Motoring | Summer | 2022

Welcome to MOTORING

THIS latest edition of The Southern Star’s popular Motoring supplement comes at a time when a lot of people are feeling the pinch when it comes to motoring costs (along with various other day-to-day expenses).

However, living in a mostly rural area like West Cork means that for most people, a car is a must so that’s why we’ve decided to put a focus on ways that you can try to ‘drive down’ your expenses, as well as ways that you can maintain the value of the vehicle that you have for continued use or for selling on.

We also have a very thought-provoking piece that compares the costs of run ning electric vehicles versus hybrid and fossil fuel models. The results may surprise you.

Needless to say, people are always inter ested in what’s new or coming soon to the market, and there’s always a big demand for new vehicles, so we have a comprehensive look at the latest offerings from all the main brands.

See The Southern Star’s Motoring section to keep up with all the latest news and views on a weekly basis.

Safe motoring!

– The Southern Star Team

Drive down costs

Maintenance

Like everything in life, keeping your car well maintained will save you money in the long-term. Ensuring your car is serviced regularly not only gives you peace of mind in terms of potential mechanical problems but your car will drive more efficiently, saving you money over time.

Check your oil regularly and always use the right specification for your car. Tyre pressure is also key to driving efficiently – any deflation will result in the car using more fuel and it can also affect safety and grip.

Reducing drag or weight

A heavy load will inevitably burn more fuel, as the car has to work harder to drive. When going on trips try to avoid using roof racks and roof boxes (pic A), as they will add weight, but more significantly, they will reduce the aerodynamics of the car and increase drag, causing the engine to work harder. If you need to add luggage, dis tribute it evenly throughout the car.

Another tip to reduce drag is to keep the win dows closed. This can be tough during the sum mer months but an open window creates extra drag, making your car work more. Installing a window visor at the frame of the window (pic B) allows air to flow easier through, in turn reducing any drag.

Avoid carrying unnecessary weight. We all have a a habit of just leaving things in the car over time...try to avoid this as it adds incrementally to the efficiency over time.

Don’t idle

The saying ‘get up and go’ could not be more relevant when it comes to driving more efficient ly. Especially in the colder months we tend to let the car heat up before we head out. Don’t! Your engine actually warms up more quickly when you’re driving meaning it will be nice and toasty once you have headed down the road. This also applies to de-icing the car. While it might be tempting to let the windows heat up to defrost the outside, this will burn fuel. Use some water like the good old days and you’ll be on your way.

Cut down on electrics

While having all the mod cons that new cars have to offer is great, these extras can cost you extra money when it comes to fuel consumption. It may seem a bit dramatic but every little helps. You could be extreme and begin by not having the radio playing, but something more practical might be to make sure the rear window heater isn’t left on for any longer than absolutely neces sary. Obviously having the heating on full-blast will use more fuel so less is better. The same applies for with air con. When driving at lower speeds air con uses more fuel so it’s probably best to keep it as a treat for longer motorway journeys if you have to use it. Avoid using your headlights during bright days when you don’t need them, but there’s a safety consideration here, so use your discretion.

Built-in navigation systems are also con nected to the electrics so if you can plan a new journey ahead of timeand use the navigation system as little as possible will help with fuel con sumption. Remember, all of these things might seem small, but combined over a period of time they really can add up.

Keep to the speed limit

This isn’t just a safety message but keep ing within the speed limits can save you on fuel costs too. Driving fast uses more fuel. It can be tempting to hit higher speeds on the open road however this can use up more fuel, e.g. driving at 120kmph uses up to 10% more fuel then driving at 100kmh.

Keep it steady

When a car engine needs to work hard it uses more fuel to keep up its performance. A steady and gentle drive allows the car to drive smoothly without needing extra fuel. Reading the road ahead will allow you to drive at a steadier pace.

Decelerate smoothly by releasing the accel erator in time. Braking hard uses more fuel. Con stantly stopping and starting means the engine has to work more.

