With the Range Rover Evoque Land Rover has a very significant presence in the compact premium market to compete with the BMW X1 and Audi Q3. The striking Evoque is designed to offer sporty looks with the go-anywhere off-road ability that’s a given with everything out of the Land Rover stable.

Built in Merseyside  the Evoque has an overall length of 4355mm, making it the shortest Range Rover in its 42 year history. However the Evoque is  more than just the smallest, lightest and most fuel efficient vehicle from this manufacturer.

Style led, with a very bold on-road presence, and  prices from Euro 40K it comes as no great surprise to learn that the company has a huge book of orders and will be sold in 160 countries. With a choice of three engines, two body styles, three design themes and a wide range of options , Land Rover says that 90 per cent of Evoque buyers will be new to the brand and younger, more urban and a lot more female than its traditional customers

DESIGN

The Evoque  is based on the Land Rover Freelander underpinnings but lowered and widened, while the Range Rover family hallmarks are all there in the styling. Meanwhile, on the inside there is switchgear also found on the JaguarXF or Land Rover Freelander, which is all nicely finished and logically laid out. Rear space is average for the class, with plenty of headroom.

The two body styles are a Coupé and 5-door. The Coupé provides two individual rear seats, with the option of three-seat bench if preferred. The Evoque 5-door extends the appeal of the model even further by offering greater practicality and family appeal. The roofline stands 30mm higher than the Coupé, which delivers extra head and shoulder room for rear seat passengers.

On the  powertrain front there is a choice of  both petrol or diesel, six-speed manual or automatic transmissions, and, for the first time in a Range Rover, the option of 2WD (front wheel drive) as well as 4WD.

The engine, transmission, drive and design theme combinations available are as follows:

• TD4 diesel 150hp 6-speed manual 4WD (Pure, Prestige)
• SD4 diesel 190hp 6-speed manual 4WD (Pure, Prestige, Dynamic)
• SD4 diesel 190bhp 6-speed automatic 4WD (Pure, Prestige, Dynamic)
• Si4 petrol 240hp 6-speed automatic 4WD.

In place of the conventional equipment grade hierarchy, three defining design themes have been developed for the Evoque: Pure, with a contemporary feel; Prestige, which majors on luxury and Dynamic, which embraces a bold and sporting character. My test car was the TD4 Pure 4X4 5 door which is the entry four wheel drive model and it comes with a price tag of E40,975 for the 6 speed manual. For the entry model of a premium brand the level of spec is impressive: you get half leather, Climate Control, Cruise Control and 17” alloy wheels all thrown-in and also Bluetooth as standard.

To get to the Dynamic grade one must pay around €9,000 more and while you are leaping a significant wedge in terms of pricing you do get a  19” wheels, Xenon and LED lights, a 380 Watt Meridian Sound System, steering wheel mounted controls, 8” high resolution screen and leather upholstery. The car is now  €50,295 for the 5-door and it is only a very small price walk from here into the top spec Prestige model, which include diamond turned 19” alloys, Windsor leather and a few other styling differences.

ON THE ROAD.

The 2.2 litre engine develops 148bhp and 295 lb/ft which enables the Evoque to attain a top speed of 115mph. The sprint from 0 to 100km takes 10.3 seconds and the average fuel consumption is quoted at 5.68L/100km (49.6 mpg). Emissions are 149 gm/km which puts it into band C and E330 annual road tax.

The chassis has been carefully wrought to make the most of its Freelander-derived independent suspension. The swaying induced by a tall ride height is assuaged by savings in top weight with an aluminium bonnet, roof and suspension components. Weighing in at 1.64 tons (plus 62lb for the optional panoramic glass roof), the Evoque is 220lb less than the Freelander, which also helps to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

It also feels different to drive, similar to a car in response but with an off-roader’s driving position. At medium-fast speeds it rides firmly, but is supple and positive over bumps. There’s enough suspension travel to shrug off most potholes and sleeping policemen. Driven hard, the Evoque is fun, safe and more rewarding than anything in its class, or on the Land Rover price list.

FOR THE VET

With decent ground clearance and four wheel drive the Evoque has enough off roading ability to suit all veterinary requirements, even if it can’t match the big Range Rover’s ability to go anywhere. It may be the ‘baby’range Rover, but there’s still plenty of space inside the Evoque. Unlike the other Range Rovers the rear door in the Evoque is conventional hatch. The boot has a fine capacity of 550 litres and with its rear seats folded flat, the it can accommodate 1350 litres- roughly the same size as a VW Golf Estate’s. Thus there is enough space for the paraphernalia of most vets, although country vets should remember there is no spare wheel supplied.

