Car companies are already getting ready for a mid-year sales battle as they prepare for the 162 registration phase at the end of June. Last year saw a significant rise in mid-year sales, as car buyers were more flexible in moving their deals to the new mid-year number plate period.

There are already hints of further attractive deals in the way. More will appear as we come closer to the change in registration period, so expect to find attractive deals on offer as car companies fight to maintain the market momentum that has been so positive for the first part of 2016.

Audi has started with some unique upgrade offers across all of its model range, encouraging buyers to go for higher than usual specification levels. BMW will get into the 162 mood with its Big Welcome Week at dealerships in the next week. This will include some tempting 162 offers across the range.

As well as a new five-year warranty deal, Citroën is offering low interest rate personal contract plan (PCP). Dacia has teamed up with ferry company Stena Line to offer low-cost travel deals for cars sold before the end of the 161 registration period and there’s a chance that this will be extended.

The big news from Fiat is the return of the Tipo, but that will be later in the year. Ford has lots of 162 offers on the way; probably the best of all is the still attractive deal on the Kuga SUV with the Titanium upgrade offer.

Honda will continue to offer its PCP deal across the range, with the HR-V and CR-V still popular among rural drivers. The Korean Hyundai brand remains on a roll after early-year sales success, especially with the Tucson SUV. Hyundai has an open weekend on May 28 and 29, where the offers will be rolled out for the 162 registration period. These will include a five-year free service offer or a €4,000 scrappage offer against a new Hyundai.

Jaguar has the new F-Pace SUV on the way and that’s going to attract a lot of 162 attention on its own as its price is competitive with some of the other luxury-end mid-size SUVs. Jeep is celebrating its 75th anniversary with some engine changes for the Cherokee models.

Kia has a new Optima car and Sportage SUV for 2016 and the offers will be expanded for the 162 market from the home of the seven-year warranty. Land Rover has upgraded the Discovery Sport with the new Ingenium engine. For 162, Land Rover is expected to continue its PCP offer on the Discovery Sport and Range Rover Evoque models, which are becoming the volume sellers in the range.

Mazda’s 162 offers until 31 July include finance packages with PCP and a complimentary Activity Style Pack on the Mazda2 Executive. The Mazda6 now comes with up to €2,000 of complimentary specification and the Mazda3 with complimentary specification of up to €1,600.

Mercedes Benz has a host of new cars, the most prominent of which is the new E-Class that’s lighter and more economical than in the past, with little if any price increases for the new model. The Mercedes Benz range includes an improved A-Class and also a new GLE model with lots of extras included in the standard price.

Mitsubishi’s 162 offer is more for the commercial than the car sector. Again, there are new PCP offers, with some model upgrades included as well as an eight-year warranty offer.

Nissan has a new Go Calculator service to show how low-cost finance offers make its models an attractive buy. It has not released its 162 offers, but expect some attractive deals, including scrappage ones to get the July market moving and preserve the place of the Qashqai as Ireland’s top-selling SUV.

Opel is already promoting its 162 offers across models including the Corsa, Mokka, Astra and Insignia. These are a combination of attractive low-cost finance deals, with specification upgrades across the range. In truth, Opel deals have never been as good in terms of value and the range of cars.

Peugeot is offering higher levels of standard equipment, a five-year extended warranty and finance from as low as 2.9% APR on 162 models. If you order a 162 model car before the end of May, you can receive up to €4,500 scrappage allowance on selected Peugeot models.

If you don’t qualify for scrappage, you can avail of a €750 Peugeot customer reward for you to spend in whatever way you wish when you purchase a 2008, 308 or 308 SW. Put it towards your deposit and lower your repayments, enjoy three years free servicing, accessorise your Peugeot or simply enjoy that weekend away.

With new models in the range, Renault is offering low-cost finance deals on Clio, Captur and Fluence as well as the new Kadjar SUV. These include 3% finance deals and three years free servicing, all of which are expected to be continued into the 162 registration period.

Seat will continue with low-cost PCP offers across the range ahead of the arrival of the new Ateca SUV later this year. Finance rates at Seat vary from 0% for the Cupra to 4.9% for the Ibiza, Leon, Toledo and Alhambra models.

While Skoda is awaiting the arrival of the new Kodiaq SUV later this year, the 162 offers will include attractive finance deals, and upgrade packs across all models in the range. The Octavia will be offered with a Sportline pack, while the Yeti gets an Outdoor pack as well as 0% finance offer on specific models.

