Fleet car winter16 webfull

IRELAND’S FOREMOST FLEET & CORPORATE SECTOR GUIDE

Volume 15. No. 3. Winter 2016

FEATURES

Mercedes-Benz E-Class is Irish Car of the Year 2017

TYRE SPECIAL: Focus on Irish tyre market INTERVIEWS: Tom Dennigan, Continental Tyres • Neil O’Sullivan, Windsor Motor Group ALTERNATIVE FUELS: Israeli Fuel Choices Summit LAUNCH PAD: Hyundai Ioniq, Toyota C-HR, Kia Niro, Citroën C3, Fiat Tipo, Mazda3 DESIGN: Autostyle Awards 2016 REVIEWED: SsangYong Tivoli XLV

Contents Winter 2016 Fleet Car Magazine, D’Alton Street, Claremorris, Co. Mayo, Ireland.

Tel: +353 (0)94 9372819/ 9372826 Fax: +353 (0)94 9373571 Email: enquiries@fleet.ie ISSN: 1649-9433 www.fleetcar.ie Editor: Jarlath Sweeney - editor@fleet.ie Deputy Editor: Cathal Doyle - cathal@fleet.ie Contributors: Gerry Murphy Photography: Jarlath Sweeney, Cathal Doyle, Paul White, Gerry Murphy, Newspress Administration: Orla Sweeney, Denise Owens, Paula Mullarkey

www.fleetcar.ie | 3

4 News • Tesla crosses the Atlantic • Rally School Ireland adds Nomad • Cars covering longer distances • Skoda enters SUV market • Automotive industry is moving fast • Alfa Romeo Stelvio steals the LA Show

20 Feature I Fuel Choices Summit, Tel Aviv, Israel

8 Cover Irish Car of the Year 2017 in association with Continental Tyres

24 Launch Pad II • Citroën C3 • Fiat Tipo • Mazda3

12 Launch Pad I • Hyundai Ioniq • Toyota C-HR • Kia Niro 14 Tyre Focus Full run on maintenance and All-Season tyres

23 Interview II Tyre Focus: with Tom Dennigan, Continental Tyres Ireland

26 Feature II Extended Ford Fiesta family 28 Feature III Autostyle Design Competition 30 Test SsangYong Tivoli XLV

18 Interview I With Neil O'Sullivan, Windsor Motor Group

P6

P20

Advertising: Mary Morrissey Design: Eamon Wynne

Fleet Transport/ Fleet Car/ Green Fleet Management/ Fleet Van & Utility/ Fleet Bus & Coach/ Fleet Trailer & Body Builder/ Fleet Maritime are published by JJDS Publications Ltd. Registered Office: D’Alton Street, Claremorris, Co. Mayo.

Co. Reg. 368767 Directors: Jarlath Sweeney, Sean Murtagh.

Disclaimer: Fleet Car Magazine management can accept no responsibility for the accuracy of contributed articles or statements appearing in this magazine and any views or opinions expressed are not necessarily those of Fleet Transport management, save where otherwise indicated. No responsibility for loss or distress occasioned to any person acting or refraining from acting as a result of the material in this

publication can be accepted by the authors, contributors, Editors or publishers.

The Editor reserves the right to make publishing decisions on any advertisements or editorial article submitted to the magazine and to refuse publication or to edit any editorial material as seems appropriate to him. Professional legal advice should always be sought in relation to any specific matter.

www.fleetcar.ie

4 | NEWS I

Tesla Irish pricing revealed

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esla, the Nor th American all-electric high performance sports car and manufacturer has released Irish prices for its Model S saloon and Model X SUV. The Model S starts from €81,086, with the Model X priced from €110,042. Sales will begin in early 2017, with customers now able to log on to www.tesla.com/en_IE to design and order the cars. New Tesla owners can qualify for current incentives which include the lowest rate of motor tax, reduced vehicle registration tax and a Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) grant of up to €5,000 - though at present Tesla vehicles are not yet listed on the SEAI website as eligible for either a VRT rebate or electric car purchase grant.

Offering sparkling performance with acceleration from 0-100 km/h in just 2.7 seconds, the Model S also offers a range far in

ŠKODA invests in future….

excess of any other electric vehicle currently on the market - Tesla says it can cover up to 613 km on a single charge. Meanwhile the Model X is almost as quick - 0-100 km/h takes 3.1 seconds, and the all-wheel-drive SUV delivers a stated range of 542 km while seating up to seven adults.

The Californian based manufacturer is expected to open its fi rst Irish stores and dedicated Supercharger charging points in Ireland in 2017. Ireland already has more than 1200 public electric charging points in place nationwide.

ŠKODA Ireland is investing €400,000 to support the creation of 80 new trainee positions over the next four years. The move is part of the car brand’s increased focus on training and career development here in Ireland, and will see 20 of these roles filled before the year, with positions for Apprentice Technician, Parts Advisor, Service Advisor and Sales Executive.

Interested parties should visit: www. skoda.ie/careers

……As does Nissan

Go mad in a Nomad at Rally School Ireland

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ince it was established at the turn of the Millennium, thousands of happy customers have experienced thrills and spills behind the wheels of Rally School Ireland’s varied range of performance cars. From the famous Mark 2 Escorts to the equally iconic Subaru rally cars and including everything from Ford Ka’s to Ferraris and Porsches, people from ages 8 to 80 and over have realised their dreams of being racing or rally stars - even if only for a few hours.

the already impressive line-up of cars is an Ariel Nomad, a hard-core albeit road legal buggy, and the KTM X-Bow, a lightweight two seater that’s recognised as one of the best handling sports cars money can buy.

Both cars can accelerate to 100km/h from standstill in under 4 seconds putt ing them into rarified supercar territory.

Now though, the purpose built facility, located near Scotstown in County Monaghan is offering customers the opportunity to experience two of the most extreme machines this side of Formula One. Joining

To fi nd out how Fleet Car got on when we went to Monaghan to try out these fantastic cars, check out our review on the Fleet Car website at http://www.fleetcar.ie/featured/ shaken-stirred-monaghan/

FLEETCAR | Winter 2016

Half day packages in either car are available from €395 with a full day driving both costing €650.

Also identifying a shortage in skilled labour is Nissan which is hiring up to 40 new apprentices in Ireland. Successful candidates will be employed by local Nissan dealerships across Ireland before the end of the year and mentored and trained over four years to become qualified automotive technicians.

Additionally the top scoring graduate will receive a scholarship to pursue a degree in automotive engineering at a third-level institute of their choice as well as a brand new, taxed and insured Nissan to drive for a year.

NEWS II | 5

Ford looks to eliminate red lights

Ford is trialling technology that will make having to stop for red lights on the daily commute a thing of the past. Using information traffic light timings from road sign units, Green Light Optimal Speed Advisory displays to the driver the best speed to travel at to get a green light.

The company is also testing Emergency Electronic Brake Lights, which warn when a vehicle up to 500 metres ahead suddenly brakes hard – even if the incident occurs out-of-sight.

Volkswagen 1.6 TDI gets emissions modification go-ahead from KBA Volkswagen has received approval from the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) for the modification of models with the 1.6-litre EA 189 TDI engine.

This means official go-ahead for all sizes of EA 189 TDI engines has now been given as a result of the emissions scandal. Vehicle keepers will be notified in succession over the coming weeks.

All affected customers can then book their vehicle in for the modification at an authorised workshop at a time of their choosing. KBA approvals have already been given for 1.2 litre and 2.0 litre TDI engines and modifications to customer vehicles are already underway.

New cars covering longer distances according to Cartell

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he economy is on the up, and that’s being ref lected in cars travelling further. Research from cartell.ie shows that the average annualised mileage travelled by cars registered between 2011 and 2016 is 21,028 kilometres. That representing an increase of 7.1% over the equivalent figure for 2008 (19,635 kilometres) measuring mileage of cars registered between 2003 and 2008.

Analysing the results, cartell.ie suggests that a buyer shift to more economical diesel cars in recent years may be encouraging drivers to use their vehicles more. It also notes that in the later period measured (2011 - 2016) fi nance may have been less available for some, leading to a relative increase in purchases of vehicles needed for work purposes versus private use - and associated higher mileage.

John Byrne, Legal & PR Manager, Cartell.ie noted: “What makes the results interesting is that between 2003 and 2008 the economy was performing well throughout most of that period so we might have been expecting to see a decline in mileage in newer cars since then. It’s difficult to say with certainty why we’re seeing an increase. Possibly the buying trend towards diesel engines has encouraged buyers to use their car more – buoyed by the fact that costs are lower relatively. Another possibility is that fi nance in the market may have been harder to obtain for some between 2011 and 2016 and those who purchased a newer car then may have had a more defi nite purpose in mind for their use – work purposes for example.”

Kodiaq set to stir things up in SUV market

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he large SUV market is set for a significant shake-up with the arrival of an all-new player when Skoda’s new Kodiaq arrives on these shores next February. The Czech brand has established an enviable reputation for spacious and practical models at competitive prices, and true to form the Kodiaq boasts the largest boot capacity in its class and the option of seven seats.

