This week Daragh reviewed the Peugeot 3008!
Alfa Mito Review
I’ve always been a fan of Top Gear, and as a fan of Top Gear I’ve always wanted to own an Alfa Romeo……I mean I know they haven’t exactly got a name as being the most reliable car in the world, I know they don’t deliver excellence in the handling department, but they are sexy little machines.
This week I got to test drive my first Alfa Romeo – I know, I know, I call myself a motoring enthusiast and I’ve never had a proper test drive of an Alfa, but now that I have I feel I understand. It’s as if some of life’s mysteries are now clear to me.
And even though it was the MiTo I was driving, I feel that I’m now more of a man. Grrrrrr.
That’s right folks, this week I had the new Alfa Romeo MiTo.
This car is in competition with Mini, the Fiat 500, and pretty much any small car that you can imagine, and it’s what I would call great fun. In fairness, it doesn’t exactly handle great, but that’s part of the attraction.
The model I had was a 1.4, MultiAir TB 170 Cloverleaf and this cloverleaf delivers a punch. When you put the foot down in this lightweight car you can feel the g’s bring you back in your seat, and I imagine that if you really floored it controlling this car wouldn’t be easy. I would imagine it would be akin to taming a wild dog, that is, not without a fight. Not surprisingly this car will give you 0-100km/ph in about 7.4 seconds and has a top speed of 219kph.
Now, what does all of that mean, MultiAir TB 170 Cloverleaf? Well…. MutiAir was designed by Fiat Powertrain technology and it serves to increase power, give better fuel consumption and lower CO2 emissions.
The Cloverleaf part: This originated in the 1920’s on cars designed by Giusepe Merosi for the Gran Siciliana – one of the most prestigious races of the 1920’s, any how, the story goes that he had an image of a cloverleaf on all of these cars and each corner represented one of the four drivers of the Alfa team. This proved to be lucky to one of the Alfa drivers when he won this race after the leading ascari car broke down 200m before the finish line and Alfa took the victory.
Three years later however the same racer, called Sivocci died in a tragic accident during the race. His car on that day didn’t carry the cloverleaf. The clover leaf since WWII was used in Alfa cars to distinguish sporting versions of Alfa models.
Okay, history lesson is now over:
Back to the MiTo, I kind of like it. I’m not a fan of small cars in general, and if a car is going to be this small, I would usually recommend that it comes without back seats – I mean what’s the point in having two token seats in the back of a mini, fiat 500 or a MiTo? Absolutely no point – and sadly this car still have them. Anyway, as a person who doesn’t generally like small cars, I was very impressed by the look of the MiTo. Its grill delivers an angriness that belongs to a musclier car, and its’ sleek curves are completely in keeping with the sexy image that Alfa offers.
When it comes to the interior, it is quite comfortable, but, and this is a big BUT, a lot of outside noise comes through to this car, so much so that you really have to jam up the volume on the radio to hear it clearly.
Alfa’s and Fiat are now going down the route of the Blue and Me audio kits, for Bluetooth etc. I found this to be quite awkward, and I was very disappointed that it didn’t accept my iPod without malfunctioning every few minutes.
This model of MiTo uses about 8.1l/100km and burns 139 gco2/km, which places it in tax band b.
The MiTo prices start at about €15,000 if you avail of the scrappage scheme and if not you’re looking at about €16,500. If you’re looking for the cloverleaf version you would need to cough up in and around €24,000.
In comparison to the mini or even the fiat 500, this is definitely my favourite. Sure the mini is good fun and all, but this is more of a challenge. As for the Fiat 500c – I’m driving one now, and it doesn’t come close.
For pics etc log onto www.newstalk.ie/motormouth or www.alfaromeo.ie.
Honda Insight
In theory the Honda Insight is a very good car which has tapped into essential technology. Their IMA technology (Integrated Motor Assist), which was first introduced with the Honda Civic Hybrid, is very forward thinking. What this is is an electric motor which gives added power to the car when needed, thus saving on fuel as extra jolts of power needed come directly from this motor.
Yes it’s fuel efficient. Yes it’s green. Yes it’s spacious. Yes it’ll get you about 4.4l/100km. Yes it got a 5 star Ncap rating. And yes it’s good in theory.
