Volume 11. No. 4. Spring 2013

IRELAND’S FOREMOST FLEET & CORPORATE SECTOR GUIDE

TEST DRIVE REPORTS: • Renault Fluence • Audi A3 Sportback • Skoda Rapid

incorporating

200

4 News• Fleets to embrace Tyre Pressure Monitoring systems • Enterprise Rent-a-Car expands • GoCar & Seat team-up • DIT launches Cyclo Automotive student awards • Plus Junction Box • Ford boss on the pre-Reg issue

8 Fleeting ShotsEuropcar, Irish Guide Dogs, Centenary in Oxford and Cycling Tour featured

11 AwardsShortlisted contenders of the 2013 Motorcheck.ie Fleet Car Awards

14 ConceptsAutostyle Design Competition 2012

16 Launch Pad• Seat Leon • Jaguar XF Sportbrake • Toyota Verso & Prius + • Skoda Octavia • Honda Civic • Mazda 6 • Ford Kuga • Toyota RAV4 • Range Rover

20 Test Drive Reports I + II• Renault Fluence MKII • Audi A3 Sportback

22 Review83rd Geneva Motorshow 2013

24 Reporte-Car Conference, Belfast

26 DirectionRoad Safety Newsletter

30 Test Drive Report IIISkoda Rapid

www.fl eetcar.ie

www.fl eetcar.ie | 3 Contents Spring 2013

Fleet Transport/ Fleet Car/ Green Fleet

Management/ Fleet Van & Utility/ Fleet

Bus & Coach/ Fleet Trailer & Body Builder/

Fleet Maritime are published by JJDS

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FLEET SAFETY SERVICES

Call us today for more information:Dublin 01-8955755 | Cork 021-4626129 | Galway 091-507517

www.nifast.ie

Nifast Fleet Safety Services can advise and assist employers in the many practical

methods of managing the risks posed to their employees during the course of their work.

Some of the services Nifast Fleet Safety Services provide are:

Decision Driver Training

Pre-Employment Assessments

Vehicle Type Familiarisation

Post-Incident Support Training

Off-Road All Terrain 4 x 4

Shunter Operator Training

Banksman/Signallers Course

Staff Safety Briefings

Fleet Risk Management Briefing

Vehicle Risk Assessments

Driver CPC

FLEETCAR | Spring 2013

4 | NEWS 1

Enterprise Rent-A-Car Continues to Expand in Ireland

Fi f teen years ago, t wo young entrepreneurs, George O’Connor and Mike Hawkins set up a new business

in a Dublin apartment renting replacement cars for insurance companies. Th eir company became Enterprise Rent-A-Car, part of the Global, Enterprise Rent-A-Car Group, and it now has 22 branches and 170 employees across Ireland. On 19 February, Enterprise Rent-A-Car in Donegal, located on Pearse Road, ma rked the f i rst new Enterprise Rent-A-Car branch to be opened in 2013 with new Branch Manager, Dermot Diver from Inishowen at the helm.

Speaking to Fleet Car on the progress made, George O’Connor, Managing Director of Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Ireland, said; “We are delighted to open a new branch in Donegal. Th is is the beginning of our 2013 expansion plans. Dermot having come up through our Management Training Programme was a perfect candidate to run the new branch. All of our managers, like Dermot are graduates. Most have come through the business, having had work

placements with Enterprise through college and being employed full time once they graduate. We have a fantastic third level work placement programme and we empower our staff to take control to the extent that we see our offi ces in Ireland as a confederation of small businesses with each of the managers, managing their own

offi ce, as if it was their own company.”

Then on Monday 25 February, Enterprise Rent-A-Car in Sligo, located in Carraroe, opened its new, bigger branch with Jenny Cullen Carty, originally from Sligo, continuing to manage the new branch.

Com menting on the opening of the new Sligo Branch, Jenny Cullen Carty, Branch Manager said; “I joined Enterprise Rent-A-Car aft er graduating from IT Sligo, I applied to Enterprise to get on their Management Training Programme and I was delighted to be accepted. IT Sligo has a great relationship with Enterprise Rent-A-Car and through the College, I learnt about the great training and continuous professional development Enterprise Rent-A-Car off ers its employees. Enterprise Rent-A-Car off ers graduates an exceptional opportunity to be promoted up through the business and I am testament to that.”

New Head of AUDI Ireland Christian Gussen is the new head of Audi Ireland, taking over from Andrew Doyle, who has moved to take up the position of Managing Director of Audi Australia. Doyle has been in the role for two years.

Mr. Gussen, has over 15 years of experience with the Audi brand, working with Audi AG in Sales Planning, Sales Distribution and as a Sales Manager for Europe before moving to Audi Italy, where he has been the Head of Remarketing and Dealer Network Quality, Head of Service and most recently, Head of Marketing.

FIAT has lowest CO2 emissions in Europe

In 2012, for the sixth consecutive year Fiat has been confi rmed as the brand with the lowest average CO2 emissions in Europe among the best-selling automotive brands. Fiat has reduced its average CO2 emissions by about 13% from 137,3 to 119,8 g/km, a result that is signifi cantly lower than the average target set by the European Union for 2015 (130 g/km). Th e record is certifi ed by JATO Dynamics, the world’s leading provider of automotive intelligence.

New Golf is Europe’s Car of the Year

Th e new Volkswagen Golf is Europe’s ‘Car of the Year 2013’. Th e renowned international ‘Car of the Year’ Award is deemed one of the most important barometers in the automotive industry. Th e winners were announced in the run-up to the Geneva Motor Show.

Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen AG, stated: “Th at’s a superb result, and we are very proud of it. Th is most signifi cant European award is the perfect fi nal touch to the list of prizes we’ve already won. Over 29 million customers have made the Golf into the icon that it is. Th e Golf will continue this success story.”

Company car drivers need to be educated to get the most of the Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) that are

becoming compulsory across the European Union. From November of last year, all new car model types approved in the EU must have TPMS installed while all new cars sold must have them fi tt ed from November 2014. Mike Wise, director of Tyre Programmes at motor industry e-commerce expert epyx, explained: “While this technology will inevitably add a small amount to the price of a new car, we believe that it is something that fl eets should embrace. Every piece of research that has ever been carried out into tyre pressures in the fl eet and general car parc shows that tyres are oft en woefully underinfl ated, damaging fuel economy and creating safety risks. Th is is an excellent way to solve the problem.” However, Mike was keen to emphasise that TPMS would only be eff ective if drivers were educated

in its use and if fl eet managers made it clear that they expected the systems to be properly used. “TPMS systems have been around for some years and the potential problem is that some drivers simply ignore them, either because they don’t understand their purpose or because they simply can’t be bothered to infl ate their tyres. With the equipment becoming eff ectively compulsory on fl eets, as part of their duty of care, employers need to ensure that drivers understand TPMS and acknowledge that any warning fl agged up by the system must be acted upon.” Mike added that a further issue was that TPMS

should not be used by drivers as an excuse not to regularly inspect their tyres. “Th ere is obviously much more to the safety of a tyre than its pressure and fl eets managers should ensure that drivers are still carrying out regular inspections as part of the general vehicle checks that should be part of their risk management policy.”

Company car drivers must be educated on new EU Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems

hat shshs

www.fl eetcar.ie

NEWS 11 | 5

GoCar, Ireland’s car sharing initiative, has teamed-up with SEAT that will see fi ve SEAT Mii joining the GoCar

fl eet in 2013. Th e new Seat Mii citycar will be available to GoCar members to rent on an hourly basis across Dublin. Th e GoCar initiative works on a pay-per-trip basis which allows the user the freedom to access a vehicle when and as they need it. GoCar has also announced the opening of 6 new GoBases in Dublin at Clontarf, Sandymount, Donnybrook, Harold’s Cross and Miltown (2).

Th e total number of GoBases in the capital now stands 23 with a further fi ve in Cork. Five of the new GoBases are located in Dublin City Corporation car parks which are located close to public transport links. “All of the locations announced are well serviced by public transport and cycle lanes which fi ts with our aim of establishing GoCar a viable addition to existing public transport links. On-demand access to vehicles will result in less vehicles being used on Irish roads and this will have a positive environmental impact

in our major cities and towns. Th e SEAT Mii will not only provide a fun driving experience for our members but it also produces low CO2 emissions so is a perfect fi t for GoCar,” explained CEO of GoCar Colm Brady. “As a brand, we are delighted to be behind the GoCar initiative, which is clever alternative to car ownership very much in tune with modern living. Th e Mii is the perfect car for this scheme as it is so easy to drive and it has the environmental credentials to suit the car sharing ethos,” said SEAT Director Cian O’Brien.

“We are present at the dawn of a new era” said Larry Pesin,

Chairman of Cyclo Industries, speaking to an audience at the Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT). Larry was in Dublin to att end the launch of the 2013 Cyclo Automotive Tech nolog y St udent Project Awards, sponsored by the US based automotive products company, which recognises student achievements in automotive technology.

For their fi nal year project for BEng Tech in Automotive Management and Technology at DIT, three students, Simon Wall, Niall O’Brien and Paul Donnelly converted a 1.3 litre petrol powered Mitsubishi Colt, to a 48 Volt - 3.9kW electric car, (now renamed the Mitsubishi Volt). Th e students converted the car for a cost of approximately €800 - and a lot of hard work.

Still a work in progress, the ‘Volt’ uses an electric motor supplied by Peter Keogh Forklift s, and can achieve a top speed of 60 kph. Four 12V truck batt eries allow the car to run for approximately 30 minutes, before recharging.

Th e Cyclo range is distributed in Ireland by Serfac Limited, a leading Irish automotive aft ermarket supplier and the students eff orts were well supported by Serfac Ltd and Cyclo Industries. Th ey have collaborated with Declan Allen (Head, Dept of Transport Engineering) DIT to encourage and showcase engineering talent at the College. In recognition of their eff orts the award winning students are invited to the famous Indianapolis 500 motor race as guests of Cyclo Industries. Paul White

GoCar and SEAT put you and Mii together

Honda Tops for Engine Reliability

Leading independent vehicle warranty provider, Warranty Direct, has named Honda vehicles best for engine reliability in a recent survey of 36 car manufacturers. Th e Warranty Direct survey looked at engine failure statistics resulting from claims made by their members. Honda fi gures were signifi cantly ahead of the industry average, and were even twice as low as the second-placed competitor. In scooping the gold medal, the study found that just one in every 344 Honda engines recorded a claim.

