Edited by Trish Whelan
Volvo's first SUV Irish priced, almost sold out
30 August 2002: The new Volvo XC90 will go on sale in Ireland in January next with a price tag of E59,500 for the D5 turbodiesel engine model. It is the version which will be most important for the Irish market, Alan Cousins, MD of Volvo Ireland, said yesterday at the European launch of the car in Switzerland. But of the 75 which are allocated to Ireland for 2003, 68 orders have already been taken.
MINI Irish detective team wanted
30 August 2002: Fancy tearing around the streets of Barcelona in a Mini Cooper S to try and solve a fictional art robbery? If so, read on.
Nice Toyota number - but not for here
29 August 2002: This neat little number is a Toyota not available here, but is the new Matrix for model year 2003 in North America.
Special servicing deal from Ford
28 August 2002: The Ford Dealers of Ireland are gearing up for winter with a special offer to Ford customers to have their car serviced. All owners of Ford cars of 3 years or older are being offered a standard service and safety check for just E78.
RTAs will become third biggest killer - forecast
28 August 2002: Road traffic injuries are expected to become the third leading cause of death for all ages by the year 2020, according to researchers at Johns Hopkins University in Maryland. Currently they are the ninth leading cause.
Dope and alcohol add up to greater danger
28 August 2002: The effects of cannabis and alcohol together have been shown to have greater effects than alcohol alone in research carried out in the UK by the RAC Foundation.
28 August 2002: In a 3-year E250,000 deal, SEAT have guaranteed a SEAT Leon for the hurler and footballer of the year, a SEAT Alhambra for the Gaelic Players Association’s own use and also five awards for the monthly winners in each code from May through to September.
GST may be second US-built Merc for Europe
28 August 2002: DaimlerChrysler says it sees 'great potential' in Europe for the Mercedes-Benz GST, which the company announced yesterday will become a reality by the end of 2004.
McGovern wins penultimate Dunlop RT2000
27 August 2002: In the most thrilling event of Sunday's Mondello Park race meeting, Rod McGovern (Sandyford), came through victorious after 18 gruelling laps in the ninth round of the Dunlop RT2000 Championship.
Hyundai wants Daimler's large car technology
27 August 2002: Hyundai wants to expand its alliance with DaimlerChrysler AG to tap into the large car and diesel engine technology of the world's fifth-biggest carmaker. DaimlerChrysler owns 10.5 percent of South Korea's biggest carmaker.
Ford Fiesta diesel coup in Dublin
27 August 2002: Ford of Ireland has achieved a fine coup in the small car diesel stakes by selling 180 new Fiestas powered by the 1.4-litre TDCi diesel engine to Dublin City Council.
McDaid seeking road safety portfolio?
27 August 2002: Speculation in Dublin political circles suggests that Donegal TD Dr Jim McDaid is canvassing hard to be given a ministerial portfolio for road safety.
'Black box' for keeping tabs on driving teens
27 August 2002: Being a teenaged driver in the US may never be the same after October. Because that's when their parents will be able to buy a simple 'black box' monitoring system for their cars which will 'tell the tales' on everything they do behind the wheel.
Speed cameras don't target black spots
27 August 2002: An investigation into the location of speed cameras in the UK has shown that more are being sited on low-risk roads than at the UK’s worst accident blackspots.
NYCI calls for 'stand-alone' road safety agency
26 August 2002: The National Youth Council of Ireland has called for a new executive agency with the power and resources to radically overhaul road safety policy. Such an agency, it says, should be able to ‘hold to account’ the Government, the National Roads Authority and local authorities for their action or inaction on road safety.
Brazil wants 'green car' tradeoff with Germany
26 August 2002: Brazil is hoping for German support to revitalise its alcohol-powered car programme which uses renewable sources for a proportion of its fuel needs.
Power keeps Ford of Ireland rally hopes alive
26 August 2002: With the scheduled two-day meeting reduced to one day only on Sunday, the proposed Ford of Ireland double-header reverted to a single race for the eighth round at Mondello Park, Alan Dwyer (Glanmire) again demonstrating his undoubted ability by taking his fourth win in the series from championship leader Paul Dagg (Drogheda).