With demand for practical seven-seater SUVs remaining high, the Kodiaq is set to be one of the most eagerly anticipated new cars of 2017.

Despite its size, the Kodiaq is built on the

same VW Group MQB architecture as the Volkswagen Golf, Audi TT and Skoda’s own Octavia and Superb amongst many other models. Offering up to a possible 2,065 litres of boot space, the middle row of seats are longitudinally adjustable making it possible in the seven seater to provide more or less room between the second and third rows depending on passenger sizes.

Available with two or four wheel drive, and a towing capacity of up to 2.5 tonnes, engine options include 123bhp and 148bhp versions of the 1.4 TSI turbo petrol, a 2.0 TSI turbo petrol with 177bhp, and 148bhp and 187bhp 2.0-litre diesels.

The modification in the case of the EA 189 1.6-litre TDI engines involves a soft ware update. In addition, a socalled flow conditioner is being fi xed directly upstream of the air mass meter.

Volkswagen says the implementation will take less than an hour of working time.

www.fleetcar.ie

6 | NEWS III

Automotive innovation is happening at an accelerated pace

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nnovation in the automotive industry is happening at a faster pace than ever according to EUCAR, the European Council for Automotive R&D of the major European passenger car and commercial vehicle manufacturers. At its annual Reception and Conference in Brussels, the organisation heard that the automotive industry is Europe’s biggest private investor in research and innovation; spending more than €44 billion on R&D each year and providing more than 12 million Europeans with a job. Automotive R&D also plays a critical role in addressing major challenges that affect society at large, such as further reducing CO2 emissions and improving road safety even more.

“Innovation is happening at an accelerated pace, and more specifically through digitalisation. Technological development is exponentially growing,” said Vladimir Šucha, Director General of the European Commission’s JRC. He added that it is important for the automotive industry

to prepare for this exponential growth, for new innovation processes and for a rising digital business models.

Ron Borsboom, Director Product Development and Member of the Board of Management at DAF Trucks added that connectivity and automation will provide

Alfa reveals its first SUV

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ots going on at Alfa Romeo. Hot on the heels of the new Guila saloon which went on sale in Ireland this November, the Italian brand has unveiled its first SUV at the Los Angeles Motor Show.

Set to arrive in Ireland next year, the new car, named Stelvio (after a mountain pass in Northern Italy where the car will be manufactured) combines, says the company, “pure-bred Alfa Romeo sports styling, top-class performance and technical and technological equipment levels without equal in the premium small SUV segment.” Drawing on Alfa Romeo’s sport heritage, the compact SUV (it has a length of 468 cm, height of 165 cm and width of 216 cm) promises to deliver excellent weight distribution and an outstanding power-to-weight ratio.

Unveiled in Los Angeles in Quadrifoglio guise, the Stelvio featured a unique power plant in terms of both technology and performance: a 510 HP 2.9-litre V6 BiTurbo petrol with 8-speed ZF automatic transmission. Alfa Romeo has confi rmed that the Stelvio range will include the all-aluminium 4-cylinder unit 280 HP 2.0-litre Turbo petrol with 8-speed automatic transmission.

An intelligent all-wheel-drive system will direct 100% power to the rear wheels in normal conditions.

FLEETCAR | Winter 2016

answers to future mobility challenges, although many questions have to be answered fi rst. “Continued support from the European Commission is therefore crucial, as not all answers can be provided by one industry on its own.”

The new E-Class Irish Car of the Year 2017.

Test drive the new E-Class now at your local authorised Mercedes-Benz Dealer.

Included as standard: • Avantgarde Line • Leather Upholstery • Parktronic • Heated Front Seats • LED High Performance Lights • Satellite Navigation • Seat Comfort Pack • Folding Mirrors • Reversing Camera • Ambient Lighting • Dynamic Select • Remote Online • 9 Speed Automatic • Active Brake Assist • Driver Attention Assist • Keyless Start

www.mercedes-benz.ie

8 | COVER

Mercedes-Benz E-Class is Irish Car 2017 was the 40th year since the inaugural Irish Car of the Year was announced.

In the vote for overall winner, the E-Class was the run-away choice, gathering 14 of the 28 votes available.

Stephen Byrne of Mercedes-Benz accepts the trophy for Irish Car of the Year 2017. Left to Right are Motoring Journalist Bob Flavin, Tom Dennigan of Continental Tyres, Stephen Byrne and Motoring Journalists John Galvin & Michael Sheridan.

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he new Mercedes-Benz E-Class has been honoured as the Irish Car of the Year 2017. It’s the first time in the forty-year history of the awards that Mercedes-Benz has claimed the prestigious title.

JUDGES VOTE: Category Winner Suzuki Baleno Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupé Mercedes-Benz E-Class Peugeot 2008

Announced at a gala ceremony at Powerscourt Hotel, Enniskerry, twenty eight leading motoring journalists from print, online and broadcasting, including Jarlath Sweeney and Cathal Doyle from Fleet Car Magazine voted to select the seven category winners and overall winner.

Final votes received for overall Irish Car of the Year 2017 3 2 14 1

The Categories

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udges were asked to vote on contenders in the seven categories detailed. A total of 25 points was available for distribution in categories with four or more contenders, with 15 points the highest mark that could be given to any one vehicle.

In the case of categories with three or fewer cars,15 marks were to be distributed, with 10 the highest mark given to any one car.

Judges were to abstain from voting in a particular category if they had not driven at least two thirds of the shortlisted cars.

JUDGES VOTE: Category Winner Hyundai Tucson Ford Edge Ford Mustang

Accepting the award, Stephen Byrne, Chief Executive, Mercedes-Benz in Ireland, said: “We are honoured to win the Irish Car of the Year 2017 award. Th is accolade bestowed by Irish motoring journalists is a recognition of the advanced technology and features to be found in the new generation E-Class.”

Long term supporter of the Irish Car of the Year Awards, Continental Tyres, was once again the official sponsor. Tom Dennigan of Continental Tyres said: “Continental is delighted to be associated with Irish Car of the Year, an event that continues to be the highlight of the motoring year.”

Final votes received for overall Irish Car of the Year 2017 5 0 3

Irish Medium Car of the Year 2017 Contenders: Alfa Romeo Giulietta, Audi A3, Audi A4, Citroën C4 Picasso, DS4, Mazda3, Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabrio, MercedesBenz C-Class Coupé, MINI Clubman, MINI Convertible, Opel Astra, Renault Mégane, Toyota Prius Winner: Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupé A large field of contenders in this category saw a closely fought contest between the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupé and the Toyota Prius, with the Mercedes-Benz winning by a single point. The Opel Astra and Renault Mégane also scored strongly.

Comments about the C-Class Coupé included “A very credible alternative to the 4 series and A5. Classy cabin,” and “A fantastic coupé that has tons of class.”

Irish Large Car of the Year 2017 Contenders: Citroën C4 Grand Picasso, Citroën Space Tourer, Kia Optima, Mazda6, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Subaru Levorg, Volkswagen Touran, Volvo S90 Winner: Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Irish Small Car of the Year 2017 Contenders: DS3, Suzuki Baleno Winner: Suzuki Baleno Suzuki’s new spacious compact saloon, the Baleno proved a clear winner in a field of just two, with comments from judges such as “Lovely 1.0 litre engine, excellent equipment and well priced” and “Family friendly and a fun drive, challenges next segment.”

FLEETCAR | Winter 2016

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class claimed the Irish Large Car of the Year category by a clear margin ahead of the Volvo S90, with the Kia Optima and Volkswagen also recording respectable scores.

Comments from the judging panel on the E-Class included “On all levels a great car. New diesel engine, fi nish, drive - combined brilliance!” and “A really high class executive saloon, incredibly well-fi nished.”

Irish Car of the Year 2017 - Category Scores

ar of the Year 2017 Irish Small SUV of the Year 2017 Contenders: Opel Mokka X, Peugeot 2008, Suzuki S-Cross Winner: Peugeot 2008

CATEGORY

SHORTLISTED CONTENDER

SCORES

Small Car

Suzuki Baleno

187

DS3

143

Mercedes Benz C Class Coupé

70

Toyota Prius

69

Opel Astra

64

Renault Mégane

64

Mazda3

33

Audi A3

31

Audi A4

28

MINI Clubman

13

Citroën C4 Picasso

11

DS4

6

Alfa Romeo Giuliett a

5

MINI Convertible

4

Mercedes Benz C Class Cabrio

2

Mercedes Benz E Class

150

Volvo S90

130

Kia Optima

79

Volkswagen Touran

75

Medium Car

The Peugeot 2008 took a clear victory ahead of the Mokka X in this growing in popularity category. “Recent facelift makes the 2008 more convincing now as a small SUV but it’s the combination of affordable pricing, suitable engines and premium feel inside that really lift it above the competition,” said one judge, with another commenting “Revisions and high spec levels make this an appealing crossover.”

Irish Large SUV of the Year 2017 Contenders: Ford Edge, Jaguar F-Pace, Toyota Land Cruiser Winner: Ford Edge Not much to separate the Ford Edge and Jaguar F-Pace in this category, but it was the Blue Oval that took its second gong of the night. Motoring journalists praised it for its comfort and presence. “Robust big SUV is specced with great driver aids,” said one, while another observed “Imposing, very comfortable but expensive. Get the Automatic.” “Imposing Transatlantic style sets good tone, a good fi nish, strong engines,” noted a third.

