Renault upgrades Megane E-Tech Electric

Renault has unveiled an update for its Megane E-Tech Electric, boosting range, performance and technology, writes Brian Byrne. The revised model gets a redesigned front end with new lighting, grille and a sportier bumper.

A new 67kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, paired with a 220hp motor, delivers up to 500km WLTP range and 0–100km/h in 7.6 seconds. DC rapid charging is now up to 165kW, cutting 15–80% top-ups to about 24 minutes. Vehicle-to-Load allows owners to power external devices from the car.

Inside, the Megane retains Renault’s OpenRLink cockpit with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, 12-inch touchscreen, Google built-in services, EV route planning and voice control, with Google Gemini AI to follow in a future update. More than 30 driver assistance systems are available.

Irish pricing, detailed specifications and launch timing will be confirmed closer to arrival. 

Fifth member of Range Rover family previewed

Range Rover has confirmed a fifth member of its luxury SUV family with the introduction of the Range Rover GT, writes Brian Byrne. It's a new grand tourer focused on long-distance comfort and refinement.

Revealed ahead of its full debut, the Range Rover GT features a minimalist interior, with a single central screen, a separate driver display and a concealed full-width air vent that preserves the brand’s signature horizontal graphic. A woven textile wraps the dashboard, hiding integrated speakers, and the cabin claims class-leading second-row legroom.

The Range Rover GT will be the first all‑electric Range Rover built on the new EMA platform at Halewood in the UK. It will launch initially as a battery-electric vehicle, with a full hybrid option planned later. 

Prototype vehicles are currently undergoing final global testing in a camouflage wrap. More details will be released later this year. 

Sheils Motor Group appointed new BYD dealer in Clare

Clare motor retailer - Sheils Motor Group - has been appointed as a main dealer to represent BYD by Motor Distributors Limited (MDL), allowing the brand expand its presence in the Munster region, writes Trish Whelan. 

Trading as BYD Clare, it will operate from its showrooms on Gort Road, Dulick, on the northern approach into Ennis. 

Established in Clare by Tommy Sheils in 1925, great-grandfather to current Director Ted Sheils, Sheils Motor Group is one of the largest and longest-established, family-owned, automotive groups in Ireland. 

Now in its fourth generation, Sheils employs almost 100 people throughout the group. 

Sheils Motor Group Director, Ted Sheils; and Managing Director, Thomas Sheils, are pictured at the announcement with BYD Ireland National Sales Manager, Vicky Reilly.

Irish university teams in Silverstone student racecar challenge

Fiachra Dineen, Formula Student team captain at Munster Technological University (MTU), with fellow MTU team member, Alan O’Sullivan with their car that is running in the Formula Student Combustion Class.

Two Irish university teams are competing at this year’s IMechE Formula Student competition at Silverstone, backed by technical and financial support from RS, writes Brian Byrne. Teams from Munster Technological University (MTU) and University College Dublin (UCD) are among 50 entrants from 33 countries taking part in Europe’s leading educational engineering competition. 

Formula Student challenges university teams to design, build and race a single-seater racing car, giving students hands-on experience of real-world motorsport engineering.

RS, a global provider of industrial and electronic solutions, sponsors the electric vehicle (EV) category and runs the Formula Student Build Fund, which this year drew 137 applications. Fifty teams, including MTU and UCD, each received around €1,100 in RS products along with access to RS technical resources and engineering support.

UCD’s latest car, E135, is a fully electric design focused on reliability, endurance and predictable handling. MTU is competing in the combustion class for the first time after two years of EV development, having switched to a combustion engine for this year’s campaign.

RS's industrial-grade components, microcontrollers, sensors and single board computers are increasingly being used in Formula Student cars, particularly in autonomous vehicle development. 

Raval pre-booking prices announced

The new Cupra Raval urban electric car has a pre-booking starting price of €23,495, writes Brian Byrne. The car is due for launch in September.

The Raval will be available in five trim levels in Ireland, including two sizes of battery, the larger rated at 443km WLTP.

There are four power options, from 116hp to 226hp.

A limited-to-100-customers launch offer includes a choice between a complimentary OHME home charger or an €875 public charging voucher from Elli, a free 3-year service plan, and PCP finance locked in at 1.9% APR. 