Peugeot gain maximum points at Rally Deutschland
26 August 2002: Peugeot 206 WRC drivers Richard Burns and Marcus Grönholm have secured a maximum points haul for the French manufacturer at the latest round of the FIA World Rally Championship, the Rallye Deutschland.
'It's not the winning, it's the taking part'
26 August 2002: One of the most talked about aspects of the Truck Show over the years has undoubtedly been the Static Display Competitions. As with any competition there are winners and losers. Inevitably, the winners take pride in their prize-winning efforts while the losers question the integrity of the adjudicators and the system in general.
More Trafics on the roads next year
26 August 2002: Two new versions of the Renault Trafic van range will be arriving in Ireland in 2003 - a high-roof and an LWB Combi.
Seicento replacement will have tiny diesel
26 August 2002: The upcoming Fiat/GM 1.2-litre DI turbodiesel is likely to be part of the engine range of Fiat’s planned replacement for the Seicento (above) and - on the home market - the 22-year-old Panda.
Ford recalls Kas for possible brake problem
26 August 2002: Ford has recalled 78,500 Ka models built in Valencia in the first half of 2001 because of a possible brake defect.
Automakers look to users for advice
26 August 2002: Clinicing' cars - the practice of showing car design to groups of 'ordinary people' and asking their opinion - can be dangerous, as a number of motor manufacturers have found out in the past. The results can result in cars that are bland and devoid of personality. But two Japanese companies have taken a direct route to having specific inputs into their products from key groups.
Faster move to 42-volt technology?
26 August 2002: Between now and 2008, many cars will be carrying two batteries to deal with the much-increased electrical demands of the modern car's systems. With an ever-growing electronic component in comfort, handling, engine and drivetrain management in even small cars today, the current (whoops!) systems simply won't cope.
24 August 2002: A Vehicle Mass Transit System concept developed by Professor Andrew A Frank at the University of California at Davis would utilize large trucks that operate on dedicated freeway lanes and carry several small vehicles from one station to another at speeds of around 60mph.
Ford to stay with Jaguar Racing
24 August 2002: Ford has denied reports that its Formula 1 Jaguar team is for sale. This follows speculation that Ford's new engine alliance with Jordan for the next three years meant the death-knell for the struggling big cat team.
23 August 2002: Ford Ireland has introduced a new automatic transmission to the top of the range Mondeo TDCi Executive model - the Durashift ‘5-tronic’.
23 August 2002: Toyota has started production and export of the Corolla station wagon at its plant in Adapazari, Turkey. By the end of March next year, the plant will have exported about 12,000 Corolla station wagons and 28,000 Corolla sedans to 25 countries - including 22 countries in Europe. In 2004, a third model will be produced at Toyota's Turkish plant.
Drivers underestimate risk of dying
23 August 2002: More than three quarters of drivers radically under-estimate the risk of dying on UK roads, estimating that 1 in 2000 people or even fewer die on roads, according to a survey carried out by the Green Flag assisitance organisation in conjunction with the Brake road safety charity.
Mini offers MotoringGear to US drivers
23 August 2002: US buyers of the new Mini also have access to a wide range of fashion assessories in clothing and other areas to go with their funky cars.
Chance missed to 'Europeanise' city centre signs
23 August 2002: Dublin’s new directional signage system completely ‘missed the target’ in European terms of indicating the city’s centre, because the Department of the Environment hadn’t the correct ‘arrow’ in its ‘quiver’ of roadsigns.
Traffic changes, new signs, for Dublin
22 August 2002: Dublin City Council has announced the implementation of a radical new traffic management plan for the city centre which includes major traffic management changes in the O'Connell Street, North King Street and Pearse Street areas and the introduction of a new directional sign posting system.
Tuning a Stratocaster for the charity dragstrip
22 August 2002: I’d never want them to do it with my beloved Taylor acoustics, but a US communications group specialising in automotive work has built a 10-foot Fender Stratocaster guitar on wheels.
