DRIVE TIME! MOTORING NEWS

BMW M3 COMING THIS MONTH

The story of the M3 started back in 1986 with the idea of a highly practical series-production car fully suited to everyday use and since then we have seen three fantastic variants of the car.

This month we will get the fourth-generation of the M3. Under the new, bulging bonnet of the fourth-generation M3, based on the E90 Coupe but sharing just a handful of components, is a new eight-cylinder engine putting out 420bhp and 400Nm of torque. There are no turbochargers or superchargers employed here, just a high-revving engine putting its power down to the rear wheels.

Both the front and rear suspension components are made from lightweight materials including aluminium and there is a Variable M Limited-Slip differential, which can generate locking forces of up to 100% whenever required and when things get tricky. 0-100km/h takes a mere 4.8 seconds and the top speed, as usual is limited to 250km/h. The combined fuel economy figure is 12.4 l/100km but expect even a little less everyday. The car arrives in Ireland in this month with a price tag of €103,000.

SOARING SUV SALES

SUV sales up 29.6% as market rises by 6.2%

Figures released by the Society of the Irish Motor Industry show that 166,322 passenger cars were sold in Ireland up to the end of July, marking a 6.2% increase in the market compared to the same period in 2006.

The SUV segment has shown the greatest increase in its market share from 5.6% last year to 6.8% up to the end of July. While other markets such as the UK have shown a 4% drop in sales of SUVs for the first six months of the year, sales of SUVs in Ireland are up 29.6% compared to the same period in 2006. This is despite indications that the segment may face increased taxations in a revised VRT system due next year. It is expected that any change in VRT is likely to take into account CO2 emissions and many of these SUVs will be hardest hit, especially those at the higher end of the segment.

Much of this growth can be attributed to the launch this year of the Nissan Qashqai, which dominates sales with some 18.9% of its segment. However these figures do not account for luxury SUVs, which fall into a separate luxury vehicle category. Sales of Land Rover’s Range Rover Range are up 24% and Audi’s Q7 range have increased by 773% from 52 units up to the end of July 2006 to 454 units for the same period this year.

FLEXIBLE FORD REDUCES ENVIRONMENTAL FOOTPRINT

Ford’s Flexi-Fuel models sales on the rise due to greater availability of bioethanol

The greater availability of service stations selling E85 bioethanol has helped sales of Ford’s Flexi-Fuel models, with almost 300 models sold or ordered already this year, compared to sales of just 42 units in 2006.

The Ford Focus LX FFV accounted for the 42 units sold last year. Sales of the car so far this year have risen to 147, with a further 48 cars on order. The C-MAX FFV, Ford’s compact MPV, which was introduced earlier this year, has already clocked up sales of 70 units, with another 27 on order.

E85 bioethanol, made from a milk derivative at cheese-maker Carbery in Cork, is now distributed at 21 Maxol service stations in Ireland, with more stations expected to carry it by the end of the year. The per litre price of bioethanol is currently 20% below that of petrol. Running on bioethanol, an FFV can reduce the CO2 footprint for the car by up to 80% in comparison to similar cars. Due to a VRT rebate, the prices of FFVs undercut those of conventional cars. After such rebates, the Focus FFV LX 5-door and the high-spec C-MAX Activ FFV are available for just €20,710 and €22,139 respectively.

MINI REVEALS NEW CLUBMAN

MINI has finally revealed the production version of their much-anticipated Clubman

Due to go on sale here in Ireland in November, it is, according to the manufacturers, ‘a modern interpretation of its famous Mini predecessors.’

Available in three engine variants: Cooper D, Cooper and Cooper S will offer more space to potential Mini owners by featuring a 260-litre luggage compartment, 100 litres more than the hatch and features split-rear doors and access to the rear is aided by an additional door. The ‘Clubdoor’ is hinged at the back on the right-hand side of the car and opens against the direction of travel. There are five seats as standard but there is the option of choosing two-seats at the rear as a no-cost option. Prices will start at €27,150 for the Cooper version, and rising to €32,400 for the Cooper S. The diesel Cooper version will start at €29,150.

Published in the September 2007 Issue of Irish Entrepreneur