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The Finest: 171 Motoring Edition
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Audi A3 Sportback 1.4 Tfsi by Seán Creedon
Somehow I was half-expecting to pick up a two-door car when I went to Sandyford to pick up the Audi A3 recently. But I was pleasantly surprised to pick up a four-door automatic version, which was good news because if you are a regular reader you will know that there are no fans of two-door cars in our house. When Audi introduced the A3 twenty years ago it was only produced as a two-door hatchback to present a more sporty image than the Golf, so I suppose that’s where my worries came from. But make no mistake this four-door saloon version is a classy motor. Colour makes such a difference when you set your eyes on a new car for the first time. It can be difficult making up your mind when choosing
Audi A4
by Seán Creedon
The end of each year is also a new beginning and can also be a popular time for people trying to lose weight, but very often those resolutions don’t last very long. Weight is easier to control when you are working on a new car and Audi say the weight of their revamped A4 has been reduced by 110 kg. As with humans less weight in a car means better economy and lower running costs. Audi claim that you should be able to get up to 72 mpg. Most of my driving last week was in the city and I honestly couldn’t verify that figure, but what I can say is that the fuel gauge in my 2.0-litre diesel model dropped very slowly.
a new family car, but for press cars we have to take what we got. I thought the Daytona Grey colour certainly enhanced the look of the Audi A3 Sportback. Two silver roof rails added to the elongated look. Audi have improved the A3 without making many changes to the interior. But the petrol and diesel engines are now cleaner and naturally better. If it’s speed you are into you can get from zero to 100km/h in 8.2 seconds thank to the 150 brake horse power. You get 18-inch alloys and upgrade LED lights. And I loved the way the lights at the back flashed horizontally when you apply the central locking. It’s set fairly low which gives the car a nice relaxed look. It’s simply a gorgeous car to drive and travel
In addition to the weight loss, Audi has made a few tweaks to the exterior design, but you would need to be wearing your anorak to spot them all. I know that the A4 is very popular with females, but some of the older females in our house found the new car was slung a bit too slow for access and egress. The seats are very comfortable and while you could get three adults into the back seat the middle person could have leg room problem. So it would be probably be more comfortable with just two people in the back. The front lights are very attractive and I liked the way the amber rear lights moved horizontally when I applied the central locking. I called to a friend, who was wearing his usual ‘car anorak’ and he pointed out that the door handles open up rather than out. So not a whole lot of exterior change and the interior looked familiar also. There is the usual impressive infotainment screen on the dash, which doesn’t fold down. You can choose five driving options, comfort, sport, eco, etc. The screen can also be used for Sat Nav and of course for the important radio controls. And the button to choose the radio stations can be controlled by the driver
Publisher Details 171 Motoring Edition
Publisher/ Sales Director: James Williams Design: Caio Sampaio Print: Webprint Editorial: Sean Creedon
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in. When you are used to a manual gearbox, then if you get upgraded to an automatic car it naturally feels even more luxurious. I really liked the information panel on the dash, with everything clearly displayed and of course with Audi you get a pop-up display for the radio stations. A decent sized digital speedometer right in your line of vision should help you stay within the various speed limits. The flat-bottom steering wheel is classy looking. But surprisingly you don’t get a reversing camera, just sensors and a picture on the dash of where your car is positioned when reversing. Prices start at €29,150, while the 150 S-Tronic S Line version I drove will cost you €43,792. While there is a decent amount of standard equipment included in that price, there are still plenty more options available if you have money to spend. For example the silver roof rails will cost you €373. But it’s up to you the buyer as to how many extras you want. Road tax is €200. There is good boot space and you get storage nets to prevent items rolling around in the boot. And surprise, surprise underneath is a ‘mini’ spare wheel. Now in an age where so many car companies just provide a repair kit, that in my opinion is big plus when you are thinking of buying a new car. To sum up I will use Jimmy Magee’s famous phrase which he used to describe Maradona’s second goal against England in 1986, ‘different class.’
or front seat passenger. And while it didn’t have heated front seats, the heating was very good. Overall a very smooth drive and while it’s fairly expensive when new, you can always pick up a good bargain in a second hand Audi. No doubt Audi fans will love it, but extras like reversing cameras, which are standard on some other models, will cost you extra in the Audi A4. The boot is huge and the good news is that you get a ‘mini’ spare wheel rather than that dreaded repair kit. I drove a silver version, which looked well, but then one day I saw a red version and it looked even better. Once again colour makes such a difference when choosing a new car. Existing Audi fans will not be disappointed and the company seem to have avoided the bad pass that parent VW group has received. Time is a great healer and the emissions controversy doesn’t seem to have affected sales of VW products in Ireland. So it’s still a German cat-fight between Audi, BMW and Mercedes. Available in petrol and diesel, the Audi A4 range start at €35,800, while the top of the range S Line version I drove starts at €44,200. Then there are is a plethora of extras available, if you have cash to spare. With low emissions road tax is only €190.
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The Finest: 171 Motoring Edition
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BMW 2 Series by Seán Creedon
The revolution continues. Hot on the heels of BMW’s first ever front wheel drive, the 2-Series active Tourer hatchback, the same model has been stretched and pulled in all directions to make the firm’s first seven-seater MPV. We’re just going to put this out there but, whis-
per it, there are actually people who aren’t aching with desire for the endless parking and driving conundrums associated with owning an SUV behemoth. Certain badges are aspirational, though, and it will be a relief to many fans of premium Ger-
Citroen Spacetourer by Seán Creedon
Some cars are well named, like the Skoda Superb, super by name, superb by nature. Recently I drove another appropriately named motor the Citroen Spacetourer. It can be an eight or nine-seater and it certainly has oodles of space. With families getting smaller all the time you won’t find many what you might call ‘regular’ family drivers buying one, but it would I think, be ideal for taxi or celebrity type work. The Spacetourer is based on a version of the C4 Picasso/Grand Picasso platform and it certainly is one big people carrier. What I liked most about it is the two sliding rear doors, which are ideal for entry and egress. I drove an eight-seat version with two seats in the front and then two more rows of three-seaters. However, if you have seven passengers on board there wouldn’t be any space for bulky suit cases. So if you were ferrying passengers with large suitcases you would have to fold down the third row. It’s so tight at the back that the full-size spare wheel is located under the car. Initially I thought it was red, but the official colour of my test car was Tourmaline Orange. It’s a long motor and you will certainly appreciate the reversing camera when parking. However, I found the turning circle very good which was
a great help. I drove a manual 1.6 diesel engine version with 115 brake horse power and it was powerful, but frugal, even in heavy city traffic. It’s a fine comfortable car on the open road. But South Dublin County Council recently installed a large number of ramps on my local access road and as Larry Gogan might say in his famous ‘Just a Minute’ quiz, the ramps didn’t really suit the Spacetourer. Prices start at €38,300 and road tax is €280. Add in metallic paint and park assist and the price of the car as tested comes to €40,010. The only
man engineering that they now have an option to carry large payloads in style without feeling like they ought to take out a HGV license. Not that this is a tiny vehicle. It may be the same width as an Active Tourer but that payload capacity requires an extra218mm length on its baby brother. Inside it is pleasingly plush as you would expect from BMW and the standard goodies include two-zone air conditioning, auto headlights, rain sensors, collision warning with City Brake and parking assist which help to make it a nice cut above. The engine range is extensive with two petrol and three diesel options ranging from the 1.5 litre three cylinder 216D which is a little breathless at 116bhp but makes up for with just 108g/km Co2 and 4.11 litres of fuel every 100km. At the other end of the scale, the diesel 2-litre can produce 192bhp but drinks 6.3 litres of crude every sixty odd miles. Whichever one you choose you’ll be getting premium motoring in a practical and desirable package.
thing missing in the cabin were proper cup holders. There are gadgets on the dash to hold coins or maybe they could be ash tray, but does anybody smoke in cars anymore? There is so much space between the driver and the front seat passenger and plenty of space to fit in a cup holder or two. It’s a high motor and my wife, who has a touch of arthritis, found she had to be careful when getting out of the car. There is a step to help you, but if you are robust enough you can just slide out, but then that might not be good for your back. I really liked the sliding doors, both of which have a small sliding window. The sliding doors are so handy when parking in tight places because I think cars get lonely as people park so close to me in shopping centres! I can see this spacious people carrier being very popular with taxi drivers or with companies who transport celebrities. And I can visualise a hen party heading for Temple Bar of some other hot spot around the country crowding into this Spacetourer. Now where is my new taxi uniform?
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The Finest: 171 Motoring Edition
Suzanne Jackson Let us introduce you to a very successful young lady, who is one of Ireland’s leading fashion and beauty bloggers, Suzanne Jackson, aka SuSueMe. Back in July of 2010, Suzanne created SoSueMe.ie, a one stop shop for celebrity fashion, lifestyle and beauty. Since then the success of her blog has succeeded all expectations and voted one of the most influential fashion websites in Ireland. Suzanne also launched her 25 colour gel nail varnish collection, luxurious lashes, contouring palette and her new highlighter palette, which is flying of the shelves, so you better get there quick. For more information on where her products are sold and to keep up with Suzanne’s fashion updates, visit www.sosueme.ie Being a very busy lady, Suzanne spends a lot of her time travelling and being safe is paramount to her, so here we had a chat about all things motoring.
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1. When did you first start driving and what car did you drive? I first started driving when I was 17. At the time, I was on my mam’s insurance so I was driving her VW Golf. When I got a car of my own however, I got a Fiat Punto.
No, never. I would only apply or touch up my makeup in the car if I were in the passenger seat and someone else was driving. If I were at a complete standstill for ages in traffic, then I might quickly reapply my lipgloss, but that would be about it.
2. What are you currently driving? BMW X5
6. Would you lend your car to a family member, friend or colleague? Yes! I always do. Once they notify their insurance first, I have no problem with them lending my car.
3. What matters to you when you choose a car and how do you look after it? Reliability is a big thing. Because I am on the road so much, I need a car that will not let me down. I also need a nice sized car with plenty of space as I have so many boxes of products to bring to hotels for my workshops. Above all, I need to feel safe in my car. I am on the road all the time so safety is a big factor for me. Because I love fashion, I also like to have a car that looks nice. For the last 4 year’s I have driven a BMW and it ticks all the boxes for me. I look after it by getting it serviced when required and I also keep it very clean. 4. How important is your car to your work and social life? A car is extremely important to my work life. When we go out at the weekend however, we will usually take a taxi. My car is mainly for work. 5. Would you touch up your make up while driving your car?
Dacia Duster by Seán Creedon
My Dacia Duster test car came in what was described as an Altai Green colour. I have always heard that green is supposed to be an unlucky colour for a car, but this was a different green to anything I had seen previously and I was curious about what Altai meant. So only one thing to do, go to our friend Google. Well Altai is a mountain range in Asia on the border between Russia and Mongolia. Dacia choose an appropriate name because this neat, but lively 4x4 Prestige version of the Duster, would probably get you up, very discreetly, to the base of the Altai mountain range. The Romanian-built Dacia, which is the budget line in the Renault stable, was introduced to Ireland four years ago when we were in the depths of a recession. And no doubt Dacia at-
tracted many new customers with their ‘shockingly affordable’ advertising strap line. It was a great time for a new brand to come here as we struggled and whinged about the reasons for the demise of the Celtic Tiger. And Dacia cars are still affordable. Looking back at my review from 2012 I note that the starting price for the Duster back then was €14,990. There are several improvements in the new version and the entry level is now €16,690 which is still very attractive if you want to buy a new spacious four-door, five seater car. My high-speced 4x4 Prestige version with goodies like fancy alloys and reversing camera, will cost you €21,890. There is an old saying that you get what you pay for in life and no doubt about it with the
7. What is your dream car? I don’t really have one as such but if I had to choose, I think I would pick a Jaguar or an Aston Martin. 8. What advice would you give to young women about motoring? Take as many lessons as you need to ensure you feel as confident as possible on the road. Avoid the motorway until you are fully confident in your skills. 9. Do you wear high heels or trainers while driving? I always wear flats when I’m driving. 10. Would you consider using your charm to avoid a parking ticket? No, I have always been a stickler for parking only in the correct spots.
Duster there isn’t much luxury. It was certainly a lot different for me as the previous week I had driven the luxurious Mercedes GLC Coupe. You would get three Dusters for the price of one GLC. It’s only natural in the first few days driving a new car that you compare it with the car from the previous week; not fair I know, but unavoidable. Externally that unique shade of green will definitely catch your eye. If you are superstitious and don’t like the green, the Duster is also available in other regular colours. My wife said she enjoyed the high driving position and didn’t have any complaints, but we didn’t take the car on any long journeys. I couldn’t see a temperature read out on the dash, but eventually I did find a temperature reading by scrolling through the options on the stalk to the right of the steering wheel. I liked the clearance between the wheels and the body of the car, which obviously would be have been useful if I had to take the car off-road.Only available in 1.5-litre diesel. Road tax is €200 on the entry level, while the tax on the top of the range Prestige model is €270. There is a fine boot and a full size spare wheel, so full marks to Dacia for including two items that the average Irish motorist really likes. It was fine but would I buy one? Hard to know at this stage of my life. But if I was younger and wanted a new car to keep a young family happy, especially in summer time, then the Duster would certainly fit the bill. The PCP offer is €159 per month.
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The Finest: 171 Motoring Edition
There used to be a time in our house if I brought home a two-door car the whole family would almost scream in unison. They all hate two-door cars because of the hassle involved in getting in and out of the passenger’s seat to allow people access the back seats. However, I noticed that there were no complaints last week when I brought home the attractive DS3. The DS3 is of course made by Citroen, but the French manufacturer would now like us to regard the DS badge as a separate entity and that’s no problem with me. The car looked great on the driveway, but I have to admit that after a few days the usual two-door complaints returned. I tried to help by getting in and out myself to allow access and egress and yes, I have to admit it’s awkward. Citroen stopped making the DS range in 1975, but they brought it back a few years ago and now there is a big push for the DS to be seen as a stand-alone brand. No doubt the Mini and the Fiat 500 are natural targets as DS look for conquest sales with their revamped DS3, although their ‘competitor analysis’ only features the Mini and Audi A1. I found the DS3 to be really lively and there was plenty of ‘poke; in the frugal 1.6-litre diesel engine which offered 130 brake horse power. It was pleasure to drive and so easy to park. My wife loved the sporty front seats, but she wouldn’t sit in the back and she is nowhere near six foot! Road tax is €180. This is a car for young and young at heart dri-
DS4
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DS3
by Seán Creedon
vers. If you buy one you certainly will get plenty of attention. I had many young people come up to me in shopping centre car parks and ask ‘what make of car is that?’ By the way I don’t like shopping centres, but my wife doesn’t drive. I use visits to these huge car parks to do a bit of research; check out which brand of cars other shoppers are driving and of course I always visit Eason’s. Even though you only get two doors, the back is cute looking. There is just enough room for two not so tall people, but the bad news is that the rear windows don’t open. You get a decent-sized boot and best of all a ‘mini’ spare wheel. And when you apply the central locking the side mirrors fold in. Normally I don’t bother with blue tooth as I am trying to get away from using my mobile phone while driving. But this time once I began to
by Seán Creedon
Citroen introduced the iconic DS sub-brand over 60 years ago. Now the French manufacturer is keen to promote the DS as a separate entity from regular Citroen cars. It’s a difficult task for dealers, customers and sub-editors alike, but that’s the way they want it. I have had a small issue with the automatic release of the electronic handbrake in another other models recently, one of which turned out to be my own fault as I hadn’t fastened my seat belt before attempting to drive off. When you sit into the Crossback there is a notice in five different languages on the door, warning the driver to apply the electronic handbrake before leaving the vehicle. But the good news is that the handbrake automatically disengages when you attempt to drive away, even if you are still fumbling to try and fasten the driver’s seat belt. The Crossback version is really cute, with a sli-
ghtly different rear end from the regular DS, two silver roof rails, all topped with 18-inch Brisbane diamond-cut alloys. We are told it’s a higher ride, but the increased height is only 30mm, so I think it’s an attempt to try and give the car a more SUV look. My test car came in a burnt-orange colour and it certainly was attractive and got a few envious glances from a few teenagers who I think might turn to be boy-racers in the not too distant future. When I sat in I thought the interior was a bit dark and as the weather was fine I thought it could have done with a sun roof. But you can adjust the sun visors for the driver and passenger to allow more light in the car. The dash area is very compact and I loved the sporty-looking steering wheel. You get a seven-inch touch screen with Sat Nav. And the DS caters for Apple i-Phone users. There is room in
charge my i-phone it automatically connected with Bluetooth. And it was brilliant. But I don’t really want to play back my voicemails with other people in the car. All that style comes at a price. The entry level Elegance version starts at €21,345 for the1.2 petrol versions while the 1.6 diesel version of the Prestige starts at €27,795. The only significant extras were metallic paint at €500 and reversing camera at €250. You get three years roadside assistance and a five-year warranty. I drove an ink-blue blue-coloured model, a colour which didn’t do much for the car. The interior was definitely a bit too dark and it could have done with a brighter roof to lift the decor. But of course it’s also available in a range of bright colours. Just a shame they won’t add two more doors.
the back but it might be a bit of a squeeze if they are all bulky adults. Also the rear windows don’t open. The boot is a decent size and underneath is a ‘mini’ spare wheel. On the road the road the DS handles very well and you will be very comfortable when cornering. DS don’t actually tell you what the actual horse power of the car is, saying instead if it’s Pure Tech or Blue Hdi. Prices for the DS4 start at €26,995, while the Crossback range starts at €30,495. Road tax is €190. For me the only problem was the way the two back doors came to a very dangerous point. You need to be very careful when opening or closing the back doors as you very easily injure your eye. It’s full of French flair. With Citroen there was always the worry about residuals, I don’t know if the same situation will apply to the DS range.
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The Finest: 171 Motoring Edition
www.thefinest.ie so the car isn’t actually mine. I suppose if they are insured and need it to pop down to the shop or something. The DS3 is a left-hand drive and that may give people here in Ireland an issue as most cars are right hand drive. In fact, all Rally cars are actually left hand drive at a professional level I mean. It is possible that you would find right-hand drive cars at amateur level, but on the pro circuit all cars are left.