New ID. Cross unveiled

Volkswagen has unveiled the new ID. Cross, an all‑electric compact SUV positioned in the small car and compact segment, writes Brian Byrne. With a WLTP range of up to 427 km, it is designed for both everyday use and longer trips. 

Priced from around €28,000 in Germany, the model combines a sleek design with technologies previously reserved for higher vehicle classes. 

Inside, high‑quality materials, fabric-covered surfaces and generous seating aim to create a premium, feel-good ambience.

The ID. Cross features Volkswagen’s new Innovision infotainment system and will be offered with three power outputs and two battery sizes (37 kWh and 52 kWh net). 

Positioned alongside the ID. Polo and ID. Polo GTI, the ID. Cross represents a new generation of small and compact electric models from Volkswagen. 

Citroën C3 Aircross review: Brian Byrne, Irish Car

Be good. Have fun. Be happy. Feel good. Citroën’s C3 Aircross comes with those little messages on fabric tabs, one on each door, writes Brian Byrne. In a fraught world, such a little idea, possibly considered by some to be a frivolity, might well be more important than we realise. With our cars often being our cocoon from more tricky parts of our day, any reminder of positive things can’t be anything but good.

At the time of writing, I’ve driven a couple of versions of the C3 Aircross, the B-segment crossover from the French brand with a pedigree that’s a mix of innovation and quirkiness. Now part of the Stellantis group, and the technological inter-brand commonalities that come with that, Citroën is still determined to make its own mark.

This is the second generation of the European C3 Aircross, completely restyled with a strong exterior design that includes sculpted and muscular front bumpers, larger wings, LED headlights, and distinctive daytime running lights. It looks imposing, and my review car in red with a contrasting black roof certainly held a presence. Horizontal shapes and lines on the tailgate add visual width to the car as it drives away in front of you.

Citroën is associated with comfort, and the new C3 Aircross takes that to the next level with interiors in soft materials, funky designs appropriate to the slightly offbeat theme, providing a calm and comfortable cabin. The latest version of the brand's Advanced Comfort seats is completely redesigned, with 10mm of high-density foam added.

The traditional driver’s information pod behind the steering wheel has been replaced by a long, narrow display at the base of the windscreen. A 10.25-inch centre infotainment screen is slightly angled towards the driver. Both feature colourful and easy-to-read graphics. There are physical controls for climate management, with a wireless charging pad tucked in below, along with USB-C ports, cupholders, and the Stellantis flick switch-type selector for the automatic transmission. The compact, multi-function steering wheel has a flat top and bottom, which initially felt odd when doing lock-to-lock manoeuvring, but I got used to it. 

Second row passengers have fairly good head and leg space, the latter depending, though, on the front occupants not being overly lanky. My review car was the 7-seat option, quite rare in a B-segment car. With all seven seats in use, the boot volume is nominally 40 litres, but nil in practice (maybe you could stack a pair of umbrellas there, but they'd likely fall out when you opened the door). In my hybrid version, there's 300L of cargo space with those rear seats folded, 330L with the petrol manual option.

Power in my car was the now-familiar (and easy to like) Stellantis mild hybrid-assisted 1.2 three-pot, with a six-speed dual-clutch auto transmission. Nobody will ever call it the smoothest combination ever, but it has a comforting, lusty sound when pushed and rewards the owner with a decent economy, along with the advantages of automatic. I have also driven the electric version, and everything written here also applies except that the powertrain is quieter, maybe a bit zippier, and has a rated range of 400km.

Citroën has its own patented suspension technology, which gives its modern models an appreciably more comfortable ride than some other cars in the segment space, even ones that are related. It's the nature of the market for this small SUV that it's not going to be asked to manage rally-like handling, but I suspect that even if pushed in its standard form, drivability limits would be at the outer end. For my needs and those of most owners, it offers an entirely appropriate mix.

I didn't have to read the little 'happy tags' at any time to be smiling while driving the C3 Aircross. But it was nice that they were there.

PRICE: From €27,760; electric from €28,452; Hybrid from €29,620. WHAT I LIKED: The push to positivity. 

