Car5

The Volkswagen Golf is turning 45, writes Trish Whelan . On 29 March 1974, the Volkswagen plant in Wolfsburg officially started production of what would become its best-seller. Back then, nobody at Volkswagen had any idea that the successor to the legendary Beetle would end up selling more than 35 million units all over the world - and be still selling to this day. In mathematical terms, a new Golf has been ordered somewhere in the world every 41 seconds, every day, without interruption, since the start of production 45 years ago. That’s an average of around 780,000 vehicles per day. Ralf Brandstatter, Chief Operating Officer of Volkswagen says: “The Golf is at the very heart of our brand. It stands for progress and technology like no other car. It made safety technology affordable for millions of people for the first time. Thanks to this, it made its mark on an entire generation.” He added: “For seven generations, the Golf has made a contribution to the dev...

Tyre manufacturer BFGoodrich has expanded its pan-European Off-Road Centre network into Ireland for the first time as part of plans to work more closely with local tyre dealers recognised for their off-road tyre expertise, writes Trish Whelan . The move saw 13 Irish dealerships attend the two-day launch event at Kilkea Castle near Castledermot, Co Kildare, which included a detailed training induction, product briefing and a glimpse of some of the brand’s plans for the coming 12 months. The second day saw dealers get to improve their off-road driving techniques at nearly Terrafirma Training, a dedicated 4x4 school, with a fleet of vehicles sporting BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tyres and the newly launched Mud-Terrain T/A KM3. Commenting on the decision to join the network, Thom Fox, owner of Ballinasloe Tyre Centre in Co Galway, explains: “We’ve had BFGoodrich in our brand portfolio for a long time. It’s always been popular for both multi-purpose vehicles and d...

The Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) is looking to recruit 150 apprentices throughout Ireland. Apprenticeships include Motor Mechanics, Heavy Vehicle Mechanics, Vehicle Body Repairs, Agricultural Mechanics, and Construction Plant Fitting, writes Trish Whelan . The announcement that SIMI’s member companies have committed to recruiting this number of apprentices was made today at the Intreo Careers Fair in Dublin Castle. In order to undertake an apprenticeship a candidate must find a suitable employer to take them on for the duration of their four-year apprenticeship. They then register with SOLAS who oversee the training programme and award of the National Craft Certificate Standard. The Motor Industry employs over 42,000 people throughout Ireland in a variety of positions. While there is currently a shortage of apprentices within the industry, this has also been seen in other trade sectors. Brian Cooke, SIMI Director General Designate said today: “...

Adams of Glin, Main Peugeot Dealer in Glin, Co Limerick, is celebrating 50 years with the Peugeot brand in 2019, enjoying status as the oldest continuous Peugeot dealership in the country, writes Brian Byrne .  Sean Adams, born to a blacksmith family, served his time as a mechanic in his youth, before starting the Adams of Glin business in the 1940s, as a motor service operation. It soon developed into a second hand car sales outlet and following a period of rapid success, Sean was aptly appointed to the Peugeot Dealer Network in 1969. The dealership has proudly carried the blue flag for the lion-brand in county Limerick ever since. Retired now for 10 years, Sean still spends time every day at the Glin showrooms.  Shane and Sean Adams at the dealership. Speaking of his success of half a century with Peugeot, Sean said: "Over the 50 years, Peugeot has served my family well, and we have served Peugeot well. From the time I started, my customers depended on me and m...

It's the nature of this business that I from time to time get the chance to go back and review a car after a couple of years from its launch, and see if it still makes the same impression on me, writes Brian Byrne . This week it's the Renault Megane, which was in fact my personal favourite car in 2016 when the current and fourth generation was launched. I liked then the bold style, distinctive but not off the wall. I liked the quality and space of the interior. I appreciated the refinement of its engines, updated from the already well-proven units available from the Nissan-Renault Alliance. And the driving experience ticked all the boxes I need. All those still apply. Three years on is too soon for significant changes to the car, not that they are yet necessary. But one important new item is the 140hp turbo petrol engine that was added to the powertrain options just a year ago. It is opportune too, as there's that distinct move back to petrol preference by what is ...

