DRIVE TIME! MOTORING NEWS

THE ALL NEW SAAB 9-3 ARRIVES ON OUR SHORES IN SEPTEMBER

Imposing design and engine options are sure to please Coming this September is a new version of the Saab 9-3, which in addition to now running as a BioPower version, will be available with a new, powerful 180bhp 1.9-litre TTiD diesel and early next year will be available with all-wheel drive. The car has all-new bodywork as far back as the A-pillar and has taken styling cues from the firm’s Aero X Concept. The more prominent grille and more aggressive-looking headlamps give the car a more imposing stance.

Bio Friendly

The big news is the BioPower petrol engines. There are two versions coming to Ireland. The first is a 1.8t that has 150bhp when using regular fuel but has an impressive 175bhp when using the E85. The second is a 2.0t that has 175bhp on regular fuel but 200bhp on E85.

The diesel engine is a new twinstage turbocharged 1.9-litre engine that has 180bhp and 400Nm of torque. 0-100km/h takes just 8.5 seconds with a maximum speed of 225km/h, yet with fuel economy of 5.9 l/100km and CO2 emissions of 159g/km.

Price Range

Finally a flagship 2.8-litre V6 petrol engine with 280bhp will be offered and it will come with the option of all-wheel drive, a first for Saab. The first of the new 9-3 models go on sale in September. Expect a starting price tag of €35,000.

MAZDA 2 SHRINKS TO FIT

Mazda steer clear of the super-size revolution

With so many superminis getting bigger as they evolve, it was nice to see that when Mazda revealed details of their new Mazda2 recently, that the car had got smaller and lighter than before.

Easy on Emissions

Not only is the new car 100kg lighter than before, but it is also 40mm shorter and as a result, weights in at just 955kg and this means it puts out less CO2 and uses less fuel than many of its larger, more porky rivals. Visually, the car is nice blend of cheekiness and sporty design and this means it won’t alienate one gender over another. You would never say that this is a ‘girly’ car. It is a hoot to drive too and boasts handling that put it amongst the best in its class.

Spoilt for Choice

The car comes to Ireland in September and will be available initially with three engines. Two will be 1.3-litre petrol engines of 75 and 86bhp or a 1.5-litre petrol with 103bhp. A 1.4- litre turbo diesel will follow in 2008. Expect the car to cost in the region of €16,000 when it arrives.

NEW FORD MONDEO ON SALE

Ford launch their wide range of family friendly Mondeos

Huge news for the family and fleet car market is the arrival of the new Ford Mondeo into showrooms. There are a total of 40 models in the new Mondeo range with a choice of seven engines with 5- or 6-speed manual transmissions along with a 6-speed automatic.

Safety First

The car is available in three bodystyles – four-door saloon, five-door hatchback and estate. There are four distinct series available: the LX, which provides a high level of standard equipment, the Zetec and at the top of the range, Titanium and Ghia models. Safety is high on the priority list with this new car, with ESP standard fit across the range as well as a total of seven airbags.

Power Options

The new Mondeo range now features a 1.6-litre engine, which it didn’t in the previous generation model and this is good news for Irish buyers who tend to navigate towards the smallest powerplant. This starts at €24,995, with the Zetec 1.6 from €27,245. Also likely to be popular is the 1.8-litre TDCi which starts at €27,995.

RENAULT UNVEILS NEW LAGUNA

The new Laguna on sale in September balances precise design with fuel economy

A car that looks set to be a strong contender in the family/fleet car market will be the new Renault Laguna, due in Ireland this September. Details of the new model have just been released and the imagery shows a dramatically styled follow on from the previous car. Key new features on the new car include a light chassis, precise steering and a wide range of engines and gearboxes, offering the perfect blend of high performance and fuel economy.

The comprehensive engine line-up in New Laguna offers power between 110hp and 175hp, including three new engines: 1.5 dCi 110, 2.0 dCi 130 and 2.0 16V 140. With the 2.0 dCi 150 mated to the new Renault-Nissan Alliance six-speed automatic gearbox it is, according to the manufacturer, both flexible and efficient.

New Generation

Safety is never far from Renault’s thoughts and the new Laguna continues this theme with high active and passive safety levels, including a new generation double side airbag (thorax and pelvis). There are two body styles available – a hatchback and the popular Sport Tourer estate version. The expected big seller in Ireland will be the 1.5- litre 110bhp diesel, but there will be 2.0-litre petrol and diesel engine offered at launch too.

Published in the July/August 2007 Issue of Irish Entrepreneur