Motors Ireland Summer 17 by Clear Designs

MOTORS SUMMER 2017

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MINI

COUNTRYMAN S SEE PAGE 18

IRELAND

Interview with Audi Naas Ambassador Dave Kearney P. 28 O N LY

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LAMBORGHINI

MCLAREN 720S FERRARI 812 SUPERFAST

AVENTADOR S

50 YEARS OF AMG DISPLAY UNTIL JULY 10TH

GREATEST LAMBO?

02 9 772009 974019

Kia Stinger P. 56 Renault Mégane Grand Coupé

P.12

SUPERCARS

P.28

SPIN IN PARADISE Audi Q5

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VW Beetle

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CONTENTS

Letter from the editor

elcome to the Summer issue of Motors Ireland. On our cover this issue is the Lamborghini Aventador S. While other supercar-makers are focusing a little more on practicality, and downsizing powertrains with the help of technology like turbocharging and hybridelectric power, the Aventador S is still a car you can’t really see out the rear of and it still has an enormous naturally aspirated V12 engine plonked in the middle. The styling inspiration has come from things we’re all scared of, like sharks and snakes and other Lamborghinis (note the Countach wheel arches). Many motoring enthusiasts group themselves as either a Ferrari person or a Lamborghini person but I’ve never particularly liked this division. Both are fantastic brands and this new Aventador S in my opinion really propels things forward for Lamborghini with good handling, more power and the amazing sound of that naturally aspirated V12. In this issue we speak to Larry Mooney, a veteran of the Irish motoring industry. His career began with his apprenticeship assembling Volkswagen Beetles in the building which now houses Ballsbridge Motors. Mr Mooney is a former Champion racing car driver as well as a retired MDL executive. It was a great opportunity to speak with him and find out where his interest in the trade came from, his career and life after retirement. Irish International and Leinster Rugby player Dave Kearney chats to us about how he has always had a passion for cars. His first car was a Volkswagen Golf followed by Sheehy Motors in Naas signing him as a brand ambassador for their garage in 2014. Mr Kearney who is the younger brother of fellow professional Rugby player Rob, grew up on the Cooley peninsula in County Louth and we discuss his passion for cars and his current sponsorship by Audi Naas. Apart from the beautiful Aventador S on our cover we have done a wide variety of reviews covering a good selection of cars hitting Irish roads. We drive the new Audi Q5, get to grips with the V90 Cross Country with its power pulse technology, an enjoyable experience in the Mazda 3, the rather big MINI Countryman Cooper S ALL4, the all new Mégane Grand Coupé along with a full review of the R Design Beetle. We also managed to pack in some news, lots of cool stuff in our New Gear section along with taking a look at the beautiful new Ferrari 812 Superfast, 50 years of AMG and the McLaren 720S. 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

Editorial Assistant: Emer Kelly

Email: info@motorsireland.ie

Advertising Sales: Artur Syroka

Address: The Loft, Main Street, Newcastle,

Design & Layout: cleardesigns.ie

Co Dublin

ISSN: 2009-9746

or email: info@motorsireland.ie

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MOTORS IRELAND

40 NEWS 4 Latest news from motoring sector in Ireland

VIVE LA DIFFERENCE 34 Mégane Grand Coupé new to Irish market

LAMBORGHINI AVENTADOR S 8 40 FERRARI 812 SUPERFAST Greatest Lambo? Unveiling of flagship V12 berlinetta SUPER BUG 14 CROSS COUNTRY 44 One of a select few cars that We explore capable Volvo V90 brought motoring to the masses Cross Country INTERVIEW WITH LARRY MOONEY It was all about cars for Larry Mooney

22 TOP OF ITS CLASS New Audi Q5 WE CHAT TO AUDI NAAS AMBASSADOR DAVE KEARNEY 28 Ireland and Leinster player on his passion for cars NEW GEAR 32 The latest products and gadgets

BIGGEST MINI EVER 50 The Countryman Cooper S ALL 4 STUNNING KIA STINGER Kia redefines brand with new Gran Turismo

AMG 58 50 years of Mercedes-AMG success LET THE G-FORCE BE WITH YOU 60 Mazda 3

58 www.motorsireland.ie for further information

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NEWS

NEWS Spirit Motor Group Celebrates Launch of New State of The Art Volvo Showroom and Service Centre

pirit Motor Group is celebrating the launch of its state of the art new 12,000sq/ft Volvo showroom and service centre with a special event attended by loyal customers, local VIPs and Volvo enthusiasts. The new showroom is the ultimate reflection of the Volvo Retail Experience focusing on space and design and reflecting Scandinavian-inspired values of ‘cool on the outside and warm on the inside’-style architecture. With beautifully designed Swedish furnishings and free use of Wi-Fi, customers can relax during their time in the showroom. An authorised Volvo Retailer since 2004, Spirit Motor Group is a wellestablished car retail business in South County Dublin, representing a number of brands in the area. Jaguar, Land Rover, Volvo, Ford and Skoda each have their own showrooms across six different locations between Sandyford and Baldonnell. In addition, Spirit Premium, also in Sandyford, and Spirit Burton, in nearby Kilpedder, Co Wicklow, offer select ranges of pre-owned vehicles prepared to the highest standard. With the addition of the new Volvo facility on Birch Avenue, Spirit

Motor Group will extend its presence in Sandyford and will support 20 jobs, bringing the total number of people employed by Spirit Motor Group to 200. Current staff from the existing Volvo showroom on Arena Road will transfer to the new facility, and will be led by the new management team of Dealer Principal John Ryan, and Service Director, Robbie Bolger.

Fuel Prices at Highest Level In 18 Months

he cost of a litre of petrol or diesel has reached its highest level in 18 months, according to the latest monthly fuel prices survey carried out by AA Ireland. According to the motoring organisation a litre of petrol now costs 137.7c up 1c on February prices, while diesel costs 127.1c per litre on average across the country, a month-on-month increase of 0.7c. With the latest increase, fuel costs have now reached their highest level since August 2015, when the average cost of petrol and diesel stood at 143.6c and 128.8c per litre respectively. “While the latest increase is by no means the worst month-on-month hike that we’ve seen recently, it marks the sixth successive month in which we have seen prices climb and continues a trend which is of great concern to many motorists,” Conor Faughnan, AA Director of Consumer Affairs stated. “While it’s easy to say that the factors which cause these increases are outside of our control as a country this simply isn’t the case. “The majority of what we pay at the pump is made up of various taxes placed on petrol and diesel and the extent to which we tax fuel spend is something we have direct say over.”

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Mercedes-AMG E63 Takes E-CLASS To A New Level

ercedes-AMG has wheeled out their latest creation – the Mercedes-AMG E63 version of the new E-Class – to an audience of international media ahead of its market introduction. Like every AMG variant before it, the new E63 has a raunchy appearance made so by its low-slung carriage and a host of embellishments and design tweaks that would bring tears to the eyes of every performance car owner. Described as the most powerful E-Class variant of all time, its under-bonnet muscle, innovative technology, interior refinements and raw good looks combine to single the E63 out as a model aimed at those with ambition to own something unique. In its base 563hp variant, its V8 engine, fitted with an AMG cylinder management system that helps achieve low fuel consumption and emission values, delivers an acceleration time from 0-100 km/h of 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 250 km/h. In its more powerful guise, the E63 S-version comes fitted with a 4.0-litre, V8 bi-turbo engine powered to bring peak performance to a new level with a 0-100 km/h time of 3.3

seconds and a top speed of 300 km/h. Both of these models are available with AMG performance 4-MATIC Plus all-wheel-drive and, for the first time, with AMG 9-speed sport transmission equipped with speed shift, multi-clutch technology and wet start-off clutch. In terms of its appearance, the E63 is everything one would expect from the Mercedes-AMG stable with words like ‘expressive’, ‘sinuous’ and ‘muscular’ being used to describe its exterior design. Its sporty front reflects the effort that has gone into its styling. Wider and more powerful looking – thanks to its even wider wheel arches, broad front fascia, new grille with silver chrome twin louvers – its squat appearance, cool colours and distinctive AMG lettering work together to inform onlookers that the E63 has a pedigree that is entirely its own. Mercedes-Benz sales manager in Ireland, Ciaran Allen is confident that there are those who will relish the prospect of owning a car ‘as special as the E63 is’. While price will be quoted at time of order, Allen is guiding a figure in the region of €125.000 for the base model.

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Renault Sport Formula One Team launches the R.S.17 in London

enault Sport Formula One Team has launched its 2017 challenger, the R.S.17, at a showcase event in front of international media and team partners, in London, England. Highlighting new partners and sponsors including BP, Castrol and MAPFRE, the launch was also the first public revealing of the new Renault Sport brand identity, designed to provide a stronger link between Renault Sport Racing and Renault Sport Cars. Powered by Renault Sport Racing’s R.E.17 power unit, the R.S.17 has no carry over parts from the R.S.16. The team has worked from a clean sheet of paper to respond to Formula 1’s latest regulations. It is the first Formula 1 car designed from the outset by Renault Sport Racing from its two locations in Enstone, England and Viry-Châtillon, France. Present at the launch were Thierry Koskas, Groupe Renault Executive

Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Jérôme Stoll, President and Cyril Abiteboul, Managing Director of Renault Sport Racing, as well as Renault Sport Formula One Team’s senior management and drivers, and Alain Prost as Renault Sport Racing Special Advisor. The R.S.17 was unveiled by race drivers Nico Hülkenberg and Jolyon Palmer, whilst Third and Reserve Driver Sergey Sirotkin was also announced today. The car was unveiled with the hashtag #RS17Launch. The 2017 Renault Sport Academy line-up was also confirmed, with Jack Aitken, Max Fewtrell, Jarno Opmeer and Sun Yue Yang all being supported by Renault Sport Racing through their 2017 seasons. Jack will contest the GP3 Series, whilst Max, Jarno and Sun will contest the Formula Renault Eurocup in an historic-high 30-cars-grid.

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Kris Meeke and Paul Nagle claim the Citroën C3 WRC’s first win

ris Meeke and Paul Nagle kept up their impressive form and (just about) held their nerve on the final day of Rally Mexico. Despite running off the road a few corners before the end of the Power Stage, the Citroën Total Abu Dhabi WRT crew secured the C3 WRC’s maiden rally win! The final day of the rally only featured two stages: La Calera (32.96km) and the Derramadero Power Stage (21.94km). On the penultimate speed test, Kris Meeke claimed his fifth stage win of the weekend. He extended his lead over Sébastien Ogier by another 6.3s, whilst Stéphane Lefebvre set an excellent third fastest time. The team looked on nervously as the crews contested the Power Stage, broadcast live on television. And there was certainly no shortage of drama! With the finishing line almost in sight, the Northern Irishman’s Citroën C3 WRC ran wide on a long right-hand corner. The car ran through the hedge at the side of the road and into... a spectator car park! Kris managed to keep his cool, get around the parked cars and back onto the road in a few seconds. He crossed the finishing line to secure victory by 13.8 seconds! After something of an emotional roller-coaster ride during the final stage, there were scenes of joy and celebration in the team as Kris and Paul were welcomed as champions on their return to the León service park.