Subaru has given the Forester an upgrade for 162, with a refreshed design on the outside and little change in prices. The Forester warranty has been extended to five years.

SsangYong has a new 2.2 litre engine option for the Korando for 162. The company is offering €500 worth of accessories for the Rexton range as well as sat-nav included in the deal, up until the end of June.

Suzuki has a new Baleno on the market, with a petrol engine that’s set to rival the economy of diesel cars. Suzuki is offering either 5,000km of free fuel or three years of free servicing on all cars bought before the end of May and that includes the new Baleno model.

Toyota is offering a free sat-nav on all Avensis models bought before the end of May, while Auris buyers get the chance to upgrade to the higher specification Luna models with a new technology pack included. Corolla buyers are being offered a new technology pack claimed to be worth up to €1,100, while Yaris buyers can avail of a style pack valued by Toyota at €750. Toyota has low finance rates from 2.9% APR depending on the model chosen.

Volkswagen has a host of offers across the range including innovation packs that include Media Infortainment Systems, Active Info Display, Park Assist plus many more features. Volkswagen is also offering a new free App Connect feature on selected models in the range which allows you to bring smartphone apps on your infortainment’s touchscreen. These offers are supported by competitive finance offers from Volkswagen’s own bank.

Volvo has already launched its models for 2017, many of which will be available in the 162 registration period. There is a new face to the Volvo V40 and there is a new V90 larger car in the range.

Amarok to get V6 diesel engine option

Volkswagen is aiming for bigger performance in the 4x4 pickup sector with the announcement that its latest generation of Volkswagen V6 engines will soon be available in the Amarok. This new 3.0-litre turbo-diesel will deliver 550Nm of torque and has an output of 224bhp and is expected to be offered before the end of 2016.

This powerful six-cylinder engine produces its maximum torque at only 1,500 rpm. At 550 Nm, this maximum torque is also 130 Nm higher than in the previous model. The highest gear’s long gear ratio in the manual or eight-speed automatic gearbox reduces revs and fuel consumption during consistently fast driving. Volkswagen claims it will also help ensure low noise levels and CO2 emissions.

The combined fuel consumption of the new Amarok with an eight-speed automatic gearbox is expected to be 7.6 litres/100 km (around 37mpg). This engine complies with the Euro 6 emissions standard.

Three different drive-system versions will be offered in new Amarok. These include a traditional rear-wheel drive, and a 4MOTION version with either rear-wheel drive and an engageable front axle in combination with a manual gearbox, or with a permanent all-wheel drive system and a Torsen differential with the eight-speed automatic gearbox. The Servotronic steering system is also new in the Amarok and will be available as standard equipment in Europe.

Picasso – more style and function

Citroën has upgraded the C4 Picasso range with new styling and comfort levels. The new models due this summer boast a new front end, a two-tone body and roof option and even more personalisation possibilities.

The C4 Picasso and Grand C4 Picasso feature new intuitive technologies including a hands-free tailgate, a new connectivity offering with Citroën Connect Nav and two new petrol engines.

The C4 Picasso is built around the new EMP2 platform to give a blend of improved road holding and Citroën comfort for all passengers.

There is a new-generation 7in touchscreen to allow for quicker use of all controls and it is within easy reach of the driver and the front passenger. This includes the six-speaker radio with AM, FM and DAB, and the USB-connected Mirror Screen function, which is a connectivity solution compatible with Apple CarPlay and MirrorLink.

In 2016, the range is being extended with two new engines. The PureTech 130 S&S EAT6 combines the PureTech 130 S&S engine with the latest generation EAT6 automatic gearbox with claims of improved driving pleasure. This three-cylinder petrol engine claims a fuel consumption figure of 19.6km/litre (55.4mpg) and a low CO2 emission level of 115g/km.

The new engine is equipped with direct high-pressure injection and a new-generation high-yield turbo, and achieves maximum torque of 230Nm at 1,750rpm. It claims to offer the best compromise between low-speed torque and power on the market, with 95% of torque available from 1,500rpm through to 3,500rpm.

New Fiat Tipo on the way

Fiat has launched the return of the Tipo hatchback and estate with Irish prices yet to be confirmed. It will be offered in three trim levels.

The Tipo hatchback is claimed to be roomy, being capable of accommodating three 6ft-plus adult passengers in the rear, thanks to its 4.37m long, 1.79m wide and 1.50m tall dimensions. Its boot capacity is also impressive, with a volume of 440 litres, while the estate version adds another 110 litres.

