Fleet Car Autumn 18

IRELAND’S FOREMOST FLEET & CORPORATE SECTOR GUIDE

Volume 16. No. 2. Autumn 2018

0% BIK, Longer Ranges Is it time for Ireland’s fleet drivers to go electric?

Nissan Leaf

FEATU RE S

BMW i3s

Renault Zoe

INTERVIEW: ESB ecars TRIBUTE : Martin Birrane & Lola Cars INTERVIEW: DRIVEN:: Peugeot 508 • Volvo V60 • Citroën C4 Cactus • BMW X2 DRIVEN LAUNCH PAD PAD:: Ford • Honda • Mazda • Mercedes-Benz • Peugeot • Suzuki Plus Fleet Car Awards 2019 preview • Ferrari Land, Spain • Book Review

GB

IMPORTED

IRL

RE-REGISTERED

Contents Autumn 2018 4 News • SIMI seeking clarity on vehicle registration types • Vodafone launches mobile connectivity dongle • New road safety training centre in Monaghan • UK imports continue to rise • Autostyle car design competition underway • Volkswagen calls time on Beetle • Skoda’s Papal Special Karoq • Plus Junction Box

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 Contibutors: Rob Van Dieten, Gerry Murphy Photography: Jarlath Sweeney, Cathal Doyle, Paul Sherwood, Mark Ashby, Ainhoa Sanchez Administration: Orla Sweeney, Denise Owens, Paula Mullarkey

8 Cover • Assessing if electric cars are fit for fleet purpose • BMW i3s, Nissan Leaf and Renault Zoe test driven 12 Interview With ESB ecars on the state of Ireland’s recharging network 15 Tribute Goodwood honours Martin Birrane 16 Milestone Mondello celebrates 50 years

Advertising: Mary Morrissey Design: Eamon Wynne

17 Awards Build-up to the Fleet Car Awards & Seminar 2019 commences 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.

www.fleetcar.ie | 3 18 First Drive I Peugeot 508 19 First Drive II Volvo V60 20 Launch Pad • Ford Focus • Mazda6 • Mercedes-Benz A-Class • Ford Fiesta Active and ST • Honda Civic Saloon • Peugeot Rifter Suzuki Swift Sport • Mercedes-Benz CLS 23 News Extra • Fleet operators pay less risk management attention to cars versus vans • LDV unveils new passenger SUV 24 Test Drive I Citroen C4 Cactus 25 Fleeting Shots Book Review - The story of Italian car manufacturer Intermeccanica Ferrari Land, Spain 26 Test Drive II BMW X2

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.

20

TH

ANNIVERSARY CYCLE CHALLENGE

L AND’S END TO JOHN O’ GROATS

www.fleetcar.ie

4 | NEWS I

Leasing Industry will welcome SIMI move to clarify vehicle registration types

G

ett ing an accurate feel of what constitutes the fleet car market in Ireland has long been a challenge for anybody that works in the motor industry.

Unlike in other markets, there aren’t readily identifiable records of what is specifically a company car, with hire drives, pre-reg cars and contract hire cars all tending to be lumped together under company car sales as opposed to private registrations.

That may be about to change as the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) is currently working with market participants including distributors and dealers to collate an accurate record of registration types.

According to a statement from SIMI to Fleet Car: “SIMI has been endeavouring for a number of years to dissect the new car market in to registration types, in particular trying to identify consumer (retail) sales and company car sales. Since the start of

July, SIMI have been gathering registration data based on the different sales types, including Private Customer Sale, Business/ Company Sale, Leasing/Contract Hire Sales, Motor Industry Registrations and Hire Drives. The gathering of this data is only in its infancy, and will require a level of audit over the coming months to confirm or deny its accuracy. It is likely that the fi rst release of this data will be to members in early 2019, although it may be earlier or later than this.”

New Head of Volkswagen Ireland announced Volkswagen Group Ireland has announced t h at Sout h African native Carla Wentzel has been appointed to the role of Group Managing Director. She will move to Ireland this autumn from Volkswagen Group South Africa where she currently heads up the Volkswagen Brand. She has previously held a number of other senior management roles in that market.

Wentzel will take over from Tom Fleming who has led Volkswagen Group Ireland as Interim Managing Director since December 2017 and will now return to his previous role of Group Human Resources Director.

New device from Vodafone offers useful vehicle and driver information

Boxing Clever: Honda’s new Brand Ambassador

V

Boxing star Katie Taylor has been unveiled as the new brand ambassador for Universal Honda Ltd. and Castle Garage Honda in Bray Co. Wicklow.

odafone Ireland has launched “V-Auto by Vodafone”, an Internet of Th ings (IoT) device manufactured by Vodafone Automotive.

It offers advanced mobile connectivity features using a dongle that plugs into a car’s On Board Diagnostics port to provide a range of information to drivers via a smartphone app.

Compatible with the majority of cars manufactured in Europe since 2003, V Auto offers a range of features including Auto SOS which notifies one of Vodafone’s Secure Operating Centres in the event of a serious collision. It’s similar to eCall, which is now a mandatory safety feature fitted in all new cars sold in the European Union from April 2018. Other features are Find My Car that enables drivers to locate their FLEETCAR | Autumn 2018

vehicle using GPS positioning, and Safety Score, a driver analysis tool using data on acceleration, speed and braking.

Initially only available to existing Vodafone Ireland mobile customers, new customers will be able to sign up for the device in the coming months. It costs €80 upfront with a monthly price plan of €2.99.

Pictured at the launch of the new Honda Civic Sedan at Marlfield House in Gorey Co. Wexford, Director of Sales and Marketing for Universal Honda Ltd. John Saunders described Katie as one of Irelands most successful athletes ever, adding “We are absolutely delighted to bring Katie on board as a Honda Ambassador.”

Derek Bradshaw, Dealer Principal of Castle Garage Bray Co. Wicklow added; “The fact that she is also a local Bray girl makes this association very special for us.

NEWS II | 5

Citroën appoints Dublin Dealer Citroën Ireland has appointed a new dealership “Citroën South Dublin” operated by Dealer Principals Paul and Cyril Molloy, and based on the Whitechurch Road, Rathfarnham.

Citroën South Dublin is part of the family owned Fort Motors Group, which was founded in 1959 by Cyril Molloy and is managed today by his sons, Paul and Cyril.

Pictured at the announcement in the newly developed showroom in Rathfarnham are: (l-r) Kevin Hilliard, Sales Director, Citroën Ireland, Pat Ryan, Managing Director, Citroën Ireland, and Cyril and Paul Molloy, Dealer Principals, Citroën South Dublin.

New Road Safety Training Centre opens in Monaghan

A

new driver education programme aimed at corporate and f leet drivers is being launched in Scotstown, County Monaghan. Road Safety Ireland Driver Training Centre of Excellence will offer dedicated and specific training on Health & Safety Driving For Work for drivers of company cars, grey fleet drivers and other professional drivers including members of the emergency services.

Using a purpose built new 2000 square foot Road Safety Experience Centre as well as on-track practical demonstrations, the comprehensive programme combines immersive learning techniques with state-of-the-art simulators and equipment includes VR technology. Covering the main causes of accidents, it includes practical demonstrations on topics as diverse as the importance of having the right tyres for prevailing conditions, the effects of speed and the impact on a body in a collision, to even positioning car seats correctly.

New Sligo Dealer for Ford David Smyth, Managing Director, Road Safety Ireland said the company recommended initially targeting training

towards drivers that fall into the high risk category i.e. grey fleet drivers, those doing high mileage, new to the road drivers and post-accident drivers. “Our Driving for Work Safe Driving Experience aims to build knowledge and awareness to the five causes of collision fatalities and serious injuries; speeding, drink/drug driving, distraction, seatbelts and driving tired, and includes behind the wheel Skid Pan Training, Winter Driving and training on the most common causes of collisions. We are proud to be supported by Citroën, BMW and Subaru.”

Road Safety Ireland Driver Training Centre of Excellence is open from next month. Contact David on 047 89098 for bookings.

Falling Sterling ups UK imports Ford Ireland has appointed Porter Ford of Co. Sligo, as a Main Ford Dealer.

Porter Ford will offer the full range of Ford’s passenger and commercial vehicle range through a new dealership facility, providing employment for 12 persons.

The Porter Ford Dealership is located at Castlebaldwin on the busy N4 route to Dublin, 10 minutes from Sligo town and will offer new and used car and van sales, business leasing, fi nance, servicing and parts sales.

Pictured signing the Deal are (L to R) Ray Porter and David Porter with Ciarán McMahon, Ford Ireland Chairman and Managing Director, and Paul O’Sullivan, Ford Ireland Director of Sales.

T

he surge in UK imports shows no sign of abating, with a weak sterling accelerating the number of cars being brought into the country this year.

Data released by foreign exchange specialist Fexco Corporate Payments shows Irish car dealers increased their spending on vehicles imported from the UK by a fifth (20%) during the first half of 2018 compared with the same time in 2017. Meanwhile spending on UK imports by Irish motorists and dealers together is up 14% on last year, and up 66% on its pre-Brexit referendum level The analysis in July of 3,000 transactions made through Fexco Corporate Payments was carried out just after the Euro hit its highest level against sterling since last November.

