29 December 2000: The smallest Lexus car on the market, the IS200, has received a number of upgrade items to build further on the very successful sales performance of the car in the past year.
All versions now come with the 17-inch alloy wheels previously only fitted to the IS200 Sport, though for those who prefer, they can have the smaller 16-inch wheels fitted.
The IS200 Executive now has wood inserts, contrasting beading on the leather upholstery, and a leather-covered wheering wheel. The IS200 Sport now gets a distinctive grille and a rear lip spoiler.
The IS200 sold 750 copies last year in Ireland and has a starting price of under £30,000.
SEAT aims for Alfa-type image
27 December 2000: Spanish automaker SEAT is planning to introduce sporty, high-priced new models to double its profits per car over the next five years.
According to Bernd Pischetsrieder, chairman of the VW subsidiary, the key to SEAT's future lies in producing innovative cars that appeal to young buyers, such as the Salsa Emocion (above), due to enter production in 2003. The Emocion is being described as a compact MPV with four-wheel drive that will compete with vehicles such as the Renault Megane Scenic and Opel Zafira.
Pischetsrieder, a former chief of BMW, says he wants to transform the company into the equivalent of Alfa Romeo and he believes it will take five years to get the right products, and 10 years to get the image right for this.
SEAT has done particularly well in Ireland, while in Europe in the first 10 months of 2000 its sales rose 5.4% to 368,878.
JD Power forecasts that Seat's output will peak at 531,000 in 20002, drift down to 471,000 in 2002 and then grow slowly to 624,000 by 2005. JDPower-LMC analyst Charles Young believes the company's ambitions are achievable, and the new Salsa Emocion will light the blue touch paper for emerging marque. He says the Salsa might do very well, being much more sporty looking than the Scenic, combining functionality with a much sportier image.
Cybersite for Land Rover
27 December 2000: Land Rover has developed a new web site to support the 4x4 centre Land Rover Centres concept which have proved one of the most successful recent innovations in automotive retailing in the US.
The new North American site can be reached through Land Rover's worldwide website at www.landrover.com
The section helps consumers access comparative data on nearly every SUV currently for sale in North America. There is also useful information on subjects such as towing, off-road driving, four-wheel-drive systems and safety.
Better Saab diesels
27 December 2000: Saab say even more performance is now available from their uprated 9-3 turbo diesel range.
Improvements to the 2.2 TiD engine produce almost 9% more power and 8% more torque - without any penalty in fuel consumption. Maximum power is now 125 bhp at 4,000 rpm and torque increases to 206 lb ft, generated from just 1,500 rpm.
The 0-62 mph trip takes 10.1 seconds. Over the official combined cycle, fuel consumption remains at a competitive 45.6 mpg (6.21 1/100 km) and CO2 emissions are unaltered.
A Saab 9-3 2.2TiD recently won its class in a 600-mile timed economy run, returning just 57.86-mpg.
Seeing through Volvo SCC concept
27 December 2000: The Volvo Safety Concept Car (SCC) which makes its world debut at the Detroit Motor Show in January 2001 focuses on features that will help all motorists become safer drivers, such as a see-through A-pillar, rather than merely adding new airbags and further developed crumple zones.
The SCC tackles the problem created by conventional A- and B-pillars of obstructed visibility at an angle to the front and across the shoulder to the rear. Volvo’s solution enables the driver to see through the A-pillars, thanks to a framework structure made of a combination of metal and plexiglass. The B-pillar curves inwards and follows the shape of the seat frame to provide better visibility to the rear.
The SCC has a sensor that automatically catches the drivers’ eyes and adjusts the seat to put the eyes in the position which offers best view for both road and dashboard instruments.
According to research, drivers receive more than 90 per cent of the most critical information from outside the vehicle. Volvo says if it can enhance the quality of this visual information, it can also give drivers a better chance of avoiding collisions.
Suzuki makes Grand Vitara grander
22 December 2000: Suzuki has officially announced its largest model ever, the Grand Vitara XL-7, will go on sale in 2001 in the US. The car was first shown in concept form at the Detroit Show earlier this year. The XL-7 is an extended wheelbase version of the V6-engined five-door four-wheel-drive Grand Vitara.
The new XL-7 offers a third row of seating, and engine capacity has increased to 2.7 litres and the car will have many new luxury appointments. According to Suzuki, the move is an indication of Suzuki’s determination to grow its reputation beyond being the world’s foremost manufacturer of small cars.