Ford EcoGuide helps drivers to save fuel by showing when to slow down and change gears based on situations ahead, even out of sight, such as junctions, speed limits and hills, writes Trish Whelan . For saving fuel, avoiding unnecessary braking can be as important as avoiding unnecessary acceleration. Changing driving habits can cut fuel bills by as much as 12 per cent. Commercial vehicle-first EcoGuide technology, which uses the vehicle’s sat nav to anticipate future driving situations that help inform the most fuel-efficient way to drive. It analyses driving behaviour and offers feedback via the instrument cluster to help achieve the best efficiency for the road conditions ahead.   Based on this information, the system prompts the driver to decelerate, while the vehicle’s gear shift indicator advises the ideal gear, using icons in the instrument cluster, to avoid unnecessary braking or acceleration. The system can provide a driver with feedback on how effic...

Renault ZOE 40  Renault Ireland will be powering up and showcasing its Z.E. range of Kangoo 33 van, ZOE 40 car and quirky electric Twizy quadricycle at stand EV8 at the SEAI Energy Show at the RDS from 27 and 28 March (tomorrow and Thursday), writes Trish Whelan . Renault was Europe’s number one EV brand in 2018. Launched last year, Kangoo Z.E. 33 became Ireland’s best-selling electric van, priced from €28,840 after the SEAI grant of €3,800 for businesses and including full battery purchase. The van’s 7kW AC charger can take its 33kWh battery to a full charge in six hours with the ability to top-up the vehicle by up to 33kms in an hour. Renault ZOE, with a range of up to 317km, is the only long-range electric vehicle in Ireland under €25,000 and the Z.E. 40 long-range battery is now standard across the range. ZOE can rapid charge at 22kW at over 1,000 public charging points around the country. Customers can charge at a rate of 85km in 30 minutes. Prices st...

Have you the skills to design a stage installation space exclusively for MINI at this year’s Body & Soul Music and Arts Festival, writes Trish Whelan .   With a giant MINI bursary prize of €10,000, the open competition pays tribute to the original MINI, launched 60 years ago in 1959. Its inventor Sir Alec Issigonis set up a secret design team office to develop a small car that would break all the rules of car engineering at the time. With the theme ‘Creative Use of Space’, the installation will pay homage to the iconic car that is renowned for its original and unconventional approach to design. MINI has devised the bursary to also showcase its creative solutions approach for Future Urban Living Spaces across its MINI Living, URAN X and A/D.O brands. 60 years of MINI. This is an opportunity to work with the team of creatives that includes Mary Pike, Body & Soul Head of Design and Hollywood Prop Maker (Avatar, Mad Max etc); Nathalie Weadick, Direct...

EasyGo.ie has unveiled Ireland’s most advanced, publicly-available DC charger at the Four Seasons Hotel in Monaghan that can add 50kms of range to an electric vehicle in just 10 minutes, writes Trish Whelan . EasyGo.ie is this country’s first privately-owned electric vehicle (EV) charging network. The company has deployed a Veefil-RT 50k DC rapid charger from world-leading DC charging technology specialist, Tritium. This is the first deployment of a rapid charger in Ireland on a new site in some time, and the first deployment of a 50kW DC public charger on a private network in Ireland. The charger is the most advanced of its kind with the smallest physical footprint in the world. EasyGo.ie was founded in 2018 by Chris Kelly and Gerry Cash. The company also has plans to install 88 of Tritium’s DC rapid charges by the end of 2020 with at least 20 to be installed by the end of this year, leading to the creation of up to 50 new jobs in operations and customer suppor...

