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News [1]
Opinion [2]
Business [3]
Sport [4]
Life [5]
Style [7]
Entertainment [8]
Travel [9]

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Motoring

March 2023

"Looking just like a regular BMW X5, the beauty of the iX5 Hydrogen is that it’s an electric car you can refuel in the time it takes to fill a petrol or diesel car and it achieves a 500km range."

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Review: BMW’s hydrogen-powered test iX5 SUV could be an enticing development in emission-free driving

There is something very alluring about the idea of a hydrogen-powered car. It runs on the most abundant element in the universe but, unlike fossil-fuelled cars, the only emission is water vapour. So when an invite popped into my inbox to drive a hydrogen-powered BMW X5 in Antwerp in Belgium, I had my passport in hand before I had time to hit the reply button.

"Tyres are a key component of the safety of any car so the condition of tyres is a vital factor in preventing road accidents."

Auto advice: From indicator bulbs to wiper blades and tyres, how to keep your car roadworthy so you stay safe

What do I need to know about my tyres?

The Nissan X-Trail offers plenty of room and tech, and its ‘e-factor’ will help it challenge its rivals in a crowded market

Nissan offers different take on hybrid game with X-Trail

Football is rich in examples of star players being deployed from their old role to a new one – for the good of the team.

Among the contenders for World Car of the Year 2023 are: BMW X1/iX1, Hyundai Ioniq 6 (pictured) and KIA Niro.

Strong showing of EVs in World Car of Year awards final list of contenders

The finalists in the World Car Awards of the Year categories have been chosen – with a strong field of electric cars among contenders for the prestigious gongs.

The BMW i7 was supremely comfortable. Photo: Paddy McGrath

REVIEW Magnificent 7: BMW’s electric limo is a byword for luxury, but it’s let down by its ‘fantasy’ range

Believe it or not, BMW have a luxury division – a secret task force who will stop at nothing to make their customers feel that extra bit special.

Of the EV owners surveyed, 59pc time their charging for the day's driving requirements. Photo: Getty Images

Six tips to get the best out of your EV battery after charging it up

One in three electric vehicle (EV) owners charge their cars for between three to six hours a day, according to a new survey.

Fast chargers will be introduced in strategic locations in a €20m investment as part of push for more power. Photo: Getty Images

Major drive is on to get quicker car-charging hubs built in key areas

The number of high-power charging units for electric vehicles will double this year as part of a €20m drive to boost the network and speed up charging times.

Parents will welcome the ease of access to the back seats, as the Nissan Qashqai e-Power SVE's doors open up to 90 degrees

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Review: Practical, comfortable, well-equipped and good to drive, Nissan’s Qashqai is hard to beat

In the annals of automotive history, there is likely to be a whole chapter devoted to the Nissan Qashqai, a car that kickstarted the crossover craze in 2007, and one that is our test car this week.

"There’s never a good time for a puncture and there is nothing more annoying than driving along to the sound of a flat tyre"

Auto advice: Punctures — how to avoid one and what to do when your tyre gets one

How can I prevent a puncture?

The new Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo is a sportier version of the popular hatchback

The full Monte: Skoda’s spruced up little city car is Fab, just don’t expect it to set your hair on fire

Skoda are bucking the trend when it comes to the runt of the litter by making one version as grand as its flagship models.

The Funky Cat outguns many smaller competitors and has a bright and breezy interior

Why this chic new Funky Cat could well leave you purring

It’s cheerful, not cheap, chic, cheeky – and oh, it’s Chinese. Say hello to the ORA Funky Cat compact electric hatch from GWM (Great Wall Motor company).

Speed limits are there for a reason, but most drivers don't seem to pay any attention to them

Motorway madness – what’s the point of speed limits if people don’t observe them?

I DON’T know about you, but I increasingly find myself being left behind even when I am going at or near the permitted legal speed.

Electric Vehicles (EVs) continue to outperform the market. Stock image.

One-in-seven cars bought last month was electric

One-in-seven new cars registered last month was a battery electric vehicle as latest figures show the overall market is up nearly 10pc.

BMW iX5. BMW's 100 iX5 Hydrogen is said to take 'three to four minutes' to fill

BMW to send out small fleet of hydrogen cars to road-test new tech

BMW is sending up to 100 iX5 Hydrogen vehicles all over the world in a get-to-know-you mission for testing and sampling of the technology.

On the way: latest Hyundai i10 supermini gets a facelift and is due here in summer

Hyundai’s latest i10 supermini is due here in July but there will not be an N Line variant that’s inspired by the brand’s high-performance N models.

All drivers should be aware of the perils of rubbernecking. Photo: Getty

Why we need to be on the lookout for the dangerous side of rubbernecking

The accident was on the north-bound side of the M50. There was a long tailback as you would expect.