10 QUESTIONS WITH WRC DRIVER: CRAIG BREEN Over the last four years Craig Breen has made it into the pages of The Finest on numerous occasions with his Rallying exploits all over the world. As a young Irish Rally star at the top of his game The Finest caught up with Craig to have a quick chat about cars, sure why not! Q: When did you first start driving and what car did you drive. A: I first started driving cars back in 2007, it was a Honda Civic. Q: What are you currently driving? A: At the moment I am driving a DS3 Q: What matters to you when you choose a car and how do you look after it? A: I don’t think I have actually ever owned a car myself. The DS3 I am driving at the moment is part of my contract in that Citroen France is a Citroen reintroduced the iconic DS name to its fleet a few years back. The DS range, which was originally launched at the Paris Motor Show in 1955, was brought back in 2010 when the DS3 was introduced. Then came the DS4, which was followed by the gorgeous DS5. Now the DS5 has got a makeover and Citroen now talk about the DS as a separate entity. So is the brand with the Avant Garde styling strong enough to stand out on its own two feet or in this case, own four wheels? Ultimately the buying public will decide. But I can tell you that it certainly is luxurious. The recent make-over saw the introduction of a new grille at the front, but really the changes are so discreet you would probably need to be wearing your favourite anorak to spot all the improvements. Most of the improvements are under the bonnet with a new Blue HDi 2-0-litre engine, which is very smooth. With 150 brake horse power, you won’t be left behind at the traffic lights, but really this is not just a car for rapid take-offs, but for motorway cruising. Inside there is some beautiful craftsmanship,
company car. Ok I think I once owned a Ford fiesta. Q: How important is your car to your work and social life? A: The most important things that come to mind are getting to the airport and going to the gym. I would say that the comfort of the car, obviously, the reliability of it are very important, that goes without saying. Q: Would you fix your appearance while driving your car? A: No! definitely not. If I had to worry about what people think of how I look personally I would say I am in the wrong business. Q: Would you lend your car to a family member, friend or colleague? A: I could if I wanted to, but I am under contract
Q: If money was no object what car would you drive? A: That’s a good question, I am actually not that pushed as I am around new cars all the time. I get to drive nice cars anyway! I really like the DS3 that I am currently driving and I will try hard to hang on to that one. I have been told that a Citroen C5 touring is on its way to me and that also sounds like it would be ideal for me. Q: What advice would you give to young men about motoring? A: The road in general is a dangerous place, I do a lot of high speed driving in a properly secured car within a controlled environment during training. As you all know I have only recently had personal experience of having been involved in a tragic incident. The problem with driving too fast is that when you are travelling at speed things can go very badly very quickly. Q: Do you wear trainers while driving? A: Whatever is handy at the front door to be honest. Q: Would you consider using your professional credentials to avoid a parking ticket? A: Well I suppose you would have to give anything a try once.
DS5
by Seán Creedon
but there is a serious amount of metal over your head. My daughter, who is my regular front seat passenger found it all a bit claustrophobic and she couldn’t be described as very tall. There is a sunroof and it’s divided up into sections and controlled by the driver and front seat passenger, who can open or close the blinds to control the light levels. All the controls are right next to the gear lever and I mean all as the buttons to open and close the windows are also included in that cluster. The back seat passengers are not afforded as much individual choice. The roof at the back does open and the back seat passengers can feel the wind in their hair if they so wish. Normally we associated clocks with being round, but in this car the clock on the dash has a
rectangle angle shape, which is very unusual. You can also get the time from the display unit on the dash, so no excuses for being late. Overall the cabin it very comfortable, but also very busy looking and when you first sit in there is so much for the brain to absorb. The last time I drove a DS5 a witty passenger remarked that there were more buttons in the cabin than you would see in Cadburys factory in Coolock. The boot is a decent size, but no spare wheel, just the dreaded repair kit. Apart from head room for my front seat passenger, the only other complaint I got was the lack of a proper cup holder between the driver and front seat passenger, but there are cup holders inside the doors. All that luxury is not cheap and prices start at €36,045.
The Finest: 171 Motoring Edition
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IRISH MOTORISTS SHOW CONCERNS IN RELATION TO AUTONOMOUS DRIVING One in four Irish motorists say they have serious concerns in relation to the advent of autonomous driving with 15 percent saying that the concept of self-driving cars scares them, whilst 11 percent suggested people are becoming too reliant on technology. Fully one half of respondents to the Continental Tyres survey on autonomous driving say that they would feel unsafe in a self-driving car due to not being in control of the vehicle. In a similar vein, some 36 percent expressed concerns with the technology underpinning an autonomous driving vehicle. The research for Continental Tyres was carried out as part of the company’s ‘Vision Zero’, a long-term commitment to reduce accidents through innovative tyre technologies and automotive systems. Continental is also partner to the Global NCAP #STOPTHECRASH campaign, a coordinated grouping of companies and automotive bodies in a shared commitment to promote advanced vehicle safety technologies as a means to improving road safety across the globe. Notwithstanding the very real safety concerns, respondents to the survey highlighted some of the many benefits that autonomous driving can bring including the opportunity for drivers to spend their time more productively and for a small number of respondents (8 percent), autonomous driving, if implemented properly, could deliver the holy grail of ‘accident free’ driving.
companies. 35 percent of respondents were of the opinion that some car manufacturers have exaggerated what is possible with autonomous driving but they admit that there is potential for significant safety and efficiency benefits. Commenting on the survey results, Tom Dennigan of Continental Tyres Ireland said: “Automated driving will surely be the biggest change to motoring over the next 20 years and it is clear from our survey that Irish motorists have some serious concerns in relation to this development. “Nevertheless, as a company that is both an expert provider of safety technologies for the automotive industry and a systems manufacturer at the forefront of autonomous driving developments, at Continental, we are in a unique po-
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sition to expertly understand the complete car. We are confident that the advent of autonomous driving will bring huge benefits for road safety, in particular, in developed countries where vehicles will be able to interact with each other and with the built environment - the challenge will be to replicate these advances in developing countries and as a fully committed member of the #STOPTHECRASH campaign, Continental will fully play its part in ensuring that the technological benefits of autonomous driving are spread as widely as possible.”
THE TOP CONCERNS IN RELATION TO AUTONOMOUS DRIVING WERE AS FOLLOWS: 1. Feeling unsafe due to not being in control of the vehicle 2. Issues with the technology, worries about breaking down 3. Someone hacking into the system driving the car 4. Driverless cars making ethical decisions, for example driving off the road to avoid a bigger accident
5. Not being able to experience the physical act of driving 6. Having motion sickness, due to not being in control of the car 7.Worries there will be issues with the technology and not knowing how to fix it
The survey also showed a certain level of cynicism in relation to the claims of automotive
Fiat Tipo & Spider
by Seán Creedon
Fiat, who recently introduced new versions of their Tipo and Spider at a function in the Killasheee Hotel in Kildare, are hoping for a successful year in 2017. After a few lean years in Ireland the famous Italian company is now making a serious effort to make inroads into the popular Irish C-segment with their new Tipo. The Tipo was voted European Car of the Year in 1989 and next year Fiat hope they will sell around 400 units of their new car in Ireland. It
will be available in three trim levels: Pop, Easy and Lounge, but the first two will be priced the same. Fiat don’t expect many takers for the basic Pop version. The Spider reminded me a bit of the Ford Mustang, both of which have very long bonnets. We drove a red version, which really looked the part. It’s a sibling of the Mazda MX-5 and is made in Japan. Since its world premier at the Istanbul Motor Show in May 2015 and its presentation to the
international press in November last year, the Tipo has already collected an award. It was voted Autobest ‘Best Buy Car 2016’ by a jury of 26 international motor writers. Prices for the 1.4 petrol version of the Tipo start at €17,995, while the Station Wagon starts at €19,245. Fiat reckon that their 1.6 diesel version will be their best seller in Ireland. The 1.4, 140 brake horse power petrol version of the Spider starts at €31,495
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The Finest: 171 Motoring Edition
Ford Ka+
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by Seán Creedon Ford Ireland took us the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park Stadium in London to drive the new version of the Ka+ around the docklands and Stratford area of East London. Ciaran McMahon MD of Ford Ireland was quick to point out that the Ka+ is not a replacement for the funky-looking Ka which has been with us since 1996, but a brand new five-door car. First impressions were that it’s very close in looks and price to the Ford Fiesta, but I think the Fiesta is still a bit more attractive looking. Ciaran McMahon says that they the company has great hopes for the Ka+. ‘‘It’s no secret that
FORD EDGE IRISH CAR OF THE YEAR LARGE SUV CATEGORY WINNER 2017 Ford didn’t do very well sales-wise with their Kuga, but now they gone for an even bigger SUV with the introduction of the Edge. It’s a great name for sub-editors to play with, but price wise is certainly is not at the cutting edge. I was looking at information on the car on the web and in Britain the starting price of the Edge is £29,995 sterling, while in Ireland it’s a whopping €55,700. Ford has some excellent people carriers in the C-Max, S-Max and Galaxy, which are reasonably priced, but I think they need to look again at the pricing for the Edge. The company with the
famous blue oval are clearly taking on the likes of the BMX3 and the Audi Q5 as they attempt to make inroads into the luxury market. Then you have other good cars in that sector like the Kia Sorento or Hyundai Santa Fe. They may not have badges as famous as the BMW, Audi, Mercedes or Volvo but they are now very much accepted as providing people carriers that are value for money. Ford say that the Edge is the ‘epitome of modern refinement.’ It sure is a massive, comfortable car to drive and travel in. Only a five-seater available, but I wouldn’t fault them for that. After all how many people use all seven seats? I drove the car and got to experience a bit off-road track. Later I took the Edge to the Ploughing Championship near Tullamore and it certainly didn’t look out of place down there. It certainly would have enough power to pull a plough, if
the old Ka didn’t really resonate with customers as the Fiesta did. We have great hope for this big little car,’’ said Ciaran. The old version certainly stood out from the crowd, but it was only able to comfortably carry four passengers, while the new version can accommodate five people. It will be available in two trims: Studio and Zetec. Both will be powered by 1.2 petrol engines and prices start at a bargain €13,050 for the 70 bhp Studio version, while the 85 bhp Zetec starts at €14,650. And of course you cannot attend a new car launch nowadays without getting information on the PCP offers. In the case of the Ka+ it will be available at for only €29 per week. Kia has been using the advertising line that they are the home of the seven-year warranty. Well from January 1st, 2017 Ford will also be offering a seven-year warranty on the Kia+ and all of their new passenger cars.
you could attach one to the rear. Many new cars offer heated front seats, but in addition to heated seats, the Edge also has the facility to cool your posterior if the weather is really hot. But then with the summers we are having that option won’t be used very often in Ireland. The interior is bright with cream seats and you get the usual Ford dash and controls which are so easy to use. An electronic handbrake, which doesn’t release automatically when you want to drive off. No third row of seats, so plenty of room in the boot and the good news is that you get a ‘mini’ spare wheel. A big motor to handle, so you will appreciate the reversing camera and also the side mirrors fold in when the central locking is applied. Prices start at €55,700, while the automatic version will cost you a few grand more. And there are lots of extras available. I drove a manual ruby red-coloured version and it looked great. Only available in 2.0-litre diesel with a choice of 180 or 210 brake horse power. Road tax is €390. Talking to car buyers over the years I find that with Ford they either love them or won’t touch them. But the general consensus among Ford fans regarding the Edge is that the price might put potential buyers off. I have always loved Ford and I think that maybe Munster roots are part of the reason for that. Ford has some great cars, but this is a beast, albeit an expensive beast. Apparently it’s a big seller in the US, but then everything is big stateside.
The Finest: 171 Motoring Edition
www.thefinest.ie I have been driving a few sporty cars in recent weeks. First up was the rather thirsty petrol version of the Ford Focus RS, then a quick switch to the more frugal diesel Skoda Octavia vRS. Last week I was back with Ford for their 1.0 EcoBoost Fiesta. Ford has introduced sporty-looking red and black editions of their Fiesta which they hope will widen the driving appeal of the car. You now get revised gear ratios for the five-speed manual transmission and a sport suspension set-up. And a very colourful motor as well. Now I don’t think I will be in trouble with Women’s Lib for saying that traditionally women have bought more Fiesta cars than men. I’m sure some young boys would be attracted to this colourful and powerful motor, but it probably couldn’t be described as a ‘boy racer.’ So what is it, a girl racer? Well that’s the only explanation I can give. It’s a pity the great Con Houlihan isn’t still around; Connie was a great man for changing sentences around without them losing their meaning. I drove the black edition and while the exterior colour was black, the roof was red and there was a fair bit of red splashed all over the interior which meant a very attractive decor. If you opt for a red version, then the roof is black. Power is provided by a 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine which produces 125 brake horse power. You also get front and rear sports bumpers, side skirts and rear roof spoiler all topped off with 16-inch black alloys to complete the sports look. Inside you
Ford Fiesta Black edition by Seán Creedon
get sporty front seats with a red trim. There is room in the back for two adults, maybe three at a squeeze. The Fiesta was launched in 1976 and after a countrywide appeal by Ford Ireland earlier this year it was discovered that the oldest Fiesta still in use in Ireland is a 1978 version, which is owned by a Galwayman. The announcement was made at Weston Airport last month when several other editions of the Fiesta were also on show. Also there was Ben Collins, the driver formerly known as ‘The Stig.’ He showed his skills at the wheel of the Fiesta ST200 with some very impressive driving. More than 17 million units of the Fiesta have seen sold worldwide since 1976. Here in Ireland around 180,000 have been sold, giving the car a rightful claim to be the country’s longest-standing and favourite small car. There have been several upgrades and a few revamps in the in-
tervening 40 years and now we have something really different in this sporty-looking version. Entry level prices for the Fiesta start at €16,350, while the sporty version I drove will cost you €22,000. Road tax is €180 and the engine is not thirsty. I noticed that the top speed was 220km/h, but I wasn’t down near Mondello Park last week, so didn’t have an opportunity to check out that figure. I liked it and certainly appreciated that it has a mini spare wheel. The only thing that my family didn’t like about the car was that it was a two-door. As I have often said before on these pages there are no fans of two-door cars in our house. But if you are a singleton, male or female, then this could be the car to help you get noticed.
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The Finest: 171 Motoring Edition
Ford Focus RS A few years back I drove a tangerine-coloured Ford Focus ST; it was fast and attracted a lot of attention, but nothing like the gasps of admiration I got last week when driving a blue version of the 2.3 EcoBoost Focus RS. Most of the teenage boys who were gazing in awe as I passed them by in city streets last week probably couldn’t afford to buy the tyres for the car, the road tax of €750, never mind the €52,600 which is the starting price for this powerful ‘boy racer.’ Young female drivers are also interested in sports cars, but they are not, I think, big fans of the so called ‘boy racer’ models. This thirsty motor is all about power and with 350 brake horse power under the bonnet you can get from zero to 100km/h in 4.7 seconds. There are four pre-set driving modes, normal, sport, track or drift. One of the young lads who approached me last week knew about the drift
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by Seán Creedon button. I was amazed at the teenagers’ knowledge of cars. But I suppose it’s a bit like other young boys who follow English soccer players; they are unlikely to make the grade themselves, but they know what’s involved. Externally the car is set very low to the ground and looks great. The 19-inch multispoke alloys certainly add to the look and you get the usual spoiler at the back. It was so powerful and the roar from the twin exhausts reminded me of the Ford Mustang I drove during the summer. Back then another motorist parked along alongside me, rang his friend on his mobile phone and asked me to rev the Mustang so that he could hear the sound of the engine over the phone. Naturally the car came with lots of extra, like full leather shell seats in the front and they will cost you an extra €2,000. Among the other extras included was a Sony Navigation 8-inch touch
screen, privacy glass and rear parking sensors. Despite including all those expensive extras, one thing missing was a spare wheel. However, there is a well space for a spare and I think if you can afford all those extras you should be able to buy a spare. The only other criticism I have is that the steering lock was poor, i.e. not a great turning circle. I’m certainly too old for boy racing and to be honest I found the drive a bit hard. When I sat back into my daughter’s regular Ford Focus I was amazed how soft it was compared to the RS. But I suppose age does that to you. In summary, it’s a very attractive and powerful car and probably bit expensive for any ‘boy racer’ unless they have very rich parents. For many people including the young lads who admired the car last week, they can only dream of buying one if they win the lottery. So the bad news is that all those extras come go €4,290 which added on to the price I gave you already brings the price of the car as tested to a whopping €56,890. And yes the road tax is €750; that’s the same tax as the cheaper Mustang. I was only joking about the tyres as I didn’t check out what price they were. For that money
FORD MUSTANG IRISH CAR OF THE YEAR 2017 PERFORMANCE/SPORTS CAR CATEGORY WINNER
Normally I try and live a low-profile life, but after a week driving a yellow Ford Mustang I think I have a fair idea of what’s it’s like to be a celebrity with everybody staring at you everywhere you go. I had driven both versions of the Mustang in Mondello Park a few weeks back at a Ford Safety event and was secretly hoping that I would get the red 2.3 Eco Boost model, but I what I got was the more powerful and much more noticeable yellow-coloured 5-litre V8, which provide 416 brake horse power. This is the first time that Ford’s iconic car is available in Europe as a right-hand drive, but we seem to be a nation of ‘tyre-kickers’ and you would be amazed at the amount of people who knew a lot about Mustangs. Obviously a lot of Irish people remember Steve McQueen driving a Mustang in the film ‘Bullet.’ Every time I parked the car in a public place I
was approached by all sorts of people asking if they could have their picture taken standing near the car or sitting in the driver’s seat. Thanks to i-phones, those pictures are probably now up on various Twitter and Facebook accounts. Another man parked behind me asked me to rev the car so that his friend who was on the phone to him could hear that famous rumble from the engine. The front seats, which are easily adjusted, are very comfortable and the bucket-style back seats are also good, but head room is restricted for the two rear seat passengers and you cannot open the back windows. But then who wants to be seen in the back seat of a Mustang, it’s front or nothing. I found the car to be a bit bumpy on some city streets. Really the ideal place way to appreciate what this car has to offer is on the motorway or maybe Mondello Park, if you are lucky enough
to get an invite to the Kildare track. The bonnet is very long and you could easily misjudge the turning circle, which isn’t great. At the other end there is a decent boot and while there is a well for a spare wheel, not even a mini spare is provided, just that dreaded repair kit. However, it did have a proper old-fashioned hand-brake which was appreciated, but I’m probably too old for those hand-brake turns! Prices start at €49,000 for the 2.3 Eco Boost, while the more powerful 5-litre starts at €65,000. The road tax is a bit stiff at €2,350, but as a colleague said, if you are worried about the road tax then you cannot afford the car. However the road tax in the 2.3 Eco Boost is only €750. I have driven more expensive cars, but none attracted the attention of the yellow Mustang. It was gorgeous and so powerful. However, it was very thirsty, especially in urban driving. I loved it, but a word of warning, if you buy a yellow one you might lose your annominity. For me it was like living for a week in a goldfish bowl! Ford say they have orders for at least 100 cars with the famous Pony logo on the grille, while the vast majority the 40 Mustangs already delivered are the 2.3 EcoBoost. Life is short, so go on take a test drive, but if you are buying I would recommend the more discreet red version. by Seán Creedon
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Ford S-Max and Ford Galaxy
by Seán Creedon
I first drove the smaller S-Max, which has much the same attributes as the Mondeo; it has been described as the driver’s seven-seater and it’s hard to have any complaints about that moniker. It has been with us now since 2006 and the following year was voted European Car of the Year. This new version has, like most other makeovers, meant a new grille among the changes. It’s also the first Ford car worldwide to offer Intelligent Speed Limited, a technology that scans traffic signs and adjusts the throttle to help drivers stay within legal speed limits. In total there are 20 new technologies, including glare-free high-beam lights, adaptive steering and Ford’s Intelligent All-Wheel Drive. I drove a Ruby red-coloured S-Max and it was gorgeous, so comfortable to travel in and despite its length, every easy to handle. Ford like to call the S-Max an SAV (sports activity vehicle), rather than SUV, which is applied to their smaller C-Max. The second week I had the Galaxy, which is the top of the range in Ford’s people carriers and truly massive. In the interior of both cars there is very little change to the previous versions and everything is very well laid out, much the same as the Mondeo. The dash is dominated by an eight-inch touch screen. It’s easy to adjust the middle row of seats and those seated in the middle have the benefit of a tray to hold laptop or drinks. In the
scan button, but how do you know what’s on the other stations unless you can have a quick listen! The good news is that there is a ‘mini’ spare wheel in both cars, but you might get yourself dirty finding the spare, as it’s located under the car. Still a spare is better than a repair kit. So it’s a hard call, but I suppose ultimately it will come down to what you can afford and how much space you need. The Galaxy is huge and there is better head room for people sitting in the third row, but I think the S-Max should be able to cater for most people’s needs.