The figures mirror official statistics compiled by the Society of the Irish Motor Industry.

In the first six months of 2018 it registered 49,971 used cars imported from the UK, a 12% increase on the same period in 2017, and 64% up on the pre-referendum level seen in the first half of 2016.

Official projections predict used car imports will rise by 15% in 2018, suggesting Ireland is on track to import 100,000 used cars from the UK for the first time ever this year. That’s having a significant impact on new car sales here which have fallen 8.6% year to date compared to 2017. www.fleetcar.ie

6 | NEWS III

Evaluation begins for 15th Autostyle Car Design Competition

F

or the 15th running of the annual Autostyle Car Design Competition, the popular format remains, but the event has attracted once again the top names in the business to address invited guests to hear the latest on their thinking and creativity.

Organised by Berman S.p.A., a leading designer and manufacturer of OEM body components and genuine accessories, evaluation of the 10 young designers’ portfolios shortlisted representing top car design institutions from all over the world is currently underway.

The Evaluation Committee consists of chief car design representatives from high profi le brands such as Bugatt i, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Volvo, FCA, Ford, PeugeotCitroën, Alfa Romeo and Toyota, while the

automotive media jury members include Auto & Design magazine (Italy), Fleet Car (Ireland) and Automotive News Europe.

“The young designers have been asked to create a special version based on an existing original production or concept car. Models from urban and sports/crossover segments are included. One winner will be selected from each category. While no modifications to the original body panels are permitted, designers are allowed to apply graphic decorations on the bodywork,” explained

Roberto Artioli, CEO, Berman S.p.A. and Autostyle founder.

The awards ceremony will be held on 19 October at the Villa Di Bagno, Porto Mantovano, Mantova, Italy.

As part of the day’s activities which include an exotic car exhibition, workshop presentations from leading automotive representatives will discuss their design techniques and reveal some futuristic concepts.

Farewell to a true piece of motoring history

T

he word iconic is bandied around far to much these days, but few will argue that when it comes to cars the Volkswagen Beetle is truly deserving of the moniker. So the news that production of the current model is to end without a replacement in the offing calls time on one of the most influential cars the world has ever seen.

Famously the brainchild of Adolf Hitler, the original ‘People’s Car’ overcame its dubious beginnings to epitomise the rise of Europe after the Second World War, becoming the world’s best selling car.

Manufacturing continued in Latin America

Volkswagen Beetle Irish production line.

long after it had ceased in Europe, with the final ‘original’ Beetle coming off the assembly line in Mexico in 2003. By that stage production of the new Beetle, which arrived in 1999, was in full flow, with the current now to be discontinued model arriving in 2011.

The original Beetle had a particularly strong Irish connection, as it was assembled in Dublin by Motor Distributors Ltd originally on the Shelbourne Road and latterly on the Naas Road from 1950 to 1977. 3,000-4,000 units were produced annually for most of the 30 years it was on sale, reaching its highest figure of 5,288 in 1972.

Maybe there’s still a future for the Beetle, perhaps as an all-electric model. Who knows. In the meantime Volkswagen dealers still have a few remaining models in showrooms, so if you want your piece of motoring nostalgia, get moving quickly.

Skoda’s stained glass Karoq marks Papal visit

W

ith the Pope’s recent visit to Ireland commanding world wide attention, Skoda, as the official car partner to the World Meeting of Families, took the opportunity to commission this unique Karoq which was displayed at the Pastoral Congress in Dublin.

The stained-glass Karoq used over 1,700 individual pieces of glass which were hand cut and embedded in 25 metres of lead, in traditional church style. 47 different FLEETCAR | Autumn 2018

master stained-glass craftsman, Evan Connan – the last fully trained traditional stained-glass designer in Ireland.

colours of stained-glass were used to depict modern Irish families of different ethnicities, cultures and life stages. It was developed by Dublin-based advertising agency, Boys & Girls, and completed by

During his visit to Ireland, Pope Francis was transported in a specially modified Skoda Rapid. Skoda has confi rmed that the car will be provided to the Mater Dei homeless hub in Drumcondra, Dublin, in accordance with the wishes of Pope Francis.

8 | COVER

Infrastructure, not range anxiety holding back the development of electric motoring Our experiences may be atypical, but we suspect not. The bottom line is that the public fast charging network isn’t presently fit for purpose on two levels, fi rstly, with regards to the number of units available, and secondly, the operational state of that network.

We’re talking here about fast charge stations - while there are plenty of slow charge units all over the country, these aren’t practical for anyone trying to complete a journey as charging takes several hours. It’s also worth noting that some fast chargers only cater to one type of charging protocol - there are three different types - CHAdeMO and Combo (CCS) DC fast chargers, and Fast AC (43kW+) units.

T

hat electric cars are going to play an increasingly important part in our motoring lives is without doubt.

These days there’s hardly a manufacturer that doesn’t have at least one electric car in its product line-up, and as the cacophony against diesel and petrol grows, the realisation that the era of the internal combustion engine is drawing to a close becomes more evident.

But what does this mean for the company car driver that typically tends to do high mileage? Th is is a segment where diesel is king, however the introduction of a 0% BIK rating in last autumn’s Budget with the potential savings of thousands of Euro annually must have many fleet managers and drivers considering whether electric cars can meet their requirements.

The latest generation EVs are capable of comfortably exceeding 200km on a single charge so are they now viable for longer cross-country journeys?

FLEETCAR | Autumn 2018

In the following pages we test-drive three all-electric cars - the Nissan Leaf, BMW i3S and Renault Zoe, including taking them on extended cross-country runs, specifically with the aim of determining how practical they are for company car drivers needing to travel long distances and use the public charging network.

In theory at least longer journeys should be very feasible thanks to a range of fast charge stations strategically positioned around our main motoring arteries. With up to 50kW of power available, these fast charge units will charge most cars to around 80% in 30-40 minutes. Just enough time for a relaxed cup of coffee and time to catch up on those emails.

Sadly though, our experience over three weeks suggests that for the regular longdistance traveller there are still too many compromises to make electric cars a practical alternative to petrol or diesel.

And the reason isn’t the cars themselves, rather the infrastructure.

With regards to the fi rst point, the issue isn’t necessarily the number and location of fast charge units, rather the fact that only one car at a time can be fast-charged.

Th at’s the case even if other cars use different charging protocols with different attachments - whoever is plugged in fi rst gets the fast charge.

How big an issue is this at a time when there are still only a small number of electric cars on our roads? Well, over the course of twelve different halts to fast chargers while testing the three EVs, only once did we manage to complete our necessary recharging without either having to wait or have somebody wait for us. In the worst instance, at the Applegreen Services on the M4 near Enfield, there were three other cars waiting ahead in the queue.

The second issue which is less acceptable is that a significant number of units are out of order at any time - and often for prolonged periods.

In fact, undertaking cross-country runs from Dublin to Mayo and back with all three cars we tested, journeys were compromised every time by out of action charge points. At a minimum this meant having to make extra stops to ensure there was sufficient range to reach the

COVER | 9 next working unit. In one case, it meant having to fi nd a slow charge unit and park up for a couple of hours before resuming our journey.

If these stations were only intermittently out of order, this might be an acceptable inconvenience, but in many cases they are out of action for extended periods often in excess of one week. For instance, the fast charger at Longford wasn’t working both on the outward and return journeys in the BMW i3s a week apart, and was demonstrating a fault with the AC charger on both journeys with the Renault Zoe, also a week apart. The unit at Ballaghadereen was out of commission during the week with the Zoe, while the CHAdeMO charger at Ballinalack was also inactive for an extended period.

Of the six cross-country journeys undertaken in the three EVs, the fastest trip was the return journey in the Renault Zoe in 4 hours 15 minutes, involving one recharge in Longford. The worst was heading westward in the BMW i3s, which necessitated no fewer than three stops. At the fi rst in Enfield the three cars ahead prompted us to try to get to Longford,

only to fi nd the unit there out of action, requiring the use of a slow charger. That got us to Ballaghadereen for a final top-up.

Total journey time: 6 hours 30 minutes.

For reference that journey is around 250 km in length and typically takes no more than three hours in a conventional car.

If you’re only going to make the occasional journey, such delays may be acceptable, but for the busy commercial or business traveller who needs to be at destinations

at given times, there is no way they will have confidence they can do so presently in an electric vehicle.

The cars are getting there, but the structure to support them is lagging far behind. If the Government is serious about its commitment to electric motoring it needs to put its money where its mouth is and invest properly in our recharging network.

Cathal Doyle

No compromise on performance with BMW i3s world BMW’s i3s redefi nes sporty. A recent addition to the regular i3, which itself has had a mid-life facelift, the i3s offers an increase in horsepower from 170 hp to 184 hp from the same 94 Ah/33 kWh battery. It also comes with a sports suspension that’s 10 mm lower, and a 40 mm wider track on exclusive 20 inch wheels. Unlike the regular version it also comes with a Sport mode sett ing.

