Car sales up ten per cent in May

Thu, Jun 09, 2011

New car sales for May were up just over 10 per cent compared to the same month in 2010, according to figures released by the Society of the Irish Motor Industry. New car sales at 9,471 for the month were up 10.38 per cent on May 2010 (8,580).

New Suzuki Swift diesel lowers driving costs

Thu, Jun 09, 2011

Suzuki has added a low emissions 1.3-litre DDiS diesel model to the recently launched Swift range.

Road users beware farm machines

Thu, Jun 09, 2011

The Road Safety Authority and the Irish Farmers Association are urging road users to take extra care as the number of tractors, trailers, and other farm machinery using the roads increases over the summer months.

Volkswagen launches Irish exclusive Golf Edition-R

Thu, Jun 09, 2011

Volkswagen has launched a special new addition to the legendary Golf range, and the Edition-R is available exclusively to Irish drivers.

New Opel Zafira Tourer on the way next year

Thu, May 26, 2011

The Opel Zafira Tourer will make its world premiere at the Frankfurt International Motor Show in September and will arrive here next spring.

Mercedes launches new van purchase finance scheme

Thu, May 26, 2011

A new van purchase finance scheme, which opens up a line of funding that would assist small businesses planning to upgrade their transport fleet, has been introduced by Mercedes-Benz in Ireland.

Designed to unblock the lending logjam that has prevented many owners from acquiring or replacing their van fleet, the scheme provides finance over periods from three to five years upon payment of a “modest” deposit.

Vettel wins high-speed Formula 1 Spanish duel

Thu, May 26, 2011

Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel won a tense high-speed F1 duel in the Spanish Grand Prix held at the Circuit de Catalunya (Barcelona) on Sunday.

Fiat 875cc TwinAir is International Engine of the Year

Thu, May 26, 2011

The results of the 2011 International Engine of the Year Awards have just been announced. The global jury, consisting of motoring journalists, voted Fiat’s innovative and diminutive 875cc two-cylinder TwinAir the greatest automotive engine available today. Padraic Deane represents Ireland on this global jury.

New TomTom Start sat nav series offers more

Thu, May 26, 2011

TomTom has launched the new TomTom Start 20 series which combines an attractive design, larger screen size, and a new operating system for even smarter navigation.

Renault extends 'scrap my van' scheme offers

Thu, May 26, 2011

With Renault's 'scrap my van' scrappage scheme extended to the end of next month (must have the new van registered on or before June 30), this provides a last chance for anyone with a van that is at least five years old to avail of this deal

It is also an opportune time to look back at a story on the Renault Trafic we covered late last year. Two economy driving experts claimed a significant award on the UK’s only national fuel economy driving event, the MPG Marathon.

On-line pothole petition attracts 9,500 signatures

Thu, May 26, 2011

An on-line pothole petition, launched at the end of March on aaireland.ie, has attracted more than 9,500 signatures from Irish motorists countrywide.

Free servicing offer for some Toyota models

Thu, May 26, 2011

Toyota Ireland has reminded motorists that its popular three-years free servicing offer on all Yaris and Aygo models has been extended until the end of June.

Ford reveals Europe’s car colour tastes

Thu, May 26, 2011

It is perhaps no surprise that France and Italy are fond of cream-coloured cars, given their famous café cultures. But why do buyers in the Czech Republic favour blue far more than any other nation? And even though we Irish may be traditionally associated with green, we much prefer driving silver.

VW celebrates GTI anniversary with edition 35

Thu, May 19, 2011

To celebrate the 35th anniversary of the original hot hatch, Volkswagen has announced the first details of the latest special edition Golf GTI model - the Golf GTI Edition 35.

With an increase in power of 25bhp over the standard car, the Edition 35 develops 235bhp and is the most powerful production Golf GTI to date.

Volvo is most improved brand for CO2 emissions

Thu, May 19, 2011

Volvo Car's commitment to its ‘DRIVe Towards Zero’ mission was reaffirmed with the news that it is the most improved brand in the top 20 in JATO's latest report, "A Review of CO2 Car Emissions across Europe FY2010" with average emissions of just 157.5g/km.

Ford’s wake-up call for Europe’s sleepy drivers

Thu, May 19, 2011

With thousands of accidents caused every year by tired drivers falling asleep at the wheel, Ford's new driver alert safety system could prove to be a genuine life-saver.

New Lexus CT hybrid to race in Germany

Thu, May 19, 2011

In addition to running its class-winning LFAs, Lexus will also race for the first time a full hybrid version of the newly launched CT.

Competing in the SP4 Class, the GAZOO Racing CT features Lexus hybrid drive, powering the car with either the electric motor or the combustion engine, or a combination of both power trains. While starting and under braking, the car is quietly driven by only the electric motor, producing zero emissions and using no fuel at all. The combustion engine seamlessly takes over at higher speeds with the electric motor providing extra power when accelerating and at racing speeds.

Skoda Fabia scores amazing fuel economy record

Thu, May 19, 2011

An Austrian economy driving specialist by the name of Gerhard Plattner has achieved an amazing 1,246 miles (2,006km) on a single 45 litre tank of fuel in a Skoda Fabia GreenLine.