Declan Colley reports on the rapid rise of the new Cupra brand; Land Rover Defender reaching Ireland; VW's new plug-in hybrid; new Volvo models; and a Tipperary dealer's top prize

Friends of tragic Kimberly O’Connor spent the afternoon at their school which opened during the mid-term break to provide a safe space for them to comfort each other as they try to come to terms with the horror car crash which claimed her life.

Shane O’Donoghue looks at the great range of new cars entering the market across all categories

Operating profits at one of the largest car dealerships in the country, Johnson & Perrott, increased 11.5% to over €4.6m last year.

A heroin wholesaler living in Blarney who was caught with drugs stashes on two separate occasions was sentenced to 17 years in jail yesterday.

Volkswagen’s T-Roc is late to the compact SUV market, but it is pretty and classy, writes Declan Colley

THE first phase of a significant €15million motor trade investment on Cork city’s Bandon Road opens next week, indicative of the recovery in the Irish economy, the motor trade and a forerunner of other developments to follow on Cork’s western fringes.

Luca de Meo is not necessarily a man many people in this part of the world have heard of or know anything about. But, as president of Seat since 2015, the Milan-born 53-year-old is one of the more interesting automotive bosses around and he is also a gentleman whose stock is rising considerably right now.

Declan Colley looks back over his choice motoring picks of the year. Yet again, some of his selections may come as a surprise.

Volkswagen’s leaders have approved a five-year spending plan that aims to further the German automaker’s goal of transforming itself into a leading force in electric cars.

Seat’s Arona is one of many compact SUVs about to enter the market. Does it have what it takes to stand out from the pack? Jack Evans heads to Barcelona to find out

Seat Ireland has revealed the pricing for its new mini-SUV Arona, ahead of its arrival in the Irish market in November.

QUITE a number of people have been moaning to me recently about the treatment they received at the hands of car dealers who sold them diesel cars at the height of the oil-burning boom of the last 10 years.

The all-new Seat Arona got its world-wide unveiling in Barcelona this week.

The all-new Seat Ibiza has been unveiled in Barcelona this week and will shortly go on sale in Ireland from €14,995.

Seat has restored a classic 600 to celebrate the model’s 60th anniversary.

It has been pretty obvious for some time now — to me anyway — that the VW ‘dieselgate’ scandal was going to have a massive and very positive effect on two companies within the Volkswagen Group.

As flagged in our recent review of the excellent Seat Ateca, the company’s SUV line-up is set to get much bigger.

The are those in quiet corners of the VW empire that have, for many years, referred to the company’s Seat brand as ‘The Spanish Patient.’ 

Say hello to the new and very mildly improved Seat Leon Cupra 300.

Declan Colley took the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate oout on the road. Here’s what he thought.

Brexit may put a halt to the recent strong growth in the motor industry, with new car sales expected to fall this year.

Volkswagen is to cut 30,000 jobs in a restructuring plan as it tries to recover from a scandal over cars rigged to cheat on diesel emissions tests.

IT MATTERS little right now that Jaguar sells a mere fraction of the numbers racked up every year by its luxury rivals at Audi, BMW and Mercedes.

Seat’s Cupra line-up has earned many plaudits down the years, most particularly thanks to successive Leon Cupra models, which have been wonderful additions to the legion of hot hatchbacks on the market.

A Co Mayo law firm representing hundreds of claimants has become the first in Europe to have a case relating to the global Volkswagen emissions scandal heard in court.

A Mayo law firm representing more than 300 claimants has become the first in Europe to have a case relating to the Volkswagen emissions scandal heard in court.

Seat has announced price details for the eagerly anticipated Seat Ateca, the company’s first-ever SUV model. With prices starting at €24,750 for the 1.0 TSI 115hp petrol model, Seat says the Ateca will be the best value for money mid-sized SUV in the Irish market.

For young hipsters these days, it is hard to find a car that will match your inner style king with your budget. Coming up with a car that does not look like a hand-me-down from your granny and earn you nothing but brickbats from your mates is no easy thing.

Stephanie Baker looks at the complicated family behind automaker Volkswagen AG, which has been at the centre of a diesel emissions scandal, and the possibility of future leadership within it

There are cars out there which consistently and mysteriously fly under the radar of a majority of buying customers.

We all know that exclusivity and excellence comes at a price, whatever commodity it is you would like to purchase, writes Declan Colley.

Volkswagen lost market share in Europe for the sixth month in a row, in February, as the German carmaker’s diesel-emissions scandal pushed buyers to the likes of Fiat-Chrysler, Mercedes-Benz and Ford.

Seat has revealed details of the company’s first SUV model — the Ateca.

The Seat Ibiza Sports Tourer now benefits from a peppy three-cylinder turbo unit, says Matt Joy

This reviewing business being the subjective thing it is, you occasionally come across cars which either please you greatly on your initial encounter or, as is often also the case, cars which leave you stone cold right from the get-go.

Pre-tax profits at the Irish arm of troubled car giant Volkswagen last year increased by 14% to €3.6m.

The managing director of Volkswagen Ireland, Lars Himmer, has been invited to appear before the Oireachtas transport committee over the pollution emissions scandal.

Here’s a briefing on some of the stories and issues highlighted on irishexaminer.com today.

Former Volkswagen chief executive Martin Winterkorn might not get the final payout he anticipated amid opposition from labour union leaders. 

The EU could introduce tougher car emissions tests following the Volkswagen rigging scandal, said senior European officials.

THE suggestion that the EU might introduce tougher car emissions tests in the wake of the Volkswagen rigging scandal will undoubtedly provoke the usual protests from the usual free-market interest groups.