The downside is that the extra power and wider wheel track mean a reduction in range by about 9% or roughly 10km less than the 255km the regular i3 has recorded under the new WLTP criteria.

A

nyone who has driven an electric car will attest to how quick and agile they are. Even the least powerful models zip away from standstill thanks to full-on always

available torque and seamless gear-free transmissions.

There’s fast and there’s fast though, and if you exclude Teslas, in the electric car

As with all electric cars, you’ll be wary of putt ing the foot to the floor too much, as the range will reduce alarmingly when you do, but the surge of power from the rear wheel driven machine is instant and exhilarating. Official 0-100km/h time www.fleetcar.ie

10 | COVER is 6.9 seconds (compared to 7.3 for the regular i3), but it’s the instantaneous delivery of that power which makes it feel the i3s could take on any supercar away from the traffic lights.

It also grips exceedingly well. At the international launch we were taken around a slalom course and its ability to hang on no matter how hard it was chucked into corners was very impressive.

That said, it doesn’t ride or handle like a traditional sporty BMW, probably due to the higher driving position and the fact that there is a layer of batteries sitt ing underneath. And those 20” rims may look good, but contribute to a jiggly ride on poorer surfaces.

Looks wise, it’s certainly distinctive and unlike anything else on the road at present. The backward opening rear ‘suicide’ doors are eye-catching but also practical, giving easy access to the rear, which is surprisingly spacious for a 4m long car. There’s only 260 litres of boot space, though at least you can lower the rear seats to bring it up to 1000 litres. The dash is largely as before but still quite futuristic looking, while there are lots of places for storage. The extensive use of carbon fibre is also a unique feature of this car.

On the charging front, BMW uses the Combo (CCS) DC charging protocol and can also accept Fast AC charging via the one connecting socket located on

the right rear three quarters panel. BMW offers a dedicated home charging box which will charge the car in around one hour forty minutes. As regards how far it will travel on a charge, a 100% charge showed a maximum available range of 230km; realistically 200km is achievable with a degree of prudent driving.

Compared to rivals, the i3s isn’t cheap, with an OTR price of €53,005 compared to €48,825 for the regular i3, though electric car grants do assuage these somewhat. Range extender versions cost an extra €4,530. For that you get a car that is distinctively different to anything else, one that will keep the green petrol head happy.

Cathal Doyle

Next Generation Leaf has added appeal power to slow the car to a complete stop. It takes a bit of practice but once you have mastered it you will love the way it works. There’s also the Pro Pilot system, which will automatically steer, accelerate and brake the car on roads where it can see the road markings and the car in front.

I

n terms of electrification Nissan seems to be going in the right direction with the new Leaf. It now has a bigger capacity 40kW battery with a better driving range on a full charge, enticing more buyers to try electric.

Long journeys can be tortuous and even if you are driving the new Nissan you will probably still have to stop at least once along the way to recharge especially if you are on the motorway.

Around town the Leaf is impressive and shorter journeys are not a problem and if you plan your usage carefully,

FLEETCAR | Autumn 2018

On the road the car benefits from the battery packs being placed in the floor which give it the feeling of a low centre of gravity, offering good road manners even on twisty roads. In town it is so simple to manage when the traffic around you is at its worst and when conditions are at their most challenging. there are real savings to be made from overnight charging at night time rates of electricity.

Based along the lines of other cars in the catalogue, there’s a sense that you are driving a much more modern five-door, five-seat car with clean lines, an arrowhead shape and clearly based on other models in the Nissan catalogue.

Furthermore, you also get a huge list of technological features. Th is includes the e-Pedal system, which allows you to drive the car using just one pedal. Once you lift off the accelerator the car takes over the braking and there’s enough braking

Like most electric vehicles there’s great lift from a standing start to bring you seamlessly and powerfully to 100km/h in a smidgen less than eight seconds.

Power equates to 150hp and the real-life range is around 270 kilometres when driven normally.

One issue that has been highlighted by some owners is that multiple fast charges of the new Leaf can be problematic.

According to a spokesperson from Nissan Ireland: ““When doing one or two successive quick charging (50kW) procedures, the 2018 Nissan Leaf will typically take 40-60 mins to charge

COVER | 11 from 20% to 80%. The Leaf has charging safeguards to protect the battery during repeated fast charging sessions in a short period of time. The time taken for additional quick charging (3+ successive procedures) can take longer if the battery temperature activates the battery safeguarding technology.”

A price tag of €32,600 gets you a really

well-specified car. The entry model comes in at €26,290. Annual road tax is set at €120 per year and for a company car owner, there are huge savings over petrol or diesel cars, as an EV incurs 0% BIK. Additionally, provided you register, tolls are half price too.

batteries can be increased and our poor infrastructure gets further investment.

However, with more Government incentives and more fast-charging points, the Nissan Leaf is proof that there is a future for EVs in the years ahead.

Gerry Murphy

Arguments will continue for some time to come until the overall range of

Zoe - King of the long distance road The other pleasant surprise stepping into the Zoe is that it feels a bigger car than the compact dimensions would suggest, and in the Signature Nav specification as tested, complete with leather upholstery, a rather good Bose sound system and reversing camera, it’s decidedly upmarket. In fact it would put most supermini rivals to shame with the quality of fi nish and trim. Boot space for a compact car is decent at 338 litres, expandable up to 1,225 litres with the back seats folded.

T

he Renault Zoe makes the claim to having the longest range of any mainstream electric car, with a stated NEDC range of up to 400km on a single charge.

That makes around 300km in the real world achievable, something that will put the Zoe on the radar of a lot of people that wouldn’t have considered electric cars up to now. It’s been made possible by a new 41kWh battery - previously the Zoe had a 22kWh battery with a stated NEDC range of 240km and that continues to be offered in the entry level Expression Nav model. The Z.E. 40 unit develops 92hp which is plenty to keep the Zoe moving along with traffic and with enough power to execute a quick overtaking manoeuvre. It does tend to run out of grunt a bit at speeds above 110 km/h, though for the sake of battery life you’ll probably be happy to stay below this anyway.

Driving the car for a week, I found that I could comfortably get 240-250km out of a charge, and this was without having it in Eco mode which among other things limits the top speed to 95km/h. Most of the driving though was with the air-con turned off which would reduce that range somewhat.

Unlike the other cars tested here, the Zoe isn’t fitted to avail of public DC fast charging, instead being limited to fast AC charging. That isn’t a huge disadvantage though as it’s not a whole amount slower to charge - I found around 40 minutes brought the charge from 36% to 71% on one occasion while a 27 minute stop on another increased charge from 37% to 57%. More of an inconvenience was the lack of a three pin ‘granny’ cable which means you cannot charge at home unless you have a dedicated box fitted.

As an everyday car the Zoe’s ride is a litt le on the fi rm side though overall it’s a comfortable place to spend time. On the move you do tend to notice that there is a fair amount of tyre and wind noise at higher speeds.

There’s no ePedal like on the Nissan Leaf, but a regenerative braking system does come into effect when you lift off. It’s reasonably powerful, but you’ll still end up using the brakes quite a bit, whereas with the Leaf you can almost manage to drive completely brake free.

The Zoe will appeal price wise as well.

Including government grants, the entry level Expression Nav with the 22kWh battery has an RRP of €23,490, while the car tested here with 41kWh battery and in Signature Nav trim retails at €29,990 RRP. Overall this is a very competent and likeable supermini that makes electric motoring a whole lot more realistic for a lot of people.

Cathal Doyle

www.fleetcar.ie

12 | INTERVIEW

ESB ecars - Keeping Ireland’s electric vehicles moving ESB continues to expand and upgrade our fast and standard charging infrastructure with recent multi-standard installations in Junction 14 Monasterevin (Co. Kildare), Ballaghaderreen (Co. Roscommon), Ballindine (Co. Mayo), Longford town, Monaghan town, Ennis, Galway city and Cork city. These chargers facilitate the expansion of the combined charging system (CCS) EV fast charge standard, allowing drivers with electric vehicles from Volkswagen, Hyundai and BMW to travel on routes between Dublin, Longford, Galway and Limerick with ease. There are further plans to install three new fast charge point sites in counties Cavan, Monaghan and Waterford.

In addition, a number of existing AC standard chargers have been upgraded across the country. Th is programme involved replacing 16 charge posts which can now cater for up to 32 vehicles at a time.

ESB’s charge point map provides details of charger location, connector type and real time charge point availability: htt ps:// www.esb.ie/our-businesses/ecars/charge-point-map

What plans are in place to install additional chargers?

E

SB ecars is the entity that installs, supports and maintains Ireland’s public electric vehicle charging network. Fleet Car asked an ESB spokesperson to respond to some of the key issues and challenges the industry is facing as the popularity of electric vehicles grows.

Can you provide a breakdown of how many charge points are presently installed across Ireland? How many of these are fast chargers and how many of these are multiple charger type units - i.e. CHAdeMO, CCS and fast AC Charger?

