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Celebrating 27 years of service to the car buyer

NEW PEUGEOT 3008 HYBRID

Where efficiency meets practicality

By BREDA CORRIGAN www.motoringmatters.ie

The

multi-award winning Peugeot 3008 SUV has consistently achieved outstanding sales success here in Ireland, as well as across Europe and Internationally. The 3008 is very well built, very well equipped, and has a cabin design that makes other conventional family SUV’s look rather dull and dated in comparison.

Occupants are immersed in a sensory and technological world that will guarantee an enhanced experience on every journey. The powerful lines of the 3008 SUV combine strength and refinement, dynamism and smoothness, while its striking front end design gives it a strong personality.

In addition to petrol and diesel powered variants, Peugeot has now added a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powerplant with the option of 2 or 4-wheel drive.

INGENIOUS I-COCKPIT DIGITAL DISPLAY

Peugeot had to make some relatively small sacrifices in terms of practicality in order to accommodate the plug-in hybrid 3008’s batteries, with a 10-litre smaller fuel tank and a 395-litre boot space (down from 520-litres in the non-hybrid versions) being the only forfeits.

However, a dedicated 25-litre area for storing charging cables is a nice touch, and with a seatsdown boot capacity of 1,357-litres, the 3008 Hybrid is still the ideal mode of transport for a growing family.

Throughout the cabin you will find plenty of cubbies to store things like mobile phones and wallets, along with a large central storage space that doubles as an armrest.

The ingenious ‘i-Cockpit’ digital dashboard in the 3008 is impressive, and it sits proudly within the stylishly-appointed and spacious cabin.

The 12.3” digital instrument display provides the driver with all of the important driving information within their line of sight, while a 10” central touchscreen incorporates 3D navigation and voice control,

along with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone screen mirroring.

TRIM LEVELS & SAFETY SYSTEMS

While the new Peugeot 3008 is available in a choice of three, generously-equipped trim levels –Active, Allure and GT – the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) 3008’s trim options are confined to mid-spec Allure (two-wheel-drive HYBRID2 with 225bhp) and top-spec GT (two or four-wheel-drive HYBRID4 with 225bhp and 300bhp respectively).

Peace-of-mind on the road comes courtesy of latest-

generation driving aids that further enhance onboard comfort and safety, and assist towards autonomous driving. Such features include Extended Road Sign Recognition, Drive Assist Plus Pack, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go function, Parking Assistance, Lane-Keeping Assistance with detection of roadsides, and Active Blind Spot Detection.

TEST CAR DETAILS

My test car was a Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4 GT model, which was finished in elegant Nimbus

grey metallic paint, with 18”

‘Detroit’ two-tone diamond-cut alloy wheels, along with a black roof and door mirrors for maximum visual impact.

Standard GT equipment is hugely impressive, with key features such as a Drive Assist Plus Pack consisting of a suite of advanced safety systems, full LED headlights with static corner lighting and Daytime Running Light Extension, Peugeot lettering, chrome side window trim, sports front bumper design, twin chrome-effect exhaust trim, alloy roof rails, alarm system, Peugeot Connect SOS & Assistance function, front & rear parking sensors with a 180-degree reversing camera, power-folding door mirrors with blind spot detection indicator, LED rear lights (including reversing lights, scrolling indicators and Peugeot ‘3 Claw Effect’ light signature –with daylight function), Onyx

digital instrument panel, black roof lining material, rear privacy glass, Peugeot Open & Go (keyless entry and push button start), and automatic dual-zone climate control, along with many more comfort, convenience, infotainment and safety features.

The upmarket cabin of the new 3008 (as with its predecessor) is a marvellous place in which to spend time, and the high-tech dashboard and comfortable seating wouldn’t look out of place in a car costing twice as much.

ON THE ROAD

I found my test car to be impressively engaging on the open road, with little body lean to speak of, while the well-judged suspension does an excellent job of soaking up potholes and pitted tarmac.

The car is also easy to drive around town, while it is

impressively quiet and wellmannered on the motorway, with a selection of drive modes available to suit individual driving style and mood.

In Sport mode, full power is unleashed, allowing for a 0100km/h sprint time of just 6.1seconds.

Electric mode enables drivers

Why are there no electric convertibles?

to achieve up to 63km’s on battery power alone, without the petrol engine cutting in. This is the most relaxing mode to drive the 3008 in, as it highlights the cars’ excellent ride quality and overall serenity.

In Hybrid mode, the car will decide itself whether to use electric or petrol power, or

682 HP

CADILLAC

ESCALADE

Although the Escalade is a common sight on the streets of the USA, sightings in these islands tends to be limited to footballers going to training sessions in their left hand drive mammoths.

As motor manufacturers are rushing to produce more electric models to meet worldwide demand, one model is being lost. The convertible was once the variant that every brand liked to include in their line-up. Safety worries mean that there are no conver tible electric cars on the market. The weight of the battery pack means that in the event of a roll over those batteries could end up crushing the car and its occupants.

There are several concept models in developments, but if you like your convertible you are not likely to be getting an electric version any time soon.

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combine the two power sources in order to make progress as efficiently as possible.

The final option is a 4WD mode that provides the 3008 with all-wheel drive traction and ability for times when the going gets tough underfoot.

The 3008 Hybrid4 consists of a pair of electric motors (one on each axle) paired with a 180bhp, 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine to deliver a combined output of 300bhp and 520Nm of torque, and means Peugeot’s family SUV is fast, as well as potentially very frugal, with claimed fuel consumption as low as 1.3l/100km when starting every journey with a full battery.

The electric motors are mated to a slick-shifting eight-speed eEAT8 electronic-automatic gearbox for undiluted driving pleasure. The battery capacity is 13.2kWh and charging is easy and fast. A full charge (0-100%) can be

completed in just 105 minutes when using a Wallbox charger (7.4kW). Built on Peugeot’s efficient EMP2 (Efficient Modular Platform) platform, high levels of comfort are preserved, even with the fitment of the batteries.

VERDICT

The new Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4 offers the perfect blend of family practicality, stunning design and impressive economy, along with one of the best cabins around.

Pricing for the new 3008 Hybrid starts at €44,845 (2WD Allure model), with my test car specification priced at €52,600.

A comprehensive 5year/100,000km Peugeot warranty comes as standard, along with an 8-year/160,000km hybrid battery warranty, and a 3year roadside assistance package for total peace of mind motoring.

Cadillac have just launched their 682 HP SUV/Truck stateside for an eye-watering price tag of $150,000. The monster engine will take this monster from zero to 60mph in 4.4 seconds. If you feel you can do without all the extra horse power the

range starts at $76,295

The interior is exactly what you’d expect from a class leading prestige vehicle. The first thing one notices is that the gloss black dash is actually a screen that encases another screen, which is the instrument cluster. This is a 38-inch curved OLED display. On this screen, you can view different options such as night vision and augmented reality GPS, which essentially takes the image from the camera in front of the truck and adds GPS navigation information to that. Add to that everything that modern technology can deliver and you have a pretty good sense of what Cadillac will deliver you for the money.

Smallest Cog

Beware of cat thefts

It was in April last year that the Gardai scored a major success against those involved in the theft of catalytic converters.

In a raid on a Finglas premises they recovered stolen cats with a value in excess of 2.2 million euro. As a result of that raid and further action around the country the theft of these expensive car parts has dropped off, but reports suggest that there is still a real threat to motorists.

With a replacement catalytic converter costing several hundred euro car drivers need to be vigilant.

The sight of a car jacked up with a man working underneath may not seem unusual but it could easily be a slick thief at work.

It may only take a few minutes for the cat to be removed, so beware of activity around your car or your neighbours.

When

the team presenting Top Gear had to find a new way to get through the day Richard Hammond decided to indulge his passion for car restoration.

With father and son duo Neil and Anthony Greenhouse on the staff he launched The Smallest Cog car restoration centre, which has also been featured as a TV show.

Hammond credits his grandfather, who was a coachbuilder, as inspiration

for launching the business.

He said: "I’ve always wanted to prove to him that there’s more to me than driving around the world, talking about other people’s supercars, and crashing them.”

The money to launch the business came from selling part of his valuable collection of motors, which raised over £230k at auction.

It remains to be seen if the diminutive TV host can make it as a successful business owner.

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Hybrid

Hybrid

Hybrid

‘Nifty 50’ turns 64!

When the Beatles sang ‘Will you Still Love Me When I’m 64’ they weren’t thinking about the ubiquitous Honda 50, but we do still love it as it turns 64.

There is hardly a driver in Ireland that didn’t spend some time either driving or sitting as a pillion passenger as the world’s leading motorcycle success story, The Nifty Fifty.

The 100 millionth was produced in 2017 leaving that other motoring icon, the VW Beetle, in its shadow.

Back in 1958 when Honda suggested they could sell 30,000 a year of this little machine the bankers were distinctly unimpressed, so they immediately changed the forecast to 30,000 a month.

With a loan from the Japanese government to keep things afloat Honda set their eyes on the huge American market. With the help of some innovative advertising Honda set about changing the image of motorcycling from tattooed leather clad heavies, to the fun friendly people they believed represented their future.

JOB

An exciting opportunity for the right candidate in New and Used Car sales. Hyundai Dundrum is a new dealership just opened on the Dundrum Road beside Dundrum Shopping Centre. The right candidate should be confident, outgoing, adaptive, have an interest in the motor industry and a positive attitude. A full drivers license is required.