One of the things I really liked about the Honda Civic Hybrid was its interior. It was nice. It had a great dash board, and the Insight’s dash is no different. Also, if you’re green minded, part of the odometer changes colour depending on your fuel efficiency. Funnily enough, it goes green if you’re efficient and blue if you’re not!
There is a button to the left of the dash as well called ECON (Effective CONtrol), which helps to keep your driving even more fuel efficient.
The rest of the interior feels cheap and hollow. It would be great if they focused a little
more on making space more comfortable. I mean the problem isn’t that they are lacking space. There’s plenty of it, it’s just used wrong. The car kind of feels like a 90’s Honda – everything is thin, grey and untight looking.
To look at, this car has been quite a good conversation point. I would describe it as retro-future (if there’s such a thing). Its shape looks like what somebody in the 80’s thought a car would look like in the 21st century. It’s kind of unique in this way, but its looks aren’t for me – even though its shape is probably brilliantly aerodynamic. This however is one of the few cars that I’ve test driven were randomers actually approached me and commented about it. And about 70% of those who approached me and of those who I asked thought it was kind of cool looking. Well, whatever flicks your switch!
Now for the stats:
0-100km = 12.5 seconds – don’t be shocked – this is a hybrid!
Engine size: 1.3litres
It burns about 101gco2/km putting it in the A band in road tax.
Price: Starting from €22,378
In this day and age all motor companies are looking at fuel efficiency and green machines. Although the Insight isn’t as green as a Prius or as an electric vehicle, if you’re into saving the environment and want to save a bit of money at the petrol pumps, then this car is worth a look. If what I just said about the environment went in one ear and out the other….then this car isn’t for you.
Me, well, of course I’d like to save money at the petrol pumps, who wouldn’t? And you know, a greener world is great and that. But eh the Insight – it’s not for me.
Mazda6 MZR-CD 2.2-litre Turbo Diesel
For years Mazda was a member of our family. It was there when I got home from school, when I grazed my leg and when I used to come home after a few beers. Our homestead saw many generations of Mazda come and go. My dad’s first Mazda was a 1987 626 Coupé, and I thought it was the bee’s knees, and in fairness it was a pretty cool car at the time. His next jammer was a 1990 626 coupé, and this was just as good, if not better. It was such a comfy car, I really liked it. Also, I think it was our first car with electric windows!
Anyway, after all the 626s our family had an MX3 (actually, it was an autozam AZ3!) and two 323s.
So, when I was offered the new Mazda 6 to test drive I was excited. I like these cars and I was interested to see if the zoom zoom of the Mazda 6 would impress me.
At first glance I was really taken with the cool sleek look of this car, the model I was given was a brilliant sparkling black mica and it was stunning to look at. I’m not a big spoiler fan, but if ever one suited, it was this one.
Inside, like with the old 626’s I was accustomed to, the 6 was really comfortable and spacious. An atmosphere I could get used to.
Anyway, the 2.2 Turbo Diesel is a brand new to Mazda, being introduced for the first time during 2009. The 2.2 is available in 3 different versions – a powerful one, a really powerful one, and an even more powerful one! I had the really powerful one, or the midrange model if you will, with 163 horse power at 3500 rpm and 360Nm (newton meters) of torque between 1800 rpm and 3000 rpm. This power means that we’re looking at about 9 seconds to get from 0-100km and a maximum speed of 212 KPH.
This car is very good on the motorway and its six speed gear box is very smooth. The 6 has been on a diet too and its’ lost weight means better steering and road handling than other models.
One of Mazda’s goals for the future is called “Sustainable Zoom Zoom”. The goal of this is to effectively reduce the fuel consumption of their cars by as much as possible. Through dieting and making the Mazda 6 about 35 kgs lighter than the previous generation Mazda 6 and by doing a lot of technical things I don’t fully understand with the diesel engine, each of the 2.2 litre Mazda 6’s use on average between 5.5 and 5.7litres per 100kms. For a saloon car, with an engine of this size, it’s pretty good going.
This Mazda 6 burns on average 147g CO2/km, placing it in the C tax band – meaning €302 per year.
Safety:
Mazda 6 has a 5 star NCAP rating. Listeners and readers alike will be glad to know that ABS, electronic brake distribution (EBD), brake assist, dynamic stability control (DSC) and a traction control system (TCS) come as standard on all models.
