New Pulsar is back to hatch for Nissan at Ploughing

New Pulsar is back to hatch for Nissan at Ploughing

The standout car for this year’s Ploughing will be the new Nissan Pulsar. This new hatchback that replaces the Almera will be shown to the public at Ploughing 2014 for the first time in Ireland.

The Pulsar is said to have the longest wheelbase in the class and to offer more rear legroom and shoulder room than its sector rivals. Despite all of this extra interior space, the Pulsar is compact on the road.

Its all-turbocharged engine range includes petrol and diesel options. The entry level 1.2-litre DIG-T petrol engine has an output of 115bhp, while the 1.5-litre dCi generates 110bhp and 260Nm of torque. An even more powerful 190bhp 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine will join the range early in 2015.

Both engines for the launch this September are fitted with Idle stop-start as standard, helping to reduce CO2 emissions and boost fuel efficiency.

The Pulsar’s diesel four-cylinder 1.5-litre dCi turbo-diesel is a Renault-Nissan Alliance-developed unit which emits just 94g/km of CO2 and offers a combined fuel economy figure of 3.6 l/100km. Nissan claims this sixth-generation 1.5-litre dCi engine is smoother, more efficient and more refined than previous versions.

Prices for the new Pulsar will be announced at the Ploughing.

Ford Kuga commercial on display

Ford will be showing its latest 4x4 and van ranges on the Downey Auto stand at the Ploughing Championships this year. The new Ranger models with the 3.2-litre turbo-diesel engine are worth a closer look.

These are a more powerful option and can include a high level of specification. This is a higher-performance 4x4 pick-up that’s available with a crew cab and has a big pick-up feeling about it.

The Kuga is now available as a commercial four-seat 4x4. This makes it particularly attractive to farming buyers. The new N1 commercial vehicle status allows Kuga buyers to get a VAT refund and charge the vehicle against the farm business.

The new Transit Courier van will also be on show, along with the four models in the range. These include the Ford Transit Courier, Connect, Custom and Transit with payloads up to 2,281kg.

The Courier claims to deliver impressive fuel economy. The 95bhp 1.6-litre Duratorq TDCi engine achieves 3.7 l/100km (76.3 mpg) and 97 g/km CO2 emissions.

The Courier offers 10% more load volume than its direct competitors with 2.3m3 behind the bulkhead, as well as longer load length at floor level, and greater access width through the sliding side doors.

Improved Pajero and hybrid Outlander

This year there will be an extra air of celebration at the Mitsubishi Motors stand as 2014 marks the brand’s 30th anniversary in Ireland.

The new generation Pajero claims to be the strongest, quietest, safest and smartest ever built. It comes with impressive equipment as standard, as well as improved fuel economy.

The 3.2 litre turbo-diesel engine performance at 200bhp, pumps out 441nm of torque for an impressive 3.5t trailer pulling capacity. The Super Select 4WD gearbox provides four drive modes, including 2WD for better fuel economy during normal on-road driving and three different levels of 4WD for off-road adventures.

The Pajero safety kit includes front, side and curtain airbags, active stability and traction control and ABS with EBD. Bluetooth, cruise control and air conditioning are standard.

The Pajero Commercial is available in short or long wheelbase and comes with a five-year/150,000km warranty, standard on all Mitsubishi commercial vehicles.

The new Outlander will also be on show with commercial and seat versions. It can bring a large storage load and can tow up to 2,000kg and while delivering up to 5.3l/100km (53.2mpg) fuel economy.

It is powered by a new 16 valve, 2.2 litre DI-D common rail direct injection engine that delivers up to 150bhp and 380Nm of torque.

The two-seat commercial comes with cruise control, Bluetooth phone system, air conditioning and alloy wheels as standard for €24,387 plus VAT.

The Mitsubishi lineup will also include Ireland’s only plug-in hybrid electric SUV, the Outlander PHEV. This is an electric vehicle with the back-up of a 2.0-litre petrol engine. Prices for start from €41,950.