Ford Ranger Wildtrak PHEV Review: Trish Whelan, Irish Car

Pick-ups appeal to a wide audience. Those involved in the building industry who need to carry workers to and from jobs along with their equipment, materials, and tools. Tradespeople. The agriculture sector — farmers for transporting foodstuffs to their animals or other essentials, often over rough terrain. And people with active lifestyles for carrying heavy sports and leisure equipment for weekend pursuits. I’d previously enjoyed off-road thrills with the 3.0 V6 petrol-powered Ford Ranger Raptor developed by Ford Performance, outputting just under 300hp, and with 491Nm of torque that had me grinning from ear to ear. Now it was the turn of the Ranger Wildtrak plug-in hybrid (PHEV), a first hybrid for the model and with the most torque of any production Ranger at a huge 690Nm and an urban electric range of 43km. It is boosted by an advanced hybrid powertrain that can put electric power to use on the road or the worksite. 

My review Ranger blended a rugged pick-up profile with modern, premium styling. The front features a unique grille, matrix LED headlamps, and front fog lamps. Muscular wheel arches and distinctive 18-inch alloy wheels, and Wildtrak and PHEV badging around the car add interest. The rear taillight design with the ‘Ranger’ name embossed into the tailgate, and a strong tow bar make for a distinctive look. Running boards help with getting in and out. Huge side mirrors have blind spot monitors. 

The cabin is built for wear and tear with big seats and a big dashboard that features soft-touch materials. Seats are well bolstered for comfort and security when going off-road and come in a partial leather trim, so they are easy to wipe clean. My seat had power adjustments, including lumbar support — but no memory seat setting — while the front passenger’s seat had manual adjustments. The model’s name is stitched into the front two seat backs. Burnt orange-coloured stitching on the dash, seats, steering wheel, and doors helps brighten the dark look. 

The dash is dominated by a 12.0-inch portrait-type touchscreen which runs on Ford’s latest SYNC infotainment system and features wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. I found this screen intuitive and easy to use. A camera button shows your immediate surroundings when parked and allows multiple views around your vehicle, while a smaller screen below shows a bird’s eye view of the car. There’s also a control to navigate to a parking space. Below are controls for the front seats and steering wheel heaters, rear window heater, fan, and steering wheel. There are physical buttons for dual-zone climate control, air conditioning, and a volume knob. The customisable digital driver’s screen shows the vehicle’s stats, petrol usage, and range left in the battery. Features on the central console include a wireless phone charger, USB ports, two cupholders, a sturdy lever for the automatic transmission, and an electric parking brake. Storage areas are two lidded gloveboxes, big door bins front and rear, and a cavernous area below the front armrest with a 12V socket. 

Those in the rear enjoy good head and legroom, but the high tunnel may impede the latter. You have a 10A 230V power socket, an AC 230V 10A and a USB port. A choice of four EV driving modes allows you to drive on petrol, battery power, or a combination of both. The PHEV version combines a 2.3 EcoBoost engine with a 75kW battery-powered motor, offering 279hp, all that massive torque, and a 10-speed automatic transmission. 

A true off-roader, the Terrain Management System allows you to fine-tune your Ranger PHEV settings to suit the conditions using a rotary dial to shift between Normal, Eco, or Sport for ordinary roads; Tow Haul when towing; Slippery for loose surfaces; and Mud/Ruts or Sand for more rugged off-roading. You can tow up to 3,500kg max. During my lengthy time with the car, I achieved an average fuel consumption of 9.8 L/100kms. 

The heavy-duty cargo area measures 1,638mm long and is wide enough to fit a standard Euro pallet between the wheel arches. It features an easy-lift tailgate that can be used as a sturdy workbench. Gross payload is up to 1,000kg. For convenience, there’s a step on both sides and at the rear to access the load bed. You can open the roller cargo cover with a button on the dashboard. The Pro Power Onboard mobile power source is a big help to busy operators, as they can leave the generator behind and free up some load space. 

The standard 2.3 kW (10 amp) system lets you recharge batteries and power most electric hand tools, while the 6.9 kW (16 amp) option can power a host of heavier gear from grinding tools to camping stoves and EV dirt bikes. Priced from €62,458; my review model €69,452 before extras.

Polestar 4 family expanding

Polestar has confirmed that the new Polestar 4 SUV will arrive in Europe in September 2026, expanding the brand’s best-selling model line-up, writes Brian Byrne. The SUV is based on the Polestar 4 coupé, adding more practicality and versatility while retaining the coupé’s design, performance, and sustainability focus.

