MOTORS AUTUMN 2017
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SKODA
KODIAQ
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IRELAND
Interview
O N LY
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BENTLEY
MOST POWERFUL 911 EVER MAZDA MX-5 RF
BENTAYGA V8
NEW BMW 530D
FASTEST AND MOST POWERFUL LUXURY DIESEL SUV
DISPLAY UNTIL OCTOBER 9TH
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Porsche 911 GT2 RS P. 61
SUPERCARS
Renault Zoe Z.E 40
P.12
Ford GT
P.28
SPIN IN PARADISE Honda Civic MI Cover Autumn.indd 1
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CONTENTS
Letter from the editor
8
H
ello and welcome to our Autumn issue of Motors Ireland. It’s not every day you get an opportunity to drive a Bentley but we had the chance recently to drive the new Bentley Bentayga V8 diesel and we jumped at the opportunity. It was such an amazing machine and a joy to drive. With a triple charging system consisting of twin-scroll turbochargers and a 48v electric system, turbo lag is unnoticeable and the power is effortless. The attention to detail that Bentley give their interiors is world renowned and this Bentayga is no different with every surface showcasing the craftsmanship of the Bentley team with hand stitched leather, Liquid Amber Veneer perfectly finished and outstanding metal work. After driving it you wonder what took Bentley so long to make the leap into the luxury SUV segment. We drive a wide array of new cars in this issue so hopefully one of our vehicles is something you’re seriously considering buying and you will find our review useful. The BMW 530d is a car we have been interested to drive for quite a while and even though the 520d might be the more sought after version, this 530d was such an enjoyable drive. This is the 7th generation 5 series since its inception in 1972 and over 7.6 million examples have been sold. This new model is the G30 and the German car maker has thrown everything into it to establish itself against rivals who were slowly starting to overtake it and make the F10 look a little dated. BMW have done a great job and we expect this new 5 series to be highly sought after in the executive segment. We also drive the new Skoda Kodiaq where this is the first time Skoda has really tested its large SUV credentials. This can be a five or seven seat SUV with 4x4 capability and off-road mode. I got a lot of admirers while driving this and the fact it’s a great drive would signal that Skoda are on to something here. Read the full review on page 50. In this issue we also have a full review of the new Civic. The last two generations weren’t the high standard one expects from Honda with unresponsive steering and basic suspension setup. Add to that engines that weren’t exactly brilliant and you have a car in one of the toughest segments with a mediocre offering that just couldn’t cut it against the competition. However, this new Civic is very different. We really enjoyed it and think it will do very good sales. For the safety tech that’s on offer along with such a nice drive it really should draw people back to the brand that may have strayed. We got very lucky with the weather and got to enjoy the MX-5 RF with the roof down. Not an easy task in Ireland as you no doubt know. The RF means Retractable Fastback. The automatically folding hard-top roof goes down in 13 seconds and the 2.0-litre engine is punchy and responsive. The car drives beautifully and was an enjoyable experience. In this issue, we speak to musician Nathan Carter. Nathan Carter is one of the most popular names in the country music scene both here in Ireland and abroad. The popular 27-year-old Liverpudlian star has a passion for music and cars surprisingly so we were delighted to know about his car interests and hear how is career is going from strength to strength. We also caught up with The Happy Pear who opened a café and shop in Clondalkin recently. Emer caught up with them before it was opened to the public to hear what’s happening with the Renault sponsored duo. If you’re in the area in West Dublin be sure to drop in for a healthy bite. Hope you enjoy the issue and drive safely.
Sales & Marketing Director: Anthony Kelly
Motors Ireland Magazine Ltd
Graphic Designer: Colin Brennan
Ph: +353 1 458 7672
Assistant Graphic Designer: Craig Kearney
Email: info@motorsireland.ie
Editorial Assistant: Emer Kelly
Address: The Loft, Main Street, Newcastle,
Advertising Sales: Artur Syroka
Co Dublin
Design & Layout: cleardesigns.ie
© Motors Ireland Magazine Ltd 2017
For all advertising and marketing queries,
ISSN: 2009-9746
contact Anthony on ph: +353 1 458 7672
2017 Motors Ireland orAutumn email: info@motorsireland.ie
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MOTORS IRELAND
NEWS 4 Latest news from motoring sector in Ireland
THE HAPPY PEAR OPEN CAFE AND SHOP IN CLONDALKIN 38 We chat to the Renault Ireland Ambassadors
BENTLEY BENTAYGA V8 8 We drive the world’s fastest and 40 SSANGYONG REXTON most luxurious diesel SUV Rexton offers impressive value for money HIGHLY CAPABLE NEW 5-SERIES 14 BELLISSIMO ALFA 44 New 7th generation five series Has Alfa cracked it with this new impresses Giulia RENAULT ZOE Z.E. 40 20 First drive of new and improved Zoe
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NEW ŠKODA SUV 50 This is Škoda’s first time to dip its toe in the large SUV segment
DARE TO BE DIFFERENT 22 The most important car Honda PUMP UP! THE VOLUME 54 has produced in recent memory VW UP! with Beats Audio equipment WE CHAT TO MUSICIAN 2017 FORD GT 57 28 NATHAN CARTER High-performance Ford GT Nathan is livin’ the dream THE BEST MICRA YET? 58 NEW GEAR 32 Aspiring to be a leader in its class The latest products and gadgets DESIGN MEETS FUNCTIONALITY 34 Audi A5 Sportback blends performance, style and practicality
61 PORSCHE 911 GT2 RS Most powerful 911 of all time SIMPLY PERFECT 62 We drive the new Mazda MX-5 RF
www.motorsireland.ie for further information
Autumn 2017 Motors Ireland
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NEWS
NEWS June Registrations Down 14%
O
fficial statistics released by the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) show that new car registrations for the month of June, were down -14% (1,397) when compared to (1,623) June 2016, while new cars registrations year to date are down -10% (91,189) on the same period last year (101,327). The Commercial vehicle sector has also seen a decrease with Light Commercial Vehicles (LCV) registrations down -21% (687) on June 2016 (866) and year to date are down -14% (15,784). While Heavy Commercial Vehicles (HGV) are showing a decline of -18% for the month of June (88) compared to the same month last year (108) and are down -11% (1,590) year to date. Commenting on the figures SIMI Director General, Alan Nolan said: “As we had anticipated, the first half of the year has seen a decline in registrations in all sectors. As the Industry’s now turns it focus to the 172 registration period which commenced on the 1st of July, we would anticipate that sales in the second half of the year should keep us on track to reach the 132,000 total that was predicted at the start of the year.”
New Mercedes-Benz Cabriolet
T
he introduction of the new E-Class Cabriolet – which will arrive on to the Irish market in September – has seen Mercedes-Benz carry out the complete renewal of their entire E-Class model range, all within the space of only one year. Emphasising the company’s determination to establish a strong foothold in virtually every model segment, this fifth and youngest member of the E-Class family sees Mercedes-Benz bring open-top motoring and latest technology to their all-important, mid-range executive market segment. Said by Mercedes-Benz sales manager in Ireland, Ciaran Allen to be an ‘object of desire’ for all who enjoy open-top motoring, the new Cabriolet adds what he terms ‘that extra element of fun and enjoyment’ to a range that is the backbone of Mercedes-Benz sales, in Ireland and worldwide. At the market launch, a choice of powerful and efficient petrol and diesel engines will power the new Cabriolet, with further engines to be added to the line-up in due course. Models likely to attract most attention here will be a 1991cc, 4-cylinder, 184hp E200 petrol and a 1950cc, 194hp, 4-cylinder E220d diesel, all Euro 6 emissions compliant and all with 9G-TRONIC ninespeed automatic transmission. For the first time, a 4MATIC all-wheel
drive version will also be available. Though prices have yet to be determined, and will be announced closer to arrival, it is predicted they will be ‘only moderately above’ current figures.
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Volvo Cars To Go All Electric
V
olvo Cars, the premium car maker, has announced that every Volvo it launches from 2019 will have an electric motor, marking the historic end of cars that only have an internal combustion engine (ICE) and placing electrification at the core of its future business. The announcement represents one of the most significant moves by any car maker to embrace electrification and highlights how over a century after the invention of the internal combustion engine electrification is paving the way for a new chapter in automotive history. “This is about the customer,” said Håkan Samuelsson, president and chief executive. “People increasingly demand electrified cars and we want to respond to our customers’ current and future needs. You can now pick and choose whichever electrified Volvo you wish.” Volvo Cars will introduce a portfolio of electrified cars across its model range, embracing fully electric cars, plug in hybrid cars and mild hybrid cars. It will launch five fully electric cars between 2019 and 2021, three of which will be Volvo models and two of which will be high performance electrified cars from Polestar, Volvo Cars’ performance car arm. Full details of these models will be announced at a later date.
These five cars will be supplemented by a range of petrol and diesel plug in hybrid and mild hybrid 48 volt options on all models, representing one of the broadest electrified car offerings of any car maker. This means that there will in future be no Volvo cars without an electric motor, as pure ICE cars are gradually phased out and replaced by ICE cars that are enhanced with electrified options. “This announcement marks the end of the solely combustion enginepowered car,” said Mr Samuelsson. “Volvo Cars has stated that it plans to have sold a total of 1m electrified cars by 2025. When we said it we meant it. This is how we are going to do it.” The announcement underlines Volvo Cars’ commitment to minimising its environmental impact and making the cities of the future cleaner. Volvo Cars is focused on reducing the carbon emissions of both its products as well as its operations. It aims to have climate neutral manufacturing operations by 2025. The decision also follows this month’s announcement that Volvo Cars will turn Polestar into a new separately-branded electrified global high performance car company. Thomas Ingenlath, Senior Vice President Design at Volvo Cars, will lead Polestar as Chief Executive Officer.
Autumn 2017 Motors Ireland
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BENTLEY BENTAYGA V8
POWER...
