New SEAT Ateca aims for SUV value

The Ateca (pictured), SEAT’s first ever SUV model, was the highlight of the SEAT stand at Ploughing 2016. This latest SUV to join the market is built around the same platform as the new Volkswagen Tiguan.

The new SEAT Ateca is available in a choice of 1.0TSI and 1.4 TSI petrol engines or 1.6TDI and 2.0TDI diesel engines and is claimed to be economical in fuel consumption across the range. It’s available in three trim levels – S, SE and Xcellence and is now available to order across SEAT’s 21-dealer network.

With prices starting from €24,750 for the 1.0TSI 115hp petrol model, the new SEAT Ateca is one of the most competitively priced mid-sized SUVs on the Irish market. The entry level diesel model with a 1.6-litre TDI engine is priced at just €26,450.

96% want to drive more efficiently, survey says

A recently published motoring index 2016 survey by the Irish-owned fuel distribution company Topaz Quality Fuels reports that 96% of motorists want to reduce their impact on the environment by driving more efficiently. Topaz claims that its Quality Fuel additive improves efficiency on all major engine types by up to 3%.

Its survey found that 69% of motorists wait until their fuel gauge is in the red before refuelling. Over 71% of those surveyed will only fuel up their vehicle with a recognised retailer, 58% claim to know which fuels are the most efficient, while 53% admit that price is the primary influence on their fuel purchase.

Parent/guardians are the “go-to” contact for 57% of motorists who need breakdown assistance, while only 17% would contact the AA breakdown assistance, hinting at a low level of AA membership in Ireland.

Toyota Prius tops in emission commuting study

Research commissioned from the University of Rome has revealed how the Toyota Prius hybrid car operates with zero emissions for most of the time and distance covered on a typical European city commute.

The university study involving 20 drivers of different ages and levels of hybrid driving experience making the same 37km journey across Rome and back, showed that an average 73.2% of the journey time and 62.5% of the distance covered were accomplished with zero emissions, with values even higher for the urban sections of the route.

Almost 45% of the energy required was generated by Prius’s electric motor, with one-third of the drive power produced by the regenerative braking system. Michael Gaynor of Toyota Ireland said: “The study showed how hybrid petrol cars, which you don’t have to plug in, can deliver over 70% of the journey in pure electric mode.”

An Audi for every driver

Even though it’s still September and not even Hallowe’en in sight, Audi in Ireland has started its nationwide Future Now 171 sales event. Under the headline “There’s an Audi for every driver”, Future Now claims to offer prospective and current Audi owners the opportunity to avail of exclusive Personal Contract Plan (PCP) finance offers and rates, in addition to savings on equipment upgrade packs, across the 171 Audi range.

To support the Future Now 171 campaign test drive, events will take place in various locations across the country from 30 September to 6 November.

These will give potential customers the opportunity to explore the latest Audi models, and speak to dealers about the PCP and APR rates available and the discounts on optional upgrade packs.

Volkswagen claims it didn’t violate consumer rules

EU Consumer Commissioner Vera Jourova said recently that the European Commission was assessing whether Volkswagen had violated two EU consumer directives. In response, Volkswagen has rejected suggestions it may have breached European Union consumer rules in connection with its emissions-cheating scandal.

Volkswagen Group does not see the need to compensate affected car owners. This is despite the fact that the German car maker has been urged to draw up a compensation scheme for affected drivers in Europe similar to the one it has agreed to with US authorities.

Volkswagen claims that a technical fix to the problem had been found and is available for more than 50% of the affected vehicles across the 28 EU member states. “We therefore believe there is no room or need for any additional compensation,” Volkswagen said in the letter signed by its head of public affairs, Thomas Steg. Almost 8.5m VW Group car models with rigged diesel engines were sold in Europe.

Volvo travels cross country with new V90

Volvo Cars is planning to launch the new V90 Cross Country, a further addition to its Swedish-design premium all-roader and which completes its 90 Series line-up. The car is due to be unveiled this week.

Designed to cope with the demanding requirements of an extreme Scandinavian climate, Cross Country models are claimed to perform in all sorts of road conditions, from muddy tracks and knee-deep snow to long-distance highway driving. They have proved a popular choice with horse and boat owners thanks to their high ground clearance, pulling power and responsive all-wheel drive.

Jaguar Land Rover drops Ford petrol engine

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has developed a new four-cylinder petrol turbocharged 2.0-litre engine to replace the Ford engine that it has been using in many of its Jaguar and Land Rover models. The 2.0 litre turbocharged engine is part of the Ingenium family of all-aluminium engines and will be built in the UK and in a new factory in China.