Adrian Cole, Managing Director of Universal Honda Ltd., commented on the results. ‘We are very pleased that yet again Honda vehicles have topped an important reliability survey. Drivers are now holding onto their cars for longer, so it’s great to see that our engines have been singled out as being the most reliable out there.’

Merlin Group Announce Two New Appointments

Th e Merlin Group, which incorporates Merlin Car Auctions, and Ganly Craigie, which specialises in plant and machinery, land and property auctioneering, has announced two new appointments.

Robert Meade has been appointed as Head of Plant & Machinery at Ganly Craigie, while Ed Byrne has been appointed as Operations Manager for the Merlin Group.

DIT launches Cyclo Automotive Technology Student Project Awards

GoCar is Go! CEO of GoCar, Colm Brady and SEAT Director Cian O’Brien.

Ireland’s car sharing initiative opens 6 new GoBases in Dublin

Robert Meade

Ed Byrne

A the launch of the DIT Cyclo Automotive Technology Student Project Awards were Brian Fanning; MD Serfac, Paul Donnelly; Student DIT, Simon Wall; DIT Student, Niall O’Brien; DIT Student and Larry Pesin, Chairman, Cyclo Industries

FLEETCAR | Spring 2013 Text & Photos: Cathal Doyle - cathal@fl eet.ie

6 | NEWS EXTRA

Chairman & Managing Director of Ford Ireland, Eddie Murphy, has condemned the increasingly

common practice by some distributors and dealers of engaging in registration actions like Pre-Reg and early rental to artifi cially boost monthly and annual sales fi gures. Speaking at the Irish launch of the new Fiesta and Kuga models, Mr Murphy said that it was impossible to predict what this year’s market size will be, but that it will be determined by those engaging in distress registrations. He described Pre-Reg as a month-end registration by a dealer which is prompted by an incremental lump of money from the Distributor to increase sales numbers. “Th is then allows the dealer to sell any such Pre-Regs at a lower price the following month. You may say what is wrong with that? My response is that it penalizes customers who bought earlier in the month and paid a higher

price, and moreover it devalues residual values for all customers. In addition, it puts undue fi nancial pressure on dealerships who continue to struggle in a very poor Irish economy.”

“Across Europe, Ford has taken a view that it does not want to be in this short cycle business and we are determined to off er diff erent value propositions to the customer. We may incur a market share decrease for this strategy but ultimately, we believe that it is right for our brand” said Mr. Murphy. Observing an increase also in rental registrations, Mr. Murphy noted that February’s total was 2,279 units versus 1,200 in February 2012. Th e increasing distortion of monthly sales fi gures was highlighted in January of this year when 2,842 vehicles – equating to 16% of the entire monthly total of 17,299 new car sales - were registered on the last day of the month. Th at percentage fi gure was even higher in February, with an estimated 2,000 units representing some 19% of the total monthly sales registered on the fi nal day.

Ford’s new Fiesta has done well since its launch at the start of the year, re-establishing itself as the

undisputed market leader in the small family car B-Segment. Indeed, in the fi rst two months of 2013, Fiesta sales were 50% bett er than its nearest challenger.

Th e Fiesta’s appeal will be strengthened in no small terms by the arrival of a sporty addition in the form of the ST. Th e ST branding was last seen on a Fiesta on the 2005 - 2008 model; the new version with 182 PS on tap from a 1.6 litre EcoBoost engine is 20% more powerful than that car, but equally as important in this day and age is also 20% cleaner, returning CO2 emissions of 138 g/km, putt ing it in to Tax Band B2. Th e EcoBoost engine is uniquely calibrated for the ST for power and responsiveness.

Visually the ST is diff erentiated from the regular Fiesta by a prominent trapezoidal front grille, rear diff user, unique 17 inch alloys, a body kit and twin pipe exhaust. Inside there are special Recaro sports seats, ST steering wheel and alloy pedals. Driving enjoyment is enhanced by a Sound Symposer as previously seen in the Focus ST which directs the sporty engine noise into the cabin.

Th e ST suspension has been re-tuned and lowered by 15 mm. Further modifi cations include new front knuckles, and unique springs and dampers. Th e steering has also been tuned for a sharper response, while braking power has been enhanced with rear discs for the fi rst time on a Fiesta, and bigger vented front discs. Th e car also features electronic Torque Vectoring Control (eTVC) which controls the ST’s balance in response to steering inputs.

Two versions will be on off er in Ireland. ST1 retails for €25,760 while the ST2 model costs €27,260. Th e Fiesta ST will be on sale from April.

Check out www.fl eetcar.ie for our first driving impressions of the new Ford Fiesta ST direct fr om the launch in Nice, France.

Ford Ireland’s Chief critical of Pre-Reg practice

New ST broadens Fiesta appeal

There’s a certain class ofdriver who doesn’t thinkresidual value is important.

According to independent research carried out by Motorcheck.ie, the ŠKODA Superb retains its value better than any other car in its class. So if you’re in the market for an executive car that delivers both value and luxury, the smartest choice is the ŠKODA Superb. Any other decision would be bananas.

The ŠKODA Superb.

Motorcheck.ie is Ireland‘s leading car history website specialising in data and intelligence for both consumer and trade users. Residual value research was conducted on bestselling diesel models sold in the Republic of Ireland in 2009. Average advertised prices as from July 2012 were used to calculate the level of value retention. Manufacturer‘s ex-works list prices were used for calculation purposes. Total sample size was 12,530 vehicles. Where exact variant matches were not available, the closest match was used. Statistical smoothing techniques are practiced by Motorcheck.ie to remove discrepancies in each sample. Some vehicles were omitted from the analysis as the sample size could not make accurate conclusions. Bestselling models used in this research include: ŠKODA Superb GreenLine 1.9TDI, Ford Mondeo 1.8 TDCI LX, Opel Insignia 2.0 CDTi Ecoflex SC, Peugeot 407 1.6 HDI Ultra, Mazda 6 2.0 TDi Executive SE, Citroen C5 1.6 HDI Dynamique, Renault Laguna 1.5DCI Privilege.

skoda.iefacebook.com/skodaireland twitter.com/skodaIRL

Retained Value After 3 Years

61%

ŠKODA Superb

Ford Mondeo

Opel Insignia

Peugeot 407

Mazda 6

Citroen C5

Renault Laguna

52% 52%

47% 47% 47%43%

40%

45%

50%

55%

60%

FLEETCAR | Spring 2013 Text: Jarlath Sweeney - editor@fl eet.ie

8 | FLEETING SHOTS

Triathlon Ireland Europcar partnership

A Century Of Car-Making In Oxford

2013 ŠKODA Tour de Conamara (www.tourdeconamara.com)

Triathlon Ireland has teamed up with Europcar Ireland, and the two year partnership will see Europe’s largest

car rental company provide fl eet support to Triathlon Ireland and the creation of a Europcar Series of Triathlon events. As Triathlon is the fastest growing sport in Ireland, the deal provides two Skoda Yetis for Triathlon Ireland staff to use at triathlon events around the country and transport support for athletes in Triathlon Ireland’s elite programme. Th e Europcar Mini Series will include the following events – Carrick-on-Suir Triathlon, County Tipperary, Brian

Boru Triathlon Killaloe, County Clare and Fingal Triathlon, Blanchardstown. Europcar

will also be present at many other triathlons over the course of the season. Europcar CEO, Colm Menton is delighted to be supporting Triathlon Ireland. He said, “Triathlon has shown massive growth in Ireland over the past few years. Its growth trajectory mirrors that of Europcar’s business in Ireland and we have a number of staff who regularly compete in Tri events around the country. We believe that there is a strong synergy between our commitment to customer satisfaction and Triathlon Ireland’s track record in delivering top class athlete focused events.”

Sinead O’Keeff e, Commercial Manger, Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind (IGDB), presented Barry Moher with the keys

of his brand new Ford Focus, which he won in the charity’s annual car raffl e, sponsored by Ford Ireland. Barry bought his lucky ticket on Henry Street, Dublin and it was drawn from over 25,000 tickets at IGDB headquarters in Cork.

Th e funds raised go towards providing life changing services for people who are blind or vision impaired, and families of children with autism.

Ford has also generously donated a Tourneo Minibus and a Grand CMax to Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind for 2013. Th ese vehicles will be used by staff to provide nationwide aft ercare and support to over 600 clients nationwide.

Pictured with Barry Moher receiving his brand new Ford Focus fr om Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind (IGDB) are (L to R) Aoife and Joanne Farrelly (Barry’s fi ancée) Barry Moher, the lucky winner, Eddie Murphy, Chairman and MD of Ford Ireland, Enda O’Connor, MD of Finglas Ford and Sinead O’Keeff e Commercial Manager(IGDB) and puppy in training Yeltsin.

The MINI Plant hosted the celebrations of a centenary of car-making in Oxford, on 28 March

2013 – 100 years to the day when the fi rst “Bullnose” Morris Oxford was built by William Morris, a few hundred metres from where the modern plant stands today. Twenty cars were built each week at the start, but the business grew rapidly and over the century 11.65 million cars were produced.

Today, Plant Oxford employs 3,700 associates who manufacture up to 900 MINIs every day, and has contributed over 2.25 million MINIs to the total tally. Major investment is currently

under way at the plant to create new facilities for the next generation MINI.

Over the decades that followed the emergence

of the Bullnose Morris Oxford in 1913, came cars from a wide range of famous British brands – and one Japanese - including MG, Wolseley, Riley, Austin, Austin Healey, Mini, Vanden Plas, Princess, Triumph, Rover, Sterling and Honda, besides founding marque Morris - and MINI. Th e Pressed Steel Company, part of the Cowley operation, also built bodyshells for Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Jaguar, MG, Standard-Triumph, Ford and Hillman, as well as tooling dies for Alfa Romeo. At various stages in its history it has

also built Tiger Moth aircraft , ambulances, military trucks, jerry cans, components for Horsa gliders, parachutes and iron lungs.