& BEAUTY
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Words: Anthony Kelly Pics: Bartosz Murzicz
S
o, what’s it like to drive the world’s fastest, most luxurious and most powerful diesel SUV. Rather satisfying actually. The only downside is when you hand it back but let’s not dwell on that. I took delivery of this Bentayga on a fine Summers day after weeks of planning. After various back and forths with organisation and logistics it would be a pick up from Dublin port in the end. I got my first glimpse of the Bentayga as the transportation truck slowly started to reveal its hidden cargo and begin the process of carefully offloading this single Bentayga V8 diesel for an epic week of luxury motoring. The new Bentayga diesel is the first diesel in the marque’s history. There will be Bentley purists who scoff at the idea of a Bentley SUV and then roll their eyes at the thought of it being filled with diesel but the marque has delivered a groundbreaking SUV by any measure. The new V8 diesel engine offers the kind of power never before seen in a car of this class with the highest output of any diesel SUV at 429hp. One of the Bentayga diesel’s most striking features is the new ‘triple-charging’. It consists of two mechanical, twin-scroll turbochargers uniquely boosted by a 48V electrical system. While not technically a turbocharger, the third unit helps eliminate turbo lag for impressive responsiveness and speed, on or off-road. The surge from the 4.0 litre, 8-cylinder, 32-valve diesel engine is effortless and is done so with elegance. With a top speed of 270 km/h and 0 to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds this Bentayga can move but it’s done quietly and refined unless you really push the engine. You’d never really know you were driving a diesel, it’s that quiet. This is due to extensive attention to detail with sound-deadening in the engine bay along with an acoustically engineered exhaust system set-up and other technology to quieten the diesel engine. Driving along the quays in Dublin city centre in rush hour traffic after collection and there is no better place to be than in the Bentayga. The engine is calm and quiet and there is little indication that 900Nm is on tap at 1,000rpm and with CO2 output at 210g/km it’s the lowest output ever from any Bentley and most economical too which is better for the environment. While you’d be right in thinking that surely if you can buy a £135,000 (€152,000) SUV then you can afford to fill it up so what’s the point in a diesel offering. However, stopping multiple times on a journey is not exactly anyone’s idea of fun when it’s the middle of Winter and you really just want to arrive at your destination and this diesel option makes long journey driving a more pleasurable and realistic experience. The Bentayga Diesel’s extended range of over 1000km is made possible courtesy of its highly efficient engine, an 85-litre tank and a host of other technical refinements. The engine also delivers a combined fuel consumption of only 35.3 mpg. Don’t be fooled by the price above however, as once the optional extras are added that price rises sharply and our Bentley had almost £70,000 (€78,643) of options bringing the price to an eye watering £205,380 (€232,135). At nearly 2.5 tonne its very impressive how it handles. Our vehicle came with huge 21in black painted and diamond turned alloy wheels but even larger sizes are available. When we finally managed to find a gap in the heavy traffic the Bentayga glides over the road surface and handles
“The new V8 diesel engine offers the kind of power never before seen in a car of this class.” Summer 2017 Motors Ireland
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10 bumps, potholes and road imperfections effortlessly. Highly suitable for transporting VIP guests or as a family SUV if you can afford the price tag. Road noise is faint at best and a sense of being wrapped in comfort and luxury is what you feel as you progress on your journey cocooned in luxury. Switch it in Sport mode and you can feel the right peddle is more responsive and the Bentayga responds well to be driven quickly. For a vehicle this size body lean is actually restrained and not as I had thought it might be like. On most days I stayed in Bentley Comfort mode as it gave overall best comfort and response for a daily drive. With an array of off-road control buttons make no mistake that this is built for off-road capability or as much off-road as
a Bentley owner would likely see. The AWD system makes the Bentayga a sure-footed, exceptionally safe companion in winter weather. It’s hard not be impressed with the interior of the Bentayga. While stuck in traffic it gave me time to take it all in. The attention to detail is just extraordinary. The workmanship of the wood, leather and metal sets it above all others. As with all Bentleys, the Bentayga Diesel can be handed over to the highly skilled craftspeople at Mulliner, Bentley’s bespoke coachbuilding department, who will respond to individual customer requirements. The new liquid Amber Veneer which is an amazing vibrant colour blends with the stitched leather of the optional extra Mulliner Driving Specifiation (€13,274)
which brings the Mulliner aesthetic to the interior of the Bentayga range. This includes finishing touches such as diamond-quilted seats, drilled sports pedals, embroidered Bentley emblems and a full choice of hide, carpet and interior colour combinations as well as the hand stitched steering wheel. The leather used in the interiors comes from Arzignano, east of Milan, in northern Italy. Cows in northern Europe are preferred due to fewer insect bites, which means fewer blemishes on the leather. The leather is beaten to make it thinner, from 1.4mm to one tenth of a millimetre. One hide is about 50 square feet and the Bentayga SUV requires about 15. Yes, I wasn’t lying about that aforementioned attention to detail.
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“The workmanship of the wood, leather and metal sets it above all others.”
We decided to do our photoshoot towards the end of my week with the Bentayga at Palmerstown House in Co Kildare. A fitting location for such a fine vehicle we thought. The beautiful lines of the Bentley complimented by the fairways in the background and the
beautifully restored Palmerstown House. My time with the Bentayga is up and what a vehicle it is. I’ll give the final words to Bentleys chairman and chief executive Wolfgang Dürheimer who said “The Bentayga Diesel represents a moment of immense significance in Bentley’s
history, by giving the world its fastest luxury diesel SUV. Immense power, grand touring capabilities and superb refinement – this is a true Bentley. Only Bentley could produce a car so powerful, yet so refined.”
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THE SPECS Model
Bentley Bentayga V8
Engine Size
4.0-litre eight-cylinder twin
turbo with 48V electric system
Fuel Type
Diesel
Power
429hp
Torque
900Nm
Acceleration (0-100km/h)
4.6 seconds
Top Speed
270 km/h
Consumption
8.0/100km or 35.3 mpg
CO2 Emissions
210g/km
Road Tax
€1,200
Base Price
£135,800 (€153,497)
Our Test Model
£205,380 (€232,135)
Autumn Autumn2017 2017Motors MotorsIreland Ireland
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Charles Hurst Specialist Cars are the official dealer of New and Pre-Owned Aston Martin, Bentley, Maserati and Ferrari models in Ireland.
Join us for a demonstration where you can experience some of the most luxurious vehicles in the world. Please contact our concierge service who can arrange your travel to the showroom.
We offer a complimentary collection and delivery service throughout Ireland for all Aftersales Care. Our staff are trained to the highest Manufacturer standards, which means you are assured of the most efficient servicing, maintenance, parts replacement and accident repairs possible.
Visit our showroom at Charles Hurst Specialist Cars, 62 Boucher Road, Belfast, BT12 6LR www.charleshurst.com 0844 659 9434 Autumn 2017 Motors Ireland
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BMW 530D
HIGHLY CAPABLE
NEW 5-SERIES First and foremost this car comes with heritage.
Autumn Autumn2017 2017Motors MotorsIreland Ireland
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Words: Anthony Kelly Pics: BMW Ireland
T
his is the 7th generation 5 series and since its inception in 1972, has sold over 7.6 million examples. So, to say that BMW has been a leader in the executive car segment is an understatement. This new model is the G30 and the German car maker has thrown everything into it to establish itself against rivals who were slowly starting to overtake it and make the F10 look a little dated. Both Mercedes, Audi and Volvo with its new S90 were all gaining ground. Has this new model delivered is what you’re wondering. Well in short, BMW has seriously upped its game and has delivered an excellent car to attract new owners and also to encourage past and present owners to consider an upgrade. The 5 series in Ireland
and globally is a hugely popular car so make no mistake this is always a make or break situation when BMW launches a new 5 series and this vehicle launch is very important to BMW Ireland. My first glimpse of the car was actually at Mondello in Co Kildare where BMW had organised a media day which was a great experience and credit to all involved. It gave me an opportunity to learn more about the new 5 series and the many changes that had taken place between this model and the outgoing F10 model. With experts on hand to explain the top-notch technology that this car is packed with, an opportunity to drive the car around the track and experience some semi-autonomous driving, I was soon looking forward to get to grips with the car
for an extended period to experience living with the car on a day to day basis which I did soon after. So, externally the first thing to note is the new 5 series has increased in exterior dimensions with it being 6mm wider and 36mm longer than the model it replaces. They managed to offload up to 100 kg of the cars weight, increase performance and reduce fuel consumption. This weight is saved in a variety of ways such as all four doors having an aluminium shell construction with a weight of approximately 6kg each. Add to this the bonnet, the roof, engine cross-member and rear side-members all from aluminium and you can see how this new model has shed the extra weight. The basic platform of the new 5 series is shared with the bigger 7 series
“My first glimpse of the car was actually at Mondello in Co Kildare.”
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16 minus the pricey carbon fibre core. The 520d is most likely going to be the top seller but I’m driving the 530d M Sport xDrive in this review to experience how this all-wheel drive version performs. The xDrive all-wheel drive system gives immense grip and helps propel you from 0-100km/h in 5.4 seconds. The all-wheel drive is electronically controlled and moves power around extremely effectively between front and rear wheels. This 3.0-litre straight-six puts out 261hp with 620Nm of torque and an average of 56.5 mpg and 132g/ km. With a large diesel engine you would be forgiven for thinking you will be listening to an engine noise rumbling through the cabin or perhaps at a minimum outside of the car but to cut down on exterior disturbances, the 5 Series uses what BMW calls SYNTAK, or Synergy Thermoacoustic Capsule. Comprised of lightweight soundproofing materials encapsulating the engine and transmission
together with a series of sound reducing steps, SYNTAK is said to deliver better soundproofing without adding too much weight. As an added bonus, SYNTAK is said to improve the powertrain’s heat retention, which in turn improves fuel efficiency. I can tell you it certainly works with little noise coming from the engine both inside or outside the vehicle. The eight-speed auto box is superb. It finds the right gear and you cover motorway miles effortlessly. Plant the right foot and the gear is selected and you’re away with little fuss and if in the mood for some fun you have steering wheel paddles that we put to some use when on track at Mondello to deliver quick shifts. One thing that I feel was a major benefit from the day with BMW in Mondello was seeing how the 530d responded to being driven somewhat aggressively on a track. The 5 series is a big car but after one lap you have completely forgotten you’re in a large
executive car. Accurate electrically assisted steering and good grip thanks to xDrive along with plenty of power and you are entering and exiting corners quicker each lap and could be forgiven for thinking you are in something much smaller as you zone in on your next approaching turn. With the G30 5 series BMW have added some nice external touches for both functionality and aesthetic design. Larger LED headlights with adaptive cornering lamps as standard sit directly beside the larger kidney grille with the body having subtle but beautiful curves. BMW design chief Adrian van Hooydonk and his team created an additional pleat between the beltline and the crease that slashes through the door handles. This character line will reside exclusively on the 5-series. Several aerodynamic upgrades that help reduce drag and provide the 5-Series with potentially the best aerodynamic values in the segment
THE SPECS Engine Size
BMW 530D xDrive
M Sport
Fuel Type
3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo diesel
Fuel Type
Diesel
Power
265hp
Torque
620Nm
Acceleration (0-100km/h)
5.4 seconds
Top Speed
250 km/h
Consumption
5.0/100km or 56.5 mpg
CO2 Emissions 132g/km Road Tax
€280 per year (B2)
Base Price
€65,710 (€52,800 for 520d)
Our Test Model
€90,737
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“The 520d is most likely going to be the top seller.�
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include an air curtain on the outside of the front, air breathers in front of both front doors and a sharp line along the side of the rear bumper that creates a cleaner airflow away from the vehicle. With regard to the aforementioned air breathers BMW Group Design chief Adrian van Hooydonk previously stated that he is “a particular fan of the Air Breather – a chrome-framed aperture positioned at the rear of the front wheel”, when commenting on the bigger 7 series last year, mostly because it’s “not merely decorative but performs a function.” Those Air Breathers will also perform their function on the new 5-Series. Our M Sport model came with deeper front and rear bumpers, side skirts and large 20 inch BMW individual alloys. Our test model also had a host of optional extras such as Driving Assistant Plus, Headsup Display and Variable Damper Control (VDC) to name just a few. Space in the front for driver and passenger is fine and anyone tall won’t have problems. Rear seat leg room is roughly the same as equivalent segment competitors. The cabin is finished to a high standard with good materials, trim finishes and leather options giving an ambient and upmarket feel. The main infotainment display is no longer framed but instead stands tall on the dashboard. It has increased to 10.25 inch in size and is crisp and clear. The new home screen shows several widgets that allow you to quickly navigate main topics and they are
interactive so you get a great deal of info directly at the home screen without having to directly search which is handy when on the move. The analogue speedometer and rev counter are replaced by a digital display and the heads-up display provides additional information along with navigation instructions. The layout of controls are all user friendly and the rotary controller to access all functions is the same as before. Our model came with gesture control tech which was first seen on the 7 series. You simply wave your finger and hands in front of the screen and you can access menus, adjust volumes, take phone calls and plenty more. Our model also came with optional extras such as enhanced Bluetooth with wireless charging. Another tech addition is its autonomous driver assistance systems using cameras and sensors. BMW has a host of features on the new 5 Series. Active Cruise Control has been extended to all speeds between rest and 210km/h. Complementing its Active Cruise Control is the optional Speed Limit Assist, which takes current speed limit information and restrictions along the chosen route segment on the satellite navigation. The 5-series optional Driving Assistant Plus’ Lane Keeping Assistant automatically applies corrective steering in case of danger by way of another vehicle or veering off the road. Lane change assist will allow lane changing if you activate it using the indicator.