It’s too soon to know if or when it will arrive on this side of the Atlantic.
New Mondeo Wagon for Ireland next month
22 December 2000: The new Ford Mondeo Wagon makes its debut on the Irish market in January. Available in 1.8 petrol and 2.0 Duratorq diesel powertrains, in both LX and Zetec versions, it is priced from £18,567.
Ford have come up with a number of marketing initiatives for the peak car-buying season. For the first three months of the year, all Ford Fiestas are available with one year’s free road tax, including the new Flight and Ghia Luxury versions.
The Fiesta Flight comes with alloy wheels, sunroof, central locking, electric front windows and leather steering wheel for £11,107 (ex-works), while the Ghia Luxury features leather trim and a front-loading multi-CD player. It retails for £13,433.
Meanwhile, Ford Ireland is providing free insurance* for one year with every new Ka bought in the first three months of 2001. The offer is designed to assist drivers in getting behind the wheel of their own car for the first time. The Ka is available from £8,895 (ex-works) and includes driver airbag, power steering and immobiliser among its standard features.
*Certain conditions apply.
Suzuki launches new small car in Ireland
21 December 2000: Suzuki Ireland has launched the new Ignis 1.3 on the Irish market just in time for the busy early 2001 buying period.
The car slots between the Wagon R+ and the Swift and is available in 3- and 5-door versions in a modern style that has borrowed theme elements from bother the Wagon R+ and the Grand Vitara offroader.
The engine is all-new and made completely of aluminium. It outputs 82bhp and has a claimed fuel consumption of over 44mpg. The power unit incorporates various technologies to make it quiet and tractable, pointing the Ignis particularly towards people who want a city-spec car with the comfort for extra-urban journeys as well.
In the cargo area, a neat touch is a removable lidded box which fits under the normal luggage floor, and which can be had with legs to that it can be used as a picnic table.
The Ignis has electric power steering as standard, and radio/CD player, dual airbags, electric windows and mirrors and central locking are also part of the package. The 5-door model comes with alloy wheels, front fog lamps and roof rails.
Niall O'Gorman, general manager of Suzuki Cars Ireland, said at the launch that he expects to sell about 500 units of the Ignis in 2001. He emphasised that the Igns does not replace the Swift, and both models will be sold side by side.
The Ignis sells for £11,385 and £11,885.
Firestone admits manufacturing and design problems in controversial tyres
21 December 2000: Firestone has now admitted that it had both manufacturing and design problems in the controversial tyre range which has been linked to a number of accidents involving Ford Explorer (above) SUVs. But the company is also blaming Ford for its recommendations on pressures and loads in the Explorers. Ford has denied any responsibility for the situation.
There have now been at least 200 deaths linked to tread separations, blowouts and other problems with Firestone's ATX, ATX II and Wilderness AT tires in the US, Venezuela and seven countries in the Middle East.
Bridgestone/Firestone recalled 6.5 million tires in the US in August, but has refused to expand the recall to other tires that the US government has linked to fatal accidents.
A four-month Firestone analysis found that in extreme cases several factors acting in combination could cause tread separations. These include:
* The shoulder pocket design of P235/75R15 ATX tires could lead to cracking at the shoulder pocket bottom. This could become the starting point of a failure, which when combined with the other factors result in a reduction of resistance against belt detachment.
* Low inflation pressure in the recalled ATX, ATXII and Wilderness AT tires increased the running temperature of tires and would contribute to a decreased belt adhesion level.
* Vehicle load levels and low standard tire pressure initially specified for the primary vehicle for which the tires were designed led to a decreased margin of safety for tire performance.
At the time of the recall, Firestone recommended that the inflation pressure on Firestone P235/75R15 tires mounted on Ford Explorers be increased. Based upon Firestone's recommendation, Ford implemented a change in the recommended inflation pressure from 26 pounds per square inch (psi) to 30 psi in September.
The P235/75R15 ATX and ATXII tires are no longer in production. The tread of the Wilderness AT line of tires, which replaced the ATX II as original equipment on the Ford Explorer in 1996, is significantly different from the ATX and ATXII tires. The Wilderness AT was introduced with a new tread design as part of that year's redesigned Ford Explorer.
Side airbags DO save lives
21 December 2000: Side airbags might give you a headache but are far more likely to save your life, according to extensive new research. Increasingly fitted to more and more cars, the bags could mean the difference between a pain in the head and almost certain death, the investigation reveals.
