Bob takes a Renault Kangoo ZE for a very long drive around Dublin, see what happens here

-Pacino arrives on the red carpet in Renault Fluence Z.E. as official VIP vehicle sponsor
of the 2012 Jameson Film Festival-
Al Pacino arrived in style last night to meet his adoring public outside the Savoy Cinema in Dublin. Pacino looked every inch the Hollywood star as he stepped out of the Renault Fluence Z.E. electric vehicle and on to the red carpet donning Ray Ban aviators and a tailored black suit.

Accompanied by his partner Lucila Sola, they were attending the screening of Pacino’s latest venture – a documentary about a stage version of Oscar Wilde’s one-act tragedy called ‘Wilde Salmone’.

Renault is providing a fleet of courtesy electric vehicles for the stars as they arrive on the red carpet throughout the festival.

Renault is the only manufacturer to introduce a range of 100% electric vehicles, from the Kangoo Z.E. mini van to the Fluence Z.E. Saloon, the Twizy urban quadricycle and the stylish compact hatch ZOE, all due to appear on Irish roads this year.

ESB is providing free wall box charging points at the homes of the first 2,000 people to purchase electric vehicles under the SEAI Electric Vehicle Grant Scheme, in essence their own fuel station at home.
Test drive the new Renault Kangoo Z.E. and Fluence Z.E. at your local Renault Dealer.

www.renault.ie

Car sales are reliant on a good economy, rarely is trading up from a 3 or 4 year old car such a necessity that it can’t be put off for another year, indeed with the lifespan of most cars now exceeding 20 years it has become possible to only need to own a couple of cars throughout your lifetime. This advancement in reliable engineering has also given drivers the confidence to skip occurrences like having to buy a 13 reg car, and judging by some reports there are a lot of people thinking of doing so.

Michael Healy-Rae is quite outspoken on the issue, possibly my reason for initially dismissing the debate, but the more I think about it the more it looks like there could be something to this. While some will treat the story as a news filler, there are quite a lot who are serious about avoiding the purchase of a new car next year. With sales already predicted to fall by 15% over the course of 2012 the outlook for next year would seem even more dismal. The answer to this problem according to some groups is to change the current system, but so far none of the suggestions have been deemed good enough by the Dept. of Transport to warrant any changes.

Could it be that this, probably the strangest reason of all, is the most sensible reason for a registration plate overhaul?

By Philip Hedderman

To say things in the compact executive segment just got a little more interesting is the understatement of the year.

Yes folks, with the arrival of the new 3 Series is gonna stir things up no end.

You see, the mid range BMW may very well be bad news for Audi and utterly devastating for Mercedes, but it’s a major boost to the car-buying public.

Competition – and I mean a real rival who’ll take cold, hard cash off brand-loyal punters – invariably means more for less.

The only alternative is failure.

Mercedes are only now waking up to smell the coffee – several years too late.

The result? – Only two middleweights remain slugging it out for the crown.

Until last Wednesday Audi had the upper hand across the board.

The A4 had made huge strides since it replaced the 80 in 1998 both in style, performance, but most importantly in technology.

The term ‘Vorsprung Durch Technik’ is not some marketing tag – no, it’s far more important than that.

It is a way of life for anybody who dons the white coat sporting the entwined circles.

Their cars are, beyond doubt, the most technologically advanced in the automotive world.

Whatever state-of-the-art gadget that debuts on the fleet-leading A8 eventually trickles down to become a feature on the more affordable models.

Wi-Fi is a prime example of that – which is now available on the A1 as an optional extra.

Internet access on the smallest car in the 43 model German fleet?

Who’d have thought you could Tweet or check your email while testing a car inNorthern Spain?

Truly amazing.

The big problem with that though, is once you’ve sampled the delights you kinda come to expect it.

Now, the current version A4 has been around since 08 and proved highly successful, but with news of a new 3 series on the horizon hadMunichtwitching – and a facelift was announced.

The body gets a bit of a firm-up, but the most striking new feature is the redesigned signature headlamps which almost circumvent the light unit – which are in turn complimented by new angled air vents and restructured fog lamps.

It’s on the inside though, where the real magic unfolds.

The boffins in the ergonomic department have simplified the whole cabin – de-cluttering the dash and removing any extra buttons to avoid confusion.

Smatterings of Piano Black trim twinned with smidgens of chrome give the whole cabin a younger, sportier feel to the already class-leading interior.