The Evoque offers brand prestige, luxury and hi-tech kit for a relatively affordable price. Lower-spec models prove the perfect entry-point into Range Rover ownership, while even the top-of-the-line variants cost considerably less than anything else the marque has to offer.

The Evoque 2WD has just arrived in Ireland with a retail price of €39,900 with annual road tax of €225.

The  new Honda Civic  has been rated one of Europe‘s safest cars, according to new independent crash testing results from Euro NCAP. In addtion, Euro NCAP have announced that they are extending Honda’s Advanced NCAP reward for its Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) technology to include the new Civic.

The new Honda Civic has been awarded Euro NCAP’s maximum 5-star rating. The rating scheme focuses on the vehicle’s overall safety performance which gives consumers an easy to understand single score. The system considers occupant protection, child protection, pedestrian protection and the availability of driver aids. Since the introduction of Euro NCAP‘s  new rating scheme all Honda models tested have achieved 5 stars.

Michiel van Ratingen, Euro NCAP Secretary General, commented “The 9th generation Civic impressed and achieved high scores in all areas of assessment, putting it on a par with its rivals in this competitive market segment. The car scored well in Safety Assist and is also fitted as an option with Honda’s Collision Mitigation Brake System (CMBS).”

Euro NCAP also announced today that they are extending Honda’s Advanced NCAP reward for its CMBS technology to include the new Civic. The reward recognises Honda‘s CMBS technology as amongst the best available safety innovations, offering research proven benefits. Euro NCAP Advanced is an initiative developed in response to the rapid development of new safety technologies, for which there is no independent assessment.

Honda has been recognised for its Collision Mitigation Brake System (CMBS), a radar-based autonomous emergency braking system. CMBS is designed to help prevent collisions with vehicles which are stationary or travelling in the same direction. The system is aimed at alerting the driver to an imminent collision both at low speeds, typical of urban driving, and at higher speeds typical of rural roads and motorways. By studying accident statistics in Germany and extending the figures to the broader European community, Honda estimates that, if all cars were fitted with CMBS, between 200,000 and 250,000 accidents could be either prevented or mitigated every year.

The new Civic’s top safety rating and Advanced NCAP reward reflect Honda’s commitment to overall vehicle safety. Honda’s car-to-car crash test facility at the Tochigi R&D centre analyses impacts between models of different sizes and weights and develops solutions to mitigate injuries for both passengers and pedestrians. The omni-directional vehicle-to-vehicle crash test facility opened in 2001 and is the world’s first indoor facility of its type.

Mitsubishi Motors has launched the new model L200 Double Cab pick up truck in Ireland. The latest model has 178 BHP and 400 Nm of torque, with a longer bed and greater load capacity. The standard equipment includes factory Bluetooth, cruise control, rear privacy glass, curtain and side airbags, automatic air conditioning and traction control.

A key feature of the new L200 is the extension of the rear bed by 18cm in overall length, with no reduction in passenger cabin space. The cargo area is also higher and squarer at the rear, increasing carrying volume – it now has a 2,700kg towing capacity.

The new L200 also benefits from a more powerful engine with 178 BHP, making it the most powerful vehicle in the pick-up segment.

Prices for the new L200 start at €32,742, including VAT and VRT.

ENGINE

At the heart of the L200’s strength lies Mitsubishi’s 4-cylinder 2.5 litre common rail intercooled, turbocharged diesel engine giving 31% more brake horsepower and 27% more torque than the outgoing model. The 2477cc unit delivers improved all-round performance with a top speed of 179kph, increased power to 178bhp and improved torque from 314Nm to 400Nm. Overall the revised engine is cleaner, more powerful and more economical while also achieving Euro 5 emission levels.

ECONOMY:

The L200’s emissions have been lowered by 11% to 204g/km, while fuel economy has been improved by 12%, which helps return a positively frugal fuel consumption figure of 7.7L/100km or 36.7 MPG.

PULLING POWER:

The L200 is built to work. It has a rear bed measuring 1,505mm in length, a towing capacity of 2,700kg and a payload of up to 1,045kg.

SAFETY:

The L200 is one of the safest vehicles on the roads, a position achieved through a comprehensive range of features, which are standard on all models. This includes: ABS with EBD, electronic traction and stability control with brake assist, Super Select 4 wheel drive system and driver, passenger, curtain and side airbags.

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:

The new L200 comes with the option of a new electronically controlled 5-speed automatic transmission with Sports mode.