Five-time Tour de France winner Bernard Hinault and r ugby legend Keith Wood are among the

international sports stars lining up for the 2013 ŠKODA Tour de Conamara (www.tourdeconamara.com) to be held on Saturday 25 May, which will see the area host Ireland’s fi rst sportive team time trial in Carna, County Galway. Speaking at the launch of the event Raymond Leddy, Head of Marketing, ŠKODA Ireland said; “ŠKODA is delighted to become the offi cial sponsor to the Tour de Conamara. ŠKODA has a rich tradition in cycling and is the offi cial partner of the Tour de France. To

be able to get behind a local event such as this was an easy decision to make and we wish all the participants well. Monaghan & Sons, our local ŠKODA dealership in Galway will be off ering participants the option to get pre-tour VIP treatment with further details to be

announced closer to the event.” “Th e event has already att racted considerable international interest with registrations already received from cyclists in the UK, France and the USA” according to event organiser Padraic Quinn. Speaking about the return of Bernard Hinault to Connemara, Padraic revealed the French cycling legend expressed an immediate interest in returning in the aft ermath of the 2012 event; “Bernard was very taken with the event atmosphere, scenery and the reaction of Irish cyclists to him. Th is year marks the 100th anniversary of the Tour de France so it is a real honour to have one of the sport's true legends join us in Connemara for the event”

At the announcement was Gavin Noble, Irish Olympic Triathlete

Irish Guide Dogs car raffl e winner Barry Moher

The UltimateDriving Machine

BMW 5 Series

www.bmw.ie

EXCELLENCE IS COMPELLING.THE BMW 5 SERIES. WINNER OF BEST EXECUTIVE CAR AT THE 2012 FLEET CAR AWARDS.We were delighted that the BMW 5 Series picked up the prestigious award of Best Executive Car at the 2012 Fleet Car Awards. The BMW 5 Series provides a beautiful

Visit bmw.ie

Awards2012WINNER

www.renault.ie

Model shown is for illustrative purposes. Model shown is Fluence R-Link RRP €23,790. Price excludes dealer related charges, recommended dealer delivery charge €700. Terms and conditions apply to 5 Yearwarranty and fuel offer - see renault.ie. Finance example Fluence Expression 1.6 RRP €19,690. Deposit €6,807. 36 monthly payments of €199. Total cost of credit €2,149 inc doc & completion fee €75 each. Optional final payment €7,817 APR 6.9%. Offer is made under a hire purchase agreement. Subject to lending criteria. Terms apply. [You will not own these goods until the final payment is made.]

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Following the success of the inaugural Motorcheck.ie Fleet Car Awards last year, the second occasion to honour the corporate/business

car sector is happening later this month. Th e awards programme has a similar format to that of 2012, with two additions to the award classifi cation line-up. Due to the large number of estate cars now available from the various manufacturers (33 and counting!), the judging panel has decided to include an Estate-Premium category alongside the standard Estate class, C-Segment, D-Segment (+ Premium) Executive classes together with a Luxury class on the honours list.

Since last time, a number of new cars have joined the line-up of candidates together with a few models that have received a mid-life makeover. Th e expert adjudication panel, consisting of members of the corporate car leasing industry and other delegates from the fl eet and fi nacial sectors that represent the user chooser, have now assessed almost 100 cars from the Long List to select the top ten models in each category. Th at Shortlist (listed below) now provides the opportunity for further analysis and examination from a practical and fi nancial viewpoint over two days. Marks will be given to the brand’s fl eet strategy parallel to the car’s styling, quality, engine and driving performance, equipment levels, safety, residuals, running costs and BIK. Brand Distributors were asked about their off erings that benefit the f leet customer

and whether they provide driver training. Desirability and effi ciency in the business car market are other factors considered as well as their aft ersales service.

As per the fi rst edition, the winning car in each of the now seven separate categories will be announced at the Motorcheck.ie Fleet Car Awards 2013 presentation luncheon.

Fleet Car, as media partners, will promote

the awards in its magazine, website and social media. Once again Newspress Ireland, the dedicated automotive public relations service for motoring journalists will be involved.

Shane Teskey, Managing Director, Motorcheck.ie, commented on the announcement of the Shortlist for the 2013 Motorcheck.ie Fleet Car Awards, “We are very pleased to be involved in the second annual running of these awards and look forward to announcing

the winners at the Networking Luncheon later this month. Th e selection and election process involves members of the Company/Corporate Car industry from Managing Directors of Leasing Companies, Financial Advisors, Advanced Driver Trainers, Fleet Safety Specialists, Health & Safety experts and ‘User-Chooser’ drivers In looking at the Long List, the judging panel had a diffi cult task in hand to come up with the Shortlist of candidates, before deciding on the eventual winners.”

“Last year, Volkswagen, BMW and Audi were honoured in the C Segment, Executive & Estate and D Segment Premium categories respectively, with Skoda elected the best in the business in the D Segment, and it will interesting to see who comes out on top for 2013,” added Cathal Doyle, Deputy Editor, Fleet Car magazine.

Pictured at the launch of the 2013 Motorcheck.ie Fleet Car Awards are Cathal Doyle; Deputy Editor Fleet Car, Shane Teskey; M.D. Motorcheck.ie and Jarlath Sweeney; Editor Fleet Car.

Motorcheck.ie Fleet Car Awards 2013 gains momentum as Shortlist announced

AWARDS | 11

www.fl eetcar.ie

FLEETCAR | Spring 2013

12 | AWARDS

MOTORCHECK.IE FLEET CAR AWARDS 2013

The ShortlistC-SEGMENT

D-SEGMENT

Audi A3

Honda Accord

Mazda 6 Volkswagen Passat

Skoda OctaviaFord Focus

D-SEGMENT Premium

Audi A4 Citroen DS5BMW 3 Series

Hyundai i40

Skoda Superb

Volvo V40 Volkswagen Golf

AWARDS | 13

www.fl eetcar.ie

ESTATE Premium

Audi A6 Avant

Hyundai i40 Tourer

Skoda Superb Combi

Jaguar XF Sportback

Opel Insignia Sport Tourer

BMW 5 Series Touring

Mazda 6 Tourer

Volkswagen Passat Estate

EXECUTIVE

LUXURY

Audi A6

Audi A8

BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe

Jaguar XJ

BMW 5 Series

BMW 7 Series

A utostyle International Design Competition is more than an event, it is a workshop on the current state and the future of

the auto industry. Th e competition, which is now at its ninth edition, was devised by, and kept alive with great enthusiasm year- on-year by Roberto Artioli (pictured), the Managing Director of Berman S.p.A, a manufacturer of car components and special versions since 1972 and Fulvio Cinti, Director of Auto & Design magazine.

Th e two founders have been supported by the Town of San Benedett o Po (MN), Iveco, Suzzara, Politecnico di Milano, Universita di Firenze and the patronage by Chamber of Commerce of Mantova, Province of Mantova.

For the 2012 edition of the Autostyle Design Competition the sett ing of the nineteenth-century Villa di Bagno, in the outskirts of Mantua played host to 22 worldwide young designer fi nalists – selected from a pool of 70 applicants from diff erent Design Schools – which were on show during the two-day event.

Th is year, students were asked to create a Pope-mobile based on an existing hybrid production (or coming soon into production) model. Listed below are the models each group/school was asked to work on:

IED Istituto Europeo di Design di 1. Torino, Italy with Infi niti M35hIED Istituto Europeo di Design di Torino, 2. Italy with BMW ActiveHybrid X6

Institut Superieur de Design de 3. Valenciennes, France with Land Rover DC100 (presented a concept car)I st it uto Super iore d i Sc ien z a 4. dell’Automobile di Modena, Italy with Mercedes-Benz F800 Style (presented concept car)I st it uto Super iore d i Sc ien z a 5. dell’Automobile di Modena, Italy with Audi A8 hybridPolitecnico di Milano, Italy with 6. Volkswagen Touareg V6 TSI HybridPolitecnico di Milano, Italy with Audi 7. Q7 hybrid (presented concept car)Royal College of Art, UK with Citroen 8. DS5 HybridUniversita degli Studi di Firenze, Italy 9. with Lexus RX 450hUmea Institute of Design, Sweden with 10. Volkswagen Cross Coupe.

Overall Winner:Han Yong-fei (France, 23 years old) and Eric Leong (Canada, 24), pictured, of Umea Institute of Design for the best proposal with Volkswagen Cross Coupe.

An audience award was assigned by Autostyle participants during the event to Giacomo Alberotanza (Italy, 29) and Giuseppe Starace (Italy,30) of Universita degli Studi di Firenze with Lexus RX450h.

Th e creativity awards were presented to Director of Auto & Design magazine: Daniele Alessandro Capriott i (Brazil, 26), Seunghung Jeong (Korea, 26) and Aldo Maria Sica (Italy, 20) of Istituto Europe di Design di Torino with their BMW ActiveHybrid X6. One plaque “Special School Award” was given to IED for the support during the project.

Th e two-day event started with the traditional workshops on how new models are created in the design centres today with the late afternoon session with Flavio Manzoni (Ferrari) talking about the F12 joined Klemens Rossnagel (Audi) describing the Audi A3. Th e next morning, Andreas

Wuppinger (Fiat) illustrated the project of the 500L followed by Anna Costamagna (Peugeot) with the Peugeot 208 design programme.

A selection of signifi cant production and concept cars were on show in the gardens of Villa di Bagno: such as Audi A8 hybrid, Audi Q7 hybrid, Bentley, New GTC, Ferrari F12,

Fiat New 500L, Infi nti M35h, Lamborghini New Gallardo LP560-4 Spyder, Maserati New Granturismo Sport, Nissan Juke, Nissan Leaf, Opel Ampera, Pagani Zonda-S, Peugeot 208, Peugeot 3008 hybrid, Peugeot 508 RXH, Renault Twizy, Suzuki Swift Lupin, Toyota Prius Plug-In, Toyota Prius Plus, Toyota Yaris Hybrid.Further details on www.fl eetcar.ie

Autostyle Design Competition 2012*Concepts fi t for a new Pope!