Irish pricing and spec announced for the new Audi A5 Cabriolet

head of its launch later this month, Audi Ireland has announced pricing and spec. of the innovative Audi A5 Cabriolet, the model completing the new generation of the A5 family. With room for four people and a fully automatic soft top, the redesigned model is kitted out with the latest technology, including driver assistance systems and seat belt microphones. Two trim lines will be made available for the new A5 Cabriolet in Ireland – SE and S Line. The Audi A5 Cabriolet comes with a wide range of equipment. Standard features include xenon headlights, Audi drive select and partial leather seats. Intuitive ergonomic operation comes courtesy of the Audi MMI radio plus with 7-inch colour display, seat belt microphones and the onetouch opening function for the soft top. The new lines concept with various equipment packages enhances the scope for individual design expression. The body of the new Audi A5 Cabriolet is the strongest in its class and yet is among the lightest in the segment. Thanks to a smart mix of materials and lightweight design, compared to its predecessor model, engineers have increased the car’s torsional rigidity by another 40 percent and reduced its weight by up to 40 kilograms, making the Cabriolet even more agile. On launching, the new Audi A5 Cabriolet will offer a choice of three engines– a 2.0 TFSI with 252 BHP, a 2.0 TDI with 190 BHP and a 3.0 TDI with 218 BHP – each of which offers up to 17 percent more power while consuming as much as 22 percent less fuel combining high efficiency with sporty power development and smooth running. Summer 2017 Motors Ireland

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LAMBORGHINI AVENTADOR S

RAGING BULL REBORN

“The design of the new Aventador S clearly indicates the new Aventador generation.” Summer Summer2017 2017Motors MotorsIreland Ireland

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he new Lamborghini Aventador S is characterised by new aerodynamic design, redeveloped suspension, increased power and new driving dynamics. The ‘S’ is the suffix of previous enhanced Lamborghini models and defines a new benchmark for the V12 Lamborghini. “This is the next generation Aventador as well as the expression of new technological and performance milestones in super sports car development,” says Automobili Lamborghini Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Stefano Domenicali. “The Aventador S is visionary design, cutting-edge technology and driving dynamics in pure harmony, and elevates the concept of super sports cars to a new level.”

Design and Aerodynamics The design of the new Aventador S clearly indicates the new Aventador generation. The Aventador S features a number of exterior developments, particularly in front and rear, while its profile remains clearly an Aventador. Every modified component is redesigned for a purpose, achieving maximum aerodynamic efficiency while accenting the Aventador’s complex, muscular dynamism. Furthermore, Lamborghini Centro Stile has intelligently integrated certain elements of past icons, such as the lines of rear wheel arches reminiscent of the original Countach. A more aggressive nose and longer front splitter redirect airflow for better aerodynamic efficiency, improved engine cooling and increased cooling to the radiators. Two air ducts in the side of the front bumper reduce aerodynamic interference from the front tyres and optimise air flow to the rear radiator. The rear of the Aventador S is dominated by a black diffuser, available on request in carbon fiber, characterised by a number of vertical fins that amplify the airflow effects, reduce drag through pressure recovery and generate downforce. Three single exhaust outlets exit through the rear bumper. The active rear wing is movable in three positions

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10 depending on speed and drive select mode, and optimises the car’s improved overall balance, working with vortex generators created in the front and rear of the chassis’ underside that maximise air flow as well as assist in brake cooling. The Aventador S design results in significantly enhanced aerodynamic performance. Front downforce has been improved by more than 130% over the previous Aventador coupé. When the wing is in its optimum position the overall efficiency at high downforce is improved by over 50%, and in low drag by more than 400% compared to the previous model. Four masterpieces evolve driving emotion: Four-wheel drive, new active suspension, new four-wheel steering system and the new EGO driving mode. The Aventador S chassis retains the Aventador’s unique and extremely rigid lightweight carbon fiber monocoque with attached aluminum frames resulting in a dry weight of just 1,575 kg. The Aventador S is redeveloped around a ‘total control concept’ to provide a superior drive, ride and performance; every aspect of the car’s suspension and electronic control systems has been advanced, with the goal of particularly enhanced control and driving emotion. Enhanced lateral control comes from new four-wheel steering, adopted for the first time on a series production Lamborghini. The system provides improved agility at low and medium speeds and more stability at high speed. On the front axle it is combined with Lamborghini Dynamic Steering (LDS), tuned

for a more natural and responsive feel with a sharper turn-in. It is specially adapted to integrate with the active Lamborghini Rearwheel Steering (LRS) on the rear axle: two separate actuators react in five milliseconds to driver’s steering movements, allowing a realtime angle and cornering stiffness adjustment. At low speeds, rear wheels wheels face in opposite direction to the steering angle, thereby virtually reducing the wheelbase. With less steering wheel angle required, the Aventador S is more agile with a reduced turning radius, ensuring higher performance in curves and making it easy to maneuver in town and at low speeds. Conversely at higher speeds both front and rear wheels share the same steering angle, thus virtually extending the wheelbase, providing increased stability and optimising the responsiveness of the car. Vertical control comes from Lamborghini’s updated pushrod and Lamborghini Magnetorheological Suspension (LMS), with revised kinematics adapted to the new four-wheel steering. New suspension geometry, optimised for Lamborghini Rear-wheel Steering, includes upper and lower arm and wheel carrier to reduce caster and load on the system. A new real-time variable damping system optimises wheel and body control, and balance and ground stiffness is maximised. New rear springs also enhance the car’s balance. Longitudinal control is achieved via an improved ESC strategy with faster and more precise control of traction control and vehicle dynamics, depending on the driving mode selected. Extensively tested on surfaces

such as snow and ice, the Aventador S has improved adhesion detection to maximise grip in all conditions and enhance its handling capabilities. The Aventador S permanent four-wheel drive has been calibrated for the stabilising effect of the new Lamborghini Rear-wheel Steering, allowing more torque to the rear axle: when powering off the throttle, less torque is shifted to the front axle to allow oversteer behaviour and a sporty, but safe drive. Lamborghini engineers have integrated the smart Lamborghini Dinamica Veicolo Attiva (LDVA) control unit to manage these systems in the car. LDVA is the new brain of the car, which receives real time and precise information on body motion via input from all sensors of the car. It instantly defines the best set-up of all active systems in order to guarantee the best vehicle dynamics in each and every condition. EGO concept – customisable driving modes The Aventador S allows the driver to select between four different driving modes: STRADA, SPORT, CORSA and the new EGO mode, which influence the behaviour of traction (engine, gearbox, 4WD), steering (LRS, LDS, Servotronic) and suspension (LMS). STRADA stands for maximum comfort and daily use. SPORT provides a sporty, rear-wheel drive feel and CORSA is suitable for maximum track performance. EGO is the new driving mode option. This provides several additional and individual

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“The Aventador S is more agile.”

set-up profiles, customisable by the driver, selecting his preferred criteria for traction, steering and suspension within the STRADA, SPORT and CORSA settings. All driving modes have been recalibrated in the Aventador S, improving ESC integration with all-wheel drive and the interface between engine torque management system and traction control reaction. The continuous torque split to front and rear axles in each driving mode is recalibrated for the Lamborghini Rear-wheel Steering and the differentiation between the driving modes is enhanced. In STRADA, the progressive damping is smoothed for better comfort and stability on rough roads. Torque is split 40/60 to the front and rear as standard: safe and stable with maximum adhesion, the car is easily driven and controlled. In SPORT mode, the stabilising effect of the Lamborghini Rear-wheel Steering allows up to 90% torque to the rear wheels for maximum sportiness and driving fun on curving roads. Driving precision and driver feedback is improved, while maintaining safety and without compromising on comfort. When powering off the accelerator, less torque is shifted to the front axle to enhance the car’s agility, with oversteer and drifting easy using light throttle and steering wheel control. In CORSA, drivers experience less intrusive dynamic and traction control intervention while

maintaining driving precision and traction. High levels of damping force maximise driver feeling and feedback from driver inputs including steering, braking and throttle. Counter-phase steering is enhanced in high-performance situations and torque is balanced to both axles, with a maximum 20/80 split to front and rear for more neutral behaviour and to maximise trackoriented performance. The engine and exhaust The Lamborghini Aventador’s naturally aspirated twelve cylinder, 6.5 litre engine outputs an additional 40 hp over its predecessor, to a maximum 740 hp, with 690 Nm of torque at 5,500 rpm. To achieve the power increase, both VVT (Variable Valve Timing) and VIS (Variable Intake System) have been optimised in order to obtain an enriched torque curve. Additionally, the maximum engine revs have been increased from 8,350 to 8,500 rpm. A dry weight of just 1,575 kg provides a weightto-power ratio of just 2.13 kg/hp. Acceleration from 0-100 km/h is reached in 2.9 seconds, with a top speed of 350 km/h. Transmission is provided by Lamborghini’s lightweight Independent Shifting Rod (ISR) 7-speed shifting system, providing robotized gear shifts in up to 50 milliseconds. The Aventador S adopts a new exhaust system developed as the result of a significant R&D project. More than 20% lighter than

its predecessor and the product of testing multiple configurations, the results are an enhanced Lamborghini sound and resonance from the already inimitable V12 aspirated engine, with the three single pipe outlets at the rear of the Aventador S a visual reminder of the new exhaust system. As in its predecessor, the Aventador S is equipped with a stop-and-start system and cylinder deactivation for optimised engine efficiency. When full engine capacity is not required, six of the twelve cylinders are temporarily deactivated by switching off one cylinder bank. When the driver accelerates, the system switches back instantaneously to twelve-cylinder mode, with the changeover virtually impossible to detect by the driver. Tyres and braking system The Aventador S sits on a new, specially developed set of Pirelli P Zero tyres. Designed to optimise steering, traction, lane changes and braking efficiency, the tyres are specifically designed to respond to the dynamic behaviour induced by the Lamborghini Rearwheel Steering, ensuring handling consistency and driver feedback. With improved force generation from both front and rear tyres, the Pirelli P Zero tyres provide a higher lateral acceleration and reduce understeer characteristics. Carbon ceramic brakes are standard Summer 2017 Motors Ireland

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12 equipment for the Aventador S. The ventilated and perforated carbon ceramic discs (Ø 400 x 38 mm – Ø 380 x 38 mm) enhance braking performance from 100 km/h to standstill in 31 m. Aventador S – a driver’s environment The cockpit of the Aventador S brings new functionality and refinement. A new TFT digital dashboard can be customised according to the driver’s preferences, with different kombi screens for STRADA, SPORT and CORSA in conjunction with the EGO mode. Selected from the driving modes options on the control panel, the EGO button reveals further options on popup digital screens, allowing the driver to choose his preferred settings. AppleCarPlay comes as a standard specification, allowing the cockpit’s occupants to manage voice activated communications and entertainment from personal Apple devices. The Lamborghini telemetry system is an optional specification: recording lap times and track performance as well as trip data, the telemetry system is especially appealing to the owner who wants to take his car on track. The interior specification of the Aventador S is virtually limitless through Lamborghini’s Ad Personam customisation program. The Aventador S is a very different supercar than the Aventador that came before it. While there might be some familiaraties it is a very different car and key to this is the rear-wheel steering system and handling along with increased performance. Expect pricing to be a minimum €280,000.

“The Aventador S allows the driver to select between four different driving modes.”

THE SPECS Engine Size

5498cc 48v V12

Fuel Type

Petrol

Power

740hp

Torque

690 Nm

Acceleration (0-100km/h)

2.9 seconds

Top Speed

349km/h

Consumption

17 mpg

CO2 Emissions

394g/km

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VW BEETLE

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Bug has character and has some go.â&#x20AC;?

