New Opel Astra van launched

Thu, Aug 09, 2012

Opel Ireland has launched a commercial variant of its successful Astra five door hatchback. And the first major fleet of new Opel Astra five door vans has been supplied to Eircom, Ireland’s largest telecommunications provider, writes Padraic Deane.

World's 'most economical’ luxury-class hybrid

Thu, Aug 09, 2012

At the end of this year Mercedes-Benz will introduce is new diesel-powered E 300 bluetec hybrid on the Irish market.

How do you squeeze more mpg from your car?

Thu, Aug 02, 2012

As everyone knows petrol and diesel have become wickedly expensive this year. Even though oil prices have come down a bit we are being hit by a falling Euro and we are still stuck with those massive, punitive taxes that have been piled onto the price by our own government in the last four years.

New Seat Toledo on the way

Thu, Aug 02, 2012

The new Toledo is coming. It is described by Seat as a saloon with a dynamic modern design, driven by highly-efficient engines, with outstanding practicality and excellent workmanship.

Roving eyes of distracted men

Thu, Jul 26, 2012

Men have a roving eye even while behind the wheel, it appears. In the latest AA survey of Irish motorists we asked drivers about what things distract them. Quite a lot of us are prone to slips in concentration and have had ‘near misses’ or just given ourselves a severe fright because our attention wavered.

Both genders were distracted in almost equal amounts by sights like advertising billboards, Garda checkpoints or traffic accidents. But when it comes to the distraction provided by an attractive member of the opposite sex, men are way out on their own.

All-new Peugeot 208 has gone on sale

Thu, Jul 26, 2012

Peugeot's eagerly awaited 208 super-mini has arrived in Ireland. The new hatchback from Peugeot draws on all the strengths and successes of Peugeot's iconic 205, the 206, and the European best-selling 207. It will retail in Ireland from €14,495 plus dealer delivery related charges for the new 1.0 petrol 68bhp three-door version.

Kia drives Team Ireland in London

Thu, Jul 26, 2012

Kia Motors Ireland is sending a fleet of Sportage and Optima Models to London to help Team Ireland with their logistics for the Olympic Games.

Penalty points system to change

Thu, Jul 19, 2012

In a few months the penalty points system will be ten years old. What a quick decade that was. The system was launched in a fanfare by the late Seamus Brennan back in October of 2002. At the risk of sounding old, I remember it well.

I had been personally very involved in the AA’s campaign to have a points system introduced and we had a number of meetings with Minister Brennan to persuade him of the idea. He was terrific, and pushed through their introduction when lots of others wanted to delay.

New Mini Clubvan targets business users

Thu, Jul 19, 2012

The Mini Clubvan is a compact van for business and leisure, and the first premium model in the small car-based van segment.

The Volkswagen Golf van is back

Thu, Jul 19, 2012

Volkswagen has just reintroduced the Golf van to the Irish market, having won the Continental Irish Car Derived Van of the Year 2011 in November 2010.

Stunning new Mercedes-Benz SL arrives

Thu, Jul 19, 2012

Sixty years after the first SL was launched, the latest version of this iconic roadster has arrived in Ireland.

French taking their road safety seriously

Thu, Jul 12, 2012

If you are planning to drive in France this summer then be warned that our continental friends have decided to take road safety very seriously these days. Amongst the things you will need to bring are a hi-viz jacket, a self-breathalyser and a carefully respectful manner, en francais si possible, when dealing with French police.

Every year we deal with drivers going abroad, either for insurance or just for general advice. France is the most common port-of-call, after the UK where the rules are very similar to here.

Jazz is the Which? Car best used supermini

Thu, Jul 12, 2012

The popular Honda Jazz has another accolade to add to its growing trophy cabinet - it has been named best used supermini by consumer champions Which? Car.

New Ford Ranger pick-up is the one to beat

Thu, Jul 12, 2012

The new Ford Ranger pick-up arrived in Ireland recently with an entry level price of €25,194. And Ford boasts that it combines the toughness and capability of a pick-up truck with smart technology, outstanding safety, and the highest standards of quality and comfort.

The new Ranger made history when it became the first pick-up truck to be awarded a maximum five-star safety rating by crash safety testing body, Euro NCAP. The Ranger achieved one of the best overall scores awarded by Euro NCAP; itsfive-star rating reflects a strong performance in adult, child, and pedestrian protection.

Open mobility week at Monaghan & Sons

Thu, Jul 12, 2012

An information week for drivers with disabilities is taking place in Galway this week (July 9 to 13).

Strong Irish sales growth for Land Rover

Thu, Jul 12, 2012

Jaguar Land Rover Ireland has achieved significant growth so far in 2012, writes Padraic Deane.

It has had combined sales for Land Rover and Jaguar of more than 800 vehicles up to the end of May – an increase of 39.7 per cent from the same period last year.

Should we change Irish reg plates to help the car trade?

Thu, Jul 05, 2012

These are tough times for the motor industry. New car sales are down over 20% so far this year. We all know how the economy is doing and I guess it is not a huge surprise but the trade also blames our registration system for making a bad situation worse.

New Skoda Rapid saloon on the way

Thu, Jul 05, 2012

Skoda is on a roll and and is not sitting back on its laurels. It is resolutely pursuing its model offensive, presenting its new compact saloon, the Skoda Rapid.

Major improvements for new Kia Sorento

Thu, Jul 05, 2012

Kia's successful Sorento SUV will receive a host of significant improvements when the new upgraded model goes on sale later this year.

Inflatable rear seatbelt to debut on new Ford Mondeo

Thu, Jul 05, 2012

Ford tells us that its groundbreaking inflatable rear seatbelt, which combines attributes of an airbag and a conventional seatbelt, will make its European debut next year on the new Mondeo.

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