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I finished a recent review of the current DS 7 by saying ‘not there yet’ in terms of being the premium luxury car that DS Automobiles aspires to, writes Brian Byrne . The upcoming DS 9 flagship saloon may well be the one that brings the French brand over the line. In the meantime, though, they're pushing to or maybe even through that boundary with their latest compact car, the new DS 4. With 14 passenger car brands under its umbrella, from Alfa Romeo to Opel-Vauxhall and including Chrysler and Maserati, the Stellantis Group is now one of the world’s major automotive players. Combining resources is going to be a key part of its viability and with that comes also a need to be skilful at differentiating between models sharing common platforms and powertrains. The new DS 4 is an example. In core platform, it is equivalent to the Opel Astra, Peugeot 308 and Citroen C4. Four models with the same DNA which have to appeal to different customers in the very competitive compact hatch segment...

An SUV companion to the Mercedes-Benz EQS flagship electric car has, according to the company, redefined luxury in the segment, writes Brian Byrne . The 7-seat EQS SUV has the same wheelbase as the saloon, but is taller by more than 20cm. Like the saloon, it comes both in rear-drive and AWD, the latter by adding an electric motor to the front axle. Range options are from 540-671 km.  

The new DS 4 from DS Automobiles has gone on sale in Ireland at a starting price of €36,300, writes Brian Byrne . Available in five grades, and with petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid powertrains, the C-segment premium car is targeting a buyer who 'wants something different', according to the MD of DS Automobiles Ireland Des Cannon. A very distinctive and upscale styling outside is matched with an interior that focuses on being beyond ordinary and using rich materials to match. DS Automobiles is a stand-alone brand targeted at the premium level within the Stellantis Group. They are imported to Ireland by Gowan Distributors, and sold through the newly-opened DS Store in Dublin, located at Gowan Motors on the Navan Road. 

If Polestar is an unfamiliar brand, but somehow resonates, that's fair enough, writes Brian Byrne . As a car brand it only began selling here earlier this year, but the Polestar name has been used as a performance grade by its owner, Volvo, since 2015. The name began 26 years ago as a motor racing team developing its cars from the Swedish brand's models, and was later fully acquired by Volvo. Polestar was spun off as a standalone brand in 2017 by Volvo and its owners Geely Holding in China.  The Polestar 2 is the first model to be sold in Ireland, and is the first of a range of all-electric cars which the brand is developing after a decision that it would only be an EV carmaker. In a compact liftback format, in size it edges in to the space occupied by, for instance, Alfa Romeo's Giulia, Skoda's Octavia, and Tesla's Model 3. The style is distinctive by being clean and uncluttered. There are tilts to its Volvo connections, but the Polestar 2 is rather more smooth tha...

When you have a range of over 700km in your electric car, you simply forget about range, writes Brian Byrne . That’s a figure that nobody is likely to get anyway close to in any one day of their normal driving life. The Mercedes-Benz EQS 450+ had the longest range of any EV I’ve so far had out to review.  It was also at the upper end of the significant number of very expensive cars that I’ve driven in more than three decades of automotive journalism. Adequate range is the least that you should get. But you do get a lot more. First, it's a lot of car. The EQS sits larger in all parameters than the BMW 7, Audi A8, and the Jaguar XJ ... and even its own stablemate S-Class. But standing at the kerb it doesn't look so, thanks to the exceptional sleekness of its styling, which also makes it the most aerodynamic series production car in the world. For those unschooled in such nerd-speak, the claimed 0.20Cd drag coefficient is seriously impressive. You have to like the styling details ...

Irish rugby star, Jack Conan, has been appointed a Windsor Opel Brand Ambassador, writes Trish Whelan .  He has been presented with a new Opel Mokka-e.  Opel is a sponsor of Irish Rugby and the official car partner to the IRFU. Jack has been a powerful force in the Leinster and Ireland back row since 2014. Since making his Leinster debut that year, he has made over 100 appearances for the province, winning four PRO14 titles and a European Champions Cup.  The Bray native also toured with the British and Irish Lions for the first time in South Africa last year. He has played 30 test matches for Ireland and was part of the winning Six Nations and Grand Slam team in 2018. He was also on the Ireland team that made history earlier this year by beating the All Blacks in New Zealand for the first time.  Jack says the Mokka-e (Continental Irish Small SUV of the Year 2022) is more than spacious for a guy his size with plenty of room for all his training kit and even for his...

The ID. Buzz from Volkswagen builds on the strengths long offered by Volkswagen buses, writes Trish Whelan .  It may have a retro look to it but the technology is state-of-the-art. With a maximum load capacity in excess of 2,200 litres, various clever storage solutions and pull up tables, captain’s chairs plus up to eight fast-charging USB-C slots (that can power a laptop from zero to 50pc in 30 minutes), it can be considered an office on wheels.  The interior is an open space with plenty of room, great variability and a high level of comfort. It’s also a pioneering companion in the digital world offering the best connectivity thanks to its fully digital operating concept and infotainment system.  The driver can operate the Digital Cockpit with its 5.3-inch display like a large touch display in the middle of the dash panel. To match the driver’s elevated seat position, the vehicle is equipped with a high dash panel. It will have five seats, including a three-seater ben...

When I wrote about the latest Peugeot 308 back in May, shortly after it was launched here, I was decently impressed with only a relatively short time with the car, writes Brian Byrne . After a recent week, which for various family reasons involved an unusually large amount of travel including some airport collection runs, that good impression has been cemented. There's nothing like putting a car under more than normal daily pressure to show up any shortcomings. With this one there were ... none. None that stuck in my mind anyhow. Which shows that the French brand, now part of the comprehensive Stellantis Group, continues to make key models that are exactly what their market segment needs. The 308 of course is still a hatchback — and a wagon too — in an overall market which has heavily tilted to SUV-crossovers in the last decade. But there's still a strong place for the compact family hatch, especially in Europe, and along with similar format cars from its key competitors, Peuge...