The Mazda 6 also has a 10% shell impact improval on its’ predecessor. On the inside there are new active head restraints for the front seats to protect the neck in case of rear impact, six airbags, front seat belts with pretensioners and load-limiters and collapsible brake and clutch pedals to reduce the chance of leg injury in a frontal impact – (info in italics taken from Mazda Ireland).
I know some of you listening are dying for us to get our teeth into a car and really tear it apart. But sadly this isn’t the car to do it to – that day will come, but not yet.
Yes it has its faults – for example I wouldn’t be too thrilled about what comes with it – in this day and age I would expect – even though they don’t – GPS to come as standard in a car, likewise I’d also expect metallic paint not to be a payable extra – I mean come on, people will be paying in a and around €29,000 for this car, is it too much to throw in a gps and metallic paint for that price?
Anyway, if I was to compare the 6 with what I would consider it to be it’s biggest rivals in this country, The Avensis, The Mondeo, The Passat and The Insignia – it’s definitely up there. For starters, it’s definitely more fun than the rest, and sparks up excellent competition to this league of cars.
This week Neil takes an indepth look at a used Peugeot 807. Daragh O’Tuama reviews a new car and Neil Kavanagh reviews a used car every alternate week.
Citroen C3 Daragh O’Tuama.
This week I test drove the new citroen c3. I drove the 1.4 HDI
Firstly, in comparison to the last c3 it’s a small bit longer, and just a little bit wider.What does that mean? Well, a little bit more leg room and a little more space and maybe even tighter handling.
The C3 also has what’s called the visiodrive. What’s that I hear you ask, well what it is is a panaramic view really, and to a point I actually like it. It’s essentially a whole load of glass, that goes from the bottom of the front window to about half way up the roof. It really is a nice sight, that makes the c3 feel all the more roomier. Even if from the outside this makes it look as though it’s got a receding hairline.
Aswell as the great views available from this car, it’s also extremely fuel efficient using on average 4.3l/100km. Now that’s efficient! Overall that should give you about 1200 Km. Also, as it only burns 115g/km CO2, it’s cheap to tax aswell, being on the A band and costing only €104 per year on road tax.
Although outside noise on the inside has been reduced, I do have to say that on start off this car is still prone to a bit of rattle, and despite being quite small, it’s a bit slow on the off.
In terms of ummph, I wouldn’t really say that this car has much, getting from 0 to 100km in about 14 seconds, it’s more sluggish than I would have hoped, but I guess that is the price you pay for a greener and more economic car.
In terms of looks, as I’ve said before, because of its’ visioview, this car looks like it’s got a receding hairline, but if needs be, there’s a lever on the inside that allows you to pull the roof forward, making the car look a little more normal. The downside to this is that if you;re tall like me you’ll be touching the top as it’s pulled across. Other than that the car is as bubbly as ever – which to be honest isn’t something that really appeals to me, but whatever flicks your switch heh?!
Inside this car is quiet basic. It’s got what you need if this is going to be your run around car. It’s not filled with items that make you feel hugely comfortable, but it’s got enough to get you from a to b – including a knob by the fans which I still haven’t really figured out!!. Also, I noticed that all of the controls around the steering wheel were a bit too close together, but then again, i do have fat fingers!
The responsive steering on this car means it’s very easy to park, which makes it all the more attractive as a city car, but take this car out of the city, off the motorways and onto roads that are a little less cared for and you’ll notice it can be a bit of a bumpy ride. But I don’t reckon a lot of people will be buying this car if there on the road as often as your average sales rep.
In fairness I have to say that this car is great if your a city dweller, but if you fancy taking it out of its comfort zone I’d go for something a little sturdier, like a mini or even…god forgive me, a fiesta.
If you tend to drive short distances and you like travelling in a bubble, then this may be the machine for you. And at a price of €15,065, it’s quiet attractive for the city folk of this country.
Sadly though, it’s not the one for me. The sluggishness, the rattles and the receding hairline aren’t really my cup of tea. I’ll put it this way though. I look forward to seeing what the C3 Picasso has to offer.
For pics, etc, go to www.newstalk.ie/motormouth.
Opel Insignia by Daragh Ó Tuama
“Opel has finally stood up and is starting to be counted”
This week I had the pleasure of test driving the 2009 European Car of the Year, the Opel Insignia. Of course being a family man I opted for the Elite 1.6i Turbo Sports Tourer version, a beast in sheeps clothing.
