Subaru Ireland has rolled out the new Outback diesel automatic at a price of €44,995, writes Brian Byrne. The nameplate was first launched in Europe in 1996, and this latest derivative of the current generation has improved handling among a number of other changes for 2014. The automatic is a CVT with seven shift points […]
Let’s face it, hybrid cars are not everybody’s cup of tea, writes Trish Whelan. They have different characteristics from conventional cars. For readers who still aren’t too hybrid-savvy, the hybrid system combines a combustion engine and an electric motor, improving fuel efficiency and reducing dirty exhaust emissions. The full hybrid drive system in the third-generation […]
Volkswagen Ireland is recalling 523 Caddy Vans to deal with a potential problem with the tailgate, writes Brian Byrne. The recall comes about as part of continuous vehicle field observation by Volkswagen AG Quality Assurance. The ball pins which attach the tailgate gas-pressure dampers to the vehicle may be pre-damaged on the third generation of […]
Volkswagen’s Polo supermini will debut a range of more efficient and more powerful engines at Geneva next week. The parade of premiers include the Polo BlueMotion, Polo TDI BlueMotion, Polo Blue GT and the CrossPolo. Engines include a new 1.0, 3-cylinder turbo charged petrol engine which has earned the BlueMotion label and a diesel 1.4, […]
WingsAbroad, the Turkish holiday specialists are offering a Spring break to Turkey, writes Trish Whelan. Easter departures are 19 and 26 April and prices are from €369. Stay at the 4* Golden Day Wings Hotel in Kusadasi, enjoy breakfast each morning, watch the sunsets from your balcony each evening. Then finish off your day and […]
A new 1.6 diesel engine which Toyota has sourced from BMW is to become the key power unit for the model, writes Brian Byrne. It will be available on the Irish market from February of next year. The company expects that more than half of the units sold in Europe will have the engine, which […]
A Jaguar XFR-S Sportbrake to be shown at Geneva next week will be the brand’s most powerful ever estate car, writes Brian Byrne. The supercharged 5.0 V8 under the hood outputs 550hp and pulls 680Nm of torque, and can sprint to 100km/h in around 4.8 seconds. An 8-speed automatic transmission gets the power to the […]
Nissan will debut a new version of its Juke small crossover at the Geneva Show next week, writes Brian Byrne. The company teases with word that design enhancements will make it ‘the most distinctive crossover yet’. It will also feature improved efficiency. A social media campaign offers a ‘strip tease’ of the car’s design cues […]
Skoda Ireland recorded record sales of 1,635 models for January 2014, a 31 percent like-for-like increase on 2013. Driving that January growth was the Skoda Rapid that saw a 47 percent sales increase compared to January last year, combined with access to car finance through their financial partner Volkswagen Financial Services. In 2013, Skoda Finance […]
The world’s largest collection of cars used in the James Bond movies is for sale, writes Brian Byrne. They’re owned by property millionaire Michael Dezer, and he’s offering the 59 vehicles for a one-lot sale at £20m. In addition to the ‘standard’ Aston Martins and more recent Jaguars, plus the ‘odd’ submersible Lotus Esprit, there’s […]