The tweaking doesn’t end there. Under the bonnet little green fingers have been tinkering away – boosting power and reducing emissions across the vast engine range.

The best selling 134bhp, 2.0litre TDi oil burner sees CO2s reduced to just 112g/km (making it one of the cleanest in its class) – meaning road tax of just €160 per year, while returning over 65mpg.

In fact, 10 models in the diesel range from the 120-177bhp are all Tax Band A – so you don’t have to compromise, whatever your preference.

The whole engine line-up has seen a reduction in CO2 of around 22 per cent while poke is ever so slightly increased.

We drove the 177bhp Avant (estate) which surprised and thrilled in equal measure.

Most station wagons are gruff and workmanlike and tend to handle more like a bendy bus than a luxury chariot.

Not here.

It had the constitution of an executive saloon with responsive acceleration, taut suspension and plenty of feedback from the steering.

Thanks to Drive Select – one of those gadgets handed down from the daddy A8 – it allows you to manipulate the steering, suspension and gear change ratios to suit the conditions.

Settings include Comfort, Auto, Dynamic and Efficiency – should you need to hit the motorway, rally circuit or pot holed roads of theNorth West.

This ensured the perfect mix of motorway cruising with the winding, rugged coastal roads of the sunny south east.

Road noise was astonishingly absent from the MPV-sized cabin, capable of lugging a massive 1,500 litres of luggage.

On brilliant touch is the reversible floor which on one side is covered in plush carpet and the other a hard-wearing dirt tray.

Couple that with the clever sliding rail system which keeps everything secure and you’ve pretty much the complete estate.

Price-wise it is cheaper than the BMW 3 series, starting at €32,770 and the Avant coming at premium of around €2,000 extra.

Standard kit includes 17′ inch alloys, leather multi-function steering wheel, Stop/Start, Bluetooth, chrome roof rails.

Optional extras include Audi Drive Select (€275) Cruise Control (€372) and Colour Driver Information System (€163) which eats into the price advantage.

But the good news is that if BMW are offering all of the above as standard today then it’s only a matter of time before Audi buckle to the pressure.

One final distinct advantage the Audi holds is it actually comes with a spare wheel (albeit a hideous space saver version) unlike the Bimmer which relies on a puncture repair kit.

Not something I’d relish using in the pouring rain on the M1 on a winter’s evening.

A new Peugeot 107 will be introduced in Ireland this month, featuring a stylish new face, an upgraded interior and enhanced equipment. The super-mini also boasts improved economy and lower CO2 emissions, returning combined consumption of 4.3 litres / 100km (66mpg) and emitting just 99g / CO2 for the 1.0 litre petrol 5-speed manual version. The new Peugeot 107 will retail in Ireland from €12,045 plus dealer delivery related charges. 

The new 107 adopts the new Peugeot face and features a deeper and lower front panel with a housing for the front fog lights, LED daytime running lights and a redesigned front bumper with a new honeycomb radiator grille.
A new interior colour scheme and new seat upholstery improve the perceived quality of the passenger compartment and give it a touch of refinement.

The 107’s excellent packaging belies a compact wheelbase that remains unchanged. At just 3.43m long and 1.86m wide, the cabin provides plenty of space to transport four people in comfort. The boot offers 139 litres of space.

There will be one 5-door Active model on offer in Ireland, with a choice of a 1.0 litre petrol 5-speed manual or a 1.0 litre 2-Tronic gearbox (104g/CO2). Front fogs, four speakers and very low resistance tyres will now come as standard on the Active model and the 2-tronic model will be fitted with a leather steering wheel and leather gearknob. 

The Peugeot 107 range in Ireland also offers even better value than ever with Peugeot’s four year warranty and four year roadside recovery offer up to the end of March 2012. Finance is available from 4% APR. 

Over 650,000 Peugeot 107s have been produced since 2005 in Europe. The 107’s stylish appeal, along with its accomplished economical three-cylinder petrol engine, has helped Peugeot take a lead in low-CO2 urban motoring in Europe, and this is now strengthened further with emissions of just 99 g/km of CO2.

Launched in 1959, the Floride was a car with instant appeal. Its attractive body colours and pure, flowing lines, designed by Italy’s Ghia and Frua, gave it a cool, sophisticated look. It was driven by a number of stars of the day.

Originally presented as the ”Dauphine GT” at the Geneva Motor Show in 1958, the Floride took on its definitive form on the Renault stand in Paris in October of the same year. It was a car that truly embodied this seductive and carefree era.