A whole series of crash tests on vehicles with side airbags show they could save thousands of lives each year, the US Insurance Institute for Highway Safety believes. Bill O'Neill is president of the group, which represents some of the largest insurers around, and he is the presence of side-airbags can be critical in the global drive to save lives.
"When you're hit on the side by a high-riding vehicle like an SUV (sport utility vehicle), the occupants are particularly vulnerable to head injuries, because the hood of an SUV or pickup truck is about the same height of where a person's head would be."
In crash tests on the BMW X5 sport utility vehicle and a Volvo S80 saloon, the Institute found that side airbags can prevent the hood of a lorry, or a pole, from striking people's heads in side impacts.
Both of those vehicles have side airbags to protect heads as standard equipment, but they were removed for the purpose of these tests. Their absence only served to magnify their importance as standard equipment.
The Institute says that even a side-impact crash into a rigid object such as a tree or a telephone pole - which appears to be quite a common occurrence - at a low speed of just 18mph is severe enough to kill passengers in vehicles without side airbags.
Side impacts accounted for about a third of the nearly 32,000 deaths on US highways in 1999, according to figures from the US Department of Transportation (DOT). The DOT said 38% of all deaths from single vehicle side impacts involved trees or poles. Far greater numbers of manufacturers are now fitting side airbags as standard. No doubt this latest compelling evidence will prompt others to do so as well.
Citroen sponsors new Design Studies course
20 December 2000: Irish Citroen car importers Gallic Distributors have sponsored the launch of a brand-new Design Studies course at the Dublin Institute of Technology.
The course includes a transport design module which is based on a special design course operated under Citroen's aegis in DIT Bolton St for the last three years. During this, Citroen designer Urs Stemmler came over to Ireland every two weeks to oversee the work of a number of students who took the course as an addendum to their ordinary work. From it, mechanical engineering student Cathal Loughnane, was offered a permanent post in the Citroen Styling Centre outside Paris.
The new course at Bolton St is the first accredited Design Studies course to be offered in Ireland. It is based in and delivered by the School of Architecture.
Pictured above at the launch are James Wyse, MD of Gallic Distributors, DIT students Pauline Murphy and Dave Roche, and lecturer Rowna Fibiker.
Major restructuring for GM
20 December 2000: The recent high-profile news about the trimming back by GM Europe of its British operations is only part of a major restructuring of the ‘General’s operations on this side of the Atlantic.
In this, the Saab division of the US-based carmaker will be revitalised as a flagship against Ford’s ‘Premium Brands’ marques, which include Volvo, Aston Martin and Jaguar, as well as the North American Lincoln. A wave of new Saab models will be introduced over the next five years as part of this strategy.
At the other end of the rationalisation scale, Opel’s 5-litre V8 Omega is to be scrapped, despite the fact that such ‘Q’ cars are very popular in the brand’s home market of Germany, where many succesful businessmen prefer not to flaunt their wealth in luxury marques like Mercedes-Benz and BMW.
In Britain, GM’s Luton plant will concentrate on commercial and offroad vehicle production. The Ellsmere Port plant currently producing the Vauxhall Astra may also produce Vectras in the future.
GM intends to reduce European manufacturing capacity by more than 400,000 units by 2004, cutting 5,000 jobs over the next 18 months in the process. Further savings are expected from synergies derived from GM’s recent alliance with Fiat.
The overall GM strategy also intends to focus on providing more innovative and segment-specific products.
Parts globalisation triples recalls
20 December 2000: Vehicle recalls have tripled worldwide in the last decade, and the blame is being laid at the parts standardisation which is an important element of the globalisation of the motor industry.
About 3% of vehicles were recalled in 1990, but that has increased to more than 9% in 1999, according to the US-based Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association. It seems that larger numbers of vehicles are involved in any single recall because many manufacturers use standardised parts on many vehicles.
The trend is not necessarily an indication that vehicles are less reliable, because the use of parts across multiple platforms contributes to the rise in recalls when a defective part is found, even if fewer parts are found to be defective.
MEMA cites the fact that 9m seatbelt units from one supplier were involved in cars from 11 separate car manufacturers, while another case involving ignition modules were used in 29 different models produced by one carmaker between 1983 and 1995. The recall involved nearly 23 million vehicles.
Car price wars for emerging economies?
20 December 2000: Emerging economies could have car price wars raging next year as manufacturers scramble to find new markets for cars as the developed world countries have saturated and unprofitable market situations.