Irish Medium SUV of the Year 2017 Contenders: Hyundai Tucson, Kia Niro, Kia Sportage, MercedesBenz GLC, Seat Ateca, Ssangyong Tivoli XLV, Toyota RAV4, Volkswagen Tiguan Winner: Hyundai Tucson Reflecting how competitive this market segment is, scores from judges were evenly split amongst the eight contenders.

Ireland’s best selling car by some margin in 2016, the Hyundai Tucson, claimed the award ahead of the Mercedes-Benz GLC, with the Kia Sportage and Volkswagen Tiguan in joint third.

Comments on the winner included “The sales chart doesn't lie.

The Tucson ticks all the boxes. Great package,” and “A great all rounder deserving of its success. Equipment levels particularly impressive.“ “A winning formula” said another judge.

Irish Performance / Sports Car of the Year 2017 Contenders: Audi R8, BMW M2, Ford Focus RS, Ford Mustang, Opel Adam S, Peugeot 308 GTi Winner: Ford Mustang Ranging from the diminutive Adam S up to the R8 supercar, there was certainly something for everyone in this category.

In the end it was that archetypal symbol of Americana, the Ford Mustang which proved the choice of the Irish motoring journalists, winning ahead of its Focus RS stablemate. “It wins the heart and soul of anyone who drives it” and “What it loses on dynamics, it makes up on street presence and ownership.

Legend!’ were just two comments, while another summed the Mustang up in two words - “A joy.”

Large Car

Small SUV

Medium SUV

Large SUV

Mazda6

42

Citroën C4 Grand Picasso

31

Subaru Levorg

23

Citroën Space Tourer

20

Peugeot 2008

149

Suzuki S Cross

117

Opel Mokka X

79

Hyundai Tucson

98

Mercedes Benz GLC

89

Kia Sportage

82

Volkswagen Tiguan

82

Seat Ateca

77

Kia Niro

64

Toyota RAV4

40

SsangYong Tivoli XLV

18

Ford Edge

132

Jaguar F-Pace

129

Toyota Land Cruiser

69

Performance/Sports Ford Mustang

153

Ford Focus RS

121

Peugeot 308 GTi

88

Audi R8

67

Opel Adam S

45

BMW M2

26 www.fleetcar.ie

10 | COVER

Irish Car of the Year 2017 – rhymes and reasons

Top marks from the Fleet Car journalists for the Hyundai Tucson

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Cathal Doyle Deputy Editor, Fleet Car Magazine “With contenders ranging from the Suzuki Baleno to the Audi R8, there certainly was an eclectic mix of cars to choose from in this year’s Irish Car of the Year. Starting with the Small Car of the Year, I gave top marks to the Baleno, because of its practicality and the excellent new Boosterjet engine.

Jarlath Sweeney Editor, Fleet Car Magazine “Firstly, it was great to see the restoration of one Irish Car of the Year award which is generating the high profi le it deserves.

That there are three categories for SUVs is a sign of the times that we are in, and to where most focus from the manufacturers is centred. A great selection to choose from indeed.

In the Medium Car of the Year category, I gave top marks to the Toyota Prius. In fact, if it had made the fi nal shortlist, this would have been my vote for the overall Irish Car of the Year 2017, mainly because it is such a huge leap forward from the previous generation model, both in how it drives, and improvements in real world fuel economy performance. I also gave marks to the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupé for its gorgeous looks, and to the Renault Mégane - again a significant improvement on its predecessor.

wenty-eight motoring journalists representing many of the leading motoring publications and media outlets in Ireland cast votes for the 2017 Irish Car of the Year in association with Continental. Here is what the Fleet Car journalists thought were the best cars of the year.

Following the success of the Swift winning the overall Irish Car of the Year in 2006, Suzuki achieved another major honour in winning the Small Car of the Year title. It got the majority of my marks in this class. The improvements made to the Opel Astra is notable over the previous model and scored a category high in my sheet in the next category on the list – the Medium Car of the Year.

Difficult to select an overall table topper in the Large Car section such was the high quality of entry here. So, I gave equal points to both Citroëns, the C4 Grand Picasso & Space Tourer, Kia Optima, Mazda6, Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Volvo S90. All are making their own mark in the marketplace and deservedly so.

Liked the look and style of the new Peugeot 2008, which got the nod from me as the best Small SUV, while the new Seat Ateca, made the most impression in my eyes for its size and value for money offering in the Medium SUV lot. Moving on to the Large SUV, the Jaguar F-Pace stole my heart, while the Ford Focus RS got the blood pumping faster with its sheer speed, agility and driving pleasure in the Performance/Sports car stakes.

Then, from the fi nal shortlist of category winners such as the Suzuki Baleno, Mercedes-Benz C-Coupé, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Peugeot 2008, Hyundai Tucson, Jaguar F-Pace and Ford Mustang, for me, it really came down to the Tucson as my number one due to its practicality, overall design and sett ing the standard in its segment, endorsed by its huge popularity among the Irish motoring public.”

FLEETCAR | Winter 2016

In the Large Car of the Year category it was hard to separate the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and the Volvo S90. Both are superb all-rounders. I gave the Volvo one point more on the basis of how much it has improved over its predecessor, though it was a close run thing.

I’ve been impressed with the enhancements to the Peugeot 2008, which have added refi nement and desirability to this compact crossover, so it got my highest score in the Small SUV category.

Lots of contenders in the Medium SUV category, but I gave joint highest scores to the Hyundai Tucson and MercedesBenz GLC, with the Kia Niro and Seat Ateca close behind.

The Tucson is clearly ticking the boxes of what Irish drivers are after, while the GLC is one of the best driving cars to be found in this segment.

The Jaguar F-Pace got my vote for the Large SUV award. It looks good and rides more like a saloon than SUV. In the Performance / Sports category, I gave the highest score to the Peugeot 308 GTi, which matches strong performance with low running costs.

In the fi nal vote for overall Irish Car of the Year 2017, it came down to a decision between the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and the Hyundai Tucson. Ultimately because of being such a competent all-rounder, and for reading the zeitgeist of what the buying public wants, I gave my vote to the Hyundai.”

Text: Cathal Doyle & Jarlath Sweeney

A NEW KIND OF LUXURY. The Volvo S90 D3 from €43,900.* Our new executive sedan was designed with a single aim in mind; to create a car that would redefine the idea of luxury.

The result is the new Volvo S90; a blend of the best Scandinavian design and advanced technology in safety and power to give you a new, unforgettable driving experience.

This is how a modern luxury sedan should be.

This is the new Volvo S90.

PLEASE CONTACT YOUR LOCAL VOLVO DEALER TO ARRANGE A TEST DRIVE. *Delivery and related charges not included. Terms and conditions apply. Model is shown for illustrative purposes only. Fuel consumption for the Volvo Range in mpg (l/100km): Urban 35.3 (8.0) – 68.9 (4.1), Extra Urban 58.9 (4.8) – 85.6 (3.3), Combined 34.4 (8.2) – 156.9 (1.8). CO2 Emissions 215 – 48 g/km. All new Volvo cars come with a 3 year warranty and 2 years’ roadside assistance.

12 | LAUNCH PAD I

Hyundai‘s Three in One Ioniq

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ringing something new to market is Hyundai with its just-launched Ioniq. It’s the fi rst car to be offered in three varieties - full electric, a regular series hybrid, and a plug-in hybrid.

Size wise it fits in between the i30 and i40 in Hyundai’s line-up.

Arriving fi rst are the full electric and series hybrid versions. The electric Ioniq offers up to 280km from a 28kWh lithium-ion polymer battery developing a maximum horsepower of 120PS, the longest range of any electric car currently on sale. All cars will come supplied with AC charging connection and cable, as well as DC fast Charing connection. Prices

is quoted at 3.4 l/100km (83.1 mpg) and CO 2 emissions are 79 g/km. The Hybrid differs from the Electric version in having a multilink instead of torsion beam rear suspension.

start from €28,495.

The Hybrid model, which differs visually from the electric version primarily through a different front grille is priced at €31,995. It uses a 141PS 1.6 litre petrol engine combined with a 43PS electric motor powered by a 1.56 kWh Lithiumion Polymer battery. Fuel consumption

Equipment levels are generous the Ioniq comes with bi-xenon headlights, a heated steering wheel and heated front seats, rear parking sensors and camera, and Lane Departure Warning System. Hyundai is offering a 5 year unlimited mileage warranty on the Ioniq as well as an 8-year 200,000km warranty on the battery.

Cathal Doyle

Toyota C-HR cuts a dash

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oyota’s inevitable entry into the c-segment crossover market is a distinctive, stylish car that brings a new sensuality to the crossover market.

Ref lecting the demands of its target customer, the Toyota C-HR is equipped with a wide variety of features and cuts a dash. Already in the showrooms, the C-HR comes with two drivetrains; Hybrid with CVT transmission and 1.2 turbo direct injection petrol engine with a choice of 6-speed manual or CVT gearbox options.

