Nissan partners with Tennis Ireland

Nissan has become the Official Vehicle Partner to Tennis Ireland as well as the title sponsor of the Nissan TI Junior Kids Programme and Nissan TI Junior Kids Tour which is underway this month, writes Trish Whelan. Nissan’s support will enable Tennis Ireland to expand its programmes to develop the sport at all levels across Ireland. 

The Nissan TI Junior Kids Programme and associated regional and national tours are designed to develop and nurture more young players and to ensure they are coached to a high standard. 

Vehicles that Nissan is supplying to Tennis Ireland include the Qashqai e-Power and X-Trail e-Power which deliver all the benefits of EV driving without ever having to plug in the car to recharge it. Both models drive in electric mode 100pc of the time and the petrol engine is solely used to charge a battery that powers an electric motor to drive the wheels. Tennis Ireland is also being supplied with the all-electric Nissan Ariya crossover. 

Pictured at the announcement are Mareze Joubert, Programme Co-Ordinator; Seamus Morgan, Managing Director, Nissan Ireland; and Kevin Quinn, CEO Tennis Ireland.

 

Cupra's Zero Limits Event runs to 30 April 2024

Cupra’s nationwide Zero Limits Event is taking place in Cupra dealerships until 30th April, writes Trish Whelan. 

The event invites customers to experience one of Ireland’s fastest growing car brands with special offers available at your local dealership. 

Dealerships nationwide will showcase a lineup of petrol, diesel, PHEV and electric Cupra vehicles. Customers can avail of the Zero Limit offers including finance from 0pc APR PCP with a €1,000 Deposit Contribution towards your new model. 

Offers include the Cupra Born, Formentor, Ateca and Leon vehicles. 

Dedicated sales people will be on hand to answer questions, offer test drives, and guide customers through the features and benefits of each model.

 

Two new Mercedes-Benz people carriers arrive

Two new Mercedes-Benz people carriers have gone on sale in Ireland, writes Trish Whelan. 

The ‘luxuriously appointed’ vehicles are the latest V-Class and all-electric EQV equivalent, replacing models that have been a feature of their offering in this country for some years. Both are reinterpreted in a new design with additional comfort equipment mated to intelligent tech, a current generation MBUX infotainment system, digital networking and advanced safety and driver assistance systems. 

A new look exterior design includes a striking radiator grille, new alloy wheels, four new paint colours, and a new cockpit layout as well as interior ambient lighting, smartphone wireless charging, dimmed cabin lighting and ‘Hey Mercedes’ voice assistance. 

Typical V-Class (pictured above) and EQV (pictured below) customer profiles range from families and leisure enthusiasts to VIPs and corporate clients - high profile users that include hotels, airports, events and private businesses. V-Class is available in ‘Avantgarde’ and ‘Avantgarde AMG’ lines plus a top-end ‘Exclusive’ version. V-Class is powered by a diesel engine with outputs of 190hp and 237hp. 

In the EQV, an ‘Avantgarde’ line is offered. EQV comes with a 90kWh battery with a peak output of 204hp, continuous output of 95hp and a range of up to 277-365kms WLTP. Prices for the V-Class - first units are due here in May - start at €132,460. 

The EQV is scheduled to arrive in August when prices will be confirmed.

 

New Citroen C3 Aircross will have 7 seat option

Citroen’s has unveiled the first images of its new C3 Aircross due here in Q4 of this year, writes Trish Whelan. 

The new C3 Aircross shares the same design identity as the new C3 announced in October of last year. Both models are based on the same Smart Car platform allowing powertrain flexibility and cost efficiency. 

Citroen say the new model ‘enters a new era with the ambition to strengthen its position in a very competitive territory’. The exterior design reveals a tougher but stylish SUV with a more assertive, muscular and robust appearance. 

Measuring 4.39 meters in length, the C3 Aircross offers up to 7 seats with two foldable seats in the third row which is a first in the segment. The long wheelbase also allows for more legroom for rear passengers. 

Citroen will offer a two-tone roof on the model with punctual colour accents such as the additional colour clips on the bumper and quarter panel which the owner can change as they wish. 

In addition to a combustion engine offer, C3 Aircross will introduce a hybrid engine particularly suitable for this design silhouette as well as an all-electric powertrain. 

More information about the new C3 Aircross will be revealed closer to launch.

 

 

Alfa Romeo forced to change name of new car

Alfa Romeo have had to change the name of their new compact car less than a week after revealing it, writes Brian Byrne.

The new Milano will now be called the Junior, resurrecting a 1960s nameplate for the brand's sports coupes of the era designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro.

The Italian government complained about the name of the new car because it is not to be produced in Milan but in Poland. Italy's industry minister Adolfo Urso cited a 2003 law that says using Italian-sounding names for products not manufactured in Italy misleads consumers.

The Junior is a B-segment SUV that will be the sporty brand's first EV. Petrol engines will also be available later.

Alfa Romeo, which started in Milan, previously used the Milano name in America when it sold the Alfa Romeo 75 saloon there.

 

Opel reveals images of new Frontera SUV

Opel Ireland has revealed the first full images of its new Frontera SUV, writes Trish Whelan. 

The spacious new SUV will be available both in fully electric and hybrid powertrains and will debut in Irish showrooms later this year. 

Opel Ireland say it is ideally suited to the urban and sub-urban environment and will feature a fully digital Pure Panel cockpit with two 10-inch displays and multimedia infotainment system and an Intel-Seat feature in the front seats designed to relieve pressure on the tailbone ensuring comfort even on long journeys. A wireless charger and two USB ports are available in the front with two USB ports in the second row. Second row passengers have integrated smartphone pockets in the back rests of the front seats. 

Luggage space of 460 litres can increase to 1,600 litres with seats folded down. 

Price and equipment levels will be announced closer to launch.

 

Skoda regenerates Kodiaq

Skoda have revealed details of their second generation Kodiaq, their largest SUV, writes Brian Byrne.

The vehicle has larger dimensions than the outgoing one, and will have choices from five powertrains outputting 150hp-204hp. There will be a PHEV engine with a claimed EV range of 100km. All powertrains will be automatic. AWD will be available in the range.

A ChatGPT integration with the voice control system will bring Artificial Intelligence improvement to the facility.