Ford and GM have already announced significant cuts in workers and plant in a bid to achieve profits in a Europe where there is overcapacity and a stagnant, if not diminishing market.
And DaimlerChrysler has warned shareholders that returns in the Chrysler arm of the multinational may drop to a $1.2 billion loss in the fourth quarter of the year.
VW beefs up V5
19 December 2000: Volkswagen has increased the power of its V5 engine from 150bhp to 170bhp, so as not to have two similar-power engines competing against each other (the other 150bhp unit being the 1.8-turbo engine).
Doing this required making the V5 a 20-valver and changing the engine management system. But there’s an added and unexpected bonus - the more powerful engine is more fuel-efficient than its predecessor.
The car has ABS, four airbags, remote central locking, traction control, sports seats, climate control, CD changer, rain-sensing windscreen wipers and an automatically dimming rear view mirror. The new 170bhp motor will be available also in the Bora saloon by the end of the year, and the latest Passat will also have the engine.
The new 170bhp engine makes the V5 a more refined long-distance cruising machine. We’re not sure yet when it becomes available in Ireland, but watch this space.
Opel concept car points to Omega replacement
19 December 2000: This design study could well hold the basic elements of the replacement for Opel’s Omega big car, which has been almost unique amongst mass-market manufacturers in selling successfully into a segment dominated by luxury brands.
The Signum 2 will be doing the rounds of the 2001 show circuit and is the latest indication of a trend towards large ‘coupe’ cars that almost have MPV characteristics of felxibility and people-carrying capacity.
Among the design features are the absence of a B-pillar, providing a completely open area when the ront and rear frameless windows are fully retracted.
Opel say the car holds four people in ‘business class’ comfort and the roof is mainly composed of a glass panorama stretching to the windscreen, adding to a very airy feel to the car.
Interior ideas include front seats which swivel towards the door when it is opened, making it easier to get into. The steering wheel also moves into the dash area to further facilitate entry.
Mazda announces latest version of Xedos 9
18 December 2000: Mazda's new version of the Xedos 9 luxury car will be available for sale in the busy Janury 2001 Irish car market.
The latest version of the car, first introduced in 1993, has new styling, redesigned interior and a smoother new engine. The body is stronger, and suspension and steering characteristics have been improved. There are also bigger brakes with Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD)
The 2.5-litre engine is a V6 as before, outputting 164bhp. The Xedos 9 will sell for just over £37,600 from January 1.
Jordan sponsors UCD racecar designers
18 December 2000: A team of undergraduate and graduate students from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at University College Dublin intend to give other European and American students a racing run for their money, when they design, build and race their single-seat racing car in a competition called Formula Student. And they’re being helped by Irish Formula One team owner Eddie Jordan.
The UCD team of 24 are in the process of designing and manufacturing, from scratch, a racing car. The objective is to compete against Engineering schools from Europe and America next July.
"I'm delighted to announce that we have secured sponsorship and support from Jordan Grand Prix", says Dr William Smith, Director of the UCD Racing programme. "It is the first time that an Irish University has entered a car in this high-profile competition. We have assembled a team of excellent students who are confident that their car will perform well in this very competitive event".
Eddie Jordan was enthusiastic about the UCD participation - and will be keeping a keen eye on the development of the design. "I was delighted to learn that UCD will be entering a team in this competition, which provides a fertile breeding ground for Formula One designers and engineers. Our key objective in sponsoring the team is to assess the best students and recruit them for the future. I wish the project every success".
Peugeot announces 607 prices for Ireland
18 December 2000: Peugeot has released prices and specifications of its new 607 Executive Saloon car range in Ireland. The flagship model is due to go on sale in Ireland in January 2001.
The diesel version is the first in the world to be fitted with a special filter to eliminate exhaust pollution and has already won awards in the UK and Germany.
The standard Irish 607 specifications includes front, side and curtain airbags, front and rear electric windows, ABS, Brake Assist and Electronic Brake Force Distribution, air conditioning, Plip control central locking, cruise control, automatic lighting of lights, tyre pressure detector, radio/cassette/CD and an on board computer.
It will be available initially in four different engines (2.0 HDi, 2.2 petrol, HDi and 3.0 V6 petrol), in four different ambiances and in two specification levels at S and SE. The model line-up will be complete from Spring 2001, when the 2.0 litre S petrol makes its debut.