Try to avoid this by slowing early when ap

proaching traffic lights or traffic build-ups. Gentle driving is better for the mechanics as well.

is a must, but with rising fuel prices sometimes using public transport instead of, or in conjunc tion with, your car for a journey can work. West Cork does have some excellent subsidised bus routes now and if there is a Park ‘n’ Ride facility on the outskirts of a town or city this can be a great option – not just for saving on fuel but also on time. Towns and cities are congested so the constant stop starting uses more fuel and there is a higher chance of getting delayed in traffic. It is estimated that traffic in London city, on average, only moves at about the same pace as horse and carts of old. Now that’s something to think about!

Track your fuel consumption

As with any type of budget, tracking your ex penses (fuel consumption in this case) and what it costs can be very beneficial. Modern cars will show how many miles per gallon or litre the car is using. To begin tracking your consumption reset the monitor to begin a new average. Track your consumption on a weekly basis noting the jour neys taken each week. Knowing what journeys are possibly costing you more can help you to plan ahead to keep costs down.

Consider public transport

In an ideal world it would be great to be able to use public transport more often then we do. However, this isn’t always an option, especially when living in rural areas. For many having a car

New models keep coming, despite supply uncertainty

By Brian Byrne

So far this year new car registrations are still some 21pc below pre-Covid levels, according to the Society of the Irish Motor Industry. While interest from potential buyers is strong, sales growth rates remain short. In part because of supply chain component shortages, initially from the pandemic and exacerbated recently by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. It means there are gaps in the showrooms where new cars should be, across most marques. While the flow of new and upcoming models continues, actual arrivals will be a bit of a moveable feast for some time to come. As will prices. Here are some of the notable new cars on the horizon for the next six months and beyond

CITROEN

ALFA ROMEO

The C5 X will be the new

this

AUDI

The A8 is being updated, mostly in technology terms. There will be a long-wheelbase version. A new Q9 to be announced this year will have petrol, diesel and PHEV options. The company has also scheduled a Q6 e-tron electric SUV for those who find the Q4 e-tron a little small.

BMW

A new 7 Series saloon is due by the end of the year for those interested in changing for 2023. It will include an i7 all-electric variant. There’s also an electric version of the 3-Series coming to accompany the PHEV options already on sale, but initially it will only be sold in China. An electric 5 Series is also upcoming. And the X1 small crossover is due for renewal, with an electric variant.

petrol and PHEV power, with an all-electric version on the horizon. Think much comfort in a car large for its segment. A revision to the C5 Aircross will give it more punch visually and improved interior, as well as a PHEV option.

CUPRA

and comes

DS

The premium brand developed by Citroen will be introducing its brand-new DS9, a big saloon car, in mid-summer. Powertrains will include two versions of the plug-in hybrids familiar in sibling brand Peugeot.

HONDA

A Jazz with SUV treatment from the Japanese maker known for its technical expertise may make it here — it’s already in the UK. The Jazz Crosstar will be hybrid and look the offroad part even if not designed for it. A new Civic, probably early next year, will be less dramatic than the current one, and will be hybrid only.

This is the VW Group’s sports brand based in Spain and the Born will be its first all-electric car, with three battery options bringing range up to 540km at the top level. Edge and performance .

FIAT

Now with the Gowan Group for distribution, Fiat fortunes in Ireland are likely to improve. The 500 electric is the newest model on sale, and includes the only cabrio electric we know of. Range up to 320km. A new electric Panda is in the works, though there’s no confirmation about the name or arrival date.

HYUNDAI

An expansion of the electric model range introduced by the World Car of the Year 2022 Ioniq 5, this Korean maker plans two more with 6 and 7 designations. The last will be a large SUV, but not for production until 2024. We’ll see the 6 sooner, based on the Prophecy concept here.

DACIA

The new Jogger 7-seat offers full family motoring at an accessible price. Petrol only with a hybrid likely later. The space of an MPV with wagon looks and there’s crossover attitude in the mix. Dacia’s first all-electric model, the Spring, is ready for reveal. There’s also a new large SUV in the works.

FORD

A second generation of the Ranger Raptor will raise the performance bar in every metric. A 3.0 V6 turbo petrol will offer 288hp and lead the engine options, which will include the 2.0 diesel from the current version.