‘You Meet The Nicest People On A Honda’ ran the ad copy for the Cub, in the Sixties. It was cheesy but it worked. Honda placed full-page colour ads in contemporary women’s magazines emphasising the independence the Cub would bring to the modern woman. It helped to turn the little Honda into a phenomenon.

The original requirements for the Super Cub were by turns quaint and wondrous. ‘Make it fit in the hand and easy to operate’ were the watchwords at Honda design and Super Cub more than met the brief.

The 17-inch wheels were used because that’s what suited the typical Japanese adult frame of the time. It meant getting tyres was difficult so, Honda had to persuade a tyre maker to make special

batches. The toe-and-heel gear change was developed so that it wouldn’t scuff the toe caps of a Japanese salaryman on his way to work.

The semi-automatic transmission was specially developed to remove the terror of a manual clutch, leg shields were there to keep mud off trousers and the one-handed operation meant that soba-noodle delivery boys could ride and control a Super Cub while carrying a tray of noodles.

From the early Sixties, production hovered between half a million and a million a year and the C50 begat the C70 and then the C90.

Then in the Nineties, licensed production began in China and production soared to a peak estimated at five million a year.

Students J1 visa could be lost with drunk/drugs driving

The Road Safety Authority (RSA), in partnership with USIT Travel, Ireland's leading specialist in work abroad programmes, and An Garda Síochána have come together to remind students ‘A drink or drug driving conviction may stop you from going to the U.S. on your J1. Or ever’.

The core message of a new campaign, launched recently, is aimed at new and returning students across Ireland as they settle back in college and begin considering a summer abroad next year on USIT’s J1 visa programme.

The new video campaign by the RSA, USIT Travel and An Garda Síochána tells the story of a group of friends experiencing the summer of a lifetime on

their J1 visa in the United States, juxtaposed against one of their peers back at home because he is disqualified from driving.

The story highlights the contrast between an incredible summer abroad and the disappointment of missing out on such an experience as a result of reckless drink or drug driving behaviour.

The campaign is designed to show the consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and how a drink or drug driving conviction, or disqualification, may impact someone’s chances on getting a J1 visa for the summer.

The boys are back

If you thought that the Troublesome Trio had given up making TV for petrolheads, the good news is that they have just completed a special edition, which should be making its way to a Prime Video screen near you, soon.

Strap yourselves in for a wild ride through Scandinavia with Clarkson, Hammond and May, as they take their favourite rally cars for a cold Grand Tour through ‘Europe's last great wilderness’.

TOYOTA GOING ELECTRIC IN CHINA

While they have been leading the market for hybrids, Toyota have been slow to enter the pure electric car market.

Their BZ brand, Beyond Zero, is being launched in China with a Camry sized 100% electric saloon, aimed squarely at the Tesla Model 3, which has been grabbing market share in the world’s biggest car market. The BZ3 is expected to sell below the price of the equivalent Tesla and will deliver at least 220 miles.

While there are no immediate plans to bring this model to the European market, Toyota will not be beaten in the rush to electrify cars worldwide.

The Kia EV9 undergoes final technical testing

Kia has revealed details of the final intensive testing programme undertaken by the Kia EV9 ahead of its world debut in 2023. The all-electric Kia EV9 will become the brand’s flagship model and will revolutionise the large electric SUV segment, while accelerating Kia’s brand transformation and affirming its leadership in sustainable electric mobility.

Developed over a period of 44 months to set new standards in design, performance, range, driving dynamics, technology and comfort, every facet of the EV9 is currently being pushed to the limits of durability at Kia’s global Namyang R&D centre in Korea.

During this final testing phase, the EV9 is relentlessly subjected to a gruelling verification programme on a 4WD climbing hill and a rough terrain track, as well as a deep-water wading test, to ensure maximum reliability even in the most challenging conditions.

Kia’s high-speed, handling, and low-friction tracks place every element of the EV9’s performance and roadholding under the strictest scrutiny. At the same time, the unforgiving cobbles of the Belgian road enable Kia’s engineers to subject the EV9’s ride comfort and build quality to the harshest possible trials. In addition to the test program at Namyang R&D centre, like every Kia model, the EV9 has also been subjected to a punishing testing regimen in locations all over the globe.

Kia first gave the world a preview of its newest flagship model in the form of the Kia Concept EV9, unveiled at AutoMobility LA in Los Angeles last year.

Personifying ‘Opposites United,’ the brand’s ground-breaking new design language, the EV9 production model will represent the pinnacle of what is possible with an SUV. The Kia EV9 developed on the company’s advanced Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) will usher in a new era in sophisticated, high-technology, sustainable mobility.

Taking a bow in the first quarter of 2023, the Kia EV9 will follow in the footsteps of the brand’s ground-breaking all-electric EV6, which has garnered numerous critical accolades, including the highly prestigious European Car of the Year 2022 title.

hen Bruce Meyers unveiled the beach buggy in his Newport Beach garage in 1964 he revolutionised the car culture in California. That iconic design went on to capture the spirit of an entire generation and was an integral part of the aspirations of young people worldwide. He could hardly have imagined that half a century later his inspirational idea would be transformed as an electric vehicle for a new era.

The Meyers Manx comes in two battery sizes promising up to a range of 300 miles, with a zero to 60 mph of 4.5 seconds. That’s a lot of beach running!

While no prices are currently available you can reserves a pre-production model on www.meyersmanx.xom

The story of the Irish made car $900K VW BEETLE WILL-I-AM STYLE

If you were asked in a pub quiz to list the cars made in Ireland you might mention DeLorean, but that wouldn’t get you full marks. A much-overlooked Irish manufactured car is the 1959 Shamrock, which was designed for the American market.

The Shamrock was the brainchild of Californian businessman Bill Curtis. When visiting his wife’s family in Ireland. in late 1950s, he was very struck by the apparent poverty of the locals, and he decided he could improve things by bringing car manufacturing to the country.

The initial plan was to locate in Kerry but somehow, he was tempted to launch his major enterprise in a 40,000 square foot factory Castleblayney, County Monaghan.

The styling was very specifically designed for the American market. The 17 foot fibre glass body came complete with fins and a soft top which would appeal to Californians who were buying Thunderbirds.

The launch price was $2,495 and the budding car manufacturer confidently expected to sell 3,000 in the first year.

The 1500cc engine came from Austin Cambridge and it powered the Shamrock to 60mph in 20 seconds.

Perhaps it came as no surprise that the car was a complete failure and only 10 are thought to have been made.

So, Castleblayney could have become the Detroit of Ireland if only the Shamrock had been thought through and designed with customers in mind.

MotorMarket readers of a certain age will remember that the Black Eyed Peas were a supergroup that went on to launch the solo career of Will-I-Am, who has become a familiar face on TV music reality shows in this country.

All this success has allowed the 47-year-old to indulge his passion for cars.

One of his more expensive builds has been a 1958 VW Beetle that has taken almost $900k to transform into a truly striking reimagining of the iconic peoples car.

It certainly never looked like that when it rolled off the production lines in Wolfsburg.

Next

time MotorMarket readers drive across O’Connell Bridge in Dublin give a thought to the way traffic used to be, before traffic lights.

Back in the day traffic at large junctions was directed by a Garda in a raised box, who

aided by his trusty whistle and complex hand signals, would orchestrate the traffic seamlessly.

Many of our older readers will confirm that traffic flowed much more easily in those days as the Garda could change the time devoted to

each lane without any use of complex computer programmes.

The first experimental traffic lights WERE installed in Dublin in the late 1930s and were greeted by considerable scepticism and it was widely believed they would never catch on.

Also pictured is the white Summer jacket the then traffic guard wore.

The newspapers at the time included advice on how to behave at the new lights

ML350

bluetooth ph/music sream, NCT 07/24, €23,900

2017 Volkswagen Touaran 1.4 TSI, auto, 58k, white, Highline trim, alloys, a/con, adaptive cruise, MFSW, keyless entry/go, Digi cockpit, bluetooth ph/music stream, heated alcantara seats, rev. camera, lots more,

2019 Volkswagen Golf Digi Cockpit

alloys,

camera,

Think Electric...Let the Sun Shine

If you’ve been thinking that your next car should be electric and are worried about range anxiety, this could be the car for you.

A German start-up, Sono Motors, are planning an electric car that be charged from the mains and from the sun. By covering the car body in solar panels they promise that their production car will be able to travel up

to 200 kilometres per week, on free sunshine power, in addition to standard plug-in charging, which should enable it to cover 305 kilometres from the standard 54kWh battery.

Starting as an idea between friends in a Munich garage, Sono Motors has grown to become a pioneer in solarpowered transportation via its development of the Sion, an affordable

and reliable SEV for the masses.

“The Sion’s unique market position, coupled with Sono Motors’ proprietary Sono Solar Technology positions the Company perfectly to seize upon a growing shift toward a more sustainable future and enables individual contribution to climatefriendly mobility through the Company’s blend of disruptive technology and affordability,” said

Laurin Hahn, co-founder and CEO of Sono Motors.

While the car has yet to reach the assembely line pre-orders are being taken for delivery in late 2023 with an expected german price of less that 30,000 Euros.

At this stage the company claims to have 20,000 reservations made and deposits paid so you can expect this one to go into production soon.

Top Gear was at its most successful when it was fronted by Jeremy Clarkson and Co. Since he got the boot from the show Clarkson has been living the life of a country farmer and the accompanying TV show about his trials and tribulations on the farm is full of the irreverence that made him such a big star.

