Halim blog

The Ohme supplier of home EV charging units has done a deal with Volkswagen in Ireland as the recommended charging partner for VW customers, writes Brian Byrne . The agreement with the Cork-based company applies across all the carmaker’s brands here, including Audi, Skoda, Cupra, SEAT and Volkswagen Commercials. The Ohme systems allow EV owners to take advantage of off-peak electricity prices in Ireland, as well as being able to operate when renewable energy is at its highest in the grid, thus enabling lower real emissions.

Mercedes-Benz has released details of the interior of the new E-Class due for launch this summer in Europe, writes Brian Byrne . The company promises a 'particularly immersive entertainment experience' in the new car, thanks to a new electronic architecture. More personalisation and deeper interaction will be part of the offering, with an option of a new Entertainment package providing expanded third-party services. Where markets allow, communication will be by 5G, making much faster data rates possible. The images here show a 'Hyperscreen' version of the MBUX interface which has been an optional feature in the S-Class. The new E-Class will launch with the Saloon variant.

Renault Group Ireland has appointed Aherns Motor Group in Castleisland as the new Dealer for Renault, Dacia and Renault LCV sales and aftersales in North Kerry, writes Trish Whelan .  Established in 1927 by Jack Ahern, the Ahern name is synonymous within the motor industry and Aherns Motor Group is today run by Paul and Pat Ahern.  The Renault and Dacia car and van brands will feature prominently within the current five-acre Motor Store in Castleisland which is located just 10 minutes from the town of Tralee.  Pictured at the signing were Brian Quinlan, Renault Ireland; Paddy Magee, County Operations Director Renault Ireland (seated); Lynne Boucher, Sales and Network manager Renault Ireland; Pat Ahern, Director Aherns Motor Group (seated); Paul Ahern, Director Aherns Motor Group; and Barry Ryan, Sales Manager Aherns Motor Group.  

When I had an introduction to the Mazda CX-60 a while back, I remember liking the way the company was thinking, writes Brian Byrne . Moving upwards into a true premium brand — though I have personally always considered their products to be at the top end of their market, not least because of their cars' reputation for reliability. The CX-60 was the first model from a new Large Product architecture aimed at lifting the brand to a new level. The car was also a new shift in being a rear-wheel-drive model, with availability of AWD. Rear-driven wheels are a thing with both BMW and Mercedes-Benz, reflecting a notion of better handling by ‘real’ drivers from the string-backed driving gloves era. Never subscribed to it myself, especially in slush and snowy conditions where FWD as popularised by the original Mini from the 1960s showed its worth (as had the Citroen Traction Avant from the 1930s, but that was long before my time). Going RWD also means the CX-60 and its upcoming siblings now h...

Bodyshop of the Year: Derek Kavanagh Bank of Ireland Finance, Winner Owen Cullen Accident Repair Centre, Brian Cooke Director General SIMI and Paddy Magee SIMI Deputy President. A call for the Government to continue electric vehicle grant supports out to 2025 was made at last week's announcement of the SIMI Motor Industry Awards 2023 , writes Brian Byrne . Deputy President of the Society of the Irish Motor Industry Paddy Magee also asked that consideration be given to halting the reduction of Benefit in Kind reliefs for a few more years. He said premature reduction of supports could risk stalling sales at 'a key time of growth' in the EV market. He said that changing consumer behaviour to accept a new vehicle technology in such a short period of time is unprecedented, and this requires incentives, supports and education. "A strong new EV car market will also create an active used EV market, providing the opportunity for a greater cohort of motorists to go electric,...

In a bid to achieve a 100pc sustainable materials production of their tyres by 2050, Continental Tyres are looking into agricultural waste to source alternative filling materials, and weeds for substitution of natural rubber, writes Brian Byrne . Up to 100 different materials go into the construction of a modern tyre, with natural rubber being anything between 10pc and 40pc of the weight of the tyre. Agricultural waste materials like the ash of rice husks, and recycled plastic bottles, are among the materials being tested by the company, the latter can be turned into polyester yarn for tyre casings. Specially cultivated dandelions are being tested as alternatives to natural rubber. Along with these ideas, tyre makers are increasing the amount of recycle  activity to separate rubber, steel, and textile from old tyres, as well as the very important carbon black using a process called pyrolysis.