Both the Polestar 4 SUV and the latest Polestar 4 coupé feature retuned chassis components aimed at delivering a more refined yet sporty driving experience. Powered by a proven 400V architecture, the line-up offers up to 544 hp in dual-motor versions and a claimed range of up to 630km.

The Polestar 4 SUV will be manufactured in Busan, South Korea, supporting the Swedish-based electric performance brand’s growing global footprint. 

New Fiats unveiled in birthday video

Fiat has marked its 127th anniversary with the reveal of two new family-focused models, the Grizzly and Grizzly Fastback, writes Brian Byrne. Unveiled in a playful launch video set in an Italian registry office, the pair offer two distinct silhouettes.

The Grizzly is a 4.4-metre SUV aimed at customers prioritising comfort, space and everyday usability. The 4.5-metre Grizzly Fastback adds a more distinctive coupe-style profile while maintaining generous interior room and a 600-litre boot. Both will be offered with petrol, mild hybrid and fully electric powertrains delivering up to 145 hp, with manual or automatic transmissions depending on market.

The duo will be available in seven body colours and will make their public debut at the Paris Motor Show in October, ahead of a commercial launch from the final quarter of 2026. Irish-market timing, specifications and pricing will be confirmed closer to launch. 

Kia K4 review: Trish Whelan, Irish Car

Kia Ireland has been on a roll this year with a number of new car launches, which included the K4 hatchback in early March as a replacement for the brand’s Ceed. This very stylish C-segment car offers generous interior space, lots of premium features and advanced technologies, as well as a long list of standard specifications. Compared to its Ceed predecessor, the K4 is longer, wider, and has a bigger wheelbase that allows more interior space and comfort. 

My review car, in a Snow White Pearl exterior, turned heads with its distinctive floating roofline that slips into the rear hatch, white A-pillars that curved up along the roofline, contrasting black B-pillars and door mirrors, the Star Map Light Signature, unique C-pillar graphics, and hidden rear door handles. Distinctive LED taillights with an inverted L shape light up beautifully at night. Doors open wide to allow ease of getting in and out. You sit low in the car, which may not suit those used to driving a taller crossover or high SUV. But it suited me just fine. 

The large sunroof allowed lots of light to filter into the cabin, helping make it bright and airy. My car had two-tone, soft bio-artificial leather seats that were both comfy and stylish. The driver’s seat had two seat memory settings and power adjustments, including lumbar support. Heat and ventilation controls for both front seats are on the doors. The multi-function 3-spoke steering wheel features paddle shifts that allow manual control of the 7-Speed gearbox. The Drive Mode Selector is located near the steering wheel with options of Eco, Normal, and Sport. The main feature, though, is the triple panoramic display that merges a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with a 5.3-inch climate control and a 12.3-inch digital driver’s cluster. This is standard on all three trims of K2, K3, and GT-Line. The system comes with Kia Connect and Kia App and includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Voice Control, and over-the-air updates. There are physical buttons to select maps, radio, phone, air conditioning, and temperature. 

The customisable driver’s cluster shows your current speed, fuel remaining, and average fuel consumption, which during my days with the car showed at 6.0 L/100kms. The chubby automatic gear selector is located on the flat of the central console with the Start Stop button and Auto Hold control. Rear headroom is good, but leg room is truly excellent. However, foot space for the person in the middle seat is rather impeded by the extended central console that sits over the high transmission tunnel. The middle seat back lowers to reveal a pair of cup holders and a small hatch to the boot. Both outer seats can be heated and have ISOFIX child seat tethers and anchors. Rear seats fold 60:40. 

The wide-opening tailgate reveals 328 litres of luggage space with rear seats up, with only a small area below for a mobility repair kit. The floor is high because the hybrid battery pack is located below. The base K2 grade model features 16-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, privacy glass, driver-power adjustable seats with lumbar support, heated front seats and steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, front and rear parking sensors, forward collision avoidance assist, and rear blind-spot collision avoidance assist. A K3 level upgrades to 17-inch alloy wheels, vegan leather seats, a power-adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support, Cube LED headlights, and a wireless phone charger. The top GT-Line has related styling, 17-inch alloys, Digital Key, ventilated front seats, and Highway Driver Assist, forward collision avoidance assist 2 for city/pedestrian/cyclist/junction/turning. 