JEEP

Renegade and Compass models are coming back in contention under the new Gowan Group distribution. PHEV options will extend their attraction. A new Grand Cherokee is coming in this direction with a smaller 5-seat variant, though no details yet.

The Tonale compact SUV will increase the crossover models in the Italian brand. A mildhybrid engine for Europe first, a plug-in hybrid later. Arrival date to be confirmed.

flagship for

French brand

with

KIA

The new generation Sportage is already visible on Irish roads, with a very distinctive front style and elements from the EV6 to the rear. In diesel, petrol hybrid and PHEV options. A new Niro in the summer will be in PHEV form and an electric version will arrive a little later. An electric companion to the Sorento is down the line as the EV9, seen so far only in a square-looking concept.

OPEL

The Astra has long been a breadwinner for Opel, and a completely new generation is coming in mid-summer. Initial powertrains will be petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid, and an all-electric will be available later, in line with brand owner group Stellantis policy. The new Grandland is already here, with petrol and diesel engines and a PHEV coming.

RENAULT

An all-electric Megane this year will give the French maker a wider EV market penetration. The Megane E-Tech will offer range up to 450km, and is a totally new generation of Renault’s key model. A new SUV, the Austral, will replace the Kadjar, with mild hybrid and full hybrid power. For those of us who remember the Renault 5, the nameplate is to be revived as a sporty electric.

MAZDA

This marque is upshifting its crossover offerings with the CX-60 and CX-80, the latter with three rows of seats. The brand’s first petrol PHEV drivetrains, with over 300hp, will debut with the models, coming before the end of the year.

PEUGEOT

The upcoming new generation 308 will have the extra cachet of being voted World Women’s Car of the Year. It will offer plug-in hybrid, petrol or diesel engines.

SKODA

MERCEDES-BENZ

Continuing its dedicated electric cars programme, the three-pointed star will have the EQE with range up to 660km. Performance AMG versions are scheduled. And there’s the EQS flagship electric in the slips, arriving here next year. With a prototype EV having recently achieved more than 1,000km on a charge, Mercedes is making a strong case to be the premium EV maker of choice. There may even be an EQG based on its off-roader. Meantime, the GLC is to be renewed, with petrol, diesel and mild hybrid options.

POLESTAR

The all-electric brand that was spun off from Volvo recently brought its Polestar 2 model to market in Ireland. Expect news later in the year of the Polestar 3, a big SUV targeting BMW’s iX.

The compact SUV has been updated to the latest marque style cues, and new trim and upholstery. Diesels and petrols. A Monte Carlo version of the new Fabia is also on sale now. In the electric area, a coupe version of the Enyaq will be available to order from the autumn.

TOYOTA

The bZ4X is the first electric car from the brand that brought the world the hybrid technology which is now ubiquitous. Expected in midsummer, there’s been strong pre-arrival interest. It will offer 2WD and AWD versions. The new Aygo X is imminent, a kind of sexy in the city car.

SUBARU

A joint venture with Toyota will give this maker its first electric car as the Solterra, related to Toyota’s upcoming bZ4X. Arrival later this year.

VOLKSWAGEN

The big news from VW will again be electric, the ID Buzz is coming both as a passenger MPV and a van, bringing latest technology to the nostalgia of the iconic camper van tradition. Meanwhile a new Amarok pickup is due at the end of the year, with a new V6 diesel in the engine options.

NISSAN

The Ariya crossover is this carmaker’s newest EV and due for arrival in the second half of the year. In 2WD and AWD, up to 500km range is expected with the larger of two battery options. A new X-Trail should appear shortly, with a hybrid option.

TESLA

For the leader in American EVs, the Model Y is the latest addition to the range and offers a 7-seat option. Range of over 500km is par for Tesla.

VOLVO

A coupe version of the XC40, the C40 Recharge is available only as an electric model. Can only be bought on website.

The rush to electric - but will you have spare money in your

PETROL and diesel prices have jumped dramati cally because of the perceived threat to supply following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. We don't know how long that spike will last, but it now seems to have settled at around $100/bbl for crude. The price increase comes after a long trough of relatively low oil/fuel prices and this is perhaps a realistic level. We were here before, between 2011-2015. My best belief is that where we are is where we're going to stay at least for a few years.

