The latest models in the BMW range will be on show at the Colm Quinn stand at this year’s National Ploughing Championships in Rathineska, Stradbally, Co Laois. One of the big attractions will be the new BMW X3, launched here in June. Also go and see the BMW i3, the impressive hybrid car that heralds a new era in motoring.

This new generation BMW X3 comes with new-generation diesel engines that can achieve economy levels up to 4.7//100k (60mpg) and a low CO rating of 124g/km. BMW uses TwinPower Turbo technology to combine impressive performance with low fuel consumption. The engine output of the new X3 xDrive20d rises from 184 to 190bhp while car is 7.1% more fuel efficient than the previous model.

The new BMW X3 looks more modern with its modified twin circular headlights (LED headlights are optional), a more eye-catching kidney grille, new front and rear bumpers. The car’s exterior mirrors come with integrated turn signal indicators.

The car is fitted with the BMW EfficientDynamics package that includes Auto Start Stop function, coasting function, Brake Energy Regeneration and on-demand operation of ancillary units to the new BMW X3. BMW claims that the use of fourth-generation low-rolling-resistance tyres make a significant contribution to the excellent environmental performance of the new BMW X3 by reducing CO2 emissions by 7g/km.

Among the new features from BMW ConnectedDrive on board the BMW X3 are the iDrive controller with integrated touchpad (for text input using finger movements), Parking Assistant, the full-colour BMW Head-Up Display, the anti-dazzle High Beam Assistant and Driving Assistant Plus, including Lane Departure Warning, Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function and preventive pedestrian protection. Prices start from €46,680, which is slightly more than the previous model.

See the BMW i3

You will get an opportunity to see the new BMWi3 hybrid car that uses an efficient petrol and hybrid electric drive. This car is progressive in design and worth closer examination if only for the level of modern technology on-board including carbon-based materials made from farm grown crops.

Toyota Avensis upgrades for Ploughing

Toyota will be showing the latest version of the upgraded Avensis for Ploughing 2014. The Avensis Luna grade car has been upgraded with a host of new features and specification and is available now for the new lower price of €28,995 for a 2.0 D4D version. This represents a €2,415 saving on price compared to the outgoing Luna model.

The Luna upgrade comes as part of an overall re-positioning of the Avensis model line-up, which now includes a new Sol grade, with the discontinuation of the Strata grade.

The Avensis Luna Grade offers new features including dual zone climate control, rain sensors and dusk sensors. There is a new Bluetooth mobile phone hands free system, for calls on the go, and the Toyota Touch 2 multimedia system with rear-view camera for hassle-free parking and reversing.

The Avensis Luna grade also features key exterior and interior styling, including 17” alloy wheels with machine face finish and on the interior leather Alcantara upholstery as standard. For improved driving comfort, the drivers’ seat will feature Power Lumbar Support.

The new generation Toyota Avensis Sol grade models come with full leather seat upholstery as standard. They also now come with heated front seats with 8-way adjustable settings and a choice of two leather seat trims in Ice Grey or Black.

The new generation Avensis Sol Grade features an electric steering column with memory and a smart entry system with a push button start. The new Avensis Sol grade with full leather seat upholstery starts at €30,995 (representing a €415 saving on sale price versus the outgoing Luna) for a 2.0 D-4D.

New Aygo and Yaris on show

Toyota will have a new Aygo small car and the new Yaris on the Ploughing stand. The new Aygo is powered by a three-cylinder petrol engine that claims 30% more fuel efficiency than the previous model. The engine design changes have resulted in a combined cycle fuel consumption figure of 24.4km/litre (68.8mpg), with CO2 emissions of 95g/km.

The new Toyota Yaris with refreshed styling, an improved interior and better vehicle dynamics will also be on the stand. There is a new upper and lower grille section with restyled rear light clusters fitted with LEDs.

Toyota claims to have improved the Yaris’s interior, to give a greater feeling of roominess, higher levels of perceived quality and more choice in terms of colours and equipment.

The car’s suspension has been revised to improve both comfort and handling. Noise levels have also been reduced. The range of engines is unchanged, with 1.0 and 1.33-litre petrol and 1.4 D-4D diesel engines and Yaris’s flagship full hybrid system.

New Mini with economical engines

You will also get a chance to see the new generation five-door economical Mini at this year’s Ploughing on the Colm Quinn stand. This new car is powered by more economical three and four-cylinder petrol and diesel engine options.

There are two new diesel and petrol engines for the new generation Mini including a new engine using TwinPower Turbo Technology. The three-cylinder diesel Mini is rated at 116bhp, while the four-cylinder version develops 170bhp.

Both come with six speed manual gearboxes with the option of a six-speed automatic gearbox. This new Mini comes with Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) as standard including Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) and Electronic Differential Lock Control (EDLC) in the MINI Cooper S 5 door.

This new Mini has had its wheelbase extended by 72 millimetres to create what Mini claims is space for three seats in the rear. This extra space claims to give more foot space and legroom as well as more interior width at elbow height.

