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Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is partnering with TaxiWatch in a bid to help save lives, writes Trish Whelan . Founded by Kilkenny taxi driver Derek Devoy, TaxiWatch is a suicide prevention initiative aiming to help save lives. Developed in November 2014, the service came about after Derek saved three people from taking their own lives in Kilkenny City. Since then, over 200 people have been helped through the programme in Kilkenny alone. TaxiWatch receives hundreds of messages from people in crisis looking for help on a weekly basis. Working closely with charities in Ireland including Pieta House, Samaritans Ireland, Teac Tom and others, TaxiWatch signposts people to charities who provide free counselling and listening services. With 1,127 drivers currently signed up to TaxiWatch across Ireland and Northern Ireland, the primary aim for the initiative is to increase members. This involves getting as many tai drivers as possible signed up and trained in the SafeTALK suicide awaren...

“What’s the horsepower?” I ask Georgia Smith as her brother throttles back following a series of maritime ‘doughnuts’ in the end of evening dark off Stokes Hill Wharf, and settles the boat for its more leisurely finish towards tying up after a night out on Darwin Harbour. "Triple 300," she answers, meaning three 300hp engines. It doesn't surprise me. The MV Flatback cruiser had shown a very surprising turn of speed several times over the evening as Georgia and her two brothers — “you got the family crew tonight” — had taken us and the rest of the group on the Sea Darwin ‘Fish and Chips Sunset Cruise’ around the harbour area. The engines had been pushed to full song between points of interest, which certainly upped the experience compared to similar trips we've had elsewhere. Sea Darwin was established by Georgia’s parents, marine scientist Jim Smith and Heather King, after they and their three children had spent a year transiting the West Pacific ocean in a 40-fo...

The third generation Citroen Berlingo light commercial vehicle, dedicated to professionals, is set for launch at the end of this year, writes Trish Whelan . Now called Berlingo Van, it is available to order. This newcomer makes a generational leap in terms of styling and equipment and gains new features for extra comfort and modularity. It marks the renewal of a best-selling LCV.   Designed for all uses, and adapted to all professions, the new model comes in two sizes, M and XL.   Citroen say it is efficient with its large load volume, easy access and numerous cabin configurations including the Extenso Cab or the Crew Cab.   Citroen Berlingo Van is built on a new platform for better handling, more comfort and more security. It comes equipped with 20 driver assistance systems and four connectivity technologies together with latest-generation engines including the new BlueHDi 1.5 diesel, the PureTech 1.2 petrol and the EAT8 automatic gearbox. ...

Potholed roads not only make journeys uncomfortable but harsh impacts with severe potholes can also cause damage to a vehicle’s wheels, tyres and suspension systems resulting in hefty repair bills for car owners,  writes  Trish Whelan . Ford is helping limit the impact of damaged roads for drivers of its new Focus by introducing innovative pothole detection technology. The system senses when a wheel is falling into a pothole and adjusts the suspension so that the wheel doesn’t fall as far into it. Because the tyre and wheel don’t drop as far, they don’t strike the opposite side of the pothole as harshly. The rear suspension can respond even faster than the front with a signal from the front wheel providing a pre-warning to the rear wheel before it reaches the pothole. This all happens in a split second. The new Focus pothole detection system is a feature of the car’s optional Continuously Controlled Damping technology which every 2 milliseconds monito...

With today, Thursday, set to be the hottest day on record this year, Skoda Ireland are highlighting the dangers of leaving dogs in hot cars during the warm weather, writes Trish Whelan . The initiative is part of ongoing dog welfare efforts from the Skoda brand which urges car owners to consider the dangers of leaving pets in cars during this heat wave. Their campaign reveals that even a few minutes in a hot car can prove fatal to a dog. The inside of a car can reach 47deg C in just one hour on a 22deg day, while at 26deg C outside, it can reach 37deg inside a car in the space of just 10 minutes. They are advising dog owners: *Never leave your dog in a car in warm weather, even if it feels cool outside * Don’t excessively walk or over-exercise your dog * Avoid walking your dog at the hottest time of the day - often morning or later in the evenings can be cooler * Always take plenty of water with you when out with your dog * Dogs can get sun burned especiall...

Tesla has passed the 400 mark in its installation of Supercharger locations in Europe, writes Brian Byrne . This represents some 3,200 actual charging units in the network, placed on major roads on all well-travelled routes across Europe. The average charge time for Teslas on long distance journeys in Europe is 30 minutes adding up to 270km of range. Tesla has added capacity to existing locations along major routes, as well as adding density to the network with new sites.