Concepts

FLEETCAR | Spring 2013 Text: Jarlath Sweeney - editor@fl eet.ie

14 | CONCEPTS

FLEETCAR | Spring 2013

16 | LAUNCH PAD 1

SEAT is on a roll at the moment, having recorded a 133% increase in sales in the fi rst two months of

2013 compared to the same period last year. Th e Spanish brand’s fortunes should continue to rise with the launch of the new Leon, which arrives hot on the heels of the latest generation Toledo.

Th e last Leon was arguably the best looking car in Seat’s line-up, and the new model, while an all-new design, retains a similar silhouett e to that of its predecessor. Although fi ve centimeters shorter than before, the wheelbase is longer by six centimeters meaning cabin space is not compromised, while the short overhang give the new car a sporty appearance.

Th e new Leon comes with in three trim levels including the performance FR model, which becomes the fi rst car in this segment to be fi tt ed with full front and rear LED lights. All models are well equipped, featuring 6 Airbags, air conditioning, a multifunction steering wheel and on board computer, and a 5” colour

touch screen Media System.

Engine wise there is a broad choice including 86 bhp and 105 bhp 1.2 TSI and 180 bhp 1.8 TSI petrol off erings, while on the diesel front there is a 1.6 TDI with 90 or 105 bhp, or a 2.0 TDI with 150 or 184 bhp. Th e 105 bhp 1.6 TDI, which is expected to be the volume seller, has CO2 emissions of just 99 g/km and returns fuel economy of up to 3.8 l/100 km.

Prices for the new Leon start from €18,995 for the 1.2 TSI Reference, €20,995 for the 1.6 TDI Reference 90bhp and €21,675 for the 1.6 TDI 105bhp. Th e Style model starts from €21,395, with the FR specifi cation starting from €26,825. Cathal Doyle

New Leon to continue SEAT’s upward momentum

Jaguar has added to the appeal of the XF range with the launch of the new XF Sportbrake, a versatile estate to

take on executive rivals such as the Audi A6 Avant, BMW 5-Series Touring and Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate.

Like many of its rivals in this segment, the XF Sportbrake is more of a lifestyle estate than true load lugger, nonetheless, the Sportbrake off ers a useful 1,675 litres of load space when the 60:40 split rear seats are lowered, with a total load length of 1,970 mm and a load width of 1,064 mm. Passengers also benefi t, with an additional 48 mm of rear headroom over the saloon model.

Load carrying capabilities are further enhanced by a new standard fi tment self-levelling rear air suspension, while all XF

Sportbrake derivates can also be specifi ed with Jaguar’s Adaptive Dynamics System, which continuously monitors the suspension and can adjust sett ings up to 500 times a second. Engine variants are carried over from the saloon, with the 2.2 litre i4 Diesel likely to account for the majority of sales. Available in 163 or 200 PS variants, it off ers up to 5.1 l/100 km (55.4 MPG) fuel consumption and

CO2 emissions of 135 g/km. 240 and 275 PS versions of the 3.0 litre V6 Diesel are also available.

Prices start from €47,220 for the XF Sportbrake 2.2 D SE, with an additional premium of €4,380 to move up to Luxury specifi cation.

Th ere has always been a demand for the additional practicalities off ered by estates in the premium segment, sales outstripping demand for their saloon equivalents in many European markets. Jaguar has designed a good looking executive estate that should signifi cantly extend the car’s appeal for both private and fl eet buyers. Cathal Doyle

Jaguar launches estate version of XF

As the new Toyota TV advert ‘My Dad, My Hero’ continues to att ract admirers, Toyota Ireland has added

two new generation models to its MPV range – the all new Prius + and the new Verso.

As the fi rst seven-seater to come in Hybrid power form, the Prius + has three rows of seats with each row positioned 45mm higher than the previous one to aid all round visibility. And with the lithium-low batt ery pack fi tt ed between the front seats, cabin space is not compromised. Th e highly practical family car comes with a host of features to please passengers such as the Toyota Touch screen, rear-view camera, Bluetooth & USB connections. From the petrol / electric drivetrain, fuel consumption is rated at 4.1L/100km (68.7mpg) and CO2 emission of only 96 gramms. Prius + is priced from €34,995.

With a sporty look and broader colour range, the 7-seat 2013 Verso features no less than 470 new parts, one of them being the new 124bhp 2.0 litre D-4D diesel. A fi ve-seater version is now available as is an upgraded S-Variant, which sees the Luna Grade featuring rear privacy glass as standard along with cruise control. Most dramatic improvement is the inclusion of a glazed panoramic roof in the Luna trim level, which is now renamed Luna Sky View.

Current Verso customers keen to exchange for the new models will appreciate the refreshed interior quality and styling, the bett er torque delivery from the new diesel engine and the enhanced driving dynamics. Prices start from €17,995 for the 1.33L petrol Terra to the 2.0 D-4D Multidrive auto at €22,875. Jarlath Sweeney

Toyota extends ‘Family’ range

LAUNCH PAD 11 | 17

Skoda has launched the third generation of what has been its most important model over

the past fi ft een years. Since its launch in 1998, the Octavia has sold over 3.4 million units worldwide, including 40,600 in Ireland.

Th e latest Octavia retains the notchback styling that proved popular with its predecessors, while the legendary spaciousness, which meant that this Golf sized car was oft en considered a competitor in the large family sector, has been further enhanced. Th e new Octavia is 90mm longer and 45 mm wider than the old car, with a wheelbase 108mm longer. Th e interior length is signifi cantly improved, as is knee room and rear seat headroom, while the Octavia now off ers a boot volume of 590 litres, up 5 litres on before. Despite the increased size, the new Octavia is lighter by up to 102kg

over the outgoing car.

Equipment levels have been enhanced over the old model, with ESC now standard across all models for the fi rst time. Stop-Start technology features on all engines apart from the smallest petrol unit. Other advanced technologies now available on the Octavia

include Front Assistant, Lane Assistant, Automatic Parking Assistant, Adaptive Cruise Control, Driving Mode Selection and Intelligent Light Assistant.

Th ree petrol engines and two diesels are off ered. Th e 1.2 TSI comes in 86bhp and 105bhp versions, with the 1.4 TSI producing 140bhp. Th e volume seller is likely to be the 1.6 TDI with 105 bhp, while the more powerful 2.0 TDI off ers 150 bhp. All engines feature signifi cant redesigns and developments over the outgoing units. As before, there are

three trim levels – Active, Ambition and Elegance

Prices for the new Octavia range from €18,995 to €28,295. What is expected to be the most popular model, the 1.6 TDI in Ambition trim, retails for €24,545. Cathal Doyle

New 1.6 Diesel opens new markets for Honda Civic

The arrival of a 1.6 Diesel engine to the Honda Civic range greatly increases the appeal of

the Japanese brand’s family hatchback off ering. Up to now the Civic has only been available with a 2.2 Diesel, making it uncompetitive with entry-level models from other manufacturers.

Performance and economy fi gures from the new 1.6 i-DTEC are impressive. For starters the engine is the lightest of its type in the world according to Honda, coming in a considerable 47 kg lighter than the existing 2.2 i-DTEC. Power output too is higher than many of its direct rivals, with an output of 120 PS and 300 Nm of torque. CO2 emissions are 94 g/km putt ing the Civic into tax band A2, while fuel consumption is quoted at 3.6 l/100 km, or 78.5 mpg. Th at fi gure might well be achievable - on the press day launch, never a

good occasion to accurately gauge how fuel effi cient a car is, we were returning around 4.6 l/100 km (61.4 mpg), probably the best we have seen from any car on such an event.

Impressions from that initial brief test drive were very positive. Mated to a new 6-Speed manual gearbox, the 1.6 i-DTEC is quiet and refi ned for normal driving, and even when you accelerate hard it doesn’t sound harsh.

Performance will be more than adequate for all but the most demanding of drivers, with more than enough mid-range grunt to quickly and safely execute overtaking maneuvers. Overall the Civic is a prett y complete car to drive, though its styling, both inside and out, remains mildly polarizing, most people we talk to either loving it or hating it.

Th e Civic 1.6 i-DTEC is available in three trim levels, SE, ES and EX. Prices start

at €23,975 for the SE up to €28,330 for the EX model. Not surprisingly, Honda expects the new diesel to account for nearly 70% of sales of the car in 2013, and believes that the Civic is now well positioned to capture up to 3.8% market share compared to 2.4% last year. Cathal Doyle

The latest generation Mazda6 has gone on sale in Ireland and looks set to signifi cantly

shake up the large family car segment.

With prices starting from €28,745 for the 2.0 litre petrol, and €31,795 for the 2.2 Diesel Sport Saloon, the Mazda6 is also pitched as a genuine alternative to the established premium car brands.

Available in Saloon or Tourer bodies, the new Mazda6 is a well proportioned stylish looking car, while the interior is notably more up-market than its predecessor.

Th e 2.2 litre diesel engine off ers impressive

levels of performance and fuel effi ciency, and features a regenerative braking called i-Loop that turns stored kinetic energy into electricity to power the vehicle’s electrical systems. Developing 150 PS and 380 Nm of torque, the engine, when mated to the six-speed manual gearbox returns a stated

combined fuel economy fi gure of 4.2 /100 km (67 MPG) and CO2 emissions of 108 g/km.

Th e old Mazda6 was one of the best in this regard, but a stiff er chassis and body structure improve the new car’s driving dynamics, something we can att est to aft er an initial test drive in Wicklow.

Th e Sport Model in both the Saloon and Tourer Models is expected to be the volume seller in Ireland and includes 17” Alloy wheels, 5.8” touch screen multimedia audio system, climate control, cruise control and Bluetooth, front and rear parking sensors and Smart City Brake Support. Cathal Doyle

www.fl eetcar.ie

New Octavia continues evolution of Skoda brand

Impressive new Mazda6 set to shake up opposition

18 | LAUNCH PAD 111

FLEETCAR | Spring 2013

The second generation of Kuga, Ford’s popular Sports Utility Vehicle, has gone on

sale in Ireland off ering new levels of technology for the fi rst time on a Ford vehicle. It heralds the start of a fresh assault on the European SUV market by the ‘Blue Oval’ brand, with two other models, the smaller EcoSport, and the Edge, a large US derived SUV to be launched later this year.

Since its launch in 2008, more than 300,000 Kugas have been sold, and Ford anticipates sales in excess of one million SUVs - up to ten percent of all sales - in the next six years with its latest three pronged assault on this popular segment.