Since 2010, ESB has developed one of the first nationwide electric vehicle charging networks in Europe to support electric vehicle adoption. Th is network comprises approx. 1,100 public standard and fast charge points across the island of Ireland. These are strategically located at shopping centres, car parks and on-street with fast charge points located on all major inter-urban routes.

The fast chargers can typically charge a car to 80% in less than 30 minutes. A full range of the required support services for an effective EV system have also been deployed. These include a Charge Point Management System which manages and controls the network in real-time, a 24/7 customer help line and real-time digital tools such as our online charge point map and app. A dedicated maintenance and operations team also support the network.

FLEETCAR | Autumn 2018

ESB is currently evaluating what the public charging infrastructure requirements are likely to be given the projected growth of EV numbers, battery range improvements and the expected increase in the rate of recharging. The electrification of transport is a key part of ESB’s Brighter Future strategy and the company is committed to ongoing support and investment in this area.

Most current electric cars cannot accept DC charging speeds of greater than 50kW at present but that is changing. Will ESB ecars be offering faster charger units?

ESB is currently looking at the feasibility of chargers with capacity with speeds up to 320kW. Th is capacity would facilitate a long-range EV to charge faster thus further enhancing the user experience.

The present charging units only allow one car to be fast-charged at a time, will that change?

As with the European charge point standards, only one of the DC connectors (CHAdeMO and CCS) can be used at a time, but it is possible for a DC connector and fast AC connector to be used by customers at the same time. The multi-charger units deployed by ESB are the most up-to-date fast charging units currently available on the market.

What is ESB eCar’s standard for repairing out of order charge points?

INTERVIEW | 13

network with good capacity levels across the country.

CHAdeMO protocol fast charge points

We have a dedicated maintenance and operations team to support the operation and maintenance of the charging network, as well as 24/7 customer care centre. We strive to achieve the highest possible charge point uptime. Unfortunately, a number of the charging units installed as part of the EV pilot project for fi rst generation EV drivers are no longer supported by the charge point manufacturers and have not performed well. For example, it is no longer possible to secure spare parts for some charge point models in a timely manner. We are presently reviewing the needs of the network including carrying out further upgrade work on existing charge points. We expect to be in a position to communicate publicly our investment plans in the near future.

Do you envisage being able to continue to offer ‘free’ electricity for the foreseeable future?

It is not sustainable to provide free access to charge point infrastructure on a long-term basis. We believe that some form of fee structure is necessary to ensure ongoing investment in providing a modern and comprehensive country-wide charging infrastructure. Prior to the introduction of any fee structure, ESB intends to consult and engage with all relevant stakeholders in the EV industry.

There had been some talk from Government about privatising the electric car network - what is ESB ecars position on this?

ESB Networks has been working to ensure that all new electricity connections to new houses have enough capacity to allow the home owner the flexibility to install electrical heating and electric car charging should they wish to do so. For existing housing developments it is unlikely that there will be issues in the short-term. However, as electricity demand in general grows, which may be driven by increasing numbers of electric vehicles over time, ESB Networks will ensure that the normal planned investment in the electricity network will facilitate the future growth of electric vehicles.

The intelligent use of electric vehicle charging will allow for a more efficient use of the electricity generation, and networks assets. Smart Metering will also give electric vehicle owners clear pricing incentives to encourage charging at times when maximum clean electricity capacity is available. ESB Networks will continue to monitor the demand on the distribution network in locations where electric vehicle charging is taking place.

Where necessary, additional electrical equipment or control equipment will be installed to allow for additional capacity or a more efficient allocation of existing capacity to take place.

What are the main challenges restricting the growth of electric car ownership from ESB ecars’ perspective?

There has been a steady rise in EV numbers – there are now more than 6,300 electric vehicles (BEV and PHEV) in Ireland (including imports). More than 2,428 EVs were registered since the start of 2018 to the end of July, compared with just over 1,030 for the same period last year. Of this 6,300 figure, approximately 1,490 are registered new EVs, an increase of almost 111% compared to 2017 figures.

We are not aware of any Government communication in this regard.

If there is a sudden rapid expansion in the take up of electric cars, is the electricity grid able to handle this?

Ireland has a modern, and well managed electricity distribution www.fleetcar.ie

TRIBUTE | 15

Lola pays moving tribute to former owner Martin Birrane, on its Diamond Anniversary at Goodwood

Derek Bell, Howard Dawson and Lola drivers at the Festival

L

ola Cars celebrated its 60th anniversary in spectacular fashion at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, with a number of its cars, from all spheres of the sport, running up the famed Goodwood Hillclimb in a Diamond Anniversary ‘batch’. However, it was a poignant occasion for everyone associated with Lola, following the recent and unexpected passing of its owner Martin Birrane, the Ballina, County Mayo native, who acquired the company in 1997.

Established in 1958, Lola – one of motorsport’s most famous and renowned marques – produced close to 4,000 race cars during 60 golden years, winning races in Formula 1, Le Mans, Daytona 24 Hours, Can-Am, Champ Car and Indy 500. Recording more race and championship wins than any other racing car manufacturer, Lola attracted some of the most talented and successful drivers in world motorsport, including Graham Hill OBE, John Surtees CBE, Derek Bell MBE, Nigel Mansell CBE, Damon Hill OBE, Mario Andretti, Al Unser Junior and Al Unser Senior.

Three-times Formula 1 World Champion, Sir Jackie Stewart OBE, was another ‘great’ to drive for Lola, stealing the show at the 1966 Indianapolis 500 in John Mecom’s Lola T90-Ford. The Scot won ‘Rookie of the Year’ after comfortably leading the race by almost two laps, before having to retire. Fellow rookie Graham Hill, also driving a Lola T90-Ford, inherited the lead and went on to win - the first rookie winner since 1927. Sir Jackie’s 1966 Indy 500 T90-Ford is now part of the Birrane family collection and was one of the featured cars in the Diamond Anniversary ‘batch’.

Martin Birrane purchased Lola in 1997, rebuilding the company and turning it into a thriving success. Winning races and championships on both sides of the Atlantic, including IndyCar titles with luminaries such as Nigel Mansell, his cars were always winners. Martin had a particular passion for Le Mans Prototypes and through the late 1990’s and 2000’s Lola built some of the most innovative and successful LMP race cars of the era.

Under Martin’s stewardship, Lola diversified into new areas of business including aerospace, automotive and motorsport. Since Lola Cars stopped manufacturing racing cars in 2012, the Lola Group was still under his direction and continues to run one of the most technically advanced wind tunnel facilities in Europe.

Commenting on the poignant occasion, Howard Dawson said: “It is a great privilege to represent Susan Birrane and her family at this year’s Festival. Celebrating Lola’s Diamond Anniversary at Goodwood has been emotional. Seeing the cars running up the hill here at the Festival of Speed brought back so many wonderful memories, showcasing the achievements and success of everyone associated with Lola over the last 60 years. From the amazingly talented and highly skilled workforce, to the world-class drivers, and long list of private owners who have raced our cars over the years; they have all made a huge contribution to Lola’s illustrious history in motor sport.”

“However, everyone is still deeply saddened following Martin’s recent passing. He was an accomplished racing driver himself and incredible enthusiast. He had personally taken on the responsibility of organising the Diamond Anniversary celebrations here at Goodwood Festival of Speed this week. He was so looking forward to this weekend, and this year’s 50th anniversary celebrations at Mondello Park, which he also owned.”

“It has been a poignant and moving weekend – a fitting celebration of both Lola and Martin’s life. He would have approved and that’s the most important thing.”

An astute and principled businessman, Martin Birrane will be best remembered for his kindness, generosity and passion for motorsport.

An exceptional character who always remained a gentleman.

As part of the anniversary celebrations, a photocall was arranged at Goodwood to pay tribute to Martin Birrane. Five-times 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Derek Bell, who raced a Lola T330 and T142 in the F5000 Championship and has always been an admirer of Lola racing cars, joined the Lola Anniversary batch drivers to present a commemorative gift to Howard Dawson, Director of Lola Group Holdings. On behalf of Susan Birrane and her family, Howard received a framed picture of Martin Birrane’s own Lola T70 Mk3B Coupé, which he drove to a win in his final race at Silverstone in 2007.

Text: Jarlath Sweeney - editor@fleet.ie

www.fleetcar.ie

16 | MILESTONE

Mondello turns back time to mark 50th Anniversary

W

ell before climbing the hardy steel steps of the crossover bridge to gain access to Mondello Park’s paddock, the high-pitched growling noise from the historic single seaters vibrated around the Donore, County Kildare track. The smell of burning rubber and lubrication oil also helped to remind visitors of the glory days of yore at the circuit, named after a small village in Palermo, Italy meaning ‘small world’.

The Historic Racing Festival to mark Mondello’s 50th Anniversary was a nostalgic meeting in every aspect, from the race card full of historic cars to the many tributes paid to the late Martin Birrane (pictured) who saved the track and in effect, circuit racing in Ireland.

Roddy Greene, General Manager at Mondello described the occasion as a significant milestone in motorsport. “The journey from 1968 to 2018 has been littered with many stories of success, failure, sadness and joy, a journey that has left a legacy in many homes around the island of Ireland.