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SUPER

BUG One of a select few cars that brought motoring to the masses and we got a chance to experience its distinctive character in the form of the R-Line Beetle

here are not many modern cars that have truly iconic heritage. The Beetle is without doubt one such car with over 20 million examples of the original Beetle being sold around the World. And when it was reborn in 1998 a further one million sold to a new generation. It still has the original bug elements along with a up-to-date front-drive chassis. The bug had that cuteness type look and this current generation has it as well but some more masculine looks have been added with a lower flatter roofline and more upright windshield. This is in the hope of luring more male buyers and it’s a look that works and should stand the test of time. I think VW have achieved a shape that is more gender neutral and yet hasn’t lost its classic qualities either which is so important. When the opportunity came to test the refreshed Beetle, I was only too happy to experience a piece of motoring nostalgia. Three trim levels are available, the Beetle, Beetle Design and Beetle R-Line. Our test vehicle was the R-line 2.0-litre TDI giving 150HP. The new Beetle R-Line trim has a sportier bumper design unique to that model. It features extra air intake openings along the upper edge of the bumper along with LED rear lights. Our model came with 18inch ‘Twister’ alloy wheels and was in Sandstorm Yellow. Other new pearlescent-effect colours available include Bottle Green and White Silver. The Sandstorm Yellow certainly gets you noticed and it grew on me after a few days. I think of all the cars I’ve reviewed I’ve had more well-meaning comments and admiring nods driving this Beetle. People like it and they are not afraid to tell you either. I think that comes down to the iconic status and how many people know a family member or neighbor, that had one in times gone past. The Beetle R-Line comes with body-coloured rear diffuser and twin exhausts. The exterior styling is developed with gloss black door mirrors and door protectors and a rear tailgate spoiler to finish off the look along with some R-line decals. In the new range the Beetle R-Line replaces the previous Sport trim level. The R-Line will be available with Volkswagen’s powerful 2.0-litre TDI 150HP diesel engine and a choice of either six-speed manual or six-

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16 speed DSG transmission and comes with sports suspension. Our vehicle had the DSG transmission. The line-up for Ireland is a 1.2-litre 105bhp TSI petrol engine in a 6-speed manual or 7-speed DSG, a 1.4-litre 150bhp TSI petrol engine with same transmission offerings as the 1.2-litre above, the 2.0-litre 110bhp TDI diesel (5-speed manual or 7-speed DSG) or the aforementioned 2.0-litre 150bhp TDI diesel (6-speed manual or 6-speed DSG). Our 2.0-litre engine had a nice balance between being able accelerate when needed for overtaking without being necessarily quick to having decent efficiency with 4.8L/100km. The car is comfortable to drive and handles well but I didn’t get that driver to car connection over my test period. What I did get though was a car with personality, solid build quality and a sense of fun that’s hard to find in many modern cars. Inside, the design is clean and flowing, with rounded rectangles and circles the major themes. Controls are simple, both on the wheel and on the dash. Inside the car, the traditional Volkswagen driver-focused design remains. In the R-Line this starts with ‘Sports’ instrument dials, while the pedals are trimmed in aluminium and the scuff plates feature the distinctive R-Line logo. The quality of the interior is evidenced by the leather-trimmed colour coded three-spoke multifunction steering wheel the moment you sit inside. The colour coded Sandstorm Yellow theme inside continues across the entire dash over the glovebox and across the doors and into the rear. There is plenty of leg and head room and overall very comfortable for driver and front passenger. The back seats aren’t very spacious and with the front seats extended to a normal position, leg room in the rear is all but gone. It is at best a part-time four-seater so if that suits your lifestyle and circumstances then great as you have use of the rear seats for some extra space. You will also find the glove box and other smaller storage areas located around the cabin useful for putting your everyday items into, along with the boot for larger items which has a 310 litre capacity. Good visibility through the windows and large rearview mirrors make for easy sight lines in traffic. Standard safety equipment on the Beetle includes the usual front, side, and curtain airbags; anti-lock brakes and stability control; and active headrests. The optional rear view camera system enables you to view obstacles behind the vehicle on the display in the centre console making things that bit easier for parking. The Beetle has automatic emergency braking system that applies the brakes when a collision is detected to reduce the possibility of a second impact and more damage.

Conclusion The Bug has character and has some go. It’s not overally quick but has enough pace to keep you happy and easily overtake if needed. The R-Line touches are very nice and they enhance an already good looking car. It’s a better-looking car than before but lacks that connection you get with the likes of the Golf which is a pity as it really is all that’s missing. In the end it will come down to personal circumstances though. If you have a growing family perhaps look to something a little bigger as it just doesn’t make sense based on your needs. If that’s not an issue however and you’re looking for something with character, fun, to stand out from the crowd in what can be a sea of mundane vehicles, then look no further than the Beetle. You’ll be smiling ear to ear with no shortage of admiring glances.

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THE SPECS Engine Size

2.0-litre TDI

four-cylinder

Fuel Type

Diesel

Transmission

6-Speed Automatic DSG

Power

150hp

Torque

340 Nm

Acceleration (0-100km/h)

8.9 seconds

Top Speed

200km/h

Consumption

4.8L/100km

CO2 Emissions

126g/km

Road Tax

j270 per year (B1)

Base Price

i22,735

Our Test Model

y36,567

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LARRY MOONEY

INTERVIEW WITH

LARRY MOONEY It was all about cars for Larry Mooney

arry Mooney is the name which belongs to a highly thought of and well established gentleman in the motor industry. Mr Mooney has a long history in many different disciplines as well as having some great stories from his time in the Motor Trade where he began his apprenticeship assembling Volkswagen Beetles in the building which now houses Ballsbridge Motors. Mr Mooney is a former Champion racing car driver as well as a retired MDL executive. Larry sat down for a chat with Motors Ireland recently where he spoke about where his interest in the trade came from, his career and life after retirement. “My interest in cars and the motoring World happened by accident. People always ask me how old was I when I started to drive and I use the word carefully as I was two years of age (before World War Two in 1938) when I got into a car and it was on a hill outside a hotel down in Avoca in County Wicklow and I let the hand-brake off and I steered the car down the hill, eventually I ended up in a hedge and I’ve never left cars alone since then,’’ said Larry Mooney. “I was outside playing around, my parents car was open and I got into it, took the brake off and off down the hill I went. There was no one in the car with me, I did everything on my own. My parents discovered that the car was gone but that I was okay, but as well as that the car wasn’t damaged because it was in a hedge at the bottom of a hill. “I attended school with the Christian Brothers in Dun Laoghaire and

I used to go in to a garage where my Mother worked in the 1920’s almost every day after school and I would look at the mechanics fixing the cars and I would also be watching everything that was going on in the garage. I was doing that from the time I was about seven or eight years old,’’ added Mr Mooney. “From the age of 12 or 13 I would have been in garages all of the time. I would have always have been playing around with cars and motorbikes. My Father was a school teacher and I was to go and study Engineering. I was happy to go on and study that subject once it was about cars and he (my Father) wasn’t happy about that at all as he thought working on cars wasn’t good enough and that I was capable of doing more but I was just mad and bananas about cars and that hasn’t changed since. “My Mother approached a man by the name of Stephen O’Flaherty, he was the first man that brought Volkswagens into Ireland. Ireland was the first Country outside of Germany where the Volkswagen Beetle was built,’’ reflected Mr Mooney. Mr O’Flaherty who was also known as the ‘Volkswagen King’ built an enormous fortune for his family when he became the first businessman to get a Volkswagen agency outside of Germany in 1945. “Mr O’Flaherty took me on as an apprentice, he put me into the assembly line where I spent six months so I would know every nut and bolt of the Beetle and how they were built so that when I would go in to the service department I would be able to tell all of the mechanics how to fix the Beetles but the problem was I was only 15

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Words: Emer Kelly Pics: Motors Ireland & Volkswagen Ireland

Our journalist Emer Kelly with Larry Mooney

“Not long after that I got ﬁrst place in Auto-mobile Engineering in Ireland.” years old and the mechanics didn’t appreciate that. The mechanics more or less asked me what I would know about cars. “Not long after that I got first place in Auto-mobile Engineering in Ireland and my Father woke up! I wasn’t afraid to study and study wasn’t a problem, it just had to be cars that I was studying about so after I won that prize a few people sat up and realised that I did know about cars,’’ enthused Larry. “At the same time, a man by the name of Paddy Hopkirk who is a famous rally driver from Belfast went to Trinity College followed by him becoming a salesman in Ballsbridge Motors where I worked. He drove a Volkswagen Beetle which I prepared for him. Mr Hopkirk was born in Belfast and educated at Clongowes Wood College in County Kildare from 1945–1949 before attending Trinity College until 1953. He was awarded the MBE Honour in the 2016 New Year’s Honours list. He started his winning career in professional racing and rally driving in 1955. He finished third at the 1962 Monte Carlo Rally in a Sunbeam Rapier. Alongside Henry Liddon he won the 1964 Monte Carlo Rally in a Mini Cooper S car number 37, with the registration number 33 EJB. They are the most recent all-British crew to have won the event. “I was working in Ballsbridge Motors until I served my apprenticeship and then I met Nigel O’Flaherty, a son of Stephen O’Flaherty’s. He invited me to come and work in their new Volkswagen garage on the North Circular Road which is now known as Park Motors,’’ said Larry

Mooney. “The O’Flaherty family were a lovely family and they were always very good to me. One thing that stands out for me about them is that in business, they have always been one of the luckiest families even to this day. “From the workshop, I graduated up the line to a service advisor, on to be a service manager (for Volkswagen in the 1960’s) and then I became a Volkswagen service manager for the whole Country, and then I became the manager of garages in Waterford, Cork as well as in Blackrock and Deansgrange in Dublin. “Then I moved on to promotional marketing and then I became responsible for looking after the promotional marketing for Volkswagen, Audi and Skoda (in the mid-1980’s until I retired) and I also looked after Porsche in Ireland for a number of years when I worked in Grange Motors,’’ he enthused. “I travelled all over the South of the Country where I would visit dealerships telling them how to fix and repair the cars and how to run their workshops. Everything about managing and running garages was my area and job at the time. “Throughout my career, I’ve seen an awful lot of changes. The motor trade has changed immaculately and it is going through another new change at the moment. Selling cars and buying cars has really changed because cars have become so electronic,’’ imparted Larry. Summer 2017 Motors Ireland

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“I was working in Ballsbridge Motors until I served my apprenticeship.”

“Back in the 1950’s cars used to have to be serviced every 1,500 miles which is a very short period and petrol was very cheap then too, it could have been two or three shillings in today’s money which is buttons. The cars were all petrol, all of the trucks and vans were by and large diesel. “Of course now there are a lot of diesel cars and of course we’re now changing into a new type of car which is the electric type. “In fact, in motor racing which is my other hobby. Electric cars feature in formula racing or Formula E as it is now known. They are now talking about having the cars without any drivers. For me I can’t see the attraction as in my eyes there is no fun in driving a car if you are not in it,’’ added a chuckling Larry. “Personally I think the electric car is developing slowly and a lot of people are now environmentally conscious. The cars aren’t quite there yet but they are coming and everyday there is a new little improvement. The biggest problem really is to do with the battery as it isn’t quite good enough and the distance the car can travel isn’t up to the amount which the average driver would travel. “I’ve never regretted one second in the motor business or in motor sport as they have always given me great fun. Both the motor business and the motor sport has introduced me to people you never think possible,’’ he explained. “Motor sport certainly triggered things that happened to me which to me were important. The first time I was ever involved in a competition had nothing to do with cars but it was potatoes. We moved to a new house and the tradition in the old days would be that the garden would be dug and potatoes would be sewn to clean the soil. “My father dug the garden to put the potatoes in and he gave me

two rows of potatoes to grow. It was something that stuck with me because if you are going to do something make sure you find out all about how you go about doing it so I went off to my Grandfather who was from the Countryside and asked him what I should do to grow potatoes. “I was only about seven or eight at this stage and he told me that I needed to go and get leaves off trees and fresh horse manure so I went off and filled a trolley I had with leaves and hot fresh horse manure and I returned home where I put down the leaves first followed by the manure, I got the potatoes from my Father and I put them in the drills and I covered over the drills, the stalks off my potatoes shot up out of the ground and my they were twice the height of my Father’s and when the potatoes came out of the ground, they were three times bigger than his and suddenly I appreciated competition,’’ explained Larry. “If you want to do competition, make sure you know the right things to do because you don’t go blinded into a competition and I’ve done that all of my life ever since then.’’ Having retired in October 2000 after working for almost 50 years in the motor trade, does Larry miss working in the field that held and still holds such a place in his heart? “Yes I do but to this day people always ask me for advise when it comes to buying cars and so forth and they are doing me a favour because they are keeping me involved in the trade and they are keeping me ticking over.’’ As to what cars catch his eyes these days? “I love all cars. Each car is unique in their own way. I enjoy looking at and driving all cars.’’

