Motoring

CAROLINE GETS MOTORING

Bunclody native Caroline Kidd brings us reviews of the latest new cars to arrive in Ireland. Caroline is the founder and editor of the online automotive magazine Changing Lanes and a jury member for Irish Car of the Year. Find out more about her editorial and commercial copywriting services at www.changinglanes.ie PEUGEOT 3008 HYBRID

Plug-in hybrid has been one of the major themes of the motor industry in recent years as car manufacturers scramble to meet the needs of a changing market. Sales of petrol plug-in hybrids in Ireland have been growing steadily, accounting for over 7% of the new car market in 2021.

With every new model launch, the pond of plug-in hybrids available gets bigger. And while recent news that the €2,500 grant for these vehicles will be removed from 1st January 2022 dims their sparkle somewhat, plug-in hybrids remain a sort of halfway house to full electric vehicles, an opportunity to get used to the idea of plugging a car in, charging a battery, and driving more efficiently into the future. In 2020, Peugeot Ireland launched a series of new ‘electrified’ models on the Irish market including full electric and plug-in hybrid models. The French brand had already witnessed a revival in the market thanks to the launch of a trilogy of popular SUVs and a move upmarket. The Peugeot 3008 mid-size SUV is of course a particular highlight of the lion brand SUV trio – a former Irish Car of the Year and European Car of the Year award winner. Now Peugeot has added a hybrid to the 3008 range. Comfortable and practical, the 3008 competes in the sweet spot of the market where the family SUVs reside. Updated for 2021, Peugeot’s bestseller now has slightly revised exterior styling. The new look gives it enough modernity to stay stylish and relevant.

The updated range kicks off from €35,585 for a 1.2-litre Puretech petrol with 130 hp. The diesel range kicks off from €36,560 for a 1.5-litre diesel, also with 130 hp. The new hybrid range starts from €44,845 and is now the most powerful of the range with 225 hp. There are three trim levels for Ireland – Active, Allure and GT – with lots of equipment from entry into the range. On the outside, the 2021 Peugeot 3008 has a new frameless front grille and gloss black air intakes, while the headlights, daytime running lights and indicators all use advanced LED technology across the range. At the rear, Peugeot’s trademark three-claw taillights and new sequential indicators provide a contemporary look. Inside, the new 3008 SUV features Peugeot’s next generation digital i-Cockpit® technology with a 12.3” digital head-up instrument panel, a compact steering wheel and 10”

Peugeot 3008 Hybrid

high-definition colour touchscreen. It’s dripping in class and style. The 3008 has seating for five with good space inside the vehicle. There is plenty of rear leg room and even the middle seat passenger will find a flat space for their feet. However, the boot has been trimmed down in size in the hybrid. Petrol and diesel models get 520 litres, while the hybrid can only manage 395 litres. The Peugeot 3008 plug-in hybrid on test is quite a machine, combining a 1.6-litre petrol engine with a 13.2 kWh battery to produce a healthy 225 hp. This model can be driven on electric power for a range of up to 62 km. Paired with the eight-speed Efficient Automatic Transmission (EAT8), this car feels great on the road. The 3008 hybrid carries a considerable premium over other models in the range but with the power and ease of the transmission, it is a high-end driving experience. The way the hybrid blends with the automatic transmission adds up to an effortless, serene drive. It’s very comfortable over the tarmac and feels agile from behind the wheel. Drawing on power mostly from the petrol engine, my fuel consumption averaged at 6.7 litres per 100 km. Plug-in hybrids are at their best when you are making use of the Interior

electric range and charging between journeys to boost the overall efficiency of running the car. A 3.7 kW single-phase on-board charger is included as standard, with a full battery charge taking three hours and 45 minutes.