Prices start at €26,895 for the 1.2-litre Luna model with the Luna Sport coming in at €31,950. For the higher spec SOL version, there is a price tag of €30,950. Those interested in the hybrid can expect to pay €29,350 for the basic Luna model, €31,950 for the Luna Sport and €32,950 for the top-spec SOL version.

There will be three trim levels; Luna, Luna Sport and SOL in both powertrians. Toyota Ireland believes that the Luna Sport will be their best performer and that there will be a 50/50 sales split between hybrid and petrol.

Toyota also expects to introduce an AWD version towards the middle of 2017 and while figures for this car may be limited, they think that a certain section of the buyers will warm to it being an option.

Gerry Murphy

Kia heads up low emission path with Niro hybrid

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o indicate just how serious Kia Motors is taking its alternative energy campaign, the Korean brand has designed and developed a completely new hybrid car.

The Niro is a new low emission parallel hybrid Crossover with CO2 emission levels as low as 88 g/km and an estimated fuel return of 3.8 litres per 100 km.

Making up the dual drivetrain is a 1.6 litre GDI petrol engine, a lithium-ion powerpack and a 32 kW electric motor mated to a 6-speed double-clutch gearbox.

FLEETCAR | Winter 2016

and will certainly not look out of place when parked alongside its class counterparts. A number of onboard technologies are installed to improve comfort and convenience for all occupants such as interactive infotainment systems and various methods of connectivity.

By concentrating on the growing Crossover segment, Kia is confident that this att ractive option will appeal to the green conscious driver and even the fleet driver, due to its low BIK rating.

Niro slots into the sector comfortably,

The development of the Niro leads Kia’s objective in becoming a leader in the low emissions car market by 2020. To come is the Optima plug-in hybrid. Expect to see battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles within this plan too, in due course.

Jarlath Sweeney

Don’t let your tyres do the travel plans.

The new Vector 4Seasons.

Get excellent performance all year long without changing your tyres, thanks to SmartTred ® Technology.

TESTED BY*

M A D E T O F E E L G O O D.

* Compared to average of three leading competitors. Measured by TÜV SÜD Automotive at the request of Goodyear in December 2014 and January 2015; Tyre Size: 205/55R16 94V; Test Car: VW Golf 7; Location: Saariselka Ivalo (FI), Mireval (F), Montpellier (F), TÜV SÜD Allach (D), TÜV SÜD Garching (D); Report nr: 713051337.

14 | TYRE FOCUS

Tyre Care and Maintenance mobile phone is over 10,000 per month. So unless we get serious about enforcement then lives will continue to be put at risk.”

A

t the recent Irish Car of the Year Awards, Tom Dennigan of event sponsor Continental Tyres spoke about the worrying condition of tyres found on the cars of many Irish motorists.

“As you know penalty points for tyres were introduced in April of this year. We wanted to get a better picture as to whether or not drivers were paying closer attention to the condition of their tyres than before the introduction of the penalty points. The results were quite frightening. We found several examples of tyres that were badly worn and damaged. We found the full range of faults that you would expect to find on tyres that had been neglected for some period of time; tyres with tread depth worn down to below the legal minimum of 1.6mm and in some cases, worn right down so that the wire carcass of the tyre could be seen; tyres with lumps, bulges and holes in them, tyres unevenly worn with one side of the tyre worn down to dangerous levels. Really these are ticking bombs, nobody knows ‘the when’ or ‘the where’ that one of these tyres could lead to a catastrophic failure,” “There was a huge surge in business immediately after the penalty points were introduced,” said Matt hew Murphy of WestTyre, an independent tyre retailer in the Mayo - Galway area. WestTyre has outlets in Shrule and Ballinrobe, and opened a third outlet in Westport earlier

FLEETCAR | Winter 2016

this year. “We were doing a month’s tyre sales every week for about two months, but it then fizzled off,” he said, adding “In fact, the last two months we’ve noticed that sales were down because of the earlier surge.”

Tom Dennigan says there’s a need for greater law enforcement. “Certainly the awareness level amongst drivers increased at the time of the introduction of the penalty points. The advertising campaigns run by the RSA were very effective in the short term. So we made a great start.

However, complacency has set in again and drivers have gone back to old habits.

There has to be enforcement. When we look at the penalty points statistics since the introduction last April, we see that the average number of convictions per month for tyre related offences has been less than 80. To put this in context the number of convictions for driving while using a

Jamie McWhir (pictured), technical manager for Michelin in the UK & Republic of Ireland believes the onus remains with drivers to take responsibility. On the introduction of penalty points he observes: “It’s probably a bit early to say, but until motorists take personal responsibility for the quality and state of the tyres they use, and accept that high-quality tyres save lives and save money, then punishments can only do so much. Their real value is probably in prompting debate in Ireland and gett ing tyre safety further up the priority list of the individual driver.” He also identifies incorrect tyre pressures as an issue. “Over the last nine years we have inspected thousands of tyres in Ireland as part of our Fill Up With Air Campaign and more than 30 per cent had at least one tyre that we would class as either dangerously or very dangerously underinflated. That’s no worse than the UK, but it is nowhere near good enough. Underinflated tyres have a significant impact on handling and braking, and they are more likely to suffer a blowout. Not only that, underinflated tyres use much more fuel.”

Tyre Labelling We asked the industry experts if the introduction four years ago of a tyre labelling system with ratings for wet weather performance, noise and fuel efficiency has had an impact on customer buying behaviours.

“Th is was always going to be a slow burn, but drivers are becoming better informed and we are more likely to see them coming into tyre depots with some online tyre research done already,” explained Tom Dennigan of Continental. “Many tyre dealers are very good at explaining tyre labelling to their customers and using this as a selling aid to help the customer make the best purchase decision. Of course price is still a key factor, but consumers are happy to do price/label comparisons if the seller take the time to explain.”

“Consumer awareness in Ireland is growing

TYRE FOCUS | 15

e remains a major concern slowly, and anything to highlight the fact that tyre quality is vital for safety and fuel efficiency has to be applauded,” says Michelin’s Jamie McWhir. “Tyre labelling is starting to form a more significant part of people’s decision-making process, and that is partly because people are researching online more – and labelling tends to be reasonably high profi le on tyre websites.

But tyre labels only tell part of the story.

They talk about wet braking, but not dry braking, they have no measure of durability, and they are simply a snapshot of the tyre when it’s brand new – but how does it perform when it has done 2,000 miles. Or 5,000 or 10,000 miles? It’s easy to make a tyre that looks good as far as the labels are concerned, but making a tyre that is excellent in both the wet and the dry, for example, is a much tougher job. The real challenge for premium manufacturers like Michelin is to persuade Irish drivers to buy on value rather than price. Yes, you can buy a new budget tyre imported from the Far East for €60 or so, but how safe will it keep you, how soon will you have to replace it and how much fuel will it use up?

At the retail end of the market, WestTyre’s Matthew Murphy says that customers are very often not aware of the labelling system, but that when it is explained to them it can often result in them purchasing a better quality tyre. “Somebody, for instance, that comes in with the intention of buying a budget tyre may be persuaded to opt instead for a mid-range tyre.”

Increase in online research Matthew notes a difference between younger and older drivers, with the former more likely to be aware of the labelling system, while younger drivers are also more likely to do research online before coming in to purchase new tyres. Michelin’s Jamie McWhir agrees. “Online research is becoming much more common – even if the eventual purchase is made at a bricks and mortar outlet. As with many other transactions people make these days, user reviews are becoming more important. Both these things provide a real opportunity for premium manufacturers – and also tyre dealers – to highlight the benefits of buying premium rubber, both in performance Text: Cathal Doyle - cathal@fleet.ie

terms and economic terms.”

Industry divided on minimum tyre tread depth - 1.6mm or 3mm?

Michelin recently caused a bit of a stir at the Paris Motor Show when it stated its belief that the current legal limit of 1.6 mm is satisfactory. Other manufacturers have been lobbying for some time to have the legal minimum tyre tread depth increased to 3mm.

Significantly Michelin challenges the thinking that the more tread depth, the safer the tyre, stating “At present, no statistics establish a link between an increase in the number of accidents and the fact that the tyre tread on the vehicles involved was less than 4 mm deep.” It added that

braking distances depend on a wide range of factors, including the braking system, ABS sensors, road surface texture, weather (humidity and temperature), tyre pressure and temperature, and the driver’s actions all playing a significant part alongside the tyre’s intrinsic qualities.

However Tom Dennigan stated that Continental Tyres challenges Michelin’s position. “Both the RSA in Ireland and ROSPA in UK recommend that tyres should have at least 3mm of tread depth. It is also Continental’s view that tyres should be changed when they get to 3mm. Th is stance is based on our company’s many years of detailed testing that show that a tyre’s performance begins to taper off once the tread goes below 3mm.” www.fleetcar.ie

16 | TYRE FOCUS: ALL-SEASON TYRES

All-Season Tyres - the perfect solution for Ireland?

R

emember back to the winters of 2010 and 2011?

Heavy snowfalls and prolonged wintery conditions brought much of the country to a standstill, with stories abounding of abandoned cars and people unable to get to work.