Summer 2017 Motors Ireland

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The new Golf. From €269 per month with 1.9% APR PCP Finance. With a range of new innovative features, such as Gesture Control, Apple CarPlay™ and Wireless Smartphone Charging, the new Golf is our most intuitive Golf yet. Visit volkswagen.ie to find out more.

We make the future real. Golf Range Fuel Consumption l/100km (high to low): urban 10.1-4.1, extra-urban 6.6-3.8, combined 7.9-3.9. CO2 emissions g/km (high to low) 180-102. Increased weight of a vehicle, including higher trim levels and the addition of options may have an affect on the fuel consumption and CO2 emissions produced. The CO2 and fuel consumption figures are obtained from tests on a representative vehicle of the type, conducted and approved in accordance with Council Directive 80/1268/EEC as amended by Directive 1999/100/EC (or later) on the approximation of the laws of the member states relating to the carbon dioxide emissions and the fuel consumption of motor vehicles. Typical Finance Example: Golf Highline. Recommended OTRP €27,070. Deposit/Part Exchange €8,085.39. 36 monthly payments of €269. Optional final payment €9,992.10. Total cost of credit €841.49. Subject to lending criteria. Total cost of credit includes acceptance fee (€75) and completion fee (€75). Minimum deposit is 10%. Subject to lending criteria. This offer is made under a hire purchase agreement. Volkswagen Bank GmbH is authorised by the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority in Germany and regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland for conduct of business rules. *Features mentioned are optional extras. For further information, please speak to Summer a member of our sales Motors team. ModelIreland shown 2017 is for illustrative purposes only. See www.volkswagen.ie for details.

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22 Audi Q5

TOP OF ITS CLASS? Make no mistake, the Audi Q5 is a massively important vehicle for Audi Ireland and Audi globally.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Q5 that this replaces was by no means bad.â&#x20AC;? Summer Summer2017 2017Motors MotorsIreland Ireland

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“The power reaches the road through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.”

hen the Q5 launched in 2008 almost a decade ago it was entering a tough market against some stiff competition. It proved a success in what was a growing market segment at that time and it eclipsed all expected targets. The Q5 that this replaces was by no means bad. In fact it was quite good but Audi has upped its offering and by doing so is trying to make something very good even better and that has the capability to be a class leader in the years ahead. Audi ended up selling more

than 1.5 million first-generation Q5s, which became one of the brand’s key cash cows. “Never change a winning team,” company chairman Rupert Stadler replied when asked why the new model looks so much like its predecessor. “Furthermore, the new Q5 is considerably lighter, more efficient, safer, and easier to use thanks to up to 30 new assistance systems.” Designed by Wolfgang Egger rather than by his more progressive successor, Marc Lichte, the new Q5 is a pretty and well-balanced vehicle like the A4 and A5 launched before it. This isn’t a cosmetic

make over with a newer look and a hope to sell more units although at first glance that’s what you might suspect. Audi have really gone to town on the Q5 with all areas being overhauled. First off the new Q5 earns a more sophisticated look with the defining characteristics being the new grille, a front end that appears longer than before and a character line that links the headlights to the taillights. At the rear the Q5 sports a look similar to before, but the new LED lighting cleans up its rear lights. Now based on the new A4’s MLB platform and to be shared with next-generation

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A6, the Q5 grows in most key dimensions including the boot. The capacity rises by 10 litres to a max of 610. The new Q5 has grown to 4.66 metres long, 1.89 metres wide and 1.66 metre tall with a 2.82 metre wheelbase. Despite its growth, the weight of the SUV has been reduced by up to 90kg due to the intelligent material mix of steel and aluminium used in the body and drag coefficient is down to a strong 0.30. So bigger but yet lighter which is impressive and that wheelbase of 2.82 has a 20mm growth and

that will be felt first hand by your passengers experiencing a more comfortable and roomier drive. The power reaches the road through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and Audiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new Quattro ultra all-wheel drive system. Our 2.0 litre diesel test vehicle will likely be a big seller with strong mid-range pull that not only makes overtaking easy but is also capable of putting a smile on your face. My only frustration is the stop-start mode which

tends to leave you in some awkward situations at roundabouts. Well other places also but my experience was coming up to local roundabouts, stopping, waiting for a gap and then making my move but nothing happens. When the engine does come to life, the other car has now started moving to merge on to the same roundabout, the engine comes to life and propels you forward and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re nearly in the middle looking like a bit of an idiot, and so eager to explain that I do actually know how to drive Summer 2017 Motors Ireland

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but it wasn’t my fault. Of course nobody cares and you just get those angry looks drivers give. I thought it was just me but did notice one or two other journalists had the same issue. It is the only negative I could find but worth a mention. On the more positive side light steering at low speeds helps with manoeuvring and handling is improved compared with the previous Q5. There’s also plenty of grip. On the inside the cabin takes a marked step forward in terms of both quality and the lengthy list of amenities contained therein. The materials are obviously off the top shelf, the seating in all positions - well, except the middle rear is comfortable and there are a ton of electronics aboard. Standard equipment is more extensive than ever. Among the features included are xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights and LED rear lights, the Audi MMI Navigation with 7-inch MMI colour display, bluetooth and USB charging

function, Audi drive select dynamic handling system, twin leather and front and rear parking sensors. The LED interior lighting pack is now also standard across the family. Similarly, Audi smartphone interface, Audi Connect, automatic boot lid and full body paint finish are standard on both trim line options. The two trim lines available for the new Q5 in Ireland are the SE and S Line. Audi’s virtual cockpit is also available as an option on both trim lines. In the front the Q5 feels impressively spacious and has plenty of large storage spaces for phones, wallets, keys and anything else you tend to take on a journey. On the safety side the Audi Q5 showed off its strengths in the latest Euro NCAP tests, during which it scored points for occupant protection, child safety and pedestrian protection, making it among the safest crossovers on sale today. Also contributing to the SUV’s rating were the driver assistance systems that are standard

equipment. So, there was little wrong with the outgoing Audi Q5. However, this model tweaks every aspect to produce a much better vehicle. The look is sophisticated, the cabin nicely attired and it has the right driving dynamics too. I liked it when I attended the launch and had my first drive and after having some further time behind the wheel I got to appreciate the Q5 a lot more. It’s a refined car in which to travel and has an amazingly well built interior along with an efficient engine and good handling. It’s definitely worth a test drive if in the market for a premium quality SUV.

THE SPECS Model

Audi Q5 2.0 TDI Quattro

Engine Size

2.0-litre TDI

Fuel Type

Diesel

Power

190hp

Transmission

S Tronic Seven-speed

Torque

400Nm

automatic

“Handling is improved compared with the previous Q5.”

Acceleration (0-100km/h) 7.9 seconds Top Speed

218 km/h

Consumption

5.0L/100km or 56 mpg

CO2 Emissions

132g/km

Road Tax

€280 per year (B2)

Base Price

€47,500

Our Test Model

€65,641

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Curiosity is calling The all-new Audi Q5

Q5 range fuel consumption l/100km: urban 5.6–5.3, extra-urban 5.1–4.6, combined 5.3–4.6. CO2 emissions g/km 138–120.

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28 DAVE KEARNEY

Dave Kearney with Audi Naas Marketing Manager Gordon Geraghty.

INTERVIEW WITH

AUDI NAAS AMBASSADOR DAVE KEARNEY Performance is key for Dave on and off the field

rish International and Leinster Rugby player Dave Kearney has always had a passion for cars, like many people his first car was a Volkswagen Golf followed by Sheehy Motors in Naas signing him as a brand ambassador for their garage in 2014. Mr Kearney who is the younger brother of fellow professional Rugby player Rob, grew up on the Cooley peninsula in County Louth. Having attended primary school in Louth, he attended Clongowes Wood College in County Kildare for his secondary school education. Rugby is a game that is in the Kearney blood; David Kearney Senior played the sport with Dundalk Rugby Club with Dave first picking up a Rugby ball at the age of 10. Dave played his first match for Leinster on 16th May 2009 against The Newport Dragons when he entered the

game as a substitute. He scored his first try in a Leinster jersey when playing Newport Dragons in December of the 2009–10 season, and was one of three matches in which Kearney played that season. Despite having a number of injuries over the last few years, Mr Kearney remains a steady fixture within both the Leinster and Ireland line-up. “I was out injured recently with an ankle injury that I was meant to be out for four weeks but it extended itself to 15 weeks and I had to have surgery as well. This was the most frustrating injury within my career because I didn’t really know when I was going to be able to play again. Eight weeks in, I found out that I needed to have surgery done and I wasn’t really sure when I was going to be back (training and playing) again so it had to be the most frustrating injury I’ve had in comparison

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Words: Emer Kelly Pics: Gordon Geraghty

to other injuries,’’ said Dave Kearney. “Injuries are part and parcel of the game and sometimes some lads pick up more intense injuries than others.’’ Since speaking with this publication, he returned to the field in mid-February where he played with his beloved Leinster and scored two tries for the side when they went up against Treviso only for him to be replaced at half-time after failing a head injury assessment with it being revealed the following day that he had suffered a toe injury which has ruled him out of any games for the last few weeks. Whilst the sport he plays is the biggest passion, love or interest in his life, a close second would have to be his interest in cars. “Since I was young I’ve had an interest in cars. I like the ways certain types of cars look and how they perform. My first car was and it is quite a common first car for most people, a Volkswagen Summer 2017 Motors Ireland

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Golf. I had a couple of Golf’s as Volkswagen used to sponsor Leinster Rugby in my earlier years. “I was always very keen to get set up with Audi as I’ve always liked the brand and how their cars look. I’m lucky enough to be an ambassador for Audi in Naas and I love the Audi cars and I love driving them,’’ added Mr Kearney. “My brother Rob is the ambassador for Audi Ireland and through our agent David McHugh we thought Audi in Naas would be a good suit for me (in terms of being a brand ambassador) and that’s how I got involved with them. “Audi in Naas are great to work with and Jackie (Stafford) who is the General Manager in the garage is a lovely person and we get on really well together too which is great,’’ enthused Dave. “I’ve been driving a nice grey (daytona grey pearl effect) Audi A6 2.0 litre (150 BHP) S-line for the last few months. Previously to that, I was driving an Audi A5 Sport-back 2.0L TDI (150 BHP) S- Line in Sepang Blue Pearl Effect. The new car I’m getting is an A5 sport-back 2.0 litre TDI soon so I’m really looking forward to picking that up and driving it,’’ he imparted. Mr Kearney’s new car features fine Nappa leather, MMI Navigation Plus, a panoramic glass roof, an Audi virtual cockpit and a Bang & Olufsen sound system. As well as Rugby taking over a large portion of his time and life, Mr Kearney is also in his final year of college where he is studying Business Management. He also co-owns The Bridge 1859 in Ballsbridge and Lemon and Duke on the Royal Hibernian Way alongside his brother Rob, Jamie Heaslip, Sean O’Brien and their business partner Noel Anderson. “Professionally I want to get some games under my belt whilst getting my form back and personally I am studying on a Tuesday and Wednesday evening and I’ve only got another year left and I’m looking forward to getting college finished,’’ he imparted. Audi Naas also run a Rugby clinic once a year with Dave, with the team in the Kildare garage enthusing how their relationship with Dave and some of the coaching staff at Leinster Rugby is “massively important to them whilst giving their customers the chance to interact with some of their sporting heroes.’’ “We are delighted to continue our relationship with Dave as Audi Naas Brand Ambassador,’’ said Marketing Manager for Audi Naas, Gordon Geraghty. “Audi is a brand that prides itself on performance, technical expertise and power so it seems like a natural fit. “Performance is key for Dave on the field and in the technical aspects of his day to day preparation,’’ enthused Mr Geraghty Summer 2017 Motors Ireland