Conclusion I wrote not too long ago that the Volvo S90 was a phenomenal car in the executive car segment. It still is and I expect it will evolve to be even better but the new 5 series is a wakeup call to all competitors. BMW means business. Its technology is astounding and engine performance and pure driving pleasure hard to beat. Top notch materials on the interior make it a very comfortable place to be. I think competitors will be tripping over themselves to get a closer look at this new 5 series as the benchmark has been set high with this new offering from the German car maker. We loved the 530d for so many reasons but take a test drive of the 520d as it’s more economical and should be more than enough power unless you really crave the extra ferocity of the larger engine. A worthy mention is the 530e iperformance which we are waiting to review so we hope to get a full review in our next issue. If economy is your number one concern then this new model could be what you’ve been waiting for.
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14194_R
Renault KADJAR Crossover by Renault
From €249 per month Book a test drive at renault.ie Model shown: Renault KADJAR Signature Nav dCi 110, RRP €30,990. Price excludes metallic paint, delivery and dealer-related charges. Maximum recommended dealer delivery charge €750. 5-year/200,000km manufacturer’s warranty as standard. Finance example KADJAR Expression TCe 130. RRP €25,190. Deposit €8,416. Term 36 monthly payments of €229. APR 4.9%. Total cost of credit €1,999 inc doc & completion fee €75 each. Optional final payment €10,378. Excess mileage plus excess wear and tear charges may apply upon return of Vehicle. Offer is made under a hire purchase agreement. Subject to lending criteria. Terms and conditions apply. See renault.ie Autumn 2017 Motors Ireland [Warning: You will not own these goods until the final payment is made]. Renault Bank is a trading name of RCI Banque Branch Ireland and is authorised and regulated by the French banking authority and supervised by the Central Bank for conduct of business purposes.
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20 RENAULT ZOE Z.E 40
NEW RENAULT
ZOE Z.E. 40
We were invited by Renault to experience the new Renault Zoe Z.E. 40 recently and were eager to find out about this new Zoe.
I
t looked similar from what I could see to the outgoing model so I was intrigued to find out more information. The day was to consist of meeting at the Radisson Blu St Helens on the Stillorgan Road and then we were told we would be taking a journey in the new Zoe Z.E 40 to the beautiful idyllic setting of Burtown House and Gardens in Athy, Co Kildare. The weather was beautiful so this made for an easy and enjoyable journey. The car is easy on the eye and comes in three new colours for 2017 - Mars Red, Titanium Grey and Ytrium Yellow (available on the Signature Nav only) complementing the Zircon Blue metallic added in 2016. The Renault logo and badging switches from blue to chrome to accommodate this new colour selection. The top spec Signature Nav offers nicer upholstery, a parking camera and a top quality BOSE stereo system. The good news for 2017 buyers is you now fully own the car. A daft statement you might think but previously when you purchased the Zoe you owned the car but leased the battery so never really fully owned it. That’s all changed though and is welcome news for buyers. So, what’s it like and what is all the fuss about. Well, for our journey to Burtown House there was a set journey ready in the Sat Nav to both experience the car and see some beautiful scenery on the way. First off the car is quiet, really quiet! You literally only hear wind noise and the power is instantly delivered so it feels responsive aswell when you take off at the lights. It doesn’t possess outright power so eventually your speed will be a steady constant rather than a surge. With the battery weight it has a low centre of gravity and this helps both cornering and grip. The Zoe Z.E. 40 is trying to solve the so called ‘range anxiety’ many buyers feel about owning an electric car. Fitted with the new Z.E. 40 battery,
Zoe now offers double the NEDC driving range compared with when it was first released – 400km. That’s equivalent to a real-world range of 300km in urban or suburban areas. Users no longer need to worry about charging their car as often and can put it to a wider variety of uses. Now that figure will reduce if doing excessive motorway journeys and you can expect the Summer range to be better than the Winter range due to heaters being used and consuming more battery in the Winter months. You could realistically expect the range to drop to between 200km – 250km during a really cold Winter. This extra consumption in Winter periods is the norm across all electric vehicles. The updated Zoe will have three trim levels familiar to owners of other Renault vehicles – Expression Nav, Dynamique Nav and the new topof-the-range Signature Nav. Zoe Expression Nav provides buyers with a comprehensive specification with a 7-inch touchscreen housing Renault’s easy-to-use R-Link2 infotainment system with TomTom® satellite navigation; climate control, electric windows and electric heated mirrors, cruise control, speed limiter, keycard, Bluetooth connectivity and ample storage throughout the cabin. Renault’s Range OptimiZer technology ensures Zoe is highly efficient with its heat pump, a bi-modal braking system and Michelin Energy E-V tyres. Zoe’s Chameleon Charger™ ensures that ZOE adapts and always charges from a source at the highest rate possible, thus lowering charge times. Renault’s Z.E. Connect app¬ allows drivers to remotely monitor battery levels and charging status via their smartphone or computer. The Zoe Expression is available with the R90 22kW battery enabling a range of 240km (NEDC) and a charging time of 3 to 4 hours (0 to 80 per cent full). The Zoe Dynamique Nav receives the new Z.E.40 battery with 400km
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Words: Anthony Kelly Pics: Renault Ireland
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“The Zoe Dynamique Nav receives the new Z.E.40 battery with 400km (NEDC) range.”
(NEDC) range. It adds to the Expression specification with a hands free keycard, automatic lights and wipers, rear parking sensors, rear electric windows and electrically operated, heated and folding door mirrors, 16-inch ‘Black Shadow’ alloy wheels and a leather steering wheel and gear lever. In addition to the Z.E. Connect app, the Dynamique Nav benefits from a one-year subscription to the Z.E. Interactive app. Via a smartphone or computer this allows you to remotely charge your Zoe and schedule charges, as well as cabin temperature pre-conditioning, in order to maximise convenience and take advantage of available off-peak electricity rates. Zoe keeps occupant’s safe with a five-star Euro NCAP rating and standard safety features such as ESC with traction and understeer control, Hill Start Assist and front and side driver and passenger airbags. What it doesn’t have are some of the latest active safety systems, such as one that will automatically apply the brakes if it senses an impact is imminent with the vehicle in front. With this now being available on most small cars it’s something that needs addressing fast. As we had the car for a short period of time, I’m not going to give a final conclusion as it is tough to do so. What I can say is whether you love them or hate them electric cars are part of the motoring future. The Zoe has a good package and addresses concerns of range with this new offering. That will certainly make potential buyers stop and take notice. Nav model costs €23,490 including grants. Dynamique Nav with the Z.E. 40 400km battery costs €27,490, while Signature Nav costs €29,990. All prices include the battery! Autumn 2017 Motors Ireland
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22 Honda Civic
DARE TO BE...
Different
This new tenth generation Civic is possibly the most important car Honda has produced in recent memory.
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Words: Anthony Kelly Pics: Bartosz Murzicz
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he last two generations weren’t the high standard one expects from Honda with unresponsive steering and basic suspension setup. Add to that engines that weren’t exactly brilliant and you have a car in one of the toughest segments with a mediocre offering that just couldn’t cut it against the competition. However, this new Civic is very different. There is some engineering brilliance with this new chassis and Honda has done a huge amount of work on every area of this new Civic. It’s clear that they knew upgrading the Civic was never going to be a solution. Honda ploughed in some serious investment into this 10th generation Civic with almost 35 per cent of research and development budget being spent on the new Civic. So, there is a lot riding on this new car.
“The creation of this tenth-generation Civic represents one of the most comprehensive and ambitious new model developments ever undertaken by Honda,” said Mitsuru Kariya, Chief Engineer and Global Project Leader. “As well as an unprecedented commitment of R&D resources, the process involved sales and manufacturing operations around the world, from North America and Japan, to Europe, South America and Asia. This car, the sportiest Civic ever, sets new benchmarks for the compact class in terms of dynamic performance, fuel efficiency, spaciousness, safety and interior quality.” So, the good news is that Honda has splurged some serious investment into its longest running model and that’s to the benefit of new purchasers. The Civic was first launched in 1972 and instead of each region having different variations as has been the
case in the past, this new model is a ‘global’ Civic. Last year alone an incredible 620,000 Civics rolled off the Honda production lines. With total production of 4.7 million it makes that figure even more impressive so this added focus and stream lined operation will hopefully lead to even higher Civic production throughout 2017 and beyond. The all-new Civic has been engineered from the ground up with a lightweight and highly rigid bodyshell. The new platform’s design, the selection of materials, the engineering process, and novel manufacturing techniques have been key to creating a lighter, significantly more rigid structure. It is 16 kg lighter than that of the previous generation Civic, while exhibiting 52 percent greater torsional stiffness. A further eight kilos have been shaved from the suspension, while that fastback shape
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“The all-new Civic has been engineered from the ground up.”
