Motors
New Jaguar XF is prestige at its best
They say that you should never meet your heroes, but that mattered little when I met one of mine at the launch of the new Jaguar XF in Pamplona, Spain last week.
Ian Callum is the Design Director at Jaguar and his passion for the brand and for cars makes him a true giant in the industry, and in my books too.
His latest Jaguar is another outstanding one and while it is a challenger to the BMW 5-Series, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and the Audi A6, there is something quite different about it compared to those and others in that bracket. It is those differences that make it a unique model in the prestige segment, ready to fight for its share of a market where luxury and smoothness take centre stage for wealthy and the business customer.
Compared to the outgoing model that first appeared in 2008, this new car is lighter, more powerful and more aerodynamic. It will also be available with the latest technology and things that we have never seen in a car of this type ever before. Add the luxury for which Jaguar are renowned plus new, more efficient engines with lower consumption and lower CO2 emissions and you have a car that will surely rattle a few cages in the big German car makers’ headquarters.
Jaguar took us to the Formula 1 standard Navara Racing Circuit to demonstrate that a car of its size can still be nimble and have the power to set impressive lap times. That confidence was rewarded by the sheer agility of the XF and the pace of the car at full tilt. The electric power steering and the suspension set-up of the car were both highlights around the track. Added to that, the performance of the car on the open roads around the Spanish hills marks it down as another victory for Callum and his team.
“I believe the all-new XF is the best looking car in its class. Elegant, handsome and with proportions that imbue a great sense of integrity – the all-new XF is true to the great tradition of sporting Jaguar saloons while being completely of its time,” said Callum at the launch.
“The all-new XF has a clear sense of calm and strength, both outside and inside – and I’m proud of my team for delivering that,” he added.
The XF sits at the very heart of Jaguar; the original XF was the car that re-ignited the brand back in 2008 when selling cars of this size was both difficult and frowned upon in some quarters. That was at the depth of the recession, but now that things are looking up ,the timing of the launch could not be better. It will arrive in Irish showrooms in mid October and while the price has yet to be announced, we expect that it will have a price tag similar to the outgoing model; somewhere around €44,000 for the basic model with a two-litre engine.
In Ireland there will be S, SE, XF Prestige, XF R-Sport and XF Portfolio specifications with 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesels rated at 163PS/380Nm and 180PS/430Nm respectively, both available with six-speed manual and eight-speed automatic transmissions.
There are a handful of iconic car designers in the world and for years I have been a fan of what Callum has done down through the years with Jaguar. Meeting and chatting with him was a genuine privilege.
This unassuming Scotsman who could be bracketed, by looks alone, with Van Morrison and Christy Moore has his thumbprint is all over this car. His enthusiasm and passion for car is infectious and long may his pencil have enough lead in it to sketch and produce more cars like the XF.
Recent registration figures released at the end of last month show that the Volkswagen’s ID.4 is the best-selling electric car in Ireland. Since it arrived in 2021 there has been nearly 6,000 registered and it now leads the charge to electrification here making it officially Ireland’s number one electric EV.
Even more exciting for the brand is the arrival of their new ID.7, the brand’s first global electric model for the upper mid-size class. It was launched globally last month, and Volkswagen chiefs are promising a battery range of 700km. This is massive step up for Volkswagen and will be a game changer for the brand.
Volkswagen Ireland are saying that it will arrive here later this year, and prices will be announced closer to that Irish launch date.
“With the ID.7 we are taking the next step in our electric offensive,” said Thomas Schäfer, CEO of Volkswagen Passenger Cars.
“The saloon offers a high level of comfort and long ranges. Already by 2026, we will offer the widest electric range of all manufacturers in Europe. Our goal is to achieve an electric car share of 80% in Europe by 2030. As from 2033, Volkswagen will produce only electric vehicles in Europe.”
Galway Volkswagen dealers, Western Motors are holding an electric vehicles information event on Thursday May 25 where they will have information on hand for potential buyers of any of the Volkswagen EV range.
The Western Motors sales team and service team will be able to provide information on along with additional information on the grants available and application for same and electrician to talk about the EV Charging Boxes and so forth.
For more information, call Western Motors on (091) 709970.
Following the success of the Hyundai IONIQ 5, we now have the IONIQ 6, a completely different kettle of fish with the same running gear but a completely different design.
Both have been lauded at world level as the IONIQ 6 follows the 5 by winning the 2023 World Car of the Year title.
Not only did it pick up this gong, but it also won the 2023 World Electric Vehicle as well as the 2023 World Car Design of the Year awards.
This is the second consecutive triple win for the Hyundai Motor Group – the Hyundai IONIQ 5 was last year’s winner in the same three categories. A jury of 100 international automotive journalists from 32 countries selected the winners by secret ballot based on their evaluation of each eligible vehicle as part of their on-going professional work.
Up to now, the majority of electric vehicles have been SUVs. It’s the most popular shape of our times as buyers go for taller features and practical family characteristics. It might be strange that Hyundai would bring out the IONIQ 6 which is more like a coupe styled sedan with a lower, striking silhouette that they describe as a ‘streamliner’.
It certainly looks pretty special and while it uses the same battery, motors and platform. There are indications however that it is somewhat offers better range than the IONIQ 5. It is lower to the ground and has a lower drag co efficiency meaning reduced resistance and hence, better distance from a charge.
Under WLPT measurement the car has been tested to return 614km on a full charge. And, it can be charged at a much faster speed than other cars on the market; 315km in just 15 minutes.
There’s also a host of clever technology on board. Of course, a lot of what’s on offer these day are just toys and are not needed for everyday driving but, it is what the customer wants and he/she is always right! You can even opt to have the door mirrors on screens inside the car with cameras outside taking the pictures.
Prices for the Signature version with a 53kW battery starts at €48,295 rising toe €71,250 for the top-of-the-range Finesse all-wheel drive model with a 77kW battery.
By Gerry Murphy
There is always a flutter of expectancy when a car company like Alfa Romeo brings out a completely new car. Since the heady days of the Alfa 156, the fortunes of the manufacturer have been slowly eroding and they now need their new Tonale to be loved more than ever.
Launched a couple of weeks ago, the Tonale Plug-In Hybrid Q4 is truly a landmark for the Italian brand. In what they call the Alfa Romeo’s “zero to zero” process, which will take it from being a 0% electrified brand at the start of 2022 to being a zero-emissions, 100% electric brand by 2027 it will start off a complete conversion in just five years.
Indeed Alfa Romeo has positioned itself to be one of the fastest automotive brands to reach carbon neutrality.
Alfa bosses tell us that the Tonale Plug-In Hybrid Q4 combines maximum efficiency and Italian sportiness; the all-electric range (AER) is 56km, up to 80km all-electric range city, 600km in the total cycle and emissions reduced from 29g/km.
I have had the pleasure of taking the new Tonale for an extended test drive on the day of its official launch recently. The best compliment that I can give the car is that it is a ‘proper’ Alfa. Those who have history with the brand will fully understand what that means and why it is important that it lives up to its heritage.
The interior especially wraps itself around the driver just as in the days of old. It is a wonderful place to be, and you are completely at one with the vehicle. The quality is right up the in the premier league; dark and moody with clever details and the right amount of new technology.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
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