4 WHEEL DRIVE:

All models in the new range come equipped with Mitsubishi’s Super Select 4WD system. A significant advance over part-time systems, super select offers the benefits of 2WD, full-time 4WD and locked 4WD all in one package. This system has massive benefits for the driver as it allows the vehicle to be driven in 2WD on normal roads and is especially useful in terms of safety and traction when towing or driving in bad weather conditions.

EQUIPMENT:

The new Mitsubishi L200 has a very high level of standard equipment, which includes:

Comfort & Convenience:

• ·         Cruise control;
• ·         Bluetooth handsfree system;
• ·         Automatic air conditioning;
• ·         Electric, heated, folding door mirrors;
• ·         Remote central locking with keyless entry;
• ·         Leather steering wheel and gear stick;
• ·         Remote audio controls in the steering wheel.

Exterior Styling:

• ·         17” alloy wheels;
• ·         Front fog lights;
• ·         Privacy glass;
• ·         Side steps;
• ·         Rear step.

MODEL LINE-UP & PRICING

The L200 Double Cab is available as both a manual and automatic.

2.5L Double Cab Manual                        €32,742

2.5L Double Cab Automatic                    €35,573

SALES:

Commenting on the launch of the new L200, Robert Guy, General Manager for Mitsubishi Motors Ireland said: “The L200 is the vehicle that defined the pick-up segment. It has a very loyal following from users who value its rugged capabilities and flexibility. They include the Irish Coast Guard, South Tipperary Fire Services and Glen of Imaal Mountain Rescue. The new L200 has taken everything that is great about the L200 and improved on it, most significantly with the new 178BHP Euro 5 engine. So we’re confident that the new L200 will remain one of the most popular vehicles in its class.”

SERVICING & WARRANTY:

In answering the call for low cost ownership Mitsubishi Motors Ireland is offering up to five years warranty. While the L200 comes with a 3 year / 100,000km warranty as standard, the option of two additional years is now available in Dealerships. The L200 also comes with three years home and roadside assistance.

Peugeot Supports Ride Out for Prems

Peugeot has announced its support for Irish Premature Babies’ Ride Out for Prems 2012, a charity event taking place this April to raise much needed funds for baby intensive care units across Ireland. Over a four day period, a group of motorcyclists, led by a convoy of Peugeot cars and a van will travel around Ireland delivering equipment, bought through ongoing fundraising by Irish Premature Babies, to hospitals in Louth, Cavan, Donegal, Sligo, Galway, Kerry, Limerick, Laois and Dublin.

The annual event will take place from 26th to 29th April and members of the public are being invited to take part and see firsthand what a difference their fundraising efforts will make. With over 30 bikers already signed up to this year’s event, including members of the Garda Siochana and parents of premature babies, participants must raise €1,000 for the charity to become involved.

Emma Toner, Peugeot Communications Manager said, “Irish Premature Babies is a fantastic charity that offers a huge support network to parents with premature babies. Peugeot is delighted to be of assistance to the Ride Out for Prems 2012 event and has offered the use of four Peugeot cars and a Boxer Van to the cause.”

Every year in Ireland, 4,500 babies are born prematurely and tragically up to 500 precious babies die each year as a result of their early arrival. Baby intensive care units across the country desperately need funds to buy incubators, heart monitors, ventilation, cpap equipment and apnea monitors. To find out how to sponsor or join the Ride Out for Prems Challenge, log onto

www.irishprematurebabies.com and register on the events page or alternatively, email irishprematurebabies@gmail.com. Pictured from left to right are: Mark Hayes, Peugeot Marketing Manager, Emma Toner, Peugeot Communications Manager, Ride Out for Prems Riders, Sean Hannon, Derek Smith, Arthur Armstrong and Peter Mulcahy and Sean Brennan, Road Captain for Prem Warriors

-Ends-

A new Peugeot 107 will be introduced in Ireland this month, featuring a stylish new face, an upgraded interior and enhanced equipment. The super-mini also boasts improved economy and lower CO2 emissions, returning combined consumption of 4.3 litres / 100km (66mpg) and emitting just 99g / CO2 for the 1.0 litre petrol 5-speed manual version. The new Peugeot 107 will retail in Ireland from €12,045 plus dealer delivery related charges.

The new 107 adopts the new Peugeot face and features a deeper and lower front panel with a housing for the front fog lights, LED daytime running lights and a redesigned front bumper with a new honeycomb radiator grille.

A new interior colour scheme and new seat upholstery improve the perceived quality of the passenger compartment and give it a touch of refinement.

