Electel Blogspot

New generation versions of the Dacia Sandero and Stepway will go on sale in Ireland in early 2021 and first customer deliveries will be in the spring, writes Brian Byrne . Built on a new platform, both vehicles will also get new engines, a new automatic option, and a new 6-speed manual transmission. The external dimensions are similar to the outgoing versions, but the car offers more room inside. The core ethos of Dacia of simplicity and reliability are retained, but a new suite of driver assistance technologies and higher levels of standard equipment up the models' game. The petrol powertrains are normally-aspirated and turbocharged 1.0 3-cylinder units, with 65hp and 90hp outputs. An LPG-fuelled version will be available in markets where that fuel is common. The interior features newly designed front seats, more premium upholstery, and greater range of adjustment of front seats and steering wheel. Multi-media options include a sat-nav version. As the first Dacia models built o...

It's 85 years old, and doesn't it still look something special? writes Brian Byrne . The Skoda 935 Dynamic caused a sensation at its world premiere at the Prague Motor Show in 1935. Its aesthetic, aerodynamically optimised contours caught the attention of the public, as did the vehicle's unusual technical features. The car's water-cooled four-cylinder boxer engine has a displacement of two litres and an output of 55 hp. It is mounted in front of the driven rear axle. An innovative feature is the electromagnetic four-speed gearbox from the French manufacturer Cotal, which enables semiautomatic gear changes with its preselector. It was the only one of its kind built, but the experience and technologies used were included in a number of subsequent production models. The original was sold as a used car to a private buyer in 1939, and repurchased by the company from the same individual in the 1960s. Having undergone extensive restoration, the coupé saloon since three yea...

"The Ugliest Roll Royce Ever?" -- That was the title of a 2001 piece on Motor Trend magazine's web page.  Well, maybe.  But there might have been a few that were worse. The cited car was a 1954 Roll-Royce Silver Wraith with a custom body by Italian coachbuilder Vignale completed in 1955.  The designer was the well-known Giovanni Michelotti who later designed production car bodies for Triumph. Being a custom bodied automobile, its design features were influenced by Vignale's client.  Some of this is mentioned here on the Bonhams auction web site in reference to its 2014 offering at Quail Lodge in California.  What might be important is that he was an American.  Which suggests that he wanted the car to have 1954-vintage American styling features. Gallery The car was on display for a while at the Blackhawk museum in California's Bay Area.  That is the source of this and similar images below.  The "ugly" bit is the front end design that features t...

When I first saw the new Ford Kuga rolled out during a special ‘Go Electric’ event in Amsterdam last year, I liked what they’d done, writes Brian Byrne . Still an SUV in format, but among other good things they had gotten to was dropping those ersatz ‘skid plates’ that suggested it was a car for the wild outdoors. The old one did have some offroad capability in the right model, but there’s no longer a 4x4 option with the new one. Without the plastic pieces, and with some good new overall styling, the Kuga now is a really good looker in the family car stakes. Because it is lower than its predecessor, a first view might make it seem smaller. But it is both longer and wider than the last Kuga. It is well placed against its key competitors, Honda’s CR-V and Toyota’s latest RAV-4, in size. Sleeker than both, which might be a help when they are in choice contention. There are two powertrain options, a diesel and a plug-in hybrid. When the motor trade here reopened in July there was a pent-...

Ford has announced an ST version of the Puma with a 200hp engine, special chassis, and specific styling, writes Trish Whelan . The 1.5 EcoBoost engine provides acceleration of 6.7s to 100km/h. It is an all-aluminium 3-cylinder unit, first introduced in the Fiesta ST. To deal with that kind of power, the Puma ST comes with steering that's 25pc faster-acting than the standard car, and larger brakes. Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres help transfer maximum power to the road. The selectable drive mode also includes an Eco option, the first time on a Ford performance vehicle. The uprated suspension settings are designed to make sure the higher SUV centre of gravity doesn't make handling less than impeccable.   

These are the latest BMW M3 and M4 models, with deliveries in RHD markets next March and upping the iconic performance cars' game, writes Brian Byrne . The cars will have the option of all-wheel drive in a similar system to that introduced in the M5 xDrive. It is rear-biased, and also allows the selection of RWD. An 8-speed automatic replaces the predecessor vehicles' 7-speed dual-clutch, and a 6-speed manual will be available. Power output ranges from 473hp-503hp, with 100km/h sprint capability of 4.1s and 3.8s respectively. An M3 Touring wagon and M4 Convertible will be offered later.  

I seldom write about convertibles because passenger compartment greenhouses require plenty of styling effort that's not required for convertibles.  However, I am now inspired to write about some BMW convertibles because my fiancée recently bought the 2013 328i convertible shown in the photo above (that's my '19 Toyota RAV4 in the background). Hers is a retractible hardtop model that requires a good deal of space in the trunk area.  The following image of a 2014 BMW 4 Series Convertible retraction stage might offer an idea as to what goes on and why aft ends of BMW convertibles are shaped the way they are. The images below of various BMW convertibles starting with the 2001 model year are side views intended to show the top storage areas in profile for comparison.  All images are factory-sourced photos.   Some cars shown have retractible hardtops, others are conventional soft top convertibles. Gallery 2001 BMW M3 Convertible All the cars shown here have a high, nearly...

Irish-based global insulation and building innovation company Kingspan has recently taken delivery of three new Tesla electric cars, bringing its global EV fleet to 69, writes Brian Byrne . The cars join with electric models from Kia and Hyundai, and are part of a company programme to source only electric vehicles by 2025. The company is installing a new six-bay EV charging station at its recently opened Ikon global innovation centre in Kingscourt, Cavan, which will help to ensure that each car’s charge can be derived from 100pc renewable energy. Kingspan's Planet Passionate 10-year global sustainability strategy includes using 60pc renewable energy, achieving carbon zero manufacturing, upcycling PET plastic bottles into insulation products, and harvesting 100 million litres fo its water usage from rainweater. Pictured above at the Ikon Innnovation Centre are Kingspan employees: Kevin O’Grady, Emmet Carolan, Ciara Maddock, Kevin McCarthy and John Neary.  

Volkswagen's second dedicated electric car, the ID.4, will go on sale in Ireland in January 2021, writes Brian Byrne . Pricing starts at €42,995 after deduction of €10,000 available grants for Irish buyers. The car is in the compact SUV segment and comes with a motor and battery that gives a range of up to 520km. The rear-drive car can accelerate to 100km/h in 8.5s. A quick-charging capability means that up to 320km can be provided in around 30 minutes. A less expensive model with a 340km range will be available in May 2021 with a net price less than €35,000. Sales of 1,700 in Ireland are forecast by Volkswagen Group Ireland.    

A new coupe from Renault, the Arkana, will go on sale in Ireland next year, writes Trish Whelan . The SUV-style car will join the Captur and Kadjar in the Renault line-up, and is expected here in September 2021. Engine options will include a full hybrid powertrain as well as a 1.3 turbo petrol with 140hp. A full suite of connectivity and safety technologies will feature on the car.