From humble beginnings in 1968 through major development in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s today we have a circuit that we can be proud of and one that has spawned so many international motorsport careers.”

Over the weekend’s programme the Derek Bell Trophy Races put iconic machinery to the test around the FIA accredited 3.5 km international circuit which included racing legend Tommy Byrne behind the wheel of the Hesketh 308/1 from 1974, once driven

Tommy Byrne competing at Mondello on Sunday 19 August FLEETCAR | Autumn 2018

by world cha mpion Hunt.

Ja mes

In 1986, Ballina born Martin Birrane purchased Mondello Park which he descried at the time as “a wasteland in need of some tender loving care.” He gave the venue the TLC it needed by investing heavily in upgrading facilities to include the construction of a new control tower, pit garages, medical centre, hospitality suites, grandstand and museum.

Numerous tributes were paid to Martin at the Golden Anniversary luncheon held at the Grand Prix Suite with presentations made to Martin’s wife, Susan by John Naylor, Motorsport Ireland President and Arthur Collier, Chairman of the RIAC. Coincidently, 19 August would have been Martin’s 83rd birthday, which was also remembered.

Mondello Museum Text: Jarlath Sweeney - editor@fleet.ie

AWARDS | 17

Fleet Car Awards & Seminar 2019 Searching for Ireland’s best company cars

T

he countdown has begun to next February and the Fleet Car Awards & Seminar 2019.

Combining the much sought after recognition of the best cars currently on sale for corporate and fleet drivers with an informative and relevant seminar and discussion forum, it’s a must attend event for everybody and anybody who works in the corporate and leasing market in Ireland.

The event will combine the well established awards, first presented in 2010, with a topical seminar similar to the highly successful seminar organised last April by Fleet Car in association with Universal Honda on the importance of safety technology in cars for company car drivers.

There will be six categories up for grabs at the Fleet Car Awards 2019, including one all new category, the Irish Fleet Manufacturer of the Year. Th is will be presented to the manufacturer that is identified as the most proactive and innovative in working with the corporate car market and the Irish leasing industry.

The changing face of the motor industry is also reflected in the other category awards. A number of years ago the Fleet Car Awards were quick to recognise the increasing relevance of crossover SUVs to the company car market, with specific awards presented to cars that fell into this category. However their increasing ubiquitousness means such vehicles are now firmly in the mainstream, and as such will be incorporated into the broader categories for 2019.

The increasing importance of alternatively fuelled cars for corporate drivers is also being highlighted, with two separate categories - for hybrid cars and electric cars - to be presented to the best and most relevant fleet cars in these classes. With

www.fleetcar.ie

Car

AWARDS & SEMINAR 2019

virtually every manufacturer now including such cars in their model line-up, fleet buyers are increasingly seeing such cars as realistic alternatives to diesel.

Fleet Car Awards 2019 - Categories • C-Segment • D-Segment • Executive • Irish Green Fleet - Electric • Irish Green Fleet - Hybrid • Irish Fleet Manufacturer of the Year In the coming weeks, the judging panel, comprising experts from across the motoring spectrum, will assess all eligible contenders, comprising almost three hundred vehicles. From that a shortlist of five contenders in each category will be selected and published in the next issue of Fleet Car. Following further exhaustive analysis and testing the judges will vote on their recommendations for the cars that the savvy fleet and corporate drivers should be purchasing in 2019.

BMW, Honda, Mercedes-Benz, Opel, Skoda and Volkswagen were the successful winners at the 2018 Fleet Car Awards. With a host of exciting new models having arrived on the market since then, who will claim the honours in 2019? Full details and final date for the Fleet Car Awards & Seminar 2019 will be announced in the next issue of Fleet Car.

Fleet Car Award Winners 2018

C Segment - Honda Civic

Premium - Mercedes-Benz C-Class

D Segment - Opel Insigna

Executive - BMW 5-Series

Text: Cathal Doyle - cathal@fleet.ie Photos: Paul Sherwood

Crossover - Skoda Kodiaq

Irish Green Fleet Car - Volkswagen e-Golf www.fleetcar.ie

18 | FIRST DRIVE I

Peugeot goes upmarket with new 508 its own distinct identity.

Trim wise, Peugeot Ireland won’t be offering entry level Access models, instead choose between Active, Allure and GTLine specs, as well as the sporty GT version.

T

he large family car size D-Segment, traditionally the archetypical company car, has seen its popularity plummet with the growth in popularity of crossovers.

And with sales in the category continuing to slump, manufacturers need to come up with something different instead of producing more of the same.

Peugeot is hoping that by moving its 508 upmarket it will appeal to those that might otherwise be tempted into a boxy SUV. It arrives in Ireland in time for 191 registrations, but we’ve driven it on the roads and hills around Monaco, and certainly it’s quite a departure from the car it replaces.

Instead of a fairly conventional saloon, the new 508 is a much more svelte four door coupé lookalike, complete with frameless doors. Lower and wider (though shorter) than before, it’s also now a hatchback rather than a saloon, something that’s really only obvious when you open the

rear aperture. An SW estate model follows later.

It has certainly got visual appeal in a muscle car sense - the kind of car that when you see it in your rear view mirror you’ll be looking to get out of the way thanks in part to dramatic daytime running lights that drop down into the front bumper. Rear LED lights that are incorporated nicely into the spoiler and bumper give the 508 a distinctive and att ractive silhouette.

Recent Peugeot interiors have pushed the French brand upmarket, and the 508 also comes with a degree of wow factor, particularly if you opt for a higher spec model. It features the latest version of i-Cockpit complete with Peugeot’s now signatory compact steering wheel. A customisable digital instrument display looks and feels thoroughly modern. The wrap around cabin layout also looks the part, particularly on auto gearbox versions.

Materials and fi nish are of a pleasingly high level. At the rear there is reasonable headroom despite the coupé-styled sloping rear roof, while the boot offers a generous 487 litres (expandable to 1537 litres).

A s good as a premium brand offering? Certainly Peugeot is putting it up to the Germans on the quality front while maintaining

FLEETCAR | Autumn 2018

Engines offered include BlueHDi diesels in 130, 160 and 180PS outputs from 1.5 litre and 2.0 litre capacities. A plug-in hybrid follows late next year. We drove the 130PS diesel which is perfectly acceptable with manual gearbox, though our choice would be the new 1.6 PureTech 180PS petrol unit – it’s responsive and rapid yet is very quiet and refi ned. There’s also a 225PS version on GT versions only.

Interestingly only the 130PS entry level diesel will be offered with a manual gearbox. All others come with Peugeot’s 8-speed EAT8 auto, which works very well, and would certainly be our recommended choice of transmission. However the vast majority of 508s sold in Ireland would historically have been manual so whether this will put off some potential customers remains to be seen. That will depend on the pricing, of course. On the handling front, GT models feature active dampers which are also optionally available on GT-Line and Allure trim versions.

Safety features include adaptive cruise control with stop and go function, lane assist, and full parking assist. An optional highlight is night vision, a fi rst for the segment, which utilises an infrared camera to provide vision 250 metres beyond the normal headlight range.

Dynamically the new 508 combines a comfortable ride with decent feedback that will keep the keen driver happy, with road and engine noises impressively suppressed.

One thing for sure, this is a very different car to the old 508. It might frighten off some traditional customers but on the other hand it should also att ract a lot of new ones. If you want something distinctive for your next fleet car instead of just another lookalike crossover SUV, keep this on your radar.

Text: Cathal Doyle - cathal@fleet.ie

FIRST DRIVE II | 19

Volvo’s Upmarket Aspirations realised New V60 raises the bar for premium rivals

H

as the time come to stop referring to Volvo as a ‘nearly’ brand - one that offers an alternative to the established premium offerings without quite hitting the mark?

Since 2015 and the arrival of the latest generation XC90, the first new car produced by the brand under Geely ownership, the Swedish manufacturer has set consistently high benchmarks with subsequent offerings, namely the S90 / V90, XC60 and XC40.

Its latest model is arguably its best yet - and one that should firmly put that ‘nearly’ tag to bed.

The new V60 is a car that will, or should, have the German premium brands worried.

First of all it’s rather good looking. Even if you don’t like estates you’d have to admire its lines. Undoubtably taking styling cues from the larger V90, it’s arguably better proportioned overall, sitting low and wide, with strong belt lines and stylish front face with the distinctive ‘Thor’s Hammer’ daytime running lights giving it a unique identity.

The interior also compares favourably with the best the premium sector can offer, oozing quality from top to bottom. The large Sensus multimedia screen, as seen on other recent Volvos, dominates the centre console. Whether the touch screen interface is preferable to the dials favoured by other brands is probably a matter of individual opinion, but it is intuitive to use. The cabin itself is loaded with tactilefriendly materials throughout, and all the switchgear is nicely weighted, feeling every

Text: Cathal Doyle - cathal@fleet.ie

inch a premium product.