Peugeot jumps on trends exceedingly well, keeping their range fresh and current in a rapidly evolving motor industry. The plugin hybrid adds diversity and flexibility to the 3008 range, though as with all cars of this type, the battery is best used regularly to see a good return on the investment and make the car more efficient to run. The hybrids are now the most expensive of the 3008 range, but buyers will still find a good car in the more affordable petrol and diesel models. The facelift gives this car just the right presence. What’s underneath is still a very good car indeed. Model tested: Peugeot 3008 GT PHEV Price: €47,415 Engine: 1.6-litre petrol electric hybrid Power: 225 hp Torque: 360 Nm Acceleration (0-100 km/h): 8.8 seconds CO2 emissions: 31 g/km Motor Tax: €140 per year n

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SlaNey adSlaNey MotoriNg TWO NEW ŠKODA ENYAQ VARIANTS ARRIVING IN 2022

ŠKODA are raising their electric game once more with the addition of two new ENYAQ iV variants in 2022. Available to order now direct from your local dealer is the new ENYAQ Sportline iV and the new all-wheel drive ENYAQ iV 80x.

The ENYAQ iV, ŠKODA’s first fully electric vehicle was revealed in 2020, with the first Irish sales pre-booked online by way of a €1,000 deposit. Demand outstripped supply in 2021 with 231 ENYAQ customers recorded up to November. Although supply will improve in 2022, ŠKODA advise that consulting your dealer early is the best way to avoid disappointment.

The ENYAQ iV 80x has an all new, allwheel drive powertrain that is available to order now for delivery in 2022. Thanks to a second electric motor on the front axle, complementing the existing rear-wheel motor, it transmits power to the road via all-wheel drive. The two motors have a combined output of 195 kW and offer a maximum torque of 425 Nm. The 80x is mainly driven by a permanent-magnet synchronous motor (PSM) on the rear axle, which delivers an output of 150 kW, a maximum torque of 310 Nm and maximum running speed of 16,000 rpm. The ENYAQ SPORTLINE iV 80x is powered by a 82 kWh battery and can cover more than 500 km in the WLTP cycle. Its top speed is 160 km/h with a 0100km/h acceleration time of 6.9 seconds. The ENYAQ iV 80x starts from €49,894 inclusive of Grants/VRT Rebate and a service and tyre plan.

The ŠKODA ENYAQ SPORTLINE iV is the sportiest version yet, characterised by a range of black design features and large wheels, while the lowered sports chassis makes for a particularly dynamic driving experience. The interior adds to the sporty feel, thanks to decorative, carbon-style trims, a three-spoke multifunction steering wheel and seats with integrated headrests. The SPORTLINE variant is offered in three performance levels. The ENYAQ SPORTLINE iV 60 which has an output of 132 kW, while the ENYAQ SPORTLINE iV 80 produces 150 kW. Both feature rear-wheel drive. The SPORTLINE can also be equipped with all-wheel drive! The ENYAQ SPORTLINE iV 80x benefits from two electric motors for additional performance.

The SPORTLINE variants are an integral part of ŠKODA’s model portfolio. The Czech car manufacturer is continuing with this tradition by adding the ENYAQ SPORTLINE iV to the line-up of its first all-electric SUV. The new variant comes with a sports chassis as standard that features model-specific springs and shock absorbers, and has been lowered by 15 mm at the front and 10 mm at the rear. Body-coloured bumpers and side sills further enhance the car’s sporty appearance. Whether fitted with rear- or all-wheel drive, the electric SUV boasts excellent traction, confidently transmitting the power generated by the electric drive system to the road in any situation. Because of how electric motors work, the car’s maximum torque is available immediately, even when pulling away. Furthermore, the high-voltage battery fitted in the floor between the axles ensures a low centre of gravity, which has a positive effect on the vehicle’s agility and behaviour when cornering. Thanks to its model-specific sports chassis, the ENYAQ SPORTLINE iV can handle fast corners more dynamically and with less roll. The progressive steering, another standard feature, also allows for sportier handling. The ENYAQ SPORTLINE iV 60 starts from €44,942 inclusive of Grants/VRT Rebate and a service and tyre plan.

Commenting on the launch of ŠKODA ENYAQ SPORTLINE iV, John Donegan, ŠKODA Brand Director said, “We are thrilled with the successful launch of our first fully electric vehicle here in Ireland and we are confident the new ENYAQ Sportline iV will fuel even further success for the brand. Availability will improve next year, but demand is still expected to be high. To avoid disappointment we would encourage interested customers to contact their local ŠKODA dealer today”. n

ENYAQ Sportline iV