All models are powered by the same 1.0 TGDi Mild Hybrid (MHEV) powertrain outputting 115hp. The K2 and K3 grades are offered with a 6-speed manual transmission, while the GT-Line is solely available with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic, which, while the most expensive of the three, would be my choice mainly due to ease of driving in heavy traffic. Torque is 200Nm. A full-hybrid 1.6 GDI (HEV) version with 154hp is due in October. 

On the road, I felt very snug behind the wheel and enjoyed very good all-round visibility. The K4 feels smooth, confident, and composed. There was plenty of oomph for everyday use, but you can shift to manual for overtaking if desired. A 7-year warranty is standard. The K4 has not yet been appraised by Euro NCAP. 

The K2 trim is priced from €31,500, K3 from €34,000, and GT-Line from €38,500. (Prices exclude dealer and delivery-related charges.) Annual road tax is €200. 

Boyne Valley worth a discovery trip

Johnsfort House.

The Boyne Valley is pitching itself as Ireland’s go‑to summer staycation spot, writes Brian Byrne, offering everything from luxury spa breaks to budget farm stays within easy reach of major heritage sites.

Fáilte Ireland‑approved hotels and B&Bs in Trim, Drogheda and Kells report strong interest from families, couples and groups of friends. Bellinter House Hotel & Spa, Castle Arch Hotel and Knightsbrook Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort are promoting spa escapes, family‑friendly leisure clubs and proximity to Newgrange, the Hill of Tara and Trim Castle.

Budget travellers and visitors seeking more space are turning to self‑catering and rural retreats. Slane Farm Hostel, Johnsfort House and Farm, and Hideaway at Foxhollow offer camping, glamping, restored farmhouses and organic farm experiences.

The Boyne Valley’s blend of historic landscapes, scenic countryside and modern amenities makes it a real alternative to overseas travel this summer, with full details available on DiscoverBoyneValley.ie. 

Bellinter House Hotel & Spa.

Castle Arch.

Leapmotor Ireland announces pricing for new B05 hatchback

The Leapmotor B05 C-Hatchback, arriving on Irish forecourts next month, is priced from €28,998 (inclusive of SEAI grant and VRT rebate), writes Trish Whelan. 

The interior features a dual-screen cockpit featuring a 14.6-inch floating infotainment display and an 8.8-inch digital cluster. 

The Style trim version features a coupe-inspired silhouette, frameless doors, 19-inch alloy wheels, panoramic sunroof, 21 ADAS safety features, and a 56.2 kWh battery with a WLTP-rated range of up to 401km. 

Design trim, from €32,984, adds eco-leather upholstery, ambient lighting, heated front seats, and a dedicated Launch Control model with a 67.1 kWh battery and range of up to 485km. Both battery variants are supported by ultra-fast DC charging, enabling a 30%-80% charge in around 17 minutes. 

Leapmotor Ireland now has nine retail partners around the country in Dublin, Westmeath, Cork, Kildare, Meath, Wicklow and Galway. Supported by Gowan Auto network nationwide, the vehicle is backed by a 6-year/unlimited mileage warranty.

Mercedes-Benz CLA review: Brian Byrne, Irish Car

Mercedes-Benz has a very long tradition of producing coupe-styled cars, notably the legendary 300 S Coupe (and roadster convertible) of the early 1950s, writes Brian Byrne. The theme continued with the 220 SE Coupe of the late 50s and early 60s, followed by, amongst others, the third-generation SL that was iconic of the brand all through the 1970s and 80s. 

The thing about those, and coupes from other car brands, was that they were all 2-door automobiles, access to and space in the rear seats very much an afterthought. In December 2003, the carmaker that had invented the automobile broke new ground again with the CLS, the first 4-door executive coupe, with adequate space for four people. Based on the E-Class saloon underpinnings, the CLS went through three generations until production ceased in 2023 due to a seriously diminished demand.

But the format's original success had encouraged Mercedes-Benz to bring it to their smaller A segment, and when the CLA was introduced for the 2013 model year, it began a steady success performance that has remained very consistent in overall sales. The third generation arrived in Ireland earlier this year, and sales since its European launch last year suggest it will maintain the momentum.