Sharing in this rural idyll with him is Dublin born Lisa Hogan. The former actress and model seems to have settled into rural life, which must be very different from her experience of being educated in Dublin’s prestigious Alexandra College.

The happy couple each have three children from previous relationships.

Asian newcomers make strong safety debut, but Model Y steals the show

75-year-old drives at over 200mph

As age begins to affect us, most drivers start to take things a little easier. That’s not the case with Barry Bigwood who lives in South Africa. He has had a lifelong interest in cars and although he now has to walk with a cane his love of speed is undiminished.

He drives a Honda Civic as his daily drive but his beloved Nissan GTR is where he has lavished his real love of cars. The engine has been completely rebuilt from the crankshaft to the

turbocharger. He estimates the engine will put out about 1,200 horsepower, and the transmission has also been extensively upgraded to manage that thrust.

At a nearby airfield he took that love of speed to the limit when he guided his Nissan to over 200mph.

Barry realises he is getting older and said: “When I get older, I think I’m going to have to slow down a little. But you never know when that will be.

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE COLOUR

Carcolour choice is one of those strangely emotional decisions that we all make. Each year manufacturers spend small fortunes trying to guess the latest trends in colour that will motivate car buyers. Over the years we have seen the emergence of some vivid alternatives but it seems we are all still quite clear in our choices.

A recent UK survey showed that the number one colour choices were, Black, Silver, Blue, Grey, White, Red. Based on what we can see on Irish Roads are choices are not that different.

The advice from car sales professionals seems to be that while you may love an exotic colour, it will not help when it comes to trading that car a few years later.

Euro

NCAP published its fifth round of safety ratings. The highly anticipated Tesla Model Y did not disappoint and shoots to the top of recently published five-star cars, while the new electric Genesis GV60 continues the 5-star success of the GV70 and GV80 models tested last year.

Euro NCAP also tested two newcomers from China’s Great

Wall Motor Company - the ORA Funky Cat and the WEY Coffee 01, both achieving top marks.

Finally, the new Kia Niro is awarded four stars with standard equipment, but five when fitted with the optional safety pack.

The Model Y, built in Tesla’s Berlin Gigafactory, scores an impressive 97 percent in Adult Occupant Protection and nearperfect 98 percent in Safety

Assist, with full points for its lane support and new cabin camera based driver monitoring system.

In Euro NCAP track tests, the Model Y camera-only Vision system performs remarkably well in preventing collisions with other cars, cyclists and pedestrians.

Chinese manufacturers have tried to take on the European market before and have, in the past, met with mixed fortunes in safety tests.

Following in the footsteps of NIO, Lynk & Co and MG, Great Wall Motor demonstrates that it can produce cars that match the best that Europe has to offer, with the electric ORA Funky Cat and WEY Coffee 1 both achieving five stars.

Tesla Model Y

Porsche for €60 billion

We’ve always known that Porsche is a brand that doesn’t come cheap but soon you should be able to buy a small slice of the business as its shares are offered for sale. The Volkswagen group are to offer shares on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in October. With a valuation expected between 60 and 85 Billion Euro they hope to raise cash to invest in the development of new electric models. A total of 12.5% of the shares will be available initially for investors to buy. Time to raid the piggy bank and get to be an owner, or part-owner, of Porsche?

The Queen

The passing of the British queen has been covered extensively in recent weeks but it is often overlooked that she had a lifelong interest in cars.

During World War 2 she played her part in supporting the war effort by training as a mechanic and was regularly pictured working on military vehicles. That interest in all things motoring meant that she enjoyed driving, whenever circumstances allowed, and was often seen at the wheel of her favourite Land Rover on her estates. The Royal fleet is estimated to be worth £14 million and includes the ever present Land Rovers, Rolls Royces, Jags, Bentleys, Aston Martins and a selection of limousines.

JAGUAR E-TYPE GOING STRONG STATESIDE

The Jaguar E-Type has always been regarded as a style icon and as a result have been rising in price for years. Curiously, the American market for this beautiful Jaguar is now outstripping the prices being achieved in the home of this British manufactured car. An E-Type Stateside is now coming in at a minimum price of $78K, according to Hagerty price guide, with pristine models reaching $467K.

WHAT DOES THE NAME MEAN?

BENTLEY

If you ever get around to buying a Bentley the fact that this one is called Bentley Bentayga is probably not going to deter you, although the price might.

What does it mean? Apparently the name refers to a mountain peak in the Canary Islands.

No, it doesn’t make sense to us either.

NISSAN QASHQAI

The Qashqai is widely credited with saving Nissan as it created a whole new segment at a time when the manufacturer was struggling with a lack of new models. Apparently the name refers to a nomadic group of Iran people who live in the Zagros mountains.

How did that become the name of a car? Who knows! That’s what the advertising people get paid the big money for. Obviously they decided it was too complex for American consumers where it’s called the Rogue Sport.

RENAULT TWINGO

Renault began moving away from numerical nameplates when it introduced the Clio in 1990 after the success of the 4 and 5.

The revamped naming system marked the beginning of a new era for the firm. Its marketing department came up with the name Twingo for the entry-level model presented in 1993. The name is a combination of three dance styles: twist, swing and tango.

G-WAGON

The G Wagon has been with us since 1979 and began life as Geländewagen, which literally translates to “cross country vehicle.” Hence the name G-Wagon.

Bentley Bentayga

Nissan Qashqai

Renault Twingo

G-Wagon

The President and the Corvette

While it may seem we know everything about the most powerful man in the world, one thing appears to be less well known. Joe Biden is a big petrol head.

While he is leading the charge for a Greener America he owns a ’67 Corvette Stingray Convertible. These days he doesn’t get to drive the car that his father gave to him as a wedding gift, as the Secret Service seem to think it’s far too big a risk.

Although he is chauffeured these days he makes no secret of his love of fast cars and has made it clear he wants to drive the 200 mph electric version of his Corvette

PARKING FOR A SHILLING AN HOUR! BMW TO OFFER VEGAN INTERIORS

Itwas in December 1969 that RTÉ journalist Tom McCaughren reported that 500 parking meters were to be introduced on the southside of the Liffey, in Dublin city centre, in January 1970.

The new-fangled machines, which would go on to become the bane of the life of Dublin motorists, were introduced at the princely sum of one shilling per hour. Compared to what we are now paying motorists at that time had little to complain about!

The report also included the news that the revenue generated would be used to build multi-storey carparks.

It’s not quite clear what happened to that plan!

A 300 Car Collection

The BMW Group plans to launch its first vehicles featuring completely vegan interiors in 2023. This is being made possible primarily through the development of innovative materials with leather-like properties. It will also be possible to use these materials for steering wheel surfaces, which must fulfil demanding criteria when it comes to feel, premium appearance and wear resistance.

Fully vegan interiors will be available for both BMW and MINI models for the first time from 2023. The BMW Group is thus serving the demand for vegan and leather-free interiors, which is set to increase further in the near future, especially in the US, China and Europe.

FLYING SPUR BENTLEY

At a time when the motorcar engine is seen as a threat to the planet and more manufacturers are going green, Bentley are giving it one last go. The Flying Spur has just been released with one of the last models to feature the W12 engine.

When entrepreneur Najeeb Khan started his America payroll outsourcing business, Interlogic Outsourcing, he probably didn’t realise how big it would get or how he could end up being declared bankrupt.

As the business grew so did his passion for collecting classic cars. In fact when he finally came crashing down with debts of $126 million he had a collection of 281 vehicles.

Not only was the collection massive, it also included some extraordinarily valuable and historically significant cars, including a 1952 225S Berlinetta which was sold for $2.8 million, a 1953 Fiat 8V Supersonic which found a new owner for $2million.

In total his collection was sold for $44 million which went some way towards paying off his creditors.

The moral of the story: One car is fine, but 281 is a bit excessive!

The launch of the Flying Spur Speed completes the model range and mirrors the existing Continental GT and Bentayga range. The Flying Spur Speed is the pinnacle performance model, and together with the Flying Spur Mulliner is the car of choice should a customer desire a W12-powered Flying Spur, with the standard Flying Spur W12 ceasing production in May this year.

The 6 litre twin turbo W12 engine will waft drivers to 207mph, where legal, and from zero to 60mph in 3.8 seconds. Naturally it has the creature comforts that a Lottery winner could desire.

If you need to ask the price you are not the market Bentley are after, or you haven’t won the Lottery, yet.

President Joe Biden and Jay Leno

Najeeb Khan

ANYONE FOR TOMATO SAUCE?

Over 150,000 tomatoes ended up on the highway in Vacaville, California, after the truck carrying them crashed through the median. The accident injured several people, including the person driving the truck, and slowed traffic to a crawl for several hours.

Law enforcement officers reported three injuries. The truck driver sustained ‘minor injuries’ and ‘complained of pain’, the Los Angeles Times reported, and two people in one of the cars hit by the truck were injured as well. One suffered a broken leg and the other ‘complained of pain’.

The giant batch of tomato purée wreaked havoc on traffic. Tomato peels are slippery, so the California Highway Patrol closed several lanes in both directions to extract the truck from the median and clean-up the mess!

Tesla owners go on hunger strike to get problems fixed

Tesla has been widely recognised for driving the move to electric cars and have been rewarded by worldwide sales booming for the tech company, headed by the enigmatic Elon Musk.

However, there have been many questions about the attention to quality control as Tesla has rushed to take advantage of demand for the cars.

