BMW i3 Range Extender (REX)
Is futuristic styling and a nifty drive enough to make the BMW i3 a game-changer in the electric car market, Geraldine Herbert finds out What is it? The i3 is BMW’s first foray into the electric vehicle market and was designed from the ground up to be an electric vehicle. The “standard” i3 has an electric motor which will allow you go about 160 Kms before you need to recharge. Recharging takes about 8 hours from a standard...
Range Rover Evoque Versus Volvo XC60
Do you need a city car for commuting but could do with something bigger for weekends in the country? Two newly revised luxury SUVs the Range Rover Evoque or Volvo’s XC60 may just be the answer writes Geraldine Herbert What is it? The Range Rover Evoque has been a runaway success for Land Rover worldwide, and has received a similar reception in the Irish market too. But it faced criticism for its fuel economy figures so to enhance its...
Audi A3 Saloon 1.4TFSI
Is Audi’s recently added A3 saloon more than simply an A3 Sportback with a boot on the back end, we find out What is it? This is Audi’s take on the compact executive Saloon and they have transformed the hugely popular A3 hatchback in to a very stylish saloon. Who is it aimed at? Compact it may be but the A3 Saloon is only a mere 24 centimetres shorter than an A4 saloon and is ideally suited for anyone looking for a little more space...
Citroën DS3 Faubourg Addict
We drive Citroen’s DS3 with the new Faubourg Addict Pack, a car you’ll never have a problem finding in the supermarket car-park. What is it? Four years ago Citroën revived the DS name and at the very heart of this revival is the DS3. A car that has turned heads and changed hearts and introduced a whole new generation to Citroën. Who is it aimed at? The DS3 is essentially a supermini but is designed for those who like to stand...
Diesel Hot Hatches
Diesel hot hatches offer a sublime blend of prudent running costs and silly horsepower. But are these performance diesels good enough to turn the head of a GTI enthusiast? We drive the Octavia RS, the VW Golf GTD and the Volvos R Design to find out Skoda Octavia RS At first glance it appears to be just a regular Octavia; some changes have been made to the bumper, there’s newly designed fog lights, distinctive air inlets and a...
Range Rover Sport Versus BMW X5
The Range Rover Sport may be the Swiss Army Knife of cars but does the BMW X5 have the edge? we find out What is it? Judging from its size and sheer bulk, you’d guess the new X5 is a big, thirsty machine designed for family space rather than sportiness but car enthusiasts know otherwise. This is as much a performance car as any other BMW. Following the phenomenal success of the Evoque and the critical acclaim for the new Range...