The small Mini boot space has been boosted to 278 litres, 67 litres more than in the 3 door model.

Subaru shows new Outback auto

The new seven-speed programmed Lineartronic CVT automatic gearbox for the Subaru Diesel Outback will be a major part of the Subaru exhibit at Ploughing 2014. The stand will also include the new Subaru Impreza for driver enthusiasts that uses the same unique Subaru boxer engine design.

Upgraded for this year, Subaru engineers have claimed to have enhanced the car’s handling characteristics with revised suspension components and the latest version of Subaru’s Vehicle Dynamics Control.

Subaru has combined the 2.0 litre Boxer diesel engine with a Lineartronic CVT (continuously variable transmission). This claims to bring improvements in driveability, fuel economy and emissions. With the new engine and gearbox combination the new Subaru Outback claims to return a fuel economy figure of 6.3 lit./100km (44.8 mpg) and 166g/km CO2 on the combined cycle.

The Outback continues to offer 200mm of ground clearance, which Subaru claim is enhanced by the horizontally-opposed engine and transmission that gives a low centre of gravity. This claims to give the car high levels of cornering stability.

The 2014 Subaru Outback 2.0D Lineartronic version comes with 17-inch alloy wheels are standard, along with body-coloured power folding door mirrors (with integrated LED indicator repeaters), and matching colour-coded door handles.

Roof rails and a roof spoiler are included as well as a power-sliding glass sunroof (with sunshade) and UV protected front, side and rear glass. Self-levelling automatic HID headlamps and rain sensing wipers add to the features. Prices start from €41,995.

New Impreza on show (panel)

The new 1.6i Impreza RC will also be present and it comes with All-wheel-Drive (AWD) as standard on all models. The car features a new-generation 1.6-litre Boxer petrol engine, the latest version of Subaru’s hallmark All-Wheel Drive as standard equipment, and an impressive range of safety and fuel efficiency aids.

The new 1.6-litre Boxer petrol engine, producing 114ps and 150Nm of torque, will accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 12.3 seconds. The Impreza returns fuel economy of 6.4 lit/100 km (44.1mpg) on the combined cycle.

The engine features separate cooling circuits for the cylinder block and cylinder head, allowing it to warm-up more quickly to reduce friction and improve fuel economy. An Active Valve Control System helps keep engine friction even lower by reducing the oil pump relief pressure. A maintenance-free chain-type camshaft drive belt claims to further improve efficiency.

The Irish Impreza RC model comes with high levels of standard equipment including automatic on/off headlamps and rain-sensing windscreen wipers, front fog lamps, power-folding heated door mirrors with LED turn signals, windscreen wiper de-icer system, cruise control, 16-inch alloy wheels, tyre repair kit and daytime running lights, and reversing camera.

Ford offers new commercial Kuga

Ford will be showing its latest 4x4 and van ranges on the Downey Auto stand at the Ploughing Championships this year. The new Ranger models with the 3.2 litre turbo-diesel engine are worth a closer look.

These are a more powerful option and can include a high level of specifications. This is a higher performance 4x4 pick-up that’s available with a crew cab and has a big pick-up feeling about it.

The good news for the Kuga is that it is now available as a commercial four seat 4x4. This makes the Kuga particularly attractive to farming buyers as the farm transport vehicle. The new N1 commercial vehicle status allows Kuga buyers to get a VAT refund and charge the vehicle against the farm business.

Caption (Ford Kuga Ploughing 2014 Page 86): The new generation Ford Kuga is available as a commercial four seat SUV for farming and business applications, with good off-road features and reasonable economy.

Improved Pajero and Outlander

The new generation Mitsubishi Pajero for this year’s Ploughing claims to be the strongest, quietest, safest and smartest Pajero ever built. This new version comes with impressive levels of equipment as standard, as well as improved fuel economy and Mitsubishi’s Super Select 4WD technology.

The Pajero 3.2 litre turbo-diesel engine performance at 200bhp, pumps out 441nm of torque for an impressive 3.5 tonnes trailer pulling capacity. The Mitsubishi Super Select 4WD gearbox provides four drive modes including 2WD for better fuel economy during normal on-road driving and three different levels of 4WD for off road adventures.

The Pajero safety kit is impressive with six airbags including front, side and curtain airbags, active stability and traction control and ABS with EBD. The specifications now include Bluetooth, cruise control, air conditioning as standard across the range.

The Pajero Commercial is available in short or long wheel based body types and comes with a 5 year/150,000km warranty, standard on all Mitsubishi commercial vehicles.

The new Outlander will also be on show with the commercial version especially attractive for a farming audience. This latest Outlander can bring a large storage load and it can tow up to 2,000kg and all while delivering up to 5.3l/100km (53.2mpg) fuel economy.

The Outlander is powered by a new and more efficient 16 valve, 2.2 litre DI-D common rail direct injection engine that delivers up to 150bhp and 380Nm of torque.

The two seat commercial Outlander comes with cruise control, Bluetooth phone system, air conditioning and alloy wheels as standard for €24,387 plus VAT.