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32 NEW GEAR

NEW GEAR Mercedes-AMG G 63 in the 5 “Crazy Colours” as limited model car edition

he name says it all: “Crazy Colours” is a special colour option package for the G-Class. Those who want to make their G63 individual with an eye-catching effect can choose between five exclusive exterior body-paints. These “crazy colours” also have individual characteristics. For example, the sunsetbeam remains one of a beautiful sunset, while the galacticbeam, depending on incidence of light, shows shades of blue. Attachments parts, such as mirrors, front and rear bumpers, wheel arch extensions, the ring of the spare wheel cover and the roof, however, are painted obsidian black. Mercedes-Benz GmbH implements these fresh cool crazy colours in a 1:18 sized model car: in a limited model series of the Mercedes-AMG G 63, AMG solarbeam, sunsetbeam, aliengreen, tomatored, and galacticbeam are all available. There will be exactly 463 units pro “crazy colour”, matching the internal code W463. “1 of 463“ will be indicated on the underbody of each one of these special edition models. These exclusive model car versions of the G 63 in “crazy colours” are available at Mercedes-Benz sales partners. Price range from TBC

Traeger Timberline Grill

raeger has been making badass pellet grills for decades. The new Traeger Timberline Grill leverages all that knowledge and engineering acquired over the years and pairs it with insights from regular folks and professional pitmasters to create a smart grill that will totally change your BBQ experience. Built on a patentpending approach that they call “Smoke Science,” the Traeger Timberline creates and circulates pure, blue smoke throughout the double-wall, commercial-grade stainless interior that’s insulated from the outside world with an airtight lid. Those features allow the Timberline to maintain consistent temperature and ensure your food gets the maximum amount of smoke possible. Since the grill has a higher interior clearance, Traeger added a third rack inside so you have room for multiple meats and sides regardless of what you’re grilling, smoking, searing, baking, roasting, braising or barbecuing. There’s even a WiFIRE controller/app that lets you control the grill without having to get off the couch or open the grill. If it’s good enough for a professional pit master, it’s good enough for the rest of us. Price range from: €1,400

www.traegergrills.com

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Sobro Coffee Table

f you’re looking to keep the party in front of the couch without having to get up for chilled beverages the Sobro Coffee Table has a refrigerated drawer. Yes, you read that correctly. With Sobro you can have an entire game or Netflix season worth of beer, water, Red Bull, mixers or sandwiches right in front of you with enough space on top for all of your bowls of snacks or a pizza. That’s reason enough to back the project on Indiegogo, but wait, there’s more! It’s also a smart table. Connect your table via Bluetooth for precise temperature control, LED lighting control and to play music or TV audio through the built-in speakers—or just use the touch control interface in the tabletop. There are even outlets and USB ports on the side of the table to keep all your gadgets charged during important work sessions and draft parties. Price range from €500

Uvolt Watch

ever worry about a dead phone or carrying a portable battery pack ever again, because the Uvolt Watch can recharge your phone. The watch is built around a 600 mAh battery that sits just below the face and can easily be removed to charge your phone. You don’t even need to worry about carrying cables, because the batteries come with built-in cables for Lightning or Micro USB & USB-C depending on which model you select. Charging happens via a wireless receiver and included charging dock, or using the solar panel built into the face of the watch. They even built additional batteries into the bracelet links themselves, which will automatically start recharging the removable battery when you put it back in the watch. The square design with rounded corners houses an analog watch with minimal lines and decoration to increase the efficiency of the solar panels. The Uvolt Watch will be available in black, white, silver and rose gold if it reaches its funding goal on Kickstarter. Price range from €100+

www.kickstarter.com

Nokia 3310

hen news surfaced that Nokia was about to bring back its classic 3310, a phone you probably best remember for the epic games of Snake you played during math class, we thought long and hard about whether to even post about it. We mean, in terms of performance, it’s blown out of the water by just about every smartphone from the past decade. Then we got to thinking. As more studies nudge us to distance ourselves from social media and we seek to remove our faces from a phone screen 24/7, perhaps there really is a place for the simplicity of the old Nokia brick. So for that we say, Welcome back, old friend. The new version of the 3310 is here, and it’s coming with a colour screen, 22 hours of active battery life, and, yes, Snake. You’ll also have a physical keyboard, which is a feature some may truly miss. There’s a web browser and a camera but neither will match the performance of what you’re used to—and that’s okay; that’s not why you’re buying this. If you crave simplicity—and the more reasonable price tag that comes with it—maybe, just maybe, the Nokia 3310 makes a little bit of sense. Price range from: €50

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34 MÉGANE GRAND COUPÉ

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.

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“The new Grand Coupe essentially replaces the Fluence.”

t was just after Christmas when we got our invite to Cliff at Lyons near Celbridge in Co Kildare and it was an opportunity to get up close to some new models being launched by Renault Ireland. The Renault Mégane Grand Coupé was one we were very keen to drive and we managed to organise our extended test period not too long after the launch. The new Grand Coupe essentially replaces the Fluence and will be competing against the likes of the Audi A3 saloon so it’s in a tough segment. It’s based on the CMF C/D version of the Renault-Nissan Alliance’s CMF (Common Module Family) platform, which is shared with the Mégane range. The first thing that stands out when you see the new Mégane Grand Coupé is the C-shaped front LED lights. Thanks to its front and rear lighting signature with 3D effect LED technology, you are visible from a distance, day or night. With its dynamic flowing lines and generous proportions it can look like it’s not a saloon from certain angles and it has an elegant style of its own. The Grand Coupé will be available in nine colours, including eight metallic options: Pearl White, Platinum, Mink, Cosmos Blue, Titanium, Flame Red, Pearl Black, Dune Beige and one non-metallic finish, Glacier White. Two diesel engines will be available in Ireland: The dCi 110, available with a 6-speed manual gearbox or the EDC 6-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox and the dCi 130, available with a 6-speed manual gearbox. The 110 is in the A2 (€180) band producing 95g of CO2/km, while the 130 produces 105g/km, putting it in the A3 grouping (€190). Fuel consumption for the 110 is to be a claimed 3.7 litres/100km, while the 130 is said to get 4l/100km. We had the 130bhp version and while it had enough power to give that surge of speed you might need it won’t deliver

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break neck performance but is more than capable for the average family and delivering speed for overtaking maneuverers. This Mégane Grand Coupé is 37mm longer than the hatchback at 4.63m long and 1.81m wide and has a 503 litre boot capacity. Standard equipment on the new Mégane Grand Coupé include but is not limited to multiple airbags, ABS, ESP, EBD, ISOFIX, power windows, remote key card entry (car opens automatically when you touch handle), push-button start, auto locking which we found very handy, Bluetooth, climate control, multi-function steering wheel, sports seats, auto wipers and R-Link 2 Multimedia system with 7 inch touchscreen. The R-LINK 2 touchscreen tablet lets you adjust your settings to your preferences. Display, air-conditioning, seat position, access to radio, navigation of your apps. It’s simple, seamless interface lets you create up to 6 user profiles.

The fit and finish of everything is excellent and the ergonomics of the design means everything is perfectly placed for ease of use. There are a variety of trims and finishes to suit your particular taste. The driving position is very good with height adjustment for both the seat and steering wheel allowing one to get the best seating position possible. Accommodation is pretty good all round with adequate head and legroom both front and rear. Important for any buyer is the safety features and up front are two airbags, two lateral thorax/shoulder airbags for the front, two curtain airbags, anti-whiplash front and rear head rests, anti-submarining system for front and rear seats, rear Isofix anchorage and all seat belts are equipped with pre-tensioners and load limiters. Renault have included the front and rear parking control to navigate parking spaces and a speedometer in digital where every driving detail needed is easier to access.

“Two diesel engines will be available in Ireland.”

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Renault KADJAR

From

€229

per month

With 5 years warranty* & roadside assistance Book a test drive at renault.ie Model shown 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 €8,460. Term 36 monthly payments of €229. APR 4.9%. Total cost of credit €1,992 inc doc & completion fee €75 each. Optional final payment €10,328. 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 andMotors conditionsIreland apply. Offer Summer 2017 exclusive to Renault Bank. See renault.ie [Warning: You will not own these goods until the final payment is made].

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It’ll be built in Turkey and sold in 20 markets including Australia, Italy, the UAE, much of Eastern Europe and Ireland – places where more conventional saloons appeal over five-door hatchbacks. As far as we are aware it won’t be sold in the UK. A five-year warranty is standard on all the new Renault cars. There is plenty of storage inside the cabin, with space in the central armrest, large door pockets and a very big glove box along with a 503 litre boot mentioned earlier. Overall I liked the look of the Mégane

Grand Coupé and found the drive to be comfortable with not too much road noise coming through the cabin. Our car came with the panoramic sunroof at a cost of €1,000. A bit pricey but it did make the cabin bright and if you plan to spend a lot of time behind the wheel perhaps it’s money well spent. With good styling, reasonable pricing and a lot on offer I can see the Mégane doing well for Renault in the Irish market.

THE SPECS Engine Size

1.6-litre four-cylinder

Fuel Type

Diesel

Power

130hp

Torque

320Nm

Acceleration (0-100km/h)

seconds

Top Speed

km/h

Consumption

4.0L/100km

CO2 Emissions

105g/km

Road Tax

€190 per year (A3)

Base Price

€21,990

Our Test Model

€29,490

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McLaren 720S

MCLAREN 720S The new McLaren 720S made its global debut at the 87th Geneva International Motor Show, introducing the second-generation of McLaren’s Super Series and simultaneously raising previously accepted limits of performance in the supercar sector.

uper Series is the core of the McLaren business and personifies the blend of extreme performance, crafted luxury and unparalleled driver involvement that is the McLaren heartland. This is the first time we have replaced a product family and the new 720S is absolutely true to McLaren’s pioneering spirit in being a revolutionary leap forwards, both for our brand and the supercar segment enthused Mike Flewitt, Chief Executive Officer of McLaren Automotive. The unveiling of McLaren’s new supercar confirms both the 720S name and 720PS horsepower of the first model in the secondgeneration McLaren Super Series, details which have been teased online in recent months. The Surrey, England-based manufacturer of luxury, high-performance sports and supercars, has issued a series of six press releases since January, each accompanied by an image or film containing a numerical reference - and it can now be revealed that 1 x 2 x 3 x 4 x 5 x 6 equals 720… The new 720S is lighter, faster and even more dynamically capable than its McLaren 650S predecessor, with unparalleled levels of interior space and sophistication and a breadth and depth of abilities that will engage and exhilarate the driver. One glance at the 720S identifies it as a bold reinterpretation of McLaren’s design language; rooted in aerodynamic principles, the beautiful form has nothing superfluous about it: immediately and undeniably a McLaren, the new 720S is arguably the most distinctive and remarkable McLaren yet. One of the key points in the design of the new Super Series is the absence of radiator intakes on the side of the car; this function is carried out instead by the unique ‘double-skin’ aerodynamic form of the dihedral doors, which channel air to the high-temperature radiators that cool the mid-mounted engine. The new M480T engine powering the 720S continues the lineage of McLaren’s multiple-award-winning, twin-turbocharged V8 engine series. The 4.0-litre engine, which has 41 percent new part content compared to the 3.8-litre engine that continues to feature in the McLaren Sports Series, generates a maximum of 720PS and 770Nm of torque. Performance is truly astonishing: standstill to 100km/h (62mph) takes

less than 3 seconds and just 5 seconds later the car has passed the 200km/h (124mph) mark on its way to a maximum speed of 341km/h (212mph). Braking is equally impressive, the new 720S coming to a halt from 200km/h (124mph) in just 4.6 seconds, covering 117m. Additionally, the extreme efficiency of the engine also goes beyond mere velocity: the new McLaren 720S delivers 10.7 litres/100km combined fuel economy and CO2 emissions of just 249g/km in the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC). McLaren’s expertise in carbon fibre structures – every road car built by the British manufacturer since the McLaren F1 in 1993 has had a carbon fibre chassis – underpins the construction of the new 720S; the architecture of the car is based around a new carbon fibre ‘tub’ and upper structure, the McLaren Monocage II. This technology delivers extreme strength and rigidity in a lightweight structure and is the ideal base for any supercar. A range of aluminium alloys are also used extensively in the chassis, as well as for some body panels. A new generation of McLaren’s Proactive Chassis Control, new suspension and the established excellence of McLaren’s powerassisted, electro-hydraulic steering, all combine to deliver huge reserves of grip, balance and performance and an unmatched breadth of dynamic capabilities. The hand-crafted luxury inherent in a McLaren, with the authenticity of fine leathers and machined aluminium, is complemented by the revolutionary new McLaren Driver Interface, which comprises a Folding Driver Display and Central Infotainment Screen. In combination with a cabin environment that establishes new standards in the supercar segment for visibility, space and comfort, these attributes give the new McLaren 720S an incredible degree of usability and validate its claim to be the most complete supercar on sale today. The new McLaren 720S is now available to order from McLaren retailers, with the first customers scheduled to receive their cars in May. Three grades of specification are offered, with Performance and Luxury trims extending above the standard level, all complemented by a range of option packs. The new McLaren 720S, costs from £208,600 / €245,000.