Being a Volvo estate you’re probably assuming massive boot space, though this car’s immediate predecessor didn’t win any awards in this category. The new car is better - in spite of the stylishly raked rear window, 529 litres puts it on a par with rivals from BMW, Audi and MercedesBenz. For passengers front and rear there’s also decent head and legroom.

There’s a choice of 150PS D3 or 190PS D4 2-litre diesels initially, with T6 and T8 Twin Engine petrol hybrids coming in 2019 to be followed by a T5 petrol. The diesel option is interesting in that Volvo won’t offer such engines in the forthcoming S60 saloon version. Will that limit that car’s appeal to fleet buyers?

We drove the D4 engine at the launch - it’s exceptionally quiet on the move, barely perceptible at motorway speeds which suits the nature of this car - while it handles perfectly happily when pushed on, it’s strength is comfort and a relaxed drive.

Volvo is deliberately not positioning

this car as a sporty handler and it's the better for this, cosseting passengers with a comfortable ride while still providing enough driver feedback to make it an enjoyable car to drive. That’s typified by the eight speed automatic gearbox which is generally good at picking the right gear, though can be occasionally a little tardy to select the optimum gear. It’s happiest left in Comfort mode.

The V60 is being offered in two trims at launch - Momentum and Inscription, with R-Design trim following at the end of the year. Prices start from €40,750 for the D3 Momentum. All models get Volvo’s City Safety, a power tailgate, leather seats and the 12.3” Activ TGT crystal drivers display.

Inscription models add Nappa perforated leather seats, parking assistance and power memory front seats amongst others.

Volvo’s growing reputation as a coming brand is further enhanced by this desirable new model.

The latest V60 proves the Swedish marque can now firmly stand toe to toe with the best in the premium sector.

www.fleetcar.ie

20 | LAUNCH PAD I

All-new Ford Focus arrives

A

nticipation ahead of the arrival of the new Ford Focus has been at an all-time high and it has arrived in Ireland in the last couple of weeks.

Ford engineers explain how they collaborated closely with carbuyers to develop the new Focus five-door hatchback and an even more practical Focus wagon models in distinctive versions so that each would have their own personality.

There’s a range of trim levels including the basic Ford Zetec, a stylish Focus Titanium, a sporty Focus ST-Line and the upscale Focus Vignale. In addition there will be an all-new Focus Active crossover model, arriving in Ireland early 2019, featuring rugged sports utility vehicle-inspired styling that includes raised rideheight, roof bars and additional cladding.

Driving the car the quietness and smoothness proved to be the dominant influence. That said, Ford fans will be pleased that Ford has stuck to its principles and delivered a proper hatch with those traditional Ford traits. The cornering and steering sharpness that we become accustomed to from Ford is the predominant feedback without being overly harsh.

As you rise through the variants there are more unique elements to be found like satin aluminium details for the Vignale exterior; large spoiler and open front apertures for the ST-Line; and contrast silver front and rear skid plates for the Active.

Ford has kept the interior relatively similar to its other models with simple, clean lines, quality materials and seamlessly integrated surfaces. A longer wheel base equates to more knee clearance for rear seat passengers, and a wider interior for more elbow room.

For those who like their estates, the Focus wagon boot space is easy to access, using a simple kicking motion under the rear bumper to open the Hands-free tailgate. Folding the rear seats is also simplified – they now drop simply by pulling a switch in the boot space.

Engines will include the well-proven and award winning 1.0 litre EcoBoost petrol (125ps) and 1.5 litre EcoBlue diesel (120ps).

Gerry Murphy

Refining excellence - Mazda’s updated 6

M

id-life makeovers are often just a gentle massaging of a few body panels and a tidyup in the living quarters while tweaks to the powertrain promise better fuel economy and greener credentials. The Mazda6 upgrade is a bit more substantive and comes with a lot more maturity and elegance.

You can always rely on Mazda to give you a more engaging drive than other mainstream brands. Through the years all cars made by the Japanese company have been based on the ethos that the driver and the car should act in harmony.

Mazda designers have taken the old model and reconstructed the front end with a grille that is deeper giving the badge more prominence in a 3D sort of way. They have also re-sculptured the side image and the back end to add a more elegance to the stance.

A simplified interior with less clutter and slender lines makes using it less complicated and safer for the operator.

FLEETCAR | Autumn 2018

Cabin noise is now quieter and more pleasant than ever with road noise, vibrations and harshness reduced substantially. Better materials, a slick, driver-engaging cockpit and air-cooled seat that are fi rm and broader add to the fi nishing touches.

Multimedia connectivity and technology is delivered through a new 8-inch centre screen. Four cameras around the car offer 360 degree surround view while adaptive headlights that come with twenty LED blocks per lamp deliver outstanding illumination at night. The range of i-ACTIVSENSE safety systems has also been broadened. Updated Mazda Radar Cruise Control, Projected Active Driving Display with integrated Satellite Navigation and Blind Spot Monitoring

are all included in every model.

There is a choice of two SKYACTIV-G 2.0 litre petrol engines in either 145PS or 165PS. A new SKYACTIV-D 2.2 litre diesel engine with 184PS will accompany the frugal yet sporty 2.2D 150PS option.

There are three spec levels; Executive SE, Platinum and Platinum+. Prices start at a very tempting €31,945 with promised fuel efficiency as low as 4.4l/100km giving the lie to any idea that this car is expensive to run.

There will also be a Tourer model that should prove enticing to those who like the practicality of an estate car.

Gerry Murphy

LAUNCH PAD II | 21

A-Class ‘raises the bar’ in compact class

S

ince the arrival of the last generation A-Class, MercedesBenz has gained a whole new, even more youthful audience. That car personified the new look Mercedes-Benz theme which progressed right through the brand’s passenger car range. Now, with the next generation, just launched before the 182 (registration) sales campaign, the model that is described as having “redefined luxury in the compact class,” has matured and is even larger than before.

Sleeker in design with its more sloping bonnet and lower, more angular headlamps and grille, other features inside

New A-Class engine options comprise two 4-cylinder petrols – 1.4 and 2.0 litre and a new 1.5 litre diesel with power outputs ranging from 116 to 224hp.

6 speed manual or 7-speed automatic transmissions are available.

include items derived from the range topping S-Class. These include the new multifunctional steering wheel, climate control seats with massage and multicontour functions and safety elements such as lane keeping assist, adaptive braking together with various distance control and driver assist systems.

Initial starting price is €31,000 for the A180d automatic with the A200 petrol at €34,245. A guide price of €30,000 is pencilled in for the forthcoming A160 petrol and A160d. Style, Progressive and AMG are the style lines.

Jarlath Sweeney

Ford adds Active and ST models to Fiesta family

F

ord has extended the appeal of its Fiesta supermini with the arrival of two offshoot models.

The Fiesta Active is a crossover styled version of the popular hatchback that sits 18mm higher, and has a 10mm wider track to give it a degree of off-road capability.

SUV-styling features include body cladding, scuff plates and bespoke rear bumper, as well as three driving modes – Normal, Eco and Slippery which adjust the ESC and Traction Control to suit the driving conditions.

A 100PS 1.0 litre Ecoboost petrol engine returns from 114 g/km CO2 emissions and 5.0 l/100 km fuel efficiency. Active

8” touchscreen, cruise control, driver alert and traffic sign recognition, and sport cloth seats with unique luxe yellow trim.

and Active 2 trim levels are offered with all models coming with 17” alloy wheels silver roof rails, rear LED lights, rear privacy glass, and the Active logo on scuff plates amongst others. Active prices start from €21,900.

Fiesta Active 2 models are priced from €23,200 and feature black contrast painted roof and mirror caps, black roof rails, B&O Play premium audio system,

Enthusiasts will be delighted to see the arrival of a new Fiesta ST as the outgoing version was one of the fi nest handling hot hatches on the market.

The new Fiesta ST boasts the same horsepower figure of 200PS as the outgoing limited edition ST200, but does so courtesy of a completely new 1.5 litre 3-cylinder Ecoboost engine. It’s priced at €28,120 in ST 2 trim, and €30,270 for Fiesta ST 3.

Cathal Doyle

Honda completes Civic line-up with new Sedan

O

nce the mainstay of the Irish motorist, saloons have fallen out of favour in recent years, hit, like all other cars, by the growth in popularity of crossovers.

Premiered at the recent Fleet Car Safety Seminar, Honda still believes there’s a market for mid-sized cars with a boot, with the arrival of the Civic Sedan to Irish shores. Rather than just a variant of the hatchback launched last year, it’s quite different visually, thanks to different bumpers front and rear, while from the rear door back is unique to the saloon.

As such it’s likely to appeal to a different market to the hatchback.

Control, Lane Departure Warning and Lane Keep Assist.

The boot is quite generously sized at 519 litres, which compares favourably with the 478 offered by the hatchback.

Like the hatchback, among the key selling features will be the full range of safety features known collectively as Honda Sensing that the brand offers as standard.

Technologies include Adaptive Cruise

There’s a choice of 120 PS 4-cylinder 1.6 litre diesel or 126 PS 1.0 litre 3-cylinder petrol engines, while you can choose from six speed manual or nine speed auto (diesel) / CVT (petrol) transmissions.