Goodyear is one brand that has been to the forefront of all-season tyre development, notably with its multi-test winning Vector 4Seasons. Goodyear’s advice is that if you live in a climate where the temperature doesn’t drop below -5 degrees Centigrade then all-season tyres are suitable.

That was probably the fi rst time that winter tyres came into public consciousness, and in the immediate aftermath there was an explosion in demand for tyres specially suited to snowy and icy conditions. However a series of mild winters since then have allowed the experiences of 2010/11 to fade into memory, with tyre dealers reporting relatively litt le interest now from the buying public in winter tyres.

Another interesting player in this market is Michelin. While all-season tyres have historically been winter tyres adopted for summer use, the French tyre giant has taken a different route.

Jamie McWhir explained: “Most all-season tyres are de-tuned winter tyres and there can be a lot of compromise on warmweather performance. The Michelin CrossClimate is the fi rst ever summer tyre to be certified for winter use – even for parts of Europe where winter tyres are required by law in the colder months. The fact is that the rubber on your car needs to perform well in a wide range of temperatures and conditions, and the Michelin CrossClimate gives Irish motorists that peace of mind, all-year-round option.”

But should we be looking to change our tyres every October or November? In many parts of Europe that’s the law, though there is no legal requirement to do so here. Indeed the fact that Ireland tends to, on average, have prett y mild winters raises the question as to whether there is any point in opting for winter tyres here.

“Winter tyres have always been a tough sell in Ireland,” explained Jamie McWhir, technical manager for Michelin in the UK & Republic of Ireland. “Premium winter tyres undoubtedly perform well in snow and ice, but the reality is, in most parts of Ireland, snow and ice are the exception rather than the rule – and many motorists simply don’t want the hassle of swapping tyres as temperatures drop.”

So perhaps the answer is all-season tyres - an area of the market that some manufacturers have been spending significant investment on in recent times. As the name suggests, all-season tyres are designed to work all year round, but offer significantly better performance on ice and snow than summer tyres. The downside is that they are generally not quite as good in warmer conditions.

According to respected tyre specialist website www.tyrereviews. co.uk. “All season tyres still offer improved grip compared to summer tyres when the temperatures are freezing, and offer a vastly improved performance on snow and ice when compared to a summer tyre tyre, but their less extreme nature than a full ful f l winter tyre me means there are le less penalties during wet, and particularly dry braking where a full winter tyre can give u 20% of a up su summer tyres perf performance even i n colder conditions. conditions.”

FLEETCAR | Winter 2016

Certainly the Michelin CrossClimate has performed very well in independent tests, virtually matching dedicated summer or winter rubber in all but the most extreme conditions, and scoring very highly on wet roads - surely the most prevalent weather condition here.

Not all manufacturers are singing from the all-season sheet though. Continental, which doesn’t market all-season tyres in Ireland, stated that dedicated summer and winter tyres are the way to go. “All season tyres are a compromise between summer and winter conditions. The very recent Auto Express ‘All Season Tyre Test’ where a number of all season tyres were tested against ‘summer’ and winter tyres, was very clear in pointing out that all season tyres are a compromise solution,” said Tom Dennigan.

“It stated, and I quote: “All season tyres are really a compromise, they were outperformed by a winter pattern and were left trailing by a summer tyre in the dry.”

Few will argue with that. But until Irish motorists get in the habit of switching between summer and winter tyres every year, these new breeds of all-season tyres do seem to tick the boxes as sensible compromises for Irish weather conditions.

Text: Cathal Doyle - cathal@fleet.ie

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18 | INTERVIEW I

One-to-One

In offering a choice of brands across a multi-dealership network, what makes Windsor Motor Group stand out in a crowded marketplace?

From humble beginnings in 1964, the Windsor Motor Group has worked hard to become one of Ireland’s largest and most trusted dealer groups. Currently employing over 300 staff and servicing thousands of satisfied customers, Windsor Motor Group has a total of 14 dealers representing Nissan, Opel, Peugeot and Mazda in Dublin, Wicklow, Meath and Galway.

One of the reasons Windsor Motor Group stands out from the crowd is we recognised early on that the car buying experience had changed significantly and as a result of this, we quickly evolved and responded to the demands of our customers, to offer a more modern, open, relaxed car buying experience.

Windsor Motor Group has a broad spectrum of customers, all looking for the perfect vehicle to suit their particular requirements. Whether it’s petrol, diesel or an eco-friendly electric model, our multidealership network, has the perfect mix of product range, specs and price points to suit our customers’ personal requirements and their budgets.

Add to that, the fact we offer a one-stop shop by way of new and used passenger and commercial vehicles, product range accessories, finance options, not forgetting FLEETCAR | Winter 2016

with Neil O'Sullivan - Windsor Motor Group

service, parts and bodyshop facilities.

Finally through our partnership with SIXT and other fleet management companies, we also offer commercial vehicles and Fleet Management services to the corporate sector.

For the last 50 years, through our dedicated and committed employees, our approach has been to provide a great customer experience and to establish Windsor Motor Group as the recognised market leading brand in Irish car retailing, aftersales and fleet management. If we maintain this approach, we will continue to stand out in very busy and crowded marketplace.

You currently operate primarily in Dublin and Galway. Any plans for further expansion?

Over the last 50 years Windsor Motor Group has gone from strength to strength.

This would not have been possible without our dedicated employees and loyal customers. However, we have also evolved with the changing times and have continued to invest in our brand, dealerships, infrastructure, technology, employees and geographical footprint.

In recent years, Windsor Motor Group has invested significantly in our infrastructure and expanded our geographical footprint.

We have welcomed new marques and opened dealerships in new locations including Windsor Clonee Nissan and Peugeot, Windsor Galway Mazda and Windsor Dundrum Nissan. Additionally,

investment has been made available for modernising dealership showroom designs in creating a more modern, technologyled retail experience for customers. In fact, Windsor Galway Nissan, Windsor Galway Mazda, Windsor Airside Opel and Windsor Liffey Valley Opel dealerships have all just completed showroom renovations including the showroom designs. Furthermore, Airside Direct, which is based in Airside Motor Park, Swords, County Dublin opened for customers looking to buy non-franchised quality-used cars. In July of this year, Windsor Airside Opel opened an Opel Commercial Van Centre at their premises in Airside Motor Park, Swords. Finally, and most recently, Windsor Long Mile Nissan Commercial Centre opened to the public, with a state-of-the-art showroom design and retail experience at the end of November.

With 14 dealerships in Dublin, Wicklow, Meath and Galway, we are always looking at ways of improving the customer experience, our dealerships, service offerings and indeed expanding our geographical footprint.

Having the right staff is critical for the success of any business. Tell us about the innovative employee development programme recently launched by Windsor Motor Group, and what you aim to achieve from it?

As part of our ongoing employee development strategy, Windsor Motor Group is continuing to invest and reward employees through effective learning and development. Our employees are the lifeblood of our company and by continuing to invest in them; we’ll remain synonymous with quality workmanship and exceptional customer service.

The employee development strategy focuses on ensuring our employees feel

INTERVIEW I | 19 valued, motivated, and have the right skills and knowledge required to effectively execute their roles across our dealerships.

Succession planning is also a critical part of our employee development strategy, where we provide our employees with the right opportunities to move up the career ladder, by offering unique class-room and online industry skills training programmes. We want to be part of their career journey and help them shape the future direction of their careers.

By continuing to invest in our employees, it’s a win-win situation for everybody.

The employee gains by professional development and progression, the company gains by having happy and committed employees and the customer gains by receiving the best service and experience in the industry.

How important is having a one-stop shop ranging from multi-brand new car sales, used vehicle sales to financing, servicing, accident repair and parts supplies to being successful in the motor industry today?

The needs of the modern car buyer have changed significantly over the last number of years with customers expecting more from their local dealership. As such we have also evolved by providing a one-stop shop for our customers in each of our dealerships.

Customers want convenience, brand and price-point choice and range, and simplicity and they want it under one roof.

They want to be able to personalise their vehicle with additional accessories at the purchase point, whether it’s a new or used car or commercial vehicle. In all of our dealerships, we have Business Managers who can offer fi nancial advice, support and options to customers. All Windsor Motor Group dealers provide aftersales support, whether the customer is looking for a service, parts for their vehicle or simply guidance and advice. Similarly, with the 1000km health check, which is free for Windsor Motor Group customers who have just purchases a new vehicle, they can simply go to their local Windsor Motor Group dealer. If customers are unfortunate enough to have an accident or need repair-work, they want to deal with somebody they recognise and trust, this Text: Cathal Doyle - cathal@fleet.ie

is where their local Windsor Motor Group dealer comes in. We know our customers personally, we understand their needs and we know vehicles inside out – our customers know they can trust us.

Windsor Motor Group would not be where it is today, if it were not for our loyal customers trusting us and returning timeand-time again. Our goal has always been to provide a great customer experience and we strive to ensure we get every element of the customers’ motor experience right fi rst time, every time. To be successful in any business, you must have happy and satisfied customers and the fact we have been in business for over 50 years, and have grown significantly during that time, is testament that our approach to providing a great customer experience is working.