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40 FERRARI 812 SUPERFAST

THE NEW 812 SUPERFAST Ferrari kicks off its 70th anniversary with the world premiere of its most powerful production car yet, the 800HP, 812 Superfast.

he unveiling of this flagship V12 berlinetta is particularly significant, as Ferrari’s noble V12 heritage has its roots in the founding of the company, 70 years ago this year, and Ferrari remains to this day the only manufacturer to have continuously produced sports cars with 12-cylinder engines throughout that time. Powered by a new 6.5-litre V12, the 812 Superfast is the benchmark in the mid-frontengined sports car segment, achieving its maximum power output at 8,500 rpm, which ensures the kind of thrilling top-end performance that is the exclusive characteristic of Ferrari’s V12s. Maximum torque is 718 Nm @

7,000 rpm, a significant 80% of which is already available at 3,500 rpm, improving driveability and pick-up at low revs. The 812 Superfast is striking for both its highly innovative design and aero package, as well as its unparalleled handling. It is the first Ferrari to introduce Electric Power Steering (EPS) which, in line with Ferrari tradition, is used to fully exploit the potential of the car in terms of performance. The introduction of the Virtual Short Wheelbase 2.0 system (PCV) combines the electric front-wheel steering assistance with the mechanical concept based on tyre dimensions and the rear-wheel steering. All integrated with the vehicle dynamics control systems, based on Version 5.0 of the SSC, with

the aim of improving the agility and response time to steering wheel inputs. The two examples of the 812 Superfast on display feature new colours: the special celebratory Rosso 70 Anni and Grigio Caldo Opaco. The new car is joined on the stand in Geneva by the California T, finished in Bianco Italia, the 488 GTB in Giallo Tristrato, the 488 Spider in classic Rosso Corsa, and the GTC4Lusso in Nero Stellato. There is also a further example of Ferrari’s exclusive liveries developed to celebrate the 70th Anniversary, one of the 70 different Tailor Made offerings inspired by iconic cars in the company’s history that are available on each of the five models in the range. The 488 GTB

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“The torque curve illustrates this impressive improvement on the F12berlinetta.” on show is finished in Rosso Corsa with a Blu Laguna and Giallo Modena livery inspired by the 290 MM driven by Juan Manuel Fangio in the 1956 Mille Miglia, which saw Ferraris take the top four places. The 812 Superfast The first and most difficult challenge Ferrari always faces when it decides to develop a new model is to push the boundaries of its own achievements yet again. This challenge is made all the tougher when the task at hand involves designing a new 12-cylinder engine, the power unit that hailed the start of the glorious Prancing Horse story 70 years ago in 1947.

On this occasion, intensive research and development focused on exploiting Ferrari’s wealth of track-derived engineering know-how has produced a unique model designed to offer its drivers both benchmark performance across the board and the most riveting and rewarding driving experience possible. Whilst, of course, also guaranteeing the superb comfort on longer trips that is the signature of a genuine Grand Tourer berlinetta. Ferrari’s past is studded with just such cars, a long and illustrious list of exceptional models that have gone down in automotive history. The obsessive pursuit of the most seamless melding possible of state-of-the-art running gear with a harmonious yet edgy design

from the ever-inventive Ferrari Styling Centre, has produced a near-perfect aerodynamic package. The 812 Superfast’s exceptionally futuristic, finely-honed lines also, however, clothe Prancing Horse power at its rawest, as an entirely new 12-cylinder engine of unprecedented efficiency and might was designed for the car. That engine’s output has been boosted by 60HP compared to the F12berlinetta, so that it unleashes a massive 800HP, making the 812 Superfast the most powerful and fastest roadgoing Ferrari ever built (with the exception, of course, of the mid-rear-engined, special limited-series 12-cylinders). The 812 Superfast thus ushers in a new era in Ferrari 12-cylinder Summer 2017 Motors Ireland

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42 history, in doing so, building on the invaluable legacies of the F12berlinetta and F12tdf. To make full use of that huge power and to guarantee perfect weight distribution, the car exploits a highly evolved transaxle architecture that couples a front-mounted engine with a rear-mounted transmission. The 812 Superfast is equipped with leadingedge vehicle dynamics control systems and components. It is striking for both its highly innovative design and aero package, as well as its unparalleled handling. It is also the first Ferrari to sport EPS (Electric Power Steering). Simply put, the 812 Superfast is the new benchmark for mid-front-engined sports cars. And at its heart is the new 12-cylinder which has forged its character. Engine and Transmission At the development stage, the engineers set themselves the goal of exceeding the specific power output of the F12berlinetta’s V12 which itself delivered class-topping performance. To do so, they decided to focus their efforts principally on optimising the intake system and combustion efficiency to fully exploit the increase in the engine’s displacement from 6.2 to 6.5 litres. These aspects increased the maximum amount of air that could be drawn into the engine (and thus its power output) thereby boosting its efficiency. The development process resulted in a maximum power output of 800 cv at 8,500 rpm, a new benchmark for the Ferrari range, in addition to a specific power output of 123

cv/l, a completely unprecedented figure for an engine front-mounted in a production car. The torque curve illustrates this impressive improvement on the F12berlinetta in terms of acceleration and instantaneous power, particularly at high revs. The engine’s power is underscored by a full, rich exhaust sound that exploits the acoustic clout delivered by its increased displacement. The new 812 Superfast is fitted with Ferrari’s F1 dual-clutch transmission which has been further evolved to meet the car’s track driving performance targets and cope with the boost in maximum revs to 8,900 rpm. The gear ratios on all of the gears have been shortened by an average of 6% to exploit the extra performance and higher revs to the fullest as well as to improve the car’s acceleration without compromising pick-up in higher gears. There was particular focus on calibrating the gear-shift strategy to enhance the car’s sportiness, further slashing response times and creating a feeling of massive power and speed both in terms of longitudinal acceleration and auditory perception of the rising rpms. In both up- and down-shifts, the transition time has been reduced by 30%. Combined with the shortened gear ratios, these modifications, mean that occupants will instantly feel the car’s powerful response to the throttle. Exterior Designed by Ferrari Design, the new 812 Superfast redefines the formal language of front-engined V12 Ferraris’ proportions without

altering either its exterior dimensions or interior space and comfort. Seen in silhouette, the 812 Superfast has a fastback sleekness: a two-box design with a high tail reminiscent of the glorious 365 GTB4 (Daytona) of 1969, visually lowering an aggressive rear spoiler designed to guarantee downforce. The draped design of the flanks visually shortens the tail and is characterised by sharply slanted crease lines and impressively muscular wheelarches that imbue the 812 Superfast with the power and aggression warranted by its imposing V12. Full-LED headlights integrated into the design of the sculpted air intakes on the bonnet also emphasise that front muscle, integrating with, and wrapping around the front wheelarch. Interior The cabin has been radically redesigned to imbue it with an even sportier character. Light, compact volumes hug the contours of the interior structures to the extent that the latter are visible in certain areas. These ultra-taut surfaces are deliberately layered and broken up to create voids with the result that the main elements seem to float. The overall effect is both thoroughbred racing eagerness and lean elegance that never feels overstated. The horizontal dash loops stylishly around the central air vents for a sophisticated, sculptural, yet supremely stylish look that is also a nod to the LaFerrari’s cockpit.

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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 Summer 2017 Motors Ireland

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44 VOLVO V90 CROSS COUNTRY

“The Volvo V90 Cross Country is an appealing cross-over estate.”

Summer Summer2017 2017Motors MotorsIreland Ireland

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Words: Anthony Kelly Pics: Ralph McKeown Photography

CROSS COUNTRY

The Volvo V90 Cross Country with its impressive lines and off-road ability is an appealing offering from the Scandinavian car maker

he Volvo V90 Cross Country is a more off-road and capable version of the standard V90. Now, you might think Volvo is new to this market but you would be wrong. It was actually Volvo who first pushed the proposition of a capable estate way back in 1997 with the V70 XC. Some of the same things you see on this V90 Cross Country were on the original V70 XC such as raised ride height, 4x4 capabilities and protective body cladding and therefore it was a viable option to purchasing a jeep. Other manufacturers eventually followed suit but Volvo spotted the niche first. Roll the clock forward 20 years and what you see here is the latest offering but with many years’ experience building this type of vehicle and I think the V90 Cross Country reflects this. Volvo understand their customers and this along with a track record in this segment is a

great combination. For our photoshoot we went off the beaten track taking in hills, old rugged lanes and rough road conditions. This is exactly the where the V90 Cross Country excels. The Cross Country has a raised ride height of 65mm compared to the standard V90 along with front skid plate and Charcoal wheel arch extensions. All models come equipped with intelligent four wheel drive and this gives tremendous grip on varying road conditions. Just like the standard V90 range, you have two engine choices. The 2-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel D4 possessing 190bhp, or the same 2-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel D5 coming with 235bhp and new patented Volvo technology called ‘PowerPulse’. This is to reduce turbo lag and make power delivery smoother. Our test model was the D5 option. The D5 engine features two

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46 sequential Borg-Warner turbos – a 38mm turbo feeding a 53mm one – to help reduce lag this is further aided by a pulse of compressed air injected into the exhaust manifold, spinning the smaller turbo from idling at 20,000rpm to a fully operational 150,000rpm in 0.3sec Powertrain Program Manager Fredrik Ulmhage has said the PowerPulse system was conceived entirely in-house. “No one else has it,” he asserted. “We have a 4-cylinder diesel strategy (as we have for our gasoline engines) and decided we needed to deal with any turbo lag, getting the turbo running before exhaust pressure built. “So basically, we push compressed air into the exhaust manifold as the driver pushes the accelerator pedal and within milliseconds the turbo spools up,” Ulmhage explained. An electrically-driven compressor and a pressurised air tank are added to the powertrain in the space that houses the hybrid elements in other engine variants. Fresh air from the air filter is stored in the 2.0-litre tank at 12 bar and is constantly re-charged to ensure there’s a supply of pressurised air while driving

or after being parked for any length of time. On the road PowerPulse literally blows into action, helping the V90 accelerate from standing start to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 7.2 seconds and you can take country roads with confidence knowing you have grip and acceleration when needed. The ride is comfortable with good suspension and light steering and potholes and bumps can be felt but the car seems to glide over them so nothing is too dramatic. The front and rear tracks are wider to increase stability but overall it feels much like a standard V90 but with a lot more capability. The driving position is high and gives a commanding position when driving and excellent visibility. If you picked up our last issue you will have seen our review of the Volvo S90 and will know the interior is incredibly well finished. With the Volvo V90 Cross Country it’s business as usual from the intuitive large 8 inch portrait touchscreen to the amazing overall build quality consisting of leather seats, black walnut trim, spacious interior and an upmarket feel. With reversing sensors and cameras,

sat-nav system, LED headlights, an electric tailgate and semi-autonomous pilot assist you have all the modern technology you could need. Both front and rear passengers have plenty of space with an abundance of head and elbow room. Rear seats can fold with the touch of a button making life that little bit easier along with a boot floor that can rise on a gas strut if needed. The V90 has 560-litres of boot space and this matches that of a BMW 5 Series Touring, However, it is short of the Mercedes E-Class Estate and Audi A6 Avant. Safety features include collision mitigation, pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane departure warning, seven airbags, traction control, and four-wheel disc ABS brakes. A sophisticated network of sensors that can detect when you’re about to crash and apply the brakes or when you’re about to run off the road and steer you back on to it, as well as a host of other equipment you’d usually have to pay extra for. Available features include heated and ventilated front seats, premium Bowers and Wilkins audio, rear air suspension, surround view camera, and head-up display.