The Floride also had a “fairy godmother” in film star Brigitte Bardot.

“The wind in your hair, the sun on your face and a bright smile when you head for the sunshine and open air… Get away from it all with a young, sparkling, sophisticated car…” The lighthearted tone of this advert underlined the carefree mood of the 1960s, the heyday of the Floride.

When Bardot got behind the wheel of the Renault Floride another icon was born!

The now legendary ivory convertible with red leather interior became known for its powers of seduction, classiness, film star glamour and downright sexiness.

Roll on 2012 – Renault introduces the Megane Coupe Cabriolet Floride….

This limited edition hard top has refined glamour; its sensual lines incorporating the original colors -  ivory and fiery red. Floride also dons the famous “Floride” badge, the retro graphics and ivory 17” alloy wheels.

Fifty years on, the spirit of the legendary Floride returns.

Inside, the elegant red leather studded ivory reminds us of the allure and sophistication of the Bardot days.

The Floride badge on the dashboard and the famous “f” which, like a gem, adorns the floor mats and gear knob, completes this unique and intriguing motor.

The Renault Megane Coupe Cabriolet Floride is a limited edition and can be ordered from your local Renault Dealer. Price on request.

Specifications of the 2012 model include….

©      Limited edition model with numbered plaque

©      Exclusive ivory metallic paint

©      Red/Ivory leather steering wheel

©      Red/Ivory leather seats

©      17″ “ivory diamond” alloy wheels

©      Arkamys radio with Bluetooth, CD and MP3

©      Rear parking sensors

©      Automatic windscreen wipers and headlights

©      Hands Free Renault Card

©      110 BHP with 6 speed gear box

www.renault.ie

-State of the Art Showroom Development to commence in April 2012

Renault Ireland recently announced the acquisition of the prominent Belgard site in Tallaght for the development of a state-of-the-art motor showroom, workshop and parts facilities.

The proposed development of this gateway site will be designed in line with Renault’s ethos and principals, encompassing comfort, style and convenience, paying particular attention to the sales of its new range of ZE electric vehicles, commercial vehicles and very soon, the new to launch Dacia range.

Renault Retail Group opened the existing showrooms in late December with the new development commencing in April and already there has a been a steady flow of traffic through the showroom.

Declan O’Grady is the Dealer Principal at Renault Belgard:

“We are very excited about the development of this state of at art facility, which will see over two levels of car and commercial vehicles displayed and fully accessible to our customers.

The proposed new facility includes for the provision of a new state-of-the-art service workshop with up to 10 servicing bays including the servicing of large commercial vehicles. This facility is provided in line with Renault’s commitment to maintaining a high standard of after sales service across all vehicle ranges.

As part of its after sales service, Renault is including a comprehensive and extensive parts sales area. Renault Finance is also available at Renault Belgard with advisors on site to assist customers through the purchasing experience.

We also expect to create up to 45 jobs which is very good news for the area.”

Renault PRO+ the franchise dedicated to business customers, from sole traders to local fleet and semi-state companies will also be available at Renault Belgard. It offers fleet expertise through dedicated and highly trained staff, comprehensive sales service, after-sales service and finance solutions.

This development will be the Renault Flagship Dealership in Ireland when development is completed by the end of 2012.

Renault Belgard Opening Hours:

9 am to 6pm – weekdays

10am to 4pm – Sunday

www.renaultbelgard.ie

Peugeot has announced its support for Irish Premature Babies’ Ride Out for Prems 2012, a charity event taking place this April to raise much needed funds for baby intensive care units across Ireland. Over a four day period, a group of motorcyclists, led by a convoy of Peugeot cars and a van will travel around Ireland delivering equipment, bought through ongoing fundraising by Irish Premature Babies, to hospitals in Louth, Cavan, Donegal, Sligo, Galway, Kerry, Limerick, Laois and Dublin. 

The annual event will take place from 26th to 29th April and members of the public are being invited to take part and see firsthand what a difference their fundraising efforts will make. With over 30 bikers already signed up to this year’s event, including members of the Garda Siochana and parents of premature babies, participants must raise €1,000 for the charity to become involved. 

Emma Toner, Peugeot Communications Manager said, “Irish Premature Babies is a fantastic charity that offers a huge support network to parents with premature babies. Peugeot is delighted to be of assistance to the Ride Out for Prems 2012 event and has offered the use of four Peugeot cars and a Boxer Van to the cause.”