The lead-in 607 S 2.0-litre petrol model is priced at £26,950 ex-works.
VRT concession cuts Toyota hybrid price
18 December 2000: A concessionary halving of the Vehicle Registration Tax on the Toyota Prius hybrid has brought the revolutionary car's price in Ireland closer to the £20,000 mark.
The saving represents £3,000 off the price of car, and Toyota Ireland negotiated hard with the Government and the Revenue for this concession on the grounds that the Prius is a true 'green' car, with practically zero emissions while being used in traffic.
The Prius has both a standard 1.5-litre petrol engine and an electric motor, and a complex computer-controlled system which balances the use of either (or both at the same time) depending on driving conditions. A battery powers the electric motor during use in city conditions, and is recharged by the petrol engine (and, on occasions, by transfer of energy from the braking system).
Prius is the first mass production hybrid car and has been on sale in Japan for a number of years. Total sales so far have exceeded 50,000, and Toyota Ireland expects to sell around 60 of them next year, mostly to corporate customers. The company won't make a penny on each one.
New Rover marketing campaign for Ireland
18 December 2000: A three-year warranty is part of newly-formed car distributor MG Rover Ireland's major promotional campaign to boost sales of its products in 2001.
The campaign includes a free three-year AA roadside assistance for all new Rover and MG cars bought from January 1 2001.
An advertising programme will also upgrade the image of Rover and MG cars with slogans such as 'Go Wild', 'Get Wicked' and 'Change Your Spots' for the 25, and emphasise a high specification theme for the 45.
"This investment represents the company's confidence in the Rover and MG marques," says John Donegan, marketing manager of MG Rover Ireland. "There's never been a better time to buy a Rover car."
Mercedes unveils new estate
18 December 2000: Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the estate version of the new C-Class, filling the last gap in the car's range.
Planned for release next summer, soon after the Coupe version, the new car has a smaller load capacity than the one it replaces, apparently because M-B have been concerned that it might steal sales from its larger and more expensive E-Class estate.
That said, it can still carry more than direct competitors in the 'elite brands' segment, such as BMW, Audi and Alfa Romeo.
Six powerplants will be available, including the new five-cylinder 2.7-litre CDi used in the M-Class. Petrol engines will range from a 2.0-litre to a 218bhp 3.2-litre V6. Buyers will also be able to choose the 143bhp 2.2-litre diesel.
Apart from the C320, which will only come with a 5-speed automatic, all models will have 6-speed manual gearboxes as standard. A new 'Sequentronic' auto/manual will also be available.
More power for Smart
18 December 2000: The base Smart Car (not available in Ireland) has had its power boosted from 45bhp to 55bhp, the same as is already the case for the next specification up. The car retains the same basic 600cc 3-cylinder turbocharged engine and the improvements have been achieved by returning it.
The car is also to get a range of new optional extras, inclucing a leather steering wheel cover and gearknob as well as electric windows and new colours.
Smart is a brand owned by DaimlerChrysler, and the company has announced a 1.4% price rise in Germany.
Ford cuts prices across range after VAT reductions
15 December 2000: Following the recent Government decision to reduce VAT, Ford Ireland has announced lower prices across the range for 2001. The 4-door Mondeo LX, for example, is reduced from £17,750 ex-works to £17,576, a saving of £174. The new prices come into effect on January 1.
The reduction in Value Added Tax from 21% to 20% sees the price of a new Ka (above) decrease by up to £119, with a Ford Fiesta down by up to £128. The best-selling Focus is now available from just £13,854.
Mondeo prices are reduced by up to £218, with a £195 saving available on the Puma and up to £357 on the new Ford Galaxy.
‘The timing of the VAT reduction is particularly opportune for our business, coinciding as it does with the start of the peak buying period for new cars,’ comments Eddie Nolan, Chairman and Managing Director, Henry Ford & Son Limited. ‘Any move which lightens the load of the Irish motorist is to be welcomed.’
Major improvements in upgraded Xsaras
13 December 2000: New exterior styling, additional equipment, an updated engine and increased safety are the hallmarks of the new re-styled Citroen Xsara coupés, saloons and estates about to be launched on the Irish market.
A more purposeful stance on the road comes from the new version being longer and wider than its predecessor with 15% wheels and a broader front and rear track.
The body structure has been substantially strengthened for improved safety.