But, we won’t stop now, we will continue to obtain feedback from our customers to understand how we can continue to improve and evolve with the times.

The car buying experience has changed significantly in recent times, for instance customers doing research online, and new financing options to name just two. What sort of challenges does this present to the traditional dealership model?

The reality is that today, customers begin their car buying journey online and are more informed than ever. They research and know every detail of the vehicle they’re looking for, they will compare specifications, prices, warranty, sales and aftersales options online, before they step foot inside a showroom dealership.

Windsor Motor Group dealerships are modern, spacious, open, friendly

environments, where technology is at the heart of enabling our customers be more informed and empowered about their fi nal vehicle choice. The same is true when a customer is in “aftersales mode” – our dealerships are perfectly equipped so that it’s an open, friendly, relaxed nonintimidating environment.

When it comes to finance options, once again, customers have done their homework. Consumers are more informed and understand the various financial options available to them. By having Business Managers in every dealership, we are further empowering our customers and arming them with suitable financial options to suit their needs and circumstances.

The motor industry is extremely competitive and continuously evolving.

If traditional dealerships do not invest in the future, their employees’ infrastructure, technology, customer experience and their brand, they will be left behind.

Windsor Motor Group is leading the way by presenting a modern sales and aftersales motor experience. We recognised the car buying experience had changed significantly and quickly evolved and responded to the demands of our customers, to offer a more modern, open, relaxed, technology-led sales and aftersales experience. We will continue to evolve and stay one step ahead of the industry. We will continue to inform and empower our customers, to invest in our employees, dealerships and brand, and ensure our customers continue to receive a great modern customer experience. www.fleetcar.ie

20 | FEATURE I

BMW, Fiat and Nissan en

D

uring the fourth annual Fuel Choices Summit held in Tel Aviv, Israeli innovations in alternative fuels and smart mobility were discovered, explored and exhibited, allied to presentations from leading forward thinking experts and major stakeholders in vehicle development, transportation and cutting edge technology.

The two day event at the Habima Theatre, is all part of the Israeli Government’s ten year programme to establish the country as the number one alternative fuels knowledge hub by supporting the development and implementation of next generation technologies and more ambitiously by reducing the State’s oil consumption by 60 percent by 2025.

The Fuel Choices Initiative, Israel’s national programme for alternative fuels and smart mobility was launched as a joint Government effort, headed by the Prime Minister’s office. Eyal Rosner, Chairman & Director of Administration, Fuel Choices Initiative at the Prime Minister’s Office explained further. “In this context, the mission of the Fuel Choices initiative is to serve as a catalyst for the reduction of the world’s dependence on crude oil by establishing Israel as a centre of knowledge and industry in the field of sustainable alternative fuels.”

“One of our goals is to build an ecosystem that supports and provides innovative technologies in alternative energy and smart mobility, make use of Israel’s strength, including its interdisciplinary nature and

FLEETCAR | Winter 2016

Israeli entrepreneurs operational agility. Over the last five years the number of companies in the field in Israel has grown from 60 to more than 500, with growing interest from all over the world.”

Automotive manufacturers have a major role to play in reaching objective from car, van, truck and bus. Three global car brands featured prominently during the presentation sessions with BMW and Nissan participating in the opening topic ‘The future of the automotive industry’, with leading representatives presenting their vision on how alternative fuels and powertrains, smart mobility solutions and new business models will shape the future.

“A new era of the automotive industry begins,” declared Elmar Frickenstein, Senior Vice President for Fully Automated Driving & Driver Assistance, BMW Group. He also revealed that the German marque will have an autonomous car on the road by 2021 and also gave away the secret of how the 7-Series was driven autonomously in James Bond’s ‘Tomorrow Never Dies’ film from 1997.

BMW’s research and development in the field of driverless cars began ten years ago with testing undertaken at the Nürburgring circuit. Subsequent prototypes were derived from a ‘computerised’ 3-Series and an i3 electric car which featured at the annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

Prior to that was the James Bond 750iL, which made a big impression at the time. To the viewer, the car was remotely controlled from 007’s Ericsson mobile phone, but in fact, the car was adapted to be driven by a

concealed driver sitting low down in the back using a small steering wheel and extended foot pedals.

“Autonomous driving encompasses customers, technology and community but what it will offer is more comfort, more time, more safety and more flexibility,” said Mr. Frickenstein. In terms of technology, there is a lot involved such as high performance computing, artificial intelligence, computerisation validation methods, sensor raw data procession and system safety and robustness. “For the community as a whole, there will be less accidents, less traffic to deal with, less time looking for parking and of course less CO2 emitted,” he added.

Currently autonomous car development is at level two which allows for temporary hands-off/eyes-off movement/propulsion and BMW is working on levels three, four and five which progresses from hands-off/eyes-off with awareness/request for driver takeover to no driver intervention with hands-off/mindoff to no driver in the vehicles at all!

Elmar continued by outlining the main players in this technology, which are increasingly coming from the IT sector, and it’s becoming a global project on a united front. He mentioned high profile North American brands such as Google, Amazon, Intel being to the forefront with Mobileye (Israel) and a number of Chinese companies leading the way also.

Recently BMW signed a cross-industry co-operation agreement with Intel and Mobileye. “That brings three industry leaders,

FEATURE I | 21

engage in Fuel Choices Summit Eyal Rosner - Chairman & Director of Administration, Fuel Choices Initiative at the Prime Minister’s Office

shaping the future together in developing autonomous driving to series production,” explained Elmar. “Target iNext 2021 will be a non-exclusive platform as an industry standard,” he added. “BMW alone will have 500 personnel involved in this project and we will ensure that the new car will contain all of the BMW characteristics and drive like a BMW. Above all it will have to be secure in that the data intelligence is hacker proof.”

Takao Asami, Senior Vice President, Research & Development Advanced Engineering, Nissan under the same topic highlighted the benefits of electric vehicles (EV) such as dynamic performance, quietness, lower running costs and the convenience of home charging.

Sales volume growth is gathering pace with its EVs with a projected future of 1 million plus sales globally in 2016, thanks mainly to the increased range distance averaging 250 km introduced by Nissan on the Leaf last year.

Mentioning the Renault-Nissan Alliance objective in reducing overall CO2 emission levels from its vehicles by 30 percent in line with COP21 targets, Mr. Asami said the objective goes much further – zero emissions and zero fatalities and key to these objectives are electric vehicles, autonomous driving and community involvement.

Takao then outlined the road map for autonomous vehicles from 2016 to 202X, as he put it. Presently single lane operation is possible on highways and will progress to multiple lanes in 2018. Then in 2020 driving through urban roads and through intersections comes next with fully driverless some years later but not pinpointed. He Text: Jarlath Sweeney - editor@fleet.ie

Elmar Frickenstein- BMW

was keen to emphasise that ultimately the power source for the electric energy must be generated from fossil free systems like solar power, wind and wave power. Also included in his address were the additional opportunities electric vehicles can provide such as acting as a back up electric provider for homes, industry or the community in general. “Through the Alliance Global Research Network, we create open innovation with the world’s intellectuals,” said Mr. Asami and from the slides show this takes in innovations in Europe, Asia, North America and China.

Virgilio Cerutti, Vice President, Business Development Central Co-ordination, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) earlier officially launched the first Fiat 500 M15 to the Israeli market, which is run on a blend of 85% petrol and 15% methanol. He began his presentation under the topic – ‘The future of vehicles energy’ shedding light on the potential of this technology and its economical feasibility.

FCA has been cooperating with the Fuel Choices Summit over the last two years to help reach its objectives. With its lineup of passenger cars and light commercial vehicles, the Italian/American company is a recognised leader in the development, manufacture and distribution of vehicles powered by compressed natural gas (CNG), biomethane and alcohols fuels, through advanced multi-fuel technologies.

Building upon this in Israel, FCA presented the outcome of the “M15 Project”, conducted in collaboration with DOR Chemicals, one of Israel’s foremost fuel components producers, and the Israel Fuel Choices Initiative (IFCI) in order to develop methanol in terms

Takao Asami -Nissan

of production, blending, infrastructure, regulations and automotive technologies.

FCA and DOR Chemicals initiated the project after the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with IFCI, combining their respective deep and innovative knowledge in alternative fuels. The pioneer product will be marketed in Israel by MCA - the official Israeli importer of FCA Group. “This marks an important milestone in the field of alternative fuels,” said Virgilio. “The Fiat 500 M15, which is compliant with the Euro 6 New European Driving Cycle (NEDC), delivers a 2percent CO2 reduction compared with the same Euro 6 version of the vehicle running on gasoline, while maintaining the same vehicle performance,” he added.

The adoption of low carbon and oxygenated fuel such as methanol mitigates the emissions of CO2 , hydrocarbons and particulate matter. As such, the Fiat 500M15 is bi-fuel and can run on both M15 and gasoline, as well as any mixture of the two fuels.