Trying to work out the relative economies of traditional and new powertrains is a bit like herding cats. All owners have different needs, distances travelled, and driving styles. Not to mention the whole subjective thing that makes cars as much a personality choice as anything else.

The comparisons

But for this exercise I'm taking supermini size — if you're paying €40,000-plus for your larger wheels you probably can afford not to be so bothered with the running economics. I've looked at petrol, diesel, and hybrid options on the one side, compared to a version powered by batteryelectric power. I haven't included plug-in hybrids

because they tend to be in the larger and more expensive segments.

Using the Peugeot 208 from the Stellantis Group — which with sibling brands and models of fers a wide range of small cars with petrol, diesel, and electric options — and the Toyota Yaris which comes with petrol and petrol hybrid, we can work out some simple comparisons. The key one is how much it costs to ‘fuel’ 300km, the realistic average range of the EVs in the group.

For the 208 and Yaris petrol versions, that works out at €31.08 at current average prices. A 208 diesel will cost €24.60 for the same dis tance, and a Yaris Hybrid will lighten the debit card by €21.65.

Comparing those to the e-208 is a little com plicated. If you charge only at home, that 300km trip will be €14 in fuel costs. Using an ESB eCars membership account fast-charge public facility will cost €19.50, and a pay-as-you-go eCars card will strip €21.50 off your pre-paid balance. It’s clear that in this simple comparison electric ity is a big winner if you can manage most or all of your ‘refuelling’ at home.

But if your driving pattern means you rely sig nificantly on public charging facilities, the savings are very noticeably less.

wallet?

There has been a rush of interest in electric cars over the last year, recently pumped by the very large price rises in fossil fuel costs. But are there real savings to be made, ones that will leave extra money in the wallet to spend on other things? Brian Byrne investigates

The other figures to note are the diesel and hybrid costs — the petrol hybrid is significantly cheaper than the diesel for that 300km distance. Which is because diesel is now more expensive than petrol.

Scaling up those figures to fuel costs over 15,000km, which I’m taking as an annual average for this category of car, the cost of fuel for the base petrol-only 208 is €1,526 (€1,554 for the petrol Yaris). The savings against that for diesel come to €298 for the year, while the hybrid will save you €472. The fuel savings for the electric car will range from €430-€812 a year compared to that baseline petrol 208/Yaris figures, de pending on where and how you charge.

Looks like we have a no-brainer. Or have we? The supermini elephant in the room is the difference in cost of buying the cars in the first place. Hard to establish this exactly because of the various ways of financing, and whether or not a trade-in is involved. But a straight RRP comparison puts the Yaris hybrid at €3,220 more than its petrol-only base counterpart. The diesel 208 is setting you back €3,350 more than the base petrol version. The electric 208 is a substantial €6,360 extra, even after incentives.

Given those, how long will it take you to pull back the extra cost through fuel savings alone?

Well, on this calculation, it’s 11 years for the diesel, seven years for the hybrid, and 8-15 years for the electric cars. So our earlier no-brainer doesn’t look so slam-dunk now. Of course, all these will change positively for higher mileage owners, and taking into account equity they have built up in their car through deposit or trade-in. These are still part of the car's cost, though.

There are other benefits and costs.

The electric car has cheaper road tax, saving from €40-€80 a year against the petrol and hybrid competition. It generally comes with a higher specification than the base petrol version, usually including sat-nav so you can easily find

a nearby charging station. And it is by its nature automatic, which is worth a couple of thousand off the extra price. Servicing costs will also be lower.

On the other hand, I have been quoted a higher insurance premium for the EV against a petrol hybrid, and you will also have the cost of install ing a home charging unit, albeit with a mitigating grant (that from later this year will only apply to so-called 'smart' wallboxes, obviously more expensive).

You will also have to allocate some of your electricity supplier standing charge to the EV fuel cost. Also, financing the extra price will come

with added annual cost. While it is too soon to say, I’m assuming that depreciation rates will remain similar.

If these calculations surprise you, it's because fuelling a car represents only around 15pc of the total cost of running it, so any savings on fuel will be relatively small in the overall scheme of things.