Ford S-Max S-Max the third row is best suited to small children, who will love the novelty of being so far away from their parents, but the third row in the Galaxy has bigger seats and more head room. These SAV’s are massive cars and a pleasure to travel in. Regular readers will know that I’m a big radio fan. The radio in both cars had a scan button, which was brilliant. I know that I did annoy my daughter occasionally by pressing the Ford Galaxy
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The Finest: 171 Motoring Edition
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Honda CRV If I say that the best thing about the Honda CRV is its massive 589-litre boot, does that sound like I am damning it with faint praise? I hope not, because once again, Honda had come up with a cracking mid-size SUV, that majors on quality, refinement and comfort and, crucially, has, thanks to that massive boot, the best utility credential in the class. The styling looks more
imposing than before, and the cabin is typically Honda; a little hazard in strict ergonomic terms but comfy and beautifully built. Until recently the CRV came in four-wheel drive only form with the familiar small iDTEC 2.2-litre 148bhp diesel engine, but now you can order a front-wheel-drive version using Honda’s all-new 1.6 diesel that will score just 99g/km on the emis-
Honda HR-V
by Seán Creedon
I’m always interested to learn where cars companies get names for their new models. Do they come from a nomadic tribe, like the Qashqai or historic places in Spain which are used by Seat. So naturally I had to try and get the bottom of what Honda meant with their HR-V. The HR-V apparently stands for Hi-riding Revolutionary Vehicle. The first HR-V model was clever enough, but it had a boxy look to it. This new model which has a semi-coupe style with contours and crisp lines, is very attractive and naturally will be compared with Nissan’s best-selling Qashqai. At first glance you would think it’s a two-door car, but in a trend I first saw used by Alfa Romeo many years ago the rear doors handles are very discreet and are integrated into the C pillars. My test model had a full length sun-roof which meant for a bright interior. You won’t get the sunroof as standard in the entry level SE version, but it’s standard in the top of the range EX
version which I drove. The front seats can be easily adjusted and there is plenty of room in the back for three adults. There are plenty of cubby holes for holding drinks, phones etc. And there is an unusual storage compartment between the two front seats. It was so unusual that one day I couldn’t find the keys of the car. But I knew they were in the car as I was able to start it! There is an unusual-looking air vent over the glove compartment. A colleague said it reminded her of the wing of airplane. The boot is a decent size and while there is plenty of space left for a spare wheel, none is provided. So it will be ‘haggling time’ with your local Honda dealer. I drove a dark blue colour, which didn’t really sparkle, think red might be better.
sions scale. A Band A Suv with space and comfort to burn? Sounds good to us.
Best version: 2.2 iCDTI SE Price Range: €31,995 - €51,565 Co2 Range: 119-180g/km EuroNCAP Safety rating: Not yet tested
I liked it and had no complaints with the driving, handling or fuel economy. Some cars with electronic handbrakes disengage the handbrake when you drive off. In the Honda you have to release the button, annoying, but probably safer. My regular front seat passengers said she found the radio controls a little frustrating and would have preferred a button rather than the touch screen. I would also prefer a button for the radio, but I did have the benefit of slave controls on the steering wheel.
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The Finest: 171 Motoring Edition
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HYUNDAI TUCSON IRISH MEDIUM SUV OF THE YEAR 2017 Every SUV that’s launched here is compared to Nissan’s best-selling Qashqai. This time round Hyundai said that they are similar to the Qashqai on price and that their Tucson has more ‘goodies’ on offer than the Qashqai. And looking at the list of items which come as standard, they really are impressive. One of those goodies in the version I drove was heated seats, which were appreciated by my front seat passengers last week, when there was a bit of a ‘nip’ in the air. Make no mistake this Tucson compares very favourably with the Qashqai and what greater praise can I give it. My test model was wine-coloured and it looked great. It also drove very well and was very comfortable for front and back-seat passengers alike. It has a high seating position, but my wife, who has a touch of arthritis, didn’t have any problem ‘climbing on board.’ We all get so used to these high-seated cars. I think they are safer than saloons as you can see the dangers around you, but then it’s a big change when you sit in a regular saloon car the following week. The seats in the Tucson are solid, but also very comfortable and they provide great lumbar support.
I read recently that there are at least 41 cars named after places in the US, and the Tucson, named after a city in southern Arizona has sold over 1.2 million units in Europe up to now. There is a massive boot and a full-size 16-inch alloy Hankook tyre spare wheel. Now that’s something to recommend to new buyers. The boot door is very heavy and it opens very slowly. At first I thought it might be closed by pressing a button, but no, you open and close with your
Honda Jazz by Seán Creedon
There is an old saying that ‘the day you buy is the day you sell,’ and a motor fanatic told that solid red is a great colour to have when trading in. So there is a good tip for you to remember when buying your next car. This is the third generation of the Jazz supermini and it has undergone a complete overhaul. The previous version was more like an MPV, while now it reminded me of a Ford Fiesta. Only one engine this time, a 1.3-litre petrol, which has more power than the previous 1.4-litre and is more economical than the old 1.2 version.
The front now has a much sleeker look to it and the headlamps merge with the multi-layered grille that is part of Honda’s latest design. Indeed the Japanese company has refreshed its entire range of cars. The cabin is bright, but no sun roof option which I had just got used to the previous week in the Skoda Yeti. It certainly is a comfortable car to travel in and there is plenty of leg and head room in the back for three adults. Honda describe those back seats as ‘magic,’ and they certainly are very flexible. It’s very nippy around town, but once or twice I
hands. It’s a big motor, but if you are parking on a narrow street it’s nice to know that the side mirrors will fold in when you apply the central locking. So forget about JM and IX35, it’s now the Tucson for 2017 and beyond. With this new version I expect Hyundai to continue to grow their slice of the Irish car market. by Seán Creedon
thought it was a bit sluggish and you will need to work through the gears if you happen to approach a steep incline on the road at a slow speed. The boot is a decent size and while space has been left for a spare wheel, none is provided. Once again you will have to haggle with your dealer for a spare. Honda build reliable cars, but you just never know the time of day or night you might get a puncture and believe me there is no joy in fumbling with a repair kit late at night. There are lots of safety extras like the City Brake active system which comes as standard across all models, while I appreciated the Forward Collision warning which came as standing in my ES version, which is the mid range. It genuinely is a big improvement on the previous version. I liked it and the only small complaint was the touch-screen for the radio controls. I found the controls frustrating and somehow I ended up changing the language on the screen to Danish, but Marty Whelan still played music from that wonderful Italian composer Ennico Morriconi. I would have preferred an old-fashioned knob to scroll through the radio stations; but then not only am I old but sometimes I’m old-fashioned also!
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The Finest: 171 Motoring Edition
IRELAND’S MOTORING JOURNALISTS CROWN THE MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS IRISH CAR OF THE YEAR 2017 The Irish Car of the Year Awards in association with Continental Tyres took place last night, October 27th, at the Powerscourt Hotel, Enniskerry. Journalists from print, online and broadcasting hosted a gala black tie event attended by Ireland’s leading car brands, importers, distributors and other motoring dignitaries. Mercedes-Benz took the top award with its E-Class and also a category win with its C-Class Coupé, crowned Irish Medium Car of the Year 2017. ICOTY Committee member Michael Sheridan “E-Class has set the bar to new heights.” ICOTY Committee member John Galvin
“We’ve had 40 years of Irish Car of the Year and the E-Class is an exceptional winner.” Tom Dennigan of Continental Tyres said about the event “Continental is delighted to be associated with Irish Car of the Year, an event that continues to be the highlight of the motoring year.” Stephen Byrne, Chief Executive, Mercedes-Benz in Ireland, said: “We are honoured to win the Irish Car of the Year 2017 award. This accolade bestowed by Irish motoring journalists is a recognition of the advanced technology and features to be found in the new generation E-Class.”
The Irish Car of the Year committee Bob Flavin, John Galvin, Michael Moroney and Michael Sheridan.
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THE CATEGORY WINNERS: Suzuki Baleno Irish Small Car of the Year 2017 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupé Irish Medium Car of the Year 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Irish Large Car of the Year 2017 Peugeot 2008 Irish Small SUV of the Year 2017 Hyundai Tucson Irish Medium SUV of the Year 2017 Ford Edge Irish Large SUV of the Year 2017 Ford Mustang Irish Performance/Sports Car of the Year 2017 The category winners were all in the running for the top honour with the judging panel of close to 30 journalists electing E-Class by a landslide margin.
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The Finest: 171 Motoring Edition
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Jaguar F-PACE Car companies like Jaguar have great pedigree, but every company has to diversify or else they will be left behind. That’s obviously one of the reasons why earlier this year Jaguar introduced the F-Pace, their first crossover vehicle. It’s a major change in direction for Jaguar, but the arrival of this mid-size SUV should open up a whole new segment for the brand in what is a very competitive sector The Irish motor trade is booming right now with the total sales figures for 2015 being surpassed in just seven months this year. Jaguar expect to sell 300 units of their F-Pace in a full year. First impressions are of a high seated vehicle with the distinctive Jaguar grille at the front. It looks assertive, but not aggressive. The car was
Last year I attracted a huge amount of male admirers when I drove the new Jaguar XE. Last week the luxury was much the same in the larger Jaguar XF, but somehow I didn’t seem to have as many admirers. Maybe Irish motorists and tyre-kickers are more familiar with the XF and of course this is not really a new car, just a revamp. But it has got a decent make-over and at the launch at the end last year Doug McCoy, MD of Jaguar Ireland, said that 83 per cent of the parts are new. The XF has also done very well in the weight-watchers guide for the first few months of the year. It has shed 190kg and although it’s 7mm shorter than the previous model there is more room inside thanks to a longer wheelbase. The weight loss is attributed to more use of aluminium in the body. Seven millimetres in length is very little and it’s still a fairly long motor and you will appreciate the reversing camera and sensors. The camera is brilliant and you get two sets of yellow lines in your line of vision. And if you want to keep an eye on what’s coming up behind you while you driving, you can turn on the camera. It’s not much use if you are driving very fast, but it can be useful in heavy city traffic. At the front the distinctive grille really makes the car stand out in the supermarket car park. But I suppose it’s when you sit in and take a drive that you really appreciate the luxury which
by Seán Creedon
developed using Jaguar’s lightweight aluminium architecture and the body structure comprises 80 per cent aluminium I really liked the high driving position which offered such great views of the countryside and the seats were so comfortable. I showed the car to a man who has been driving taxis and limousines for many years and after sitting in the driver’s seat he reckoned it was one of, if not the most comfortable cars he ever sat into. The interior has is a nice touch of red and black on the seats and doors which works very well. At night time you get a lovely lighting effect on the doors. There are plenty of storage space and cup holders. In the back there is plenty of room for three adults and if you have only two back seat pas-
sengers there is a cup holder to pull down if required. My test car was white and it looked good. But I have seen pictures of red and blue versions of the F-Pace and they look even more impressive. There is a huge boot, but some of the space is taken up by a full-size spare wheel. Still, you won’t hear any complaints from me about that, as I’m a big fan of the full-size spare rather than a repair kit. However, I was shocked to learn from a colleague that some unscrupulous people around the country are stealing spare wheels which are located underneath cars and selling them through various websites. So it’s good to see Jaguar including the spare wheel in the boot, rather than underneath. There are lots of safety features and Jaguar are also introducing a first with their ‘Activity Key.’ a waterproof wristband with an integrated transponder, which would be useful if you are going swimming or surfing. Price start at €44,100 for the SE version, while the 2.0-litre R-Sport automatic version I drove starts at €59,490.There a lots of extra, which push the price over 60K, but as I have often said on these pages previously, you don’t have to opt for every extra, it’s your own call. Also available in a 3.0-litre petrol and diesel. Road tax is €280. Plenty of power in the 2.0-litre petrol engine and you can get from zero to 100km/h in five seconds. But this is not a car for speed, but luxury, relaxing drives. Jaguar say that that the F-Pace is a car that you need to drive. I couldn’t have said it better myself!
Jaguar XF by Seán Creedon
the XF affords. I drove an automatic version and it made for a really smooth drive. I love the way the gear lever pops up when you start the car and retracts once you turn off the engine. When you look down all you have to do is chose from one of the following: PRNDS, which means, park, reverse, neutral, drive and sporty drive. The interior is very classy and everything you need to know is contained in the eight-inch touch screen on the dash. The boot is massive and there is still room underneath for a ‘mini’ spare wheel. You get a flashing amber light on the side mirrors if somebody is overtaking you and the
mirrors adjust when reversing. It’s a massive car to look at and a joy to travel in. It should be well able to compete with its main rivals, who include the Audi A6, BMW 5-series, Mercedes E Class and Lexus GS. In the past the XF has received 145 global awards and if you take a drive you might understand why. The car is made in Castle Bromwich in England and that’s probably why they include the old traditional British Telecom phone box in the infotainment area as the link to your mobile phone connection.
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The Finest: 171 Motoring Edition
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Jeep Cherokee by Seán Creedon
A few years back I was corrected by a PR man from a well-known brand for describing one of his SUVs as a Jeep. I suppose we have all used the word ‘Jeep’ too loosely at times, but did you know that only Jeeps made by the original Jeep company in Toledo, Ohio are allowed to use the name on their vehicles? Jeeps have been in use since World War II, but naturally the Jeep you see nowadays on Irish roads are much more refined. The Jeeps on sale in Ireland now are built in Italy and the Irish franchise is held by Fiat. I had previously driven the regular Jeep Cherokee, but last week I go to drive an automatic
I have often said on these pages that colour is so important when choosing a new car. Last week’s test car the Kia Sportage came in a very attractive infra-red colour and it looked great. This is the fourth generation of the Sportage, which is Kia’s biggest seller; it accounts for up to 40 per cent of their total sales. It has been a good year so far for the Korean companies with a representation in Ireland. The Hyundai Tucson started the year as the overall best seller and ended the year winning the Irish Medium SUV of the year at the Irish Car of the year awards, sales have also improved at Ssangyong. The new version of this five-seater is very impressive, especially when you look at the car from the front, which now has a completely new look. Head on it looks very attractive and the rear end has also got a revamp. It’s a chunky-looking motor, but not too chunky. Inside the cabin is neat, but spacious. On the dash everything is well laid out and easy to use, including the radio. For the radio you get two knobs, one for volume and one to scroll through the stations. I wish other car manufacturers would copy this simple idea. The back seat can carry three well-built adults and there is plenty of leg and head room. In the previous editions of the Sportage there was some criticism regarding the size of the back window.