Every year in Ireland, 4,500 babies are born prematurely and tragically up to 500 precious babies die each year as a result of their early arrival. Baby intensive care units across the country desperately need funds to buy incubators, heart monitors, ventilation, cpap equipment and apnea monitors. To find out how to sponsor or join the Ride Out for Prems Challenge, log onto www.irishprematurebabies.com and register on the events page or alternatively, email irishprematurebabies@gmail.com. 

Pictured from left to right are: Mark Hayes, Peugeot Marketing Manager, Emma Toner, Peugeot Communications Manager, Ride Out for Prems Riders, Sean Hannon, Derek Smith, Arthur Armstrong and Peter Mulcahy and Sean Brennan, Road Captain for Prem Warriors

The Audi RS 4 Avant is coming to Ireland in Q3, prices will be announced shortly. Meanwhile you can drool over the pictures and International info.

A modern classic from Audi is making a comeback: The third-generation RS 4 Avant combines potent performance with a high level of everyday practicality. It’s 4.2-liter V8 produces 331 kW (450 hp); the seven-speed S tronic and quattro permanent all-wheel drive transfer that power to the road.
The Audi RS 4 Avant uses the same high-revving, normally aspirated V8 engine that powers the RS 5 Coupe. The 4,163 cc powerplant produces 331 kW (450 hp) at 8,250 rpm for a specific output of 108.1 hp per liter. Its maximum torque of 430 Nm (317.15 lb-ft) is available from 4,000 to 6,000 rpm. The responsive V8 with its red-painted cylinder head covers accelerates the RS 4 Avant from zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 4.7 seconds on its way to a governed top speed of 250 km/h (155.34 mph). This can be increased to 280 km/h (173.98 mph) upon request.
Hand-built at Audi’s plant in Györ, Hungary, the 4.2 FSI engine combines its impressive power with exemplary efficiency, consuming on average less than 11 liters of fuel per 100 km (21.38 U.S. mpg).
With its high efficiency and long top gear, the standard seven-speed S tronic also contributes to the vehicle’s good fuel economy. Drivers can let the lightning-fast dual-clutch transmission shift automatically or change gears manually using the selector lever or the paddles on the steering wheel. For explosive starts, drivers can also activate Launch Control, which manages the engagement of the clutch at an optimum starting speed and minimum wheel slip.
Top traction: quattro drive with crown-gear center differential
Like every RS model from Audi, the RS 4 Avant comes standard with quattro permanent all-wheel drive. The heart of this system is the crown-gear center differential. This compact and lightweight component can vary the distribution of power between the front and rear axles immediately, smoothly and over a wide range, with up to 70 percent flowing to the front or as much as 85 percent to the rear. The default 40:60 ratio of the rear-biased configuration ensures sporty handling.
The self-locking crown-gear center differential works together with the torque vectoring system, which acts on all four wheels. If the load on the inside wheel is reduced too much while the car is being driven dynamically, the torque vectoring system brakes it slightly before unintended slip can occur. Audi offers the sport differential, which uses two superposition stages to actively distribute the power between the rear wheels, as an option.
Aluminum in abundance: the chassis
The chassis of the Audi RS 4 Avant is a very complex design. Many components of the five-link front suspension and the self-tracking trapezoidal-link rear suspension are made of aluminum. The new speed-dependent power steering is a highly efficient electromechanical system with a direct steering ratio for highly precise road feel. It helps the driver stay on course by making slight steering corrections when braking on surfaces with different amounts of grip.
The taut RS setup lowers the body by 20 millimeters (0.79 in) compared with the Audi A4 Avant. New, polished 19-inch, ten-spoke forged aluminum wheels shod with 265/35-series tires are standard. Audi also offers 20-inch wheels with 265/30-series tires. These are available in a new, polished, titanium-look, five-V-spoke design plus two additional variants in the five-arm rotor design.
Mounted behind the large wheels are internally vented wave disc brakes measuring 365 millimeters (14.37 in) in diameter up front. The steel friction rings with their wave-like outer contour are perforated and connected to the aluminum brake caps via pins. This concept reduces tensions, quickly dissipates heat and prevents transmission of temperature peaks. The new shape of the friction rings shaves a total of roughly three kilograms (6.61 lb) off the unsprung weight.
The calipers are painted high-gloss black; the front calipers have eight pistons each and sport RS logos. The ESP stabilization system has a Sport mode and can be fully deactivated. For the front axle, Audi offers the option of 380 millimeter (14.96 in) carbon fiber ceramic discs and six-piston calipers in anthracite gray. The ceramic brakes are especially lightweight, robust and durable.
