Idea moves Fiat Forward
This Idea certainly proves once again one thing, writes Brian Byrne. That what Fiat Auto does best is build small cars.

Lacetti is a good-looker
The Giorgetto Giugiaro Italian designed Lacetti is one of the latest newcomers to the extending Daewoo brand, now a part of General Motors, writes Trish Whelan.

A working vehicle with class
Compared to the current 'ordinary' Land Cruiser, the 100 VX 'big' one is maybe a little old-fashioned looking, writes Brian Byrne. But that doesn't say it is not imposing.

Freelander goes all sporty
I’d already driven the Td4, 5-door automatic Freelander, writes Trish Whelan. That diesel engine was developed by BMW. Now, I was eager to get behind the wheel of the Sport derivative, the 1.8- petrol 3-door, 5-speed manual version to see how it compared.

New Colt will 'have legs'
It made sense to launch the new Mitsubishi Colt in the capital of Spain's Catalonia province, writes Brian Byrne. Because the new B segment hatchback is right stylish, has a chassis to real European tastes, and I'm convinced it is going to 'have legs' in terms of successful sales.

Outback has street cred
The Outback has no doubt contributed to the fact that sales of Subaru Legacy and Outback models have more than doubled in the first five months of this year, writes Trish Whelan, compared to the same period last year.

Grandis - making Mitsubishi visible
There are many people in Ireland who bought the Mitsubishi Spacewagon because it was one of the least MPV-looking of its genre, writes Brian Byrne. It was understated, and more of a roomier estate than a vanny people-carrier.

Where no Golf has come before
I was always very clear that I wasn't a part of the glorification of the VW Golf, writes Brian Byrne. Which, to my mind, was to a large extent a compensatory syndrome for those who hankered back to the demising Beetle.

Z4 is a car that connects
BMW have got it so right with the two-seater soft top Z4, writes Trish Whelan. It’s a car a driver really ‘connects’ with. Visually impressive and beautifully proportioned.

A Honda with a deep tone
Let's face it, diesels aren't at all as quiet as petrol engines, writes Brian Byrne, as some brochures and the press releases might try to convince us they are. But it's all relative, isn't it? They really have just got so much better.

Mazda hones a tech edge
There are many times when bravery must be applauded, writes Brian Byrne. Mostly to do with human endeavour. And rightly so, because that is what humans are supposed to do.

X-Trailing with Nissan
Nissan has introduced a diesel powertrain to it’s X-Trail range for 2004, writes Trish Whelan, making it one of the most powerful engines in its segment.

Think more power for Mondeo safety
As a general rule, driving a 2-litre petrol car is not something that's encouraged here, writes Brian Byrne, what with high taxes, steeper insurance, and then the whole ethos of big engines being 'a bad thing'.

Mitsubishi moves in grand style
Mitsubishi may be financially under the weather in global terms, writes Brian Byrne, but down on the roadway it has suddenly come from producing neanderthal style to the looks equivalent of a millionaire's row luxury pad.

Volvo toughens up 40 series
The compact premium segment has just got a bit tougher in Ireland, writes Brian Byrne, with the arrival of the new generation S40 and the V50 replacement for the V40.

New Corolla Verso a real Euro-car
Toyota's upcoming new Corolla Verso is something completely different from the vehicle it replaces on this side of the world, writes Brian Byrne. Certainly more stylish, also in keeping with the look of the Avensis Verso launched a couple of years ago.

A crisp, clean hero
Subaru's all-new range of Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles is aimed directly at leading prestige European marques, writes Trish Whelan. Each comes with lighter, wider, and more aerodynamic new bodies. Lines are crisper, cleaner and sleeker.

A car with a big presence
Some cars have presence, at any price point, writes Brian Byrne. Touareg is one of them. Classically imposing might be the correct term. Unmistakeable once you have seen your first.

When sun is a variable option
One really beautiful spring day gave me the chance to try out the folding roof of the 307 CC for more than just the photographs, writes Brian Byrne. But doing the roof trick still gets a fair deal of interested attention.

SEAT stirs the MPV segment
When SEAT's Altea arrives in Ireland in July, it will almost certainly throw the cat amongst the pigeons, writes Brian Byrne. They call it an MSV - a multi sports vehicle. You can see where they're coming from in the styling,

Sexy Alfa diesel
The true heart of every Alfa Romeo is in its engine, writes Trish Whelan, and Fiat have injected the 156 with a new lease of life with the introduction of the Multi Jet diesel engine which they expect will increase sales of the 156 by up to one-third.

New Astra vista
Whenever Opel brings out a new generation of a model they 'explore the new possibilities', writes Brian Byrne. And so, with their Astra and its Kadett predecessor, we have always got something very fresh from GM's European subsidiary.