Th e new Kuga off ers signifi cantly fresher styling while retaining the classic silhouett e

of the original vehicle. Among the new technologies available for the fi rst time is a hands-free tailgate that can be opened by a gentle kicking motion provided the vehicle’s key is in the vicinity - the fi rst car to off er this in this segment. Th e Kuga is also available with Ford’s latest infotainment and connectivity

technology, Ford SYNC.

Available in two or four wheel drive, the smart AWD system distributes power to each wheel depending on handling and traction needs, while Ford Curve Control is a new safeguard system that will brake the car and reduce engine torque if a driver enters a corner too quickly for grip levels.

Th e Kuga is off ered in Ireland in two trim levels, Zetec and Titanium, and with a 2.0 litre TDCi Duratorq engine off ering 140 PS and 163 PS – the latt er in AWD versions only. In two

wheel drive, the 140 PS off ers best in class fuel consumption of up to 5.3 l/100 km and CO2 emissions of 139 g/km.

Prices for the new Kuga start from €33,450. Cathal Doyle

Latest Kuga spearheads Ford’s new SUV assault

One of the world’s most iconic and instantly recognizable cars has received only its fourth makeover

in 43 years. An all-new Range Rover has gone on sale in Ireland, bringing a host of refi nements, updates and improvements over the outgoing third generation model introduced in 2002.

Long laying claim to the title of the ultimate luxury four-wheel drive Sports Utility Vehicle, the new Range Rover retains the classic silhouett e of its predecessors, while bringing a signifi cantly refreshed appearance to the design. A lot of focus has gone into reducing weight, and the new car comes in a very impressive 420 kg lighter than its predecessor – that’s equivalent to the weight of fi ve adults. It is achieved in no small part to the adoption of a lightweight all-aluminium monocoque

structure that is 39% or 180 kg lighter than its steel equivalent.

Th e weight reduction has allowed Range Rover to introduce its 3.0 litre TDV6 diesel engine into this car for the fi rst time, without losing out on performance compared to the old TDV8. It brings the big SUV into new

greener territory, the 258 PS TDV6 recording CO2 emissions of 196 g/km compared to 229 g/km for the TDV8, which remains as an option. Fuel consumption also is improved by 22%.

New technology includes Terrain Response 2, which automatically optimizes the vehicle set-up to the terrain it is driving on. Off -road performance remains as impressive as ever, with improved ground clearance, and wading depth.

Prices for the new Range Rover start from €119,355, and it is a measure of Range Rover’s confi dence in its new product that it expects to sell up to sixty units in Ireland this year. Cathal Doyle

All-New Range Rover gets fourth makeover in 43 years

Toyota can lay claim to having established the compact SU V segment when it launched the

original RA V4 in 1995 (RA V4 stands for Recreational Active Vehicle with 4 Wheel Drive), and the arrival of the all-new fourth generation RA V4 is set to re-establish the brand as a major contender in what is now the third most popular market segment in Ireland.

Headlining the new RA V4 is the price, with the car on sale from €27,995 for the 2WD Aura model, but right across the range, the new RA V4 is in the region of €4,000 cheaper than the outgoing car. It puts it squarely up against the most popular models in the segment such as Hyundai’s ix35 and the KIA Sportage.

Longer by 155mm and wider by 25mm, but 60mm lower than the outgoing RA V4, the new

vehicle off ers improved interior roominess, while boot space is also signifi cantly enhanced at 547 litres, 138 litres bett er than previously.

Available in 2WD or AWD, the 2WD version comes with a new 2.0 D-4D diesel engine and stop/start technology. It develops 124 bhp, but has CO2 emissions of just 127 g/km, some 18.6% bett er than the old car. AWD versions

are powered by a new 150 bhp 2.2 D-4D with emissions from 147 g/km, or a 2.0 litre Valvematic petrol unit. All models are available with a six speed manual gearbox, while the 4WD models can be had with a 6-speed automatic (diesel) or 7-speed MultiDrive (petrol).

Also noteworthy is Integrated Dynamic Drive System, which provides the AWD models with enhanced responses when traction is needed for each wheel.

Th ree trim levels are off ered. Th e 2WD comes in either Aura or Luna specifi cations, while 4WD cars can be had in a higher spec Sol trim. Standard equipment on all models includes LED daytime running lights, multifunction steering wheel, Bluetooth, Vehicle Stability Control and Hill-start Assist Control. Cathal Doyle

New RAV4 to rattle the C-SUV segment

www.volkswagen.ie

How to increase your Fleet’s resale value.Contact fleetsales@vwgi.ieor www.volkswagen.ie

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20 | TEST 1

FLEETCAR | Spring 2013 Text Jarlath Sweeney - editor@fl eet.ie

“N“N ice car, what is it?” said not one but two admirers of the new Renault Fluence, and on the same day! Th e

two ladies in question liked the look, style and roominess of the latest version, the fi rst serious revision of the four door mid-sized family car since its launch in 2010. At that time the Fluence was described as “the best car built to suit the Irish driver” and customers reacted favourably as it became the best seller in its category with over 6,000 units sold.

New Fluence features substantial restyling bringing with it a strong family identity similar to that of the recently launched Renault Clio. At the front end, a large diamond logo dominates with the LED daytime running lights and chrome/gloss black inserts adding to its higher quality appearance.

Th e same can be said for the car’s interior. Noticeable is the full digital instrumentation which is a reminder of when Fiat introduced the fi rst version of same back in the late 80’s with the Ritmo and this technology took a while to be accepted. Now it’s available throughout the Fluence line-up.

A whole host of on-board connected technologies and driver-aids are now fi tt ed such as Bluetooth compatibable radio, 6 airbags, hands-free key card, cruise control, dual zone climate control and a brand new multimedia system called Renault R-Link. Th e latt er features a touch screen display and voice commands. R-Link also incorporates the navigation system and telephone function that can be connected to portable music players – ingenius! Next to come is access to R-Link Store’s catalogue of applications that can be downloaded as per your Smart-phone.

A total of ten models with three trim levels are on off er starting with the 1.6 litre 16 valve 110bhp petrol expression model priced at

€19,690 to the 1.5 litre dCi 110bhp diesel auto R-Link version sold at €25,990. All diesel engines, either manual or automatic have CO2 emission below 120 grammes. Fuel economy is good too with an average between 5.5 L/100km to 6.0 litres recorded on our test run in the dCi. Over 140 bhp mpg the 1000 kilometres covered that week, the car’s high comfort levels were appreciated by both driver and passengers – some as young as 4 years old! While the ride did seem a litt le soft , it did not aff ect the handling drastically. As before, the enormity of the boot was noted.

To summarize, the new Fluence is much improved over its predecessor, bringing Renault right up to speed in the category once more. And with the Laguna no longer with us, the Fluence provides an eff ective, sensible alternative in the family car category.

We leave the last words to Julian Lelorrain, Marketing Director, Renault Ireland “Fluence has been a hit in Ireland since its launch over two and a half years ago and this new look model will certainly enhance its appeal to the Irish customer. Th e new front-end design and sleek lines make New Fluence stand out amongst its category competitors. Th e effi cient diesel with lowest tax, 5 year unlimited mileage warranty at the ReFlex fi nance solution makes new Fluence a very att ractive 2013 purchase.”

SPEC CHECKMake /Model Renault FluenceEngine 1.5 dci diesel Euro 5Power 110bhp @ 4000rpmTorque 240@1750rpmTransmission 5 speed manualEmission Rating 120g/km CO2

Brakes Discs/ABS/EBA*/EBD*Wheel/Tyres 205/ 60.R16*EBA – Emergency Brake Assist*EBD – Electronic Brakeforce Distribution

Renault Fluence – Mark IIRenault Fluence – Mark IITe

st D

rive

Rep

ort:

TEST 11 | 21

F rom initial observations and to the untrained eye it might seem that not a lot has changed with the new Audi A3. But Audi chiefs are not

naive, and wholesale alterations, especially to the design and the body lines were never on the cards given the popularity of this premium fi ve-door compact hatchback.

Audi claims with justifi cation that it was the brand which pioneered this premium compact segment, and now in its third generation, the successful A3 family launched initially in Ireland in 1996 remains highly sought-aft er by both new and used car buyers. Audi, confi dent in its trusted car that is loved by women and appreciated by men, knows that the improvements made to the new generation will ensure that this model will continue to appeal to both sexes.

Indeed, to date, the award-winning A3 range makes up over 20 percent of total Audi sales, with over 11,000 customers in Ireland alone choosing it as their mode of transport. And, the Audi A3 Sportback is the most popular variant of the A3 family making up 60% of total sales.

While the 1.2 TFSI 105 version from €27,750 will arrive later in 2013, the 1.4 TFSI is available from €29,300 and entry diesel 1.6 TDI 105 hp starts from €29,680. Our test car is the 2.0 litre, 150 hp SE model that retails at €31,660 for the basic specifi cation. However, with optional extras valued at over €6,500 att ached, the cost of the test model is bumped up to a €38,247 – a heft y price for a compact hatchback. Other variations, including an A3 quatt ro version will follow in the coming months.

One of the most signifi cant changes to the new range is the construction of the body, making it 90 kg lighter than its predecessor. Th at means that CO2 emissions and fuel consumption have been improved – up to 10% in some cases. I achieved 6.9 L/100kms over a week’s driving that covered 1,150 kilometers, and while that is more than the advertised rate of consumption, it is a fair refl ection of what that car is capable

of. If I had one small complaint, I found the engine to be a tad noisy at slow speeds especially when cold.

Inside the A3 Sportback provides you with a sizeable interior and classic Audi styling. Th e quality and design is there for all to see, with standards of materials, workmanship and ergonomics being genuinely at a high level. However, the high-resolution monitor of the MMI operating system sticks up from the dash and is a litt le intrusive at times. Audi has extended the use of high gloss black and silver components that certainly enhance the premium feel inside.

Audi is also presenting important innovations for the control terminal on the centre tunnel console. Th e permanent rocker switches for navigation, telephone, radio and media have been rearranged. With the top-of-the-line MMI navigation plus, the large rotary pushbutt on with MMI touch has been consolidated into a touch wheel. Th e touch-sensitive fi eld, on which drivers can enter lett ers and numbers with their fi ngers, forms the surface of the control wheel.