The Audi drive select driving dynamics system is among the standard equipment for the RS 4 Avant. With it, the driver can switch between three modes – comfort, auto and dynamic – to determine the characteristics of the steering, the seven-speed S tronic and the throttle valve. Audi drive select can even vary the sound of the exhaust system, double-declutching when downshifting in dynamic mode. If the car is equipped with an Audi navigation system, a largely driver-configurable custom mode is also available.
In addition to the sport differential, another component available for Audi drive select is dynamic steering. It varies its steering ratio by nearly 100 percent depending on the speed driven and automatically countersteers slightly at the cornering limit for even more precise and stable handling.
Another particularly dynamic damping technology available as an option from Audi is the sport suspension plus with dynamic ride control (DRC). Oil lines and a central valve connect diagonally opposed pairs of shock absorbers. During fast cornering, the system boosts the stabilization of the front outside wheel, for example.
The damping characteristic of the sport suspension plus is variable, with a choice of three settings available via Audi drive select.
Athletic: the exterior design
The exterior design flaunts the athletic character of the RS 4 Avant. The hexagonal single-frame grille is set in a frame with a matte aluminum-look finish; its honeycomb insert is finished in high-gloss anthracite. LED daytime running lights encircle the xenon plus units like a clasp in the wedge-shaped headlights. The air flows through large openings divided by crossbars and embedded in a distinctive bumper featuring a splitter edge like on a race car.
When viewed from the side, the chiseled side sill caps and flared wheel wells catch the eye. The flared rear side elements with sharp horizontal upper edges are a nod to that all-wheel drive pioneer from 1980, the Audi quattro. The side mirror housings and trim strips have a matte aluminum-look finish, and a discrete roof spoiler at the back ensures the necessary downforce.
The distinctive bumpers and the two oval tailpipe caps of the dual exhaust system dominate the rear end and are integrated into an upturned diffuser. Audi also offers a sport exhaust system with a voluminous sound and black caps. Elegant light strips adorn the LED rear lights.
The Audi RS 4 Avant is 20 millimeters (0.79 in) longer and 24 millimeters (0.94 in) wider than the A4 Avant, but 20 millimeters (0.79 in) lower. A choice of eight colors is available: one solid and one metallic finish, four pearl-effect colors and the two specially pigmented crystal-effect colors, Prism Silver and Panther Black. The extensively clad underbody integrates air vents for the seven-speed S tronic and the front brakes.
Sporty black: the interior
The interior of the RS 4 Avant is clad completely in black, with the exception of the roofliner, which is optionally available in Moon Silver. Chrome clasps subtly accentuate switches and control elements. Carbon inlays are standard, with brushed matte aluminum, Aluminum Race, black piano finish or a light stainless steel mesh available as options.
The standard heated front sport seats with integrated headrests are power adjustable and covered in a combination of black leather and Alcantara. Fine Nappa leather in either Black or Moon Silver accentuated with Stone Gray piping is optionally available. Other options include bucket seats or luxurious, climate-controlled deluxe seats with a ventilation function. The thick ring of the leather multifunction sport steering wheel is flattened at the bottom, and the shift paddles mounted on the back of it sport an aluminum-look finish.
The driver information system with color display includes an RS menu with a lap timer and an oil thermometer. Both it and the MMI monitor display a special RS welcome screen when the car is started.
The instrument cluster bezel shines with a piano finish, and the design of the selector knob of the seven-speed S tronic is unique to the RS. Typical of all RS vehicles, the door openers are two delicate bars. The pedals, the footrest, the air vents, the shift paddles on the steering wheel, the MMI buttons and other controls shine in an aluminum-look finish. Aluminum inserts adorn the door sill trims, which are accentuated with RS 4 badges.
Audi offers exclusive high-grade leather packages for all seating options, including a design package with honeycomb quilting for the RS 4 bucket seats. Rounding out the list of optional equipment is a broad range of state-of-the-art driver assistance and communication systems, including the Bluetooth online car phone that connects the RS 4 Avant with the Internet.
Options for the luggage compartment, which offers up to 1,430 liters (50.50 cu ft) of cargo space, include a rail system with load securing set and a power hatch.

Skoda have always made decent cars but up until now they haven’t really done luxury all that well. Prepare to be blown away by what you can get for your money, the Superb has come of age.