The new Volkswagen T-Cross small crossover goes on sale in Ireland in April, at a starting price of €22,495, writes Brian Byrne . Power options will be two 1.0 petrol engines with 96hp/115hp, and a 95hp 1.6 diesel. The company says they don't expect the diesel to sell in large numbers. Of the grade options, Life and Style are expected to be the most popular, and sales projections are 400 in 2019 and 1,200 in 2020.

Audi’s new SQ5 TDI premium SUV is now available with an OTR price of from €89,820, writes Trish Whelan . The premium SUV has a powerful 3.0 V6 engine that the brand say combines instant and supreme power with high efficiency. An electric powered compressor is available with a mild hybrid system. Audi has refined the drive concept from the full-size SQ7 TDI for the new SQ5 TDI. The V6 diesel accelerates to motorway speed in 5.1 secs. The 48-volt main electrical system includes an electric powered compressor and a mild hybrid system. The battery is beneath the luggage compartment floor. An AC/DC converted connects the conventional 12-volt electric system. The MHEV system (mild hybrid electric vehicle) in the car can reduce real-world fuel consumption by as much as 0.7 litres per 100 kms. During deceleration, it can recuperate up to 12 kW of energy.   A fast and smooth-shifting eight-speed tiptronic handles the power transmission.   Like every S mo...

Driver monitoring camera in Volvo research vehicle. Volvo intends to take over the responsibility of driving cars safely from drivers who don't seem to be able to take that responsibility themselves, writes Brian Byrne . From model year 2021, that's the middle of next year in reality, the top speed of its cars will be limited to 180km/h, to stop drivers from speeding. Though only the older non-restricted autobahns in Germany permit speeds at that level anyhow. The company also plans to instal cameras and alcohol sensors so that the car will 'intervene' if it becomes aware of an intoxicated or distracted driver doesn't respond to warning signals. In extreme cases the car will slow and safely park. The company wants to start a conversation about whether car makers have the right or maybe even the obligation to install technology in cars that changes their drivers’ behaviour. Both the speed limit and the installation of in-car cameras illustrate how car maker...

Citroen Ireland have today revealed full details of their new C-Segment SUV, the C5 Aircross, writes Trish Whelan . The new C5 Aircross is offered in four specification levels of Start, Touch, Feel and Flair.   Citroen say this practical family SUV sets a new bar for comfort in the segment thanks to its Progressive Hydraulic Cushion suspension which is standard across the range. Offered only as a 5-seater, the car comes with three individually adjustable rear seats, best-in-class boot volume (580 to 720 litres) and Citroen’s ConnectedCam as standard. This is a factory fitted dashboard camera with an integrated 16 GB memory card which stores photos and videos while footage from a collision will automatically save to the device. It may have the potential for reduced insurance premiums. Engines are two petrol and two diesels. Petrols are the multi-award winning PureTech 1.2 130hp and a 1.6 180 unit with manual or automatic transmission. The Blue HDI diesel is a 1.5 130hp engin...

It's a sign of the times that I'm getting into so many review cars that are electrified in some sense, writes Brian Byrne . The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV for this week is a case in point. It's also a return to the updated version of the first plug-in hybrid I drove, back in 2014, and which impressed me mightily. It has impressed a lot of others too, becoming the best-selling PHEV in Europe and in the process turning into Mitsubishi's best seller model in Europe. For 2019 there have been some styling tweaks, though nothing which makes any difference to the essential slab-sided shape. In a way, as the competition becomes more swoopy and edgy, this leaves the Outlander stand out more. Maybe they have something there. The changes are front-end, some detail mods to the grille and the 'blade' motifs. Those latter never appealed to me anyhow, but they seem less a visual distraction this time. The interior is quite high end and in this version had an upho...