4x4 ‘limited edition’ version and it was very cool. First impressions are lasting and apart from the overall colour of the Jeep which was navy blue, you cannot but be impressed by the seven-section grille at the front. Well it certainly caught my eye, but then I realise that when talking about cars, it’s a case of ‘different strokes for different folks.’ It’s a fairly chunky looking motor and in the supermarket car park it didn’t look that that much different than Audi Q5, Mercedes GLC or Honda CR-V. Drive-wise favourable comparisons have been made with the Land Rover Discovery in that you tweak the throttle, gearbox and trac-
tion for sport, mud etc. I didn’t get an opportunity to go off-road where the Jeep apparently compares very favourably with the opposition. Inside there is a reasonably high driving position, but for many in the family the Jeep seemed very normal, having travelled in the massive VW Caravelle the previous week. I always feel that in the first few days of the week comparisons with the previous week’s car are natural. The back seats come in a two plus one style, in that you can slide them forward as a pair or separately. With the back seat in the normal position you get 590 litres of boot space, pushed forward you get an extra 120 litres of space. And thankfully there is still space underneath for a full-size spare wheel. It had a few unusual extras. If you forget to turn off your indicator you get a flashing light on the dash to remind you. Now that’s a service that should be standard in all cars for ‘doddery’ drivers, both young and old. Also one day I tried to get into the car without the key of the car in my pocket and the alarm went off. Another great idea, which might put off would-be thieves. Prices start at €35,350, while the 2.2-litre automatic special edition I drove will cost you €55,850. Not exactly cheap, but as I have often said on these pages previously you can go for the basic model, nobody is forcing you to opt for all the extras. Road tax is €390 per annum. Overall a very comfortable drive and no complaints from family members. But can it compete with the German brands? A motoring fanatic, let’s call him Stephen, for that is his name, said that it was ‘‘a car he could sit in all day.’’ He has a dodgy back and really loved the seats.
Kia Sportage by Seán Creedon
That has now been improved and rear window is a decent size. And the boot is massive; there is a divider where you had hide items underneath and also underneath is a ‘mini’ spare wheel, which is always appreciated. There are two engines, a 1.7 diesel for the two-wheel drive and 2.0-litre diesel for the all-wheel drive. Prices start at €27,995 for the entry level LX version, but Kia say they expect the mid-
-trim EX version, which will cost you an extra two grand, will be their big seller in Ireland. That extra money gets you lots of extras like 17-inch alloys, Sat Nav, reversing camera and speed limit information. Now with stop-start technology emissions have been reduced and road tax is down €80 to €200. On the road the Sportage is a very comfortable motor to travel in and it has a frugal engine. Overall it’s stylish and very practical.
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The Finest: 171 Motoring Edition
Kia Cee’d
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by Seán Creedon
The Kia brand has grown rapidly since it was introduced to Ireland in the early part of this century. In 2002 the Korean company sold 400 cars here, last year their total was close to 6,000. Big cars like the Sorrento and Sportage have been mainly responsible for a large slice of the growth, but the smaller Cee’d has also done its bit and now we have revised versions of the Cee’d. The late Con Houlihan often said that he wouldn’t trust anybody who misplaced an apostrophe and no doubt Kia were taking a gamble by using an apostrophe for the name of a car. The cee’d is pronounced ‘seed’ and was originally known as ED for European design; the ‘ce’ was added as shorthand for the community of Euro-
Kia Optima
pe. And so we got the lower case Cee’d and there have been no complaints, but I do think that we are becoming much more acceptable to change in every walk of life. This is a neat looking family hatchback and the external improvements are down to chief designer Peter Schreyer. The motor trade is a bit like the soccer transfer market in that the top people move around. After producing excellent designs for Audi and VW, the German-born Schreyer has now moved on to Kia where he is making significant improvements to the design of their cars. Schreyer said that prior to his arrival all Kia cars looked ‘neutral.’ Kia has also recruited another significant ‘player’
by Seán Creedon
Normally I get plenty of attention from people in shopping centre car parks if I’m testing a sporty-type car, but last week I got a good few enquiries when driving what could be described as a fairly regular four-door saloon. The Kia Optima is a car that you won’t see every day in Ireland, but that could change in the coming years. I drove an attractive red-coloured Optima and it looked great. Little wonder then that passers- by and fellow motorists were asking the same question, ‘what make of car is that.’ Since the Kia brand was introduced to Ireland at the beginning of this century they have made steady progress each year. In 2002 the Korean company sold 400 cars here, while last year it was close to 6,000. Up to now Kia has been best known for excellent SUVs like the Sorrento or Sportage and the smaller cee’d, but the Optima could I think give them a serious foothold in the saloon car market here. The Optima, which was first launched in 2000,
started life as a cousin of the Sonata from the Hyundai stable. Later the Magentis name was used for the car in Europe. Kia has also used the names Lotze and K5, but now Optima is going to be used everywhere except China. This is the fourth generation of the Optima, which is designed by German-born Peter Schreyer, who previously worked for Audi. He is doing great work with the Kia brand and the Optima is comparable to the likes of the Ford Mondeo, VW Passat, Skoda Octavia or Toyota Avensis. It really is that good. Externally the car looks great and the changes have been very discreet. They improvements are mainly to the grille and headlamps and around the doors and windows to reduce wind noise. At the back the car now has a sharper look to it. Inside I seem to remember being able to view the reversing on half of the rear-view mirror in the previous version. That has now changed and instead you get an excellent reversing camera lo-
in Albert Bierman from BMW and his job is to look after the engineering developments in Kia and their sister company Hyundai. So I suppose in soccer terms you could describe Schreyer as a striker, while Bierman will be the man who holds the defence together. The upgraded Cee’d looks better at the front, with some visual modifications to modernise the car’s appearance. It now has a more angular and wider bumper with chrome trim around the fog lamps, and a new oval-shaped grille mesh. There are also many changes under the bonnet. Kia seem to be favouring petrol over diesel right now and they now have an excellent 1.0 petrol engine, a 1.4-litre petrol and 1.4 and 1.6 diesels. Inside the car is very spacious and there is plenty of room for up to five adults. The dash is well laid out and the stylish steering wheel contains a plethora of buttons, which tell you everything you want to know about the running of the car. There is a nice touch of glossy black on the dash to match the exterior black and the seats get a nice touch of grey. The boot is a decent size, there is a section where you had hide items and the good news is that under that section is a proper spare wheel. I liked the way the side mirrors folded in when the central locking is applied. Overall I found that it very comfortable car to drive and travel in. There was no road noise and no complaints from family members who travelled in the car.
cated on what is a very neat dash area. Back seat passengers will also be impressed as there is now more head and leg room for three well-built adults. The boot is massive and the good news is that underneath is a mini spare wheel. And I like the way the side mirrors folded in when the central locking was applied. Only available in 1.7-litre diesel, the horse power has been increased from 136bhp to 141bhp, so if you wish you should now be able to get from zero to 100k/h in ten seconds. But while it has massive power, this is really a saloon for a relaxing drive. It’s so solid on the road and I was really impressed with the fuel economy. The fuel gauge was definitely the slowest moving item on the dash. Colour is so important when choosing a new car and if you are thinking about an Optima, ask to see the red version, it’s just gorgeous. Up to now the Optima has been one of the most under rated cars in the Irish market, but I think it truly has arrived now.
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The Finest: 171 Motoring Edition
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MERCEDES BENZ C220 COUPÉ IRISH CAR OF THE YEAR 2017 MEDIUM CAR CATEGORY WINNER It’s probably not fair to make comparisons between two new cars when they are not really competing with one another for the same customers. But what can you do when you get a Mercedes C220 coupé the week after driving the iconic Ford Mustang? It might sound like heresy to many motor enthusiasts, but if I’m really honest, I must say that I preferred the C-Class. As I said in a previous issue the yellow Mustang attracted just too much attention for me, while the white-coloured C-Class was still classy, but much more discreet. Price-wise there isn’t a huge difference. The 2.3-litre Eco Boost Mustang starts at €49,000, while the more powerful 5-litre starts at €65,000.
The C-Class automatic starts at €51,755. ‘Starts’ is the key word in all these prices, because it’s only when you visit a garage to buy a new car that you will become aware of all those extras. So what did the Mercedes have to offer that so impressed me? Well for starters it was white and the weather was good that week, so it blended in very well. The 2.1-litre diesel engine had 170 brake horse power and that was enough power for me. The Coupé didn’t have the famous Mercedes pointed star, with the manufacturers’ logo embedded on the bonnet instead. Still the front of the car looked very very attractive. Inside the dash is naturally very much in the Mercedes style with buttons to scroll through
Mercedes GLC Coupe Many years ago when I started reviewing cars, a PR woman told me not to worry about how quickly a car will get from zero to 100k/h. She advised me to concentrate instead on what a car is like for everyday family use. Ever since then I await the views of my family on Monday evenings when I arrive home with a new motor. After a few weeks of mixed reaction to sporty ‘boy racers’ and massive people carriers, I got many compliments when I got home last Monday with the new Mercedes GLC 220d Coupe. ‘‘Now this is a classy car,’’ was the unanimous verdict. Mercedes, who recently confirmed that all of its new car prices are dropping by ten per cent, are on a ‘high’ right now as sales in Ireland have
increased by 44% this year. Also Mercedes’ EClass was named Continental Car of the Year at the end of October by the Irish Motor Writers. The company say the price reduction will apply for a limited period and is intended as a competitive tool to give support to dealer organisations in their efforts to combat the effect in currency values on new car sales here following the Brexit result. The GLC is a mid-size SUV and slots in between the smaller GLA and the larger GLE. It is the first Merc of its kind and size in Ireland as it replaces the GLK which was only made in left-hand drive. And it sure is a comfortable and classy motor to drive and travel in. Available in petrol and diesel, I had170 horses working un-
the controls and you also get the slave controls on the steering wheel. It’s really a four-seater because like the Mustang there is just about room for two people in the back seat, but head room is tight and you cannot open the back windows. On the road the Mercedes handles extremely well and when I parked I didn’t have many people coming up to me to asking to take a photograph. I still got a few nice comments for the c Class, but there were more discreet. There is a fine boot, but once again no spare wheel, just a repair kit. However, there is a ‘well’ provided for a spare, so the advice is haggle with your dealer until you get a good deal on a spare. When I was young a Mercedes was seen as a car that only a managing director of a company would own. But as Mercedes Sales Manager Ciaran Allen keeps telling us at every launch, they are making more inroads into the younger market. And cars like the C Class coupé will certainly help Mercedes attract even younger customers. C02 emissions are only 109 g/km, which equates to road road tax of only €190. And I always love the cruise control lever in Mercedes cars. Simply the best for cruise control. I also liked the way the side mirrors folded in when the central locking was applied. The Mustang is classy and it was long overdue in the Irish market, but for a man like me who remembers black and white television, if I was buying I think I would prefer the white C-Class coupé to the yellow Mustang. by Seán Creedon der the bonnet in my 2.1 automatic version and naturally there was plenty of power. Externally it’s a chunky looking motor, but you do get the coupe effect as there is a slight slope towards the rear. Two silver-coloured side running boards suggest that this car would be fit to transport an American president. I associate running boards in cars with US presidents because the first time I saw detectives use the running boards was when looking at television coverage of a presidential cavalcade. Inside you get all the usual Mercedes goodies on the dash. I love the cruise control lever in Mercedes cars and also the way you can scroll through the radio stations. There is also an option for Internet Radio, but when I tried it I got a message saying no internet connection. Despite the ten per cent reduction, you couldn’t describe the GLC as cheap, but no doubt it’s a bargain compared to other luxury brands with a starting price of €65,435. The various extras bring the price of the car as tested to over 72K. But when you apply the ten per cent reduction the price falls to just over 65k, which basically means that you get all those extras for free. Road tax is €390. It’s hard to find a fault with this luxurious car and the lack of a proper spare wheel would be my only complaint. However, there is space for a spare. Also the horn gives a slight beep when you apply the central locking. That’s fine by day, but it might annoy neighbours in a built up area late at night. by Seán Creedon
MERCEDES BENZ E CLASS IRISH CAR OF THE YEAR 2017 OVERALL WINNER White definitely seems to be the ‘new black,’ especially with Mercedes. Recently I drove the very attractive gorgeous C Class Coupe, which came in white and last week it was the new E Class, which arrived in a brilliant ‘polar white’ colour. Now in its tenth generation, 13 million versions of the E Class have been sold since it was introduced in 1993. This new, improved version should add a few more million to Mercedes’ worldwide sales. The famous three-pointed star is now embedded in the grille and no doubt that it gives the front of the car a very classy look. The bonnet is now m longer and overall the wheelbase is 65mm longer, plus has a coupé-like roofline. These are
very small numbers but they do add to the overall appeal. There are lots of safety extras like Drive Pilot with functions like remote parking and the ability to anticipate hazards ahead. It’s so comfortable to travel in and these extra safety items ensure that you travel in comfort. And the reversing camera with an added ‘bird’s eye’ view image makes parking so easy. With 194 brake horse power, naturally it’s powerful and you can get from zero to 100km/h in just over seven seconds. But people who drive Mercedes don’t have to show off, the overall look of the car does that for them. The top speed is 240 km/h. It looks good externally and the classy look is
continued in the interior where you get comfortable black nappa leather seats. The infotainment system with a 12.3-inch screen can be linked to Apple Car Play or Android Auto. I liked the way the horn gave a short honk when the alarm is activated, but I did wonder if it upset the neighbours late at night. Also at night there is a gorgeous mauve light that illuminates the dash and doors. It’s like a magic wave. The boot is massive and there is a ‘well’ for a spare wheel, but none provided. So the motto is to haggle with your dealer for a spare, which is preferred by most people to those dreaded repair kits. Prices start at €52,850, but the AMG automatic saloon version I drove will cost you €63,758. My version had optional extras like full parking pack which included 360-degree camera, and panoramic sun roof. But you don’t have to get all those extras. I’m sure the manufacturers give us the top of the range cars so that we can tell prospective buyers what’s available. Emissions are only 112 g/kg and road tax is reasonable at €200. A few years back when holidayed in the Canaries I often wondered how the local taxi drivers could afford E Class cars. No doubt the government taxes are lower in those sunshine islands. Last week I thought I was back in the Canaries, where most of the Mercedes were white. But a ‘polar white’ in the Canaries, now that would be a strange mix. To sum up, it’s just luxury driving. by Seán Creedon
The Finest: 171 Motoring Edition
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BUYING A USED CAR THE RIGHT WAY WITH WWW.CARTELL.IE Cartell.ie have been offering the best advice and protection for potential car buyers in Ireland through a range of information products which give the consumer the information they need to make an informed choice when considering the purchase of a used car. The Finest spoke to the team at Cartell to find out what are the most important things buyers need to consider prior to purchasing a used car.
Your Needs
Pick a vehicle which best suits your lifestyle for the duration of the ownership period. Consider the running cost of the vehicle made up of service costs, fuel economy, and insurance costs. Will you need additional space? Are you conscious of the environment?
Vehicle Documentation
Before test driving or even inspecting the vehicle, ask the vendor (seller) to show you the Vehicle Registration Certificate (VRC) if the vehicle is Irish. If the vehicle is an import from the UK ask to see the V5C. These documents are the ownership documents for the vehicle. It is imperative that the person selling the vehicle, must correspond to the name on the V5 or VRC and you must ask for proof of identity if buying privately. A dealer should also have this document but the name would still be in the last owner as a dealer is not normally classed as an owner if they intend to sell the vehicle. The VRC has a 10 digit number on the top right hand corner of the first page. It should look like C061234567. For 2009 this would be C091234567 and so on. Take down these numbers and match them when getting your Cartell Car Check. Cartell has all of these numbers for each vehicle and if they do not match with Cartell the document could be forged and the vehicle may be stolen or a clone/ringer. A clone or ringer is a vehicle which is made to look like another vehicle and is generally a stolen vehicle using the identity of a clean vehicle without the knowledge of the owner of the clean vehicle.
Vehicle Specification
The vehicle you choose will be to a certain specification. The engine size, fuel type, date of registration and colour will be detailed on the VRC. You should check this against the vehicle. There are instances where the seller will try to gain more value by pretending the vehicle is of a higher power or higher trim level. The correct specification will be detailed on your Cartell Car Check.
Driving the vehicle
Always take a test drive. However, please ensure that you have the relevant qualifications and insurance to drive the vehicle. Start the vehicle from cold. Are there any abnormal noises when the engine is started from cold? Does the oil warning light go out as soon
as the engine starts? Are there signs of excessive visible exhaust emissions? Blue smoke may indicate oil burning, white vapour is just water which is a bi-product of clean combustion, and black smoke from diesels which is not great for the environment can be normal as long as it’s not excessive or present when idling. Look for a recent emissions test, either alone or as part of an NCT. This will confirm that emissions are within the stringent limits applied to modern cars. Lift the oil filler cap. There should be no scum under it. When you press down on the clutch, do you hear noises or does the clutch bite more than halfway down? Is the braking even or can you feel the car pull to one side? Are there any unusual noises when you brake? Can the vehicle stop in a straight line in an emergency under full load. Drive the vehicle to 50 km/h and then stop suddenly and listen for noises. Make sure this manoeuvre is done in a safe and isolated environment.
Service History
Always insist on seeing the service history and look at the service book to see where the vehicle was serviced last and what work if any was carried out. Note the mileage on the history and contact the manufacturer or the place where the vehicle was serviced and confirm if the timing belt was changed and if the mileage was recorded.
Clocking
When a vehicles odometer is interfered with and the mileage reduced, this is known as clocking. Clocking is a major safety concern, as a vehicle with more mileage than indicated may not have had the correct servicing at manufacturers recommended intervals. This leads to increased incidents of mechanical failure resulting in a vehicle having to stop at inopportune locations, for example motorways. In extreme cases it may invoke an accident during timing belt failure at high speeds. Use the mileage on the odometer and compare it to the service history and the manufacturer. Check any part of the interior that a human can touch. Look for signs of wear. Is the steering wheel shiny? Are the radio buttons, electric window buttons and indicators a different shade than the rest of the plastic dash? Have the pedals been replaced? Is the driver’s seat worn? Are there worn screws in the dashboard suggesting that the instruments might have been tampered with? (Modern digital odometers may be tampered with electronically so such clues won’t exist). Interference with the odometer on a motor vehicle without lawful justification is an offence under Irish law since 2014. You can get a mileage check on a Cartell Car Check. When you also get a Cartell Car Check, you will get a mileage check included as long as you enter the current mileage reading. This mileage is cross referenced against Ireland’s largest database of mileages, the National Mileage Register (NMR).