Norway has one of the highest ownerships of pure electric cars on the planet and when Norwegian Tesla owners heard Elon Musk was coming to town they decided to stage a protest.

In order to draw attention to their ongoing problems with their cars, they decided to go on hunger strike. They arranged their cars in the shape of HELP in the hope that it would draw attention to their problems.

Spokesman Erlend Mørch, 27, from Oslo, said: “We are hoping to get Elon's attention so he will start to pay attention to his Norwegian customers.

“Customers that love the car and many who want to continue being Tesla customers, but are plagued with endless repairs and an in many

cases unresponsive support centres.”

Typical Tesla problems have included paint quality and issues with the unique leather upholstery. It seems the leather on many cars is parting from the backing material. Tesla have explained that the problem is caused by hair products that drivers use, rubbing on the leather causing a chemical reaction affecting the glue holding the leather in place.

There hasn’t been any update on whether Elon Musk paid any attention to the hunger strikers, all of whom gave up their fast within 24 hours.

DUKE HAS PORSCHE SEIZED

Most people when they inherit money, are tempted to treat themselves to a new set of wheels.

The Duke of Marlborough, Charles Spencer Churchill, decided he needed a new Porsche Cayenne Turbo which retails in the UK for £132,000. He paid half the amount and put the balance through VW Financial Services.

As he inherited estates and a palace with an estimated value of £188 million it must have been surprising to the car salesperson that he was bothered to borrow at all. When there was no sign of the required payments being made the VW finance people wrote looking for the money.

That didn’t seem to get them anywhere so they eventually had to initiate court proceedings and finally got a judgement in court for the amounts due plus costs.

Things must be very tough at the top!

MINI-SIZED CAMPER VAN

Camping vans tend to be fairly large affairs as owners seek to recreate all their home comforts on four wheels.

This unique little camper is based on a 1982 Mini Clubman estate and was originally built as a prototype that never went into full scale production. By the time the current owner found it in a barn it had aged badly. With lots of hard work Paul Bird brought it back to life and it now boasts a bed and a kitchen with working fridge.

The automatic box is mated to a 1275cc engine which gives it enough get up and go to make it to its destination at a leisurely pace. At an estimated value of about £10k, it’s a lot cheaper than many of the behemoths we see on the roads.

Duke of Marlborough, Charles Spencer Churchill

Driven to Extremes

The

Max Adventure team has completed the Driven To Extremes Euro EV Marathon and driven a fully electric Kia EV6 Air from Oslo, Norway, to Portugal, beating its original target by arriving in just 3.75 days and having added an extra country to its itinerary.

Covering 16 countries and 3,174 miles (5,109 kms) in a little over 89 hours, the challenge was designed to show how easy it is to cover huge distances in a short time using a standard EV and existing charging infrastructure. The adventure started as the team were waved off from Kia’s Norwegian headquarters in Oslo, with Kia Portugal in Lisbon welcoming the travellers at journey’s end.

The team improved on the time set by racing legend Sir Stirling Moss, who undertook the drive in 1952, by 47 minutes. This is understood to be the first time the route has been attempted in a fully electric vehicle.

Using the Kia EV6 Air’s impressive range and 800V rapid-charging technology to maximum effect, the team also relied on ‘Kia Charge’ to cut the journey time. Allowing easy recharging, the ‘Kia Charge’ service lets EV owners access more than 400,000 public chargers across Europe from a single account with a single RFID card. This provided the team with rapid charging locations along its route, enabling them to get back on the road as quickly as possible after each stop.

A tent on a Porsche!!

MAZDA MX-5 RALLY A Guinness World Record Breaker

Held at Modena Circuit in Italy, the ‘MX-5 Rally of Records’ has broken the Guinness World Records title for the largest parade of Mazda cars in the world.

With a parade of 707 MX-5s the event beat the previous record set in the Netherlands in 2013, where 683 cars took part in a parade.

Taking place on September 18th, the Italian parade brought together all four generations of the iconic MX-5 with the cars driving around the famous Italian circuit under the watchful eye of the Guinness World Records adjudicator, who at 6pm made the record official to the delight of thousands of MX-5 fans from all over Italy and Europe.

The unique rally gave the team at Mazda Italy the chance to write an important chapter in the history of the world’s best-selling roadster.

During the record-breaking event, there was also a ‘Fun to drive will never die’ presentation with the Japanese engineer Nobuhiro Yamamoto –who was the lead engineer on the third and fourth generation MX-5.

Other guest speakers at the event presented different stories about what triggers their passion for the MX-5, including Andrea Mancini – owner of “Miataland”, a luxury resort located in the Umbrian hills where he keeps his huge MX-5 collection.

A car that has spanned the decades, evolving from generation to generation while always remaining true to its original concept, the MX-5 is a timeless icon and the ultimate expression of ‘Jinba Ittai’ driving pleasure. The best-selling roadster ever made it’s now a record breaker once again.

Hailstones

Sometimes designers come up with a solution to a problem that doesn’t really exist. Imagine you are touring the Ring of Kerry in your expensive Porsche and it comes time for bed. Would you zoom up to your nearest 5-star hotel and enjoy a warm shower and a pleasing pint, or would you unfold the roof tent you’ve just bought for your supercar?

Irish Porsche owners are unlikely to be queuing up to buy this latest accessory, but in case you’re interested it can be yours for €5,000.

One of the benefits of the Irish climate is that we don’t get extremes of weather, although with climate change whose to tell what’s in store for us.

In other parts of the world it is quite normal for motorists to make a rush to underground car parks when they hear of impending hail storms.

As you will see from these pictures the damage that hail can do is likely to leave a driver with a bill for thousands.

So, next time you are delayed by a rain storm on the M50 be grateful we live in a damp and moderate climate.

Car Buying Tips

So you’ve saved your hard earned cash and you are ready to buy the car of your dreams. There are a few things you need to know before you venture into the big bad world of car buying.

Firstly, if you deal with a legitimate garage you are protected, but that’s not to say that buying privately will not work for you, if you know what to watch out for.

Never buy a car on your own, bring a friend. Ideally bring someone who knows more about cars than you do, such as a trained mechanic. There are lots of illegitimate traders posing as private sellers who will take advantage of your lack of knowledge to sell you a “lemon”.

Don’t carry lots of cash. There are all sorts of stories of innocent car buyers meeting a seller who asks to see their cash and then disappears with it. A serious private seller will accept a cash deposit with balance paid with a bank draft.

Never meet in a car park. Car scammers will always suggest meeting in a location that does not link them to their home. A serious private seller won’t be reluctant to meet a buyer at their home address. Beware of the seller who doesn’t want to be identified and just wants to sell the car for cash.

Stolen cars are often sold by the thief who will pretend they haven’t got the log book but will post it to you. Beware, if you buy a stolen car, you are liable to lose everything. The car will be returned to the rightful owner even though you acted in good faith. Check everything. Get the sellers name and address and get proof that it’s real. Buying a car involves lots of money so proceed at your own risk, or just deal with a legitimate car garage.

Concours of Elegance 2022 at Hampton Court Palace

Best in Show winner is one of the finest examples to emerge from the storied Delage brand – known for producing flamboyant machines for the super-rich – which had been taken on by Delahaye in the 1930s.

In 1936 the French marque created a state-of-the-art 8-cylinder motor, based on their race proven, high-performance straight-six.

With a spot of engineer Jean François’s magic it sprouted two extra cylinders, a 4.3-litre displacement, overhead valves and a single carburettor, to deliver around 105bhp. The D8-100 and D8-120

Eric Clapton sells his AMG

Being a world-famous rock star brings lot of benefits. Eric Clapton is a well-known petrol head and has an extensive collection of the best that Ferrari has produced. He also has a 2002 Mercedes G wagon which he is now selling.

This model was specked with everything and is also left hand drive as he liked to drive it to his country retreat in Provence. If you have somewhere between 45,000 and 65,000 Euro you could grab this piece of motoring rock memorabilia.

The Citroen DS was a rare enough sight on Irish roads but this rag top model was probably never seen here. In fact only six were ever made in right-hand drive.

If you are an avid fan this Citroën DS21

Décapotable is valued at between £140,000 and £160,000.

were born.

This remarkable motor car was styled and bodied by de Villars as a special one-off two-seater. The extravagantly styled example, with its tapering sport body coachwork, was first shown at the Concours de l’Auto de Printemps in 1938. It won the Grand Prize, quite a feat considering that at the pinnacle of the streamline era it was competing against all the major marques of the day.

The Delage sold new for $7200 USD, making it one of the most expensive models in the world.

PAINT IT PINK

If you owned a 1929 Ruxton Phaeton and were having a full restoration done on it to bring it back it to its former glory, what colour would you specify? Black, White, Racing Green perhaps? This owner felt that Barbie Pink was the right choice. It just goes to show that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. In spite of the choice of colour the car has been bought by the Petersen Museum in Los Angeles, although no information is available about the choice of colour for its future.

DEDICATED FIAT BUYER

The Most Dedicated Car Owner In The World?

Car manufacturers love buyers who remain loyal to the brand and come back to buy again. Marketing managers dream of buyers like David Franklin. The 84-year-old has just taken delivery of his 55th Fiat car! He is seen here with his wife Michela beside their new electric Fiat 500 at their home in Buckinghamshire.

On his experience of owning an electric car David said: “The electric 500 is like all Fiats, great fun to drive. It’s very quiet, handles incredibly well and is very quick off the mark –sometimes my glasses end up on the back seat!

“I am sold on the idea of electric cars now.”

