New Doblo revealed

Fiat has revealed details of its new generation Doblo, which is sold as both a van and a passenger vehicle which can be configured to carry up to seven people.

The new Doblo is built on a new platform, has more passenger space on a wheelbase that is claimed to be the longest in the segment, and is powered by a Band B (Ireland) 1.3 Multijet 90hp engine.

There will also be a 95hp petrol engine and two other diesel Multijet of 105hp and 135hp, as well as a diesel version with a Dualogic robotized gearbox.

The Doblo cargo offers a more roomy load compartment than the previous model, with load volumes up to 4.2 cubic metres, payload to 1000kg, and combined fuel consumption of 4.8 litres/100 km.

There will be short and long wheelbase van, high top van, short and long wheelbase 5-seater combi.

The new models are due to be launched from mid-January 2010.

Renault reveals Fluence EV strategy

Renault plans to offer the electric version of its Fluence midsized saloon at the same price as the car's internal combustion engine variants.

Fluence is an additional model between Megane and Laguna and the EV version will be manufactured along with the mainstream versions at a Renault factory in Turkey.

The car is aimed at global markets and the concept Fluence ZE (zero emissions) was shown at the recent Frankfurt Motor Show.

Renault now has four EV models upcoming, including the Zoe city car, the Kangoo, and the Twizy. The Fluence EV will go on sale initially in Denmark and Israel, which are developing strong electric vehicle infrastructures, from the first half of 2011. In keeping with the company's strategy of offering a range of mass-market EV vehicles, the car will be rolled out in other markets soon afterwards.

Irish Van of the Year 2010

The shortlist for the Continental Irish Van of the Year 2010 has been announced by the Irish Motoring Writers Association (IMWA) Van of the Year Jury. The winner of the 2010 overall van title and category award winners (Car-Derived Van and SUV Commercial) will be announced at an awards ceremony in the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Santry, on Thursday November 26, 2009.

The finalists are as follows: Ford Fiesta Van, Ford Kuga Commercial, Ford Transit Connect, Honda CR-V, Renault Kangoo, Subaru Forester, Verde Cargovan.

The Continental Irish Van of the Year jury is comprised of nine specialist members of the IMWA. In order to find the winning van and category winners each year, the jury members assess each van that is launched on the Irish market, grading each vehicle on such attributes as: value for money, versatility, build quality and performance.

This year sees a change in sponsorship for the Van awards. Semperit Tyres who sponsored the awards for the last 20-years is passing the title to Continental Tyres.

The $1m phone call

It was a phone call that cost this car owner a million dollars.

That's because he drove his Bugatti Veyron into a march in Texas when he reached down to pick up his dropped mobile phone.

He wasn't hurt. But felt a big pain in his wallet.

Our View: Carbon Tax

Carbon Tax is on the line for the next Budget. We actually have had them for decades in Ireland as duties on fuel, so it seems likely that the 'new' CTs will be an extra revenue gathering exercise for a self-bankrupted Government.

The new CT will happen. But we all should know the views outside the Department of Finance. Here are a couple.

Carbon and Tax Neutrality by Frank Schnittger.

EU Mulls Europe-wide Carbon Tax.

Bottom line: Is a brand new tax right without deleting the existing 'carbon' duties? Think about it.

Remembrance for road victims

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is asking people nationwide to remember the victims of road crashes on ‘World Remembrance Day for Road Traffic Victims’, this Sunday 15th November 2009.

The RSA will be joining forces with Road Safety Officers, Emergency Services and members of An Garda Síochána to mark the day and remember those who have died on our roads.

Up to Friday 13th November 2009 a total of 22,646 lives have been lost on Irish roads since the recording of road deaths began in 1959. That’s equivalent to the total population of Tralee town and its environs being lost on our roads.

Deals at Nissan MotorShow

Nissan is running a 'Motor Show' promotion at its dealers from November 20 to December 10, with offers of cashback and free servicing deals.

It's also the opportunity to see and feel Ireland's cheapest new car, the new Nissan Pixo, which is going on sale at an entry price of €9,895.



Anybody buying a Pixo, Micra, Note or Tiida during the promotion will get three years of servicing absolutely free.

And there's a CashBack offer on the Qashqai with €2,010 to be given back on any petrol or 2.0 Qashqai ordered during the Nissan MotorShow. This offer applies to both 5- and 7-seat models.

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BMW wants intelligent lights

They have problems in the US with their traffic lights. So do we. BMW is pushing for a better way.

Inflatable seatbelts from Ford

Ford Motor Company will introduce the motor industry’s first inflatable seat belts in 2010, designed to provide better protection for back-seat passengers.

The belts will make their debut on the US best-selling Ford Explorer and spread the force of a crash over an area five times bigger than conventional seat belts. This helps to reduce head, neck and chest injuries by easing pressure and reducing movement in the event of an impact.

In research carried out by Ford, 90 percent of respondents also said the inflatable seat belts were more comfortable than traditional belts –- a factor that could help to increase rear seat belt usage. The company plans to extend inflatable seat belt technology to its vehicles around the world.