Car5

BUMPLEance, the world’s first interactive children’s ambulance service has expanded its operations with its latest vehicle - a bespoke Mercedes-Benz Vito van, writes Trish Whelan . Built on an extra-long body, it becomes the ninth Mercedes-Benz BUMBLEance on the fleet and is finished outside and inside with the same cartoon ‘bumble bee’ imagery. To eliminate stress and create more relaxing surroundings for children, its interior decor and features include all the online and interactive elements it is possible to provide with wi-fi, audio-visual and child-friendly gizmos that have made the BUMBLEance service so successful. Inside, its flexible accommodation can be configured according to the needs of the child with space for other family members to accompany them on the journey. Allowing the installation of seating with ISOFIX arrangements, two wheelchair users can be securely transported in the vehicle with the additional capacity of fixing a stretcher or an incubator in th...

Tesla have now opened Irish orders for its Model 3 with prices from €48,900 which will make the famous car brand founded by billionaire Elon Musk more affordable to ordinary drivers than its siblings, Models S and X, writes Trish Whelan .   The Irish configurator launches with Model 3 AWD Performance and RWD in Standard Range Plus. First deliveries for reservation holders will start in July.   Model 3 is Tesla’s smaller, simpler, more affordable car. Designed and built as the world’s first mass-market electric vehicle, it is a critical step in Tesla’s mission to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy. 0-100km/h takes just 5.6 seconds and top speed is 225km/h (where allowed).  The Model 3 Performance does this trip in 3.4 seconds and has a top speed of 261km/h. The long range battery has a WLTP range of up to 415km (WLTP) while the Performance model can do 530km. Its powertrain technology has been designed for ultra-high endurance an...

Independent Drogheda dealership Sean McManus Tyres has become the 21st tyre retailer to join the Michelin Auto Professional (MAP) dealer network in Ireland and will now display Michelin Certified Centre signage across its site - to reflect Michelin’s seal of approval, writes Trish Whelan . As a MAP advocate dealership, Sean McManus Tyres will enjoy advantages including access to free on-site staff training and participation in Michelin’s mystery shopper programme. It will also receive a full audit of its digital presence - with expert advice from the Michelin team on maximising all online opportunities. Commenting, Julie McManus (pictured), Manager at Sean McManus Tyres, says: “We believe in the quality of Michelin products and stand behind them as offering long-lasting performance and maximum safety. Being invited to join the network is a huge achievement for us and we take great pride in being accepted.” Established in the 1960s, Sean McManus Tyres is an ind...

Mondello Park ‘Golden Mondello - From Grass to Glory’ will be broadcast on RTE at 6.30pm on Bank Holiday Monday, 3 June, writes Trish Whelan .   The one hour documentary, commissioned by Mondello’s owner Martin Birrane before he died last year, celebrated 50 years of Irish Motorsport at the famous Irish motor racing track at Mondello Park outside Naas in Co Kildare which is Ireland’s only internationally accepted racing circuit for cars and motor-cycles. It was started by enterprising enthusiasts who recognised, because of competitor safety, that the days of traditional road racing were near an end. That era started near Athy, Co Kidare in 1903 with the staging of the highly successful and much acclaimed Gordon Bennett International.   As well as being the story of Mondello Park, it is a dedication to the man who invested much money making the circuit stand proudly as an internationally recognised facility for cars, motor cycles, karting, drifting a...

LeasePlan is to supply 70 Nissan commercial vehicles to Mitie who are the leading Facilities Management Company in Ireland, writes Trish Whelan . Mitie employs over 2,000 people and serves over 120 clients throughout Ireland offering a range of specialist services including real estate and energy consultancy, compliance, risk assessment and security systems to cleaning, catering and environmental services. Pictured above are Les Sheridan (Managing Director – Mitie), Mark Collins (Account Manager – LeasePlan), Phillip Davis (Enterprise Account Executive – Transpoco), Deirdre Hudson (Head of Client Services - LeasePlan), Dermot McDermott (LCV Sales Manager – Nissan Ireland), Andrew Fleury (CEO – Transpoco). Mitie already counts 50 Nissan vans amongst its fleet and plans to replace its existing vans with new ones. LeasePlan will supply a variety of Nissan commercial vehicles including the NV200, NV300, NV400 and the Nissan Qashqai van. “The vehicles which a...