Drink drivers more likely to die in ABS car crashes
22 August 2002: Drivers who drink are much more likely to suffer injury or death because of improper use of antilock brake systems (ABS) in an accident situation, according to US researchers at the Virginia Commonwealth University in the USA.
Jazz fits Honda into top place
22 August 2002: The top-selling car in Japan for the first half of 2002 is the Honda Fit, called the Jazz (above) on this side of the world. It is Honda's first time to capture the first half 'crown'.
Ford pilots automatic crash notification in US
21 August 2002: Ford Motor Company in the US is assisting emergency medical personnel explore ways to make a speedier and more informed response at crash scenes.
Opel signals Signum specialties
21 August 2002: Showing that concept cars increasingly make it into production with relatively few changes, the new Opel Signum due for launch in the spring of next year has just had its first pictures and specifications released. Among other things, the Signum will have Opel’s first direct petrol injection engine.
21 August 2002: The Society of the Irish Motor Industry statistics for July 2002 show that total passenger car registrations for the month were 12,471 (+1.43% on the same period 2001) and 132,187 year to date (-6.57% on the same period 2001),
Mercedes upgrades engines in AMG models
21 August 2002: Mercedes-Benz AMG is offering an eight-cylinder supercharged engine and Formula 1-inspired steering-wheel gearshifters in its 2003 E 55 AMG, S 55 AMG, and the CL 55 AMG.
First Porsche SUV rolls off the line
20 August 2002: The first Porsche Cayenne SUV rolls off the production line in Leipzig, Germany, today, marking the production debut of the company's third model line after the 911 and Boxter series cars.
20 August 2002: It's not likely to make Irish tarmac anytime soon, but a smoother version of the Chrysler PT Cruiser idea was unveiled at the weekend under the name California Cruiser. It also suggests that a 2-door version is on the cards.
Mazdaspeed 323 is real zoom-zoom
20 August 2002: A Mazda 323 that almost out-WRXes Subaru? With a 6.9-sec 0-60mph and 170bhp? That’s not zoom-zoom, that’s Mazdaspeed.
Suzuki to buy Fiat/Opel small diesel
20 August 2002: A new Fiat 1.2-litre turbodiesel engine that as yet has only been driven in prototype small Fiats will be bought by Suzuki and used in European Swifts, Wagon Rs and Jimnys.
Peugeot 206 SW goes on sale with wide engine range
19 August 2002: Peugeot's new 206 SW sport wagon has gone on sale in Ireland with prices ranging from 15,815-24,015 euros. It comes initially on the Irish market with 1.1-, 1.4-, 1.6- and 2-litre petrol engines. A 1.4-litre HDi turbodiesel comes later.
Know those holiday driving costs
19 August 2002: You may still be thinking of belting off to Europe to find the sun that’s been missing so much in Ireland. Just remember that driving through a number of European countries can cast you substantial sums in tolls. And even more so if you are caught speeding.
High spec XC90 targets top end of SUV market
19 August 2002: Volvo’s XC90, due for sale in Ireland in October, will include seven individual forward facing seats, climate control with Air Quality System, a high performance audio system with CD, 160W amplifier and eight speakers, reversing park distance sensor, cruise control, and rainsensor windscreen wipers in a package of high quality features.
Drivers ignore fatigue campaigns
17 August 2002: Millions of drivers disregard high-profile campaigns warning them of the dangers of driving while tired and are not taking steps to prevent fatigue at the wheel, according to a survey by the UK road safety charity Brake and Green Flag Motoring Assistance.
Parking problems lead to neighbour feuds
17 August 2002: The RAC wants local authorities to free up more parking spaces in residential areas by ‘reviewing obsolete yellow lines’, to help deal with an increasing problem of ‘parking rage’.
NY dials up mobile phone offences
17 August 2002: More than 30,000 drivers have been ticketed in New York in the last six months for using a mobile phone while driving. The offence carries a $100 fine, and most of the penalties issued were in conjunction with speeding tickets.