Diesel emissions are from 91g/km, putting it into tax band A2.

Th ree trim levels - Smart, Smart Plus and Premium are offered. Prices start from €24,750 for the petrol car in Smart trim, with the diesel available from €26,550.

Cathal Doyle www.fleetcar.ie

22 | LAUNCH PAD III

Peugeot’s new Rifter adds appeal to practicality

P

assenger versions of small panel vans tend to be niche sellers, even though they can offer significantly more practicality than SUVs and MPVs with similar dimensions. Peugeot aims to buck that trend with the new Rifter which replaces the current Partner Tepee.

Notably instead of the one model fits all approach of the old Tepee, the Rifter, when it arrives at the end of the year will be offered in a full range of times and engines, even a sporty GT-Line version.

A selling point will be the inclusion of i-Cockpit, Peugeot’s infotainment interface with an 8” touchscreen, which

As you’d expect, it scores strongly on the practical side, with loads of useful storage spaces, and seats that lift slide and move to allow easy access. It comes in two lengths and is offered with either five or seven seats. Up to 4,000 litres of load space is available depending on configuration. sister models from Citroën and Opel won’t feature. Apart from its user-friendly functionality it makes the cabin feel much more car like than the more basic offerings on the van version. An 8 speed auto box option also adds to the upmarket feel. A floating semi-transparent arch over the optional sun-roof is also an appealing feature.

Peugeot’s Grip Control will suffice for most people who need to traverse tricky terrain though there is also an all-wheeldrive option.

Prices and final spec will be revealed close to the launch date.

Cathal Doyle

Swift Sport increases Suzuki’s fun factor

S

uzuki has launched the third generation of its Swift Sport model, aimed at those that want a sporty drive without the costs associated with a full on performance car.

A 1.4 turbo petrol engine offers a relatively modest 140PS but with an overall weight of just 975kg, 70 kg lighter than before, it’s enough to push the Swift Sport on rapidly with a 0-100km/h time of 8.1 seconds.

A 6-speed manual gearbox offers short throws to encourage the keen driver.

Apart from being 50mm longer, visual features from the regular Swift include a

The car comes loaded with safety devices and equipment often not seen on much bigger cars. Lane Departure Warning, Hill Hold Control, Adaptive Cruise Control, and a rear parking camera are all offered as standard fitment. It’s also had a five star Euro NCAP rating.

carbon fibre lookalike rear diff user and lip on the front spoiler, as well as side mouldings, and slightly f lared wheel arches. The front also gets different lights to the regular model.

Interior differences to the regular Swift include red trim on the dash, and Sport style seats that offer decent lateral support.

Cathal Doyle

Mercedes-Benz CLS reaches generation 3

A

n all-new Mercedes-Benz CLS has gone on sale in Ireland, and for the fi rst time is now a genuine five seater.

The third generation of the four-door coupé is a completely new design, albeit retaining the familiar silhouette of the last model. Stand out features inside include adjustable 64-colour ambience lighting that illuminates the jet aircraft turbine lookalike air vents amongst other areas, and a fully digital cockpit. Tech highlights include LED High-Performance headlamps, Lane Keeping Assist, Speed Limit Assist, a 12.3-inch multimedia system display, a communication module

FLEETCAR | Autumn 2018

and expected to be the volume seller. The 2.0 litre 4-cylinder unit offers 245 PS and 500 Nm of torque. There are also two brand new 2.9 litre six-cylinder diesels – a CLS 350d 4MATIC with 296 PS / 600 Nm, and a CLS 400d boasting 340 PS / 700 Nm. A CLS 220d will follow early in 2019. On the petrol front Mercedes-Benz offers a new 3.0 litre 6-cylinder 367 PS / 500 Nm CLS 450. with LTE and Mercedes me connect services. A 520 litre capacity boot can be further extended through the rear seats folding 40:20:40.

Engines available at launch include the CLS 300d carried over from the last model

Prices start at €64,805 for the 300d Automatic, with the all-wheel-drive CLS 350d Automatic priced from €76,965 and the petrol CLS 450 Automatic 4Matic available from €85,760.

Cathal Doyle

NEWS EXTRA | 23

Car risk management “given much lower priority” than vans, says FleetCheck

A

f leet management software specialist says that when it comes to risk management of company vehicles, cars are being “given much lower priority” than vans.

The reason it seems is that car drivers are expected to look after their vehicles better than van drivers.

FleetCheck Managing Director Peter Golding explained that vans tended to be viewed more as working tools that were often treated roughly by their users, while cars were seen more as personal transport that would be cared for by drivers.

“Th is is something that we see time and again, especially in SMEs. Managers view vans as purely working vehicles, and for that reason automatically apply Health and Safety thinking to them, realising that their safety is a corporate liability.

“However, they perceive cars much more as personal transportation and simply do not place them in the same mental

space. It is almost as though they think that the responsibility for safety lies with the driver.

Peter made the point that fleet managers need to treat all fleet vehicles the same, regardless of the type or kind of usage it undergoes.

“Time and again, we’ll be asked, for example, about legal responsibilities when it comes to servicing and maintenance of LCVs. We’ll explain the situation and then say, ‘You do know that the same applies to your cars?’ and often receive a blank look in return.

“For this reason, we feel confident in saying that, across a wide range of fleets but especially in the SME area, cars are often being given much lower risk management priority.”

“It remains quite common to come across fleets where vans are outright purchased and cars are leased with maintenance.

There is a frequent misconception that, in this situation, the responsibility for maintaining the vehicle is passed over to the leasing company. Of course, this simply isn’t true – it remains with the employer.”

Part of the explanation for the problem, according to Peter is that fleets often use different funding methods for cars and for vans.

Peter added that it was a responsibility of all companies operating in the fleet sector to ensure that businesses were fully educated about risk management.

LDV unveils new SUV

L

DV, the Chinese manufacturer owned by SAIC, whose products are distributed in Ireland, the UK and other right hand drive markets though Harris Automotive Distributors in Dublin, is in the process of a major new model rollout in the next couple of years that will include SUV passenger cars. LDV plans to launch a new model or variant every three months through

to the end of 2020.

Among the new additions will be a midsized crossover SUV, to be called the Tarantula. Unveiled at this year’s Beijing Motor Show, the Tarantula will fit below another forthcoming SUV, the D90, giving LDV a potentially strong product line-up in this very competitive market. Featuring LDV design cues already seen on the D90

SUV, it will be produced with plug-in hybrid and full-electric powertrains as well as traditional internal-combustion engines. Production in China for SAIC’s local market has been confirmed for 2019.

Mark Barrett, general manager of LDV, UK & Ireland said, “Th is launch of this midsize crossover will position LDV as a true challenger to more mainstream brands in a key market segment for commercial vehicles, and we are really excited by what we saw in Beijing.” He added that he expects an EV version to hit the market with a driving range of 600km, thanks in part to the use of lightweight technology and design.

The platform that underpins the production Tarantula will also form the basis of a future LDV MPV - the G50.

The G50 will use a monocoque chassis and will measure around 4800mm long and 1800mm wide, with a 2800mm wheelbase. www.fleetcar.ie

24 | TEST DRIVE I

Citroën aims to be different with new C4 Cactus

hatchback, Citroën says that its rivals are the more mainstream hatchbacks such as the Golf, Focus, Megane and Leon. It does offer better ground clearance than any of those cars though, possibly enough to transport the Cactus across a ploughed field with a basket of eggs in the style of its famous 2CV fore-bearer.

The signature Air Bumps from the last car haven’t disappeared, but have reduced in size and are positioned lower, though Citroën tells us they are still as effective at protecting from bangs and scratches.

I

f your brand is synonymous with a particular characteristic it makes sense to promote that as a core value. Manufacturers like BMW with its handling dynamics and Volvo with safety have built their products successfully around those key att ributes.

car hits a bump.

That’s why it’s encouraging to see Citroën embrace comfort as one of its defi ning features. The French brand has, over the decades, produced some of the most iconic cars ranging from the Traction Avant of 1934 and the 2CV of the late forties to the DS and SM, GS and CX of the seventies up to the relatively recent C6, all of which had ride comfort as their signature feature.

Tested here was the 130PS 1.2 litre petrol engine which is arguably the unit of choice offering more than decent acceleration and good fuel economy. There’s also a 110PS version of the same engine and a 100PS diesel available. A week with the car returned an average fuel consumption figure of 5.6 l/100km (50.4mpg). It was matched here with the six-speed manual gearbox but given a choice we’d choose the much improved EAT6 auto gearbox.

The new C4 Cactus comes armed with two comfort technologies to make it stand out from the crowd - a new suspension featuring Progressive Hydraulic Cushions, and Advanced Comfort Seats.

Equally the Advanced Comfort Seats, which use high density foam, might not have an immediate wow factor when you fi rst sit on them, but provide excellent support over longer journeys.