BMW’s all-new 1 Series is now available to order with first customer deliveries from September, writes Trish Whelan . Pricing is expected to be from €33,205 OTR. Now in its third generation, the 1 Series features a sportier design, along with improved handling and agility. More powerful and more efficient engines are combined with new technology highlights such as BMW Head-up display, Digital Key, BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant and Live Cockpit Plus together with an array of new driver assistant systems.     It features a shorter bonnet and significantly more space within almost the same footprint as its predecessor. At 4,319 mm in length it is slightly shorter, but wider and higher than previously. At 2,670mm, the wheelbase is 20 mm shorter. Design changes include a new headlight arrangement, a more wedged shaped silhouette and a pronounced ‘shark nose’. At the front the BMW kidney grille is larger and, for the first time in this model range, the kidn...

Honda Civic saloon Across Honda Dealers nationwide this 192 buying season Honda want to give everyone a ‘High Five’, writes Trish Whelan . For a limited time the Civic Diesel will be available with a choice of 5 very competitive offers. This include, 3.9 per cent APR PCP Finance, OR €3,000 guaranteed minimum trade-in value, OR upgrade to 9-speed automatic, OR complimentary Platinum Service Plan and 1 years’ Free Road Tax, OR €1,000 deposit contribution. The award-winning Honda 120hp 1.6 i-DTEC diesel engine for all the new Civic range was one of the first engines in the world to undergo the real-world testing WLTP, offering excellent combination of performance and efficiency. The Civic diesel is available in a sporty 5-door hatchback or a stylish 4-door Sedan (saloon) with Honda’s suite of award-winning safety features ‘Honda Sensing’ as standard, making it one of the safest cars in its class. The 1.6 diesel comes in a 6-speed manual transmission as well as a ...

Easytrip, Ireland’s only electronic parking and tolling tag provider, has renewed its support of not-for-profit charity Blood Bikes to cover their toll charges for the next two years, writes Trish Whelan . Blood Bikes provide urgent transportation of donated blood, human tissue, breast milk and other essential medical items to hospitals and medical centres 365 days a year, and supply their service free of charge thanks to a legion of volunteers. Easytrip has supported the charity since April 2017 allowing Blood Bikes to continue their vital service throughout Ireland by reducing their bikers’ and drivers’ time of queuing at toll plazas to pay toll charges. Easytrip’s CEO Colin Delaney says they regularly receive updates from the Blood Bikes team on how they are performing, and to date the impact of the partnership has been a very positive one. Fergus Lennon, spokesperson for Blood Bikes Leinster says: “Since we first started working with easytrip we have imp...

The Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicles division in Ireland has placed a Mercedes-Benz X-Class X220d pickup at the disposal of outdoor pursuits specialists Boardsports Ireland for the year ahead, writes Trish Whelan . Within the range of all-action activities falling under the Boardsports Ireland umbrella are surfing, water sports, BMX cycling and mountain biking. Fergus Conheady, sales manager for Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicles believes the link ‘perfectly positions the X-Class in front of that generation of sports-active motorists for whom it was designed. He said: “Through this new partnership, the X-Class will bring added glamour and prestige to the numerous sports events with which Boardsports Ireland is associated.” Dressed in specially-designed bespoke livery, the X-Class will be in use at a comprehensive programme of events that includes surf schools planned for Brittas Bay, Bundoran, Tramore, Dingle and Lahinch and mountain bike events scheduled for We...