The 107’s excellent packaging belies a compact wheelbase that remains unchanged. At just 3.43m long and 1.86m wide, the cabin provides plenty of space to transport four people in comfort. The boot offers 139 litres of space.

There will be one 5-door Active model on offer in Ireland, with a choice of a 1.0 litre petrol 5-speed manual or a 1.0 litre 2-Tronic gearbox (104g/CO2). Front fogs, four speakers and very low resistance tyres will now come as standard on the Active model and the 2-tronic model will be fitted with a leather steering wheel and leather gearknob.

The Peugeot 107 range in Ireland also offers even better value than ever with Peugeot’s four year warranty and four year roadside recovery offer up to the end of March 2012. Finance is available from 4% APR.

Over 650,000 Peugeot 107s have been produced since 2005 in Europe. The 107’s stylish appeal, along with its accomplished economical three-cylinder petrol engine, has helped Peugeot take a lead in low-CO2 urban motoring in Europe, and this is now strengthened further with emissions of just 99 g/km of CO2.

Mazda Motor Corporation will unveil for the first time its Mazda TAKERI concept, a next-generation mid-sized sedan featuring Mazda’s unique i-ELOOP regenerative braking technology, at the 2012 Geneva International Motor Show. It will be joined on-stage by the Mazda CX-5, a new compact crossover SUV equipped with the full range of Mazda’s breakthrough SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY[*], the MX-5 Special Edition Spring 2012, designed exclusively for the European market, and an array of new technologies and production models.

The newest adaptation of Mazda’s new “KODO – Soul of Motion” design theme, the TAKERI concept brings a new level of strength and allure to sedan styling. The TAKERI offers a taste of the future direction of Mazda’s next-generation CD sedan, having inherited the vision of the Mazda SHINARI, an exciting four-door sports coupe concept showcased last year in Geneva. Under this captivating exterior, the TAKERI features Mazda’s highly-efficient new SKYACTIV-D diesel engine with i-stop idle-stop system and six-speed SKYACTIV-Drive automatic transmission.

The TAKERI aims for the ultimate in energy efficiency without compromising on Mazda’s characteristic Zoom-Zoom performance. In fact, it’s the first car to be equipped with i-ELOOP. Short for “Intelligent Energy Loop”, the company’s first regenerative braking system uses a unique solution that converts kinetic energy to electricity during deceleration and stores it in an electric double layer capacitor. The power is used to run the vehicle’s electric components, thereby reducing the engine load and increasing fuel economy by up to 10%. This contributes to the Mazda TAKERI’s outstanding fuel economy, which is achieved at no sacrifice to performance or comfort.

The all-new CX-5 is the first production model incorporating Mazda’s new “KODO – Soul of Motion” design theme, and also the first built with the full SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY range of engines, transmissions, body and chassis. The CX-5 thus delivers outstanding performance and responsive yet predictable handling as well as a high-quality ride and exceptional safety. Class-leading fuel economy and CO₂ emissions come courtesy of the CX-5’s extraordinarily lightweight and aerodynamic design together with the remarkably frugal SKYACTIV engines (all featuring i-stop) and fuel-saving SKYACTIV transmissions.

The new MX-5 Special Edition Spring 2012 has been given an extra touch of class with a host of premium features, including chrome headlamp inserts, grille surrounds and fog lamp bezels on the outside, and “Havana Brown” premium leather upholstery on the inside. Available only in Europe, the latest version of Mazda’s legendary roadster comes with soft top or retractable hardtop[†] and a choice of four body colours: Radiant Ebony – exclusively for this model – along with Crystal White Pearl, Metropolitan Grey and Brilliant Black. In addition to extended audio connectivity, the Special Edition Spring 2012 will be the first MX-5 with an integrated navigation system.

Mazda’s display at the 82^nd Geneva International Motor Show will also showcase the company’s brand-new SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY as well as all current models. Press days are 6-7 March, and the show is open to the public from 8-18 March.

Main Exhibits at the 2012 Geneva International Motor Show

# # #

Launched in 1959, the Floride was a car with instant appeal. Its attractive body colours and pure, flowing lines, designed by Italy’s Ghia and Frua, gave it a cool, sophisticated look. It was driven by a number of stars of the day.

Originally presented as the ”Dauphine GT” at the Geneva Motor Show in 1958, the Floride took on its definitive form on the Renault stand in Paris in October of the same year. It was a car that truly embodied this seductive and carefree era. 

 The Floride also had a “fairy godmother” in film star Brigitte Bardot.