Bluetooth interface, driver information system, MMI Radio with retractable monitor, leather multifunction steering wheel, 16” alloy wheels and air conditioning feature among standard equipment. For just €1,000 extra customers can opt for the SE version featuring additional items such as cruise control, park assist, fog

lights, interior lighting package, front centre armrest, Audi Music Interface, colour driver information system, electric heated mirrors, 3D SE specifi c inlays and half leather/cloth upholstery. Sport tops out the range for €1,500 extra and features 17” alloy wheels, typical sports multifunction steering wheel, Audi drive select and newly designed sports seats.

On the road the Audi A3 Sportsback is composed and stable. Audi says that the front axle has been shift ed forward by 40 millimetres compared with the previous model, shortening the overhang. Th is means that occupancy in the car is increased and precious rear legroom is extended and the boot space is more than adequate for a car of this size. Th e electromechanical power steering is sensitive and precise.

Make/Model Audi A3 Sportback SE

Engine 2.0TDI 150

Brake Horsepower 150

Drive Front wheel drive

Torque 320 NM @ 1750 - 3000 rpm

Acceleration (0-100km/h) 8.7 seconds

Transmission Manual (6-Speed)

Top Speed 216 km/h

Weight (unladen) 1385 kg

Emissions (Combined) 108 g/km

Road Tax Band A3 - €190 per annum

Consumption (Combined) l/100km 5.9 litres/100km

Price €38,247

Audi A3 Sportback

Test

Dri

ve R

epor

t:

Text & Photos: Gerry Murphy - gerrym@fl eet.ie www.fl eetcar.ie

SP

EC

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22 | FREVIEW

FLEETCAR | Spring 2013

83rd Geneva Motorshow

AudiWith more brands investing in electric power technologies, both power and range capabilities are increasing. Th e new Audi A3 e-Tron is estimated to reach 188 mpg with a Co2 rating of 35g/Km. Dual propulsion is produced by a 1.4 litre TFSI petrol engine and 75 kW electric motor in this Sportback version.

Citroen World debut for Citroen’s Technospace concept, Hybrid Air technology and a new C3 awaited visitors. Technospace, an MPV is set to be the next C4 Picasso while Hybrid Air combines a petrol engine with compressed air and hydraulic power. Th e new C3 off ers lower CO2 emissions and restyled front and rear.

HondaCivic Tourer was indeed one of the stars of the Show. Th is concept is said to be the pre-production prototype of the new estate due for unveiling in Frankfurt in September. It will be built in the UK as will the new Type-R version, which is linked to the brand’s entry into the World Touring Car Championship.

KiaFollowing its introduction in Geneva, Kia quickly responded to the negative reaction to the new Mini rivalling concept car called the ‘Provo’. For obvious reasons, it will not be named that in Ireland or the UK. “Kia ‘guns’ for Mini with new Rio coupe”, was how one major UK motoring magazine headlined it….priceless!

LexusMaking its European debut was the Lexus IS Sports Sedan. Th e new range includes the full hybrid IS 300h which will have class leading Co2 emission of 99g/km. It will also be available with an F-Sport package with an exclusive sports-themed exterior and interior plus enhanced driving dynamics.

BMW“Please welcome it’s world premiere: the BMW 3 series Gran Turismo!,” stated Dr. Norbert Reithofer, Chairman BMW AG. “ We are now complementing our 3 Series with an innovative stand-alone model. A more elaborate seating position, bett er seating comfort and generous space for leading are off ered.”

FordPeople carriers were to the fore for Ford in Geneva with Tourneo versions of the Transit Custom and a newcomer called the Courier, which will be available as 5/7 seaters with a van variant to follow. EcoSport is the new Sports Utility following the launch of the new Kuga with the Ford Edge to follow soon.

HyundaiIn preparation for re-entry into the World Rally Championships in 2014, Hyundai Motorsport GmbH has made further upgrades to the i20 WRC following testing. Latest spec includes improvements to aerdynamics, chassis, and suspension for bett er cooling, handling and chassis stiff ness. Th e team will be based in Alzenau, Germany.

Land Rover Four all-electric Land Rover Defender models powered by Axel batt ery system developed for research purposes were unveiled. Th is fully capable “all-electric, all-terrain” vehicle replaces the standard 2.2 litre diesel, “with a batt ery pack in the engine compartment”

REVIEW | 23

Text: Rob Van Dieten - rob@fl eet.ie www.fl eetcar.ie

Mercedes-BenzPerformance was the theme at Mercedes-Benz with the A45 AMG variant of the new A-Class claiming the spotlight in Switzerland. It's the fi rst time in 45 years that Mercedes-Benz has gone down this road in the compact segment. Th e 2.0 litre turbo boasts 360hp and is said to deliver over 40 mpg.

Peugeot A whole host of new products from the French brand from the 2008 Urban Crossover, a 208 hybrid FE and 208 XY. In all there were 31 production vehicles and concept cars on display. Th e 2008, based on the 208 supermini, arrives into a highly competitive segment across the EU.

SkodaSkoda continues its model off ensive with the new third generation Octavia Estate. Also at the Show was the 4x4 version with new four-wheel drive Haldex system. Th e new model is 90mm higher and 45mm longer than before and its wheelbase is stretched by 11cm bringing record room and load space.

MitsubishiSince 1966 Mitsubishi has invested in electric technology making great strides along the way. As an evolution to the I-MIEV comes the concept CA-MIEV lightweight. Th e J-Door hatchback with it’s 80kW motor promises to provide a distance of 300 kilometers to suit urban and rural daily life.

QorosGet ready for another Chinese brand into Europe – Qoros. Its fi rst production model, the 3 Sedan, had fi ve concept studies that will preview future developments. Founded in 2007, Qoros is a joint venture between Chery Automobile and Israel Corporation, a global industrial company.

ToyotaAuris Touring Sports was among the big att ractions along with the GT86 based FT-86 open concept at the Toyota stand. Design studies of the Auris Touring and new RA V4 were also featured. I-Road is Toyota's new all-electric, three wheeled personal mobility vehicle with two seats.

Nissan“Innovation that excites,” is the catchphrase from Nissan these days. Take the new Leaf, it’s 100% electric car which can be charged up in half the time of the original, has an improved driving range to 199 km and the chassis has been redesigned to improve handling. Th e new Note was noted in Geneva too!

SEATAnother World premiere in the shape of the SEAT Leon SC. Th e new 3-door Coupe is the second stage of the Leon renewal package with the ST Estate to come. Also revealed was the Mii EcoFuel, a production car with the lowest CO2 emissions in the company’s history at 79g/km.

VolkswagenA range of new cars and concepts from Volkswagen which included the new Golf Estate, Golf GTI, Golf BlueMotion and XL1 to mention a few. On the eve of the show, the 7th generation Golf was awarded the prestigious title “European Car of the Year 2013” following the success of the up! last year.

Pallexpo, Geneva, Switzerland

24 | REPORT

FLEETCAR | Spring 2013

I f a litt le of the hype of recent years concerning electric vehicles has proven to be just that, with sales having failed to live up to the targets

of manufacturers, don’t write off the industry yet. Th at was the clear message coming from the eDrive Conference held in Belfast’s impressive Titanic Quarter at the beginning of March.

Looking at the future of the electric vehicle industry, with a particular focus on Northern Ireland, a full session of the three-day event was dedicated to people from the Fleet and Business sector. Th e Conference was chaired by Quentin Willson, noted motoring journalist and TV presenter, whose passion for a motoring future that is not dependent on fossil fuels was clear throughout the day.

Th e car manufacturers were represented by Vauxhall/Opel, and Renault. Andy Heiron, who heads up Renault’s EV programme in the UK noted that Northern Ireland is ahead of most countries with regards to supporting an electric vehicle motor industry, with all the major factors for success in place. Namely that there is adequate choice for customers, with thirteen diff erent vehicles set to be available for purchase by the end of 2013, and secondly that the necessary incentives from Government

in the form of targets and measures are in place. He noted that electric vehicles are a cost eff ective alternative to internal combustion engines, but not for everyone, and said that while there is a commitment to introducing EV’s from Government, there also needs to be a look at energy sources.

Ian Allen, Manager Environment & Ampera for Vauxhall Motors noted that while “No-one ever got sacked for fl eeting a diesel”, high level corporate buy-in is essential to encourage fl eet buyers to consider EVs. Th e benefi ts he said, aren’t just economic, with brand image also a consideration. Regarding range anxiety, he observed that the vast majority of fl eet vehicles make regular and predictable journeys, and that understanding vehicle daily routings is key to the type of EV that could be suitable.

Irene Breen, eCar Project Manager at the Department for Regional Development described the challenges currently facing Northern Ireland’s transport sector. She said that the Province has an extensive road network and that there is a high dependency on cars with up to 80% of the population using them for commuting compared to 70% in the rest of the UK. Th is high fi gure in part explains the fact that transport accounts for 21% of all emissions, a fi gure that is two and a half times

higher than the rest of the UK. There are also economic c h a l lenge s she said, with the cost of fuel having risen by 39% in the past three years, whereas i n compa r i son electricity prices have only risen slightly. Describing the infrastructure to support electric vehicles, she said

that six Rapid Charge Points have been installed thus far, with another eight to follow in the next few months. In addition, forty Standard Public Charge Points, with two sockets each, are in place, and one hundred more will be installed this year. Most people will be no more ten miles from a Standard Charge Point, or thirty miles from a Rapid Charge Point when these are in place, while she also noted that these charging points use the same infrastructure and access cards as the Republic of Ireland. A grant for installing home and workplace charging points will continue until March 2014 for the fi rst 180 buyers.

Judith Eadie, Account Manager for Automotive Leasing for Scotland & Northern Ireland described the benefi ts of the increasingly more popular way of funding car purchases by leasing, and said that electric vehicles face a few unique challenges in this regard, notably that the initial Capital Cost is high relative to similar vehicles, and that because the electric vehicle industry is still in its infancy, calculating end of life values is being refi ned.