The VIN or Chassis
Each vehicle built which conforms to the World Manufacturer Identifier has a unique 17 digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). This is the birth mark
NEW CARS DRIVING MORE MILES THAN PRE-RECESSION (UP 7%) Vehicle history expert CARTELL.IE reports today (November 16) that annual mileage in newer cars is increasing as the country recovers. The average annualised mileage travelled by a car 5 years-of-age or less (“newer cars”) in 2016 is 21,028 KMs. This represents an increase of 7.1% over the equivalent figure for 2008 (19,635 KMs). Cartell.ie compared the average annual mileage in 2008 of private cars registered between 2003 and 2008 and compared the results to the average annual mileage in 2016 of private cars registered between 2011 and 2016. The results showed that vehicles in the second
range were driven more – up 1,398 KMs. The study considered various possible reasons for the increase: • A buyer shift towards diesel engines over the second date range (2011 to 2016) may have contributed. Diesel vehicles are generally more economical and individuals may have felt encouraged to use their vehicle more buoyed by lower costs; • Finance may have been less readily available in the market for some in the second date range (2011 to 2016) so buyers of newer vehicles then may have had a more definite purpose for their use, e.g work;
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of the vehicle. It is stamped into the chassis (skeleton) in at least one location but there is normally more than one location. Lift the carpet in the boot, check the windscreen or the drivers pillar behind the door to view the VIN. It is advisable to check the VIN/Chassis in more than two places on the vehicle. If you are unsure where to look, contact your local garage, they should be able to tell you. Always compare the VIN with your Cartell Car Check to ensure that the VIN matches the registration. It is easy for a criminal to order a new set of plates for a stolen vehicle. It is harder to replace the VIN. Ensure that the VIN has no digits scratched out and there is no evidence of welding around the VIN. Warranty You should always clarify the warranty given with the vehicle and ensure that you get it in writing.
Payment
Never pay for a vehicle in cash. The preferred method of payment according to An Garda Siochana is by bank draft or bank transfer in the sellers name, where an audit trail would exist. Agree the price and if paying a deposit, ensure that you get a receipt. Do up a checklist of key questions asked and get the seller to sign the receipt. As soon as the deal is done, ensure that both parties sign the VRC Change of Ownership section and post it to the Department of Transport, Shannon, Co. Clare. Make sure that you get both sets of keys for the vehicle and ensure they open all doors. Get a Cartell Car Check Use the information supplied in a Cartell Car Check to verify the vehicle and vehicle documentation before you proceed with the purchase. Match the Vehicle Registration Certificate (VRC) Number, Chassis Number and NCT Certificate Number and avoid a stolen or cloned vehicle. A Cartell Car Check can be used as a tool to help avoid purchasing a vehicle with an undesirable history. It is imperative to check and cross reference all details on the Cartell Car Check with the vehicle documentation. For full Chassis Number, VRC and NCT Certificate verification you can enter the details when you are buying your Cartell Car Check. Use the information supplied in a Cartell Car Check to verify the vehicle and vehicle documentation before you proceed with the purchase. Match the Vehicle Registration Certificate (VRC) Number, Chassis Number and NCT Certificate Number. Ask to see the vendors’ identification and ensure the name and address match the details on the VRC to ensure the vendor is the owner of the vehicle. However, Cartell is aware this is not always viable when first looking at a vehicle so for convenience log back into the ‘Complete my Cartell Check’ area on Cartell.ie within 30 days after the date you purchased your Cartell Car Check and enter the details using the Order Number and Vehicle Registration Number. These are some useful bits of buyer advice. Check out Cartell.ie for more! • Two-car-households are possibly using the newer car for longer journeys as it is more economical. John Byrne, Legal and PR Manager, Cartell.ie says: “What makes the results interesting is that between 2003 and 2008 the economy was performing well throughout most of that period so we might have been expecting to see a decline in mileage in newer cars since then. It’s difficult to say with certainty why we’re seeing an increase. Possibly the buying trend towards diesel engines has encouraged buyers to use their car more – buoyed by the fact that costs are lower relatively. Another possibility is that finance in the market may have been harder to obtain for some between 2011 and 2016 and those who purchased a newer car then may have had a more definite purpose in mind for their use – work purposes for example.”
The Finest: 171 Motoring Edition
www.thefinest.ie
33
MOTORISTS WITH BAD TYRES RISKING THE LIVES OF ALL ROAD USERS...
An analysis of tyres replaced at a number of branches of nationwide tyre retailer and car maintenance provider, Advance Pitstop, has shown that a high number of vehicles on our roads are driving on seriously dangerous or defective tyres. The analysis was carried out as part of leading German tyre manufacturer, Continental Tyre Group’s commitment to its Vision Zero strategy, a long term plan to reduce accidents through tyre technologies and innovative automotive systems. Advance Pitstop and its chain of 30 outlets are a wholly owned part of Continental Tyre Group. According to Tom Dennigan of Continental Tyres Ireland: “It is really scary to think that these tyres were taken off vehicles that were driving on the roads of Ireland – the badly worn and damaged tyres included the full range of faults that you would expect to find on tyres that have been neglected for some period of time including: • tread depth worn down to below the legal minimum of 1.6mm and in some cases, worn right down so that the wire carcass of the tyre can be seen; • lumps, bulges and holes in tyres again showing the wire ‘carcass’ of the tyre; • uneven wear with one side of the tyre worn down to dangerous levels due to incorrect balancing and tyre tracking”. “I would describe tyres like these as ticking bombs – nobody knows ‘the when’ or ‘the where’ that one of these tyres could lead to a catastrophic failure. For sure, it would not only be a disaster for the driver and occupants of the vehicle in question, but also for any other unsuspecting road user who just happened to be on the same road at the same time”. Justin Glynn Branch Manager of the Advance Pitstop outlet in Dundrum, Co. Dublin, who provided tyres for analysis as part of this campaign said: “I regularly see tyres like this on vehicles coming in to our depot and in many cases the owner is totally oblivious either to the condition of the tyres or to the potential impact they could have on the safety of their family who may even be in the vehicle with them in the depot. “It really brings home to me how important it is that drivers take responsibility for checking
Hole in tyre
Uneven wear showing wire
Long-standing bulge about to burst
their tyres on a regular basis. Indeed, as some of our photos of the bad tyres show, some of the problems were on the ‘inside’ rim of a wheel, so not immediately visible on a casual inspection. The truth is that a tyre can only be fully examined by gaining access to the full wheel through use of a ramp or by hoisting the vehicle. Any reputable tyre dealer will provide a free tyre check to motorists and we would certainly encourage drivers to avail of this so as to have a trained tyre fitter check out your tyres on a regular basis”. Under the terms of the recently introduced tyre safety penalty point regime, if stopped by a Garda, the owners of any of these tyres would have been facing a fixed charge notice of €80 and up to four penalty points if the matter goes to court. The regulations came into force in April of this year and an analysis of the Garda figures on penalty points issued shows that the enforcement of these tyres safety regulations is getting off to a very slow start. Up until the end of August, so far just 308 people were issued with penalty points for a tyre-related infraction. This compares with some 82,783 notices issued for drivers who were caught holding a mobile phone - admittedly that is for the full eight months, whereas the tyre enforcement figures are only since May. Dennigan concluded: “Earlier this year, the Road Safety Authority highlighted that defective tyres were a factor in 71 road deaths during a five year period. Going on the basis of our analysis of some of the ‘bad tyres’ that were replaced at depots across the country, drivers still are not getting that message and until enforce-
ment of the new tyre regulations is significantly ramped up by the Gardai, tyres like the ones we have highlighted here will continue to be a serious problem”. Tyre-related penalty point offences are as follows: • Bald / not maintained / damaged tyre • Tyre with a cut • Tyre with tread depth less than 1.6mm • Tyre with lump / bulge / tear / partial failure • Unsuitable tyre Continental Tyres is advising motorists that, in order to stay the right side of the law, it is very easy to carry out a quick tyre check on their cars and that this should be done on a regular basis. However as our survey of replaced tyres shows, it is also advisable that motorists bring their car for inspection by a trained tyre fitter at regular intervals. In addition to checking for cuts, bumps or uneven wear on a tyre, motorists can check the tread depth of their tyres very easily with the use of a one euro coin. The gold band on the front face of the coin (beside the large no. 1 and map of Europe) is 3mm wide so by inserting the coin into the centre grooves of the tyre, you will be able to see how much tread is left on your tyre. Safety organisations and most premium tyre manufacturers recommend that motorists should think of changing their tyres when the tread depth goes below 3mm as the tyre’s braking ability can be seriously compromised the closer it gets to the legal limit of 1.6mm.
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Renault Captur by Seán Creedon
Petite crossover SUV’s are all the rage and the Renault Captur certainly goes a long way to slaking an apparently unquenchable consumer thirst. Based on Clio engineering the Captur combines the looks of an SUV with MPV practicality and the economy and town driving pleasure of the Clio that underpins it. Renault is doing very well in the Ireland of late thanks in part to one of the best diesel engines in the market-the lovely 1.5Dci unit. Having rediscovered their design mojo, Renault
have again got a lot of very attractive models in their line up and none more so than the Captur, the new urban crossover that brings a splash of colour and glamour to the B segment. A unique blend of MPV,SUV and family hatchback, Captur will appeal to a particularly broad spectrum of customer tastes. Though compact, it is very roomy thanks to a key feature, a sliding rear seat which has for-and-aft travel of 160mm and provides up to 215mm of knee room for rear passengers. The
Opel Adam S by Seán Creedon
Three years ago Opel launched their new Adam which was available in three different versions: Jam, Glam and Sporty. And there was a choice of 12 funky colours ranging from: Saturday White Fever, Papa Don’t Preach to James Blonde. Now Opel has upgraded their Adam by adding a 1.4 turbo engine with 150 brake horse power, Recaro seats and a few more extras to give us the Adam S an extra sporty look. When I sat into the original version I got 64 LED lights over my head and it reminded me of the late Patrick Moore’s programme, the Sky at Night. The lights go out when you start the car, so you can drive safely. This time round the official colour of my test car was ‘Forget About Grey.’ Grey was the basic colour with a red top, ideal for someone like me who likes to read the tabloids. The car is named after Adam Opel, the founder of the company and it has Opel’s latest accessory ‘On Star’ which means there is a human at the end of a phone line if you need help. I’m not a fan of two-door car and I had to keep reminding myself and my front seat passenger to beware when opening the door as you could so easily scratch the car parked beside you in the car park. And I have often said before on these pages there may be plenty of room where you park, but ‘cars are lonely’ and when you come back out of a shop, you will find somebody parked snugly beside you.
Space is tight in back seat and leg room is definitely a problem. The leg room for the back seat passengers is decided on how tall the front seat passengers are. I suppose in reality the back seat is best suited for children. The boot is tiny, but it is deep. And where could you put a spare wheel in a car like this? Well there is none, just a repair kit. It’s a neat city car and naturally the 1.4 turbo engine had plenty of power. I found it brilliant for navigating round tight city street, you can turn on the proverbial six pence and it’s so easy to park. No reversing camera, but my version did have parking sensors. The basic Adam will cost you €15,795, but the S starts at €20,750 and then there are lots of extras available. Road tax is €280.
Captur has a slightly elevated driving position-which many like, and the cabin is among the best-superb materials, lots of colour but a logical and simple to follow instrumentation lay out. Renault’s stable-mate Nissan have the well regarded Juke and their Renault cousins have a lot to be proud of with a machine that rivals it for looks and practicality. There are many trim levels and colour options and an important theme with this machine is the opportunity for the customer to put their individual stamp on it with a wide range of customisation options. It’s certainly a distinctive looking car and the high ride height and slab sides that sometimes dog the looks of cars in this category have been nicely offset by the sloping roofline which gives it a unique and far from unpleasant aspect. There are some neat touches inside such as seat covers that can be unzipped for cleaning which sounds like something that should have been on all cars since the dawn of time. This is, as you would expect, a fun machine not a performance machine. The 898cc petrol model is all about providing an affordable car which provides economical motoring while the 1.5litre diesel is the version of choice for most and combines economy with enough performance to keep up with the throbbing masses around town.
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RENAULT GROUP LAUNCHES THE MEGANE SPORT TOURER Renault has completed the renewal of its revised family car offering with the announcement of the All-New Mégane Sport Tourer arriving in Ireland in December. Based on the fourth generation Mégane that launched in Ireland in June, the All-New Mégane Sport Tourer is available to order from today, priced from €20,490. Displaying Renault’s striking new design, the All-New Mégane Sport Tourer provides features and technologies from the segment above, not usually seen on a family car. The arrival of the Mégane Sport Tourer is part of the renewal of Renault’s family car line-up and joins the Kadjar crossover, All-New Mégane, All-New Mégane Grand Coupe, All-New Scenic and Grand Scénic in Renault’s newest and youngest car range. Providing a wealth of space for occupants and their belongings, the Mégane Sport Tourer boasts boot space of 521-litres (VDA) with seats in place and 1,504-litres (VDA) with rear seats down. All-New Mégane Sport Tourer range The All-New Mégane Sport Tourer has five trim levels - Expression, Dynamique Nav, Dynamique S Nav, as well as GT Line and GT and all provide a comprehensive specification as standard, offering customers the choice between luxurious or sporty at the top of the range. Expression trim level offers a broad specification including front and rear LED daytime running lights; 16-inch wheels, tinted windows, electric windows, Bluetooth connectivity, DAB radio with fingertip controls, an AUX input, a two-way adjustable steering column, height adjustable driver and passenger seat, Bluetooth connectivity, accessory power point, a 12-volt front socket and ample storage throughout the cabin. Renault’s passive safety systems, such as six airbags, seat belts with load limiters and pretensioners at the front, side impact protection bars and ISOFIX child-seat mounting points on the two outer rear seats have been applied to every version in the range. Active safety systems such as adaptive cruise control, AEBS and lane departure warning are available on certain trim levels. Dynamique Nav adds to this with 16 inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights and windscreen wipers, Renault’s Visio active safety system providing lane departure warning, traffic sign recognition and automatic high/low beam headlamps; electrically adjustable, heated and folding door mirrors, handsfree keycard, rear parking sensors, automatic dual zone climate control, Arkamys 3D Sound 4x35W DAB radio, and seven-inch
touchscreen R-Link2 multimedia system including satellite navigation with live traffic updates and Western European mapping. R-Link2 is the hub for controlling Renault’s unique Multi-Sense convenience system enables drivers to fully personalise the driving style of the car. The Multi-Sense system has five modes to alter the driving set up and interior ambiance – Neutral, Comfort, Eco, Perso and Sport. Multi-Sense can be used to modify the response of the accelerator pedal and engine, engine sound, steering weight and interior lighting ambience through a choice of five colours. The system is accessed via the R-LINK 2 system or through a button on the centre console. The specification is further enhanced on Dynamique S Nav with the unique-in-class 8.7-inch portrait touchscreen housing the R-Link2 multimedia system, 17-inch diamond-cut alloys, rear parking camera with front and rear parking sensors and extra tinted windows to the rear and tailgate. The GT-Line Nav provides a more sporty and dynamic appearance with exterior and interior enhancements. Based on the Dynamique specification it adds a wider, lower air intake with a honeycomb-pattern mesh, flanked by lateral scoops to the front. Dark metal 17-inch alloy wheels and door mirror housings match the finish on the front air scoops and rear diffuser. To the interior, the sports front seats feature additional lateral support and integral headrests, blue top-stitching and a chequered Renault Sport logo. The upholstery options, in fabric or Alcantara, provide hints of blue throughout to reflect the exclusive-to-GT-versions Iron Blue optional metallic paint. A full range of body colours is available. The GT-Line also has a bespoke steering wheel offering a firmer grip and GT badging on the dashboard. Carrying across the look of the GT-Line, the All-New Renault Mégane Sport Tourer GT Nav 205, developed and engineered by Renault Sport, offers a number of unique-in-class technologies such as 4Control four-wheel steering, Launch Control and Multi-Change Down, both inspired by Renault Sport’s expertise in motorsport. Making the car more responsive and precise to drive, the 4Control four-wheel steering system gives the All-New Renault Mégane Sport Tourer GT the manoeuvrability of a shorter wheelbase vehicle. At speeds of less than 80kmph in Sport mode, and 60kmph in other modes, the front and rear wheels turn in opposite directions, by up to
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2.7 degrees at the back for greater manoeuvrability on particularly twisty sections of road. In excess of these speeds, the rear wheels turn in the same direction providing reassuring stability when cornering. When Launch Control is selected the car’s electronics fully manage getaways to ensure the fastest starts in complete control. This contributes to the GT’s 0-100kmph time of just 7.4 seconds. With the driver’s left foot on the brake pedal, Launch Control is activated when the two gearshift paddles are simultaneously pulled and held, with activation confirmed by a ‘Launch Control On’ message in the instrument panel. With the driver’s right foot pressed down on the accelerator, Launch Control activates as soon as the brake pedal is released. Multi-Change Down allows the EDC transmission to downshift several gears in quick succession while braking, through one pull of the left gearshift paddle whilst in manual mode. The car will therefore be in the best gear for rapid acceleration out of corners. The TCe 205 engine fitted with the Efficient Dual Clutch (EDC) seven-speed automatic transmission – only available on the All-New Renault Mégane Sport Tourer GT – is capable of 0-100kmph in 7.4 seconds with a top speed of 230kmph. The Multi-Sense system in the Mégane Sport Tourer GT differs to the other versions. It offers four settings – Comfort, Sport, Neutral and Perso. Sport offers the most dynamic style and, unlike other versions in the range, is accessed directly via the R.S. Drive button on the centre console. Sport mode reduces the steering’s power assistance by 40% and adjusts the accelerator, engine and transmission mapping accordingly. The All-New Mégane Sport Tourer range is available with an advanced range of safety and convenience features such as Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Warning, Safe Distance Warning, Handsfree Parking and 360-degree parking sensors.