Appearance wise, it’s clearly an evolution of the original Cactus which came out only a few short years ago. That was seen as a crossover contender, but as the new Cactus is now also replacing the old C4

If you want to personalise your C4 Cactus, there are 9 exterior colours and four Colour Packs giving a total of 31 different exterior colour combinations.

Tech wise it’s fully up to date, with Mirror screen functionality for Apple Car Play or Android Auto connectivity, LED lighting, Citroën Connect Nav and Reversing Camera. A Safety Pack includes e Safety Brake (ASB), Driver attention alert, Speed sign recognition & recommendation and Lane Departure Warning.

Which all adds up to a pretty comprehensive package for a fairly competitive price of €25,795 as tested in this top of the range Flair trim. Overall prices start at €19,995 going up to €26,995 for the Flair model with auto gearbox.

Bravo to Citroën for producing an interesting car with its own clear and unique identity. Well worth considering instead of another identikit crossover or hatchback.

So does this turn the Cactus into a modern day equivalent of the old air suspended CX, all willowy ride and not an awful lot of feedback to the driver about what’s going on at the steering wheel?

Not so. In fact the C4 Cactus rides and handles prett y much as adeptly as any modern hatchback.

What you do notice is that it handles poorly surfaced roads very well thanks to the Progressive Hydraulic Cushions. The system uses two hydraulic stops on each suspension unit in place of the normal mechanical stops meaning there is less compression and decompression when a FLEETCAR | Autumn 2018

Text & Photos: Cathal Doyle - cathal@fleet.ie

FLEETING SHOTS | 25

Intermeccanica: The story of the Prancing Bull

by Andrew McCredie & Paula Reisner

in Turin and exported to the US. Despite its ugliness, the Murena was a big hit in the States while the Indra 2+2 was deemed one of the sexiest coupes in the market in the 1970s.

Published by Veloce www.veloce.co.uk ISBN 978-1-787112-53-7 RRP £45 + P&P wo months after the book’s initial release in Europe, sales of this second edition began in the USA to indicate the broad interest in this long established but not widely known sports car brand. Over the past fi ft y years or so, brand founder Frank Reisner, a Hungarian-born Canadian educated chemical engineer has created and produced an array of interesting concepts, each with their own unique appeal.

By the mid-70s, production moved from Italy to Santa Ana, South California with the Speedster prototype based on the Porsche going into the marketplace from its new assembly line. Within ten years, Canada was calling and Intermeccanica moved to Vancouver. Today the car company with prancing bull on its badge has entered the electric vehicle market with huge aplomb. The revolutionary Sparrow has led to the solo single-seater EV with its 160 km range and 130 kp/h top speeds selling at less than $20K. There is a strong Chinese link with this model and sales have taken off strongly.

T

Th is 208 page hardback co-written by Andrew McCredie and Frank’s wife and business partner Paula Reisner deep dives into the history of the company which began making tuning kits in Turin, Italy.

Formula Junior car designs progressing with international circuit success. Then the Imp, Apollo, Griffith and Omega followed. Production figures remained relatively small but as demand began to increase in the United States, the company focus centered ‘across the pond’.

Frank’s passion never waned when it came to creativity, even producing a Mustang

station wagon along with assembling his own models. Replicas of outgoing models such as the Porsche 356 from (1959) Convertible and 1940’s WWII VW Kübelwagen were also made.

Intermeccanica’s Phoenix was America’s fi rst rear-engined sports car (with its pop up headlamps) while the Italia/Torino was described as having an American heart blended with Italian beauty, made

Readers will learn a lot here, not only about the company but also how a small indigenous car builder can compete with the big brands and keep its strong independent objectives. Frank’s son Henry now runs the business and the next step forward is the Tofi no electric sports car.

Remember where you read it fi rst!

A wonderful read backed up by superb photographs and graphics. Like the cars themselves, a real collector’s item!

Experience ‘La Passione’ at Ferrari Land, Spain

I

f you are near Barcelona, it’s worth taking an hour’s drive to Tarragona to visit Ferrari Land, the recently opened themed amusement park. Featuring a number of thrilling rollercoaster rides and two interconnectinginteractive galleries on the history of the world famous sports car and Formula 1 race team, the facility covers an area of 70,000m2 within the PortAventura World Park & Resort complex.

Costing €100m to build, visitors become enthralled by the great elated elevation that is Ferrari, especially after participating in the Racing Legends and Flying Dream Experiences. Best pass through the Ferrari Land gallery fi rst as this section chronicles the journey through the history of Ferrari. Racing Legends is the tour through time with Scuderia Ferrari in a vibrant audio visual movie type presentation.

Flying Dreams is more adventurous as the simulated trip drives off in a Ferrari GT and takes in many famous tourist stops Text: Jarlath Sweeney - editor@fleet.ie

around the world. For the more active (and courageous) try the Red Force and Th rill Towers (free fall tower) rides while the Maranello Grand Race is for the children to drive Ferrari lookalike sports cars on a rail system, but does not go too fast.

When hungry pangs persist, there are a number of Italian style restaurants and fast food outlets. www.fleetcar.ie

26 | TEST DRIVE II

BMW’s new X2 bridges the crossover gap models might actually by preferable for a lot of owners.

On the engine front, at present there’s a choice of front wheel drive 192PS sDrive 2.0i petrol and 150PS and 190PS diesels offered in both two and all wheel drive. Tested here is the xDrive 2.0d with 8-speed automatic transmission complete with steering mounted paddle shifts. It’s rapid - reaching 100km/h from 0 in 7.7 seconds, yet reasonably frugal - I averaged 6.5l/100km over a week with the car. On the downside, it isn’t the quietest of cars, with the tyre noise particularly noticeable.

I

f you’re after a BMW you sure have a lot of models to choose from. Over forty according to a quick check on the brand’s Irish website.

Recently there has been a proliferation of new models built around the core crossover SUV models. So we have the the X6 and X4 as coupé derivatives of the X5 and X3 respectively. Now the Bavarian giant has added a third such model to its line-up in the shape of the X1 derived X2.

In fact the X2 is one of the more stylish of this genre of vehicle. Despite deriving most of its architecture and engineering from the X1, it’s a rather sleek and stylish take on the SUV concept, offering a lower driving position and more sporty driving dynamics. Proportions are pleasing, with a large C-pillar allowing the placement of a BMW logo and giving the X2 a slightly coupé-like appearance.

FLEETCAR | Autumn 2018

Noticeably it sits quite low, looking closer to a regular saloon or hatch than a crossover. That’s noticeable from inside too. Whether that will put off potential buyers att racted to the higher seating position that crossovers offer is possible, but at least BMW can point them to the X1 in that case.

The advantage of that lower position is it enhances driving dynamics. BMW tends to excel in this area anyway - the latest X3 is one of the best handling ‘conventional’ crossovers around, but the X2 is better still with minimal body roll and a nicely weighted steering - especially in M-Sport trim as tested here which sits 10mm lower than the standard setup. If it’s not as sharp as a rear wheel drive 2-series or 3-series saloon it still feels like a ‘proper’ BMW dynamically. Against that the ride does verge on the solid side - something of a BMW characteristic, but you feel that the higher ride height of SE and Sport

The interior is closely related to the X1 but none the worse for that. As you’d expect it’s clearly laid out with the right balance of physical controls versus virtual - BMW’s long established iCockpit controller remains one of the best in the business.

The quality is as you’d expect of a premium product, and will certainly stand the test of time.

The X2 is an interesting concept, and a little different from the myriad of crossovers currently on the market.

Particularly in four wheel drive guise as tested here it’s more closely related to the likes of the slightly raised estates such as the Skoda Octavia Combi and Volvo V90 Cross Country than the typical high-riding 2WD crossovers that are so popular - albeit coming at it from the opposite angle. For someone looking for an upmarket, slightly higher but still good to drive family car, it’s worth putt ing on the shortlist.

Text & Photos: Cathal Doyle - cathal@fleet.ie

DRIVE YOUR BUSINESS FORWARD WITH ŠKODA LEASING The ŠKODA Superb from €349 per month

The ŠKODA Superb. The perfect fleet car for your business.

The Superb really does live up to its name, with high spec features, quality interiors and vast cabin and boot space. It is also one of the most reliable saloon cars on the road and is surprisingly affordable.

Discover what ŠKODA leasing can do for you. We’re offering attractive Contract Hire solutions, across various terms and mileages, as well as fixed monthly payments from only €349 per month with no deposit required.*

Driver and fleet manager support

Like for like courtesy vehicle

Full vehicle handover

Authorised dealer and genuine parts

Road side assistance

Premium quality tyres

skoda.ie Terms and conditions apply. * Superb Ambition 2.0TDI. Mileage 10,000km. 5 year term. Monthly payments of €349 per month. As little as one advance monthly rental required. ŠKODA Financial Services will endeavour to offer like for like vehicles or in exceptional circumstances, one size down. For further information and full terms and conditions please speak to your ŠKODA Dealer.

NEW PEUGEOT 3008 SUV IRISH CAR OF THE YEAR 2018

Combined consumption (l/100 km): from 4.0 to 6.0. CO2 emissions (g/km): from 103 to 136.