Halim blog

Paul McNeice, Head of Country for GoCar. The GoCar vehicle sharing service is investing €10 million in the expansion and enhancement of its current vehicle sharing services across Ireland, writes Brian Byrne . The investment will support increased vehicle availability and wider vehicle choices for customers throughout the country.  A total of 280 new vehicles will be added across 149 locations, catering to both urban and rural communities. GoCar’s fleet has seen a rise from 820 vehicles in January 2023 to 930 vehicles in July 2023, with the current investment supporting further increase to more than 1,100 vehicles in over 600 locations across 24 counties nationwide by the end of the year. GoCar will also be launching a new website and app and a new loyalty programme will be introduced, rewarding repeat customers for their continued use of car sharing services, with the launch planned for late 2023. 

Hyundai has begun production of the electric version of the new generation Kona, writes Brian Byrne . It is expected to be on sale in Ireland in October. The car is being produced in its Czech Republic plant, and the company expects to produce 21,000 units of the EV there in the first year. The petrol-only and petrol-hybrid versions of the latest Kona was launched here earlier this year. Two versions of the electric Kona are being offered, with 377km and 514km ranges. No Irish prices are yet available. 

When Nissan introduced the Juke small crossover in 2010 there was a lot going on in its style, writes Brian Byrn e. So much that I thought it might not wear well visually. The bug-eyed face and high-set daylight running lights made it a distinctive but love-or-hate model for many. Still, the 'many' seemed to be a good number because it became Nissan's second-best seller in Europe behind the bigger Qashqai. A couple of mild facelifts kept it going until the second generation arrived in 2019. Larger, keeping the overall design theme but with more sophistication in the details. It took until a year ago, though, before the powertrain option included a hybrid. That was my reason to give it a thorough run a while ago. I have to say that the car looked exceptionally smart in the white-black 2-tone scheme along with the 19-inch very stylish alloys that come with the SVE grade. What were originally almost cuddly lines have become rakish, and the three-quarter rear aspect has real ch...

Jeep Ireland has set pricing for the new Jeep Avenger, the brand's first all-electric model, writes Brian Byrne . The range starts at €35,995, with three trim levels available from launch in mid-October. The Avenger was recently awarded the European Car of the Year 2023 title and was also the Best Family SUV in the Women's World Car of the Year (WWCOTY) awards. The rated range of the Avenger is up to 400km, with substantial higher capability when used only in urban settings. The FWD car comes with terrain and hill descent controls, as well as standard and optional advanced driver assist systems. 

This is the new Mercedes-Benz AMG GT, revealed last week, which adds an option of two extra seats, writes Brian Byrne . Sharing its underpinnings with the new SL roadster from the brand, it is larger in all dimensions from its predecessor. Power remains from the 4.0 V8 with up to 577hp, and offers a 0-100km/h in shortly over 3 seconds. The car is also AWD, rather than the rear drive of its predecessor. Pricing, and when it will be available here, is 'coming soon'. 

The new generation Toyota C-HR will arrive in Irish dealerships in December and registration of interest is now open, writes Brian Byrne . The second generation of the crossover has a sharper and sleeker body that the outgoing version, initially available with a choice of 1.8 or 2.0 hybrid powertrains, and a 2.0 plug-in hybrid coming later. The fifth generation of Toyota's hybrid system offers an increased ratio of EV driving. Two grades will be available. No prices have been released yet.