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This short video offers an example of how Audi dealers in Ireland will be presenting their potential customers with augmented reality views of the car they are interested in, writes Brian Byrne . It's also a global first for Audi. Audi Ireland has teamed with Irish Irish experiential technology agency vStream to launch Audi’s first global pilot programme in Ireland. It uses Microsoft HoloLens, the world’s first self-contained, holographic computer, and enables customers to interact with holographic digital content to provide a better customer experience.

The Subaru Outback has been given upgrades both to its external looks and to interior comfort, writes Trish Whelan . The most visible change is to the front where there's a a redesign to the grille, bumper and headlights. A new front camera positioned below the marque's six-star badge, can monitor a 180 deg area in front of the car that would normally be in the driver's blind spot. These images, as well as visible guidelines, are shown on the touchscreen to aide drivers in gauging potential hazards in front of the car and improve overall manoeuvring. Allowing for increased all-round visibility, the 2018 Outback SUV is fitted with an additional side view camera mounted at the base of the passenger door mirror. This displays the area diagonally in front of the passenger side of the car allowing drivers to navigate through narrow spaces with greater ease. The car also gets the Lane Keeping assist technology bringing the model into line with Subaru's full EyeSight s...

In an industry which often gets bad press for pollution, SEAT is shining a light on directions to reduce it at the actual factory stage, writes Brian Byrne . The car company — a subsidiary in the Volkswagen Group — has trimmed its environmental impact by more than a third at its factory outside Barcelona, and is also involved with community and construction activities that are good for the planet. The initiatives include energy-recovery in its chimneys, which has helped reduce gas consumption; the installation of pavements which react with pollutants in the air to form water-soluble nitrates; and the use of the largest array of solar panels in the European automotive industry (top picture). SEAT has also promoted the creation of a botanical garden in Martorell’s Can Casas park, consisting in planting 80 trees of different native species, as well as a space for the protection of the Hyla Meridionalis frog. A pilot programme among its staff on the disposal of waste cooking...

New A-Class Two models at different ends of the brand's model range have been launched in Ireland by Mercedes-Benz, writes Brian Byrne . The new generation A-Class (above) is larger than its predecessor, with a significantly stronger presence evident especially from the front. More room inside for passengers, and a larger luggage space also feature, and the car also comes with the Mercedes-Benz MBUX multimedia and entertainment system. Engine options are 1.4 and 2.0 petrol and a 1.5 diesel, with 6-speed manual and 7-speed automatic options. Prices at launch begin at €31,600, while entry petrol and diesel models prices from around €30,000 will arrive later. The latest generation CLS Coupe is also now on the Irish market with prices starting at €64,805. All are automatic, and are available with all-wheel drive. Both diesel and petrol engines are on the list. It is the third generation of a 5-seat 4-door coupe first introduced in 2003.

Tampering with odometers — known as 'clocking' — occurs in up to 50pc of used cars across the EU, according to MEPs, writes Brian Byrne . And they want it stopped. In a vote scheduled for next Thursday, they will look for EU wide tougher measures to deal with the fraud, to promote road safety and ensure that buyers aren't deceived. The MEPs say that car companies 'should improve technical solutions' to prevent tampering, and it should be recognised across the EU as a criminal offence.

Volvo has had to increase production of its XC40 SUV following greater than anticipated demand, writes Brian Byrne . Production boosts are being undertaken both in Europe and in China, following the receipt of more than 80,000 orders to date for the compact SUV. A new model on the same platform which deputed with the XC40 is also to be produced, as a replacement for the current V40. Launched in late 2017, the XC40 became the first ever Volvo to get the European Car of the Year accolade this past March.

The official opening of the new flagship Jaguar Land Rover showroom in Sandyford took place last evening along with the first Irish viewing of the new all-electric Jaguar I-PACE, writes Trish Whelan . It was a memorable unveiling of both the new space and Jaguar's latest creation. Speaking on behalf of all his colleagues in Spirit Motor Group and Jaguar Land Rover, Declan McCourt (Director, OHM Group) welcomed the large attendance to the newly redeveloped state-of-the art showroom, and especially guest of honour Prof Dr Speth, CEO of Jaguar Land Rover. Prof Speth had flown in from India, and had earlier yesterday visited the Jaguar Land Rover software engineering centre in Shannon which will develop new technologies to support electrification and self-driving features on future Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles. This 1961 E-Type Jaguar, and the Land Rover Defender pictured below, provided a classic background to the state-of-the-art showroom.  The upgraded showroom in Ar...