“The wind in your hair, the sun on your face and a bright smile when you head for the sunshine and open air… Get away from it all with a young, sparkling, sophisticated car…” The lighthearted tone of this advert underlined the carefree mood of the 1960s, the heyday of the Floride.

When Bardot got behind the wheel of the Renault Floride another icon was born!

The now legendary ivory convertible with red leather interior became known for its powers of seduction, classiness, film star glamour and downright sexiness.

Roll on 2012 – Renault introduces the Megane Coupe Cabriolet Floride….

This limited edition hard top has refined glamour; its sensual lines incorporating the original colors -  ivory and fiery red. Floride also dons the famous “Floride” badge, the retro graphics and ivory 17” alloy wheels.

Fifty years on, the spirit of the legendary Floride returns.

Inside, the elegant red leather studded ivory reminds us of the allure and sophistication of the Bardot days.

The Floride badge on the dashboard and the famous “f” which, like a gem, adorns the floor mats and gear knob, completes this unique and intriguing motor.

The Renault Megane Coupe Cabriolet Floride is a limited edition and can be ordered from your local Renault Dealer. Price on request.

 Specifications of the 2012 model include….

©      Limited edition model with numbered plaque

©      Exclusive ivory metallic paint

©      Red/Ivory leather steering wheel

©      Red/Ivory leather seats

©      17″ “ivory diamond” alloy wheels

©      Arkamys radio with Bluetooth, CD and MP3

©      Rear parking sensors

©      Automatic windscreen wipers and headlights

©      Hands Free Renault Card

©      110 BHP with 6 speed gear box

www.renault.ie

•  Euro NCAP, the independent car safety organization, named the Ford Focus Europe’s “Best in Class” small family car

 ·         The organization cited the Focus’ five-star Euro NCAP rating and four Euro NCAP Advanced rewards for safety features, a record for a mass market car  

• ·         New Ford Ranger, the safest pickup Euro NCAP has ever tested, earned special praise highlighting its achievement as the only pickup to achieve a maximum five-star rating

 Euro NCAP, Europe’s leading authority on auto safety, has named the Ford Focus the “Best in Class” small family car in recognition of the vehicle’s crash test rating and advanced safety technology.

The Focus scooped one of only five best in class awards accolades on the strength of its maximum five-star Euro NCAP rating as well as four Euro NCAP Advanced rewards last year, an achievement which is unmatched by any other high-volume car.

Euro NCAP also made special mention of the new Ford Ranger after it became the safest pickup yet tested by the organisation, achieving the only five-star Euro NCAP rating ever awarded to a pickup. The Ranger scored highly in all areas of assessment, receiving particular credit for pedestrian protection.

“This award has special meaning because designing and building the safest vehicles possible is a core value at Ford,” said Stephen Odell, chairman and CEO, Ford of Europe. “The Focus exemplifies our approach to design cars that both help drivers avoid accidents and protect them when one is inevitable.”

The Focus five-star rating was achieved through an adult occupant score of 92 percent, child occupant rating of 82 percent, pedestrian score of 72 percent and safety assist rating of 71 percent.

The Focus received Euro NCAP Advanced rewards for these four technologies:

• ·       Driver Alert, designed to detect driver fatigue
• ·       Forward Alert, which uses radar technology to scan the road ahead and alerts the driver if a collision is likely,
• ·       Active City Stop, which helps to avoid or mitigate accidents at low speeds, and
• ·       Lane Keeping Aid technologies, which warn drivers and assists drivers who unintentionally stray from their lane.

The chic new Subaru XV is now in Subaru Dealer showrooms throughout the country.  The safest model in its class (certified 5 star Euro Ncap award) for child occupant safety, the Subaru XV combines city style with urban and offroad ability.

Core Subaru technologies – Symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive (Permanent four wheel drive) and the unique Boxer Diesel engine – ensure the XV satisfies the needs of the discerning driver. Whether for business or pleasure, the Subaru XV is well capable whatever the weather.

Despite a ground clearance of 220mm, the best in its class, the Subaru XV offers a low centre of gravity, which aids its “on-road” adhesion giving it an acceleration figure of 0-100km in 9.3 seconds.  Priced at €34,995, the level of trim and standard features, which will leave its direct competitors in its wake, suggests the Subaru XV is a serious new comer to this important segment.

All models marketed by Subaru Ireland come with the reassurance of a three year or 160,000 kilometres warranty, plus twelve year anti-corrosion cover and three year paintwork warranty.  This is in addition to three year’s membership of Subaru Assist – a comprehensive home and roadside repair and recovery package throughout Ireland and Europe administered by Mapfre Asistencia