Th e fi nancial case for electric vehicles was made by Helen Allen, Director, BDO Accountancy who outlined the considerations for businesses in Northern Ireland thinking of investing in electric vehicles. She pointed out that

Belfast eCars Conference points to bright electric vehicle future

Quentin Willson Senan McGrath

REPORT | 25

Text & Photos: Cathal Doyle - cathal@fl eet.ie www.fl eetcar.ie

opportunities exist to save on higher rates of corporation tax, while employees can benefi t from low BIK rates if the vehicle is used for private use. Other benefi ts include no vehicle excise, no congestion charges, plug in vehicle grants and signifi cant fuel cost savings.

Range anxiety inevitably crops up in any conversation about electric vehicles and Dr. Laurence Hardwick of the Stephenson Institute for Renewable Energy at Liverpool University presented an insight into the future of batt ery technology. Developments in lithium will extend EV ranges from about 100 miles at present to 200 miles. Regarding alternatives to lithium he said that Titanium Dioxide is a potential new batt ery material, while another technology currently under research, but about twenty years away is Lithium Air, which can potentially off er three to four times the power of lithium.

Jonathan Mitchell, Head of Strategy at OLEV, the UK Government’s Offi ce for Low Emission Vehicles outlined Central Government policy and initiatives. OLEV is a cross-Whitehall team with input from the Departments of Transport, Business and Energy, and has invested £82 million into research and development of electric vehicles. A further £300 million is available to lower the costs of buying EVs, including plug-in grants and infrastructure. To date almost three thousand charge points have been installed in the UK, and while fi gures were not available, he estimated that the private sector might have installed another fi ve thousand units. Th e UK Government is also working on coming up with a strategy for rolling out hydrogen vehicles in the UK, with one of the key areas to be addressed the infrastructure needed to support these vehicles. Mr. Mitchell estimated that with hydrogen vehicles becoming available from 2015, there would need to be an initial minimum of sixty-five Hydrogen refilling stations, which would serve large Metropolitan areas, but by 2030, in excess of one thousand would be needed.

Mr.Mitchell also outlined new infrastructure measures that

will see diff erent packages for diff erent parts of the UK. For domestic users a Chargepoint installation grant of up to 75% capped at £1,000 is currently available up to a total value of £13 million to March 2015. A Public Sector Chargepoint Grant of £3million for public sector bodies to install workplace charge points at up to 75% of the cost is available, with submissions for availing to be submitt ed to OLEV by the end of April. Another initiative is Plugged-in Fleets Initiative (PIFL 100), and energy saving trust working with UK organisations to see if EVs can perform useful functions in their fl eets. Companies such as Network Rail, Boots, and various County Councils are among those involved.

Senan McGrath, Chief Technology Offi cer with ESB eCars presented an International perspective as well as outlining where the Republic of Ireland is regarding EV development. Almost every Government in the world has an interest in the development of electric vehicles he said, but for diff ering reasons. While in Europe it is primarily to reduce emissions, for the US the driver is fuel security, whereas for China the incentive is industrial development.

Within the EU there is a commitment to reduce emissions by 60% by 2060. A draft Clean Power for Transport Directive has been issued in January of this year, and will likely be ratifi ed in modifi ed form by the end of the year. Its objective is to provide a framework to support the deployment of an alternative fuel infrastructure. It will defi ne requirements for the minimum number of charge points in every

EU State, at least 10% of which must publicly accessible, all of which must have intelligent metering, and a requirement that prices must be reasonable. Th ere will also be sections defi ning requirements for Hydrogen, LNG and CNG in the directive.

Mr. McGrath also outlined what is happening with regards to interoperability. A customer didn’t want to be locked into a proprietary system, rather to have the ability to buy from diff erent suppliers and use any charge point. For this to work there needs to be a standard protocol. Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) is one such fully open and freely available standard, while there are a number of diff erent projects underway in Europe looking to achieve interoperability through various methods.

Regarding Ireland, Mr. McGrath said that 90% of major towns are now covered with 530 public charge points now installed, a fi gure set to rise to 1,000 by the end of the year. Th ere are 30 fast chargers in place, with 40 more to be added in 2013, while over 500 private chargers have been installed. As well as installing charge points the ESB has been creating business opportunities with Renault working with corporations such as Intel and IBM for smart data by phones for EVs, and with Enterprise Ireland to facilitate charges for SME businesses.

Th e last speaker, Matt Linnecar of Gnewt Cargo outlined a case study of how this London based logistics company is operating using an all-electric fl eet of scooters, bikes and cargobikes. Now delivering in the region of 2,500 consignments per day, the challenge

when gett ing started in 2009 was to overcome initial skepticism, and gett ing legislation changes, for example so that cargo vehicles could be classed as mopeds. Looking to the future, Mr. Linnecar envisaged the development of a city logistics ‘system’, whereby vehicles are fi lled outside city centres on larger electric vehicles of up to 3.5t, then offl oaded onto smaller vehicles for fi nal delivery.

FLEETCAR | Spring 2013

The National Programme Office for Traffic Medicine, which was established by the Road Safety

Authority (RSA) and the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (RCPI), recently launched ‘Sláinte agus Tiomáint - Medical Fitness to Drive Guidelines’, which will provide a national framework on standards in traffi c medicine in Ireland, relates to car and motorcycle drivers (known as Group 1 licence holders) and will give clear guidance to medical professionals in implementing medical fi tness to drive policies in Ireland. The updated guidelines refl ect recent developments in medicine, such as improvements in diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. Commenting on the publication of the new Guidelines, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar said: “I welcome the publication of these new Guidelines. As a doctor I know the value of having guidance like this available to medical professionals in making decisions about a patient’s medical fi tness to drive. Th e creation of the National Offi ce of Traffi c Medicine by the Road Safety Authority and the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland shows just how seriously we are taking the issue of traffi c medicine and road safety in Ireland. Medical fi tness for drivers is governed by EU law but it’s up to each country to give suitable guidance to medical professionals as to how they are to be implemented, and these Guidelines were one of the fi rst priority tasks for the new Offi ce.” Professor Desmond O’Neill, National Programme Director for Traffi c Medicine, said, “For a driver, understanding the impact of an injury or a

disease or the way certain medicines might aff ect driving is a vital aspect of road safety. Driver licensing authorities, doctors, Gardaí, legal professionals and others will use the new medical fi tness to drive guidelines to make decisions regarding a person’s fi tness to drive. However, it is important to state that the key objective of the new Medical Fitness to Drive Guidelines is to promote and prolong safe driving.” Professor O’Neill added, “Th e new Guidelines allow most drivers with well-managed health conditions to continue to drive safely. As a driver, if you’re unsure about whether or not you should report a medical condition, you should seek advice from your doctor or health professional. It is important to remember that if you report your condition, it doesn’t necessarily mean you

will lose your licence. It might mean that you have to see your doctor more oft en to check that your condition is well managed or it might mean that there are some restrictions placed on your driving.” Sláinte agus Tiomáint, the new medical fi tness to drive guidelines, was developed by the National Programme Offi ce for Traffi c Medicine in consultation with RCPI Working Group on Traffi c Medicine, which represents 36 organisations, including medical professionals, patient organisations, driver licensing authority, industry and drivers. Th e guidelines have been distributed to all General Practitioners. Members of the public can download the new guidelines from the RSA website.

New National Framework for Traffi c Medicine In IrelandRoad Safety Newsletter Volume 4, No. 1 Spring 2013

“Ireland, as one of the recipients of the PIN Road Safet y Award

in 2010, has been recognised internationally as one of the good performers in the EU. We have high-hopes the Presidency team will bring their political leadership to the fore at a time when road safety must be highlighted as a priority area for policy makers,” said Antonio Avenoso, ETSC1 Executive Director. “Further down the road, the road safety policy dossiers the Irish Presidency will handle are likely to impact whether or not the EU reaches its 2020 road safety target,” he added.

“Th e Irish progress during the past years is good proof they understand that complacency is not an option in road safety policy-making. Th ey provide a good practice example for EU Member States and we hope the Irish Presidency will broker agreements on a number of road safety dossiers,” said Mr. Avenoso. “ETSC is happy to note the Presidency has already identifi ed serious injuries as an area of priority, and we hope the

European Commission will publish an ambitious and comprehensive strategy on road traffi c injuries and emergency services. ETSC continues to support challenging EU-wide targets for reducing the number of serious injuries, recommending that they should be set at the same levels as the targets for road deaths,” Mr. Avenoso concluded.

BackgroundIreland has observed a steady reduction in the number of road deaths being one of the most improving performers in Europe. It has 47 deaths per million inhabitants, while the EU average is 60. A new Irish Strategic Plan for 2013-2020 is expected to be launched during the Presidency, sett ing the task of making Ireland’s roads as safe as the best performing countries in the EU. Ireland has received the “2010 Road Safety PIN Award” at the 4th ETSC Road Safety PIN Conference in Brussels as recognition of their sustained eff orts in reducing road deaths.

Irish Presidency of the EU: Road Safety in the Spotlight

26 | DIRECTION

Text: Jarlath Sweeney - editor@fl eet.ie www.fl eetcar.ie

NEWS 1 | 27

Latest Euro NCAP results

Routine eye checks save 47 lives in 2012- Employers play a vital role

Wh i l e s o m e c a r manufacturers presented new models

at the Geneva Motor Show, Euro NCAP has announced the results for four new cars. Th e Renault ZOE, Skoda Octavia, Toyota Auris and Toyota RA V4 underwent Euro NCAP’s crash tests and have all achieved the overall fi ve stars.

As from 2013, Euro NCAP is now providing consumers with information on the most widely

available child seats throughout Europe. For each new car tested, details on the installation of a series of child seats will help parents to make the safest choice for their kids.

Th e organization is also rewarding Skoda for the following active safety systems available on the Skoda Octavia: Front Assistant, Lane Assistant, Multi Collision Brake, and Crew Protect Assistant.

Figures released by Specsavers Corporate Eyecare show just how vital a role is played

by employers in the health and wellbeing of their employees. At least 47 lives were saved across the Republic of Ireland and the UK in 2012 through routine visits to Specsavers’ opticians, highlighting the far-reaching benefi ts of a simple eyecare policy. All of the 47 individuals were simply visiting their optician to have their eyesight checked. In each of these cases, this routine process led to the detection of a life-threatening condition, which was subsequently successfully treated.