New Lacetti changes perceptions
The new GM Daewoo Lacetti due in Ireland in March is no rehash of the Lanos it replaces, writes Brian Byrne. The 5-door hatchback is cleanly designed by Giugiaro, has the longest wheelbase in its class, and provides more rear room than any hatchback in the class.

Return of smooth Mondeo
Back in the previous generation Mondeo there was one honey-sweet version, writes Brian Byrne. The 2.5-litre V6, powered by a built-in-America engine that provided both a silky drive and a mildly invigorating performance when tried. Now, we have the 2.5-litre back.

BMW X5 still keeps people waiting
The BMW X5 still has a waiting list of buyers in many of its most important markets, writes Brian Byrne, and on the face of it there was no reason to muck around with such a successful car so soon.

Star cars at Geneva 04
The Geneva Motor Show had an eclectic mix of new and concept cars this year, write Brian Byrne and Trish Whelan. It is dubbed the 'friendly' European motor show, because it is held on the 'neutral ground' of non car-building Switzerland.

Nissan Primera is back to the future
If there was only one thing I was allowed say to compliment the Nissan Primera, writes Brian Byrne, it would have to be the central console that carries the controls for the radio, internal climate management, and trip information.

Brussels could push prices up
Could EU regulations due over the next decade increase car prices by up to €5,000 per unit, above normal price increases? Some of the world's top carmakers think so, according to a report in Automotive News.

Cars a 'social essential'
Access to a car is essential for full participation in work and leisure activities in modern society, according to a new independent British report.

A3 1.6 is satisfying
There's something about the latest version of the Audi A3 that lifts it out of the ordinariness of its predecessor, writes Brian Byrne. There's a subtle classiness about the shape, especially in side view, which was never evident in the old car.

Honda diesel whispers into town
It may be late to the diesel party, writes Brian Byrne, but Honda has come up with a beauty in its first diesel engine produced entirely by the company.

This Citroen wound me up
I’d opened the window to talk to someone when parked at the kerb, writes Trish Whelan. Then the rain had started with a vengeance and the window raised itself. Wonderful indeed are the works of modern electronics. And in this case, Citroen’s rain sensitive automatic window closing feature.

Driving in winter snow
With severe and snowy weather forecast, writes Trish Whelan, Volvo is sharing some winter driving and car maintenance tips from its experience of harsh Scandinavian winters.

The hordes outside Dublin's gates
Dublin City Council's director of traffic Owen Keegan wouldn't exactly be the motorist's most popular person, writes Brian Byrne. He has never made any bones about the fact that he really doesn't want any cars coming into his city.

6 is a braveheart car
When BMW produced the first 6 Series in 1976, they might not have realised that they were setting up a new legend, writes Brian Byrne. A legend they allowed to die 13 years later. The 6 has now been woken from its long sleep, ready for the next stage of its life.

C-MAX for modern life
I have driven the C-MAX. Abroad, and more recently in Ireland, writes Brian Byrne. And, bluntly, it is the one which I believe poses the biggest threat to both the Scenic and the Zafira. Especially the 1.6-litre diesel.

Panda Multijet is welcome
Some of us have had a chance to evaluate the Multijet, and for my part I’m dead impressed, writes Ray Bernard. As I have already reported that I am with the overall car that is perhaps going to underpin a long-awaited renaissance for a troubled car firm.

Meriva makes quiet impression
Opel has picked up on the swift-moving trend for diesels in smaller cars with the 1.7-litre Meriva turbodiesel, writes Trish Whelan. This friendly car is extremely spacious inside and can cater well for a growing family’s needs.

Scenic is still a front-runner
Scenic II is a visual paradox, writes Brian Byrne. It looks smaller than the predecessor version, but put them side by side and you see that the opposite is true. And in the Scenic II execution of the current Megane styling theme, perhaps it is the best of the range.

BMW X3 will start new lists
When you round a corner and find the evidence of a rockfall blocking half the road, you thank your spiritual entity of choice that you weren’t in that critical place at the critical time it happened, writes Brian Byrne. Because even in a new BMW X3, you wouldn’t have stood a chance.

Chunky for the lifestylers
Chunky and funky is the image that MG Rover wanted to give their latest derivative of the 25 hatchback, writes Trish Whelan. The buyers here are supposed to be 25-35 looking for a car with ‘street presence’.

Cordoba is well-specced
The SEAT Cordoba will appeal to buyers looking for a well specced but reasonably priced small family saloon, writes Trish Whelan. Of particular interest is the new 1.2-litre engine in the range.