Fiat Ireland are offering customers welcome bonuses of up to €6,000 or 0 per cent APR finance on selected models until 31 July 2018, writes Trish Whelan . Whether you are a new or returning customer, Fiat can offer you cash savings of up to €6,000 through their new Welcome Bonuses. These are available by model and include: up to €1,750 on the Fiat 500 and 500L models; €1,250 for the Fiat Panda; €1,400 on the Punto; up to   €4,000 on the 500X and €6,000 on the 124 Spider. Customers opting for a Fiat Tipo model can benefit of a diesel:petrol price match offer (with a saving of €1,750 over previous diesel pricing) plus welcome bonuses of up to   €2,500 across the Tip family (hatchback, station wagon or saloon). Alternatively, customers can select a low rate finance of 9 per cent APR (Personal Contract Plan or Hire Purchase) across selected Fiat 500, 500X and 124 Spider models. Paul Hunt, Managing Director FCA Ireland says “Simplicity and transparency a...

Subaru Ireland has congratulated Dublin GAA following the crowning of their Senior Footballers as Leinster Champions for the eight-successive year, writes Trish Whelan . As vehicle sponsor to Dublin GAA, Subaru provides vehicles to some of the players and management of the Dublin senior football and hurling teams. The Dublin players enjoy driving the ‘go anywhere’ life-style Subaru AWD vehicle range which includes Impreza, XV Crossover, Forester and Outback. The football and hurling teams, including the Dublin Ladies, are benefiting from a Subaru Forester van to oversee the transportation of team kits around the country for the All Ireland Championships and National League games. Dublin Footballers & Hurlers are pictured above with the new Subaru XV Crossover and Impreza. Below: Kevin McManamon tests out the all new Subaru XV Crossover off-road.  

Easytrip, Ireland’s only electronic parking and tolling tag provider, is reminding motorists to update their easytrip account details when buying or selling a vehicle during the 182 registration period to avoid incurring toll bills and penalty notices from motorway operators. “There’s a lot to sort out when buying a new car including sourcing of finance, insurance, and motor tax and sometimes we can forget about the smaller motoring essentials. We’d like to remind our customers to update their easytrip account details if they are buying or selling a vehicle this 182 registration period. Removing your tag from your old car and updating your account details as soon as possible, once change of ownership is processed, will ensure that you avoid incurring any unexpected charges”, says Colin Delaney, CEO of easytrip. Potential situations that can lead to motorists paying unnecessary toll charges may include: Buying a new car; if you’ve bought a new car and transferred...

Two businesses side by side, standout in their ramshackle single stories dwarfed by new high rise blocks on the Darwin skyline, writes Brian Byrne . The dirt car parks on either side wait for somebody to build on them, and presumably also on the businesses. The barber is happy to talk to a stranger with a funny accent. "It's still frontier up here," David Heinz says as he finishes with his current client. He's just offered me a beer and is surprised at an Irishman turning down alcohol at eleven in the morning. "Trouble is, people don't stay." That's part of why, he says, the local economy is only operating at 60 percent of its potential. On average, people who come to Darwin only stay four and a half years. "The next group stays for around twelve. Then you have the old Darwiners, but they mostly live outside." The city is capital of Australia's Northern Territory. The Territory has a Parliament (above), and a Supreme Court and...

Technology first developed for fighter jets is helping to improve the driving experience for the new Focus that offers Ford’s first Head-up display for Europe, writes Trish Whelan . The display will make it easier for drivers to keep their eyes on the road as they monitor information including speed, navigation and road signs on a display that is projected to overlay the view ahead. For some existing systems there can be a drawback - for those drivers wearing polarised sunglasses which counteract glare, the display can be rendered almost invisible. Ford’s Head-up display also emts the kind of light that polarised sunglasses are designed to eliminate from view. But a carefully tuned filter ‘bounces back’ polarised light to the driver and effectively solves the problem. Wearing polarised glasses can make a massive difference to visibility for drivers affected by glare, such as when stretches of water, snow or even tarmac reflect sunlight. The Head-up display we ar...

If you have a bike, are single and fancy some speedy dating, this is for you, writes Trish Whelan . Skoda is hosting their first speed dating cycling event on Saturday 30 June from 8.30am in Avon Ri Hotel, Blessington, Co Wicklow. From those who cycle for fun, to the hard-core committed - you’re sure to find someone that rings your bell! Hosted by Skoda ambassador, Muireann O’Connell, the event is the first of its kind in Ireland and gives single cyclists the chance to kick their dating efforts up a gear. The 60km cycle around Blessington Lake gives single cyclists the chance to meet likeminded men and women with shared interests. There will be two lines of cyclists, males on one side and females on the other. The (bicycle) bell will ring every 3 to 4 minutes, at which point the front cyclist on the right hand side will drop to the back, and all other cyclists move up a place. To register for the event, visit http://www.skoda.ie/speeddating .   The cost...