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it" is a saying ascribed to the founder of another global carmaker, and Mercedes-Benz seem to have taken it to heart with the styling of their newest CLA. Very much a further gentle evolution of the Concept Style Coupe first shown at the 2012 Paris Auto Show. But the underpinnings are completely new, with this CLA being the first model on the Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture (MMA). This 'skateboard'-type platform is designed primarily for EVs, but is capable of using traditional ICE engines — this generation CLA has the model's first electric variant. In styling, it also marks a shift by M-B, which is dropping separate styles for electric cars, a sign that EV powertrains are now a mainstream choice. My review car is the petrol hybrid.

The interior is the latest full-width iteration of the Mercedes-Benz digital dashboard known by the incredibly ugly name MBUX. Now with a Virtual Assistant based on ChatGPT4o, Google Gemini and Microsoft Bing. Physically, it is quite different from the more sporty and cosseting style of that first CLA, where the relatively small screen sat on top of the centre air vents, this dashboard is full-width flat glass, comprising integrated driving information and infotainment screens and allowing for an optional extra screen for the front passenger to play with (which, rather thankfully, wasn't on my car). The graphics are bright and clear, the lower part of the centre screen holding a line of easily-read virtual buttons for climate management and a few other functions. Below the centre vents, the hazard, camera, and volume are operated by physical controls. There's appropriate brightwork detailing throughout the well-designed and premium-quality space.

The car is the brand's smallest sedan, but there's no sense of tight space for the front occupants, while there's a surprising amount of leg-room behind me, suggesting that travel as a rear passenger won't be any hardship. The boot's 455L capacity is adequate rather than generous.

My review car's 4-cylinder 1.5 petrol engine with mild hybrid technology was developed by Mercedes-Benz specifically as a compact unit for vehicles on this MMA architecture. In the CLA 200 configuration, it offers 163hp and a 0-100km/h of 8 seconds. With the standard 8-speed dual-clutch automatic, it proved to be a smooth-shifting performer, with the low stance suggesting an even speedier progress. A little snarly engine note on acceleration, touching the forelock to earlier motoring times, is artificial and provided at no extra cost. 

I don't normally mention driver assistance systems these days, but it's worth noting that those in the CLA are operated by no less than five radar sensors, eight cameras, 12 ultrasonic sensors, and, they say, a water-cooled supercomputer. Along with all that AI-Assistant stuff, it's something like a data centre on wheels, with possibly equivalent energy consumption wherever that's managed out of the car. In fuel use, M-B claim diesel-like frugality (there's no diesel option), and the 5.1L/100km I got was right on the button with the claimed consumption. All my travel in the car was smooth, quiet, and suitably Mercedes-like.

PRICE: From €57,960; Review car €64,621. WHAT I LIKED: Updated underpinnings of what has become a classic style. 

New electric SUV from Mazda on the way

Mazda has unveiled the all-new CX-6e, a fully electric mid-size SUV set to arrive in European showrooms in late summer 2026, writes Brian Byrne. The CX-6e features a rear-mounted 258hp electric motor, a 78 kWh LFP battery and a claimed range of up to 484 km. 

Inside, the SUV emphasises driver-focused technology, including a head-up display, a 26-inch dual touchscreen, voice recognition, gesture control and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

It will also come with an extensive safety package, including advanced driver assistance systems, child presence detection and nine airbags. 

More Fiat 600 choice

Fiat Ireland is expanding its 600 range with a new petrol manual model, writes Brian Byrne. This will arrive in Q4, adding to the new 600 Sport as well as updates across the line-up.

The new 600 Sport adds a sharper look and comes with 110hp, 145hp and fully electric 156hp powertrain options. Styling highlights include a new Acid Green paint option, a black roof, dark-finish 18-inch alloys and black exterior accents.

A new 1.2-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine with 100hp joins the range as the entry-level option, paired with a six-speed manual gearbox. 

The wider 600 range also gets revised exterior lights, fresh interior trim, a new centre console layout, an improved touchscreen and additional wheel designs.

The 600 Sport is on sale now from €33,995, while pricing for the petrol model will be announced closer to its Q4 arrival. 