Dacia have drawn on the technological expertise of parent company Renault for the Jogger

Review: Dacia refuses to compromise with hybrid version of seven-seat Jogger

There was hardly enough time for dust to gather in the Dacia awards cabinet, but already the Jogger line-up has been treated to a re-branding facelift and the addition of an all-new hybrid model.

February 2023

Follow the rules on scrapping your car to avoid problems later on

Auto advice: Time to scrap your old car? Here’s everything you need to know

Are there laws regulating scrapping a car?

The DS 4 is made of 95pc reusable materials and 85pc recyclable parts

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Review: DS 4 is a compelling premium alternative with a smart exterior and the allure of elegance

It’s been well over a decade since the DS nameplate was revived by Citroën as a design-orientated alternative to German premium cars. Today, the standalone brand’s range includes the funky DS 3, the large DS 7 SUV, the DS 9 executive saloon and our test car this week, the DS 4.

Peugeot 408 low-slung crossover with coupe styling cuts a dash

It’s great to see a car that defies being categorised as a hatchback, saloon, SUV, coupe, crossover or whatever.

BMW's X5 M and X6 M Competition models develop a staggering 625hp. Photo: Uwe Fischer

Dream machines: BMW’s two powerhouses will be here shortly

BMW has given their supercar X5 M Competition and X6 M Competition a major overhaul.

The new Peugeot 408 slots in between the 308 estate and the 3008

Review: All-new Peugeot 408 is bidding to tempt you out of that bland Crossover

One thing you could never accuse Peugeot of — not thinking outside the box.

Support is needed to help consumers make the move to electric vehicles

Why we need all the help we can get to cope with ‘challenging’ shift to EVs

It is easy to overlook just how dramatic the changes involved in the switch to electric cars can be for motorists accustomed to driving petrol and diesel vehicles .

Suzuki's updated Swace goes on sale here in July

Suzuki gives the Swace midsize estate a timely overhaul for July

Suzuki’s midsized estate is being revised and will go on sale here from July.

The Atto mid-size SUV from BYD, China's top-seller of new energy passenger vehicles for the past 10 years

Chinese brand BYD to enter Irish market with ‘world’s most technologically advanced electric vehicles’

Chinese brands are certainly making their presence felt on the Irish market .

Audi A8 Luxury 60 TFSI e quattro — for those who like business-class legroom, there is also a long wheelbase version

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Audi A8 review: This luxury car is brimming with comfort and tech, but the it’s ultimately outclassed by rivals

Many years ago, a senior automotive executive told me that women weren’t the target market when it came to luxury cars and the battle to win hearts and pockets was aimed squarely at the boardrooms and the golf courses and not the supermarket car park or the school gates.

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Motoring

March 2023

Review: BMW’s hydrogen-powered test iX5 SUV could be an enticing development in emission-free driving

Auto advice: From indicator bulbs to wiper blades and tyres, how to keep your car roadworthy so you stay safe

Nissan offers different take on hybrid game with X-Trail

Strong showing of EVs in World Car of Year awards final list of contenders

REVIEW Magnificent 7: BMW’s electric limo is a byword for luxury, but it’s let down by its ‘fantasy’ range

Six tips to get the best out of your EV battery after charging it up

Major drive is on to get quicker car-charging hubs built in key areas

Review: Practical, comfortable, well-equipped and good to drive, Nissan’s Qashqai is hard to beat

Auto advice: Punctures — how to avoid one and what to do when your tyre gets one

The full Monte: Skoda’s spruced up little city car is Fab, just don’t expect it to set your hair on fire

Why this chic new Funky Cat could well leave you purring

Motorway madness – what’s the point of speed limits if people don’t observe them?

One-in-seven cars bought last month was electric

BMW to send out small fleet of hydrogen cars to road-test new tech

On the way: latest Hyundai i10 supermini gets a facelift and is due here in summer

Why we need to be on the lookout for the dangerous side of rubbernecking

Review: Dacia refuses to compromise with hybrid version of seven-seat Jogger

February 2023

Auto advice: Time to scrap your old car? Here’s everything you need to know

Review: DS 4 is a compelling premium alternative with a smart exterior and the allure of elegance

Peugeot 408 low-slung crossover with coupe styling cuts a dash

Dream machines: BMW’s two powerhouses will be here shortly

Review: All-new Peugeot 408 is bidding to tempt you out of that bland Crossover

Why we need all the help we can get to cope with ‘challenging’ shift to EVs

Suzuki gives the Swace midsize estate a timely overhaul for July

Chinese brand BYD to enter Irish market with ‘world’s most technologically advanced electric vehicles’

Audi A8 review: This luxury car is brimming with comfort and tech, but the it’s ultimately outclassed by rivals

Why this one decent gesture deserved the thumbs-up – not two fingers

How Nissan got it right first time round with the Ariya

Review: Suzuki’s full hybrid S-Cross trumps rivals – but is it enough?

High-performance duo set for Irish market as part of Opel’s GSe revival

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