the Qashqai and X-Trail, the car will have a 1.2 115hp petrol as its entry level engine.

The car will be the first compact hatchback from the company in Europe since it dropped the Almera in 2006.

In initial pricing arrangements for the UK, Nissan has pitched the Pulsar below the cost of similarly-equipped Ford Focus and VW Golfs.

New X-Trail arrives

The new generation Nissan X-Trail has gone on sale in Ireland at a starting price of €29,950, writes Brian Byrne.

The car is powered by a 130hp 1.6 diesel, with manual or automatic transmission options, and comes with 2WD or AWD.

Tax band ratings on CO2 emissions run from B1-B2, at either €270 or €280 a year.

With three grades available, the new X-Trail is in 5- or 7-seat versions. Nissan Ireland expects the most popular version to be the 7-seat FWD SVE at €37,700. Around 90 percent of buyers will opt for the FWD cars.



All versions come with Cruise Control, Bluetooth connectivity, a spare wheel, air conditioning, and LED daylight running lights as part of a comprehensive standard specification. The SV grade adds Nissan's Safety Shield technologies, including forward emergency braking, lane departure warning and traffic sign recognition, as well as a number of interior enhancements.

Options available include a Safety Pack (in XE), Nissan's Connect system in a Technology Pack, and a Design Pack which includes a powered tailgate.

The new X-Trail has significantly more presence than its predecessor, styled in similar fashion to the new generation Qashqai introduced early this year.

The Irish distributor expects to sell around 1,500 units of the X-trail, about half the number expected for Qashqai this year.

We'll provide a First Drive impression later today.

Nissan's electric van launches soon

Nissan's electric van, the e-NV200, will go on sale in European markets this month at €20,610 (in France), writes Brian Byrne. The price is subject to reduction by government grants and subsidies wherever it is sold.

Built in Barcelona in Spain, the van will have a rated range of around 190km on a charge.

It will be the second of four zero-emissions vehicles planned by Nissan for launch by 2017.

No sales targets have been mentioned, but Nissan-Renault's original target of 1.5m EVs by 2017 has now been pushed back by up to three years.

With the Nissan Leaf accounting for most of the 150,000 EVs sold so far by the two companies, the e-NV200 now joins a range that includes the Leaf, and Renault's Zoe, Fluence, Kangoo van and the Twizy quadricycle.

New Nissan compact hatch revealed

These are the first official pictures of Nissan's new Pulsar compact family hatch, targeting the VW Golf and Ford Focus after a long absence by the Japanese maker from the segment, writes Brian Byrne.

The styling has the same dramatic presence as the new Qashqai and the upcoming new X-Trail, and the car fills the gap left by the Almera, discontinued in Europe in 2006.

The name comes from the original car on which the Almera was based, and is one which has been used in a number of markets by Nissan cars.

Power will include turbocharged 1.2 and 1.6 petrol options and a 1.5 diesel. It goes on sale in the autumn in initial markets and is beingbuilt in Barcelona.