7,000 Car Collection

What do you do when you have a net worth of $20 Billion. The Sultan of Brunei has been dealing with that issue for years as the secretive ruler of this oil rich state.

One way to spend your money is to collect a few cars. He began his collection shortly after ascending to the throne in 1967.

The Sultan has taken it to another level as he has amassed some 7,000 cars. He’s such an important

car collector and car buyer that it’s thought he kept Rolls-Royce and Bentley afloat during their darkest days.

About half of all Rolls-Royces and Bentleys sold in the early and mid-1990s went to the Sultan and his family. Many were bespoke.

Cars commissioned specially by the Sultan included six Bentley Dominators, the company’s first SUV (20 years before the Bentayga). As with so many

BOYS AND THEIR TOYS

Brunei cars, it was a secret project, only coming to public notice when a photographer snapped a shot of the car being loaded onto a cargo plane destined for Brunei.

There was also the 1996 Bentley Buccaneer (a sporty coupé) plus Bentley Camelot, Phoenix, Imperial, Rapier, Pegasus, Silverstone and Spectre.

If you’re unfamiliar with these nameplates, don't worry: Bentley never officially made them. They were bespoke and confidential

coach-built commissions. The odd photo and nugget have leaked, but they remain

Most petrolheads started a lifelong fascination with cars when they took the wheel of a pedal car back in their childhood.

A new UK business, The J40 Motor Company, aim to bring all those childhood dreams back to life. They have started production of a range of children’s pedal cars under licence from Austin. The nostalgia doesn’t end there as they are also producing replacement parts for those much loved old kids cars that are out there. You may have a rusting relic in your garage and think there is no hope of getting it back to original condition, but no, there is hope as dads and granadads get ready to hook a new generation of drivers.

BENTLEY ON DRUGS

Pulling apart any 1960 Bentley S2 tends to be for repair or restoration. Yet for criminals in Canada and Australia, removing parts from the grand standard saloon was only done so that its nooks and crannies could be crammed with cocaine and methamphetamine.

The New South Wales Police Force in Australia, says the Australian Border Force detected the shipment during routine x-rays of the Bentley, when it arrived at Sydney’s Port Botany.

In addition to the sumptuously stuffed seats, they found 161

kilograms of methamphetamine and 30 kilograms of cocaine stuffed into the wings, inserted once the headlights had been removed.

The Bentley arrived in a shipping container from Canada. Rather than seize the drugs on the spot, the police maintained surveillance on the car and allowed it to be picked up, when they descended on the car and arrested two men, aged 22 and 23.

The value of the drugs haul is estimated to be more than £125 million.

Online used car retailer Cazoo pulls out of mainland Europe

Cazoo had been operating in Italy, France, Germany and Spain and is consulting with employee representatives in France and Italy.

This follows a first half loss of £243m and slashing 750 jobs. Cazoo is perhaps best known to sports fans due to its string of sponsorship deals with football clubs in all four countries, costing it many millions of pounds.

It listed on the New York stock Exchange in August 2021.

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mysterious. The Sultan and his family own an estimated 380 Bentleys.

The Sultan of Brunei’s Ferrari collection

New Opel Astra has German star-quality

enabling the driver to see all the important information in front of them at a glance.

The cabin of the new Astra has been given a digital-detox of all the clutter, and includes innovative features to help you keep it clean and serene, without the untidiness of cables.

For added convenience, occupants can charge their compatible devices using the integrated wireless charger.

By DECLAN GLYNN www.motoringmatters.ie

There is no chance of mistaking the all-new Opel Astra for just another car. Every line and every curve make it clear that this is the future of driving. From the new Astra’s signature ‘Vizor’ face leading the way at the front, to the sheer taut surfaces that give Opel’s all-new hatchback its distinctly sporty and confident stance, every unique aspect makes it stand out from the crowd. Sharply precise German proportions follow a compass principle where even energy-saving rear LED lights perfectly harmonise with the visual axis.

DISTINCTIVE STYLE

The external design of the new Astra is truly cohesive, and its distinctive style gives it real personality.

It is a similar story inside, where Opel’s innovative ‘Pure Panel’ combines a 10-inch digital dash, and a similarly-sized central colour touchscreen, thereby

NEW PLATFORM, NEW TECH

Under the skin, the new Astra uses the latest V3 version of the Stellantis EMP2 platform, with 50 per-cent new parts compared with the architecture used in the previous model.

This new platform has made it possible for Opel to electrify the new Astra, with a full EV version due to be launched as early as next year.

Opel has fine-tuned elements of this platform to differentiate it from sister brand Peugeot, which also uses this tech for its recently-launched 308 family hatchback.

The steering, suspension damper rates and bump stops, as well as the anti-roll bar set-up, have all been tweaked for the Astra, with a focus on stability at higher speeds.

TRIM, ENGINE & TRANSMISSION OPTIONS

The new Opel Astra model line-up comprises three variants –SC, SRI and Elite – all of which are packed with much more tech and spec than ever before.

For now, the engine line-up

consists of a pair of petrol units and a single turbo-diesel offering, all of which feature Start/Stop technology as standard.

The entry-level 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder petrol unit produces 110bhp and 205Nm of torque (SC only), while the second petrol unit comes with 130bhp and 230Nm of torque, and is available across all model variants.

In conjunction with petrolengine models, transmission options consist of a six-speed manual available across the entire model range, and a slickshifting eight-speed automatic available in SRI and Elite variants.

The 1.5-litre turbo-diesel unit is available in SC and SRI trim variants, and is mated to a sixspeed manual transmission.

CAR ON REVIEW

My review car was a new Astra SRI 1.5-litre turbo-diesel which looked very sporty in its striking Vertigo Blue premium metallic paintwork and standard Black Pack (black Opel logo + Vizor frame, high gloss black Astra rear badge, black roof, and black door mirrors), along with 17” Kadett black alloy wheels.

Producing 130bhp and a healthy 300Nm of torque, the car can sprint from 0-100km/h in 10.6seconds, and is capable of consuming as little as 4.5l/100km (62.8mpg) in real-world driving on a WLTP combined cycle.

On the move, the Astra feels sporty, and it provides the perfect blend of agility and comfort. The Astra’s new chassis is tautly

controlled, and this gives a sense of driving satisfaction right from the get-go, while the welljudged suspension tackles road imperfections with ease.

The six-speed transmission’s shift action is smooth and precise in its operation, while the suitably-light steering makes easy work of manoeuvring in and out of tight spaces. This task was also simplified courtesy of the standard front & rear Park Assist with a 360-degree panoramic camera in my review car.

An impressive array of standard safety, security, comfort and convenience features adorn all trim models in the new Astra, along with the very latest infotainment technology such as: Opel Connect, Bluetooth™ audio streaming, wireless Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™, and a DAB digital radio system.

The Astra SRI trim variant also benefits from a sports ‘AGR’ drivers’ seat for even greater comfort on the move. Aktion Gesunder Rücken (AGR) is essentially a Campaign for Healthier Backs, and the certified Opel ergonomic seats are designed to provide longdistance travel comfort. Opel is

the first volume manufacturer to receive the AGR stamp of approval for its seats.

To achieve this, four basic ingredients were put together: four-way lumbar support, cushion tilt, cushion length adjustment, and contour & body support. The new Astra Elite comes with driver and front passenger AGR seats as standard.

Overall cabin space is good, and should fulfil the needs of a growing family. Cargo capacity in the new Astra measures in at 422litres with the height-adjustable boot floor at its lowest position, but this can expand to a generous 1,339-litres when the rear seat backs are folded flat when the need arises.

VERDICT & PRICING

The all-new Opel Astra is, without doubt, one of the most dynamic family hatchbacks on the market today. Cutting-edge chassis and engine technology, outstanding exterior and cabin design, and robust German build quality make the new Astra a very appealing and desirable family hatchback in every respect.

Pricing starts at just €27,995 (ex-delivery), with my SRI review car priced at €33,995 (exdelivery).

A 3-year/100,000km warranty and roadside assistance package comes as standard.

NEW DACIA JOGGER

The family car reinvented

By DECLAN GLYNN www.motoringmatters.ie

Dacia has brought its famed value-for-money approach to the 7-seater family car sector with the launch of the all-new Dacia Jogger. Featuring the length of an estate car, the spaciousness of an MPV and the robust style of an SUV, the new Jogger combines the best of these categories in a family car that can accommodate up to 7 people in a versatile, elegant and affordable way.

NEW DACIA DESIGN LANGUAGE

In keeping with the times, the new model’s Y-shaped brand lighting signature confirms its affinity with the new Dacia generation. The LED dipped headlights provide more intense lighting at night.

At the rear, the vertical positioning of the lights broadens the tailgate opening, optimising boot access in the process.

The new Jogger is based on Dacia’s modular CMF-B platform that also lies at the heart of the new Sandero.

In the Jogger, a unique rear module extends the car’s length to just over 4.5-metres, making it the longest model in the Dacia range. The extra length is key to the Jogger’s spaciousness, allowing it to deliver the same level of versatility as many larger

THREE VARIANTS, ONE ENGINE

The new Jogger model line-up consists of Essential, Expression and Extreme SE (Special Edition) variants, with the flagship Extreme model being instantly recognisable thanks to its more pronounced off-road styling and black alloy wheels, along with black roof rails, black door mirrors, and a black shark-fin antenna.

The Extreme’s front and rear skid-plates are finished in contrasting Megalith Grey, while unique protective door strips and Extreme badging complete the exterior look.

