A round-up of today's other stories in brief...
Rio is car of year
Kia’s new Rio supermini has won the Irish car of the year title. The Korean supermini, with its seven-year/150,000km warranty, saw off stiff competition from the new Ford Focus and Peugeot’s new 508. The Kia also won Irish small car of the year. The Focus was named Irish compact family car of the year, and the 508 family car of the year. The Irish luxury car of the year is the Range Rover Evoque, while the Mercedes SLK took the performance car title. The van of the year title was won by the Volkswagen Crafter.
VAT troubles trade
The motor trade has warned of the impact of the proposed 2 per cent VAT increase in December’s budget. Alan Nolan of the Society of the Irish Motor Industry said the trade is concerned about the timing of any increase. According to Nolan, just the VAT increase could mean a market of just 60,000 new cars or less next year. “That would mean a fall of €220 million in Government revenues and the potential loss of up to 10,000 jobs,” he said.
Simon Elliott, managing director of VW Group Ireland said: “Millions of euro worth of vehicle stock is either here or en route, and unless these vehicles are sold, dealerships will go bust just from stocking charges, if the market is murdered by this VAT increase. If there is to be a VAT hike we would call for it to be delayed until at least April.”
Audi Q3 hits showrooms as new A3 revealed
AUDI HAS introduced its new Q3, the smallest of its Q range of SUVs. Prices start at €33,850, and it comes in either two- or four-wheel drive, with a range of 2-litre diesel and 2-litre petrol engines. The premium rival to the likes of the Nissan Qashqai and Hyundai iX35 arrives in showrooms this week. At a press briefing, the German brand confirmed that China has become the brand’s biggest market, outselling the brand’s home market for the first time.
Meanwhile final testing is under way for the arrival of the new Audi A3 (right) next year. It features a new face for the hatchback, similar in styling to the facelifted A5 and new A6. But it’s underneath where the real changes take place. The new A3 will sit on VW Group’s all-new platform, which uses aluminium and lightweight steel to shed 80kg compared with the current model. Although this test car is a three-door model, Audi has confirmed that five-door Sportback, Saloon, Cabriolet and Avant models will also join the line-up.
Inside, expect to see Audi’s new MMI system, which incorporates a touchpad in the top of the rotary selector. The engine line-up is set to include turbocharged petrols, ranging from a 105bhp 1.2 to a 2.0-litre unit with 210bhp, plus 1.6 and 2.0-litre diesels. An eco model is rumoured to deliver emissions of less than 90g/km.
Competition: Which car turns your head?
WHAT’S THE best-looking new car of 2011? Whether you think it’s a funky new city car or a great big SUV, let us know what you think.
Tell us in 150 words or less which of the new motoring metal launched this year stole your heart.
Our motors team will wade through the entries and the lucky winner gets a full set of new Bridgestone Tyres to a retail value of €500, including fitting at any First Stop Tyre Centre in Ireland.
Take part in the competition by emailing us your entry at motorscompetition @irishtimes.com or by post to Motors Competition, The Irish Times, 24-28 Tara Street, Dublin 2 by Friday, November 25th. Listen to our Motors podcast at irishtimes.com/ motors/ podcast for more details.
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