Nissan’s Ariya electric family crossover SUV arrived here last summer after many months of hype and speculation, writes Trish Whelan . Some call it a coupe crossover due to the car’s sloping roofline, but anyway it has a stand-out futuristic design, stunning good looks and very spacious cabin with a flat floor front and rear which adds to the roomy feel. It provided me with huge comfort and had all the connectivity and specification that I’d ever need in a car.  Ariya is bigger than it looks from the outside - larger than the brand’s hugely popular Qashqai SUV but not as big as the X-Trail. It is quite high and doors open wide. Features include a black grille, slim LED headlamps and daytime running lights, while at the rear lights from side to side show the width of the car.  Interior styling is premium all the way with beautiful upholstery, excellent fit and finish, tactile materials which add to the sense of wellbeing. A minimalist dashboard features two side by side large 1...

Whenever I get back into a Suzuki I’m reminded of how good they are, writes Brian Byrne . Well built, well finished, and not trying to be a Starship Enterprise in style or conquer the universe ambition. Their cars are generally for everyday real people and their real needs. The S-Cross small SUV is a good example. Sitting in the space that includes Peugeot’s 2008 and Volkswagen’s T-Roc, the S-Cross originally evolved from a hatchback called SX4, and the latest version of the vehicle was launched in Ireland almost exactly a year ago. The style is chunky and strong without being aggressive. A good word for the overall impression is ‘tidy’. It sits high enough to make getting in and out easy, but isn’t particularly tall in itself. That tidy epithet is also appropriate inside. Dashboard style and trim have enough shapes to be interesting, and in both areas are finished in high quality materials with a notably good fit and finish. The high-mounted centre infotainment screen is small enough ...

The category winners of the Women's World Car of the Year 2023 have been revealed, two of which have all-electric versions, writes Brian Byrne . These are the Kia Niro, voted by the jurors from around the world as the Best Urban Model in the awards, and the Jeep Avenger, that brand's first electric vehicle and not yet on sale here, voted the Best Family SUV. Nissan's X-Trail is the Best Large SUV, the Audi RS3 is the Best Performance Car, and Ford's latest Ranger the Best 4x4 & Pickup. The Best Large Car is the Citroen C5 X The Overall winner will be announced on 8 March 2023, New Zealand time, International Women's Day . Women’s World Car of the Year is the only car awards group in the world comprised exclusively of women motoring journalists. It was created by New Zealand's Sandy Myhre in 2009. She is currently Honorary President while Marta García performs as Executive President. The Irish representative among the 63 members of the judging panel is Gera...

A compact SUV from Chinese carmaker BYD will be the next electric car from that country to be sold in Ireland, following a deal that appoints Motor Distributors Limited as the representative of the brand in this country, writes Brian Byrne . It will be the third Chinese company with a position in Ireland, after MG and the Ora companies — the latter which had its Funky Cat launch earlier this week. The arrival of the BYD Atto-3 compact SUV will be the first in a range of EVs from the brand, a statement from MDL says. The car will have a WLTP-rated range of 420km and an energy consumption of 15.5kWh/100km. The new franchise will mean an extra 150 jobs at MDL, bringing the total employment to around 450 at the importer, currently distributors of Mercedes-Benz here. The agreement was signed at BYD global headquarters in Shenzhen, China in the presence of MDL chief executive, Paddy Finnegan.  

If they stick with it, Volkswagen's Polo supermini will hit its big 50th birthday in 2025, writes Brian Byrne . A lot of years, but the company's Golf will pip it to that anniversary next year, in so doing just making it into the top 20 list of longest continuing car models. For comparison, the one in first place is the Chevrolet Suburban at 88 years old. So Polo isn't going to make any nameplate records. But it does have a place in the history of many first time drivers, as a starter car that would get them going (for many, young fellows particularly, with the ambition to eventually get to the ultimate upgrade, a Golf GTI) . In its sixth generation, since 2017, the Polo had grown up, and I remember thinking when I drove it then for review that it had reached the stage of being a viable rival for that same big brother Golf. The version had its mid-life upgrade just short of two years ago, and it's probably appropriate that I take it up again to see how or if it is holdi...

A new Chinese electric car has gone on sale in Ireland with a name that will certainly cause instances of "a what?"  response when owners mention their new motor, writes Brian Byrne . The Funky Cat is built by Ora, an electric cars subsidiary of Great Wall Motors and is being distributed here by the IM Group. There are currently dealers in Dublin, Cork and Galway — the Linders Group, Blackwater Motor Group, and Connolly Motors respectively. Available with two range options, the model prices start at €31,995 after subsidies for the 300 PRO 48kWh version with a rated range of 310km. A 400 PRO+ version has a rated range of 420km from its 63kWh battery and costs €39,995. A 5-year unlimited mileage warranty is standard, and the battery is warranted for eight years or 160,000km. The styling is retro in places, especially the front end which has a deliberately soft look to keep with the marketing emphasis on the Funky Cat being a 'companion' and 'friend' for its owne...