blesses it with a lower drag coefficient than its predecessors. The car is powered by a 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with 127hp or alternatively the 1.5-litre turbo option that we are driving and you have an option of a manual or an automatic gearbox. A 1.6-litre diesel option will be available in 2018. The 1.5-litre test model with 182hp we had was very willing and delivered plenty of eagerness throughout the rev range and I noticed no lag in its delivery. It offers a real punch of delivery of power from idle to redline. If you take a look at the power figures it’s almost as potent as the original EK9 Civic Type-R of 1997. The 1.5-litre engine needs very little encouragement to make it move and this new chassis could be one of the most engaging in its segment. At speed the Civic is composed and bumps and potholes didn’t upset it when on demanding back roads. The same goes for comfort on motorways. Whether driving it hard or relaxed it’s a very easy car to drive. While its truly brilliant for a car in this segment it’s not perfect. Steering is well weighted and feels direct but feedback from what’s happening at the front tyres back to driver could be better. But overall it really is a testament to
the investment Honda has made into this new Civic. On the inside things are just as well built as they are on the outside. The main instrument dials are displayed on a large digital screen ahead of the driver and present information clearly. The dash is presented smartly with an array of quality materials used. In the centre console there is a seven-inch Honda Connect colour touchscreen. It’s both simple and easy to use and offers enhanced intuitive operation and full smartphone integration via both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Drivers can get directions, make calls, send and receive messages, and listen to music from the touchscreen or by voice using Apple’s Siri commands for example. Android Auto is compatible with Android 5.0 and higher. The front is roomy and legroom is good for those in the rear also but headroom is tight for taller passengers. It’s a tight squeeze to get three across the back seats but the same is true for the competition in this segment. Driving position is good ergonomically and the steering wheel is sized just right. As this new Civic is longer and wider it’s now more practical too with good storage compartments and a
478 litre boot space that is very large for this class of car. Chief Engineer and Global Project Leader Mitsuru Kariya sums up the interior more eloquently perhaps than I can muster. “The charismatic exterior design continues inside,” explains Mitsuru Kariya, Chief Engineer and Global Project Leader. “It is a modern cabin in which advanced technologies and high-quality materials naturally work together to create an enhanced level of space and comfort. Meanwhile the overriding sense of well-being is achieved through exceptional visibility, as well as an unmistakable feeling of safety and security. This is at the heart of our achievement in redefining the compact car the Honda way.” On the topic of safety and security the new Civic comes with Honda’s Sensing suite of safety equipment. This includes Collision Mitigation Braking, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Keep Assist, Lane and Road Departure Warning, Intelligent Speed Limiter, Adaptive Cruise Control, Traffic Sign Recognition, blind spot alert and rear cross traffic alert. These are normally cost options so Honda has really put its customers safety first with such an array of safety equipment as standard.
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Technology doesn’t just help us see things differently. Honda SENSING technology experiences the world on your behalf, anticipating trouble ahead and keeping you safe. And it comes as standard with the all new, tenth generation Honda Civic.
FROM €249 PER MONTH * .
Collision Mitigation Braking System Lane Departure Warning Lane Keeping Assist System Adaptive Cruise Control Traffic Sign Recognition
Intelligent Speed Limiting Intelligent-Adaptive Cruise Control Road Departure Mitigation Low Speed Follow (on CVT only)
honda.ie Finance Example: Honda Civic 1.0 Smart Retail Price† €24,350. Customer Deposit / Trade In €8,464. Finance Amount €15,886. 36 monthly payments of €249. Total Cost of Credit €2223.77 which includes a documentation fee of €63.49. GMFV†† (Optional Final Payment) €9,083. Fixed Annual Percentage Rate (APR) 5.9% as at 25/05/2017. Min deposit 10%. † Includes delivery & related charges. Model is shown for illustrative purposes only. ††The Guaranteed Minimum Future Value (GMFV) is payable if you renew or retain the vehicle at the end of the agreement. Further charges may be applied by your Honda Dealer subject to kilometre limits/condition of the vehicle. *Lending criteria and conditions apply (>18s only). Rate quoted is correct as at 25/05/2017 and is subject to change. Offer available on all new Civic models ordered before 31/07/2017 and registered before close of business on 31/07/2017 **at participating dealers. This is a Consumer Hire Purchase agreement provided by Bank of Ireland Bank of Ireland Finance. Autumn 2017t/a Motors Ireland Ownership remains with Bank of Ireland until the optional final payment is made.
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26 Conclusion While I didn’t talk too much about the exterior styling I happen to like it quite a lot. It has received mixed responses in the motoring media with some liking it and others not but it really is an individual thing. What isn’t as divisive is the fact that Honda has built a car that drives well and is comfortable. It offers excellent space for drivers, passengers and plenty of boot space. It has all the latest connectivity toys you will need and has a good functional and well-built interior. Not to forget the abundance of safety tech. Honda is back in top form with this new Civic. Our recommendation is to seriously consider the 1.0-litre option but if you must have the extra horse power then the 1.5-litre we drove won’t disappointment. For those not satisfied with the 1.5-litres there is always the Type R version which we hope to bring you a review of in the not too distant future.
THE SPECS Model
Honda Civic 1.5 VTEC Turbo
Engine Size
1.5-litre four-cylinder
Fuel Type
Petrol
Power 182hp Torque 240Nm Acceleration (0-100km/h) 8.2 seconds Top Speed
220 km/h
Consumption
5.8/100km or 48.7 mpg
CO2 Emissions
133g/km
Road Tax
€280 per year (B2)
Base Price
€28,550
Our Test Model
€32,550
“Honda ploughed in some serious investment into this 10th generation Civic.”
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28 NATHAN CARTER
NATHAN IS
LIVIN’ THE DREAM
We chat to Nathan Carter about his love of cars, music and what he’s currently up to
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athan Carter is the name that belongs to one of the most popular stars in the country music scene both here in Ireland and abroad. The popular 27-year-old Liverpudlian star whose parents hail from Newry in County Down made Ireland his home 10 years ago when he got on the boat from Liverpool and set up home in Enniskillen. At the tender age of four, he began to learn to play the accordion and in a few years he had become the head chorister in the Liverpool boys Choir touring the world and even sang for the Pope in Rome. With trips to Ireland to compete in Fleadh Ceoil`s became a regular feature of young Nathan`s life during his early teens, resulting in All Ireland medals for solo singing and in accordion, all at just 12 years of age. Nathan soon became a member of the Liverpool Ceili band, playing piano and accordion, and in no time at all he had began playing solo gigs around Liverpool and London and playing occasional shows in Ireland. On a trip to Donegal in April 2009, where Nathan was appearing at a concert in Buncrana, he met with songwriter John Farry (who went on to become Nathan’s manager) who was hugely impressed with
Nathan`s performance, and in a few short months Nathan`s dream of performing with his own band became a reality. Over the last few years, the star has released songs including ‘Wagon Wheel,’ which he credits with catapulting him into the limelight as well as ‘Temple Bar,’ ‘Wanna Dance,’ ‘Liverpool,’ ‘Good Time Girls,’ ‘Two Doors Down,’ ‘Games People Play,’ and many more. Whilst Nathan’s first love is most definitely music and performing, the other love in his life is cars. Having released his current album ‘Livin’ the Dream,’ which went straight into the Irish music charts at number one just one week after its release, Mr Carter took time out of his busy schedule to talk to Motors Ireland about his love of cars, his career, his younger brother Jake following him into the world of music and his plans for the future. “From the time I was a young kid I’ve always had an interest in cars and bikes. I used to have Scalextric cars and little model cars, I would still have them in my Mum and Dad’s loft in Liverpool. I think I had about 300 of them in total,’’ said Nathan Carter. “I was mainly interested in 911 Porsche’s, I would have collected them all.
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Words: Emer Kelly Pics: John Farry & RTÉ Press Office
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“From the time I was a young kid I’ve always had an interest in cars and bikes.”
“When I learnt how to drive I started off in a Ford KA and then my first vehicle was a van that I used for gigging. It was a white Renault Kango and it was 12 years old at the time and I remember paying 1,000 pounds for it,’’ recalled a laughing Mr Carter. “After that I got another van which was a transit van and after that I moved to Ireland and I started buying cars then. I remember feeling great after buying my first car because I always wanted to buy a car. I recently bought an Aston Martin DB9, I’ve been lucky enough that I’ve been able to purchase a couple of cars that I always wanted over the last couple of years as I saved up for them. “I always wanted a Porsche so I bought a Porsche Carrera 911 two years ago and I kept it for a while before trading it in. I also have a Mercedes GL jeep, it’s got seven seats and it fits a couple of the lads in the band comfortably as well as some of the gear,’’ he enthused. “I look at cars most days to see if there are any bargains or to see what is going second hand. Looking at cars becomes a bit of a hobby after a while. Some people see a car as just a form of getting from a to b but I don’t really see it like that. Looking for cars becomes a hobby and when you get the cars it becomes a big interest. “I find driving a bit of a release sometimes because you get out on the open road and it takes your mind off everything. It is definitely a form of escapism. At the minute my dream car would be the Bugatti Veyron, they are crazy money to buy new, they are one million pounds. I might be able to afford Autumn 2017 Motors Ireland
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30 one in 10 years time when they are second hand and dropping to pieces,’’ imparted a laughing Nathan. The down to earth blue-eyed star has recently finished recording the second series of his show ‘The Nathan Carter Show,’ which will air on RTÉ One later this year. The show is set to feature guest appearances from singers including Shane Filan, Martine McCutcheon, Aston Merrygold and Stella Parton. Mr Carter is also busy primarily touring around Ireland at the moment as well as promoting his new album which features songs including ‘Livin’ the Dream,’ the current single ‘Caribbean Feeling,’ ‘Jealous of the Angels,’ ‘Summer in Dublin,’ and ‘Summer’s Here.’ “I wrote a few tracks on the album with Don Mescall and there six brand new songs and the rest are songs that I’ve come across over the last few years. Hopefully people will like the new album,’’ he added. With a forthcoming debut tour of America coming up in September, what moments would Nathan count as highlights from recent times? “Playing the SSE Arena in Belfast and the 3Arena in Dublin have been the biggest moments for me so far. To perform in front of that many people and to think that that many people wanted to come and see me is pretty incredible and I never dreamt that it would get
that far so that has definitely been the highlight of my career so far and who knows maybe I will get to perform there again next year,’’ said a reflective Nathan. It’s clear that music is in the Carter blood as earlier this year Nathan’s younger brother Jake launched his music career. Jake has also recently made the move to Ireland and he is currently living with his beloved brother. “Jake is doing great! He is starting a band and he is doing a tour later on in the year. He has been gigging for a couple of years so it is great to see him up and at it. I am delighted to see him progressing, I’m trying to help him in any way I can but he is trying to do his own thing. He is very confident in what he is doing and I think he will do great,’’ added Nathan. As to the next few months? “I’m going to be performing at the Rose of Tralee Festival in August as well as other festivals and gigs around the country,’’ concluded Nathan Carter. For more information on Nathan and his upcoming shows visit www. nathancartermusic.com
“I remember feeling great after buying my first car.”
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peugeot.ie
NEW PEUGEOT
3008 SUV
CAR OF THE YEAR
Combined consumption (l/100 km): from 4.0 to 6.0. CO2 emissions (g/km): from 103 to 136.