When I first saw the Opel Insignia I couldn’t believe my eyes. What has Opel done? Have they just stepped out of their comfort zone by creating something that didn’t look like paint drying? I mean, visually this car is stunning in comparison to the yawning days of the Opel Vectra. It’s got curves on it that remind me of a mix of a Passat CC, a Mazda 6, Mercedes S Class, the Audi A6 and a BMW 5 series – I think Opel are moving in a way that’s really starting to impress.
One thing I have to say is that the old Vectra was never really an ugly car, it was just mindlessly boring to look at and completely unnoticable. Especially inside the car, everything from my recollection was square and grey. There was no excitement, it took a second to figure out what everything did – which to some people could be a good thing. I like to read the manual. I like figuring out what some things do. The Insignia’s so overloaded with buttons that with each push of a button I get a surprise as to what happens next! And, you’d find it difficult to find a single right angle in the car – there’s nothing square about this little beast.
The front of the Tourer is spacious and comfortable with an 8-way adjustable driver’s seat. Cruise control as standard in the Insignia makes for very nice for long journeys.
The back on the other hand is a different deal. Remember I mentioned this car not being square? Well, when it come to the back seats I found this to be a bit of a disadvantage. Take a grown man or woman over 6 foot tall and watch them hunch uncomfortably for the duration of your journey. It seems that Opel may have opted for aesthetics over comfort when it came to the back. By looking very curvy on the outside it’s causing sore necks on the inside. And although I haven’t been in the saloon version yet I believe it’s the same issue there.
Another issue I have with the Insignia, and it’s something I’m not a fan of in the Astra either. I really don’t like the letterbox view out the back window. I’ve noticed the same thing in the Audi TT and the Chrysler 300c. I like seeing what’s behind me!
Okay, now for the engine. The Insigia is available in Ireland starting at a 1.6 at entry level right up to a hefty 2.8 litre V6. Most models are available in automatic or six gear manual.
This car hugs the road confidently even on it’s standard suspension. For those who are willing to spend a little more, “FlexRide” is available as an optional extra on most models. FlexRide is the Insignia’s answer to Adaptive Stability Technology. It gives you the option of Sport, for a more responsive drive, or Tour, for a smoother journey. The model I drove, the Elite 1.6i Turbo Sports Tourer, offers 180bhp and a top speed of about 137mph.
The Insignia is available in 5 trim levels – those are; S, SC, SRi, SE, and Elite and comes as a hatchback, saloon or sports tourer.
Overall I would have to say that I like this car, it’s great to see Opel, a reliable enough car but hugely unnoticed, become noticed. Opel has finally stood up and is starting to be counted.
Am I surprised it won Car of the Year 2009? No, not really.Yes, it had stiff competition from the other 6 of the final 7 (Citroen C5, Ford Fiesta, Alfa Romeo Mito, Skoda Superb, Renault Megane and the VW Golf Mk6), but the Insignia was such a huge leap for Opel I think it deserves the recognition it gets.
For prices etc; go to www.opel.ie
Used & Reviewed – 2007 Opel Vectra 1.6 Club – 08/02/10 by Neil Kavanagh
Overview:
- Last incarnation of the Vectra (known as the C) was built from 2002 until 2008, but you can still buy a 2010 registered car. Was given a facelift in 2005
- 5 door hatch back, 4 door saloon or 5 door estate
- Various engine models from 1.6 up to 3.0
Looks:
- Not what you’d call a beauty, but not ugly either
- Hatchback is the best looking of the lot
Interior:
- Comfortable, good space, good sized boot
- Well laid out, everything is easy to find
Features:
- 4 star Euro NCAP rating
- 6 Airbags, ABS Brakes, Air-Conditioning, CD Player, Cruise control, Multi function leather steering wheel, Isofix for rear child seats, alloys etc etc
Engine:
- 1.6 petrol giving around 34 mpg
- Nippy enough, but the 1.9 turbo diesel seems to be the better option with around 49 mpg although you will pay more in road tax.
Ride:
- Very comfortable, smooth and quiet
- Steering is a bit light and vague though
Summary:
- A reliable, well specced, medium size family car.
- A little on the dull side though.
Price:
- Around 4k for a 2002 up to around 30k for a 2010 registered car
- A 2007 model would usually go for around 10k to 13k
Alternatives:
- Ford Mondeo, Skoda Octavia, Nissan Primera to name just a few