There are five engine options. These include three petrol engines – a 1.4-litre 16v producing 95hp and 127Nm, a 1.4 T-Jet turbo petrol with 120hp and 206Nm and the 1.6-litre e-TorQ engine producing 110hp and 152Nm (combined exclusively to a six-speed, torque converter automatic transmission). There are two turbo diesel engines on offer – a 1.3-litre MultiJet II producing 95hp and 200Nm and a 1.6-litre MultiJet II with an output of 120hp and 320Nm.

The entry-level trim is equipped with air conditioning, remote central locking, front electric windows, body-coloured door mirrors with electric adjustment, six airbags, DAB digital radio, chrome door handles, split rear seats, a front seat centre arm rest, USB and Bluetooth connectivity with steering wheel remote controls. The estate version adds rear electric windows and longitudinal roof bars.

The mid-range trim level adds a 5in Uconnect touchscreen infotainment system, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear knob, rear power windows, LED daytime running lights, 16in alloy wheels, front fog lights, rear parking sensors and cruise control.

Diesels get clean-up treatment

Ford is planning to switch to a new engine technology system that is said to be more effective in removing harmful emissions from its cars’ exhaust systems. Volkswagen and PSA/Peugeot-Citroën are already making similar moves.

Ford claims that its new 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel engines will use selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology to reduce NOx emissions. Volkswagen has already said that it plans to switch to SCR technology in all of its diesels. The PSA/Peugeot-Citroën group began introducing SCR in its diesel engines in 2013 and aims to install the technology in its full diesel range.

It is predicted that SCR technology, similar to what is used in modern tractors, will be fitted to motor car diesel vehicles across Europe in increasing numbers, growing from 8% in 2014 to over 34% by 2021.

SCR is regarded as effective at reducing toxic NOx emissions, but it is also more costly and difficult to fit within the limited space for a car engine. SCR after-treatment systems can reduce NOx emissions by 90%.

SCR uses a urea tank filled with what is commonly known as AdBlue liquid to reduce NOx emissions. This tank needs periodic refilling depending on the driving style and the distances driven, but typically at each 10,000km depending on the model chosen.

Ford said the new EcoBlue 2.0-litre engine will replace its current 2.0-litre TDCI diesel engine in its car range. Ford plans to introduce 1.5-litre EcoBlue diesel cars starting from next year. This 2.0-litre EcoBlue engine claims to also reduce CO2 emissions by up to 13% and that it’s also quieter.

Nissan takes 34% stake in Mitsubishi Motors

Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors (MMC) have announced that they have signed a strategic alliance. The deal means that Nissan will take a 34% equity stake in MMC, making Nissan MMC’s largest shareholder.

The two companies have jointly collaborated for the past five years. For the future they will co-operate in areas including purchasing, common vehicle platforms, technology-sharing, joint plant utilisation and growth markets.

The decision by Nissan to acquire a strategic stake in MMC marks the latest expansion of its Alliance model, built around a 17-year cross shareholding arrangement with Renault.

Nissan has also acquired stakes or signed partnerships with other automotive groups including Daimler, and AvtoVaz.

Suzuki returns the Baleno

Suzuki has launched a new version of the Baleno car that was absent from the market for a few years. The new version is a relatively compact car that claims to offer good performance, fuel economy and low emissions.

Prices start from €17,995 for the entry level model. Suzuki expects to sell 400 units in Ireland this year. The car is produced in India, one of Suzuki’s biggest markets.

The new Baleno is now available with either a 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine or a four cylinder 1.2-litre petrol engine as part of a hybrid engine option. The entry level engine is called a Suzuki Boosterjet and claims low CO2 levels of 94g/km and impressive economy of 22.7km/litre (64mpg). The hybrid version is slightly more economical.

The Baleno is a larger car than Swift at 3.99 metres long. It offers more choice for buyers looking for extra interior space and a larger boot capacity than offered in the Swift model.

The Baleno is built around a new platform strategy for its future models. This new platform targets the reduction of weight as well as further increased rigidity.

For the new Baleno, Suzuki claims that the body rigidity has been enhanced by approximately 10% and with the use of a new smoother shaped structure the total vehicle weight has been reduced by around 15%.

Standard equipment for all Baleno models in the range includes six airbags, 16in alloy wheels, HID headlights, air conditioning, satellite navigation, DAB Radio with USB and Bluetooth connectivity, rear privacy glass and front electric windows.

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