Powertrains
At launch there is a choice of four engines on offer – two Energy TCe turbocharged petrol options with capacities and power outputs of 1.2-litre/130hp and 1.6-litre/205hp (GT only). The turbodiesel alternatives are a 1.5-litre dCi 110 unit or a 1.6-litre dCi 130 engine. A six-speed Efficient Dual Clutch (EDC) automatic gearbox is available with the dCi 110 engine. The seven-speed EDC automatic gearbox is standard with the TCe 205 engine for GT. The dCi 110 EDC automatic provides emissions as low as 98 g/ km of CO2, compared to 96 g/km of CO2 for the manual version. The TCe 205 engine for the GT’s CO2 emissions are 134 g/km. The Mégane Sport Tourer is available with fuel consumption as low as 3.7 l/100km (NEDC Combined), with CO2 emissions as low as 96g/km. This is thanks to the sleek shape and low weight of the car, weighing from 1,340kg (TCe 130 versions); the engine’s Stop&Start system, which is standard on all manual models; the availability of a dual-clutch EDC transmission; an economical driving mode which optimises the engine’s performance when cruising; the Renault Driving eco2 feature to help owners adopt a more economical driving style and standard brake energy recovery.
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Seat Alhambra by Seán Creedon
‘‘It looks like a minibus.’’ That was my daughter’s first reaction when she sat in alongside me in the revamped Seat Alhambra. The Alhambra has been with us for 20 years now and it’s the largest car in the Seat stable. It’s built on the same platform as the VW Sharan and it truly is a massive motor to look at and travel in. Many people claim it’s the best car that Seat has ever built. It’s named after the Alhambra of Granada, a famous monument in Spain, but is built in Portugal. As with most face lifts there is a new grille and LED tail lights, but the main changes are under the bonnet where Seat claim the new 2.0-litre engines now produce 15 per cent more fuel economy. It’s available in 115 and 150 brake horse power and there is plenty of pulling power, even
Renault is building on the huge success of it’s compact crossover, Captur with a stylish, innovative and individual big brother. Based on the stable-mate Nissan Qashqai, one of the best reviewed cars in the segment over recent years, the Kadjar has been equally well received. Now on sale in Ireland in a 1.5-litre version range offering three engines, two gearboxes and four trim levels (Expression+,Dynamique Nav, Dynamique SNav and Signature Nav) the Kadjar is available with two or four-wheel drive. The Kadjar measures 4.45 metres long, 1.84 metres wide and 1.60 metres high. It has a ground clearance of 190mm which is all the more remarkable considering its compact footprint. The Kadjar has an expressive front end with the Renault diamond logo set against a black background, which has become a signature feature. With full LED lighting available, every Kadjar features LED daytime running lights, body coloured mirror shells and door handles. Roof bars feature on the Dynamique Nav and above models as standard fit. The interior of the Kadjar is characterised by a stylish blend of comfort and refinement with an admirable attention to detail. Dominated by a horizontal dashboard with two trim strips and soft-foam-backed materials the quality throughout is reinforced by the standard digital speedometer in a 7-inch TFT (thin film transistor) display. It’s no off-road superstar but then few in this
with seven adults on board. Yes, there are seven seats and the second and third rows are very easily adjusted. But who you may well ask has five children nowadays, the normal in Ireland is supposed to be 2.5. Well a young lady, let’s call her Lynda, pointed out to me that in modern Ireland many couples getting together now have children from previous relationships. So 2.5 multiplied by two equals five and then two adults in the front, your seven-seater is full. ‘Blended Families’ is what Lynda calls the new groupings. I drove an automatic Black Oak Brown-coloured version and it looked really great. However, Seat advise motorists that they should try and see the colour in the flesh before ordering one. I agree as buying a new car or indeed any large
product from a brochure is a bit of a gamble colour wise. Having driven older versions of the Alhambra I knew what to expect and was looking forward to the two sliding doors which are brilliant. The sliding doors ensure you won’t be banging off other cars in the supermarket car park and I think those sliding doors would be ideal for taxi drivers. It’s a really long motor and the sensors were appreciated. But I wouldn’t fancy having to park the massive Alhambra in tight Dublin city centre car parks like the ones in Fleet Street or Christchurch where the walls are already covered in various shades of paint. Other improvements in this new model see the introduction of the multi-collision break as standard. In the event that the driver can no longer intervene following an accident, it initiates automatic braking to avoid a secondary collision. You also get ‘blind-spot sensor’ which warns of vehicles in the blind spot when changing lanes. And there are new massage seats and a plethora of sensors, but the massage will probably cost you extra. It’s really is a comfortable motor to travel in and the engine is very frugal. Even if you are not thinking about buying a new car this year, I think the Alhambra would be an ideal car to rent out if you are going on a holiday abroad with your family. There is a full-length sunroom and separate air conditioning for the back seat passengers. It’s also a perfect car for bringing your children and the neighbours’ children to sports events on Saturday or Sunday mornings or maybe for that ‘blended family,’ with five children!
Renault Kadjar by Seán Creedon
segment show real mud plugging aspirations. Conversely it is a very assured performer in its natural tarmac habitat, offering a confident and surefooted driving experience. Renault’s new SUV offers an ample boot capacity of between 472 and 1478 litres, a payload of up to 549kg and a towing capability of up to 1,800kg braked. Three engines are on offer: the 1.2-litre turbocharged TCe 130bhp four-cylin-
der-direct-injection petrol, the 1.5-litre Energy dci 110bhp four-cylinder diesel and the 1.6-litre Energy dCi four-cylinder 130bhp diesel. They drive through two gearboxes and two drive systems delivering fuel economy of up to 74.3mpg (3.8L/11km) say Renault with Co2 emissions as low as 99g/km. All versions come with Renault’s 5 year or 200,00 Km warranty.
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UNIROYAL HELPS TO KEEP BLOOD BIKES FLOWING FREELY
Uniroyal Ireland has been named as the support vehicle tyre partner for Blood Bikes Leinster, the east coast chapter of the Nationwide Association of Blood Bikes. Blood Bikes is a registered not-for-profit Irish charity established by local volunteers who look after the timely delivery of blood, breast milk and other time-sensitive material to hospitals and medical centre’s across the country. Depending totally on public donations and corporate
sponsorship, the service is run free of charge to the medical bodies thanks to the legion of volunteer riders who give of their time freely for this life-saving service. Blood Bikes carry out this valuable service free of charge to hospitals ensuring that ambulances or Garda vehicles are not taken out of service and are kept where most needed. As support vehicle tyre partner to the service, Uniroyal Ireland is supplying its award-winning
Seat Ibiza FR by Seán Creedon
Earlier this year I drove a Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo which had a very attractive black and red combination. A few months later I had the same colour combination in the sporty-looking Seat Ibiza FR. It was mainly black, but with some neat touches of red. Externally the red was used on the side mirrors and alloys, while inside the air vents, steering wheel and seats belts got the red look. This is not a new car, just a revamps and coincidentally one of rivals has been mentioned as the Fabia Monte Carlo. But as you know Seat and
Skoda are all from the same VW stable. Another rival for the Ibiza is the VW Polo. First impressions are lasting and when I sat into the 1.2-litre TSi FR thought it was a very lively motor. However, you will feel every bump on the road, if you have to negotiate a road that has a lot of speed ramps Officially it’s 90 brake horse power, which is not massive, but it certainly moves every well. This was the first car in a while that didn’t have stop-start technology. Well, at least it wasn’t turned on and like most things in life it’s only when you
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tyres for use on the Blood Bikes Ford Transit Connect support van which helps to keep the service running smoothly. Fergus Lennon, Regional Coordinator of the Leinster Blood Bikes, said: “We are very appreciative of the partnership with Uniroyal and the provision of tyres for our support vehicle. Safety is paramount for us as an organisation and knowing that our support van is running on Uniroyal tyres which are specifically developed for optimum safety on wet roads, is a huge source of comfort.” When a hospital has an urgent need for blood, breast milk or other medical material, Blood Bikes with their distinctive livery and narrow profile can quickly negotiate through busy traffic reaching their destination much faster than a four-wheel vehicle could. Breast milk transport is imperative for premature babies as they are unable to digest any other food source. Tom Dennigan of Uniroyal Tyres Ireland said: “We were only too happy to come on board as the Blood Bike’s support vehicle tyre partner. As a biker myself, I know the commitment that is required of the Blood Bike volunteers, out in all weathers, delivering a truly life-saving service. The Blood Bike support vehicle is crucial to enabling that service and we are delighted to provide Uniroyal Rain Expert van tyres for the vehicle. Uniroyal is known as the ‘rain tyre’ and the range of tyres were specially developed to provide the best performance on wet roads, so, the ideal choice for any service vehicle operating in Ireland.
drive a car without stop-start that you appreciate the technology. There are discreet improvements from the previous version, including LED lights, which of course add to the sporty look. Inside I liked the arm-rest for the driver. It can be adjusted to whatever height suits you and underneath is a useful storage space. There are also discreet storage areas under both front seats. The boot is a decent size and if you leave down the back seat you will be able to carry bulky items. The week I had the car I needed to visit a re-cycling centre and I was impressed with the space available once the back seats were folded down. And the good news is that there is a proper spare wheel. We all dread getting a puncture and if you don’t know how to change a wheel or the car is fitted with one of those horrible repair kits, help is at hand. On a drive back to Dublin from Athlone I got a warning after about 70 minutes driving that I should stop for a break and have a tea or coffee, as an illustration of a hot cup came up on the dash. By then I had passed Mother Hubbard’s but the warning came up again around ten minutes later, but by then I was home. Still it’s a nice touch to warn drivers not to rake risks when driving. Seat say the average age of an Ibiza buyer is 42 years. But I reckon it’s probably a bit lower for the sporty-looking FR. But whatever age you are I think you will enjoy a drive in this lively, attractive-looking motor.
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Skoda Superb Combi
by Seán Creedon
Colour is so important when choosing a new car and if you are interested in the new version of the neat Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo, you will be impressed if a combination of red and black is your favourite colour.
Skoda has introduced sporty-looking Monte Carlo versions for their Fabia and now the Yeti gets the Monte Carlo look. Normally with the Monte Carlo you get a red and black combination, but this time it was a white body with a black roof. Inside red and grey stripes plus white stitching gave the front and rear seat that sporty look. With the Monte Carlo version you also get 17-inch Origami alloys, chrome tail pipe plus a few other extras. This is the second revamp that Skoda has given their Yeti, without dramatically changing the daring look and design of what their first cross-over vehicle when launched seven years ago. It’s still has a high driving position with plenty of clearance between the wheels and the body of the car. My test model had a full-length panoramic glass roof, which ensured a very bright interior. The roof is retractable, but in a country where the climate varies so much it might be safer to use the blind underneath the roof, which can be easily adjusted to allow as much sunlight as needed into the cabin. We had a few sunny days while I had the car and my wife told me there was no need to worry about getting my thinning top getting burned as the glass had ultraviolet protection. As with all Skoda cars, the controls on the dash are well laid out and so easy to use. I liked the high driving position, but I didn’t really have any need to go off-road on this occasion and look for that elusive Yeti, they call the Abominable Snowman. A few years back Skoda brought a group of Irish motor writers to the forests of Engelskirchen near Cologne where
The Fabia is a very neat supermini and after driving a couple of huge people carriers in the previous weeks, it made a pleasant change to sit into what you could describe as a fairly normal small car. It’s very neat and ever so lively. It re-
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minded me a skinny Opel Corsa that I owned in the 1980’s. There is a 1.0-litre version available, but my test model was a1.2-litre petrol with 110 brake horse power and it really had plenty of power. There are lots of nooks in the cabin to store items. And the red and black design, which is carried inside makes for a very bright decor. The dash is so like a Volkswagen and it will remind you, if you need reminding, that Skoda is now part of the powerful VW group. The radio is a Bolero and the dials are sturdy and easy to use. There is room in the back seat for two people, comfortably or three at a squeeze. The version I drove with lots of extras also had a full-length sun roof. The sun roof will of course cost you a bit more. The boot is a decent size and there are nets to hold shopping and other cubby holes to place items. And the good news is that like most Skoda cars, there is a full-size spare wheel in the Monte Carlo. The 17-inch alloys are also black and looked great. This is an updated version of the Monte Carlo, which Skoda first introduced in 2011 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the famous race and Skoda’s 110th year in motor sport. But as I have often said before you would need to be wearing your ‘motoring anorak’ to spot the changes or improvements.
Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo by Seán Creedon
we drove the car across slippery telegraph poles to prove how well the car operated in dangerous off-road road situations. There was also a section in a Top Gear programme a few years back when Jeremy Clarkson was the main man. Clarkson drove the Yeti through an undulating field while a tattoo artist worked on the arm of a client in the back seat. And we
didn’t see any blood, which proved how solid and comfortable the car was or maybe it just showed how professional the tattoo artist was. The boot is a decent size and as with all Skoda’s you get a proper spare wheel, which is always appreciated. Another nice Skoda touch is the clip on the windscreen to hold your parking ticket.
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Skoda Yeti by Seán Creedon
Skoda has introduced sporty-looking Monte Carlo versions for their Fabia and now the Yeti gets the Monte Carlo look. Normally with the Monte Carlo you get a red and black combination, but this time it was a white body with a black roof. Inside red and grey stripes plus white stitching gave the front and rear seat that sporty look. With the Monte Carlo version you also get 17-inch Origami alloys, chrome tail pipe plus a few other extras. This is the second revamp that Skoda has given
From a distance the Skoda Octavia RS 230 which I drove last week looked much the same as your regular Octavia. Externally the main difference is the spoiler at the back and the fancy alloys, but once you sit in you realise that this is a sporty version of one of the Skoda brand’s best seller. In the past Skoda has described their RS as a ‘hot hatch for sensible people.’ But the Garda who stopped me last week for jumping away too quickly from a red light admitted that he expected to see a 21-25 year-old behind the wheel. He was very understanding and let me off with a warning when I explained the reason for my hurry. In recent weeks I have driven a Skoda Fabia that had a very distinctive red and black colour combination. This time round the test car was white with a black trim and it looked great. As mentioned earlier externally there are only a few clues, but inside you will be immediately impressed with the ‘tombstone -shaped’ front seats. A touch of red stitching on all of the seats really does add to the sports car look. The dash is much the same as your regular Octavia, which means everything is well laid out and easy to use. The difference in this ‘hot hatch’ from others is that the back seat has plenty of room for three adults and the boot is massive. I used to think that the boot in the Skoda Superb was bigger than the Octavia, but Ray Leddy from Skoda assured me that the Octavia boot has more space. And of course the good news with Skoda is that you get a ‘mini’ spare wheel. But an RS is all about speed and thanks to the 2.0-litre TSI engine and the 230 horses working under the bonnet, you can get from zero to
their Yeti, without dramatically changing the daring look and design of what their first cross-over vehicle when launched seven years ago. It’s still has a high driving position with plenty of clearance between the wheels and the body of the car. My test model had a full-length panoramic glass roof, which ensured a very bright interior. The roof is retractable, but in a country where the climate varies so much it might be safer to use the blind underneath the roof, which can
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be easily adjusted to allow as much sunlight as needed into the cabin. We had a few sunny days while I had the car and my wife told me there was no need to worry about getting my thinning top getting burned as the glass had ultraviolet protection. As with all Skoda cars, the controls on the dash are well laid out and so easy to use. I liked the high driving position, but I didn’t really have any need to go off-road on this occasion and look for that elusive Yeti, they call the Abominable Snowman. A few years back Skoda brought a group of Irish motor writers to the forests of Engelskirchen near Cologne where we drove the car across slippery telegraph poles to prove how well the car operated in dangerous off-road road situations. There was also a section in a Top Gear programme a few years back when Jeremy Clarkson was the main man. Clarkson drove the Yeti through an undulating field while a tattoo artist worked on the arm of a client in the back seat. And we didn’t see any blood, which proved how solid and comfortable the car was or maybe it just showed how professional the tattoo artist was. The boot is a decent size and as with all Skoda’s you get a proper spare wheel, which is always appreciated. Another nice Skoda touch is the clip on the windscreen to hold your parking ticket.
Skoda Octavia RS230 by Seán Creedon
100km in just under seven seconds. The top speed is 250kph. Having learned my lesson from the Garda, I didn’t put the latter limit to the test. With any new car it’s difficult to stay within the speed limits in urban areas and naturally it’s harder not to break the law in a powerful motor like the RS. In some ‘hot hatches’ you feel every bump on the road and often they are very noisy. But the Octavia RS was very quiet and very comfortable.
It handled very well and was a joy to drive. It was gorgeous car to look at and to travel in and my only complaint was that it was a bit thirsty, despite having the stop start technology. Also maybe the dash area could have been spruced up just a little. As usual with Skoda there is a neat clip on the windscreen where you can securely place your ticket for parking and it won’t be blown away when you open or close the door.
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Never judge a book by its cover. That’s just one of the many cliches that spring to mind as essential while describing the SsangYong Korando Sports. SsangYong have re entered the Irish market with not one but three very different new vehicles. When I first met the sharp looking lines of the Korando Sports SUV I struggled to see what market it was aimed at. However during my time with the Korando Sports it’s versatility shone through and it’s the type of SUV that will prove itself equally at home for anyone with a love of the outdoors or adventure sports, a trades person with a family or perhaps a farmer. The refined and economical 2.0 direct injection turbo diesel quietly puts down 155hp through your selected choice of two or four wheel drive with up to 360nm of torque. With a flat load carrying area behind the cabin of around 2sq metres and the ability to tow a trailer of up to 2,300kg the Korando Sports certainly ticks a lot of boxes for the leisure or business load lugger. Options available here for the Korando Sports include two different types of fully sealed hard top covers for the load area with a choice of a full roofline height cover that looks great or a ram assisted lid that well, looks different. The rugged exterior styling of the Korando Sports will certainly turn heads and it probably looks at it’s best without the optional but practical hard top covers for the load areas. From a drivers perspective I found the engine provided performance more than adequate for this type of vehicle and the power delivery is smooth quiet and car like, as was the fuel consumption. The use of coil suspension makes the
SsangYong Korando Sport by Seán Creedon
drive in this SUV feel a lot more like driving a car than a pick up and my three passengers described the cabin space as pleasantly and surprisingly quiet and refined. Driving off road or over the type of rough ground that most off us don’t cross too often proved comfortable and effortless in four wheel drive high or low with no lack of ground clearance experienced. In the background the ESP and ARP (Active Rollover Protection) along with the cabin airbags are there to keep you safe while the HSA (Hill Start Assist) does just what it says. The cabin space is spacious and comfortable for 4 adults with a practical and durable feel and
Ssangyong Korando 2.2 by Seán Creedon
Ssangyong has been back in the Irish market for a few years now. The Korean company has a reputation for building massive diesel crossovers like the Korando, Rexton and Rodius. Last year they introduced their first car, the Tivoli to Ireland and last week I got to test drive the revamped and powerful new 2.2-litre Korando. Thanks to the famous Italian designer Giorgetto Giugiaro, who has previously designed for Ferrari and Lamborghini, we now have a more attracting looking Korando and the addition of a 2.2-litre diesel engine certainly provides more power under the bonnet.