Powering the new Jogger is an all-new 1.0-litre direct-injection turbocharged petrol engine (TCe) that boasts 110bhp and 200Nm of torque at 2,900rpm, and it comes with Start & Stop functionality as standard. It uses several technical innovations to increase output, improve fuel economy, and reduce emissions.

In 2023, the Jogger will be the first Dacia model to feature hybrid technology, making it the most affordable 7-seater hybrid on

the market.

UNCLUTTERED SPACE

The wide dashboard in the new Jogger accentuates the impression of space, while an uncluttered design makes it easy to read the instrument panel, and the multimedia screen above it.

The lower area provides easy access to the air-conditioning and driver assistance system controls, preventing the driver from any unnecessary distractions.

Dacia’s unique approach to spaciousness results in over 23litres of useful storage areas within the cabin for everyday use, while multiple seat configurations make it easy to change from 7 to 2-seat mode (and back) in double-quick time. The new Jogger embraces the whole family by offering the same level of comfort in all three rows, with the sculpted seats promising fatigue-free travel for all seven occupants.

In the second row, there are tray tables (model dependent) with cup holders and practical ISOFIX attachments for child seats. The removable third row

offers terrific accessibility, with two individual seats with armrests providing uncompromising accommodation for two adults with generous legroom.

For occasions when cargo takes priority over passengers, there is a volume of up to 1,807litres waiting to be discovered.

CAR ON REVIEW

My review car was a Dacia Jogger Extreme SE, which was finished in Slate Grey metallic paint. The relatively softly sprung suspension in the Jogger makes it really absorbent of bumps in the road, and when traversing over dreaded speed ramps too.

The car’s steering is light, which helps when manoeuvring in and out of tight parking spaces, while an equally light manual gearshift action makes the Jogger an easy-going car to drive around town. Large glass areas, good sized door mirrors, a relativelyhigh seating position, and not too much in the way of blind spots ensure that outward visibility is excellent.

With a kerb weight of just over 1200kg, the sprightly engine in the Jogger can complete a

0-100km/h sprint in 11.2-seconds, and it can return fuel economy of up to 47.8mpg (5.9l/100km) on a WLTP combined driving cycle.

The car handles well on back roads, with little in the way of body lean in corners, and this is supplemented by plenty of grip during acceleration and braking.

The Media Nav infotainment system in my review car consisted of an 8-inch touchscreen mounted high on the dashboard and angled towards the driver, and benefits from Wi-Fi wireless connectivity for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a full incar navigation function, and an upgraded audio system with six speakers and two USB ports.

PRICING & WARRANTY

The new Dacia Jogger offers excellent space and practicality, along with a comfortable cabin and a good level of standard equipment across the range.

A 3-year/100,000km warranty comes as standard, along with a 3-year roadside assistance package.

With pricing starting at just €24,590 (ex-delivery), the all-new 7-seat Dacia Jogger truly is the new car bargain of the year.

models from the segment above.

POLESTAR 2 AWD EV

By BREDA CORRIGAN www.motoringmatters.ie

fully electric passenger seat, front seat mechanical cushion extension, inductive phone charger, rear cargo ‘lid-in-lid’ with bag holder, and tinted rear windows.

Single options consist of 20” alloy wheels with Continental Premium Contact tyres, ventilated Nappa leather with wood deco, metallic paint, and a semi-electric folding tow bar.

OUTSTANDING SAFETY

The Polestar 2 is one of the safest electric vehicles ever tested by Euro NCAP, achieving a five-star rating.

its firmest setting, and it does make the car easy to park – all of which is helped by front and rear parking sensors, and a 360degree surround view camera.

The car offers one-pedal driving, though it can be switched off if you prefer, and this system is extremely effective thanks to really impressive brake functionality.

Polestar has done a terrific job of keeping the car comfortable to be in, while still making it thoroughly engaging to drive.

PRACTICAL FASTBACK BODYSTYLE

The Polestar 2 is a premium five-door all-electric fastback that embodies the brands’ design-led philosophy with a real attention to detail.

Stand-out highlights include a standard vegan interior with progressive textiles, pointing to a new more sustainable expression of luxury.

A rear light-blade that stretches the entire width of the car (with adaptive brightness from its 288 LED’s) accentuates the vehicles powerful stance, while also adding terrific visual drama to the mix.

There are some playful touches inside the car too, such as the unique Polestar symbol reflected into the glass roof above the front occupants. With a vegan interior as standard, Polestar also makes strong sustainability statements with the Polestar 2.

MULTI-AWARD WINNER

The Polestar 2 has been recognised as the ‘Best of the

Best’ by Red Dot in the internationally-renowned contest’s Product Design category. The award is given to ‘ground-breaking design’ and is the top prize in the highly contested category.

Additionally, the Polestar 2 was awarded the prestigious Product Innovation of the Year title at the renowned Sustainability Leaders Awards. The awards recognise organisations that have taken their environmental, social and financial performance to new heights in an effort to achieve a sustainable future, today.

The Polestar 2 was the first car in the world to feature an infotainment system powered by Google’s Android Automotive OS, with Google built-in. Developed in collaboration with Google, the Android system revolutionises the way car infotainment systems can be integrated, and with Google Assistant, Google Maps and the Google Play Store integrated, owners can benefit from the best voice and

navigation systems in the world.

The user interface is bespoke to Polestar 2, developed in-house and to exacting brand standards.

RANGE, DRIVETRAIN & CHARGING TIMES

The Polestar 2 is available in Standard Range Single Motor (2WD), Long Range Single Motor (2WD) and Long Range Dual Motor (4WD) variants with a WLTP driving range of up to 551kms depending on the version chosen.

A 400V lithium-ion battery with a 75kWh usable capacity powers a single 150kW motor (2WD), or dual 150kW motors (4WD) in a refined and fuss-free manner. The on-board charger in the Polestar 2 allows for AC charging up to 11kW (1 or 3 phase), with DC charging up to 150kW also possible. As a result, charging from 0-100% via a wallbox charger can be completed in 8 hours, while a 10-80% charge from a DC fast charger takes just 35 minutes.

STANDARD & OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT

A Pilot Pack comes as standard in the Polestar 2, and includes Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with steering support, Cross Traffic Alert with brake support, Rear Collision Warning and Mitigation, Adaptive Cruise Control, Emergency Stop Assist, 360-degree surround view camera, automatic dimming door mirrors, LED headlights and front fog lights with cornering function, along with front and rear light sequences.

The optional Performance Pack allows more enthusiastic drivers to enjoy a heightened experience with the fitment of manually adjustable Öhlins Dual Flow Valve dampers, 4-piston Brembo brakes, forged alloy wheels and Polestar’s signature ‘Swedish Gold’ brake callipers, valve caps and seat belts.

Also optional is a Plus Pack which includes a Heat Pump, Harmon Kardon premium audio with 13 speakers (600W), heated windscreen washer nozzles, heated rear seats, heated steering wheel, Weave Tech vegan upholstery with Black Ash deco, panoramic roof with reflected Polestar symbol, fully electric driver seat with memory,

Developed in the Volvo Safety Centre in Gothenburg, Sweden, the car’s crashworthiness was naturally a top priority. Standard safety equipment ranges from eight airbags, including the only inner-side airbags currently fitted to an premium EV that has been tested by Euro NCAP, to the Front Lower Load Path and Severe Partial Offset Collision Block that are designed to mitigate impact on the battery pack and passenger compartment alike.

High-tech safety systems aim to ensure that safety extends beyond structural integrity and occupant protection, including vehicle, cyclist and pedestrian detection support, as well as lane and roadside departure warning and mitigation systems. The highly advanced Pilot Assist driver assistance system uses a radar and a camera to assist with acceleration, braking and steering at speeds of up to 130km/h.

TEST CAR

My test car was a Polestar 2 Dual Motor Long Range with optional Plus Pack and Performance Pack, and was finished in striking Snow metallic paintwork with contrasting 20” Y-Spoke black polished forged alloy wheels, and charcoal weave tech vegan upholstery.

The Polestar 2 is impressively pleasing to drive, with a hefty 408bhp and 660Nm of instant torque from the dual motor set-up allowing the car to sprint from 0-100kms in just 4.7-seconds, on its way to a top speed of 205km/h (where permitted).

The steering requires little effort to change direction, even in

The car is quiet too, with only a small amount of wind and road noise apparent at motorway speeds.

The hatchback bodystyle of the Polestar 2 provides easy access to a generous 405-litre boot (including 41-litres of underfloor storage) behind the rear seats, and an even more practical 1,095-litres when the rear seat backs are folded flat, with an additional 35-litres of storage space under the bonnet.

The car enjoys a 2,735mm wheelbase that affords generous space for up to five occupants with squared-off doors allowing easy access for all.

Visibility is generally good thanks to large windows and mirrors. However, the tailgate window is narrow, but the standard surround-view camera takes the guesswork out of reversing anyhow.

VERDICT, PRICING & WARRANTY

The combination of handsome looks, carefully chosen materials, cutting-edge in-car tech and a thrilling driving experience makes the Polestar 2 a truly desirable premium EV.

The cars stylish minimalistic cabin feels like it is built to last for generations, and it is a wonderful place to spend time in.

Pricing for the new Polestar 2 starts at €51,135 (inclusive of an SEAI Grant of €5,000 if applicable), with my test car priced at €74,295 inclusive of optional packs and metallic paint.