NEW PEUGEOT 3008 SUV Autumn 2017 Motors Ireland
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32 NEW GEAR
NEW GEAR HP Envy Curved All-in-one PC
W
hether you’re an Apple fanatic or not, it’s hard to argue with the fact that they make some seriously sexy hardware. But as the world waits for Apple to finally put a fresh spin on the iMac, HP has swooped in and crafted something equally gorgeous. The HP Envy Curved All-in-One comes with a show stopping Ultra Wide QuadHD display that offers close to 5 million pixels and a microedge. While that’s enough to delight your eyeballs, the PC also gets an audio boost from a smartly placed sound bar and Bang & Olufsen brawn. Add on things like an intuitive touch audio dial, 178° wide-viewing angles so everyone can watch Netflix, and multiple storage options and, well, maybe you don’t want to keep waiting on that iMac. Price range from €2,650 www.hp.com
Ceramic Pro Coatings
C
eramic Pro Coatings. It is the best solution for all kind of surfaces in the Automotive and Marine Industry. Once the coating is applied you will see a mirror effect, glossiness and colour depth, incomparable to anything else! Ceramic Pro, unlike wax, provides a permanent shine. The results are truly eye-catching. Ceramic Pro protects gelcoat, paint, rubbers and plastics against aging and fading colours. It’s a clear, non-yellowing, liquid nano-ceramic coating. When cured, this technology will transform itself on the surface to become a rigid, flexible super-slick glass shield, bonding to and protecting the substrate. Ceramic Pro is not chemically removable by high-detergents or acids. The slickness of the coated surface doesn’t allow dirt, break dust and tar to stick to paint, wheels or glass. This makes washing the surface less labour intensive and less frequent. Waxing is now obsolete. For more information: call us today: +353857671916 or visit www.ceramicpro.ie
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33
Light Bar
W
hen you’re working late night projects, wrenching away under the bonnet or behind the wheels, you need a way to light up your work area without having to worry about moisture, drops, or anything else that will draw your attention from the task at hand. Enter the Big Ass Light Bar. 5000 lumen at maximum output. 48 hours on battery power. Water-resistant design. Shock-absorbing components. Chemical-resistant materials. Design that prevents it from rolling away. Overmoulded in areas with Versaflex so you don’t have to worry about dropping it. Quite simply, this is the most badass, brightest, battery-powered LED work light ever created. Price range from €300 www.bigasslight.com
GoPro Karma Grip
O
ne of the greatest features of the GoPro Karma Drone was the fact that the stabilizing mount could be removed with your camera attached and be installed into the Karma Grip so you could capture stabilized videos on the ground too. And now the GoPro Karma Grip is finally available separately for those GoPro owners that aren’t interested in the full drone package. Attach your favourite GoPro to the Karma Grip and then run, jump, hike, bike or explore while capturing professional grade stabilised video with the Grip in your hand or attached to your gear. You can even charge the Grip and your GoPro at the same time and download your footage without ever having to unmount your camera. Price range from €600 www.gopro.com
Igloo Trailmate
T
here are plenty of things you need to go camping during the Summer (fire, tools, tent, marshmallows, etc.), but beer isn’t technically one of them. You still need a cooler though, so you might as well get one that’s also capable of taking care of your “need” for cold ones. Igloo’s new Trailmate Cooler has everything you need to get you through a weekend in the wilderness. Oversized, never-flat wheels designed for rough terrain. A butler tray with cupholders for serving and lounging. Tie-down loops for hauling chairs and towels. Bottle openers on both sides. Most importantly, it has a 70 quart capacity that will hold 112 beers and keep them cold for four days thanks to special insulation and a lid. Can you even imagine a camping trip without a beer run? We can’t, but we’re looking forward to it. Price range from €250 www.igloocoolers.com
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34 AUDI A5 SPORTBACK
DESIGN MEETS FUNCTIONALITY The Audi A5 Sportback blends performance, style and practicality seamlessly together
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aving good looks and practicality is not always possible but the Audi A5 Sportback is a car that has an abundance of them. It’s based on the Coupe with an extra pair of doors and a larger cabin and it works rather well indeed. There is no doubt the car is stylish which is not easy to do with a five-door hatchback style but Audi has pulled it off. If you want a luxury car with space and good carrying capacity but stylish looks too then Audi’s new A5 Sportback might be what you’re looking for. The Sportback body style was first introduced to the Audi range in the A7 back in 2010 and did well and so then inevitably trickled through to other models. The A5 Sportback is developed on Audi’s MLB platform and is dimensionally identical to its Coupe sibling up to the C-pillar. After the C-pillar things change but it thankfully remains elegant and the overall design provides great functionality. We are driving the 2.0-litre TDI with 190hp and it really is excellent. The seven speed S-Tronic gearbox just enhances the overall package. The engine is punchy and torquey but yet economical and efficient at the same time. The 2.0-litre TDI is the only engine offered with a manual gearbox as standard but I’d recommend the seven-speed auto as it just completes the driving experience and complements the fantastic engine. Throughout my time with the car it proved itself to be very competent. With virtually no noticeable body lean even when pushing it the A5 Sportback is well poised offering plenty
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“We are driving the 2.0-litre TDI with 190hp and it really is excellent.”
Words: Anthony Words: Kelly Anthony Pics: Ralph Kelly Pics: McKeown Paddy Photography McGrath Autumn 2017 Motors Ireland
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of grip and good handling. We covered mainly motorway miles and some shorter local trips. The drive on a motorway is just one of ease and refinement with very little road noise. When you do go on short trips if in the countryside as I am you notice it’s actually a fun car to drive. Irish buyers can choose from petrol (1.4 150hp & 2.0 litre 190hp & 252hp) and diesel power (2.0 litre 150hp & 190hp) from launch. Our choice is the 2.0-litre TDI as it has plenty of power combined with good fuel economy. The Sportback is 100mm longer and 15mm taller than the two door. The Sportback design we touched on earlier adds 17mm more cabin length, 11mm extra shoulder width and 24mm knee-room space. If you have travelled in a first generation A5 Sportback you will appreciate the extra space as you can now comfortably sit behind a tall adult
and if tall yourself you still shouldn’t feel cramped. Those over 6 feet tall might find long journeys difficult but for the vast majority sitting in the rear on short or long journeys will be fine. The stylish design does however make accessing the rear a little more awkward but it’s a price worth paying for the extra leg and shoulder room. The Sportback boot has a large 480-litre capacity and the wide boot opening makes it easy to load large items with ease. On the inside there is plenty of storage space including well sized door bins, cup holders and large glovebox. On the inside the Sportback is another example of the reason Audi is so well respected with regard to its high-quality interiors. The dashboard is beautiful and well laid out and the cabin feels well built with good quality materials throughout. The Sportback hits all the
“The A5 Sportback is developed on Audi’s MLB platform.”
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right notes for style and ergonomics and Audi’s MMI and virtual cockpit TFT-screen instrument cluster is highly futuristic. You can configure the dashboard to show exactly the information you want which keeps your eyes where they should be – on the road. Press a few buttons and next minute a sat-nav screen is right in front of your eyes for minimal distraction. The Sportback is full of technology but it’s remarkably easy to use.
Conclusion It’s not easy to have a stylish car that’s also practical but the Audi A5 Sportback does exactly that. The Sportback is a handsome car that offers the practicality of a saloon but the sleek style of a Coupe. That aforementioned style does come at a price though with the sloping roofline making it a little tough for passengers over the six foot range. The interior and infotainment is class leading while the engines are smooth and powerful and you will cover motorway miles with ease. I think our 2.0 TDI with 190hp is the one to go for!
THE SPECS Model
Audi A5 Sportback 2.0 TDI
Engine Size
2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel
Fuel Type
Diesel
Power
190hp
Transmission
7 Speed S-Tronic
Torque
400Nm
Acceleration (0-100km/h)
7.9 seconds
Top Speed
235km/h
Consumption
4.4/100km or 68.9 mpg
CO2 Emissions
114g/km
Road Tax
€190 per year (Band C- A3)
Base Price
€48,090
Our Test Model
€62,260
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38 The Happy Pear
THE HAPPY PEAR OPEN CAFÉ AND SHOP IN CLONDALKIN Renault Ireland Ambassadors David and Stephen Flynn otherwise known as The Happy Pear opened their café and shop in Clondalkin in early July.
The Happy Pear; David and Stephen Flynn
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otors Ireland were lucky enough to have the chance to attend a ‘soft opening,’ before the café opened to the public. The Happy Pear took time out of their busy schedule to chat to us about the new café and what else they will be getting up to over the next number of months. In case you didn’t know, The Flynn’s are identical twins who were born and reared in Greystones in County Wicklow where they still reside and have their business The Happy Pear café and shop. The twins use their natural food store, wholefood cafes, superfood sprout farm, own-label products, online shop, YouTube
channel and health education talks and courses to inspire a healthier, happier world! Over the last 13 years, the business has gone from a two-man show to a thriving business employing 160 staff. “We opened our third café on Monday, 3rd July in the Clondalkin Round Tower Centre. It is also our first Dublin café. We’re super excited about the café and we’re really honoured to be a part of such a historical site here in Clondalkin,’’ said David Flynn. “This site has such a significance and we’re running the centre so we really feel privileged to be doing so especially in a place where there is such a strong Dublin community. We’re really chuffed. There are no real kind of health offerings around this area so
it is nice to be offering something different. The community has been really receptive to it,’’ added Stephen Flynn. “We’re doing this 13 years now and we absolutely love what we do. We have a big team working for us, we started out as two guys with a dream so it is fabulous that what we do has just grown,’’ imparted David. “It’s amazing to see that the café in Clondalkin is now open. We’ve employed 30 people for the café here and they are generally all local people and they are fantastic. It’s lovely getting to know the new members of the team,’’ enthused Stephen. As well as having a very successful business, between them David and Stephen have five
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Words: Emer Kelly Pics: Motors Ireland young children, rise from their sleep between 4.30am and 7am every morning followed by doing some yoga and a swim in the sea before heading back to the café where they eat some delicious porridge and drink cups of herbal tea before embarking on getting stuck into their work. “The main focus for the next couple of weeks is finishing off our new book which will be released next year. A television show is in the pipe line! We’re also constantly refining products and testing out new products as well as running the business itself,’’ explained both David and Stephen. The handsome duo are also very excited to receive their new Renault Kadjars from Renault Ireland over the next few weeks. As well as the Kadjars they also have a Renault food truck
called Dahl-ilah. “The food truck is a super cool yoke! It was Jamie Oliver’s old food truck. We did stuff with Jamie’s team over in Birmingham last year in the food truck and we then got in touch with Renault and we asked them what was the possiblilty of us doing something with them and we then went on to become Renault ambassadors,’’ explained Stephen. “The Kadjars are amazing! We also took a road trip down to Cork in the Renault Zoe and back. It is a lovely car to drive. We’re running up some serious mileage in our lovely Renault cars,’’ imparted a laughing David. As to the future of the delightful Happy Pear? “We’re working on the road a lot now too in terms of doing talks and food demonstrations as well as working in the cafés, running the
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business, doing television stuff and everything else that we have to do,’’ enthused a beaming David. “We really feel passionate about what we do,’’ said Stephen. “I went to Portugal for ten days with my family recently, I had a really nice time but I was delighted to be back. The holiday was really enjoyable but it was nice to be back and getting stuck back into things. We have a lot of energy in our bodies that needs to be used,’’ explained David. “The new book won’t be out until next Spring, it’s got a serious lead in time to it. The text has to be written within the next couple of weeks and the shoot for it is starting the week of the 17th July and we will spend a week shooting it,’’ concluded David Flynn.