The 5-door petrol and diesel range and estate range come in VSX trim which also includes as standard ABS brakes, variable power assisted steering, four airbags, CD player, electric front windows, remote central locking, integrated front fog lights, velour upholstery with height adjustable drivers seat.
The new Xsara range offers a choice of three petrol engines and two diesel engines. The new 1.6i 16V (110 bhp) petrol engine has a 20% lower fuel consumption rate than the 1.8i 16V it replaces. This new engine comes in both Coupé and 5-door versions.
Prices for the Xsara Coupé range from £13,500 for the 1.4 VTR model to £16,900 for the 2.0-litre HDI VTR version.
The 5-door range starts at £14,100 for the 1.4 VSX while the Xsara Estate range starts at £15,000 for the 1.4 VSX.
Smart Car not so smart at moneymaking
11 December 2000: The Smart minicar project is not expected to make any money for at least another three years. And in the meantime, DaimlerChrysler is not revealing just how much the concept has cost so far. However, a figure of some 700 billion Euros has been suggested within the motor industry.
When the first Smarts were found to have similar handling problems to the original Mercedes A-Class in the now-notorious Elk Test, buyer confidence failed. And recent reports that some early cars have a propensity to spontaneously smash their rear windcrenns have been admitted by the company, but the problem has been rectified, they say.
Some 93,000 units of the two-seater Smart city car have been sold so far this year compared to 54,055 in the first ten months of 1999. DaimlerChrysler is currently developing more Smart variants, like the Cabriolet above.
New Hyundai Elantra arrives in Ireland
10 December 2000: The New Hyundai Elantra has arrived on the Irish market.
Positioned in the subcompact segment, the car maker says it represents a wholly new car, bigger, more powerful, more efficient, friendlier to the environment and safer for its occupants.
The most dramatic change is the increase in overall size making it larger than the Vectra, Escort, Civic, Golf or Focus. It offers more leg and headroom and comes with a more luxurious cabin than the previous model.
Hyundai says the new Elantra has been put through rigorous collision tests and computer simulations to ensure driving stability and crashworthiness.
Single-piece reinforced B pillar and side rail reinforcement reduces risk of injuries, while A, B and C pillars have been re-fabricated with impact-absorbing ribbing and cushioning to reduce passenger head injuries. The two-point collapsible steering column lessens the danger of driver chest injuries in a collision.
A 60:40 split rear-seat feature expands the already plentiful boot storage area. The 5-door hatchback has 801 litres of cargo capacity and rear seats fold forward to create a single cargo bed reaching from the boot to the back of the forward seats.
The New Elantra is powered by a 1.6-litre DOHC multi-valve inline-four cylinder engine. Buyers can choose the standard 5-option manual gearbox or the new 4-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission.
Prices start at £16,250 ex works for the 1.6 litre model.
New Range Rover to return brand's distinction
7 December 2000: A new Range Rover due on the roads of Europe next year will bring back a distinctive look that generation 2 of the Land Rover flagship vehicle never had. From a front end that has third millennium-style echoes of the original Defender to snazzy chromed air vents in the front wings and completely un-Range Roverish round tail lamps, it will turn heads and allow those who buy the finally feel that others know they’ve arrived.
This one, like the latest Freelander, is also well aimed at the American market and is thus considerably larger than its predecessor car, bigger even than Toyota’s Land Cruiser Amazon.
The interior is exceptionally stylish, with chrome-ringed dials and fascia details that reflect some of the details of the original 70s Range Rover that put L-R right into the luxury car market.
The car is said to be as refined as the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, without though, reducing the brand’s unassailed position as the best off-roader in the world. There is a lot of computer-controlled hydraulics involved, in line with the more high-tech trends of L-Rs of recent years.
The engine will be the 4.4-litre unit currently used in BMW’s X5 (the car’s programme was begun and ended while the German company still owned it), and there will be options of a 4-litre V8 petrol and a 3-litre turbodiesel. Later, some of these will be replaced by Ford-sourced engines, including perhaps the 4-litre powerplant used in the Jaguar, and a 6-litre engine currently used by another Ford brand, Aston Martin.
Chrysler launch improved Voyager
6 December 2000: Chysler this week launched its new Voyager MPV for Europe at the Bologna Motor Show in Italy, emphasising a major improvement in passive safety as well as enhancements such as more powerful disc brakes and four airbags.
A new grille said to be to European taste is the main cosmetic change, but this ‘similar-to-before’ overall shape hides many changes under the skin. In particular, the base engine is now a 2.4-litre petrol (problematical for high-VRT Ireland?) and there’s for the first time a 2.5-litre turbodiesel. The 3.3-litre large V6 petrol engine is more powerful.
