03

Despite only driving his newly acquired Formula 3 Dallara for the first time, Clare driver Sylvie Mullins scored a double in the two fastest races of the weekend at the MEC two day meeting at Mondello Park, writes Richard Burke .  The former Irish Hillclimb champion narrowly beat his Limerick rival Paul O’Connell in both races, with less than a second between them at the finish each time. Lee Newsome and Colm Blackburn had another of their close duels in the first Formula Vee Championship race until mechanical problems forced Dubliner Blackburn to retire, but he got his revenge in race two with a clear win, while Newcome couldn’t repeat his earlier victory, finishing fourth. Brothers Eoin and Niall Murray, both former Young Driver of the Year Award winners, shared a Seat Leon to top place in the Open Endurance Race, finishing 15 seconds clear of runner up Rod McGovern in a similar car after almost an hour’s racing. No fewer than six other drivers also managed to ...

BMW’s new X5 SUV will go on sale in Ireland from this month with prices starting from €94,325 OTR-€121,445, writes Trish Whelan . This is the fourth-generation of the X5.   Combining a strong design with on- and off-road ability, the German car maker claims it has an ‘even greater blend of premium luxury performance and comfort’. Available now to order in Ireland, the new model demonstrates the latest BMW advances in technology, design and safety, and has the highest level of autonomous capability yet seen on a BMW X model. With a wheelbase 42mm longer than its predecessor, an increase in length of 36mm, an extra 66mm of width and a 19mm increase in height, the new X5 has both an imposing appearance and generous levels of space for passengers and their luggage.   xLine and M Sport model variants are offered.   There will be one petrol and two diesel units available from the latest generations of engines. All use a new eight-speed Steptron...

An international panel of automobile experts has named the Honda Urban EV Concept as ‘The Best Concept Car’ in the renowned 2018 Car Design Award honours, presented as part of the Turin Motor Show, writes Trish Whelan . The Car Design Award finalists and winners are selected and judged by a jury comprised of 12 automotive journalists from the world’s most prestigious publications. The Honda Urban EV Concept was named as a finalist in April this year and was subsequently chosen as the overall concept car winner against nine other vehicle designs.   Honda revealed the Urban EV Concept at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show. The concept sets the direction for Honda’s first battery electric for Europe which will be introduced during late 2019. Low and wide proportions present a sporty stance while the styling incorporates slim A-pillars and a wide windscreen that appears to sweep around the entire front end of the cabin. Entry and exit is via rear-hinged coach doo...

  The number of Nissan LEAF models to be registered has now reached 100,000 units, writes Trish Whelan .   Over 37,000 new Nissan LEAF electric cars have been ordered in Europe in less than eight months. Figures show a new LEAF car is sold every 10 minutes across Europe   The milestone buyer of the 100,000th LEAF, Susana de Mena of Madrid, (pictured above collecting her milestone car) said when she saw the new model, ‘there were no doubts in my mind it would be the perfect fit’. “My husband and I agreed that the quality, price and specification made it second-to-none. We knew we’d want to go 100 per cent electric. On top of this, an electric car lets u get to the very centre of Madrid when ordinary vehicles can sometimes be restricted due to pollution issues.” Combining sales of the new LEAF and previous LEAF models, the 100,000 customers across Europe have helped propel the Nissan LEAF to best-selling EV in the world. The new car is the first ...

Peugeot 5008 SUV For the fourth year in a row Peugeot’s Turbo PureTech petrol engine was awarded International Engine of the Year for the 1.0 to 1.4 category at the international Engine of the Year awards, writes Trish Whelan . It powers models across the Peugeot range including the 3008 SUV, Irish Car of the Year 2018, and the new 5008 7-seat SUV. Groupe PSA has filed 210 patents for the ground-breaking engine praised for its excellent performance, fuel consumption and efficiency. The award comes at a time when the brand has seen the popularity of its petrol engines increase in Ireland by 61 per cent, year-to-date. The latest-generation PureTech petrol engine was launched on the new Peugeot 308 in 2017 and delivers a 4 per cent improvement in fuel consumption on average compared with the previous generation; improved engine response time thanks to an optimised turbocharger; a 75 per cent reduction in particulate emissions meeting the Real Driving Emissions ...

Audi RS 3 Saloon Audi continued its winning streak at the International Engine of the Year Awards collecting the prestigious award for the ninth time in a row in the 2.0 - 2.5 category, writes Trish Whelan .   The car’s 400hp engine makes it the most powerful series-production five-cylinder on the global market. The judging panel praised the engine’s impressive torque of 480Nm, available at just 1,700 rpm, as well as the distinctive sound of the turbo unit.   This powerful engine is described as an ‘Icon of the Audi brand’. While at the heart of the Audi TT RS Coupe and RS Roadster, it also powers the Audi RS 3 Saloon and Sportback. This engine allows the TT RS and TT RS Roadster to accelerate from 0-100km/h in 3.7 and 3.9 seconds respectively with the RS 3 saloon and Sportback achieving this in 4.1 seconds. The top speed for all four models is 250km/h as standard, with the option of increasing this to 280 km/h. The International Engine of the...

The Deacon V Hybrid, Ireland’s first hybrid electric hearse has been launched,  writes  Trish Whelan . It is based on the new Ford Mondeo HEV which arrived in Ireland earlier this year.    The hearse was built by Byrne Coach Builders of Dundalk.   Paul O’Sullivan of Ford Ireland said the new Mondeo HEV is the ideal vehicle to serve as a hearse. “With the sleek looks of the latest version of the Mondeo, it is an attractive vehicle and with its dual electric and petrol engine, can be depended upon to provide a quiet and smooth ride in the sensitive context of a funeral.” Peadar Byrne, MD of Byrne Coach Builders said it ‘really helps to bring the traditional funeral hearse into the 21st century as electric and hybrid vehicles become more and more popular’. He said the Deacon V Hybrid is a great new option for the undertakers of Ireland. “More and more people are looking for vehicles that have less of an impact on the environment and for the last ...