“We opened our third café on Monday, 3rd July in the Clondalkin Round Tower Centre.”
Paul Kiernan with Ami Hewitt Autumn 2017 Motors Ireland
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40 SSANGYONG REXTON
WANT AN SUV
ON A BUDGET? While other brands that once were affordable options now move upmarket Ssangyong has benefited greatly by remaining loyal to its customer base.
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he Ssangyong Rexton is an alternative offering from the South Korean manufacturer for those that want a 4x4 but don’t want to pay a huge amount for a pick-up and also don’t want to settle for a van either. The Rexton is an off-roader built for both on and off-road activites with part time 4WD so you can switch as needed and where once there was passenger seats now
there is a sizeable rear load space. The Rexton is 4.75 metres long with payload at a good 750kg and gross vehicle weight at 2,710kg. With the rear seats removed there is a load area equal to many a decent sized van. SsangYong also pitches the Rexton as a bit of a towing tool, thanks to the combination of its 2,600kgs maximum allowance and selectable four-wheel-drive system with low range gears so whether doing small
jobs or in need to tow a heavy trailer the Rexton has you covered. From the outside with the rear privacy glass you wouldn’t know it was a commercial and it’s only when throughout my time with the Rexton that I opened the rear doors or back door that admirers actually realised it was a commercial. This is a very good thing for obvious security reasons and the less attention as a commercial vehicle the better. Up
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“Up front this Rexton is essentially kitted out as a family SUV.”
front this Rexton is essentially kitted out as a family SUV with the standard kit very good for the money. You’ll find heated leather seats, cruise control, Bluetooth, 7 inch high-resolution touch screen, Kenwood sat nav (optional) and audio remote controls mounted on the steering wheel. The switchgear is logically laid out making it easy to use on the move. This new Rexton commercial comes to the market with a new look, with
projection headlamps reconfigured to resemble the eyes of an eagle. Their words not ours. The bonnet character line adds some fullness at the front and it has a nice clean modern look compared to previous model. The newly designed side step has improved durability and highlights the refined look. You can choose from five colours for your new Rexton - Dandy Blue, Grand White, Silent Silver, Space Black and Techo Grey.
The 2.2 e-Xdi diesel engine is more refined than before and therefore less noisy. Maximum output is 178hp from the 4-cylinder block and 400Nm of torque which provides strong pulling power. With majority of modern SUV 4X4’s built like normal cars it’s nicer on the road and the 2.2 diesel pulls it along effortlessly. The ride can be a little bouncy at times but once up to speed it’s a comfortable ride. Our test vehicle came with the
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42 7-speed automatic which helps improve fuel efficiency. The power delivery can feel a bit delayed compared to rivals but other than that it is relatively quiet and only loud at the top of its rev range and overall a good solid engine. The Rexton comes with antilock braking system, brake assist system, traction control and active roll over protection.
Conclusion Throughout my time with the Rexton it got plenty of attention from onlookers and the rear load space came in very handy for plenty of DIY work at home and moving various office equipment from A to B. With pricing from as little as €37,495 the Rexton commercial incorporates the same advanced technologies found in other vehicles along with the power and commercial flexibility of an SUV at an affordable price. Ssangyong offers a 5 Year/150,000 kms warranty and 5 Year Roadside Assistance. For the value for money and standard kit on offer the Rexton Commerical is very hard to beat. Drop in to your local dealer for a test drive as it’s well worth a look.
THE SPECS Model
Ssangyong Rexton
Engine Size
2.2-litre four-cylinder
Fuel Type
Diesel
Power 178hp Torque 400Nm Acceleration (0-100km/h)
11.0 seconds
Top Speed
187km/h
Consumption
7.4/100km or 56.5 mpg
CO2 Emissions
194g/km
Road Tax
€333 (Commercial)
Base Price
€37,495
Our Test Model
€40,495
“SsangYong also pitches the Rexton as a bit of a towing tool.” Autumn 2017 Motors Ireland
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085 767 19 16 Ceramic-Pro-Ireland Autumn 2017 Motors Ireland
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44 ALFA ROMEO GIULIA
To drag customers away from purchasing an Audi A4, Mercedes C-class or others in this segment you need a solid offering.
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ediocre just won’t do. Alfa Romeo is hoping it has the recipe for success with its latest Alfa Romeo Giulia. If the offering has some genuine Italian flare then customers may just be persuaded to try something different, but it needs to be good to put Alfa Romeo back in contention within this segment. So, has Alfa cracked it and delivered a genuine alternative? Well first impressions are good and it certainly drives well with some
fun handling. It’s both interesting and engaging. Our test model was the 2.2-litre diesel with 180hp and 450Nm of torque and it delivered more than enough power for everyday needs. The four-cylinder engine is new and made in Italy and throughout my time with the car I found the eight-speed auto box which is the only transmission option very good. There are also large chunky real metal paddles on the inside so a very nice touch I thought and they have a great feel to them, compared to what a lot of manufacturers offer. The Giulia is the first rear wheel drive
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Words: Anthony Kelly Pics: Ralph McKeown Photography
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“It’s both interesting and engaging.”
offering in twenty years from the brand and the first thing you notice when behind the wheel is the quick accurate steering which livens up back road journeys. The car feels balanced and well poised with the suspension being able to absorb the roughness of a back road but also offering the comfort needed on a calm motorway journey. The range is made up of two diesel offerings. Our version or another 2.2-litre version with 150hp. A 2.0-litre petrol option is available with 200hp. There is another option if you consider the 510hp V6 Bi-Turbo
Ferrari developed engine of the Giulia Quadrifoglio. Realistically our test model will be an ideal option for both economy and power so I suspect the 2.2-litre JTD 180hp to be the popular choice among buyers. The diesel is a little noisy at idle but the same goes for many others within the segment to be fair. Both diesel options have the same economy so it’s really only the pricing that may sway you either way. Step inside and you’ll be greeted with plenty of space for front seat passengers. The Giulia has a long wheelbase and this means excellent
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46 rear legroom for those in the back. The same goes for head room. Driving position is good and comfortable with pedals and steering wheel well positioned. Long journeys should be something to enjoy in the Giulia. The steering wheel is very comfortable and comes with a neat Ferrari inspired ignition button. A nice little touch I feel. The interior is a nice and comfortable place to spend time in, however it doesn’t match its German rivals. It is a leap forward for the brand and can only get better though. The infotainment system is logical to
use with good sat nav and a rotary operating dial like you find in a BMW but doesn’t have the same resolution quality or match its competition for functionality. Each version of the Giulia has Bluetooth and USB connectivity, DAB radio and option of 6.5 inches and 7 inch screens. The boot space is identical to its German rivals but the opening a little narrower. The rear seats can be folded to make extra space if needed although check with your local dealer as this is potentially an optional extra.
The Euro NCAP is the industry standard crash test organisation and it awarded the Giulia five stars out of five. All models come with lane departure warning and an autonomous emergency braking system that monitors the road ahead and can warn the driver if an impact with either another car or a pedestrian is imminent. If the driver fails to respond the car can then brake itself to avoid a collision. Adaptive cruise control and blind spot monitors are available as options.
“I suspect the 2.2-litre JTD 180hp to be the popular.” Autumn 2017 Motors Ireland
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48 Conclusion I previously owned an Alfa Romeo V6 GTV years ago so do have a soft spot for the brand but have remained very fair in assessing this new offering. This has been a long time coming and I think Alfa Romeo has a solid car with the Giulia. It matches rivals in many areas and is playing catch up in others such as its interior storage space, some better quality interior switchgear needed which is a little frustrating as where it falls down is only on minor things that realistically could have been sorted but on the plus side it’s a more stylish car than the competition giving customers something different. It drives very well, is solidly built and is comfortable along with being priced just right. If you’re looking at the usual suspects take time out to drive the Giulia as it really is worth a test drive and rather than blend in you will have something very unique with stunning looks that also drives well.
THE SPECS Model Alfa Romeo Giulia 2.2 JTD 1 80hp Super Sport Engine Size 2.2-litre four-cylinder Fuel Type Diesel Power 180hp Torque 450Nm Acceleration (0-100km/h) 7.1 seconds Top Speed 230 km/h Consumption 4.2/100km or 67.3 mpg CO2 Emissions 109g/km Road Tax €190 per year (A3) Base Price €39,995 Our Test Model €43,996
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50 SKODA KODIAQ
NEW
ŠKODA SUV Škoda is not known for its large SUV credentials as it has never built one, but that’s all about to change.
“This can be a five or seven seat SUV with 4x4 capability and off-road mode.” Autumn 2017 Motors Ireland
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51 Words: Anthony Kelly Pics: Ralph McKeown
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koda is not known for its large SUV credentials as it has never built one, but that’s all about to change. This is Škoda’s first time to dip its toe in the large SUV segment and if the Kodiaq is anything to go by then the competition should seriously take notice. This is a different market segment for Škoda but by delivering a well-designed, well priced and functionally very sound SUV it is offering the core values that customers expect from Škoda nowadays. This can be a five or seven seat SUV with 4x4 capability and off-road mode. It’s a big vehicle but not overwhelmingly so as it’s only just larger (40mm) than an Octavia Estate to put it into perspective so manageable around town or on school runs. There are plenty of SUVs on the market but the Kodiaq ticks all the boxes including that all important price figure starting at €28,795 so it’s good value for money. This entry level price will get you the five-seater but if it’s seven seats you’re after then add €1,000 for the entry level 1.4-litre petrol. Diesel models start from €35,495. The design of the new Kodiaq is characterised by the clear, precise and sharp lines that are at the core of the brand’s aesthetic DNA. As Skoda head of design Jozef Kaba explained “The Škoda Kodiaq is a pioneer for our brand in two respects. We are entering a new segment with our first large SUV above the YETI. And at the same time, the Kodiaq is the first model with the new Škoda SUV design language. It is powerful and emotive, but also timeless.” We are in the 2.0-litre TDI 4X4 with DSG auto and it’s worth noting that only the DSG-equipped four-wheel-drive 2.0 TDI 150hp and 190hp models are rated for the Kodiaq’s maximum 2.5-tonne towing capacity on a braked trailer. The Kodiaq is responsive and everything gels together quite nicely. From the impressive steering to the quick shifts from the DSG box and the comfort and economy provided, it all works rather well. Driving position is fine with plenty of adjustment for seat and steering wheel available. Despite its height body lean is not an issue and it feels solid on the road and doesn’t sway in the corners as you might expect from a vehicle with its height. The kodiaq suspension takes care of any bumps and knocks and if you do go off-road as we did you have a dedicated off-road button along with features to allow you to switch between Normal, Eco and Sport modes, adjusting the acceleration and gearbox, assuming you choose an automatic. There is also a snow function in all wheel drive
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52 models. If on a budget the entry-level 1.4-litre petrol with 123hp is a good option. If you don’t expect long distance travel but need a little more power then considering the 148hp 1.4-litre petrol is a great option. It helps keep the pricing down and will give you the extra bit of power without the price jump into the diesel options. The interior is aesthetically pleasing and while not ground breaking it is a nice place to be with lots of soft materials and touches along with quality switchgear making it all feel very plush indeed. The dash is well presented and everything is where you would expect it to be and the controls are easy to use. The Kodiaq comes with a first-rate touchscreen and depending on your chosen model it grows from a standard 6.5-inch unit to a more impressive 8 -inch display. The Kodiaq offers clever features such as split folding and length adjustable rear seats as standard, the optional third row of seats, electric child safety locks, door edge protection system and umbrellas fitted to the front door pockets from the mid-spec Ambition model. There are three trim levels for the new Skoda Kodiaq in Ireland – Active, Ambition and Style. The Active model will give you everything you need with standard equipment including air con, smart phone connectivity, Bluetooth, 17” alloys and cruise control. Move up to Ambition to get a diesel model and 18” alloys, keyless engine start, silver roof rails, and front and rear parking sensors. Style models add 19” alloys, keyless entry, full LED headlights, rear view camera, alcantara upholstery, interior ambient lighting, navigation and Skoda Connect with a number of driver assistance features. Skoda also offers a nice Style pack for €1,400, which includes a panoramic roof, electric tailgate and rear-seat tablet holders. We drove this spec’d model and overall there is a quality feel to the cabin with everything feeling solid and well built. The Kodiaq is built on the MQB platform. MQ.. what you ask? Well, Volkswagen Group uses a platform called the MQB platform across vehicles within the group so this means it is mechanically sound and will stand the test of time. Models such as the Audi Q2, VW Passat and Skoda Superb to name just a few use this same platform so its tried and tested. Skoda fits all Kodiaqs with its ‘e-Call’ feature, which will automatically contact the emergency services if the airbags are deployed in a collision to ensure occupant safety. The Kodiaq also has a five-star rating from the independent crash-testing body Euro NCAP.
