Motors
Volkswagen guilty of more than just altering emission readings
By Gerry Murphy
Timing is everything in business and the press releases coming from Audi about the launch of the new Audi A4 could have been better timed for obvious reasons.
The Volkswagen Group diesel disaster has been in mainstream news for all sorts of reasons and, in my view, because the company has been so slow to address the issues for its customers, it has created a vacuum and it has been filled with all sorts of commentary that is mostly callously critical
Europe’s largest carmaker, who recently boasted about being the world’s biggest car maker – something the moguls of the car industry in the United States do not like – and currently claims to be Ireland’s leading brand, has admitted to using software to rig diesel emissions tests in the US and in Europe, where Volkswagen sells about 40% of its vehicles.
Volkswagen and it subsidiaries are under huge pressure to get to grips with a crisis that sent shock waves through the global auto industry and could ultimately damage Germany’s economy. Heads have rolled internally, with the CEO Martin Winterkorn resigning and the heads of Research and Development being suspended, but there are now real fears that the damage could also hit the European economy extremely hard and that the Irish economy could creak in the aftershocks too.
In Ireland, only in the last few days have we heard what they are planning to do for their Irish owners across the Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda and Seat brands. It is about time too that they tell their Irish customers exactly what is happening. Hiding behind the circumspect corporate brand public relations machine is just not acceptable, not to mention the perceived lack of respect for the person who has signed the cheque, or taken their offer of PCP finance for a car that does not do exactly as it says on the tin.
Customers are asked to log in to the Volkswagen Ireland website, click on the EA 189 Campaign icon and enter the registration number of their car. This will confirm if your car is involved. Customers will be informed in the coming weeks and months about how their cars will be retrofitted.
The cars affected are models with 1.6 litre or 2.0 litre TDI diesel engines of the type EA 189 and certified according to the European emission standard EU5. The same engines defined here apply in Ireland too. The company is adamant that these cars continue to be roadworthy and technically safe without any restrictions.
The 1.6-litre and 2.0 litre TDI engines certified according to the new EU6 emission standard are not affected, nor are V6 and V8 TDI engines, irrespective of whether they are certified according to EU5 or EU6. Volkswagen Group Ireland may have to recall over 110,000 cars, made up of 80,000 cars sold as new in Ireland and up to 30,000 cars that were imported from Northern Ireland and the UK.
To be fair to the Volkswagen Group, there has been a lot of misinformation out there in the last two weeks. While they have admitted to hiding the truth about health-threatening NOx (Nitrogen Oxide) emissions for so long, they will pay a heavy price for their cover-up when the multitudes of lawsuits start appearing. However, they have also been very slack in coming forward with the whole truth to their customers and the parent company must take the majority of the blame for that.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
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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