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 OPEL MOKKA

The Opel Mokka has returned to Ireland in 2021, a rejuventated offering for the popular compact SUV segment in Ireland. Available in electric for the first time, along with petrol and diesel variants, the Mokka’s new face is one that changes everything for the Opel brand.

Priced from €23,295 for a petrol, from €25,095 for a diesel, and from €33,038 for the all-electric Opel Mokka-e, the Mokka is shaping up as a very compelling and competitive offering. Of course, Mokka has some history in Ireland, launched back in Ireland as a new compact SUV contender in 2012 and revamped in 2016. This car still has good visibility on Irish roads, but Mokka owners

will be astounded by the step forward this new version has taken.

It’s the design that gets you first. The 2021 Opel Mokka is lighter and sleeker looking, with a genuine sporty bent to it. Opel has found new direction indeed, tapping into their history in motorsport and classic Opels like the Manta and GSi models to add some zest to a new generation of cars.

You cannot miss the striking new grille area. Opel call it the ‘Vizor’ face. It looks like nothing else on the road. This new family look is bestowed upon other models like the Crossland and Grandland SUVs, as well as the upcoming new Astra hatchback. For style conscious buyers this one hits the mark! SRi models (from €24,795) like the Mokka on test really stand out with 17” black alloy wheels, red exterior detailing and a contrasting black roof! Other trim levels include the SC and Elite. Standard equipment levels are good including traffic sign recognition, lane keep assist, collision avoidance sensor with brake assist, pedestrian detection alert, electronic cruise control with speed limiter, rear parking sensors with rear view camera, air conditioning, 7” colour touchscreen, 7” colour driver instrument cluster, DAB radio and 16” alloy wheels. Inside there is an all-new dashboard design that follows the Opel new ‘Pure

Opel Mokka

Panel’ philosophy. Take it as code for simplified, modern and minimalistic and you will come close to the experience behind the wheel of the new Mokka. Opel has worked hard to give this car a new personality and the red trim of the SRi model certainly spices things up. There is a full digital experience for the driver with a digital instrument cluster as standard and 7” colour touchscreen with Apple Car Play and Android Auto. A multimedia system with 10” touchscreen and navigation is also available. Interior

This is a compact vehicle but in terms of interior accommodation, it’s competitive for this class of vehicle with a decent show of legroom and headroom in the rear. The boot is also smartly sized at 350 litres. Available across all three trims, petrol and diesel engines offer power outputs ranging from 100 hp to 130 hp. The petrol model is a 1.2-litre affair with 100 or 130 hp, and the option of a 6-speed manual or 8-speed automatic gearbox. At Changing Lanes we tested the petrol automatic with 130 hp. It performs well for a petrol automatic with a good show of power and clever automatic that never misses a beat. Buyers will also find a 1.5-litre diesel in the line-up with 110 hp and a 6-speed manual gearbox. There’s also the exciting new all-electric Opel Mokka-e powered by a 50 kWh battery with 136 hp and a range of up to 324 km. On the road, the Opel Mokka has a light and modern feel that makes it easy to handle and steer through any driving situation. It’s not the sharpest performer of the bunch but there is an affable character to this car that will see it do just fine among buyers of compact SUVs. It’s refined and comfortable by class standards, with just the odd bump over ramps and the like on our test car’s 17” ‘shoes’! These cars are built to be autobahn proof and the Mokka can surely hold its own on the motorway, staying in lane simply and confidently. Opel is definitely back in the game with the new Opel Mokka. There are more exciting models on the way. Choice is a key feature of the new Mokka range and Opel is to be commended for bringing such a selection to the compact crossover range. The petrol model on test offers a very good value entry into the Mokka range; the Mokka-e is a compelling option for buyers ready to make the switch to electric.

Mokka has taken a huge step forward. In design and technology, it can really now hold its own. It will stand out and adds a youth and vibrancy back to the Opel brand that was sorely missed.

Model tested: Opel Mokka 1.2 SRi Automatic Price: €26,295 Engine: 1.2-litre turbo petrol Power: 130 hp Torque: 230 Nm Top speed: 200 km/h Acceleration (0-100 km/h): 9.2 seconds CO2 emissions: 133-135 g/km Motor Tax: €210 per year. n

AUTO TINTING

TEL: 053 9430013

Arklow Road, Gorey

Lifetime Warranty

Professional Accredited Installers Complete Range of Tints incl. NCT www.coatek.ie www.coatek.ie info@coatek.ie info@coatek.ie

AUTO REPAIR

ENNISCORTHY

NCT Preparation – Repairs – Timing Belts Clutches – General Servicing – Etc No job too big or too small

NCRS, Old Dublin Road, Enniscorthy (opposite Cooney Furlong / Gala) Tel: 086-8299431 – 053 9233033 – Email: ncrallying@yahoo.ie

L&M STARTER & ALTERNATOR REPAIR SERVICE

CARS, VANS, 4X4, TRUCKS, TRACTORS, MARINE, QUADS, LAWNMOWERS AND GENERATORS. WE REPAIR ALL UNITS. ALL APPLICATIONS CATERED FOR. Island Road, Enniscorthy. T: (053) 9235933.

RELAXING IN ROSSLARE

Above: Boden and Stephanie in Rosslare Community Centre Garden. Above right: Beach guards on duty – Mark Power and Sarah Murphy. Right: Dining out at Sinnott’s were Leea Mulchinock, Zoe, Nina and John O’Brien. Below: In Sinnott’s outdoor beer garden were Patrice Kelly, Susanne Dempsey and her daughter Jill Dempsey. Below right: Water Safety Week in Rosslare Strand with Instructors Anne Ryan, Sean Maher, Eoin Allen and John Doyle. Bottom left: Father and daughter time – sharing an ice cream were Evan and Anna McDonnell. Bottom right: Mynie, Sophie, Chloe and Alfie Leech, Harvey and Danulle Somers.