Its plug-in hybrid operating system can deliver a range of 52km on pure electric power only, Mitsubishi says, and incurs only €170 in annual road tax thanks to 44g/km CO2 emissions.

New X3 for BMW

The latest models in the BMW range will be on show at the Colm Quinn stand where one of the big attractions will be the new X3, launched here in June. Also go and see the BMW i3, the a hybrid car that heralds a new era in motoring.

The X3 comes with new-generation diesel engines that can achieve economy levels up to 4.7//100k (60mpg) and a CO2 rating of 124g/km. BMW uses TwinPower Turbo technology to combine impressive performance with low fuel consumption. The engine output of the X3 xDrive20d rises from 184 to 190bhp while car is 7.1% more fuel efficient than the previous model.

The X3 looks more modern with its modified twin circular headlights (LED headlights are optional), a more eye-catching kidney grille and new front and rear bumpers. The car’s exterior mirrors come with integrated turn signal indicators.

It is fitted with the BMW EfficientDynamics package that includes Auto Start Stop function, coasting function, Brake Energy Regeneration and on-demand operation of ancillary units. BMW claims the use of fourth-generation low-rolling-resistance tyres make a significant contribution to the excellent environmental performance of the X3 by reducing CO2 emissions by 7g/km.

Among the new features from BMW ConnectedDrive on board the X3 are the iDrive controller with integrated touchpad (for text input using finger movements), Parking Assistant, the full-colour BMW Head-Up Display, the anti-dazzle High Beam Assistant and Driving Assistant Plus, including Lane Departure Warning, Active Cruise Control with Stop and Go function and preventive pedestrian protection. Prices start from €46,680, slightly more than the previous model.

See the i3

You will also get an opportunity to see the BMWi3 hybrid car that uses an efficient petrol and hybrid electric drive. This car is progressive in design and worth closer examination if only for the level of modern technology on-board including carbon-based materials made from farm grown crops.

Toyota Avensis upgrades

Toyota will be showing the latest version of the Avensis at the Ploughing.

The Avensis Luna grade car has been upgraded with a host of new features and specifications and is available for the lower price of €28,995 for a 2.0 D4D version. This represents a €2,415 saving on the outgoing Luna model.

The Luna upgrade comes as part of an re-positioning of the Avensis lineup, which now includes a Sol grade, with the discontinuation of the Strata grade.

The Avensis Luna Grade offers dual zone climate control, rain sensors and dusk sensors. There is a Bluetooth mobile phone hands-free system and the Toyota Touch 2 multimedia system with rear-view camera for hassle-free parking and reversing.

The Luna grade also features key exterior and interior styling, including 17in alloy wheels with machine face finish and on the interior leather Alcantara upholstery as standard. For improved driving comfort, the drivers’ seat will feature Power Lumbar Support.

The Sol grade models come with full leather seat upholstery as standard. They also come with heated front seats with eight-way adjustable settings and a choice of two leather trims – Ice Grey or Black.

The Sol grade features an electric steering column with memory and a smart entry system with a push-button start. Prices starts at €30,995 (representing a €415 saving on sale price versus the outgoing Luna) for a 2.0 D-4D.

New Aygo and Yaris

Toyota will have a new Aygo small car and the new Yaris on the stand. The Aygo is powered by a three-cylinder petrol engine that claims 30% better fuel efficiency than the previous model. The engine design changes have resulted in a combined cycle fuel consumption figure of 24.4km/litre (68.8mpg), with CO2 emissions of 95g/km.

The Toyota Yaris features refreshed styling, an improved interior and better vehicle dynamics. There is a new upper and lower grille section with restyled rear light clusters fitted with LEDs.

Toyota claims to have improved the Yaris’s interior, to give a greater feeling of roominess, higher levels of quality and more choice in terms of colours and equipment.

The car’s suspension has been revised to improve both comfort and handling. Noise levels have also been reduced. The range of engines is unchanged, with 1.0 and 1.33-litre petrol and 1.4 D-4D diesel engines and Yaris’s flagship full hybrid system.