A sad truth: most of us can't really afford cars. When you work out the real costs, as computed by organisations such as AA Ireland, buying and running an 'asset' that depreciates at a scary rate just doesn't make sense.

But, sad truth two: the same most of us need those cars even though they are technically un

affordable. So we just have to suck it up. Whether it makes more sense sucking diesel or petrol, or electric juice from a plug, is still in the balance. A balance you have to work out for yourself.

NOTE: For the purposes of this article I set the current average petrol price at €1.85/Litre, diesel at €1.95, and electricity at €0.28-€0.43/ kWh, the range between domestic and midrange ESB eCars charges. It should be remem bered that the petrol-diesel prices are tempo rarily lowered by the Government reduction in Excise Duty, which also skews the figures somewhat.

71% of women would recommend a career in the motor industry

A

new survey carried out by the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) found that almost three quarters of respondents would recommend a career in the industry to others

THE survey of 140 women from across the industry was carried out as part of SIMI’s on-going drive to encourage more wom en to join what has traditionally been viewed as a male-domi nated sector and coincided with the seventh annual Women@ SIMI event in conjunction with its sponsor Bank of Ireland. The event, which took place recently at the Gibson Hotel, Dublin, featured an impressive panel of guest speakers: Anne Cassin, master of ceremonies; Lucy Gaffney, current direc tor of Digicel Group and Sharon Keegan, founder of femaleled athleisure wear company Peachy Lean.

The survey found a positive outcome to change within the Industry, where 67% of re spondents believe that women have become more visible in the industry in recent years, while 67% of respondents also said that their companies had

increased the number of new female employees recruited over the last three years.

However, some notable statistics emerged, showing over half of survey respond ents believe that women are

under-represented in their or ganisation, while 40% said that women did not have the same opportunities for advancement as men in their companies. With just 26% of survey respond ents identified themselves as

being at director/board level in their organisation. This is lower than the national average of 30%.

When asked about what fac tors could help progress wom en in leadership roles, a change

in cultural perception of the au tomotive industry overall came out on top, followed by a more flexible working environment, greater management support, leadership skills/training along with mentorship.

Welcoming attendees to the event, which is open to all gen ders working in the industry, Gillian Fanning, SIMI president and first female president in the Society’s 100 years, said: ‘Research has shown that fe male employees contribute significantly to the long-term success of any company, yet the motor industry is lagging behind many other sectors in terms of gender diversity. While our research found that the majority of female employ ees have seen positive changes for women over the past three years, under-representation of women across the board, and particularly at senior levels, is clearly evident.

‘However, what’s encourag ing is the fact that almost 86% of respondents feel supported by their male colleagues and this support is critical to the success of gender diversity ini tiatives. While there’s no doubt that progress has taken place over recent years, with greater visibility of women than ever in the industry, we still have a long way to go in terms of ad dressing the inherent gender imbalance. We must continue to stress that this is not just an industry for men and high light the diverse range of roles and opportunities on offer for women if we are to reap the proven rewards of increased female participation in our sec tor. We need to plan for the fu ture – a future that will hope fully mean a greater number of women joining us and more women taking on senior roles and making strategic decisions for their companies.’

From left: Sharon Keegan, founder Peachy Lean, Lucy Gaffney, Director Digicel Group, Gillian Fan ning, SIMI President, Anne Cassin Master of Ceremonies at the seventh annual Women@SIMI held in Dublin recently.

Maintain your vehicle, maintain its value

With motoring costs rising, the demand for used cars at an all-time high and with a shortage in

supply overall, now is the time to ensure that your motor is kept in top order, writes Brian Moore

LOOKING after your car is always a good idea both in terms of ensuring the engine is at peak efficiency, which cuts down on the day-today running costs, and cosmetically so that when the time comes to sell you’ll get the best price possible. The phrase ‘one careful owner’ comes to mind.

First off, what are the best and easiest ways to ensure your car remains reliable, efficient and roadworthy?

REGULAR CHECKS

Make simple and regular checks. One of the most effective ways of adding to your car’s lifespan is also one of the easiest: routine checks. A list of essential DIY inspections will flag problems before they develop into a more expensive repair bill and could help you to stop complications arising in the first place.

