See all Motoring NewsSummer is all about sunshine, holidays and eating outdoors, but in the car industry, the arrival of the new ‘252’ registration in July will be a hot topic. Crucial for importers, dealers and the more image-conscious customers, the new plate often leads to a flurry of activity in showrooms. Plenty of car-mad enthusiasts will be on the lookout for the latest models on the latest number plates, so here’s our run-down of the new cars you might soon see bearing the ‘252’ registrations.
Audi A6 e-tron
Offered in svelte Sportback and practical Avant forms, the A6 e-tron is perhaps one of the most important but understated cars to come to Ireland in the past year. Taking on the BMW i5, it promises an enormous official range, as well as a selection of powerful-yet-parsimonious electric powertrains. It’s also better to drive than any A6 before it, thanks in part to its rear-wheel-drive layout, and it’s absolutely rammed with cutting-edge technology.
MGS5 EV
MG reckons the S5 EV is a replacement for the ZS EV that has gone down so well on these shores, but it’s hardly a direct swap. The S5 EV is bigger than the ZS, and it’s much more upmarket inside and out, as well as being more practical and more high-tech. A more modern touchscreen interface, strong electric range and competent road holding all place it ahead of its predecessor, along with MG’s now-traditional value proposition.
Cupra Terramar
The name might sound a little threatening, like something from a sci-fi film, but the Terramar is essentially Cupra’s take on the VW Tiguan platform. So, it’s not at all scary. Instead, it’s a sportily designed and nicely made family SUV, offered with a choice of different powertrains to suit different customers. Whether it will ever usurp the likes of the Tiguan or the Tucson at the top of the SUV class remains to be seen, but it deserves to be on customers’ shortlists.
Mazda CX-80
The flagship of the Mazda SUV range, the CX-80 is a big old beast, but one that’s filled with charms. Although plug-in hybrid power will appeal to many on paper, the 3.3-litre six-cylinder diesel engine is a peach, and it really suits the spacious SUV. What’s most remarkable about the CX-80, though, is its glorious interior, with lots of lovely materials, a clean design and strong ergonomics, not to mention impressive build quality.
Dacia Bigster
Talk about doing what it says on the tin. Dacia’s marketing people must have slaved long into the night to find a name for the brand’s new flagship SUV model, the Bigster. Unsurprisingly, it’s like a Duster, only bigger, which puts it in the firing line of big guns such as the Nissan Qashqai and Hyundai Tucson. As ever, the Dacia is defined by its value offering, with a sensible price tag and ample standard equipment, while it offers a likeable and comfortable driving experience, too.
Ford Puma Gen-E
The Ford Puma has been popular with buyers for a while now, thanks to its combination of style, driver involvement and practicality, but the new electric version is now here, and that’s set to be as popular. Just as appealing to drive as its petrol-powered siblings and equally spacious, too, the ‘Gen-E’ model maintains all the usual Puma qualities, but merges them with the promise of cheap, efficient electric motoring. It’s just a shame the range isn’t a little bit longer.
Skoda Enyaq
It may have a new look, but the Skoda Enyaq is just as appealing an electric car as ever. Still offered in Coupe and SUV forms, the biggest of Skoda’s electric cars now has the same modern front end as the smaller Elroq but offers greater cabin and luggage space. It’s still great to drive, it’s still well made and it’s still practical, while the on-board technology is now far better than it was when the car was originally introduced.
Volkswagen Tayron
The Tiguan’s new big brother, the Tayron is designed as a seven-seat rival to the Skoda Kodiaq and Peugeot 5008, and it combines Volkswagen’s now-traditional semi-premium cabin design and quality with a classy design and plenty of space. On the road, it provides comfortable and refined transport for all the family, while still having the class and capability to rival some more premium alternatives. Buyers should be aware, though, that plug-in hybrid versions are only available with five seats and a slightly smaller boot, thanks to the battery packaging.
MINI Cooper Convertible
Ever since the MINI brand was relaunched under BMW’s stewardship, the Convertibles have encapsulated the design, usefulness and sense of fun that always defined the originals. Sure, it isn’t the most practical thing, but the interior design is brilliant, and we think it looks even better than the standard Cooper hatchback from the outside. As before, it’s great fun to drive, and the circular infotainment screen is a really cool and well-executed addition.
Toyota Land Cruiser
A legend among 4x4s, the Land Cruiser merges retro style with tried-and-tested engineering and new technology. Although it’s designed to look like a modern take on the old Land Cruiser J40, launched in 1960, it’s a thoroughly modern and solidly engineered SUV, with more off-road ability than ever and plenty of tech. As an all-terrain vehicle, it’s unstoppable, but that doesn’t mean Toyota has eschewed luxury considerations altogether. A classy cabin and big touchscreen still dominate.