16 August 2002: Volkswagen is producing the most powerful version of its favourite car ever, putting a 3.2-litre engine into its Golf. The R32’s engine outputs 240bhp and can shift the car from 0-62mph in just 6.6sec.
Trucker escapes with life in M9 overturn
16 August 2002: A Baltinglass lorry driver was lucky to escape with his life this morning when his truck went out of control at the start of the M9 motorway which bypasses Kilcullen.
Punto MPV to come late in crowding market
16 August 2002: This is the planned Fiat Punto MPV which is expected to come to market in April 2004. It will provide the company with a competitor against the new Ford Fusion, based on the new Fiesta, and the Opel Meriva based on the Corsa.
M4 motorway closed this weekend
16 August 2002: There's to be a temporrary closure of part of the M4 between the Leixlip and Maynooth interchanges over this weekend. The closure is to facilitate the removal of the Leixlip Gate Avenue accomodation bridge. A contraflow will be in operation, with single-lane traffic flow being maintained.
16 August 2002: The Ford Galaxy is now the top-selling Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) in Ireland and Europe, and is powering ahead in sales in Ireland against a background of diminished overall car sales.
Alfa return to US market postponed
15 August 2002: A planned comeback of the Alfa Romeo brand to the US has been postponed again, and is now not likely until 2006.
Car thefts increase as house burglaries component
15 August 2002: Over 8,000 cars a year - over 150 a week - are being stolen in the UK as a direct result of houses being burgled.
US agencies must comply with alternative vehicle requirements
15 August 2002: Most US federal agencies are in trouble with the law over their failure to buy or lease enough alternative-energy vehicles to comply with a law brought in by the current US president's father.
Dagg stretches Formula Ford lead
15 August 2002: Drogheda's Paul Dagg added to his tally of Formula Ford points with victory in the seventh round of the Ford of Ireland Zetec Championship at Mondello Park on Sunday, the HB Dennis Mygale SJ00 driver inheriting a comfortable lead after earlier leaders, Charlie Donnelly (Naas) and Alan Dwyer (Glanmire) touched at Dunlop corner and were forced into retirement.
Fuel cell 'by wire' car comes closer to reality
14 August 2002: GM has today given a look at Hy-wire, the world’s first drivable vehicle that combines a hydrogen fuel cell with by-wire technology.
Mitsubishi concept 'will race'
14 August 2002: A new Mitsubishi concept car-derived raid rally off roader will be shown at the Paris Auto Show and the company says it will be turned into a real-life racing project.
Uncle Sam gives tax break to Prius
14 August 2002: Toyota's Prius hybrid car has become the first vehicle in the US to qualify for a $2,000 clean-burning fuel tax break.
14 August 2002: At the recent Garden Heaven Show in the RDS, which attracted 25,000 people, acclaimed landscape gardener Hugh Ryan designed the Citroën Garden, an urban garden featuring the new Citroën C3 and based on the theme ‘La vie est belle’ (life is beautiful).
Ferrari details its fastest ever road car
13 August 2002: Ferrari has revealed full details of its fastest-ever road car. The new 220 mph two-seater incorporates much of the technology developed by Ferrari for its Formula 1 cars.
VW gives Polo 1-litre engine - but not here
13 August 2002: Volkswagen Brazil has introduced a locally-built Polo with a 79bhp one-litre 16-valve engine. It’s aimed at a strong market in the region in the low-tax 'popular car' segment. The new version is produced in São Bernardo do Campo city, São Paulo state, on the same assembly line as 1.6 and two-litre models Polos.
13 August 2002: When Michael Schumacher came to Dublin on a flying visit three years ago, he paid homage to a hero whose feats he has now equalled by winning his fifth F1 world championship.
13 August 2002: The first of the next VW Golf's family to go into production may now not be seen at the Paris Motor Show in September, as expected.
Peugeot sweeps to victory in Finland
12 August 2002: The Peugeot team cruised to their fifth one-two finish of the season at the weekend, with Marcus Gronholm winning his home rally from team mate Richard Burns.