In May 2016 the M15 Israeli fuel standard was issued by the Ministry of Transport, making Israel the first country in the world to issue a national standard for methanol flex fuel vehicles that also comply with the EU’s Euro 6 regulation. Methanol, that can be produced - among other feedstock - from methane (a natural gas component), can be distributed using existing infrastructures already in place for oil (vessels, railroads, trucks, pipelines, etc.), even if some materials have to be adapted to make them compatible with this fuel. A refueling station, for instance, can be quite simply converted into a methanol station.

www.fleetcar.ie

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One-to-One with Tom Dennigan, Continental Tyres Ireland

by Cathal Doyle

Is Continental Tyres active in the fleet market in Ireland?

Yes, we are very active in the fleet market in conjunction with our network of Independent Service Partners and our own equity; Advance Pitstop. Many of the larger fleets in Ireland have a policy of fitting Continental tyres. Costs effectiveness, safety, long life, high levels of grip and improved fuel consumption are very important to f leet operators and this is where Conti excel. Also, with more than 1 in 3 new cars in Europe fitted with Continental tyres as original equipment, Continental is a very practical option. Tyres are replaced according to agreed KPI and all data is reported back to the fleet operator either on a weekly or monthly basis. We also offer technical and product training to our fleet customers, the objective being to ensure that safety and long life is maximised.

How useful is the tyre labelling system launched in 2012, and with manufacturers providing those ratings, are there concerns of manipulation by less scrupulous tyre producers?

TYRE FOCUS: INTERVIEW II | 23 Tyre manufacturers in Europe operate to very strict EU labelling criteria. The labels that are required to be displayed were chosen for very good reasons; grip in the wet is a critical safety issue, fuel efficiency and noise have a huge impact on the environment. Tyre life is not measured. But, there’s a good reason for this; it can be extremely difficult to measure tyre life accurately. The behaviour and driving style of a driver as well as the road conditions and temperatures mean that it is very difficult to create a test that gives an accurate mileage performance.

Each driver is unique. Having said that, Premium tyres will generally achieve the highest results both in tyre labelling and in tyre life so there is a direct correlation in these areas.

Regarding tyre tests and labelling, it is difficult to be certain regarding abuses within the whole system. However, independent tests will always tell the true story... Motorists should take a look at the many independent tyre tests that are carried out every year by automotive magazines and other bodies. These tests play an important role in helping consumers to identify the best tyre for their needs and indeed, they can also help with pointing out any discrepancies in relation to a particular tyre’s EU label rating.

With spare wheels now a rare inclusion in new cars, do you see runf lat tyres becoming more popular, particularly for after-market use?

Yes. The numbers are certainly increasing, driven by the original equipment requirements of car manufacturers. Safety is the main advantage of run-flat tyres.

They help prevent accidents resulting from tyre blow-outs or sudden loss of pressure.

It allows the driver to stay in control of the vehicle. Also it means that the motorist does not have the risk or the inconvenience of changing a tyre on a busy road.

What innovations can we look forward to from Continental Tyres in the future?

Continental’s end goal is for zero fatalities, zero accidents and zero injuries with its long-term commitment to raising awareness on tyre safety through its VisionZero initiative.

Developing industry leading test processes plays a key role in this commitment.

With Continental’s AIBA (Automated Indoor Braking Analyser), we can take tyre testing to a new level. Th rough a fully automated process in the Contidrom hall in Hannover, an unmanned test vehicle accelerates up to speeds of 120 km/h (75 mph) and then brakes on interchangeable, hydraulically-powered road surfaces. Tests can be conducted all year around on wet and dry road surfaces and in a separate ice lane. While the tests are conducted irrespective of weather conditions, Continental is able to offer the world’s most accurate braking testing procedure and to improve technology reproducibility by 70 per cent. With this additional technology at our testing facility you can be assured that our tyres will offer excellent braking performance regardless of the weather when you are driving.

Looking to the future and sustainable sources is also a focus for Continental. We are currently working on the industrial use of Russian dandelions for the production of natural rubber, which are said to be very rubber-rich and do not need a tropical climate in contrast to regular rubber trees. Th is undemanding plant can be cultivated in a number of temperate regions on what is known as “marginal land” that was previously unusable in terms of agriculture.

ContiSilent(tm) is a tyre noise-reducing technology developed by Continental and designed to reduce interior noise on all road surfaces. ContiSilent(tm) tyres are equipped with an inner tyre absorber, a polyurethane foam, att ached to the inner surface of the tread area with an adhesive. Regardless of the temperature, the structure of the foam stays intact.

ContiSilent(tm) helps reduce interior vehicle noise up to 9 dB(A), depending on the type of vehicle, its speed and the road surface. At the moment it is only available for summer tyres and is compatible with all commonly available rims. Driving performance is not affected and there is no negative influence on mileage and load/ speed capability.

www.fleetcar.ie

24 | LAUNCH PAD II

New Citroën C3 offers Comfort & Individuality

S

itting into the new Citroën C3, the first thing that struck me was just how comfy the seats are. Well padded seat foams made it feel like sitting on a comfortable sofa - while at the same time staying firm enough to support you in a moving car.

Interesting to hear at the press conference then that comfort was a particular focus of the designers. For instance there’s 22mm more legroom in the back making it feel surprisingly spacious for a car that’s under 4 metres long, while it scores well on practicality too - there are lots of storage areas, and a notably capacious glove compartment.

Available in three trim levels and a choice of three 1.2 litre petrol and two 1.6 litre diesel engines, and with manual or auto gearboxes, first drives on Spanish roads point to a car that rides and handles well.

Prices have just been announced with entry level models starting at a competitive €15,490.

Citroën is also looking to get its car noticed in a crowded marketplace by offering customisation packages such as different roof and body colours as well as the optional Airbump side protective panels as seen previously on the C4 Cactus.

A fun feature is ConnectedCam, an optional integrated camera located behind the rear view mirror, as a means of taking snapshots of sights as you drive along. It could also be used as a dash-cam to capture video as evidence in the event of an accident.

Cathal Doyle

Fiat putting best foot forward

A

new range of cars, a new Managing Director recently appointed and additional dealers augers well for Fiat Ireland as the Italian brand heads into 2017 with confidence.

Admittedly, parent company Fiat Chrysler Automobiles took its eye off the ball in Europe as undertakings in North America took up all of its time. During that period we all had to deal with the aftermath of the recession. With developments at Fiat, Fiat Professional, Alfa Romeo and Jeep, the group as a whole is standing up and making a statement and

next year will see lots of media attention on their collective new arrivals.

First up from Fiat is the Tipo range which consists of a hatch, station wagon and soon to be joined by the saloon. While the model

name is not new, everything else is, dramatically. Attractive styling, solid build, high specification, good passenger space, a selection of engine options and above all, excellent value for money are its selling points in a very competitive C segment marketplace.

Two versions were driven briefly at the Irish launch, the 1.6 MultiJet diesel 120hp Lounge Station Wagon and the 1.4 petrol 120hp Lounge Hatch, and both confirmed a no nonsense solid car, pleasing to drive with plenty of zip. Designed in Italy and built in Turkey, prices start at around €18,000.

Jarlath Sweeney

Undercover upgrades for Mazda3

Y

ou’ll be forgiven for struggling to identify the new Mazda3 from the old.

The 2017 model has now gone on sale with re-profiled bumpers and grille, LED lights, and an electronic rather than physical handbrake amongst other minor trim and detail updates.

The more major enhancements are under the skin, notably the addition of a 2.0 litre 120PS SkyActiv-G petrol engine to the range. Available in the higher trim GT and Platinum specifications, it joins the existing 1.5 litre 100 PS petrol unit previously offered on entry level models, and

FLEETCAR | Winter 2016

matches that unit’s quoted fuel consumption of 5.1 l/100km and CO2 emissions of 119g/ km. First drives suggest a lively and torquey unit that suits this car well. Meanwhile the existing 1.5 litre 105 PS and 2.2 litre 150 PS diesel engines are carried over from before.

The other significant development is the introduction of G-Vectoring Control. Aimed at providing more precise handling, it works by varying engine torque to optimize the load on each wheel, thereby also giving a smoother ride. While on the safety front an enhanced i-ACTIVSENSE system includes a new, forward sensing camera allowing the introduction of a new Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR) function amongst other features.

Appearing in dealerships now, prices start from €23,295 for a car that’s had significant if not immediately obvious enhancements.

Cathal Doyle

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Official fuel consumption figures for the XE range in l/100km: Urban 4.4 – 11.6, Extra Urban 3.4 – 6.1, Combined 3.8 – 8.1. CO2 emissions g/km: 99 - 194. Price quoted is for the Jaguar XE 2.0 D SE Manual.

26 | FEATURE II

Distinct Personalities & Advanced Technology to fore as new Ford Fiesta family is revealed

F

orty years on from the launch of the original Fiesta, Ford has unveiled the ninth generation model. The latest version, which will arrive in Ireland in time for the 172 registration plate, competes in a much evolved market-place to that of 1976. Ford though, is confident that the att ributes that have long made the Fiesta a best seller, namely style and a dynamic drive, combined with a more premium feel and greater customisation, will ensure continued success in the future.

Like the other traditional segments, the market for small cars is under pressure from the ongoing rise in popularity of Crossover SUVs. Presently around one in three cars in the wider B-segment is made up of compact MPVs or small SUVs. The former category is declining but the market for Crossover MPVs is expected to continue to expand. So how does Ford address this challenge with the latest Fiesta?