The cost of EV batteries could be reduced by up to 50pc by using recycled materials in manufacture, according to BMW, writes Brian Byrne . The company also says the sixth generation batteries it will be producing for its cars by 2025 will offer a 30pc increase in range over current ones of similar size and weight. BMW is developing a new design of lithium-ion cells that are round in shape, and use less cobalt than current batteries. Moving to an 800-volt architecture will also speed up charging times. BMW will be producing the batteries at factories in China, Europe and North America, designed at its Battery Cell Competence Centre located in Munich. 

Jeep Avenger. Jeep has revealed now models which will offer full electric power, as part of its plan to provide an electric SUV in every segment by 2025, writes Brian Byrne . One of them, the Avenger, will go on sale in Europe in early 2023. It is described by the company as an 'urban SUV'. It will be built in Poland on the Stellantis Group CMP platform already used for the Corsa and 208 models among others. A Recon off-roader will reflect elements of the iconic Wrangler, and there's also a new up-market model reviving the company's Wagoneer nameplate. Both of these will eventually be sold in Europe, though not until after US sales begin in 2024. Jeep is aiming to have 100pc of its sales in Europe as EVs by 2030.  Jeep Wagoneer. Jeep Recon.

Ford has formally announced the all-electric version of its next generation Transit Custom, which will begin production in the autumn of 2023, writes Brian Byrne . The E-Transit Custom will have a rated range of up to 380km, with an 1,100kg payload and a towing capacity of up to 2,000kg. Under the Ford Pro division, the E-Transit Custom is also described by the company as a 'business hub', with 5G connectivity and a flexible workspace including a steering wheel that folds to become an holder for laptops and tablets. E-Transit Custom is one of four new Ford Pro electric commercial vehicles coming to Europe by 2024. The E-Transit large van is already on sale and Ford Pro claims operating savings compared to the diesel version can be as much as 40pc. 

Renault Ireland is planning to have its new electric Megane E-Tech model in dealerships for October, writes Brian Byrne . Meanwhile, the Renault Group achieved an 11.2pc market share in Ireland in August, achieving second position. The Renault Clio was number one in the B segment and third in the overall car market for the month. The Dacia Sandero is in the number two slot year to dat in the B segment, with Renault's Clio overall the fourth best selling car. For the year to end August, Dacia has recorded a 3.2pc market share, up 1.0pc on last year, helped by sales of the all-new 7-seat Dacia Jogger. 

DS was initiated to become a premium brand from the PSA Peugeot-Citroen group, which subsequently expanded as Stellantis to include Opel, Fiat, Chrysler, Alfa Romeo, Jeep, Maserati, Dodge, and Vauxhall, writes Brian Byrne . I can't help thinking that DS has become fairly lost in all that. But even if lofty aims of developing a new premium brand haven't succeeded — yet — the DS7 Crossback is a good car in the overall Stellantis space. It should be — it is underpinned by the platform and powertrains already well considered in its equivalents from Peugeot, Citroen, and Opel. The differences are in detail, the style elements aimed at setting the DS7 apart from its close cousins. Bespoke DS brand trimmings on the outside, notably a distinctive grille and logo with significant use of chrome on front, side and rear. Inside a plush design in the seating and lots of silvered switchgear on the centre console as well as a special dash-top timepiece from French luxury watchmaker BME Chrono...

Nissan has today unveiled its new, fourth generation X-Trail, writes Trish Whelan . Almost seven million units of the model have been sold globally since its launch in 2000, making it one of the world’s most popular family adventure vehicles.  The new X-Trail has been designed and engineered from the ground up and will be available in both five and seven seater configurations.  The new X-Trail will be available with the brand’s e-Power drivetrain, comprised of a high-output 1.8kWh battery integrated with a 1.5 turbo petrol engine, power generator, inverter and 150kW front electric motor, giving a combined 211hp and over 330Nm torque. There is no need to charge the battery. The petrol engine is used solely to generate electricity whilst the wheels are always completely driven by the electric motor. This means the engine can always run with its optimal range, leading to superior fuel efficiency in urban settings.  The new X-Trail is equipped with Nissan’s e-pedal allowin...

The Motoring Media Association of Ireland (MMAI) has been established to represent professional motoring journalists across print and digital outlets in Ireland, w rites Trish Whelan . It is the result of a merger between the Irish Motoring Writers Association (IMWA) and the Association of Professional Motoring Press (APMP).  Pictured above are motoring journalists who were present at the meeting. The MMAI will be responsible for organising the annual Continental Tyres Irish Car of the Year and Continental Tyres Irish Van of the Year Awards, Ireland’s most prestigious and widely recognised motoring accolades for over 40 years. Only members of the MMAI are eligible to vote in these awards which determine the best new cars and vans to be launched each year.  Officers appointed at the inaugural AGM of the new MMAI held in Dublin recently included Chair: Joe Rayfus; Vice-Chair: Daragh Keany; Secretary: David Walshe; Treasurer: Martin McCarthy; and PRO: Caroline Kidd. Leah Carrol...

Renault Ireland is continuing as broadcast sponsor of The Late Late Show on RTE for the 2022/23 season, writes Trish Whelan .  This marks the eight consecutive year of the partnership.  Paddy Magee, Country Operations Director, Renault Ireland said sponsoring the show has been a great success for the brand. He added: “This season we will feature our latest electric and hybrid models including the Arkana E-Tech Hybrid and the soon to arrive all new Megane E-Tech 100pc electric."  Geraldine O'Leary, Commercial Director, RTE said : "We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Renault whom we value hugely as a loyal and supportive business partner."