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;The D5 engine features two sequential Borg-Warner turbos.â&#x20AC;?

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48 Conclusion The Volvo V90 Cross Country is an appealing cross-over estate. Many will still opt for the XC90 but the V90 Cross Country has enough to offer in terms of great engine options in the D4 and D5, off-road capability along with an upmarket and spacious interior. The Swedish car maker has made a viable alternative between family car and rugged 4 x 4. While it carries a price premium over a standard V90 if you live in a rural location the V90 Cross Country is a purchase you won’t regret.

THE SPECS Engine Size 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel Fuel Type Diesel Transmission Eight-speed automatic, four-wheel drive Power 235hp Torque 480Nm Acceleration (0-100km/h) 7.2 seconds Top Speed 225 km/h Consumption 5.3L/100km or 53.9 mpg CO2 Emissions 139g/km Road Tax €270 per year (B2) Base Price €54,650 Our Test Model €65,891

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50 MINI COUNTRYMAN S

BIGGEST

MINI EVER The MINI Countryman has proved a good seller overall so can this second generation entice in new owners

“The crossover market is a growing one.” Summer 2017 Motors Ireland

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51 Words: Anthony Kelly Pics: Motors Ireland & BMW Ireland

know what you’re thinking. MINI, that ain’t no MINI and it’s too big to wear the name tag. I guess it’s a matter of opinion but it comes down to meeting the needs of buyers and the market demands and while it is a much more enlarged vehicle it still has plenty of MINI design features to be classed a MINI and I think while many have MINI engraved in their brain as the original small MINI it’s now a brand offering various vehicles to a varying clientele. The crossover market is a growing one and the Countryman has done well since its launch back in 2010, so my expectations are that this trend will continue with this new offering. With plenty of competition though, this new Countryman really has to step up to the mark. So, what’s it like. Well, this car is on the newest UKL2 architecture found on cars such as the BMW X1 and MINI Clubman. This new secondgeneration Countryman is 20cm longer and a little wider than its predecessor with a full length of 4.3 metres. Thankfully the extended length hasn’t destroyed handing. The car still has that MINI feel to it and is fun to drive but obviously its not like the smaller models where you can really play with it but it does a good job. The extra width and the all-wheel drive of this Countryman S ALL4 gives good grip and after driving on some back

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52 roads I found it to be both responsive and direct. The automatic eight-speed box is very good but I also found myself getting used to using the paddles when enjoying some back roads and while it’s not going to blow you away with performance due to the 1,530kg weight that goes with all that extra space, it certainly will put a smile on your face that much of the competition can’t do. Now, bear in mind we are in the petrol version Countryman S so the Countryman SD should definitely be looked at as it’s no slouch either with 187hp. The exterior has the large headlamps and grille taking the main presence with plastic body cladding much like you see on the V90 Cross Country reviewed in this issue along with a ride height increase. You either love or hate the Countryman’s exterior look and size but the interior is as you would expect. It’s well built with quality materials and lots of top tech. There is plenty of space and headroom in the front. Rear seat passengers would notice a big difference from the first-generation Countryman to this new model for head space and width although taller adults might find they are in a tight spot. The central display is home to the multimedia screen with traditional dials now in front of the driver. Materials used throughout the interior are good quality with fabric trim on the doors, gloss black and chrome being used to create an upmarket feel. This new model has three ISOFix points (one on the front passenger seat), 6.5 inch colour display, sat nav, DAB digital radio and Bluetooth connectivity along with heated mirrors

“The Countryman Cooper S ALL 4 is definitely a car with personality.”

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THE SPECS Model

MINI Countryman Cooper S ALL4

Engine Size

2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged Petrol

Fuel Type

Petrol

Transmission

Eight-speed automatic, four-wheel drive

Power 192hp Torque 280Nm Acceleration (0-100km/h) 7.2 seconds Top Speed

225 km/h

Consumption

6.6L/100km or 44.1 mpg

CO2 Emissions 150g/km Road Tax

€390 per year (Band C)

Base Price

€32,979

Our Test Model

€53,602.91

CONCLUSION

and windscreen. A control wheel and buttons for multimedia use is positioned by the handbrake for ease of use. The Countryman Cooper S ALL 4 is definitely a car with personality. From the cool interior switches such as the red start-stop switch to the MINI hologram that appears at night when you unlock the car (coming from under the wing mirror) it oozes character. Everything is a little bit different including the graphics on the circular multimedia screen that have a fun approach. Turn to sport mode and playful graphics appear showing a go-kart and a rocket as you make way at speed. A little fun and personality never hurt anyone.

The new Countryman will first and foremost appeal to previous owners. They liked the look enough to buy one before and with added space, good engines and a quality interior overhaul it is an easy option to update your old Countryman to this new model. For new owners it’s worth pointing out that it’s not practical for five adults. Four adults would be fine on a long journey but add a fifth and it would be tight. The engine and eight-speed automatic were great and the fourwheel drive of our test vehicle was a welcome addition. The Countryman also drives well so making a journey becomes an enjoyable experience. The build quality is as you would expect with a good-looking interior and high quality materials used throughout. The price is a bit hefty but then again more equipment comes as standard and you now get a boot that’s bigger than a Nissan Qashqai. If you don’t particularly care for the prestige that comes with the name then you can opt to look for a different brand and save a few euros in the process. If on the other hand you want what is a very good vehicle and don’t mind paying that bit extra then have a look at the diesel options for good running costs and still some good power with the MINI Countryman SD being our recommendation.

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Mountmellick Road, Portlaoise, www.rpmotors.ie

086 406 9437 087 792 5476

We work with ABRITUS and X17 MAGPRO2 systems

We provide full diagnostic service and car repair

Chiptuning Eco Tuning Power Measurement Rolling Dyno Machine Electronic Modification Repair of ECU Controllers Spring 17 Final.indd 55

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56 KIA STINGER

STUNNING STINGER

Powerful all-new fastback sport sedan redefines the Kia brand

hat makes a true gran turismo? This question was the foundation for a years-long journey that began when the GT concept was first unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. Although every Kia design study has a purpose, the GT concept was something considered by many outside the company as little more than a dream for a brand known for producing mass-market transportation rooted in value. But the GT ignited embers of passion that sparked a fire within the organisation and over the next five years that fire would grow beyond fantasy and morph into reality. Once the Stinger was green lighted, that gran turismo question became a mantra as development commenced. Coming from Kia, the design had to be bold. And it was. But it also had to be nimble and fast while also luxurious and quiet. It had to achieve the perfect balance of ride and handling and seat five comfortably with room for luggage. It had to be a lot of things, but most of all, it had to be an authentic gran turismo. And it is. Design Turning a concept into a production car is no small task and Peter Schreyer Kia’s chief design officer looked no further than Kia’s Frankfurt studio – the birthplace of the GT concept – to bring the Stinger to life. “A true gran turismo, a car for spirited long-distance driving, is not about outright power, hard-edged dynamics and brutal styling, all at the expense of luxury, comfort and grace,” notes Gregory Guillaume, chief designer, Kia Motors Europe. “The Stinger has nothing to do with being the first to arrive at the destination – this car is all about the journey. It’s

about passion.” From its sleek front clip through its svelte flanks, and up to its powerful haunches, the Stinger exudes a muscular confidence. Key to its road presence are the rear-wheel-drive proportions; a long bonnet and short front overhang, an extended wheelbase to deliver a spacious cabin, and a long rear overhang with strong shoulders. The Stinger’s stance and visual balance are designed to lend the car an air of elegance and athleticism, rather than boy-racer aggression. The wide front and rear track, along with the recessed contours along the doors, enhance the visual power of the Stinger’s shoulder line as well as its fastback silhouette. Other purely functional elements of the exterior design – the front air curtains, wheel arch gills, smooth underbody, and integrated rear diffuser – aid its aerodynamic efficiency. The rear valance houses four oval exhaust pipes. Kia’s signature ‘tiger-nose’ grille sits proudly between complex LED headlamps. The low-slung cabin with its steeply raked windshield and backlight, sits toward the rear of vehicle, creating a fast silhouette. Inside is a space dedicated to the thrill of driving while cossetting the occupants in luxury. Available ultra-soft Nappa leather covers the deeply contoured seats and the driver’s seat has available air-cell bladders in the seatback and bolsters for optimal support and comfort. A confident dashboard creates a strong horizontal plane for the driver to work. The centre console is intuitively split into two specific areas: the infotainment controls sit neatly below a large colour touchscreen, while the climate and ventilation controls nestle beneath. Front and centre of the driver is a thick, leather-wrapped steering wheel and a single instrument binnacle with a combination of analog and digital instrumentation. The large gauges

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57 strength steel, the Stinger provides an ultra-stiff foundation for the rideand-handling engineers to work with. This rigidity also contributes to reduced NVH and a quiet cabin. The MacPherson front and multi-link rear suspension has been tuned to provide optimal feedback to the driver. Powertrain If the chassis symbolizes the bones of a gran turismo, then surely the available powertrains represent its heart. Oriented longitudinally and set rearward beneath the long, sculpted bonnet, a choice of two turbocharged engines are available. While both engines are still under development, the standard 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder Theta II engine produces an estimated 255 horsepower at approximately 6,200 rpm. Max torque of 260 lb.ft. is available from 1,400 – 4,000 rpm. Performance credentials are further enhanced through the available 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 Lambda II engine, which is anticipated to produce 365 horsepower at an estimated 6,000 rpm and offer max torque of 376 lb.-ft. from 1,300 – 4,500 rpm. Kia is targeting 5.1 seconds to 62 mph and a top speed of 167 mph with the twin turbocharged V6. Recognising that passionate drivers may not always reside in optimal climes, the Stinger is Kia’s first sedan available with rear- or all-wheel drive. Rear-wheel biased for optimal control in the wet or dry, the AWD system features a new Dynamic Torque Vectoring Control system which monitors driver inputs and road conditions and automatically applies power and braking force to the appropriate wheels to maintain course in adverse conditions. Rear-drive vehicles get the benefit of a mechanical limited slip differential to help evenly distribute power through the rear wheels.

are ringed in metal and accentuated with sweeping red needles. A colour TFT screen between the gauges relays performance data such as cornering G-forces, lap times and engine-oil temperature, along with ancillary information such as the trip computer, driver settings, navigation and diagnostics. Aeronautically-inspired spoked circular vents are found front and rear and a tasteful satin chrome trim piece encircles the cabin. The effect is a feeling of cocooned intimacy. But the long wheelbase allows for generous front and rear leg room and the low seating position provides ample head room front and back. Chassis Joining the company from BMW in December, 2014, Albert Biermann’s first look at the Stinger signaled to him a car that had to live up to its stunning design from behind the wheel. “I think for the Kia brand, the Stinger is like a special event,” notes Biermann. “Because nobody expects such a car, not just the way it looks but also the way it drives. It’s a whole different animal.” Setting the manufacturing hard-points of the body-in-white would define Stinger and the engineers looked carefully across a landscape dotted with contenders. At 114.4 inches, the Stinger’s wheelbase is longer than the Audi A4, Infiniti Q50, Lexus IS, BMW 4 Gran Coupe and even the Lexus GS and Mercedes CLS . It’s also longer overall (190.2 inches) and wider (73.6 inches) than the others in the segment, allowing for spacious accommodations. The Stinger’s storage area is also larger than many in its class, with enough space for full-size luggage or golf bags and a power liftgate with Smart Trunk functionality is available. Riding on a chassis comprised of 55 percent advanced high-