Volkswagen Crafter Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles say their new offers are designed 'to give buyers the best possible choice to suit their needs and represent the best choice for motorists considering buying a commercial vehicle between now and the end of July', writes Trish Whelan . They include an offer of a contribution of up €4,000 towards an order which can be combined with a ‘market leading’ HP rate of 0pc. Additional offers include Ireland’s only Commercial vehicle PCP solution and the company’s own leasing offer from €45 per week with no upfront deposit. 2019 has seen Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles increase both in volume and market share. The main reasons for this are attributed to the Caddy, Ireland’s best-selling vehicle year to date, and the Crafter which has increased by nearly 90 per cent (year-on-year). The company has also invested in stock on the ground with over 50 per cent more stock than last year ensuring a quicker response to customer dem...

Nissan is set to host a series of information and educational events across its dealer network from June 4 to 16 inclusive to provide car buyers and local businesses with everything they need to know to make the switch to zero emissions EV driving, writes Trish Whelan . Demand for EVs has seen sales up 308pc to 1,731 units so far this year and Nissan has organised the events to take place after its dealers became inundated with questions from buyers interested in switching to electric vehicles. Nissan’s Neil O’Sullivan, Head of Sales and Business Development says motorists clearly understand the environmental benefits of switching to EV driving, although the decision to switch often comes with many questions around cost savings, battery life, range and charging. The Nissan Electric Dealer Event will provide customers with an opportunity to meet their local Nissan dealer and put any questions that they may have about driving electric to them as well as to test drive ...

On 1 June, Dennehy Commercials will open a new Renault Pro+centre at Unit 802, Northwest Business Park, Blanchardstown, Co Dublin, writes Trish Whelan . It is convenient to all arterial routes, M50, N2, N3 and within the Dublin Enterprize Zone.   This standalone facility joins an elite club of autonomous Pro+ centres, becoming one of only ten in the world. This will be the second such centre in Ireland with the first one opened in Cork city less than two years ago. The dealership will be fully dedicated to business and fleet customers only. As Dublin’s only dedicated Pro+ centre, it will ensure that Renault’s business customers benefit from the full range of Renault services under one roof.   Pictured above are  Patrick Cahill, Business Development Manager; Rory Dennehy, Managing Director, Dennehy Renault Pro+ centre; and Ian Grant, Business Development Sales, Dennehy Renault Pro+.   The Pro+ standards ensure that the aftersales team are complet...

Embracing the adventurous spirit has defined the Discovery family for the past 30 years, writes Trish Whelan . The Discovery Sport has been a real sales success for Land Rover, leading the way for the past three years and selling almost half a million models to date.   During that time, it has won a number of awards and introduced a big number of new, younger families into the brand.   The new LR Discovery Sport is a true Land Rover with its versatility and go-anywhere ethos. JLR says it can wade rivers, climb mountains and explore places other SUVs can’t reach. This latest version has been updated with the latest user-friendly technology and more efficient, electrified engines while being every inch a Land Rover combining its all-terrain handling with all-weather capability including a wading depth of 600mm, All-Wheel Drive and a second-generation Active Driveline system. Terrain Response 2 automatically detects the surface and adjusts the torque del...

The All-New 2019 Mazda3 has been awarded the maximum five-star safety rating by Euro NCAP in its latest series of tests, writes Trish Whelan . Following the Mazda6 last year, this is the second Mazda to achieve an overall five-star rating under the new, more stringent 2018 Euro NCAP crashworthiness ratings. The Mazda3 performed impressively in all four Euro NCAP test categories - Adult Occupant, Child Occupant, Vulnerable Road User (pedestrian safety) and Safety Assist. The car scored 98 per cent in the Adult Occupant category achieving top points for frontal full width impact and both car and pole side impacts. Mazda’s Smart Brake Support system also gained full marks in low speed tests with collisions avoided in all scenarios. The Child Occupant score of 87 per cent includes maximum points for child protection in the tests with full marks for both frontal and lateral impact. Pedestrian safety tests garnered 81 per cent with maximum points for pedestrian le...

