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Both Shane and Dave are in Co. Offaly today for the annual Ploughing Championships in Screggan. We'll be checking out what car brands are on hand and spending some time on the Nissan stand to talk to car buyers about their preferences. Do stop by and say hello.
The new BMW X5 and first electric iX5 are not even on sale yet, but buyers can already plan how to customise them. Given how many current X5s wear M Performance parts, that should come as no surprise. BMW will offer carbon-fibre front splitters, roof spoilers, rear diffusers and aramid mirror caps, plus 21- to 23-inch wheels, including a new 23-inch design. More practical accessories include new roof boxes, tablet holders, smartphone adapters and all-weather mats.
Data showing a reduction in the number of motorway journeys taken following the fatal wrong-way crash on the M9 last month has been attributed to motorists' anxiety around driving on Ireland's motorways at night. Our editor, Shane O' Donoghue, spoke with Andrea Gilligan on Newstalk radio today about the numbers and how motorways are still the safest roads in the country, despite peoples' fears. Go to Listen Back on Newstalk and scroll down to the "Are you nervous to drive on the motorway now?" section.
Tesla has teased what could be a launch date for its long-awaited Roadster. An Instagram post today showed what appears to be the car’s rear with four bright plumes, possibly hinting at the rumoured optional cold-thrust rockets. Musk has claimed these could cut 0-100km/h to “under one second”. First shown in 2017, the Roadster has made little obvious progress despite Tesla taking deposits. Whether this is a true launch event or yet another stalling tactic remains to be seen. We’ll know more on October 1.
Citroen raided the family album in Paris this week for its first Classic Tour, gathering three versions of the 2CV, an LN, BX GTI, AX, ZX Volcane, Saxo VTS and Berlingo. Nearly 30 collectors joined the parade, celebrating everything from the 125hp BX GTI and 120hp, 935kg Saxo VTS to the bright-yellow, Bond-themed 2CV 007. Our Dave would have been in his element – and we suspect his own 2CV would somehow have found its way into the convoy for a lap of Paris as well. We suspect Citroen is making a fuss of its heritage as it prepares to reinvent the 2CV as an affordable new EV.
Mercedes-AMG has created the CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung – a name almost as long as its engineering brief. Based on the CLE 53, the Mythos Series special gets rear-wheel drive and 170kg less weight, plus a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 with a flat-plane crank putting out up to 646hp and 850Nm. Four-way adjustable KW coilovers, 420mm front ceramic brakes and huge tyres work with adjustable aero which generates more than 250kg of downforce at 310km/h. It hits 100km/h in 3.9 seconds, while nine-stage traction control manages rear-wheel slip. All 30 are already sold.
BMW M will celebrate the Nürburgring’s centenary in 2027 with special editions of the M2, M3 Saloon, M3 Touring, M4 Coupe, M5 Saloon and M5 Touring. All feature ‘Nürburgring Green’ paint, circuit-inspired graphics and bespoke interior details, while the six-cylinder M2, M3 and M4 also use BMW’s new M Ignite pre-chamber ignition technology. Three limited-edition BMW M motorcycles from Motorrad complete the anniversary range. Green for the "Green Hell" we assume...
Volvo is giving the EX40 and EC40 electric SUVs an update, with new motors and slightly increased range. There’s also new styling — new slim headlights and brake lights — and an updated interior with a new screen that runs Google based software. Both cars adopt the ‘P’ model names from the EX60 with the P5 Long Range (up to 584km range) likely the most important model for Ireland.