“The Kodiaq comes with a first-rate touchscreen.”
THE SPECS Model
Skoda Kodiaq 2.0 TDI 4x4
Engine Size
2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission
Seven-speed Automatic DSG
Fuel Type
Diesel
Power 190hp Torque 400Nm Acceleration (0-100km/h) 8.6 seconds Top Speed
209 km/h
Consumption
5.6/100km or 49.6 mpg
CO2 Emissions 150g/km Road Tax
€390 per year (Band C)
Base Price
€28,795
Our Test Model
€46,545
Conclusion The Skoda Kodiaq is built using proven mechanical parts. It’s a good-looking car with plenty of interior space and a quality finish. The drive is very good and the engine options well chosen. There is plenty of technology to make your driving experience more enjoyable along with some top safety technology too. If you want a quality SUV at a fair price you will find it very hard to beat.
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54 VW UP!
VIVE LA
DIFFERENCE!
Renault has added something different to the Irish market in this Mégane Grand Coupé with its flowing exterior lines and comfortable interior but will it be enough to convince Irish buyers.
“Our test vehicle was the 1.0 litre, 3-cylinder, 60hp engine.”
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or those of you who don’t know, Beats Audio was founded by Dr Dre (rapper) in 2006 and sold to Apple Inc back in 2013 for $3 billion in cash and stock. Kind of a big deal. Thankfully, their audio systems are now finding their way into cars like this little VW UP! This is a special edition of the city car and comes packed with 300 watts, a subwoofer, six speakers and plenty of little styling touches such as the Beats Audio ‘b’ logo on the B-pillar. The sound is just amazing with no distortion and perfect quality. Our test vehicle was the 1.0 litre, 3-cylinder, 60hp engine and for a city car the power is good and feels nippy about town. I had a few meetings in the city centre and busy areas around Sandyford/Dundrum and the UP! moves in and out of traffic effortlessly along with maneuvering on back streets, parking or trying to skip traffic. An abundance of power really makes little difference in these settings. The new UP! is launching with four kinds of engines. The well-established 1.0-litre three cylinder units with multi-point injection deliver 60hp or 75hp. The manual five-speed gearbox is standard with an optional sequential five-speed Automated Shift Gearbox (move up! and high up!). The 60hp version is also available with optional BlueMotion Technology while from the 75hp version this is standard. There is a new TSI 90hp version and this is turbocharged and is only available with a 5-speed manual gearbox. Among other things its start-stop system and brake energy recovery (recuperation) help to conserve fuel. During braking, energy released is stored in the vehicle battery. This relieves the engine and helps to reduce fuel consumption. The ride is very good with
PUMP UP! THE VOLUME
The VW UP! Is a cool little car and with the edition of Beats Audio equipment it just got that bit cooler. Words: Anthony Kelly Pics: Paddy McGrath Autumn 2017 Motors Ireland
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56 comfortable suspension and well able to absorb annoying but necessary speed ramps and any imperfections in the road surface. Our test vehicle had 15 inch alloys so I’d recommend not going larger than this as it will result in a noticeably firmer ride. As a small vehicle you can notice a little road noise as would be expected but with the sound system cranked up you barely notice it. Handling was impressive in the UP! with good grip, steering and a manual gearbox that worked rather well. The new UP! Is similar to the old model in many ways which is a good thing but has some revised looks such as the wider front bumper giving it more road presence along with a new rear light design which gives it a fresh look from the rear. On the inside it’s spacious with good quality materials such as glossy dashboard panels, chrome-rimmed switchgear and plastics that are of a high standard throughout. It feels roomy and similar to a car above this class. Some cool styling include graphics across the bottom of dash including Beats logos so will really appeal to those who are big fans of the brand. The colour combination of white door trims with grey and cream upholstery felt bright and airy which can help if stuck in busy traffic. The new display screen is just for displaying radio and a few other functions but looks great with a nice neat design. The back has space for adults surprisingly and the boot is quite spacious too. The Irish market will have the entry level “Take Up!” and pricing starts from €12,650. The next level up is “Move Up!”, then our test model “Up! Beats” priced at €15,630. The highest level is the “High Up!”, which starts from €15,780.
Conclusion The new UP! is revised with some better looks giving it a better stance on the road with wider bumper and contrasting door mirrors along with upgraded rear lights. The 60hp engine we tested should keep your day-to-day fuel bills down and drives very well with good handling and grip. If you love your music then you will be delighted with the powerful sound system and styling details that come with the Up! Beats. The younger generation will really like it but if you don’t class yourself as the younger generation but love your music then trust me, you need to go to your nearest dealer and have a listen to the sound system. It will exceed your expectations. There is no denying the price might be higher than some of the competition but it’s hard to beat in terms of nearly all aspects so you get what you pay for essentially.
THE SPECS Model
VW UP! Beats
Engine Size
1.0-litre
Fuel Type
Petrol
Power
60hp
Torque
95Nm
Acceleration (0-100km/h)
14.0 seconds
Top Speed
160 km/h
Consumption
4.3/100km
CO2 Emissions
101g/km
Road Tax
€190 per year (A3)
Base Price
€12,650 (Take UP!)
Our Test Model
€15,630
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2017 FORD GT In the early 1960s, Ford tried to buy Ferrari, a move to give the American giant some European flair and help the racing-focused Italians bulk up production.
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hen Enzo Ferrari flaked on the deal, Henry Ford II sought revenge on the track. The result was the GT40, three of which stormed to a stunning 1-2-3 victory at the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans—a race Ferrari had dominated for years. After follow-up wins in 1967, 1968, and 1969, Ford, having made its point, left endurance racing. With the 50th anniversary of the triple win looming a few years back, Ford brass planned a return to Le Mans. They hoped to send a raceprepped version of the Mustang to France, but after a year of work concluded the pony car lacked the horsepower and aerodynamics to win. And so, a small team of engineers and designers gathered in a Dearborn basement and started on a secret mission to reclaim the brand’s former racing glory. Three months later, the skunkworks team presented a scale clay model to then CEO Alan Mulally, executive chairman Bill Ford, Edsel Ford II, and Mark Fields (who took the CEO job in 2014). The avant-garde shape paid homage to the original GT40, tipped a hat to the road-going GT model from 2005, and convinced the bigwigs to OK the parallel development of race and streetlegal versions of the GT.
In creating the all-new high-performance Ford GT, the pioneers behind the supercar designed it not only to win races but also to serve as a test bed for new technologies and ideas for future vehicles across Ford’s vehicle line-up. While the GT looks fast standing still, the team optimised every shape to make it as aerodynamic as possible. A key goal was to reduce drag and optimise downforce – which helps give the supercar stability and grip on the track while accelerating, cornering and braking. The GT’s aerodynamics change on demand to meet varying driving conditions, thanks to moveable elements around the body, including special ducts in the front, and a large deployable wing. The flaps open and close depending on whether the GT’s wing is up or down, so the car remains aerodynamically balanced from front to back at all speeds. When the wing is up, the ducts close to increase downforce; when the wing is down, the ducts open to decrease downforce. The supercar’s wing includes all-new Ford technology – a patent pending design that changes the shape of the airfoil for maximum efficiency when fully deployed. The unique design also includes a small gurney flap which, when combined with the shape change, results
in a 14 percent improvement in overall efficiency. Ford GT’s 3.5-litre EcoBoost engine is the company’s most powerful EcoBoost ever, delivering 647 horsepower. It was developed alongside the GT race engine and the 3.5-litre EcoBoost engine used in the F-150 Raptor highperformance off-road pickup, which shares almost 60 percent of its parts with the GT’s engine. For instance, during racing, the test engine’s crankshafts in the Daytona Prototype were cracking under gruelling conditions. With little time to get ready for the Sebring endurance race that year, the team made a key decision to substitute the Daytona prototype’s race crankshaft with a pre-production F-150 Raptor crankshaft. The Daytona prototype won its first race at Sebring that year. “We pushed the engine’s limits beyond what we might consider in traditional development programmes, which is important as we continue to advance EcoBoost technology as a centrepiece of the company’s global line-up,” said Bob Fascetti, Ford vice president, powertrain engineering. As new Ford GT’s continue to roll into owner driveways, other Ford customers can expect to find a little bit of the supercar in their future vehicles as well.
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58 Nissan Micra
THE BEST
MICRA YET?
A fresh start is a good thing.
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“Once you sit inside you clearly notice the new Micra is ahead of the old model.”
