A roundup of this week's other motoring news in brief.
Hyundai iX35 for €26,995
HYUNDAI HAS secured a tempting introduction price for its new iX35 SUV, the model that replaces the outgoing Tucson.
At €26,995, the 2-litre diesel version will offer a serious challenge to a growing number of crossover models like the Nissan Qashqai and Ford Kuga. With an emissions level of 147g/km, it’s annual motor tax is €302.
The new front-wheel-drive model comes with six airbags, stability control, cruise control, 17” alloys, air-conditioning and Hyundai’s new five-year triple car plan.
The triple plan encompasses a five-year unlimited mileage warranty, five-year AA membership and five years’ free health check.
All new models launched from now on will feature the new plan, starting with the iX35.
Nasa looks into Toyota throttle
US AUTO safety regulators have called in space and aeronautics experts from Nasa to analyse Toyota’s electronic throttles to see if they are behind the reports of unintended acceleration that have hounded the carmaker.
The news that Nasa scientists will join the probe came as Toyota, reeling from a recall crisis sparked by the acceleration reports, launched a taskforce aimed at regaining consumer trust and pledged to give its regional operations more clout to speed up decisions on quality issues.
“We are determined to get to the bottom of unintended acceleration,” US transportation secretary Ray LaHood said yesterday.
Nine Nasa scientists will bring expertise in electronics, electromagnetic interference, software integrity and complex problem solving to the Toyota review, officials from the Transportation Department said.
LISTEN UP!
IN THIS week’s Irish Times Motors Podcast we discuss how, with Porsche spotted once more testing in Mayo, why Irish roads are favoured by so many supercar brands when testing new models.
Also on the show, Citroen’s new boss for Ireland spells out his plans for the brand after years of falling sales and ill-fated discounting. Finally, our in-car report takes listeners for a spin in the eco-friendly VW Golf BlueMotion.
Listen in at irishtimes.com/motors/podcast
“The deal won’t work if Volvo continues to rely on blood transfusions. We will help it recover the ability to generate blood"
– Geely founder Li Shufu on his firm’s takeover of the Swedish loss-making brand from Ford for €1.35 billion