Advanced Technology & Convenience Offering luxurious amenities and unexpected features have become part of Kia’s DNA and the Stinger continues that tradition. Multiple Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) seamlessly work together to enhance the driving experience. Forward Collision Assistance (FCA)Ⅳ with integrated Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)Ⅳ with pedestrian detection can detect a potential collision with another vehicle or pedestrian and help bring the car to a halt. Advanced Smart Cruise Control (ASCC)Ⅳ maintains a pre-set distance between the Stinger and the vehicle in front and can bring the car to a full stop in congested traffic. Lane Keep Assist (LKA)Ⅳ actively monitors the vehicle’s intended lane and will alert the driver with an audible warning along with providing steering input to help maintain the vehicle’s position. Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) Ⅳ scans the area behind the vehicle when backing from a parking space and will alert the driver with an audible warning if cross traffic is detected. Connectivity, entertainment and vehicle information can be as important as a dynamic driving experience and the Stinger comes to market with the latest infotainment systems. The height-adjustable colour Head-Up Display (HUD) display enables the driver to see key driving information reflected on the windshield glass, including speed, turn-by-turn navigation, audio and cruise control settings and Blind Spot Detection information. Resting within the centre console is a wireless Smartphone charging pad and Bluetooth hands-free operation is standard while many of the vehicle’s subsystems may be accessed through the steering-wheel-mounted controls. Long-distance travel is a hallmark of the gran turismo ownership experience and there is a trio of high-performance audio systems designed to turn the interior into a dynamic concert hall as the miles blur by.

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58 MERCEDES-AMG

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF MERCEDES-AMG SUCCESS Half a century of driving performance

MG – these three letters stand worldwide for supreme automotive performance, exclusivity, efficiency and highly dynamic driving pleasure. In 2017, the company founded by Hans-Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher is celebrating its 50th anniversary. In the course of this halfcentury, Mercedes-AMG has recorded numerous successes in motor sport and through the development of unique road-going vehicles, thereby repeatedly underlining its position as a highly successful sports car and performance brand – and today this is truer than ever. Today, as a wholly owned subsidiary of Daimler AG, the Affalterbach-based company represents the sporting spearhead of the Group. In this anniversary year, with an eye to the future, Mercedes-AMG will carry on the exceptional success story of what began as a two-man company. For each of the now around 1500 employees, the focus will be on

the brand promise of “Driving Performance”, which unites the core strengths of AMG: cutting-edge technology and a passion for dynamic, emotively appealing products. The company from Affalterbach stands worldwide for outstanding engine expertise, which includes not only development, but also the “one man, one engine” philosophy, which means that each engine is, so to speak, hand-crafted by one engine builder. With almost 100,000 units delivered in 2016, i.e. over 40 percent growth, and the biggest strategic model initiative in the company’s history, AMG heads into this anniversary year with record figures under its belt. “We’re on the road to worldwide success with our strategic portfolio expansion and can look back on a sensational year. The 63 series models still constitute our core product line, and they continue to delight auto enthusiasts around the world. In addition, our AMG GT series, which

“The company from Affalterbach stands worldwide for outstanding engine expertise.”

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59 was developed entirely in-house, is now available as a broad-based family, with which we have impressively demonstrated our expertise as a sports car brand. At the same time, our broad portfolio puts us in the perfect position for further sustained growth. Our task now is not just to celebrate the AMG success story, but, in one of the most exciting periods of automotive history, to help shape the performance of the future,” says Tobias Moers, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes A MG GmbH. Development of new categories of customers through portfolio expansion 2016 saw the biggest strategic model initiative in the history of MercedesAMG: with over ten new models being added to the product portfolio, from January 2017 performance-minded customers are able to choose from over 50 models. In each category, Mercedes-AMG boasts a comprehensive and impressive product offering: from the most powerful standard-production four-cylinder compact to the sportily elegant S 65 with a superior twelve-cylinder engine, from saloons and estates in many different output classes, to a broad range of SUVs and coupés, to cabriolets and variously configured roadsters. The available technology is among the best on offer in the respective vehicle categories, ranging from optimised rear-wheel drive to state-of-the-art all-wheel drive, as well as from a dual-clutch transmission to a sporty nine-gear automatic transmission. With the Mercedes-AMG GT series, the Affalterbach-based company is once again underlining its status as a highly dynamic sports car brand. Following the SLS AMG, the GT models are the second sports car family to be developed entirely in-house. The front mid-engine concept with transaxle and the intelligent aluminium lightweight construction form the basis for a highly dynamic driving experience. In 2016, AMG added particularly dynamic and fascinating models to the GT family in the form of the GT R and the two open-top roadster variants, the GT Roadster and the GT C Roadster. But that’s not all: following the AMG GT C

Roadster, the Coupé is also available in the anniversary year with the same next-level performance and technology. It is positioned between the AMG GT S and AMG GT R and, at the time of the launch, will be exclusively equipped as the Edition 50 special model. At the same time, the Mercedes-AMG GT and AMG GT S benefit from visual and technical enhancements. Milestones in the history of the sports car and performance brand The company, founded by Hans-Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher, has been fulfilling the dreams of performance enthusiasts for 50 years. The pair set up their first workshop in an old mill in 1967 as an “engineering office and design and testing centre for the development of racing engines”. In 1971, the AMG 300 SEL 6.8 of “Aufrecht and Melcher, Großaspach” – in short: AMG – claimed victory completely out of the blue in its class and took second place overall in the 24 hour race at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps. Another milestone was the all-new cylinder head with cutting-edge valve technology, developed by Melcher. Collaboration with Mercedes-Benz began in 1990. The C 36 AMG, launched in 1993, was the first vehicle on the market to result from the collaboration agreement with Daimler-Benz. In 2005, MercedesAMG became a wholly owned subsidiary of Daimler-AG and 2009 saw the introduction of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, the first vehicle to be developed entirely by Mercedes-AMG. AMG branched into motor racing with the SLS AMG GT3 in 2011. This was followed by the introduction of the Mercedes-AMG GT in 2014 and the launch of the 43 series models in 2015, introducing a broader target group to the brand.

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60 MAZDA 3

“It’s designed to operate undetected in the background.”

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61 Words: Anthony Kelly Pics: Ralph McKeown Photography

LET THE G-FORCE

BE WITH YOU That would be the new ‘G-Vectoring’ tech that make Mazda’s drive even better and limits the torque from the engine to create a smooth transition between G-forces. In case of any confusion between the aforementioned and randomly quoting movie lines from the Star Wars classic.

his was my first time driving the Mazda 3 so I had no preconceptions about the car. Knowing Mazda has the World’s best-selling sports car in the MX5 and a car many journalists and enthusiasts regard as one of the best cars to drive regardless of price meant I did have high expectations that this Mazda 3 would handle and drive well. Thankfully I wasn’t disappointed. Before getting into the drive let’s take a look at the engine options. Mazda has the same high-capacity naturally aspirated engines as before, which means 1.5-litre and 2.2-litre diesels along with a single 2.0-litre petrol engine with a choice of 120bhp or 163bhp. Our test vehicle was the 2.0-litre, 120bhp and it delivered good performance and felt quick on the road. The sixspeed manual gearbox was painless and the car was a rev-happy joy to drive. With regard to handling, the steering is precise and quick. The car feels balanced and the company’s new G-Vectoring Control System is now standard in all Mazda 3s. It incrementally decreases engine torque when the driver initiates a turn, which increases load forces on the front tyres to improve the car’s turn-in response and reduce the number of steering corrections needed to stay on track. It’s designed to operate undetected in the background, and it does so very well indeed. Mazda says this is all part of the plan though: the car does the work so you can just get on with having fun. The manufacturer also claims that it

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can reduce fatigue by subtly adjusting the car even on the motorway so you don’t have to tense your body as much to resist being tossed about under braking or through a bend. It’s fair to say that Mazda really does see itself as a company of enthusiasts building cars for enthusiasts. While the Mazda 3 handles well it thankfully doesn’t come at the expense of poor comfort. On my way to this photoshoot I unfortunately had to take some back roads heading to Leixlip in Co Kildare. I love back roads but not in a car cleaned and ready to be photographed but sure enough I hit a few potholes along the way but the Mazda didn’t skip a beat. It must be right up there in terms of fun hatchbacks to drive in my opinion. Our 2.0-litre test model will most likely be the biggest seller with a 0-100km time of 8.9 seconds. The 163bhp version will propel you from zero to 100km 8.2 seconds. Mazda’s SkyActiv technology is all about making the car efficient by saving weight and redefining everything, every major part of the car, from the engine to the chassis and from the body to transmissions. In turn you get a car that’s efficient, flexible and powerful. The 2.0-litre engine is a tax efficient engine with road tax coming in at €200 for the year in Ireland. Our 2.0-litre petrol engine returns a claimed 55.4mpg and emissions of 119g/km CO2. So this Mazda 3 is a revised version for 2017 and has been refreshed with some updates. We already mentioned the G-Vectoring Control

System but other tweaks include revisions to the front grille, the door mirrors and a reprofiled rear bumper, along with an updated interior. The interior changes include a redesigned steering wheel that many of you may notice has a three spoke style found in the aforementioned MX5, a heads-up display in higher trims and better quality materials throughout. All versions get alloy wheels, colour-coded door handles and mirrors as standard. A new electronic parking brake clears up space and the rotary controller to the dash mounted seven-inch display is easily accessible and useable. The Mazda 3 comes with Bluetooth, USB and aux inputs as standard. Our test model came with heads-up display, reversing camera plus heated seats. With the weather the way it is I don’t think they were turned off for the duration of the test period. The size of the car is same as before, which means that the driving position and visibility are still great. While there’s loads of leg and headroom in the back even if there is a fairly large transmission tunnel that eats into the middle passenger’s room. The boot is competitive in its class, with 364 litres for the hatchback. Fold the rear seats down and maximum boot space rises to 1,263 litres. There’s a lot of storage in the Mazda like between the front seats is a lidded storage area and large door bins.

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“With road tax coming in at €200 for the year.”

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CONCLUSION The Mazda 3 is competing in one of the toughest car segments and with plenty of competition from the likes of the Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus and Opel Astra to name just a few. It deserves its spot on that list and is definitely worth considering if you’re looking within the hatchback range. It is one of the most stylish with sharp lines leading to good looks and a car that’s designed around managing airflow optimally to reduce any resistance. The steering is involving and engaging while the gearbox is smooth and easy to work. The chassis feels balanced and controlled and gives you confidence the more you drive it. The sporty looks match the drive, which is not always the case. Any negatives you might ask. Well the boot is a little smaller than others in its class but if you’re buying a car based on a little extra space in the boot I really don’t know what to say. It perhaps isn’t the cheapest in its class but it’s a fun car and worth the extra euros in my opinion. I’d prefer to arrive with a smile on my face and bear in mind it has a five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP so you can do so safely too. This is definitely worth a test drive before making a purchase.

THE SPECS Engine Size

2.0-litre four-cylinder

Fuel Type

Petrol

Power

120hp

Torque

210 Nm

Acceleration (0-100km/h)

8.9 seconds

Top Speed

198 km/h

Consumption

55.4 mpg

CO2 Emissions

119g/km

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Curiosity is calling The all-new Audi Q5

Q5 range fuel consumption l/100km: urban 5.6–5.3, extra-urban 5.1–4.6, combined 5.3–4.6. CO2 emissions g/km 138–120.

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