Ford’s powerful, fuel-efficient 1.0 EcoBoost engine has today been named 2019 International Engine and Powertrain of the Year (IEPOTY) in the Sub-150hp category - the 11th IEPOTY award earned by the engine since its launch in 2012, writes Trish Whelan . Delivering up to 140hp, the compact, low-friction engine powered more than 1 in 4 Ford models sold last year - over 410,000 vehicles - from the Fiesta hatchback family car to the Transit Connect van. Ford recently enhanced this 1.0 EcoBoost petrol engine offered in the Focus and Transit Connect to deliver more fuel efficiency with technologies including an industry-first cylinder deactivation system for a three-cylinder engine. This enhanced engine will be introduced to further models this year. “Even with 1.6 million 1.0 EcoBoost engines already on the road, we’re still uncovering its potential and new, even more fuel-efficient electrified powertrains with 1.0 EcoBoost at their core are hitting the road soon,”...

Renault has unveiled the New Megane R.S. Trophy-R, a new version in a lineage that began 15 years ago that has set - like its iconic predecessors, a new lap record time of 07”40”100 on the Nordschleife (a world renowned proving ground) in the front-wheel-drive production car category, writes Trish Whelan . Renault say this new Trophy-R embodies Renault Sport’s passion for challenge and performance. The Megane R.S. Trophy-R is equipped with the same 300hp engine as Megane R.S. Trophy and owes its increased speed to weight reduction of up to 130kg, improved aerodynamics and the more radical development of its chassis for improved handling. This car will have its public debut on this coming Friday, 24 May as part of the build up to the Formula One Grand Prix in Monaco with drivers from the Renault F1 Team, Daniel Ricciardo and Nico Hulkenberg, behind the wheel. This car doesn’t only owe its performance to its pure power but was honed for the track by a small, ded...

One of the interesting automotive things of the last decade is the proliferation of 3-cylinder engines, writes Brian Byrne . They make sense in many ways, not least because they're smaller, have less moving parts, and therefore are less expensive for the manufacturer. They used to have a kind of sewing-machine sound, but that's no longer the case, thanks to clever stuff with balancing shafts and electronic magic. I kind of miss that sound, but probably nobody else does. Certainly, the Fiat 500X I had last week came with as smooth and refined a petrol motor as anyone could ask for in even a premium car. The 500X isn't the company's best seller here. So few in fact that they don't even offer the AWD version which nominally puts the X in the name. Maybe describing it as a small SUV is a stretch, though it has exactly the same underpinnings as the Jeep Renegade which does look that part. It deserves to sell more, though. Not as an SUV or crossover or whatever y...

Audi is proceeding full-steam ahead with its electrification offensive, writes Trish Whelan . The Audi Q5 55 TFSI e quattro with 367hp system output (combined fuel consumption: 2.4 - 2.1 L/100kms; combined C02 emissions 53 - 46 g/km) is the first of the new plug-in models from Audi. The drive concept comprises a combustion engine and an electric motor allowing it to cover most everyday driving distances electrically. The WLTP all-electric range is more than 40 kms. The new drive concept comprises a 2.0 TFSI, four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine producing 252hp and 370 Nm of torque, and an electric motor. The engine is matched with a seven-speed S tronic. The hybrid SUV has a system output of 270 kW (367hp) and total torque of 500 Nm just above idle. Acceleration from 9-100km/h takes 5.3 seconds and top speed is 239km/h.   The car is the first time that the AWD with ultra technology is used in combination with an electric motor.   The car comes s...

Renault Runway Sales Events will take place from this Thursday 23 May to Saturday 25 May at all 27 Renault dealerships nationwide, writes Trish Whelan . Broadcaster and Brand Ambassador Ian Dempsey was recently on hand to launch the Renault Runway Sales Events as the brand revs up for a busy 192. Renault customers can avail of a unique offer as the only car brand offering 0pc APR and 0 Deposit until 31 July with a further offer of three-years’ 0 cost servicing available only during this three-day Renault Runway Sales Events saving customers on average €600. These offers are available across the model range including the recently refreshed New KADJAR, Clio and Captur, the Megane range, the flagship Koleos SUV and the Scenic and Grand Scenic family cars. All Renault cars come with 5 years’ warranty and 5 years’ roadside assistance as standard. The 0pc APR and 0 Deposit helps to lower the cost of change and saves customers over €2,000 versus high street bank ra...