Apart from a more powerful engine there are few external changes to the front of the car as this chunky-looking motor got a make-over. There is a lot to like about the Korando, but it’s probably more suited for the countryside than for urban driving, still you may see a few ‘Yummy Mummies’ in one for the school run. The high driving position is brilliant and you will feel like the ‘king of the road.’ There are lots of extras like windscreen wiper heating, which could be very useful in a harsh winter, heated front seats and privacy rear windows. And in such a big motor it would be shame not
the four large doors provide easy access to the fabric or leather seats. As well as the enormous exterior load carrying area the interior has lots of storage spaces for bits an pieces. The list of specifications is extensive and includes the likes of aircon, cruise control, multiple function steering wheel, heated seats, ESP and Bluetooth but parking sensors are an extra. I must admit that while it would not be my usual cup of tea I was indeed surprised and I enjoyed my time with the Korando Sports which proved itself as a good practical all- rounder that was easy and comfortable to drive.
to have a proper spare wheel. And the Korando, which could be expected to see a lot of off-road use, does have a space-saver spare. When I drove the 2.0-litre Korando a few years back it was a burnt orange-coloured version. This time round it was a more conservative techno grey colour, which didn’t attract as much reaction from passers-by. The only thing missing was a grip over the driver’s head. A grip is provided for the passenger side which my wife, who has a touch of arthritis, said she appreciated, but somebody forgot about the driver. There is plenty of room for five well-built adults in the back seat where there is ample leg and head room and the boot is huge. The previous 2.0-litre version of the Korando was named Caravan Club Towcar of the Year in Britain in its price category, so there was already plenty of pulling power. No doubt this new version will also pick awards for its towing ability. When you start it up you will quickly realise that it’s a diesel, but on the open road it’s not too noisy. I enjoyed my time in the Korando; it was a pleasure to drive and to travel in it. I didn’t get an opportunity to go off-road, but it performed well on the motorway. The seats are comfortable and I think it would be an ideal car to rent out if you wanted to go on a driving tour of the country. It’s well kitted out with plenty of slave controls on the steering wheel. And it comes with a five-year unlimited mileage warranty.
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Subaru Levorg Sport Tourer by Seán Creedon
When young people mention Subaru they will probably be thinking of a fast Impreza, while for older drivers the Japanese manufacturer will be more associated with huge SUV’s like the Outback, XV or Forester. Now Subaru has introduced the 4-wheel drive Levorg Sport Tourer, which is really a fancy name for an Estate. They say is a spiritual successor to the fourth-generation Subaru Legacy Tourer. It’s impressive, but you would have to wonder if it’s too expensive for the Irish market? Every week when I meet people and show them the car I am driving the first question is, ‘how much is it?’ And last week when I mentioned that there wouldn’t be much change of 45k some were a bit shocked. It’s not all about price and there is an old saying that if you have to ask the price, then you cannot afford it. However, with tyre-kickers they
Last week I drove the new Tivoli XLV and naturally people I met during the week who were curious and asked me about this new SUV which they knew very little about. The XLV is a larger version of the Tivoli which was has been available in Ireland for over a year now. The big difference seems to extra space in the interior and in the boot where you now have over 700 litres of boot space. Overall I think it’s nearly big enough to be a seven-seater, but you only get five seats. The XLV is 60mm higher than the regular Tivoli, but you would need to be wearing an anorak to spot the difference. Ssangyong, who returned to the Irish market in 2013 after a five-year absence, has a reputation for building huge, powerful diesel people carriers, most of which were not very pretty, but functional. You may be familiar with the Korando, Rexton and Rodius. Revamped versions of that trio are due here in the coming year, but for now the South Korean manufacturer is focussing on the SUV market with their Tivoli and now the Tivoli XLV. I drove an automatic version of the Tivoli when it was launched last year and truth be told it the gear change wasn’t brilliant. But the manual six-gear XLV version was excellent. Journalists tend to get the top of the range models and my test car had heated front seats, Sat Nav and reversing cameras. As I said earlier the boot space is huge and there is still room for a ‘mini’ spare wheel. The spare will reduce the boot space, but I would always prefer a wheel to a repair kit. The seats, which predominantly cream, were ex-
genuinely want to compare prices with other brands. Subaru are famous for their boxer engines. In the boxer engine all the action happens low down in the engine; it provides a low centre of gravity, which in turn improves grip and handling. The only downside is the ugly looking ‘scoop’ on the bonnet which is needed to take in air to cool the engine. The Levorg is powered by a new 1.6-litre Direct Injection Turbo (DIT) Boxer petrol engine, a signature format for the Japanese manufacturer. And paired with Subaru’s smooth Lineartronic transmission, Levorg offers a refined powertrain. According to Subaru, the name Levorg is a portmanteau, which is a literary device in which two or more words are joined together to coin a new word. Two letters are taken from: Legacy, Revolution and Touring to give us Levorg; strange but
true. The Levorg shares its platform with the Impreza and Legacy. I drove an automatic version and as you probably already know that automatic cars are so relaxing. It felt very good on the road and with 170 brake horse power, naturally there was plenty of power coming from under the bonnet. You can get from zero to 100km/h in 8.9 seconds if are in a hurry. The cabin is smart if a bit dark. On the dash and steering wheel there’s a plethora of buttons and it might remind you of a visit to a Cadburys factory. But they all work and everything you need is literally at the touch of a button. The front seats are very comfortable, while in the back there is ample leg and head room for three well-built adults, but the middle passenger will have a leg on either side of the drive shaft. You get a huge boot and a very wide opening door to access the boot. Underneath is a sub-trunk storage area where you can store delicate items, but sadly no spare wheel. I drove what I thought was a silver coloured car, but officially the colour was Crystal White Pearl. Also available in Steel Blue Grey Metallic and Lapis Blue Pearl. Only one version available, the petrol GT1.6 DIT Lineatronic, where prices start at €44,995. It’s a lot of money to spend, but maybe not too much if you are a big fan of the Subaru brand. Subaru claim you can get almost 40 miles per gallon, but I thought it was thirsty. I’m told that when you put the words automatic and petrol together it normally means thirsty.
Ssangyong Tivoli XLV by Seán Creedon
cellent and you will appreciate the high driving position. Overhead there was a small sun roof to get the last of those September sun rays There are unusual zig-zag style elastic bands on the back of the two front seats. They will hold papers or brochures, but I would worry if you have bold children they might keep flicking the elastic bands. But then none of us have bold children? Prices for the regular Tivoli start at €21,495, while the entry-level 1.6-litre diesel XLV starts
at €25,495 and the higher speced EL version will cost you €28,995. Road tax is €200. It’s a fine, spacious motor and comfortable to drive and travel in. I suppose the only worries would be about the residual values. Ssangyong has produced a very glossy brochure to promote their XLV. Glancing through the pages would definitely put you in the mood for camping or other outdoor pursuits and wishing that summer was still here.
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Suzuki S-Cross by Seán Creedon
Suzuki recently took a group of Irish motor writers to North Wales to have a first drive of their revamped S-Cross. The weather was perfect, the scenery was brilliant and the car wasn’t bad either! The S-Cross first went on sale in October 2013 and now three years on it has got a major facelift. There is a new grille and overall you get a higher, bolder look at the front. It now has LED lights at the front and back. The changes certainly give the car a more impressive SUV look. I was surprised to hear Suzuki say that their main competitors for the S-Cross are the Hyun-
A new car is often treated like a new baby. With a child, grandparents will try and find a link with the parents, e.g. he/she has its mother’s nose or its father’s red hair. It’s much the same with cars, the grille in that new car is like the grille in X and the rear looks like Y etc. But I didn’t hear any of the motor writers gathered in Hollywood a few months back for the Baleno launch make any comparisons for the Baleno because it’s not like any other car around. My test car was Ray Blue, which I think didn’t do much for the car. It’s available in a range of colours and I think Whit or maybe Fire Red would be more impressive. The Baleno, which will fit into the ‘B’ segment, is a super mini and is available at a very attractive price of €17,995. Normally when a new car is launched in Ireland the manufacturers tell us that the mid-range model is expected to be the best seller. But the entry level of the Baleno is packed with goodies like Sat Nav and you won’t need to spend any more of your hard-earned cash to get extra goodies. The car has a lightweight design which makes the car seem more energetic. It certainly is very nippy around town. On the motorway I felt that it could do with a sixth gear, but that’s probably a compliment on how nippy it is that you feel you need an extra gear. The Baleno is slightly larger than the Suzuki which, it will be sold alongside. However the Baleno offers more passenger and cargo space and is built in India on a completely new Suzuki platform. There is plenty of room for two adults
dai Tucson and the Kia Sportage, but if you look at the S-Cross from the side, then you appreciate what he is talking about. However, the big change is that Suzuki has now installed a 1.0-litre boosterjet petrol engine in the S-Cross. Diesel is still king in Ireland, but after driving the 1.0-litre and 1.4-litre engines there were no complaints. But then I didn’t have a full load, just one passenger, Austin, who proved to be a very informative co-driver having visited Wales many times for Forestry Rallies. Suzuki say that one of the main complaints about the old model was the quality of the ma-
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terial on the dash and that the new version was softer. They say they have tried to replace the hard plastics, but it was difficult to tell as you would need to have the old and new models lined up side by side to prove that. I honestly thought that there is still a hard-enough feel off the material on the dash. There is room in the back for three passengers; the boot is a decent size, but sadly no spare wheel. There are three versions on offer: SZ4, SZ-T and SZ5. A diesel version, which sounded a bit noisy and a four-wheel all-grip are also available. All versions feature 16-inch alloys, air conditions, cruise control, DAB radio, Bluetooth, heated and power adjustable door mirrors as standard. Prices start at €20,995 and rise to €28,495. The entry level price, which is certainly very competitive, comes in at one thousand euro more than the Vitara, which is aimed at ‘singletons,’ while Suzuki is aiming the S-Cross at the family car market. There are new colours available like Energetic Red and Sphere Blue. Suzuki wouldn’t be considered big players here, but they do have a lot of loyal customers. It’s certainly a lively car to travel in and had no trouble navigating the historic Great Orme road just outside Llandudno. The seafront in Llandudno reminded me of Bray, but I had never seen anything like the Great Orme road, which by the way is one of only two toll roads in the UK. Well worth a visit, with or without a Suzuki.
SUZUKI BALENO IRISH SMALL CAR OF THE YEAR 2017 WINNER in the back, three at a squeeze. Inside everything is in the right place, but the dash is a bit hard and it could have done with a few soft touches here and there. Suzuki say that they expect to get a lot of conquests sales from people who are planning to downsize, also possible Swift drivers and lapsed SX4 drivers. There are two models to choose from, a 1.0-litre Booster Jet SZ-T at just under 18K or the S25 which will cost €19,495. It will also be available in automatic at €22,495. Or you could also opt
for a 1.2 mild Hybrid at €18,995. Both grades have a high level of specification, including seven-inch screen, Bluetooth, Apple Car play and Mirror Link for phone with other operating systems. And you get a three-year or 100,000km warranty. We wish Suzuki well with their new ‘baby.’ I think it will grow up to be a car well capable of taking on the opposition. by Seán Creedon
I have been driving a lot of Suzuki cars recently. I enjoyed a week in the new Baleno, which was launched in Belfast, then we went to Wales to check out the revamped S-Cross. Last week it was an automatic petrol version of the all-grip Vitara S. The new version of the Vitara has been available in Ireland for some time now, but this was the all-grip S version. It came in attractive white and coupled with black 17-inch alloys externally it looked great. I have also seen red versions of the small SUV and they also looked good. Apparently red is the best colour to buy in any car if you are thinking about the day you are going to trade it in. The Vitara was introduced in 1988. The second and third generation models were known as the Suzuki Grand Vitara, but now the fourth generation is simply known as the Vitara. Originally it was designed to fill the slot above the Suzuki Jimny. Now that’s a name that might you back a bit. We can’t forget our history, but Suzuki are also confident about the future with several more new models on the way next year. But back to the automatic white S version, which came with a 1.4 booster jet petrol engine. It’s a very neat motor, has a high driving position, which will provide good views for both driver and passengers. Many new cars now give you a red warning light on the dash if you drive too close to the car in front and this service is also available in the Vitara S. On the road the first thing I noticed was the
Suzuki Vitara S by Seán Creedon
‘Instant Fuel Consumption’ gauge on the dash; it would certainly alert the mind as how get the most from your drive. Many new cars have this service, but the read-out on the Vitara was very clear. You can easily get up 60mpg on motorway driving, but you would need your foot off the pedal going down a hill to get up to the maximum 80mpg! In the cabin there is plenty of leg and head room. The back seat can easily accommodate three adults and there won’t be any arguments about who sits in the middle of the back seat. There is a decent-sized boot, but sadly no spare wheel. However, there is enough space in the boot to fit a spare, so the advice is to haggle with your Suzuki dealer, unless you prefer a repair kit? Up to now the all-grip version was only available in diesel. Prices for the regular Vitara start
at €19,999, but the automatic Petrol S version I drove will cost you €27,495. Road tax is €200. You can also customise your Suzuki with your own colour scheme if you wish. Earlier this year the Vitara was voted Most Popular Crossover and Car of the Year in the ‘Honest John’ Awards in London. The Honest John website has over 4,400 owner reviews posted and 2.27 million visitors to its new car review pages. And no complaints from ‘Honest Seán’ either or my passengers. I took the car to Galway where we experienced a lot of heavy traffic, but didn’t get an opportunity to properly test the all-grip as most of the driving was on the motorway. It was a comfortable motor to travel in and there was no serious road noise. The white version looked great, but in Ireland it’s difficult to keep a white car clean. Maybe red would be a better option.
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When I called to Toyota’s head office in Killeen Road to pick up their new Hilux there were two different colours vehicles in their car park, red and grey. I knew that the pick- up would attract a lot of attention and I suppose I was secretly hoping I would get the grey version. But I got red and there were no complaints. Earlier this year Toyota took some of my motoring colleagues to Namibia so that they could experience the improvements in the new Hilux in rough terrain and sand dune conditions. I didn’t get the experience any off road conditions, but I know now that it’s tough enough to handle any terrain, but it was just smooth driving for me on what was a mild October drive. Nowadays we see pick-ups everywhere, shopping centres, hardware shops etc. My first memories of pick-ups go back to the Dukes of Hazzard television series in the eighties. I watched it with my children and remember the pick-up truck used by the Duke boys’ grandfather in the series. Naturally a pick up is very useful in the US, Australia or maybe Namibia where the weather is good. But I always think that in Ireland you would need a cover on the cargo area to keep your shopping dry and prevent it being stolen! Imagine buying a bag of cement in your local hardware shop, then get caught in a heavy shower on the way home; your cement would flow out the back. This is the eight-generation Hilux and head on it looks very impressive. Prices start at €29,250 which are up €3,000 up on the previous version. However, Toyota say that there has been no pri-
Toyota Hilux by Seán Creedon
ce increases for a long time. You now get a 1.4-litre diesel engine, which replaces the old 2.5-litre and 3.0-litre. It offers 148 brake horse power, so plenty of pulling power, 3,200kg in fact. The suspension has also been overhauled. The engine, even in city driving, was frugal and Toyota claim you can get up to 40 mpg. As I said earlier I didn’t get to experience any off-road driving last week, but with a double cab you can also use the Hilux to transport members of the family. On the motorway there is no noise and it’s reasonably comfortable. But while the pick-up won’t look out of place on the motorway, it’s naturally meant for rural dwellers or small builders. My wife found it a bit of a struggle to climb on
Toyota Rav 4 by Seán Creedon
Toyota has given their popular RAV4 a make-over. This chunky-looking SUV has been with us since 1994 and the recent mid-life facelift comes three years after the 4th generation of the SUV was launched in this part of the world.
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There were a few complaints about the chunky look at the back of the 4th generation, but thanks to the revamp they have been more or less ‘ironed out’ now what you now get is a more linear look at the back.
board, but both of us appreciated the grips on the door to help your get into the cabin. On the dash all the controls are just like a regular Toyota, well laid out and easy to use. And once inside the views are great as you drive along especially on country roads. We might not have the fine weather or the terrain for pick-ups in Ireland, but vehicles like the Hilux are popular with small builders and farmers. The Hilux is the best seller, followed by Ford’s Ranger and Nissan’s Navara. Prices start at €29,250 for the single cab Hilux, while the double cab which I drove starts at €36, 500. I liked the old-style handbrake and there is a spare wheel, located underneath the body.
Inside the cabin is still a bit dark, due mainly to all the black material used around the dash area. The only thing bright on the dash is the reversing camera, the rest is fairly dark. However, I liked the buttons for the radio controls, even if they are located the ‘wrong way round’ in that the volume control button is nearest to the driver. But you get used to it after a day or two. There is plenty of leg and head room in the back seat for three ‘well built’ adults. In fact there is so much leg room that if your back seat passengers were footballers they could practice their skills on the way to a game. Naturally it’s a high driving position and my wife said she appreciated the grips on the passenger door. No I wasn’t driving too fast, it’s just that the grips are very useful when climbing on board. The boot is massive and underneath is a ‘mini’ spare wheel, which is always appreciated no matter what size or make of car. During the test drive time period we headed out towards the Blessington lakes, past Manor Kilbride, then took the Lake Drive through Lacken and up the mountains towards Turlough Hill. It was an idyllic Sunday drive, made even more memorable in what was comfortable SUV, that provided a great view of the countryside. Prices for the 2.0 diesel which I drove start at €29,959, while the 2.5 Hybrid starts at €37,950. Road tax is €270 in the diesel and €200 in the Hybrid.
