Electel Blogspot

Volkswagen Group Ireland retail dealerships will, for the most part, operate a 'Click & Collect' service for new car buyers during the period of the Level 5 restrictions, writes Brian Byrne . The Group's brands include Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Audi, Skoda, SEAT and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. In a statement today, VGI says the retailers can accommodate most customer’s individual wishes, with the safety of both retailer staff and customer alike of paramount importance. "With Ireland at a crucial and significant juncture in the fight against COVID-19, Volkswagen Group and its network of dealers have worked tirelessly to ensure that all services, whether essential maintenance or click and collect vehicle orders are provided in accordance with government guidelines."  

A new augmented reality head-up display to be made available by Volkswagen in its ID.3 and upcoming ID.4 electric cars will be a first for the technology in the compact car segment, writes Brian Byrne . The system adds a new layer to the familiar 'near-range' information from head-up, where speed and other details are visible at a 'float' distance of around three metres. The enhanced system adds a larger 'window' visualised at about 10 metres ahead, and wider, where symbols such as turning arrows from the navigation system appear to be pointing directly at the turn. As the car gets closer, the arrows get bigger, but fade in definition so as not to obscure normal visibility. The larger window also shows information from the driver assist systems, such as lane boundaries and close-vehicle identification. The new system will be available first in the ID.4 as part of an enhanced infotainment package option.  

This was always going to be an interesting drive, writes Brian Byrne . Volkswagen's ID.3 has been much awaited, and as the brand's first dedicated electric car, a seriously important one for them. The ID.3's production and launch was carefully choreographed. A constant stream of information in advance of its reveal made it clear the company were intent on the car becoming a game-changer and a bench-marker. When it came to actually opening the door to potential customers, they streamed out a social media-based programme. Would-be buyers could register interest and were then invited to lodge a €1,000 refundable deposit which would keep them in the loop for early order and delivery. In Ireland, more than 400 keen punters put up the money. A year ago they saw the car in the metal at a static presentation and got a two-month window to confirm their order. The first deliveries here were in September. In that month, the ID.3 was the best selling car in the country, a feat repeated...

Volkswagen's electric car ID.3 was the best selling car in Ireland for the second month in a row, in October, writes Brian Byrne . With 4pc of car sales for the month, the ID.3 contributed strongly to also making Volkswagen the top brand in Ireland during October, taking 12.44pc of the market. The brand is also the best seller for 2020 to date. Meanwhile, October saw new car sales bump up more than 6pc when compared to October 2019, with 2,315 units registered, according to figures from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry. Total passenger cars year to date are down 25.2pc.  

Volkswagen has given the GTI Clubsport version of the latest Golf its world premiere, providing the most powerful model in the car's latest generation, writes Brian Byrne . With 300hp available from its 2.0 turbocharged petrol engine, a new sports running gear integrates the GTI's standard electromechanical front-axle locking differential in the Vehicle Dynamics Manager’s network for the first time. VW's Head of Driving Dynamics, Steering and Control Systems Karsten Schebsdat says the latest Golf GTI Clubsport handles even more neutrally and precisely than the classic Golf GTI. Standard 18-inch wheels, a special diffuser, lowered body, and wide side sills showcase the car's sporty performance from the outside.  

Volkswagen is electrifying the eight generation of the Golf with two new plug-in hybrid versions: the Golf eHybrid (pictured above) and Golf GTE, with sales for both models starting now, writes Trish Whelan . The Golf eHybrid outputs 204hp and sells in Ireland from €36,570 while the Golf GTE performance hybrid matches the power output of the Golf GTI with 245hp and is priced from €42,330. Both prices include VRT rebate and SEAI grant for private customers. The plug-in hybrid versions feature a 50pc higher energy capacity compared with the plug-in hybrid drive of the Golf Mk7 which allows a wider electric range. The eHybrid covers up to 71 kilometres fully electrically under WLTP while the GTE has a zero emissions range of up to 64kms. The E-Mode also allows all-electric driving on country roads and motorways. eHyrid comes with a long list of standard equipment and has C02 emissions of 21g/km so sits in Tax Band A1 with €170 Annual Road Tax. The GTE (pictured above) can do the 0-100km/...

The top selling car in Ireland in September was the Volkswagen ID.3 electric car, writes Brian Byrne . There were 283 units registered of the car, Volkswagen's first dedicated production electric model. The ID.3 achieved 4.19pc of the September market of the 5,685 passenger cars sold in the month. In all, 664 electric cars were sold, bring the year to date total to 3,618 or a fifth more than in the same period in 2019. Electric cars now represent 4.3pc of the 2020 sales, against 43pc for diesel, 37pc for petrol, 12pc for hybrid, and 2.7pc for plug-in hybrid. The September market was up by 66pc compared to September 2019, but the overall year to date is down 26pc.  

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.    

The first ID.3 models have rolled onto the quays at Dublin Port and will be making their way to pre-bookers in the coming weeks. The ID.3 1st Edition is a specially equipped version of the 58kW version of the ID.3 (WLTP range of 410-424km). Volkswagen Ireland Brand Director Rodolfo Calixto said the arrival of the car marks a new era for the Volkswagen brand globally, but now the ID.3 is here in Ireland and it was 'very special' to witness these cars arriving into Dublin.” For more information on the Volkswagen ID.3, log on to www.volkswagen.ie/id3 .

Unlike some Japanese carmakers, Volkswagen has kept its styling restrained, not flamboyant. The problem all automobile firms face is the need to test body shapes in wind tunnels as part of efforts to achieve good fuel efficiency.  This results in little difference in basic shapes within each type (sedan, station wagon, SUV, etc.).  Therefore, to provide distinctive visual brand identity, cars nowadays often feature elaborate sheet metal sculpting along with cluttered, oddly-shaped details and ornamentation. Volkswagen's current design philosophy seems to take a contrarian position.  Sculpting tends to be simple and grilles and other details tend to have a horizontal theme as opposed to the curves and angles seen in many places elsewhere. 2017 Honda Civic Hatchback An example is the Honda Civic shown above. Below is a gallery of recent Volkswagen models.  The company haas been making a major effort to have a small number of platforms as the basis for a large number o...