A 3-year vehicle warranty and roadside assistance plan come as standard, along with a 3-year vehicle service plan and 3-years of connected services. Visit www.polestar.com for further information.

The Polestar name may be unfamiliar to many motorists, but the Swedish premium electric performance car brand’s links with Volvo are evident in many areas. In Ireland, the first model available is the stunning Polestar 2, which is the brand’s first fullyelectric volume model, and is billed as a rival to the Tesla Model 3, Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E.

CITROËN BX CELEBRATES ITS 40TH BIRTHDAY

Citroën is celebrating the 40th anniversary of its iconic BX model, first launched on September 23rd, 1982. First unveiled at a celebration at the Eiffel Tower, the BX went on sale a week later at the 69th Paris Motor Show and saw huge commercial success over the 12 years it was produced.

To mark the occasion, the experts at the L’Aventure Citroën Association invited enthusiasts to rediscover BX on Saturday, 24th September at the Citroën Conservatory in Aulnay-sous-Bois.

Launched in 1978 under the codename “XB”, the Citroën BX project set out to create a modern, unconventional vehicle with an emphasis on innovation. BX was to be a transverse-engine vehicle, lightweight to ensure good acceleration and low fuel consumption to help with cost savings.

Like all top-of-the-range Citroën cars of this era, the 5-door hatchback BX was fitted with a hydropneumatic suspension system to ensure comfort and impeccable road holding.

The first vehicle of the PSA era, BX was developed with the help of CAD (computer-aided design), state-of-the-art technology at the

time, to help to perfect the design and dynamism of the car.

Engines were taken from PSA group’s bank of powertrains, with powerful engines from its earliest release (62bhp and 72bhp 1360cc, 90bhp 1580cc).

BX saw Citroën enter the upper-middle-class vehicle market. It aimed to become the GSA’s successor with serious technical credentials to guarantee comfort, dynamism and economy of use, as well as a new shape with a breakthrough design.

Citroën approached the famous Italian coachbuilder Bertone to design the BX. The designer Marcello Gandini then proposed an original shape that

LOTUS ONLINE PARTS

stood out in the automotive landscape of the time.

The cockpit was also striking, with a CX-inspired dashboard featuring characteristic equipment such as satellite controls on either side of the steering wheel and the backlit tachometer.

Resolutely modern and packed with appealing features, BX instantly convinced the press, seduced Citroën’s clientele, and won over new customers: it was a major commercial success, selling more than 2,337,000 units before production finally ended in June 1994. As one of Citroën’s best-selling cars, BX undoubtedly contributed to the revival of the Citroën brand in the 1980s.

SHAPE SHIFTER

SMALL AND SMALLER

Small car takes on a whole new meaning when it comes to the all-electric shape-shifting CT-1 microcar. This dinky sized car has been designed by an Israeli company that is aimed squarely at the European city market. Anyone who has tried to drive through a small Italian town will understand just how handy this pocket sized car could be.

As well as being micro-sized this all electric runabout will take two people sitting motorcycle style behind each other and the makers claim a range of 180km from a full charge.

What makes it really different is that the wheelbase can be extended out ward to make it wider while driving, and then narrowed to fit into the smallest parking space.

Ideal for trips to Fitzwilliam Square.

Lotus estimates that 70% of all the cars they ever made are still on the road.

Chris Hinks, Director, Aftersales, Lotus, said: “A Lotus car is designed, developed and built to be driven in a spirited way, and so it’s vital that we support owners in keeping their cars performing as our engineers intended.

Moving our entire parts and accessories business to this new and fully searchable online portal is improving our service to them.”

He continued: “Some Lotus owners have their own workshop facilities and take pleasure maintaining their cars themselves, others rely on authorised

retailers and repairers. We always encourage our customers to keep their cars maintained to specification for the full ‘signed-off’ experience, and parts.lotuscars.com will significantly improve our already outstanding levels of service, making that easier than ever.”

Jaguar I-PACE offers exhilarating performance

By BREDA CORRIGAN www.motoringmatters.ie

Jaguar brought us the first fully-electric vehicle from an established luxury car manufacturer in 2018 with the launch of the incredible I-PACE mid-size luxury SUV. Right from the get-go, the Jaguar I-PACE proved itself to be an impressive luxury EV that combined sleek styling, clever packaging, outstanding comfort and a bespoke sense of luxury that Jaguar buyers expect, while recent improvements have made the I-PACE even more desirable than ever.

The revised I-PACE gains new infotainment tech in the form of Jaguar Land Rover’s Pivi Pro multimedia system, along with a powerful Meridian 3D sound system. Additionally, Jaguar engineers have improved the car’s charging ability by adding a new 11kW AC onboard charger, which enables a 100km charge in just 15 minutes when connected to a 100kW DC power source.

characteristics.

Twin synchronous permanent magnet electric motors (one at each axle) provide the I-PACE with the benefit of permanent allwheel drive, and a large-capacity 90kWh lithium-ion battery sits under the cabin floor between the front and rear wheels.

UNCLUTTERED CABIN

The stylish and uncluttered I-PACE cabin offers a sumptuous design that will delight all occupants, with exquisite features – such as the new Jaguar Heritage logo monogram on the rotary controls – showing the terrific attention to detail undertaken by Jaguar’s interior designers.

The cab-forward design of the I-PACE means the front seats are placed further forward. This creates more space between the front and rear seats, giving rear seat passengers added legroom.

The absence of a conventional gearbox means there is storage within the ‘floating’ centre console for items such as phones, electronic devices and keys.

standard comfort, convenience, safety and infotainment features adorn the I-PACE Black, and key features include rear privacy glass, Premium LED headlights with signature daytime running lights, Duo Leather sports seats, 12-way electric driver memory front seats, 40:20:40 folding rear seats with centre armrest, Pivi Pro 10” touchscreen with navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Jaguar remote app, rear camera, cruise control with speed limiter, driver condition monitor, and lane keep assist.

As a result, the I-PACE is a supremely relaxing, refined car to drive around town and on longer journeys. Jaguar claims a realworld driving range of up to 470kms on a combined driving cycle, and charge times from 0-80% in 40 minutes at a rapid 100kW DC public charger, with AC wallbox charging (7kW) taking 10 hours from 0-100%.

VERDICT & PRICING

FUTURISTIC DESIGN LANGUAGE

Blurring the lines between an SUV, a four-door coupé, and a saloon car, the I-PACE can be described as being a mixture of all of the above, and it targets a similar kind of customer as the Audi e-tron, Ford Mustang MachE, and Mercedes-Benz EQC.

The low roofline, squat nose and tapering window line make the I-PACE look very sporty from many angles, and this is sure to be an attraction to buyers who don’t want their EV to look dull and boring.

The striking exterior design of the I-PACE is the result of the

coming together of true Jaguar DNA, FIA Formula E Racing technology and contemporary British design.

The bold grille curves inwards, reducing drag by channelling air through the bonnet scoop and out, where it passes over the curved roofline for maximum efficiency.

Deployable flush door handles ensure the airflow moves smoothly around the entire exterior, while the swept-back and sleek headlight design emphasises the clean lines of the I-PACE, highlighting the futuristic design language.

TRIM OPTIONS

The Jaguar I-PACE is available in a choice of exterior colours, visual packs and wheel options, with S, SE and HSE trim variants on offer, along with the new I-PACE Black edition.

The I-PACE Black enhances an already visually-appealing exterior with gloss black trim elements, sporty 20” alloy wheels, and a panoramic roof as standard.

The I-PACE is claimed to be Jaguar’s most torsionally-rigid vehicle, and it has an ideal 50:50 weight distribution which results in terrific ride and handling

Other practical stowage solutions within the I-PACE consist of a glove box with 7.7litres of usable capacity, along with rear seat storage that can fit anything from headphones to umbrellas.

In the boot of the car, you will find 89-litres of underfloor storage, and a 665-litre luggage compartment that is easy to access thanks to a wide boot opening.

TEST CAR

My Jaguar I-PACE Black test car was finished in elegant Portofino Blue metallic paintwork which complimented the standard 20” gloss black alloy wheels.

An outstanding array of

With 395bhp and a mighty 696Nm of instant torque on offer, the I-PACE can complete a 0-100km/h sprint in just 4.8 seconds, on its way to a top speed of 200km/h (where permitted).

Instant acceleration allows for a near-silent thrust of power that is so well judged you can tap into the acceleration as and when you need to.

As one of the few all-electric compact-luxury SUVs on the market, the Jaguar I-PACE is genuinely impressive and highly desirable. Despite its size and EV powertrain, the I-PACE is a true Jaguar, with car-like handling and a quiet cabin.

Pricing starts at €80,380 (exworks) for the I-PACE Black Edition, with a 5-year manufacturer’s warranty and an 8-year battery warranty as standard.

DeLorean – More show than substance

While there was never any doubt that it had the looks to make any teenage boy or mid-life crisis man drool over it, the car John DeLorean dreamed up was more about show than substance.

It had a glass fibre body, with stainless steel panels bolted on. Its front brakes came from the Ford Cortina, the rears from the Jaguar Mk IX. The engine was a wheezy 2.8-litre Renault V6. The gear knob

was from the Renault Fuego, the glovebox latch the VW Scirocco. The door locks? Austin Allegro, apparently.

So, while it was never destined to be the most reliable machine on the road it has left an indelible mark on the pages of motoring history and good examples of this Belfast made car are now surging in price.