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VW Passat GTE by Seán Creedon
So I drove the VW Passat GTE, which is neither electric nor hybrid, but had elements of both technologies. You can drive the car in GTE mode and if you build up enough ‘brownie points’ by driving carefully you can then drive up 50 kilometres in electric mode. This GTE version looks exactly like your regular Passat which is a very attractive motor and only keen ‘tyre kickers’ would spot the difference. The only external change is a blue line above the grille and blue-tinted GTE badging. The charging flap is hidden in the grille and at night you get lovely blue lines in the cabin. If like me, you find it difficult to build up ‘brownie points’ which are displayed on a dial in the dash, you can charge the car at home or at any of the 1,200 ESB charging points across the island of Ireland. Kieran O’Neill from ESB says
When writing about the electric Nissan Leaf a few years back I said it was so quiet we might have to go back to the early days of motoring when a man with a red flag walked in front of a car to warn pedestrians of its arrival. The Prius is very quiet when you start it up, but noisier than the electric on the road. However, the main difference for now between electric and hybrid cars is that with the hybrid you know that you can drive all day and night without charging your battery. And even if you do happen to run out of petrol the battery is powerful enough to get you to a petrol station. The Prius Hybrid has been with us since 1997 and Toyota has now sold over seven million hybrid cars worldwide. This is the fourth generation of the car, but I had never driven a Prius previously. However, I was told that the new Prius is more angular than the previous version and the biggest changes are in the cabin where the layout has been improved. Prius is a Latin word meaning first, original or superior. Toyota say the name was chosen because the Prius was launched before environmental awareness became a mainstream social issue. It’s gorgeous and the 1.8-litre engine has plenty of power. I liked the way the driver gets a ‘heads-up’ on the windscreen. It’s a bit like reading an autocue on television; you get a digital print of the speed you are doing on your windscreen and alongside it in red is the speed limit on the road you are driving on. Brilliant. There is also a
that our EV network is interoperable with that of Northern Ireland, which means an Electric Vehicle driver can now drive seamlessly from Cork to Belfast using a common charging system from start to finish. I got an ecar Access Card to charge the car, if needed, and learned a new Irish phrase as the car back of the card said it was a ‘Cárta Rochtain.’ Normally you need to be aware when driving, but where there is a mix of GTE and electric, you really need to alert. I used GTE mode when on the open road and Electric when in slow city traffic. But you have to watch and see if you have enough ‘brownie points’ on the dial before opting for electric, which is naturally very quiet. One day I parked in an underground car park and then it struck me that an underground park is the best place to appreciate how quiet an elec-
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tric car is as you are away from city traffic and road noise. Try it some time. On the road I honestly found it difficult to get the car into ‘charge mode.’ It charges when you apply the brakes but really I think it worked best if I took my foot off the accelerator and then the needle went into the green ‘charge’ zone. But really there is no need to worry about charging as you still have a tank of petrol and to fair the fuel needle moved very slowly, but I think I was able to conserve fuel by driving in Electric mode in slow city traffic. There is great rivalry between VW and Ford with their Passat and Mondeo and we got new versions of both cars last year. At the time I thought the Mondeo was a fine solid car, but the Passat was a bit classier looking. Now VW had the added plug-in option, but it will cost you. Prices for the entry level Passat Trendline start at €28, 410, while you could get a 1.4 petrol version of their Comfortline for around €31k. But this automatic GTE version starts at €42,225. So you would need to do a lot of economical driving to make up the difference. Electric cars have been with us now for a few years and apart from the Nissan Leaf there hasn’t been huge interest from Irish drivers and there is still uncertainty about what the charges will be long term. In the first eight months of the year, sales of EV cars dropped from 435 in 2015 to 355, so maybe something like the plug-in Passat where you have a choice, might be a better option if you want to try the electric route.
Toyota Prius by Seán Creedon
digital speed counter on the dash. The Prius is very popular with Irish taxi drivers, many of whom convert from petrol to LPG, which apparently is cheaper long-term if you do a lot of driving. Lane Departure Warning comes as an extra in most cars, but it’s standard in the Prius. And apart from the usual gadget to charge your phone, if you have an Apple S6 you can charge it by placing it face-down near in the console between the driver and front seat passenger. It only seemed to work for the S6. The only slight criticism is the back window which looks very much like the one in the Honda Civic in that it’s divided by a bar. It’s annoying when you look in the rear window, but to be fair you still get a good bit of light in the rear win-
dow. I really enjoyed my time in the Prius and it was very relaxing to drive and travel in. Every time you finish you drive you get a mark out of 100. I got 90 a few times and getting a score like that would encourage you to do better next time. It looked good in white and silver is also a popular choice of colour.
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VW Golf Estate by Seán Creedon
Most car manufacturers come up with fancy names for their estates or station wagon versions. But VW seem to be happy to stick with the Golf name and they simply call the station wagon version of one of their best-sellers, the Golf Estate. The Golf Estate is back in the Irish market after a few years break. It wasn’t available in Ireland for the previous version of the Golf. While it was away the booming Irish motor sector has become crowded with Estates and small SUV’s, so it’s going to be a battle for new sales, but I’m sure VW can rely on long time Golf fans who are looking for a bit more luggage space. When you think of an Estate straight away the focus is on the amount of space in the boot. In the Golf you get 605 litres, which can be easily expanded to 1,620 litres by folding down the
I’m very familiar with most of the tourist spots in Dublin and enjoy showing people round our Fair City. Last week when I had visitors from England I had the ideal mode of transport, the VW Shuttle. It’s much the same shape as the VW Caravelle which I had a few weeks back when my grandchildren were visiting from Denmark. The Caravelle was very popular with the grand children as it had a table and ‘television type’ seats where passengers could sit facing one another. This time round the Shuttle had a bench seat in the front which could accommodate three people, three people in the middle and three at the back. However, the third row might not be as comfortable as the first two, but I think nobody would notice unless you are on a very long run. I think it’s the first time that I have driven a vehicle with a bench seat at the front since I tested the Fiat Multipla about 15 years ago. No doubt this is a vehicle which would be ideal for people who are interested in taxi or limousine type work. It seats nine, but I’m told you would need extra insurance to cover more than seven passengers and the driver. From a driver’s point of view I found it easy to handle, but would probably have preferred an automatic version than the manual version that I drove. There is very little bonnet in your line of vision and it’s easy to manoeuvre. And I appreciated the driver’s armrests. My wife, who has a touch of arthritis said that she found it a bit difficult to climb on board. Yes it’s high, but the high driving position offers
rear seats. And to allow you access the massive boot, the tail gate opens really wide. Naturally there is a tonneau to keep items placed in the boot hidden from any would-be thieves. And the good news is that underneath all that boot space is a full-size spare wheel. Now having a spare is always good news, but I think it’s even more important when driving an Estate, as you could be really stuck with a big load on board. I liked it, but my regular front seat passenger thought that the metallic grey version I drove didn’t really do much for the car. I agreed with her, but then it came straight after a yellow Ford Mustang and a white Mercedes C220 and they were hard acts to follow. However, it did have a retractable sun-roof which wasn’t available in the other two cars mentioned. But of course allowing in those extra sun rays will cost you
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extra money. Volkswagen offer a wide range of engines, but the most popular for the Irish market might be what was under the bonnet of my Lounge test car, the 110 brake horse power 1.6-litre TDI. It certainly had plenty of ‘poke’ and you won’t be left behind at the traffic lights. However, I wasn’t able to test the pulling power of the engine if had that massive boot full of bags of potatoes or maybe cement. Inside the lay-out is much the same as a regular golf that means the controls on the dash are well laid out and so easy to use. In fact everything in the dash is at the driver’s fingertips, typical VW design. The decor is a bit dark, but there is a bit of colour on the seats and of course the sun roof helped brighten the interior. Two roof rails add to the elongated look. It is a fairly long motor and I certainly appreciated the reversing camera. There are four different trims levels: Trendline, Comfortline, Lounge and Highline. Prices start at €23,535 for the Trendline, while the top of the range Highline starts at €28,400. As usual I have to emphasise that they are only ‘starting prices’ and you will have to pay for any extras you may required. I reckon the biggest rivals for the Golf Estate are likely to be the Peugeot 308, Ford Focus and the Seat Leon St, which comes from the same VW stable. But I think the Golf Estate should do well against any of its rivals.
VW Shuttle by Seán Creedon
great views of the countryside and does I think, make for safer city driving. The two rear doors are sliding, but I though they didn’t close as smoothly as those in the Caravelle. There are plenty of cubby holes in the dash to hold mobile phones, drinks etc. And the door pockets are also very deep. You might also need ‘deep pockets’ if you want to buy one with prices starting at 63k.There are several overhead lights
for the back seats passengers, if required. And even with nine seats, there is still massive boot space, to carry those golf clubs or suitcases. And you get a spare wheel, which is located underneath the car. Prices start at €63,035 and as usual there are lots of extras available. The VW Shuttle is definitely not a car for your normal Sunday drive, but I might see you at the Airport.
The Finest: 171 Motoring Edition
www.thefinest.ie
VW Sharan
by Seán Creedon
Volkswagen has introduced a revamped version of their massive seven-seater Sharan to the Irish market. I showed the car to a friend last week and his first words to me were ‘‘it’s so like the Seat Alhambra, but I’m not complaining, the Alhambra is a brilliant car.’’ Yes, the Sharan and the Alhambra share the same platform, but then so many new cars now share platforms and various other parts, especially if like this instance they come from the same VW group. This is the second generation of the Sharan and the first generation was also related to the Ford Galaxy, all great people carriers. The Sharan can be described as a genuine seven-seater in that the third row of seats, which are often small and only suitable for children, are big enough for two adults. It truly is a massive motor and when you sit in there is a massive windscreen in your line of vi-
sion. Coupled with the high driving position, you will really feel safe and comfortable as you hit the road with the family on board. The electric sliding doors are really impressive. But how many times did family members try and pull the doors, which work by gently pressing on the door handle; no force needed. The Sharan would be ideal if you are using the car for taxi work as the electric doors would be ideal for customers entering and exiting the car. But if you are transporting children it’s good to know that there are three individual seats with Isofix child seat fixtures and each seat can be slid forward or back independent of the others. The leg space for the two people in the third row will depend on the positioning of the middle row, but everything is flexible and you should be able to reach a compromise for all seven, who are unlikely to be the same age or height.
VW Caravelle by Seán Creedon
I like to get a big car when my grand children visit from Denmark. Two years ago it was the VW California; it was fitted with a sink and fridge and you could adjust the seats to provide sleeping accommodation. However, while the young Danes enjoyed the novelty of the California, as the old Dublin saying goes, they relaxed when they were in their grannies and preferred real beds to sleep in. This time round it was another massive people carrier from VW, the Caravelle. And the grand children loved it. Straight away they were making videos of the car on their i-phones, and sending pictures of the car to their school friends. It’s a bit like the California, but this time you get two automatic sliding doors. And like the California, it’s based on the VW Transporter. I have
seen old versions of the Caravelle advertised on motoring websites and it was described as a ‘minibus.’ And I suppose it’s hard to disagree with that description. My test car came in black and while some family members joked that it looked like a ‘Black Maria,’ they were also impressed. There are other cars with seven seat options out there, but this is really different in that in the spacious rear section you have three people with their backs to the traffic and two people sitting facing them. I remember a colleague once describing similar seats in the old Dublin buses as ‘television seats.’ There are plenty of overhead lights for the back seats passengers, if required. Externally I thought that black really suited the car. Officially it was ‘deep black pearl.’ There is just a silver strip along the bottom of the doors. Inside it’s so spacious. The dash is typical VW, with all the controls well laid out and so easy to
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There are several discreet storage areas in the cabin. These are under the seats, in the roof, on top of the dash and behind the seats. You might not have much luggage space in the boot, but there are plenty of cubby holes to store items throughout the car. Naturally it’s a long motor and you will appreciate the reversing camera. Two trim levels, but just one engine, the 2.0-litre diesel with 150 brake horse power. The Comfortline version starts at €42,500 and comes with 16-inch alloys, cruise control etc. The higher speced Highline version starts a t €46,760. Also available in automatic. Road tax is €270. For the record the Seat Alhambra starts at €38,995. With seven individual seats naturally there is going to be little luggage space, assuming you are going to use all seven seats. That means no room for a spare wheel, but the tyres are run-flat. The only other thing I didn’t like was the electronic hand-brake. I know we should be getting used to them by now, but I reckon most people over fifty would probably feel happier with an old fashioned handbrake. I loved it and I suppose the greatest praise I could give is to say that I wished I was young again. I had five brothers and two sisters, but the only people carrier we ever got near was a pony and trap. The name Sharan is derived from a Persian word meaning, Carrier of Kings. A very appropriate name for this massive people or maybe that should be ‘King Carrier.’
use. I really like the old fashioned handbrake. So many new cars now have electronic handbrakes and I think that in this case the handbrake suited the car. Naturally the handbrake is located between the two front seats and there is still plenty of room. There is so much space and so many places to hide valuables. Oodles of head and leg room for the five back seat passengers and they can use a neat fold-away tray for holding drinks etc. And plenty of drawers under the seats to store items. Naturally the grand children loved the ‘secret drawers.’ It was a very high driving position and you wouldn’t want to be trouble with arthritis to climb on board. I felt like the car was on stilts. In truth it was a bit too high for me; I would have preferred the slightly cheaper VW Touareg which I drove the previous week if I was going on a long drive. The Caravelle is massive, but still a very easy motor to handle. The short bonnet was great as it allowed to be me get a good feel for the car and manoeuvre it on busy city streets. Now for the bad news, the price of the automatic version I drove will cost you €84,849. Road tax is €570, which is steep, considering the California is only €102. And no room for a spare wheel. You could just about get two suitcases into the boot space at the rear. Clearly this is a people carrier which would be ideal for taxi or limousine drivers. Or maybe for grand fathers like me who want to impress their grand children!
The Finest: 171 Motoring Edition
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‘WINNING YOUNG RALLY DRIVER OF THE YEAR MADE ME A STAR,’ SAYS CRAIG BREEN
2016 Billy Coleman award finalists announced
World Rally Championship star Craig Breen has told the finalists of Motorsport Ireland’s Billy Coleman Young Rally Driver of the Year award that winning the prestigious prize will put them on the fast-track to international success. Breen, who this year became the first ever driver from the Republic of Ireland to secure a WRC works seat, said that you can trace his success back to winning the Billy Coleman Award seven years ago. It comes as Callum Devine (Co Derry), Gary McNamee (Co Meath) and Josh Moffett (Co Monaghan) are officially announced as the finalists for the 2016 Billy Coleman Award. The three drivers were chosen from a shortlist of eight candidates who were nominated for the award on the merits of their performances during the year. All eight faced a rigorous selection
process which included interviews from a panel of five judges comprising members of the media, an official from Sport Ireland (formerly the Irish Sports Council) current driver and a representative of Irish motorsport clubs. The Billy Coleman Award is internationally-recognized as the most prestigious accolade that any young driver on the island of Ireland can aspire to. It comes with a prize valued at €50,000 in supports to help the winner boost their career. All three finalists will be included in the Team Ireland development programme run by Motorsport Ireland to nurture and support young drivers. Past winners have included many drivers who have gone on to compete at the highest level, winning multiple British Rally championships and flying the flag at European and World Rally Championship level. Breen (26), who won the award in 2009, will drive for Citroën next season in their newly developed C3 WRC car. He spoke about how important winning the award was for his career. Breen said: “It seems hard to believe that it is now seven years since my trip to Dublin for my Billy Coleman Award interviews. I was nervous, overdressed, but incredibly motivated. I had been given a lot of stick during the year, as I had got my nomination through what was known
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then as the National Junior Rally Championship, where a lot of my competitors were driving budget cars, where as I was in a far superior R2 car. That didn’t bother me though, I had my ticket in the door, and I was going to sell myself as best I could, as this was the next step on the way to my dream. “I remember the interview well, and we had a very clear and focused plan if we should win the award, and I did everything in my power to prove to the panel that I had what it took to go all the way. I can still remember getting the call, sitting at my desk in work saying that I had won, and that was the day that my career really lifted off the ground. “This year I got my big break in the WRC with the Abu Dhabi World Rally Team, and of course now a two-year contract with Citroen. “These past seven years all evolve from that day in Dawson Street in 2009. The plan was always to make it to where we are today, and even if the journey hasn’t been how we expected, I am hugely grateful of the opportunity that was given to me by Motorsport Ireland and the Irish Sports Council, I wouldn’t be where I am today was it not for their support.” A spokesman for the Motorsport Ireland judging panel said: “Drivers who win the Billy Coleman Award frequently go on to achieve great things in their careers. With Craig securing a works drive for the 2017 World Rally Championship all
our young drivers can see that there is an opportunity to succeed at the top of their sport. “There is a wealth of driving talent in the country and an incredible standard was set by all the drivers that were interviewed. Every one of them deserved their opportunity but unfortunately only three can be chosen.” The three finalists for the Billy Coleman Young Rally Driver of the Year are (listed alphabetically): Callum Devine (age 22) Claudy, Co Derry Gary McNamee (age 24) Oldcastle, Co Meath Josh Moffett (age 24) Clontibret, Co Monaghan The overall winner of the 2016 award will be announced at the Irish Motorsport awards ceremony which will take place on Tuesday, December 13th. The winner will be expected to represent the sport at home and abroad over the time that they hold the title of Young Rally Driver of the Year. Motorsport Ireland’s Billy Coleman Young Rally Driver of the Year award is presented annually and is supported by Sport Ireland, affiliated motor clubs and Motorsport Ireland.
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