Stylish new Opel Astra saloon on the way

Thu, Jun 28, 2012

The new Opel Astra saloon will go on sale here in September. Opel says this latest addition features a sporting, elegant design and refined build quality, and is set to become a core product in the Opel Astra line-up, writes Padraic Deane.

New BMW models brighten up our summer

Thu, Jun 28, 2012

The stunning new BMW 6-Series Gran Coupe goes on sale this month. And a three-door version of the 1-Series will also debut. More on those in the coming weeks.

Five-star rating for new Seat Mii

Thu, Jun 28, 2012

Seat recently previewed its latest model – the Seat Mii. The city car, which is due to launch in Ireland this month, has just received the maximum five stars in Euro NCAP’s latest round of safety tests, writes Padraic Deane.

Top survey finds Kia Sportage is tops with owners

Thu, Jun 28, 2012

The Kia Sportage is tops with owners according to the latest published JD PowerWhat Car? owner satisfaction survey, writes Padraic Deane.

Motorways a lasting legacy of the Tiger era

Thu, Jun 14, 2012

There is one legacy of the boom that will stand to us for a long time to come. Ireland now has a motorway network. We have over a 1,000 kilometres of newly-built top quality motorway, as good as anything in Europe and better than most.

It is not without its flaws. Perhaps the most obvious is that the network is peppered with tolls. This causes huge problems because traffic diverts away from them in droves. The AA has complained about this many times.

Nissan van range has grown with new NV400

Thu, Jun 14, 2012

The launch of the new Nissan NV400 van here has marked the next step in Nissan's ambitions to grow its presence in the LCV market in Ireland and across Europe, writes Padraic Deane.

Katie Taylor drives a new Toyota Auris Hybrid

Thu, Jun 14, 2012

Toyota brand ambassador Katie Taylor, Ireland’s triple World and five-time European amateur boxing champion, has picked the new Toyota Auris hybrid as her car of choice as she continues her boxing career.

Western Motors to host motor trade seminar

Thu, Jun 14, 2012

A free seminar, hosted by Western Motors, will be held for all dealers in the motor trade who are interested in enhancing, developing, or expanding their business.

The seminar takes place on Thursday June 21 at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Galway from 6pm to 8pm.

Peugeot announces new vehicle-naming strategy and 301

Thu, Jun 14, 2012

Peugeot has announced its new vehicle naming strategy that will see a permanent name for its models. From now on, Peugeot models will no longer change name whether they undergo a facelift or complete renewal, writes Padraic Deane.

New Seat Ibiza arrives on Irish market

Thu, Jun 07, 2012

The new Seat Ibiza has arrived on the Irish market.

New Peugeot 208 awarded five stars

Thu, Jun 07, 2012

The new Peugeot 208, due for launch in Ireland on June 30, has been awarded five stars by Euro NCAP.

Prices for Audi’s new A3

Thu, Jun 07, 2012

Audi Ireland has announced price and order information for the all new A3, which will be launched here in early to mid-September, with the order book opening in July, writes Padraic Deane.

Don’t use Road Safety law to ban smoking

Thu, May 31, 2012

I have recently had some correspondence with the anti-smoking group ASH looking for the AA to support a ban on smoking in cars. It is an interesting debate and not just for obvious reasons.

Minister Reilly has indicated that he is in favour of a ban when there are children in the car. In fact in a rare move he said recently that he ‘would not oppose’ a bill brought forward in the Seanad to introduce just such a law. Ministers tend to shoot down any proposals that have not been initiated by government in favour of their own alternatives.

Mazda’s new CX-5 launched in Ireland

Thu, May 31, 2012

Mazda has launched its new CX-5, a compact SUV crossover model, priced from €25,195 ex-works for the entry level 2.0 (165bhp) 2WD Executive petrol version and 2.2D 2WD (150bhp) Executive model.

The EU, and Ireland, gets it wrong on biofuels

Thu, May 24, 2012

The road to hell is paved with good intentions they say. There is a fine example of the law of unintended consequences in the recent history of biofuels in Europe.

Cast your mind back eight or nine years. Given all that has happened since, it really does seem like a different world. Global economies were booming, none more than Ireland’s, and the European Commission had not the slightest worry about banks or currencies. Instead it worried about biofuels.

New Peugeot 208 arrives in mid-summer

Thu, May 24, 2012

Peugeot will launch the new 208 super-mini here at the end of June.

Derek Farrell Motors for all your motoring needs

Thu, May 24, 2012

Based at Unit 1 Glenascaul, Oranmore, Derek Farrell Motors was founded in September 2011 by Derek Farrell.

VW Caddy Racer is the fastest van in Ireland

Thu, May 24, 2012

The Volkswagen Caddy Racer, a cousin of the popular Caddy van, claimed the title of fastest van in Ireland when it recently set a new course record for commercial vehicles at Mondello Park in Co Kildare with a time of 1.05.77.