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motoring news

More bang for your buck with the new Dacia Duster and Toyota issues a Hybrid Challenge

All the car-related news you need to know – including the new Dacia Duster, the Toyota Hybrid Challenge, award winning engines and 162 deals.

EVERY WEEK, WE bring you all the latest news you need to know from the motoring world. The big car news this past week involves an affordable car, a hybrid challenge and award winning engines.

Dacia Duster Phase 2 now available in Ireland

O'Hea PR O'Hea PR

The new Duster Phase 2 gets new headlights to compliment the new chrome grille and there is a new metallic paint option available called Altai Green.

Inside sees new seat upholstery, a new dashboard in dark carbon finish and a new satin chrome centre console surround. Standard equipment now includes DAB radio.

The 1.5-litre dCi 110hp Duster in Alternative trim falls into tax band A4 at a cost of €200 per year and has a price tag of €16,690 RRP.

Furthermore, a new trim level called Prestige has been added to the range, which will feature 16-inch TYROL diamond-cut alloys and a rear parking camera, which includes parking sensors and a MediaNav Evolution multimedia system. This has a seven-inch full-colour menu screen and is compatible with Apple SIRI voice recognition functions and TMC live traffic info as well as offering Bluetooth, navigation and infotainment options and can connect to social networks via a smartphone.

Prestige trim will be available on both two-wheel (€19,890rrp) and four-wheel (21,890rrp) drive models.

Later in the year, the new Duster will be getting an EDC automatic gearbox, which will be available on dCi 110hp two-wheel drive model.

Toyota wants you to take its Hybrid Challenge

Toyota Ireland Toyota Ireland

The Toyota Hybrid Challenge is a risk-free incentive to those interested in buying a Toyota Hybrid. If you buy a 162 Toyota hybrid and change your mind about your purchase, you can hand it back within six months and Toyota will swap it for the equivalent 171 petrol or diesel model, free of charge.

Toyota wants to encourage more drivers to experience the benefits hybrid cars offer over their current petrol or diesel powered cars.

Michael Gaynor, Marketing Director of Toyota Ireland said: “With the Hybrid Challenge, we are providing the easiest, most risk-free way for Irish drivers to explore a better way of driving, and are so confident that once people experience driving a Toyota hybrid they will love the smoother, quieter, more stress free drive and won’t want to ever switch back.”

To qualify for the Hybrid Challenge offer, prospective buyers must take a free 24-hour test drive in a Toyota hybrid car of their choice and purchase a 162 Toyota hybrid before 31 July 2016.

The International Engine of the Year Awards

Newspress Newspress

The 18th International Engine of the Year Awards were held in Stuttgart this month with a panel of 62 international motoring journalists selecting the winners in a variety of categories.

The Ferrari 3.9 twin-turbo V8 engine, which powers the all-new 488 GBT, took the top spot this year with second place going to the BMW 1.5-litre three-cylinder electric-gasoline hybrid, which powers the BMW i8.

Winners also included the Ford 998cc three-cylinder turbo engine as found in the Ford B-Max, C-Max, Fiesta, Focus and others; the PSA Peugeot Citroen 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo as found in the Peugeot 308 and 3008 and Citroen C3, C3 Picasso and C4; the Mercedes-AMG 2-litre turbo as found in the Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG; the Audi 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo as found in the Audi RS3, 362hp; the Porsche three-litre six-cylinder turbo, which powers the Porsche 911 Carrera and the Ferrari 6.3-litre V12, which powers the Ferrari F12 tdf, 769hp.

The Tesla full-electric powertrain, which powers the Tesla Model S and X, won the Green Engine of the Year award.

Citroen 162-registration offers

Newspress Newspress

Citroen Ireland is offering free motor tax for the first three years on all new passenger cars ordered before 30 June 2016.

In addition to this offer, Citroen is also offering 3.9 per cent APR PCP finance across its passenger car range or a €4,000 scrappage deal on its C4, C4 Cactus, C4 Picasso and Grand C4 Picasso, again on orders placed before 30 June 2016.

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