Laois driver wins opening Focus rally event
12 August 2002: Oliver Stanley from Durrow, Co. Laois has won the opening round of Irelands Premier One Make Rally Championship, the 2002 Ford Ireland Focus Rally Championship at the Stonethrowers Rally based in Clonmel.
Renault reveals ultimate Kangoo concept
12 August 2002: Renault has unveiled a new 4WD version of its Kangoo, called the Kangoo break’up, which puts the accent on outdoor leisure activities.
Audi's diesel-powered cabriolet announced
12 August 2002: Audi has announced a diesel-powered version of its A4 cabriolet - the A4 Cabriolet 2.5 TDI. The car is powered by a revised version of the Audi V6 2.5-litre turbodiesel, whose power ouput has been boosted from 155bhp to 163bhp.
Bill Ford says car 'love affair dying'
12 August 2002: When the boss of the car brand that put the world on wheels says the 'love affair with the car is dying', car buffs have to take notice.
12 August 2002: A young Irish woman called Juliet Ward has been selected as one of six finalists in the Rally XS Pirelli Girl 2002 competition.
12 August 2002: Ford Ireland has teamed up with the Heritage Council to sponsor Ireland’s principal grants programme for local communities engaged in heritage projects. Under the Heritage Council/Ford Ireland Local Heritage Grants, 95 projects from around Ireland will receive grants from a total fund of over 380,000 euros in recognition of their contribution to 'promoting pride in Ireland's heritage'.
Meriva goes on sale in Brazil, for Ireland in the spring
9 August 2002: General Motors has introduced the Opel-designed Meriva ‘mini minivan’ in Brazil six months ahead of Europe. The Meriva will go on sale in Ireland next Spring, and Opel are hoping it will emulate the success of the Zafira in the compact MPV segment.
Ford introduces 100PS TDCi Focus
9 August 2002: A new 100PS version of Ford's 1.8-litre TDCi turbodiesel engine is on its way for the Focus range, in addition to the 115PS original version (above).
New Maybach won't be a bottom-line backbreaker
9 August 2002: DaimlerChrysler's Maybach luxury limousine project is expected to break even within five to six years, according to Mercedes-Benz and Maybach head Juergen Hubbert. This claim is against a background of European industry commentators not expecting the project to make money for at least a decade.
Hydrogen-fueled generator from Ford, Ballard
9 August 2002: The world's first hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engine-driven generator has been unveiled by Ford and Canadian fuel cell developer Ballard Power Systems Inc.
9 August 2002: VW is ending a 25-year-old tradition in the US by deciding to end sales of the Golf Cabrio there. It was first introduced as the Rabbit Convertible, and last year some 13,000 were sold in the world's largest ragtop market.
McRae heads for Finland hat-trick
8 August 2002: Fresh from his outing at the Punchestown Rally Experience event last month, Ford’s Colin McRae and his Focus WRC are aiming for a hat-trick of World Rally wins as the Rally of Finland commences on Thursday. McRae is now second in the drivers’ championship, having recorded victories at the last two events, the Acropolis and Safari rallies.
8 August 2002: Ford is talking to Toyota about the possibility of hybrid engine technology collaboration, so that it will be in a position to offer the economical and environmentally-friendlier engines in its Volvo, Land Rover, Mazda and some of its other brands.
7 August 2002: Mazda today revealed full details of its new Mazda2, the model with which it will compete against superminis in its cousin Fiesta's class. The car replaces the Demio (the Demio name remains in Japan) and is offered in three 'lifestyle' versions to suit different target customers
Toyota makes Prius even more economical
7 August 2002: Toyota has improved the fuel consumption of its hybrid car, making it the most fuel-efficient 5-seat passenger car on the Japanses market.
7 August 2002: The 2002 West International Rally will take place on the weekend 8/9 November, and will be a counting round in the 2002 Toshiba Computers Irish Tarmac Rally Championship, the 2002 Ford Ireland Focus Rally Championship, and the 2002 Irish Tarmac Historic Rally Championship. A National Permit event takes place in parallel with the main event.
Traffic Corps promised for 'early 2003'
6 August 2002: The minister for transport, Seamus Brennan TD, has promised a new Traffic Corps garda force to be operational 'on every road in Ireland' in early 2003.