Mark Howard of Q-Park and Michael Gaynor of Toyota Toyota has teamed up with Q-Park to allow all drivers of self-charging hybrids to take advantage of priority parking in four Q-Parks around the country, writes Trish Whelan . Drivers don’t even need to drive a Toyota as long as it is a self-charging hybrid car. Toyota’s hybrid only parking bays are currently located in these Q-Park locations: St Stephen’s Green, Dublin; Clery’s, Dublin; Grand Parade in Cork; and Harvey’s Quay in Limerick. In addition to these reserved parking spaces, hybrid driving Q-Park customers can already save 25 per cent on the standard annual Q-Park Premium Card by availing of the Unlimited Hybrid Premium Card.

Citroen say there has never been a better time to upgrade or add to your current commercial vehicle fleet with its LCV   range and 182 offers, writes Trish Whelan . Scrappage of up to €3,000* is available and a 3.9 per cent APR Finance* offer. Inspired by customers and their business needs, Citroen say their LCV range has something to suit all companies, no matter what their size or requirements. The multi-award-winning Berlingo is available from €45 per week, while the Dispatch (Continental Irish Van of the Year 2017) is available from €60 per week. The Relay is available from €65 per week. (* Terms and conditions apply).

Volvo Cars has today inaugurated its first US manufacturing plant, in Charleston, South Carolina, establishing the company as a truly global car manufacturer with plants in all three major sales regions, writes Trish Whelan. It follows the company’s global manufacturing strategy, ‘Build where you sell’. The facility complements its two manufacturing plants and an engine plant in Europe, three car factories and an engine plant in China, and assembly plants in India and Malaysia. The Charleston plant starts production of the new Volvo S60 premium mid-size sports saloon in this autumn. From 2021, it will also build the next generation of the XC90 large premium SUV. Cars built at the plant are destined both for the home US market and international export. Volvo Cars is investing around USD 1.1 billion in its US manufacturing operations and will create around 4,000 new jobs at the Charleston site over the coming years. Approximately 1,5000 staff will be employed ...

Photo: Ruaidhri Nash For the third year in succession, local crew Manus Kelly and Donall Barrett in a Subaru Impreza took top place in the Joule Donegal International Rally, but in a completely different way from their first two triumphs, writes Richard Burke .  In each of the previous years, they only took the lead on the final stages of the three day rally, but this time, they set the pace on Friday’s opening stage, and apart from slipping to fifth position on the following test, they led for seventeen of the twenty stages, winning by 42 seconds despite easing off for yesterday’s two loops in order not to take any risks. Josh Moffett and Andy Hayes held runner up spot setting out yesterday morning in the first of a group of Ford Fiesta R5s, but Josh’s elder brother Sam, a former winner of the rally, was on a charge, and took over second place halfway through the day, opening out a 22 second margin by the finish.  Two recent winners of the Billy Coleman Award for Yo...

The new BMW 8 Series large coupe will launch in November at a starting price of €125,725 OTR, writes Brian Byrne . The car will be available with a six-cylinder diesel engine developing 320hp and a V8 petrol with 530hp. The new car will have adaptive suspension as standard, and both feature all wheel drive. Onboard technologies include BMW's new 7" display-and-control system, access by smartphone, and a full range of driver assist facilities.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car has moved its Naas office to a larger, higher profile premises on the Kilcullen Road, beside the Garda station, writes Trish Whelan . The new office, officially opened today by North Kildare Fine Gael TD, Bernard Durkan, provides employment for a team of eight including three new employees who have been recruited for an anticipated increase in demand. The new branch continues Enterprise Rent-A-Car’s presence in Naas since the original office was opened over a decade ago. Bernard Durkan TD commented: “I was delighted to be asked to cut the ribbon on this new Enterprise Rent-A-Car branch in Naas. It really is an ideal location for the company and a great boost to the economic life of the town. I wish them great success with the new branch.” Operating in Ireland since 1997, Enterprise is an award-winning car rental company that is known for its extensive network of locations, unique free ‘pick up’ service for customers, everyday low rates and ...

Fergus Conheady with the new Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van The latest range of Mercedes-Benz Sprinter panel vans is now on sale priced from €21,950 ex VAT. This new generation Sprinter is 100 per cent new from tip to tail and is regarded as a conquest vehicle for the brand.   It is launched with a new design as well as passenger car levels of comfort and safety, a generous load volume and carrying capacity, the addition of front wheel drive, and a new infotainment and connectivity system which will result in better fleet management, lower operating costs and maximum cost effectiveness.   The company say this is ‘an all rounder for any business sector’. The diverse market includes couriers, express deliveries and parcel services operators, those who use their van as a mobile parts store and workshop; food delivery sector, constructions operatives and trades people, shuttle service, minibus and passenger transport providers. Specialist users like ambulan...