Renault Ireland is renewing its sponsorship of RTE's Late Late Show for another three years, writes Trish Whelan . This extends the sponsorship to a total of six years. The show ends its current season this evening. According to Patrick Magee, Country Operations Director, Renault Group, the show has been a key contributor to building Renault brand awareness and engagement with Irish audiences and a platform to showcase its renewed model range over the last three years. He is pictured with Ryan Tubridy, Late Late Show presenter.

The European version of the new C5 Aircross SUV has been revealed in Paris, writes Brian Byrne . Already on sale successfully in China, the new car for Europe is targeted to be the most comfortable SUV in its segment. A high degree of personalisation will be available, with a possible 30 exterior colour options, and the interior will feature three individual, sliding, folding and reclining rear seats and best-in-class boot volume of 580-720L. Power options will range through 130hp-180hp, with petrol and diesel engines available. The car will launch in Europe at the end of this year.

Renault Ireland is offering 1.2pc APR finance, €1,200 cashback, and three years' free servicing across its range as a 182 promotion, writes Trish Whelan . The package is backed up by the Five Year Warranty & Roadside Assistance on all Renault cars. The 0.0pc APR finance promotion for electric vehicles is being continued. The Dacia range is being offered with zero deposit and 4.9pc APR HP finance over its refreshed range. And the LCV models from Renault are being offered with 3pc APR HP finance over five years. The offers are for vehicles bought and registered before 31 July.

A penalty points regime for tyre safety introduced two years ago in Ireland has been poorly enforced, according to a major tyre distributor, writes Brian Byrne . An analysis of penalty points statistics undertaken by Continental Tyre Group shows that only 231 motorists in Ireland have been given penalty points for driving on tyres below the 1.6mm legal tread limit. This compares with the company's studies which show that one in six vehicles on Irish roads are being driven with at least one tyre on or below the legal limit. Tom Dennigan of Continental Tyres Ireland says that an average of just 10 motorists per month detected with dangerously low tread depth is, by any standards, 'a woeful level of enforcement' that is 'truly worrying'.

New Ford Fiesta ST. Two variants of the latest Ford Fiesta arriving in Ireland in the next couple of months will expand the choice for the iconic small car nameplate, writes Trish Whelan . The first will be the Fiesta Active, the first of a range of crossover variants of Ford's small and compact family cars range aimed at the rapidly growing trend in SUV-design cars. New Ford Fiesta Active. With a high level of specification and details such as special grille, body protection cladding, a higher ride height, and a 'Slippery' drive setting for safer progress in poor driving conditions, it will come to Ireland in June at a starting price of €21,900. The new-generation Fiesta ST will bring the performance variant of the small car to a higher level, with a brand new 200hp 3-cylinder 1.5 petrol engine offering a 6.5s sprint to 100km/h. A more refined detailing for such hot hatches, plus a significantly more comfortable ride without any compromise in handling, is e...

Honda Ireland has released a catalogue of deals to encourage prospective buyers of new cars for the 182 registration period, writes Trish Whelan . They include a 3.9pc APR finance package across the brand's entire range. There's also a free service plan for diesel models, while all Jazz models will come with complimentary Road Tax. In addition, customers can choose from one of the following options, on CR-V models ... A free leather upgrade or €1,000 in a 'deal booster' or a €4,000 guaranteed trade-in value, or a complimentary Road Tax and Service plan. The offers apply to all cars bought before 30 June and registered by 30 July.

The Irish motor industry could become a centre of excellence in automotive software engineering, according to the new President of the Society of the Irish Motor Industry, Gerard O'Farrell, writes Trish Whelan . At the Society's AGM in Kilashee House Hotel, he said the motor industry is on the cusp of exciting technological advances which will reshape customers transport needs and how they use cars in the future. "This will also change the Industry beyond recognition which means huge opportunities as we transition to a future that will be more focused on IT and new technologies than on current mechanical systems," he said. "These changes will provide huge opportunities, from the development of these new technologies to the creation of new business expertise and job opportunities." He added that the people required for the future will need to 'be at the cutting-edge' to deliver 'hugely exciting changes'. "As an Industry, we need t...