Hyundai to give 5-year warranty in UK
6 August 2002: Hyundai is to provide a five-year, fully manufacturer-backed, unlimited mileage warranty as standard across its range, in the UK, from September
Focus rally championships begins with Stonethrowers
6 August 2002: The 2002 Ford Ireland Focus Rally Championship, the next step in the Ford Ireland “Ladder of Opportunity”, will commence with the Stonethrowers Rally, based in Clonmel, Co Tipperary, on the 11th of August next.
Audi A2 to get 1.6-litre direct injection engine
6 August 2002: The Audi A2 supermini is to get a 1.6-litre engine using the FSI direct petrol injection technology. It is due in the UK in September, but no information has been issued about when it will be available in Ireland.
Nissan joins race for early FC car
6 August 2002: Nissan plans to sell its first fuel cell car next year, against earlier plans for a launch in 2005. Nissan is working with partner Renault in fuel cell development.
Golf 'Last Edition' cabrio announced
6 August 2002: Volkswagen has announced a classic Golf convertible model to mark the upcoming end of the current Golf's life-cycle - the first of the new Golf 'family' will debut at September's Paris Motor Show.
3 August 2002: The 600,000th Skoda Fabia rolled off the production line last week. The jubilee car was a 1.4 MPI Fabia Estate in Comfort trim with silver metallic paint, ordered by a customer in the Czech Republic.
Speeders will get first 'points'
3 August 2002: The long-delayed penalty points system will be introduced in October, with the first targets for the penalties being persistent speeders. Other infringements to be targeted later include driving a dangerous vehicle, careless driving, and using a mobile phone while the vehicle is in motion (including being stopped in traffic).
Old Blue Eyes does a phoenix for the T-Bird
3 August 2002: Though dead, croonmaster Frank Sinatra will make a comeback in a new television advertisement for the retro-styled Ford Thunderbird roadster in the US.
A sprint finish to the championship
3 August 2002: The 2002 World Rally Championship will see a change of backdrop and pace over the coming months in comparison to the recent series of four rough gravel rounds, a run that included the punishing Safari Rally. In contrast to the African marathon, which Peugeot finished in second place, the final encounters of the season will all be out and out sprints.
2 August 2002: Mazda's distributors in Ireland have released full details of the Mazda6 range which will all be available in Ireland by September.
Toyota ups world sales estimates
2 August 2002: The world's third-largest automaker, Toyota, says it expects to sell 6.19m vehicles this year, compared with group sales of 5.93 million in calendar 2001.
MINIs recalled for gearbox problem
2 August 2002: About half of the new Mini Cooper cars that have been sold in the United States will be recalled to fix a transmission problem. Mini owners BMW also have to recall its X5 luxury SUV for the eighth time, now for loose brake pedals.
No speedtrap solace for Irish - yet
2 August 2002: Irish motorists will have to wait for a new version of the GEODESY speed camera locator which now informs UK motorists and motorcyclists of the location of all hand-held and mobile radar devices as well as fixed radar, laser and digital camera systems.
Ford announces 3-door version of Fiesta
1 August 2002: A 3-door version of the new Ford Fiesta will be available in Ireland from January 2003. It will complement its 5-door sibling and the Fusion Urban Activity Vehicle in a line-up of new small car offerings from Ford for the New Year.
Kalos comes to market in September
1 August 2002: The all-new Daewoo Kalos will enter Western European markets in September 2002. Initially available as a five-door hatchback, the Kalos was designed by Italdesign in Turin.
Ford to connect with smaller van segment
1 August 2002: Ford is extending the Transit nameplate to target the sub 1-tonne segment of the medium commercial (MCV) market. The Transit Connect is aimed midway between the car-derived LCV and the classic MCV, such as Transit itself.
Rexton retains SsangYong name here
1 August 2002: What was widely anticipated to be a Daewoo-badged SsangYong SUV, the luxury Rexton, has been launched in Ireland by Daewoo under the SsangYong brand.