For the second time in five weeks, Waterford rally ace Craig Breen and his Killarney co-driver Paul Nagle were the crew to beat as they drove their Ford Fiesta to victory in the Clonakilty Park Hotel West Cork International Rally, writes Richard Burke . Just as in Galway last month, their closest challengers were Ulster pair Alastair Fisher and Gordon Noble in another Fiesta, who were 22 seconds behind after two days of stages, with Tom Cave and James Morgan the best of the British Championship contenders. They finished third overall in their Hyundai i20, another 15 seconds down, with current British champion Matt Edwards fourth. Former World Rally Championship contender Mikko Hirvonen won the National Rally in a Ford Escort, but Cavan’s Gary Kiernan put up a terrific performance in a similar car, leading the Finnish superstar until he was forced to retire from the lead due to mechanical problems, with just two stages still to complete.   Craig Breen & Paul Na...

Dacia has signed up to offer its commitment to the Guinness PRO14 Final Series as the Official Car Partner of this season’s knock-out stages and the Final at Glasgow’s Celtic Park, writes Trish Whelan . With the Guinness PRO14 Final taking place at the home of Celtic FC, Dacia will be there for all six games of the Final Series including the Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals and the showpiece decider itself on 25 May in Scotland. Dacia will be a prominent supporter of the Guinness PRO14 with their branding placed at pitch side throughout the Final Series while rugby fans will get the chance to win prizes and take part in bespoke activities at every game. Dermot Rigley, Commercial Director, PRO14 Rugby said: “We’re always thrilled to welcome a new member into our sponsorship family and we are coming together at a time of great success and growth for both organisations. Last year we saw a record attendance for the third year in a row at the Guinness PRO14 Final and with our new wor...

The commercial vehicles division of Mercedes-Benz is providing support to Sneem Digital Hub in its mission to reverse rural depopulation in the area, writes Trish Whelan . The hope is to provide sustainable long-term jobs that would attract people to live and work in Sneem, thereby ensuring the continuing viability of the village and surrounding areas. The initiative will see Sneem Digital Hub facility supplied with a new Mercedes-Benz Vito van for their exclusive use for a one-year period. The new Vito will provide essential support to managers at the Hub in transporting equipment and distributing materials as required, and as a promotional unit when conveying display materials to events and exhibitions. Soon to be a familiar sight around the Ring of Kerry and surround area, the Vito 111L model will display the Sneem Digital Hub logo on its livery. Complete with all mod cons, it features will include colour coded bumpers, multifunction steering wheel, reverse camera and a...

John Joe and Helena Burke. Award winning dealership JJ Burke Car Sales are this month celebrating 45 years in business with a birthday party on Thursday 21 March from 6pm to 9pm in their state of the art Ballinrobe property, writes Trish Whelan .   The party will host special performances from X Factor Brendan Murray who is also a brand ambassador for JJ Burke Car Sales along with Multi-platinum award winning band Keywest. John Joe and Helena Burke saw an opportunity to set up a garage of their own in 1974 on Abbey Street, they listened to their entrepreneurial spirit opening a thriving business fixing tractors and cars. They then bought a 2.5-acre site on the Claremorris Road in 1984 building a new garage housing a one car showroom, offices and a workshop.   They can now look upon their bustling enterprise that still has their long time aim of customer service as it cores value. Joseph Burke, dealer principal said; “When Dad opened his first garage on Abbey Street...

Jaguar F-PACE The Jaguar E-PACE and F-PACE SUVs are now within the reach of new customers with a finance offer available for March 2019, writes Trish Whelan . The brand say there never has been a better time to buy a Jaguar with 2.0pc APR finance available for buyers looking for a new 191 family car. Jaguar E-PACE Customers can now drive away in the latest Jaguar E-PACE for €375 per month, or avail of a €1,500 purchase contribution. The E-PACE is a five-seat compact SUV that packs the design and performance of a Jaguar sports car into a spacious, practical and connected all-wheel-drive vehicle. Since it went on sale in April 2016, the F-PACE has become the best-selling Jaguar ever and was awarded 2017 World Car of the Year and World Car Design of the Year. F-PACE is also available with 2.9pc APR finance, giving customers here the choice of monthly repayments of €499 or a €1,500 purchase contribution.   All Jaguar models come with a Free Jaguar Care 3 Year Service...