Ford's onboard power system can save contractors money

Tradespeople who use Ford's Plug-In Hybrid Pro Power Onboard system on the likes of the Ranger pickup could save more than €1,400 a year, writes Brian Byrne, using it for just one hour each working day instead of a petrol generator.

Company tests compared the vehicle's 6.9kW onboard power system with a typical 4kW portable petrol generator in worksite scenarios like charging tools, running heaters and boiling kettles. Ford says the integrated system used about half the fuel once warm, and even less with battery support, while also producing far lower emissions.

For Irish tradespeople and farmers, Ford says the setup could cut fuel costs, reduce admin, and free up space normally taken by a generator and fuel cans. 

C3 Aircross 7-seater review: Trish Whelan, Irish Car

Growing families, or those with active lifestyles, looking for a car with up to seven seats, have a wide choice of motors to consider, ranging from budget-friendly to mid-cost or more expensive models. It’s a question of doing the maths to see which you can afford — and which family members prefer. 

My latest 7-seater test drive was in Citroën’s new C3 Aircross SUV, completely reinvented with more assertive styling and Citroën’s new styling language. Introduced here mid-February of this year, the 5-seater is available with petrol, mild hybrid, and fully electric powertrains, giving buyers the option of more cargo space or extra seats, but the seven-seater option is only offered in petrol and hybrid. The vehicle is 4.39 metres long with a straight roof and vertical rear stance, which allows for the additional pair of third-row seats. With a height of 1.66 metres, the car offers good headroom for all on board. Ground clearance of 200mm ensures good visibility and makes it easy to enter and exit the car. 

My car was a show-stopper in the Montana Green exterior option and contrasting white roof, but there are five other colour options and two roof options of black and white. Fun elements are the vertical plastic colour clips in the bumpers and the rear pillars in three different colours coordinated with the body colour. These can be changed to different colours of your choice. 

The cabin showcases the brand’s C-Zen lounge concept, which blends a nicely styled dashboard and spacious, well-equipped cabin with new materials and colour palettes. A light grey headliner adds to the feeling of space in the cabin, as does the light grey fabric on the dash, which includes a free-standing 10.25-inch infotainment screen that is slightly angled towards the driver and compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It uses widgets inspired by smartphones with shortcuts to the main navigation, phone, radio, apps, and media functions. Below are buttons for Auto, screen demisters, max air con, and air conditioning. However, the big difference is the absence of a driver’s screen as Citroën has its own version of a Head-Up Display system that projects essential driving information onto the long, narrow screen that runs across just under the windscreen. It all works rather well. The compact, leather-effect multifunction steering wheel has a flat top and bottom and is adjustable for height and reach. My car had a traditional handbrake, no front armrest(s), but a small open cubby between the front seats, as well as a divided glovebox, and very good door bins. 

Citroën is renowned for the comfort it provides in its vehicles. Sublimely comfy Advanced Comfort seats have been redesigned for optimum support and comfort and equipped with a new seat surface that includes an extra 10 to 15 mm of foam padding. Front seats have manual adjustments. The spec includes a large wireless phone charger, two C-type USB ports front and in row 2, and two cupholders. Second row seats split 60/40. Those in the third row have a small additional side window and cupholders built into the sides of the car. The five-seater version has 460 litres of boot space, the seven-seater 330 litres with the third row seats folded, and just 40 litres with all seven seats in use. With second row seats folded, you get up to 1,600 litres of capacity. 

My car was the 1.2, 101hp petrol version with a 6-speed manual gearbox, which was a joy to use, a claimed 6.0 L/100km WLTP combined fuel consumption, and road tax of €210. (Automatic transmission is standard on hybrid and electric versions.) There's a real ignition key to start the car, unusual these days. I found the steering quite light, but the car drove exceptionally well on motorways and primary routes and was quiet on the road. Alerts were so gentle, I didn’t bother to turn them off. The standard Citroën Advanced Comfort Suspension allows for a comfy drive for all occupants over all road surfaces. On wet days, I appreciated the big rear wiper. 

The entry Plus grade includes 17-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, dark-tinted rear privacy glass, LED front headlights, rear parking sensors with a reversing camera, an Emergency and Assistance System, and Cruise control with a speed limiter. MAX grade adds LED rear lights, two-tone roof, front parking sensors, a 3D Navigation system, heated windscreen/front seats/steering wheel, a smartphone charger, and Blind Spot detection (which should be in every car). 