FIRST-TIME DRIVER INSURANCE

So you’ve just got your driver’s licence and you’re ready to get out on the road! We understand that looking for car insurance quotes can sometimes be intimidating, but fear not as the AA has put together top tips for those looking for first-time driver insurance. We’ll ensure your journey is as smooth as possible.

GO FOR A LOWER ENGINE SIZE

This is pretty simple. The lower your engine size, the better your car insurance quote will be. AA agents advise those looking for first-time driver insurance to go for a 1 litre, 1.1 or 1.2 litre vehicle.

BUY A NEW CAR IF POSSIBLE

Buying a car as new as possible will help. Our AA agents advise you to buy a car within the last 10 years to avail of the best quotes.

GO ON YOUR OWN POLICY

If possible, bite the bullet and go on your own policy as soon as you can. If you are a bit younger, then it is a good idea to go on a parent or guardian’s policy for a year or two, and then go on your own. This will help your No Claims Bonus (NCB) going forward.

ADD AN EXPERIENCED DRIVER

Adding a second or experienced driver to your policy may bring the quote price down, so try go this route if you can.

LICENCE

What about a learner permit versus a full licence? If you’ve done your EDT lessons, take or retake your driving test. Give yourself the best chance at getting a good quote if you are looking for first-time driver insurance.

SHOP AROUND

Finally, the AA advises those looking for first-time driver insurance to shop around. So, get different quotes online or chat to our agents at the AA, compare and then make your decision.

Contact the AA for our best young driver rates. Or, choose the right level of cover with the AA - we offer multiple types of cover to support all our members.

Bad Parking

AA's top tips to protect your car from theft

What is it about Irish car drivers that we seem to be able to negotiate our motorways but struggle to park in a shopping centre?

How many times have you cruised a car park only to find a careless motorist has managed to place their car in two valuable spaces?

PARK SAFELY

If you’re in a rush, you might park your car wherever is available. However, it’s worth taking time to think about it properly and assess the risks.

Don’t leave your car in a vulnerable spot, like dark car parks or near trees. Make sure there is CCTV where you park and that the area is well lit. If it’s in your own driveway, you should park facing a wall or garage to make it harder for thieves - they will have to reverse if they do gain entry and this will likely garner attention.

REMOVE KEYS

Make sure to take your keys out of the ignition, even if you’re leaving your car idle for a few seconds! Leaving the keys in the car makes it really easy for a thief who can simply open the door or window.

LOCK YOUR DOORS

It might sound obvious, but lots of people actually forget to lock their doors! So, when you’ve parked up, get in the habit of checking if your car doors are locked before leaving your car.

You should always ensure that all windows are up too, or it will provide an opportunity for thieves.

DON’T LEAVE BELONGINGS ON DISPLAY

This is self-explanatory, but make sure you leave no personal belongings on display in your car. Lock them in the boot or bring them with you.

IMPROVE YOUR SECURITY

Most modern cars are already fitted with alarms and immobilisers, but you should take extra steps to keep your car secure.

Some new styles have tracking devices installed but if you’re driving an older car, you might think about getting one. This way if your car is stolen, you will be able to track it to its exact location and hopefully recover it.

If you do get a tracking device installed, then why not apply some warning stickers to your windows to let people know. You could also install a lock over your steering wheel to decrease the risk of theft.

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOUR CAR IS STOLEN?

You should ring the Gardaí as soon as you notice the car is missing. When you call them give the licence plate number, your contact details, the address of the theft, the logbook and VIN number, the colour, make and model of the car and a photo of the car if you have it.

While Irish motorists are given extensive lessons to get a licence it never seems to include the manners required to park with consideration.

Worldwide this is a cause for endless frustration and as you can see from these notes left on offending cars, it drives some people to distraction.

TROUBLE AHEAD FOR TESLA?

When

Elon Musk delivered the first electric Tesla cars he was greeted with considerable scepticism by the fat cat manufacturers of internal combustion engines. Most felt that this upstart would probably crash and burn, and even if his business survived it would only be a niche product.

They were wrong. Tesla has gone on to build an enviable brand and sell electric cars all over the world and in the process make Musk a very wealthy man.

The electric car market is booming but that is part of the problem that is facing Tesla. The fat cat manufacturers have seen the shift in the market and have jumped on the electric wagon. Every brand is now

offering electric cars and very soon many will be offering electric only.

Tesla no longer have the advantage of being the only player in town and are now being outperformed by the new entrants who are offering newer and in many cases better value models than they do.

To an increasing extent Tesla are being beaten at their own game as the quality and pricing of the competition starts to outperform them.

So, will the first in the market become a casualty of the market they created? It’s probably too early to tell as Elon Musk is capable of the most amazing changes of direction, such as the debacle with Twitter, but does he have enough innovation in his business to outlast the big players who have been around for over 100 years?

With car theft on the rise in Ireland recently, you will need to ensure your vehicle and its contents are kept safe at all times. Prevention is clearly the best cure, so the AA has compiled a list of tips on how to keep your car safe from theft.

HYUNDAI SANTA FE PHEV

With Refined Sophistication

FAMILY-FOCUSED TRIM VARIANTS

The new Santa Fe PHEV is available in Executive Plus and Premium trim variants, both of which are equipped with numerous features and functions to create a truly family-focused SUV that is a pleasure to drive.

New state-of-the-art Hyundai SmartSense safety features and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems come as standard, and bring the new Santa Fe in line with competitors from the premium class. From automatically braking to avoid collisions to keeping you in your lane, it can alert you of potential dangers around you when driving.

CAR ON REVIEW

Celebrating over 20 years as an iconic SUV pioneer, the new Hyundai Santa Fe seven-seat SUV benefits from a sophisticated new look, cutting-edge safety tech, luxurious comfort, and – for the first time – plug-in hybrid power. The exterior styling of the new Santa Fe may not look too dissimilar to its predecessor, but it is built on a new platform, and it does benefit from revised styling too. The Santa Fe has also been upgraded with all the latest tech kile smartphone mirroring and cutting-edge connectivity features like Bluelink™ Connected Car Services, which lets you control your car from your smartphone – or with your voice. A free five-year subscription to Hyundai’s LIVE Services is included with realtime traffic information, weather, parking finder, programmable charging and much, much more.

MORE STYLE, MORE SPACE

The updates begin outside, with a reshaped, enlarged grille dominating the front end, and a light bar connecting the tail-lights at the rear. Additionally, the new Santa Fe also benefits from reprofiled front and rear bumpers, along with colour-coded wheel arch trim.

However, inside is where you will notice the most difference, as the cabin feels more luxurious than before. The new platform underpinning Hyundai’s flagship SUV provides 34mm more legroom for second-row passengers than the previous generation, along with the added benefit of providing room for adults to sit in the third row as well. Gaining access to the sixth and seventh seats is easy thanks to a switch that moves the row in

front forwards, and if you don’t need all seven seats up, you can fold the rearmost seats to reveal an impressive 634-litre boot.

PETROL/ELECTRIC POWER WITH AWD

The Santa Fe PHEV pairs Hyundai’s Smartstream turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol engine and a six-speed automatic transmission with a 66.9kW electric motor and a 13.8kWh lithium-ion polymer battery, resulting in a total system output of 265PS (261bhp) and 350Nm of torque.

Capable of completing a 0-100km/h sprint in 8.8-seconds, the 1900kg SUV feels sporty accelerating through town and onto the motorway too.

Furthermore, the Santa Fe PHEV comes with Hyundai’s new

HTRAC All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system as standard, allowing the driver to make the most of the punchy performance on offer without wheelspin or torque steer.

HTRAC is a multi-mode

system, providing an electronic, variable-torque-split clutch with active torque control between the front and rear axles, and is engineered to get you through any road conditions with confidence.

My range-topping Santa Fe PHEV ‘Premium’ review car looked truly elegant in Magnetic Force metallic paint (one of six colours available) with contrasting light grey two-tone interior and stylish 19” alloy wheels. In addition to the impressive specification found in the Executive Plus variant, Premium grade brings with it a Smart Power Tailgate, Panoramic Sunroof, Around View Monitor and a Blind Spot View Monitor.

The Santa Fe PHEV provides electric power at the push of a button when you want it, and petrol power when you need it.

Once the electric-only range (up to 58kms) is depleted, the SUV switches seamlessly back to its petrol engine.

Overall driving dynamics in the Santa Fe PHEV are excellent,

By DECLAN GLYNN www.motoringmatters.ie

with the standard six-speed automatic transmission shifting quietly through the gears at all times.

The ride is comfortable and well controlled, and it handles admirably despite the extra weight of its big battery pack and electric motor. On-road drive modes consist of Smart, Eco, Comfort and Sport, while a terrain mode selector features settings for driving in snow, sand and mud.

The battery in the PHEV can be fully charged (0-100%) via a domestic 3-pin plug-in around 6 hours, but this time can be slashed to just 2 hours when plugged in to a 7kW wall box charger.

CONCLUSION & PRICING

The new Hyundai Santa Fe PHEV benefits from a sporty but efficient hybrid powertrain, a sumptuous interior, and lots of useful technology, while its upmarket feel, and excellent driving dynamics make it a very commendable 7-seat SUV in every respect.

Backed by the reassurance of a 5-year unlimited-mileage warranty and AA roadside assistance, along with a 5-year free vehicle health check package, and an 8-year/ 160,000km battery warranty on the lithium-ion polymer battery, the new Hyundai Santa Fe PHEV is available now.

Pricing starts at €57,445 and annual road tax is just €140.

Santa Fe PHEV at