Top up the fluids regularly. This is vital as water, clean oil etc are your car’s lifeblood and failing to replenish them may have dire consequences.

HEED THE WARNINGS

Heed your warning lights immediately. It can be easy to ignore warning lights, especially when there doesn’t appear to be any differ ence in the performance of your car when they illuminate. However, leaving problems unchecked could mean a premature end for your car. Your engine, braking and power steering lights indicate some of the most ur gent faults that could lead to expensive repair bills or worse, an unsafe driving situation.

FUEL

Don’t run low on fuel. When you run low on petrol your fuel pump will draw on air, debris and sediment found in the bottom of the fuel tank in an attempt to power your car. The unwanted materials can clog the system and eventually corrode your pump and filters, po tentially blocking fuel and preventing your car from starting. Owners of diesel cars should be particularly cautious of low fuel levels as the powerful injectors in their engines draw large quantities of air into the system, which can prevent the engine turning over.

WATCH THE ROADS

A difficult one for West Cork but, avoid driv ing over potholes and rough tracks. Potholes wreak havoc on your suspension, tyres and exhaust. The hard edges found on poorlymaintained roads can lead to tyre-sidewall bulges, tread separation and in some cases they can deflate tyres too. When driving over crater-like holes, suspension can become misaligned and shocks damaged. Deeper holes may even scrape catalytic converters leading to holes and a loss of power. Where possible, it’s best to take roads with smoother surfaces to avoid wear and tear.

TYRES

Check your tyres. These are arguably your car’s most important safety feature and it’s no exaggeration to say that checking them regu larly – about once a week – could save your life. Under-inflated tyres will also increase fuel

consumption, so keep them topped up to the recommended pressures listed in your car’s handbook to save money in the long term.

SERVICING

Regular servicing is vital to keep your car in tip-top condition and prolong its life. Service intervals are based on time or miles driven – once a year or every 10,000 miles, for ex ample. You should budget for a ‘minor’ service once a year and a ‘major’ service every two or three years. A minor service includes changing the oil and oil filter, and replacing other fluids if necessary. Depending on the car and mileage, a major service may also cover replacement of the air filter, spark plugs water pump and timing belt.

‘BRAKE’ EVEN

Use your brakes to reduce speed rather than shifting gears down. Engine braking, or shifting gears to reduce your speed, can damage your drivetrain, especially the clutch and transmission. Using your gears to brake when travelling, especially at higher speeds, can shorten the lifespan of your engine. The damage will be even worse if you shift down multiple gears. Your brake pedals are your best friend when preventing damage to your gearbox and should be your first port of call when reducing your speed.

TAKE IT EASY

Drive smoothly. Driving with ‘mechanical sympathy’ is something we should all practise at all times. That means using the controls of your car while understanding how it works. Doing so will reduce component wear and you’ll make your fuel go further. Simple things like using the steering wheel, gearbox and pedals smoothly are key, along with looking well ahead to reduce the need for sudden braking.

WEIGHT

Keep the weight down. Motor manufactur ers are constantly looking at ways to reduce the weight of their vehicles to increase the miles per gallon and to meet the emissions requirements.You can help by simply remov ing unnecessary objects from the car. Start with the door pockets and glovebox, then look under the seats for any stray toys or drink bottles. Moving on to the boot, clear out everything you don’t need. Just remember to leave the toolkit, jack and locking wheel nut key in case of emergencies. Remember lots of small things add up to one big weight in the end.

KEEP IT CLEAN

We all know people who rarely wash their car, but keeping your car clean isn’t about van ity: it can significantly extend your car’s life, too. Grit gets into moving parts and the chas sis, leading to accelerated wear and corrosion. Bird droppings can play havoc with paintwork and automated car washes have stiff brushes that may leave fine scratches – plus they miss bits, too. Whereas a hand wash, or DIY job is usually much more thorough.

Heed warning lights on your dashboard.

Cleaning your car regularly helps maintain it both cosmetically and mechanically.

Regular tyre checks are essential from a safety and performance point of view.