Words: Anthony Kelly Pics: Bartosz Murzicz
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hether it be a new job in an area you have more interest in with potentially better pay or moving on from an old relationship. It can put us in a positive state of mind and helps us look forward with positivity. Well Nissan has done pretty much the same thing with the Nissan Micra. You most likely remember the second and third generation models and might even know a neighbour or friend who still has one perhaps. Well, the Micra has been around since 1983 and has sold millions of examples so it’s not surprising to find cars on the roads but the Micra lost its way. When you said Micra to anyone regarding motoring they knew what you were talking about and in many ways the Micra name was more well-known than the Nissan name. The Micra name and car has faded in recent years but that is all about to change thanks to this new offering and Nissan has lofty ambitions of not just being competitive in the supermini segment but aspiring to be a leader in this class. We decided to pack our camera gear and head to Dun Laoghaire in South Dublin to get some photos of the new Micra. It’s in these urban areas across the Country that the Micra will predominantly be at home as it manoeuvres tight parking spaces with ease, town centres and busy shopping areas. It was also a great excuse to get out of the office and go for a drive! First impressions are good and is a vast improvement on the outgoing model. The blacked-out rear passenger windows and floating roof line look very cool and the rear door handles hidden behind the C-pillar add to this overall sleek look. With plenty of colour and sticker options the Micra certainly won’t be dull and surprisingly it all works rather well together. The car is built in Europe on the same platform as the previous model but it has been heavily updated, not that there was anything really wrong with the previous platform. It was more the problem was with everything else. Thankfully improvements come in the steering system borrowed from the Qashqai and the front and rear suspension have been seriously Autumn 2017 Motors Ireland
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60 updated. Buyers can choose from three engines. A 0.9 litre threecylinder turbocharged petrol with 90hp, a 1.0 three cylinder naturally aspirated 72hp engine and a 1.5 four-cylinder dci with 90hp that we had for our test vehicle. The big seller in Ireland will most likely be the 72hp 1.0 litre engine with the diesel being ideal for those doing regular long commutes. All models will be front wheel drive with a five-speed manual transmission. The drive is good with a zippy engine and it cruises well along motorways as we experienced during our time with the car. As its small and light the engines can move the car along with ease and bumps and urban speed ramps were handled relatively comfortably. Once you sit inside you clearly notice the new Micra is ahead of the old model. First off, the driving position is very good with well positioned pedals and a nice three spoke steering wheel. The cabin like all models gets a two-tone interior, but in higher-spec models there’s leather. All variants will have soft-feel plastics and a lot of features are standard to all models. Overall the inside of the new Micra is a nice place to be. Our photographer is 6 foot 3 and is not a small chap so he struggled in the rear to get some nice shots of the dash but at 6 foot exactly I struggled myself so if your plan involves kids in the back you will be fine but you’ll struggle with tall adults in the back so worth bearing in mind depending on your circumstances. Boot space is 300 litres and it has been designed to accommodate large suitcases and common items better than rivals. All Micras come with Chassis Control, which includes Active Trace Control and Active Ride Control. Ride Control can gently apply a brake after you’ve hit a speed bump for example to ease back body
pitch. All Micras will also have six airbags as standard, plus seat belt warnings and seat belt height adjustment for the front and rear and three ISOFIX points and a hi-tech safety pack on all cars. Pricing starts at €16,650. Standard specification (XE trim) includes 15-inch wheels, LED daytime running lights, electric door mirrors with integrated turn signals, electric front windows, rear spoiler, Hill Start Assist, trip computer with gear-shift indicator and outside temperature read-out, manual air conditioning, height-adjustable driver’s seat, adjustable steering wheel, and a two-tone dashboard. SV adds 16-inch alloys, cruise control, 7” display audio system, chrome interior door handles and gear shift surround, and special SV black and grey cloth trim. Pricing for the SV trim starts at €17,450. SV Premium adds leather steering wheel, privacy glass, front fog lamps, LED ambient lighting, auto air conditioning, rain sensors, and Nissan Connect. SV Premium will start from €19,450. The pricing reflects the positioning that Nissan has for this new Micra and it’s firmly aimed at the upper end of this segment.
CONCLUSION We had a blast in the new Micra and happy to see it’s resurgence. This new model is like night and day to what came before it. The offering has moved up a notch and while not cheap it is on par with others in the class. It’s well made with cool styling and is fun to drive. Welcome back to the supermini segment Nissan.
THE SPECS Model
Nissan Micra dCi
Engine Size
1.5-litre turbo diesel
Fuel Type
Diesel
Power
90hp
Torque
220 Nm
Acceleration (0-100km/h)
12 seconds
Top Speed
179 km/h
Consumption
3.2/100km or 88.3 mpg
CO2 Emissions
97g/km
Road Tax
€180 per year (A2)
Base Price
€16,650
Our Test Model
€21,450
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61
PORSCHE UNVEILS THE MOST POWERFUL 911 OF ALL TIME The new Porsche 911 GT2 RS recently celebrated its world premiere at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the UK
A
t the heart of this highperformance sports car is a 700hp biturbo flat engine. Weighing in at 1,470 kg with a full fuel tank, the lightweight two-seater accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 2.8 seconds. The rear-wheel drive Coupé has a top speed of 340 km/h, and with its near-motorsport drive technology, the new 911 GT2 RS trumps its 3.6-litre predecessor by 80hp and achieves a torque of 750 Newton metres (an increase of 50 Nm). The engine builds on that in the 911 Turbo S at 580hp; combined fuel consumption: 9.1 l/100 km; urban: 11.8 l/100 km; extra-urban: 7.5 l/100 km; CO2 emissions: 212 g/km). In order to increase performance, large turbochargers push an increased volume of process air into the combustion chambers. A new additional cooling system delivers optimum cooling at peak
loads and, at very high temperatures, sprays the charge-air cooler with water. This causes the gas temperature to fall in the overpressure range and ensures optimum power output, even under extreme conditions. The customised GT sevenspeed double-clutch transmission (PDK) in the new GT2 RS enables power to be transferred with uninterrupted traction. What’s more, the specially developed exhaust system is made from extra-lightweight titanium, weighs around seven kilograms less than the system used in the 911 Turbo and delivers an emotional sound without precedent.
is exclusively available to owners of the new vehicle and can only be ordered in conjunction with the new GT model at a Porsche Centre from June 30, 2017.
The 911 GT2 RS For the first time ever, Porsche Design is celebrating the debut of the high-performance sports car by releasing a special-issue watch. Offering a nod to the world of motorsport, the 911 GT2 RS watch
“The lightweight two-seater accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 2.8 seconds.”
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62 Mazda MX5
SIMPLY
PERFECT I’ve always been a fan of the Maxda MX-5.
W
ith its light weight, good handling and enthusiastic engines they have had the approval of car enthusiasts the world over since debuting at the 1989 Chicago Auto Show. The car spent seven years being designed and engineered and finally the Mazda Experiment (MX) was given the green light for production to project 5, MX-5. The rest is history as they say and the Mazda MX-5 went on to become the biggest selling two-seater in history. It was never about blistering speed or all out pace with the MX-5. It was all the parts working together as one that gave the 1.6-litre, four-cylinder with 114hp such legendary status as it peaked at a 183km/h top speed. Today I’m sitting in the Mazda MX-5 RF, with the RF being Retractable Fastback. That’s an electronically motorised metal and glass roof to you and I that goes down in 13 seconds. The automatically folding hard-top roof doesn’t take up much more space than the manual version so boot space is very similar. Driving on a motorway in a soft-top whether the roof is up or not will test your patience after a while due to road noise so this RF version means you can enjoy some open top motoring and then
enjoy the more refined day to day driving as you desire. The hard-top version really does offer the best of both worlds and you might think that the handling is affected and as such takes away from the MX-5 but it doesn’t. The roof adds 45kg over the soft-top but it is still very nimble and you won’t notice any difference. Especially in 2.0-litre version we’re driving. There are two engines available in the MX-5 RF line up. A 2.0-litre SKYACTIV-G engine with 160hp joined the 131hp 1.5-litre engine which is already available in the MX-5 Roadster. The more powerful engine is available in the GT grade and features a limited slip differential and 17-inch wheels as well as Bilstein dampers and strut brace to further enhance the dynamic set up. I’m driving in the 2.0-litre and it feels very good in and out of corners. The engine is great and the 2.0-litre makes a nice grunt and is eager for you to work your way through the manual gearbox which is amazing. It’s not going to produce the type of speed where you will be worried but it’s a punchy and enthusiastic engine that just wants to go. The Mazda MX-5 RF fully embodies the Jinba-Ittai philosophy of the driver and car in harmony that has defined the MX-5 throughout its 27-year history.
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Words: Anthony Kelly Pics: Paddy McGrath
“There are two engines available in the MX-5 RF line up.”
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64 Even with two people and two small suitcases on board it didn’t feel sluggish. I’ve seen other journalists mention the 1.5-litre being a bit slow in the RF version so based on this and my own experience I’d stick with the 2.0-litre engine if getting the RF. John Perry, Managing Director of Mazda Ireland commented; “Since the launch of the 4th generation MX-5 last year we have been looking forward to bringing the Retractable Fastback to Ireland. The Roadster exceeded expectations and still manages to impress every time you get behind the wheel. The RF now offers customers the option of having a mechanical folding roof to guarantee additional refinement and enjoyment in the often harsh Irish conditions while the 2.0-litre engine and limited slip differential allows even more enjoyment for those who really love their drive.”
The cabin is small with no real storage space but that shouldn’t really come as a surprise. I generally used the boot the carry most items apart from my phone and a bottle of water with the phone sitting nicely in a cubby at the base of dash where two usb connectors are situated. The build quality is top notch and considering the cost of the car the interior is very good. With good looking plastics and leather it feels nice to the touch and has an upmarket feel. The switchgear is easy to use and well placed and the infotainment system is placed high on the dashboard. A rotary dial and shortcut buttons are located beside the handbrake control for the infotainment system. Bluetooth was easy to connect and while easy to chat with the roof up it did prove difficult with the roof down if driving at motorway speeds.
CONCLUSION The MX-5 RF is more expensive than the soft-top by approximately €3,500. Whether it’s worth the extra money really depends on how you plan to use the car and if the more refined driving with hard-top roof and the security benefits outweigh the extra cash. Regardless of which version you choose the RF for most wouldn’t be a daily driver but a weekend car as it doesn’t have a huge interior or boot space so not practical for many. However, if you’re lucky enough to have a lifestyle that means this can be your daily driver then you will be the envy of many, myself included. Translated from Japanese jinba-ittai literally means “horse and rider as one”. The term originates from skilled warriors shooting arrows from a moving horse. The connection between car and driver is one with this MX-5 RF and 27 years on it hasn’t been lost on this new RF version. The handling is fantastic and suspension set up is perfect for Irish roads. The engine and gearbox are just so much fun and I really didn’t want to give this car back when my time with it was done. If you’re in the market for a two-seater sports car at this value for money then you should seriously consider the MX-5 RF as it’s tough to beat.
THE SPECS Model
Mazda MX-5 RF
Engine Size
2.0-litre SKYACTIV-G
Fuel Type
Petrol
Power 160hp Torque 200Nm Acceleration (0-100km/h)
7.4 seconds
Top Speed
215 km/h
Consumption 6.9/100km CO2 Emissions
161g/km
Road Tax
€570 per year
“Even with two people and two small suitcases on board it didn’t feel sluggish.” Autumn 2017 Motors Ireland
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