The first pictures of the new generation Peugeot 508 SW estate preview a car that will get its public debut at the Paris Motor Show in the autumn, writes Brian Byrne . The car will be available in Ireland from early 2019. Power options will include 1.6 petrol with 180hp/225hp versions, and 1.5 and 2.0 diesels ranging 130hp-180hp. Among the technologies to be available on the car will be an infra-red camera to detect people and animals at night beyond the range of the lights.

Porsche's first all-electric car is to be called the Taycan, writes Brian Byrne . Targeting the Tesla Model S, Jaguar's I-Pace, and the Audi e-tron, the car is expected to be unveiled later this year, and be on sale next year. The dual electric motor will have the equivalent of 600hp on tap, and is expected to have a real-world range in excess of 320km. The new sport sedan has been concepted as the Mission E.

More than 770,000 Mercedes-Benz vehicles are under a recall order in Europe following the discovery of illegal emissions control devices on a small number of cars, writes Brian Byrne . The models affected include versions of the Vito van, the C-Class and the GLC SUV. It is understood that parent company Daimler does not face any fines over the issue, as there is no evidence of intent by the company to design software to cheat emissions rules.

The new generation Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van has arrived on the Irish market at a starting price of €21,950 plus taxes and charges. In addition to offering high levels of technical advances, the new version of the van offers a FWD variant for the first time. A new 3-year warranty is now standard across the Mercedes-Benz vans range. One innovative feature is a new networked, online connectivity system that gives operators comprehensive fleet control. Incorporating Mercedes PRO Connect and the company's new MBUX multimedia system, the system's functions monitored include vehicle operation and supervision, fleet communication, maintenance management and a digital driver's logbook. There are 2.1 and 3.0 engines with power outputs ranging from 114hp-190hp.

A Skoda Kodiaq RS has set a new record for 7-seater SUVs on the Nurburgring Nordschleife (North Loop), writes Brian Byrne . The vehicle completed the 20.8km circuit in 9:29.84 minutes. The car was driven by Sabine Schmitz, the first woman to win the 24-hour race at Nurburgring, who has completed in excess of 30,000 laps of the Nordschleife. Irish pricing for the Kodiaq RS will be revealed towards the end of the year.

James Wilson in action on the Cavan Stages Rally (Pic by Adam Hall). What an exciting year in rallying it is for twenty-three year old James Wilson from Keady, as now the family team prepare the left hand drive Philip White Tyres backed Peugeot 208 R2 for the Ypres Rally in Belgium, the second round of the British Rally Championship (BRC), writes Andrew Bushe . The event based around the famous town of Ieper, so poignant from the World War 1 battles, will witness some of the best rally stars in the world battling from the 21 - 23 June. James Wilson The famous Belgian tarmac closed roads await James for the first time and he’s heard a lot about them. “Some of my main rivals have competed on the rally before and it’s a reputation for being tricky. The weather will be hot but we could be on softer compound tyres than normal due to the smooth roads and the big cuts that are taken. It’s a big experience for us and we have to treat it as part of our learning curve t...

The Volkswagen Snapshot Competition, powered by The Snapys, is back for its second year, writes Trish Whelan . The Instagram based contest encourages photography enthusiasts to discover their creativity and upload photos to Instagram using the #VWSnapshot hashtag along with their chosen category hashtags. The categories for this year’s competition are ‘Design’, ‘Light’, ‘Roadtrip’, Technology’ and ‘Volkswagen’. For a full list of details and categories, visit VWsnapshot.ie or see Volkswagen Ireland’s page on Instagram.   Prizes include a trip to Barcelona, an escape to Bubblehouse, Finn Lough, drones and premium photography lighting equipment. Twelve entrants will feature in the 2019 Volkswagen Snapshot calendar, the sales proceeds of which will be donated to Volkswagen Ireland’s 2018 charity partner Focus Ireland. Earlier this year, €3,000 was raised for Pieta House through sales of the 2018 Snapshot calendar. Mark McGrath, Head of Marketing Volkswa...

Subaru Ireland have appointed PG Duffy & Sons, Naas Road, Newbridge, Co Kildare as Subaru main dealers for Kildare, writes Trish Whelan . With over 60 years trading experience, PG Duffy & Sons are well established in the motor industry in Kildare. At the signing of the dealership contract agreement, Pat Duffy, Dealer Principal said: "Our teams are highly committed to providing a quality customer service and sales experience, and we are excited now to be able to extend this to Subaru customers, new and loyal. A happy and satisfied customer is our priority. We also look forward to working together with the Subaru team over the coming years." Sean Dunne, Financial Controller, Subaru Ireland welcomed PG Duffy & Sons on board and said he is looking forward to working with Pat, Gerard and all the team in the years ahead. This latest signing brings to 12 the number of Subaru authorised dealerships nationwide. Sean Dunne of Subaru Ireland; and Pat Duffy, Deale...