Suspension shanges are said to give the Voyager a more controllable handling. Interior details include a completely revised centre console to make controls easier to operate.
The car isn’t likely to arrive in Ireland until late Spring.
Irish 'jobbers' join The Italian Job
4 December 2000: Three Irish students joined hundreds of Mini enthusiasts from all over the world in October to become ‘jobbers’ in the 11th recreation of the classic 1969 Michael Caine film, ‘The Italian Job’.
Brian Rhatigan, David Fitzpatrick and Jamie O’Donohoe from South County Dublin successfully completed the challenge to drive the 3,000 miles return journey from Lydden Hill racing circuit, Dover to Imola, Italy in a 1992 Mini Cooper. The trip, which took the 120 Classic Minis two weeks to complete, included a victory lap around the famous Imola racing circuit and culminated in a visit to Longbridge, home to Classic Mini.
After nearly a year of planning and preparation, the Irish team achieved an impressive 40th position and are on target to raise £10,000 for the Irish charity, GOAL.
Speaking for the team, Brian Rhatigan said: ‘Being fans of Mini and taking part in the Italian Job was a tremendous experience. Raising money in such a fun-filled way made it all the more rewarding’.
In addition to the jobbers’ efforts, star of ‘The Italian Job’, Michael Caine, personally signed a red Mini Cooper that was sold at a recent ITV Celebrity Auction, raising £28,919.00 for charity.
Over the past eleven years of ‘The Italian Job’, over £1 million has been raised for charity. According to Breda Martin, MG Rover Ireland, all of this activity goes to show that interest in Classic Mini will live on well past this year of its final production.
Owners of the last Minis produced receive a certificate of authenticity signed by John Cooper MBE, the man whose name features on every Mini Cooper as well as a commemorative plaque and selection of Mini merchandise.
Restyled Audi A3 arrives
3 December 2000: First versions of the restyled Audi A3 series are now arriving in Irish dealer showrooms.
Redesigned in a number of key areas, new features include a revamped interior with redesigned controls and a new steering wheel.
External changes include a modified front end with new radiator grille and spoiler, new clear glass headlights, a revised tail light design, new wheels and new tailgate with ‘soft touch’ opening.
New-look VW Sharan hits the road
3 December 2000: First versions of the new-look Volkswagen Sharan MPV have taken to Irish roads.
The second-generation Sharan comes with anti-lock brakes, four airbags, six-speed gearbox and seven seats. A restyled dash and instrument panel incorporates two large stowage areas with additional map holders and stowage areas in the doors. All operating and display systems have been redesigned with instruments now set in silver casings with blue backlighting. Two 12-volt power sockets are fitted in the luggage area.
Large clear glass headlights, a prominent colour-coded radiator grille, reshaped bonnet and redesigned rear light clusters bring a more purposeful look to the exterior.
Three new engines - two diesels and one petrol - include 1.9-litre 90 bhp and 115 bhp turbodiesels incorporatingVolkswagen’s new ‘Pumpe-Duse’ injection and a 2.8-litre V6 unit. In addition, the 2.0-litre 115 bhp and 1.8 T 150 bhp engines are carried over from the existing range.
Molloy expresses concern over drugs and driving
1 December 2000: Junior Environment Minister Bobby Molloy TD has said that preliminary findings of a drugs research programme by the Medical Bureau of Road Safety underlined that the influence of drugs on driving behaviour is an issue of growing concern.
He said the identification of the presence of drugs is more complex than for alcohol. His Department has pledged additional funding to the Medical Bureau to carry out a two-year programme of drug analysis of blood and urine specimens.
The preliminary findings of this programe are based on blood and urine samples submitted to the Medical Bureau of Road Safety between July 1 and December 31 1999, which were under the legal limit for alcohol. Some 37% of these were screened positive for drugs, the most common being cannabis.
When completed the research programme will, with other international analysis and research, inform the need for possible changes in testing methods for the presence of drugs, changes in enforcement practice and procedures and possibly changes to existing legislation.
The Minister stressed that is is already illegal to drive while under the influence of drugs to such an extent as to be incapable of having proper control of a vehicle. A person found guilt of such an offence is liable on summary conviction to a maximum fine of £1,000 or a maximum jail sentence of six months, or both a fine and imprisonment.
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