Safety features include Active Safety Brake, Traffic Sign Recognition, and Active Lane Departure Warning System. All models get a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty with three years’ roadside assistance. Citroen C3 Aircross represents very good value for money priced from €27,790; the hybrid from €29,620-€30,590; electric from €28,45 after €3,500 SEAI grant and VRT relief applied.

Audi supplying delegate cars for EU Presidency

Audi Ireland is supplying a fleet of 32 Audi A6 saloons for official transport during Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which started on 1 July 2026, writes Brian Byrne. The cars will be used over the six-month term to carry delegates and officials attending EU Presidency events. 

Audi Ireland said the agreement underlines its focus on premium, dependable mobility and its support for the national and international programme.

Christian Gussen, director at Audi Ireland, said the partnership was an important moment for the company and that the new A6 saloon is well-suited to the demands of the programme.

Renault 4 E-Tech Electric Review: Brian Byrne, Irish Car

There are little things that are really big in satisfaction impact in the car business, writes Brian Byrne. One of these is the button that Renault and its Dacia subsidiary provide — a simple system to switch off annoying ‘driver assistance’ settings. It’s a single button, a real one, to the left of the steering wheel in most of their cars. You tap it twice to slip into a ‘personal’ selection of ADAS features, which leave out selected annoyances such as the attention monitor camera and the lane departure ‘assist’. You can also switch off the speed warning, but perhaps with the new 30 km/h urban limits coming in, it might be wise to leave that operating. Besides, most of us, including me, don’t particularly want to drive at speeds above the limit.

Why do I like this button so much? Because it is just that. There’s no need to tap through several layers of the screen menu, either before you drive away or when you already have and forgot to make the switch.

This whole thought was prompted by my recent excursions with the new Renault 4 E-Tech Electric, the French carmaker’s less sexy-looking of two related B-segment electric cars, the other being the 5 E-Tech. Mind you, beauty is, as always, in the eye of the beholder, and for my look, I’m probably more attracted to the R4. It may seem a bit more square than the R5 hatchback, but then I was never a boy-racer type even when that was a thing in my earlier driving years. And the original Renault 4 of the 1960s through the mid-80s had far from any racing ideas, as a frumpy but nevertheless visually engaging family carry-all. An automotive tote bag, if you like.

The new R4 E-Tech is, in its class, also geared towards the family need rather than the sporty hatch R5. It’s longer, taller, and with some extra wheelbase, it also offers more rear legroom than the other. In addition to extra headroom inside, it stands higher, thus making for easier entry and egress. In the cargo stakes, you can load 29 per cent more stuff in the R4. To further distinguish it, they call it a crossover, verging on a small SUV. The to-me cheerful turquoise of the review car might not be to everyone's taste, but I thought the whole thing looked really good along with the contrasting black roof and wheel arch covers and the roof rails.

Inside, apart from the extra space as mentioned, and of course model badging, the R4 is identical to its companion car, in style, controls design, and fittings. There's a solid look to the housing for the combined infotainment and driver instrumentation screens, a slight bend in the middle allowing the former to tilt towards the driver. There's a good set of real toggle switches on the centre stack for climate control, while the screens themselves have what are currently my favourite graphics designs in the business. The gently hexagonal style of the steering wheel is actually more comfortable to use than it looks. Renault is also maintaining its reputation for comfortable seating here. Anyone who got in for a look was genuinely pleased with what they saw, even one person who drives a substantially more expensive EV.

The powertrain motor outputs 150hp, which offers a peppy 8.2 s to 100km/h. My calculations over my time with the car suggested a real range in or around 340km. Which worked out quite well for me in a period where I had to do a number of longish runs, including an airport drop-off that left me with 13 per cent battery when I got home. A colleague said she would be freaking out at that, but because the operating system is by Google, it tells you when you start out what charge will be left at the destination. So I wasn't worried. Just to note that the car's 75kW charging system gave me a 70 per cent top-up in 30 minutes.

I left it back with a lot of positive things to ponder. Not least that there's now really good competition in reasonably priced, small family electric cars.

PRICE: From €26,995 after grants. WHAT I LIKED: A modern automotive family tote can look and feel pretty cool.