Revised Scirocco for Geneva

Volkswagen has done an update to its Scirocco, their sporty but practical coupe on the Golf platform, writes Brian Byrne.The shape and lines haven't been changed, but there's a more crisp definition in places, and there have also been changes to the lights front and rear. There are interior improvements too, including some extra instrumentation.Power options on the car, which...

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Wraps come off new Renault Twingo

Two decades after the first-generation Twingo was launched, Renault has taken the wraps off its new Twingo city car. However, the car's interior will be revealed at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show next month.New Twingo follows a strategic cooperation agreement with Daimler in 2010 giving the green light for the joint-development of the new car and the next versions of the two-...

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Peugeot celebrates 100,000th 2008

Less than a year since its launch in Europe, the Peugeot 2008 crossover has just passed the milestone of 100,000 units produced, writes Trish Whelan. The car has now won numerous accolades in Ireland, Italy, Spain, France, Poland and Turkey since its launch, (winning Continental Irish Small Car of the Year 2014).Interestingly, some 68 percent of 2008 sales are made up of level...

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Brand new BMW coming in September

A new BMW in the 2 Series range will be the Active Tourer which will go on sale in Ireland in September, writes Brian Byrne.The small MPV will join the 2 Series Coupe, and will also introduce FWD and 3-cylinder engines into the brand. The 1.5 petrol unit is turbocharged and outputs 136hp. There will also be a 2.0 diesel with 150hp.The luggage compartment's capacity can be...

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Dublin Lord Mayor chooses Volvo S80

Tradition dictates that the first citizen of Dublin has the first car registered in the capital each year, and once again the Lord Mayor of Dublin has chosen the Volvo S80 as his official Mayoral car, writes Trish Whelan.The Lord Mayor, Oisín Quinn, has chosen the Volvo S80 D4 SE Lux Geartronic equipped with Volvo's latest Drive-E D4 2.0 diesel powertrain with C02 emissions...

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Driving each other crazy this Valentine's weekend

An easytrip survey has revealed what we really think about our darlings' driving habits.Men who won't stop and ask for directions, women who can't park to save their lives, sound familiar? As thousands of couples prepare to drive away for a romantic Valentine's weekend, a survey by motoring solutions specialist easytrip has confirmed (and confounded) a few clichés about how...

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More power to Fiat 500L in summer

A new 120hp diesel engine will underpin an expanded choice in the Fiat 500L small MPV range which will reach Irish dealers in June, writes Brian Byrne.The 1.6 Multijet II power unit will be the flagship engine in the upgraded MY14 versions of the 500 sub-brand that is proving to be the saviour of Fiat across Europe. The upshift for the relatively new 500L also includes new...

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Peugeot's new 108 micro-mini for Geneva

Peugeot will debut its new 108 micro-mini at the Geneva Motor Show next month, writes Trish Whelan.Compact and suited to town driving, the new 108 hatchback will be offered with both a 3-door and 5-doors as well as a convertible bodystyle. Customers will be able to personalise their car with a huge range of themes, trims, ambiances, colours and options to choose from. The...

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TV3's Glenda Gilson is SsangYong ambassador

Xpose's Glenda Gilson has picked up the keys to a top of the range Korando after becoming a brand ambassador for SsangYong.Glenda has recently interviewed such high profile stars as Garth Brooks, George Clooney and David Beckham, and is delighted with her new role with SsangYong, and with her Korando which she says 'drives like a dream and will suit her busy lifestyle'....

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Giant Actros shows its muscle

It's a big one and soon it could be seen on a roadway near you, writes Brian Byrne.Pictured is the new Actros SLT, a unit that its makers, Mercedes-Benz, describe as 'the new power for heavy haulage'.Operationally, the Actros SLT and its little brother, the Arocs SLT, can operate as a solo vehicle carrying up to 250 tonnes or as a train comprising up to three tractors with...

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Golf SV will go on sale in July

The Golf Plus successor will be called the Golf SV, writes Trish Whelan.The new model, to be shown in production form at the Geneva Motor Show in March, will have a more generous interior than the Golf Plus it replaces. It also has a more flexible interior, with rear bench seats that offer 180mm longitudinal adjustment and a cargo capacity of over 1,500 litres).The Golf SV...

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Honda's 2014 Civic WTCC shines in first test

Honda has released images of its 2014 Civic WTCC works car, taken during its first test session in Aragon, Northern Spain earlier this year.The design of the new look Civic WTCC reflects the latest technical regulations for the FIA WTCC and shows the subtle style of the wheel arch extensions, larger diameter wheels, sleeker aero package and extended rear spoiler."Honda has...

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Toyota Ireland recalls 700 Prius cars

Toyota Ireland has confirmed the voluntary recall of 700 Prius hybrid cars, writes Trish Whelan.The vehicles were manufactured between March 2009 and February 2014.The recall involves an issue with the software used to control the boost converter in the Intelligent Power Module (IPM). The IPM is part of the inverter assembly and the hybrid system. Toyota will update the IPM...

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Refreshed Meriva in April

Opel will be bringing in a refreshed Meriva to Ireland in April, at a starting price of €18,995, writes Brian Byrne.The small MPV now also gets a new 1.6 diesel power option, but that bumps the price up to €23,295, a long way ahead of the 1.3 diesel at €19,995.The car has some styling tweaks, though the distinctive — and for some, aesthetically divisive — 'blitz' side profile...

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Audi S1 and S1 Sportback names to return

Back in the 1980s an Audi S1 had a legendary reputation - it was the car that would see the brand dominate the World Rally Championship in its day.Now the abbreviation is coming back, but this time as a road-going version as Audi's new S1 and S1 Sportback will be the new flagship models in the compact A1 model line.Both are powered by a 2.0 TFSI petrol fitted with a turbocharger...

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World's fastest Car - Bloodhound SSC - for RIAC show

Visitors to the RIAC National Classic Car Show, supported by AXA Insurance, will get to see for the first time ever, the amazing Bloodhound SSC before it begins its attempt to become the world's fastest car, writes Trish Whelan.Bloodhound Supersonic Car is a unique rocket and jet powered vehicle designed to achieve 1,000mph. This ultimate racing car will be capable of travelling...

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