The answer, it believes, is in creating a number of distinct variants, with a greater focus on customisation. At its ‘Go Further’ event in Cologne where the Fiesta was unveiled, four quite different production versions were showcased, aiming to appeal to distinct audiences. Titanium and Vignale models have a style and luxury focus, while the ST-Line offers performance and sporty styling.

Perhaps most interesting is the Fiesta Active, featuring chunky crossover styling and a slightly raised ride height, which might very well appeal to buyers otherwise considering a fully-fledged compact SUV. Ford is also looking to subtly re-position the Fiesta upmarket.

Higher specification models accounted for nearly 60 per cent of sales in the fi rst 10 months of 2016. Company research is showing that while around three quarters of B-segment sales are of mainstream offerings as opposed to cars from budget or premium brands, there is increased interest in higher end, better specced compact cars in particular, with sales of premium brand cars within the category up 24% in the last year.

Features like an 8-inch touchscreen and third generation SYNC 3 communications and entertainment system, a premium B&O Play sound system (the fi rst Ford to feature this), and an openable panoramic glass roof bring new levels of refi nement, while there will be a range of personalisation options. On the engine front, the acclaimed EcoBoost 1.0 litre petrol engine will feature cylinder deactivation technology that shuts down one cylinder when not needed to improve fuel efficiency and emissions - a fi rst for a three cylinder engine. There’s also a new powerful 120 PS diesel available.

Safety technology is also very much to the fore. In fact, of the fi fteen driver assistant technologies currently available on Ford’s flagship Edge, all are also offered with the new Fiesta.

In comparison the outgoing model featured just two. Among them are an enhanced version of Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Protection, Active Park Assist with Perpendicular Parking, Traffic Sign Recognition, and Cross Traffic Alert, a warning system when reversing out of a parking space - a fi rst for a car in this segment.

The Fiesta has long been lauded for its dynamic handling and ride, and Ford stresses that the new car will be even more fun to drive. New gearboxes offer smoother changes. A wider track and longer wheelbase, increased use of boron steel, steering friction reduced by 20%, and new double-bonded suspension bushes that are twice as stiff as on the outgoing Fiesta add up to a chassis that offers 10% more cornering grip.

The future for the longest surviving name plate in Europe, looks assured for some time yet.

The pending arrival of the new KA+ will att ract buyers looking for compact cars at the budget end, opening the way for the Fiesta to appeal to customers looking for extra equipment and safety equipment.

FLEETCAR | Winter 2016

Text: Cathal Doyle - cathal@fle Text: Cathal Doyle - cathal@fleet.ie e

28 | FEATURE III

13th Annual Autostyle Design competition

C

ar design has moved to another level thanks to the Autostyle Design Competition for young talented students. Top designs of selected blue-chip brand cars were further worked on by twelve fi nalists selected out of 130 students representing eleven design academies from ten countries. Their collective special version proposals were judged by an expert Technical Evaluation Committee and by the invited audience attending the event at the picturesque Porto Mantovano in Mantra, Italy.

Now in its 13th year, the Autostyle Design Competition is organised by Berman S.p.A. Auto & Design and Wacom, headed up by Berman CEO, Professor Roberto Artioli, the creater of Autostyle. “Th is year’s competition was very successful with a high rate of participation and increasing exposure. It gave the participants the concrete chance to be part of the Car Maker’s Design teams,” commented Mr. Artioli.

With an average age of 24, the shortlisted candidates arrived in Italy from as far afield as Australia, Bulgaria, China, Finland, India, Poland, UK, Russia, Taiwan and the host country. Twentyfour special versions were further developed from standard models within the chosen line up for this year’s competition.

On display throughout the grounds of Villa di Bagno were the worked on examples from the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupé, Citroën E-Mehari, Toyota Auris Hybrid Touring Sports, Maserati Levante, Aston Martin DB11 and Lexus LC500h.

Among the award winners were Kaihang Huang from China with his interpretation of the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupé in the Urban car/Crossover category. The 29-year-old student at IED in Turin gained 81 percent of the preference votes from the Technical Evaluation Committee.

The Wacom sponsored Audience Award was presented to Massimillano Englaro (22) for his work on the Aston Martin DB11, while the two Auto & Design sponsored Creativity Awards went to Australian Michael Wilden (28) based at the Hochschule Pforzheim (Germany) who was recognised for his redesign of the GLC Coupé and Davide Quagliani (26) from Italy, a student at ISSAM in Modena who did a special on the Citroën E-Mehari.

In the other main awards assigned by the Evaluation Committee, which was for the best proposal with the Lexus LC500h in the Sports car class, the main prize-winner Kaihang Huang also came out on top with 76 percent of the vote.

Other top line cars on display included Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Audi, DDS, Ferrari, Ford, Jaguar, Lamborghini, Nissan, Peugeot and Volvo.

Coinciding with the competition awards, a series of workshop presentations were made by leading car brand designers such as Flavio Manzoni (Ferrari), Marco Tencone (Maserati), Slavche Tanevski (Mercedes-Benz), Alessandro D’Ambrosio (Audi) and Mitja Borkert (Lamborghini). Case studies ranged from development projects to outlining the Lamborghini DNA from 1963 to the Centenario Roadster.

FLEETCAR | Winter 2016

Text: Cathal Doyle - cathal@flee

FEATURE III | 29

Kaihang Huang - Overall Winner

Michael Wilden

Massimiliano Englaro

Roberto Artioli (right)

Davide Quagliani

Kaihang Huang's rendering Text: Jarlath Sweeney - editor@fleet.ie

www.fleetcar.ie

30 | TEST

SsangYong aims big with Tivoli XLV

W

ith Korean rivals Hyundai and Kia now firmly established in the mainstream, is SsangYong going to be the next Far East brand to challenge the established players in Europe’s car markets? Historically best known for its large 4x4s and MPVs, new models such as the Tivoli and Tivoli XLV are attracting interest from new customers.

While the Tivoli falls straight into the compact SUV category, classifying the Tivoli XLV is a little more challenging.

SsangYong describes it as an SUV estate.

Essentially it’s a Tivoli extended by 238mm over the Tivoli, which probably makes it more of a rival to the likes of the Hyundai Tucson and Nissan Qashqai than the smaller B-segment Tivoli.

SsangYongs from generations past didn’t tend to win many awards for their stylish appearances but with the advent of the Tivoli and Tivoli XLV, that’s perhaps a thing of the past. From most angles the XLV is prett y conventional looking, fitting in well with the current styling trends of crossover SUVs. The rear end though may still be a matter of acquired taste.

Offered in two trim levels, ES and EL, the higher spec model tested here isn’t lacking for equipment. Reversing camera, heated front and rear seats, a 7-inch high-res touchscreen sat-nav and 18 inch alloys add up to a desirable package.

The cabin looks and feels upmarket, with good quality plastic trims, comfortable seats, and bright and clear instrumentation which can be changed into six different colours.

Surprisingly the soft-touch leather steering wheel with multi-function controls and three ‘weight’ settings doesn’t adjust for reach.

Storage space is more than adequate without being exceptional - the door pockets are big enough to house larger water bottles, and there are cup-holders and storage in front of the passenger to meet most needs.

That extra length is of apparent benefit in the back which gives good head and legroom for up to three adults - the middle section isn’t raised as in many cars so good news for the middle passenger. The boot comes with a false flat floor which reduces volume, but enables easier loading. False floor removed, the 720 litres available will meet the needs of families and sales reps alike.

SsangYong’s own 1.6 litre diesel is perhaps a bit noisy on start-up but on the move it’s

road noise you tend to notice more than the engine. The 115 bhp unit is more than adequate for everyday driving, though you might need to drop a cog to complete an overtaking manoeuvre. Keep it at around 1500 rpm and it feels quite torquey and should be quite a decent tow car - a towing capacity of 1.5 tonnes is more than acceptable. Fuel consumption wise, a week with the car returned an average of 5.3. l/100km (53.3 mpg), well up with what rivals can offer in real-time driving.

No issues either with the 6-speed gearbox which shifts nicely between gears. SsangYong also offers a 6-speed automatic version, as well as an intelligent 4WD system which comes with a multi-link rear suspension (the two wheel drive version makes do with a Torsion beam set-up).

Where the XLV falls down is in the handling compartment. Ride comfort is reasonably composed if a bit jiggly at times on poor surfaces, but of more concern is a tendency to lean excessively when cornering, resulting in a loss of traction. On wet roads in particular it was notable that the SsangYong would lose traction and start to understeer far sooner than would be expected. Whether that was down to the tyres fitted (Nexens) or a fundamental characteristic of the car is hard to say without trying it out on different rubber, but it was something we were always conscious of.

That issue aside, the Tivoli XLV is a thoroughly capable crossover. Its price tag in EL trim is in line with higher specced B-segment rivals, but it offers the space and practicality of crossovers in the larger C-segment category. Which sounds like a rather good deal to be honest!

FLEETCAR | Winter 2016 Text: Cathal Doyle - cathText: Cathal Doyle - cathal@fleet.ie

Photos: Cathal Doyle & Paul White

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