June 2003 NEWS

Edited by Trish Whelan

30 June 2003: This is the 2004 Bugatti 16.4 Veyron, now confirmed for production at E1 million, and set to be the fastest production car in the world. There will only be 50 a year built.

30 June 2003: Toyota has just put on sale the D4D versions of its new Avensis, at a starting price of E28,750.

Audi A3 goes on sale in Ireland

30 June 2003: First versions of the new, second generation Audi A3 have gone on sale in Ireland.

30 June 2003: As the third anniversary of motorbike racing icon Joey Dunlop’s death approaches, a group of Irish motorcyclists are retracing another wheeled accomplishment of the champion with a convoy of vans and bikes to deliver relief aid for some 240 poor children in five orphanages across Estonia.

30 June 2003: Drivers convicted of traffic offences are 35 per cent less likely to be involved in a fatal crash in the first month after conviction, but the benefit disappears in as short a time as three months afterwards.

Upmarket Jeep model coming

30 June 2003: DaimlerChrysler plans to expand its Jeep range with a high-end model that will share its platform with the redesigned Grand Cherokee.

Next generation Prius is previewed

27 June 2003: The next generation Toyota Prius has been previewed in Ireland, five years after its predecessor pioneering hybrid car was first launched.

Corsa is refreshed, gets new engines

27 June 2003: Opel has refreshed the Corsa, with some changes to styling elements and the provision of new engines.

27 June 2003: The British Government has announced details of a new law banning hand-held mobile phone use while driving, with those breaking the law facing fines up to £1,000.

Keohane may go F3000

27 June 2003: Top Irish International racing driver Michael Keohane may contest a round of this year's FIA International F3000 Championship following a successful test at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium on Wednesday with leading Formula 3000 outfit Team Astromega.

Espace gets highest-ever ENCAP safety score