“Virtually every employee is entitled to company-funded eyecare under health and safety regulations. Th e number of lives saved by routine eye examinations just goes to show how vital it is for employers to provide this benefi t and for employees to make use of the provision,” stated Dona McLaff erty, Corporate Account Manager at Specsavers Corporate Eyecare in Ireland. Employees who use a computer screen, drive for work purposes or require PPE, should all be provided with eyecare; which leaves very few employees not covered. While some may feel that their vision itself is not an issue, there are much wider benefi ts to eyecare: digital retinal

screening is an important element in preventative care and allows the optometrist to detect and monitor many serious illnesses and health conditions, including:

diabetes• various heart conditions• cancers of the eye, such as •

melanomasbrain tumours• high cholesterol• detached retina• hypertension (high blood •

pressure)glaucoma•

Retinal screening is included for all appropriate customers within each eyecare voucher from Specsavers Corporate Eyecare. Th e examples of the lives saved show how crucial this element of care really is to an employee’s overall health and wellbeing. Case studyBarry Hall, aged 50, visited his local Specsavers store last year for a new pair of prescription safety glasses. Th e father of three had no idea that anything was wrong but the routine eye examination led to the discovery of a tumour which, left undetected, could have been extremely serious. Barry is now well on the way to making a full recovery and urges everyone to make the most of the eyecare available to them through their employer and to have regular eye examinations for the sake of their overall health as well as to check their vision.

Following a meeting of the Joint Oireachtas Committ ee on Transport and Communications Fine Gael Cork South West Deputy, Noel Harrington, has called for the mileage

of vehicles to be recorded each year at the same time as motor tax is due for renewal in a bid to bring an end to the fraudulent practice of ‘clocking’, which sees the odometer being wound back to present a more favourable image of a vehicle.

“While it is not currently an off ence to ‘clock’ a vehicle, it is an off ence to sell a car that has been clocked. In a bid to stamp out

this duplicitous scheming, I am calling for offi cial records to be recorded every year to monitor the miles/kilometres on a vehicle’s odometer,” he said.

“At the Committ ee, a presentation was made by the Road Safety Authority and the Health & Safety Authority on the forthcoming European Directive on road vehicle safety. Following on from this I highlighted this issue with both Authorities who informed me that while NCT records keep a note of the mileage of all cars that are tested, these fi gures are not made public.”

Annual mileage records should be published to crack down on ‘clocking’

FLEETCAR | Spring 2013

MM any teachers and academics will tell you the most eff ective way to learn a new skill is to have fun. So if you want to learn to be a rally driver or acquire the skills necessary to drift a car, Rally School Ireland

in Scotstown, County Monagahan is the place to go.

David Smyth and the team at Rally School Ireland (RSI) can instruct you in the skills necessary to get the best out of some of the most iconic performance cars available. Th e list includes Ferrari, Porsche, BMW, not forgett ing the Ford RS2000, Subaru Impreza, and of course the Mini. In addition, they can train you to handle your own car safely in winter conditions - which could be a very valuable lesson

On the day of our visit we joined a very mixed group, some of whom had travelled quite a distance to grasp the steering wheel of their vehicle of choice. Th e group included Jason Roche from Claremorris, County

Mayo, and thirteen year old Conor Lewis from Ballymena, County Antrim. It is wise to remember Conor’s name as you will no doubt be hearing it in the future as his rallying career develops.

However Conor cannot claim to be the youngest driver to take to the Scotstown track. In fact a driver less than half Conor’s age holds the title. A six year old has piloted a car around the County Monaghan circuit, though it must be said he was the son of world rally champion Pett er Solberg. Solberg is just one of many world rally stars to visit the school. David has the claim to fame of giving Pett er drift ing lessons, during his visit to the RSI and not many can say that.

We spoke to some of the people driving on the day, and to a man (and woman) the experience exceeded all expectations. Th e fi rst time visitors were a litt le unsure at the beginning, nevertheless once they got used to the cars - things really took off . For those who had driven

Rally School Ireland - ‘Going Sideways in Scotstown’

28 | DIRECTION

Text & Photos: Paul White - paul@fl eet.ie www.fl eetcar.ie

DIRECTION | 29

at RSI before it was clear to see their determination to improve on their previous session. Everyone had great praise for the RSI trainers, and their abilities to pass on the skills of performance driving.

Apart from having an enjoyable day out, there is also a serious side to RSI. Th e BMW Winter Driving Programme has been very successful for BMW Ireland, RSI and the drivers who att end. With employers becoming more aware of their duties towards employees who come under the ‘Driving for Work Guidelines’, many companies are using the exceptional facilities and knowledge at Scotstown to train staff members.

Th e fact that the vast majority of drivers who pass the learner drivers' car test can continue for decades without ever being assessed again, has always been a contentious issue in road safety, as it’s felt it can lead many to overestimate their abilities.

One day spent under the watchful eye of David Smyth and the team at RSI will improve the skills of any motorist. Arguably the greatest benef it is that the skills and techniques learned stay with you, and become part of the everyday driving style. With improved skills and understanding comes improved enjoyment and safety.

Whether you want to

improve your winter driving skills, or begin a motor racing career - Rally School Ireland have the tools needed. Alternatively you can just have a great day out, learning to ‘drift ’ a number of diff erent cars. David brought us out for a drift ing lesson in the Nissan 350Z - an experience we can highly recommend.

Regardless of your ability on the road, David’s enthusiasm is infectious, and with his encouragement, aft er a few short laps the techniques begin to fall into place. Th en you begin to do things with the car which you normally only see on TV. David says “drift ing is the ultimate in car control” and we certainly found once mastered that the rush of adrenaline becomes slightly addictive.

Th e school can cater for individuals or large groups and is highly popular with company or club outings. Anyone can have a go, from the youngest to the not so young, and track days can be tailored to suit skill levels and particular interests.

As a gift idea, a day out at Rally School Ireland is one guaranteed to be enjoyed. It is also a gift the receiver will benefi t from by enhancing their road skills - and the experience will be remembered every time they turn the car key.

13 year old Conor Lewis Jason Roche

FLEETCAR | Spring 2013 Text & Photos: Cathal Doyle - cathal@fl eet.ie

TEST 111 | 30

T he arrival of a new model into the Skoda family line-up that sits between the Fabia and Octavia might seem a somewhat

superfl uous addition. Is there really a need for another car sized between those supermini and compact family car off erings? Skoda obviously thinks so, hence we have the Rapid, a car built on a slightly elongated version of the Volkswagen Polo platform, but with dimensions more akin to the cars in the family car C-segment than the B-segment on which it is built.

Th en again, Skoda cars in recent years have always been slightly out of synch size wise compared to their direct class rivals, and with the arrival of the new bigger-than-before, and more expensive Octavia, it puts the Rapid in a good place to att ract existing Octavia customers that don’t want to upsize.

Th e Rapid features the same notchback styling as its bigger sibling, that is, it’s a hatchback that looks like a saloon, something that is unlikely to harm its sale prospects with Irish buyers. And in true Skoda tradition, it is remarkably spacious. Open the boot, or take a look at the interior rear legroom, and it’s hard to believe that this car is built on a supermini platform. If the Octavia has traditionally been perceived as a bargain competitor to the Volkswagen Passat, then the Rapid is likely to be considered by at least some potential customers as a cheaper alternative to the Volkswagen Jett a.

Th e interior of the Rapid is functional with plenty of durable looking surfaces. Most people are likely to opt for the middle or top trim levels of the three on off er, and with the top-of-the-range Elegance specifi cation as tested, the Rapid comes with plenty of equipment including cruise control, climate control, parking sensors and Bluetooth hands free phone connection. On that latt er technology, connecting up your phone isn’t the most user friendly process – we’re used to matching our phones to diff erent cars every week, yet it took nearly twenty minutes – and reference to the manual - to fi nd out how to hook into the Rapid’s system. A more intuitive connection mechanism would be a welcome addition.

Available with either 1.2 MPI or TSI petrol units or 1.6 TDI diesel engines, the natural default for many people these days to opt for

diesel. However, having driven the 86 bhp TSI and the 105 bhp TDI back-to-back over two weeks, we’d suggest that unless you’re doing very high mileage, then the petrol engine is the one to opt for with this car. For starters you save nearly €3,000 on the purchase price, while annual road tax is the same for both cars. Moreover, in our view the petrol powered car actually off ers a bett er drive than the more powerful TDI. Despite the relatively puny horsepower fi gure it is a lively and responsive engine, with more than adequate mid-range grunt thanks to the effi cient turbo. Yes, you lose a litt le in fuel consumption but during a week with the TSI powered car, we returned 6.1 l/100 km, not too far away from the 5.4 l/100 km that we achieved with the diesel.

We were a litt le underwhelmed with the Rapid with regards to its ride quality, which on less than perfect road surfaces, can feel harsh, with too much feedback into the passenger area. A factor in this is wheel size. Th e top of the range Elegance trim level comes with 16” alloys whereas the lower trim cars are fi tt ed with 15” wheels. Th ese we found off er a much more composed ride. Choose the optional 17” rims at your peril! On the positive side though, the Rapid handles surprisingly well, reacting quickly to driver inputs, and with good feedback on what the front wheels are doing. It’s actually quite good fun to hustle along twisty country roads.

Th e new Skoda Rapid isn’t a car to stand out from the crowd, but what it is is a no-nonsense, economical and reliable vehicle that epitomizes the traditional Skoda virtues of value for money, spaciousness and practicality. And that, in these no-nonsense times could be just what the doctor ordered. But do check out the petrol off erings before ordering!

SPEC CHECKSkoda Rapid 1.2 TSI Elegance Skoda Rapid 1.6 TDI ElegancePrice as tested: €21,405 Price as tested: €24,265Power: 86bhp Power: 105bhpCO2 Emissions: 119 g/km (Band A4) CO2 Emissions: 114 g/km (Band A4)0-100 km/h: 11.8 seconds 0-100 km/h: 10.4 secondsTop Speed: 183 km/h Top Speed: 190 km/hQuoted Fuel Economy (combined cycle): 5.1 l/100 km (55 MPG)

Quoted Fuel Economy (combined cycle): 4.4 l/100 km (64 MPG)

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