All-New Mégane Renault Sport to have 4CONTROL four-wheel steering.

• All-New Mégane Renault Sport to have 4CONTROL four-wheel steering – a first in the hot hatch segment
• All-New Mégane Renault Sport to provide choice of Sport or Cup chassis
• Manual or efficient dual-clutch transmissions available
• Nico Hülkenberg tests out the 4CONTROL system on the race track

The All-New Mégane Renault Sport will be the first hot hatch to have four wheel steering and will offer customers a choice between two chassis set ups. 

Renault’s 4CONTROL four wheel steer technology offers drivers enhanced agility, cornering performance and steering precision by enabling the car’s rear wheels to assist in steering by means of an electromagnetic actuator mounted on the rear axle. 

Renault Sport engineers have specifically calibrated the system to take the car’s performance to new limits thanks to exceptional agility and cornering stability at higher speeds. 

New Mégane Renault Sport customers will also be able to choose between a Sport chassis, which combines high performance and ride comfort in everyday use or a Cup chassis, engineered to deliver the ultimate track performance experience. 

Geneva Motor Show will see the global launch of the new Skoda Octavia vRS in both bodystyles.

• Power output of new 2.0 TSI turbocharged petrol engine increases to 245 PS
• Top speed of 155 mph and acceleration from 0 to 62 mph in 6.6 seconds
• The VAQ limited-slip differential provides the ultimate driving experience
• With 7-speed DSG transmission for the first time
• Sporty design details with distinct front section
• Pioneering infotainment and driver assistance systems
• ŠKODA Connect with mobile online services
• World premiere at the Geneva International Motor Show

The most powerful ŠKODA OCTAVIA in the company’s history is on its way. The new ŠKODA OCTAVIA vRS 245 delivers 245 PS – 15 PS more than the previous top-of-the-range vRS variant. 

The powerful engine and innovative chassis technology including the electronically regulated VAQ limited-slip differential offer the ultimate driving experience. 

The powerhouse is available as a hatchback or an estate and will be celebrating its world premiere at the 87^th International Motor Show in Geneva.

The compact sports car accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in just 6.6 seconds (Estate: 6.7 seconds); its top speed is limited to 155 mph. 

As is usual for a ŠKODA, the car features a spacious interior and luggage compartment. In addition, the latest driver assistance systems are also available for the ŠKODA OCTAVIA vRS 245. 

The infotainment system means occupants have the opportunity to be online on the move, thanks to the optional Wi-Fi hotspot and LTE module. Numerous ‘Simply Clever’ features are further testimony to the compact car’s practical talents.

Gloss-black features and an unmistakeable high-performance sound

The ŠKODA OCTAVIA vRS 245 features the new face of the brand and has particularly sporty design details. The completely new front section with wider radiator grille and the wide honeycomb air inlets in the redesigned bumper provide the ŠKODA OCTAVIA vRS 245 with a masculine and dynamic appearance. 

The slats on the radiator grille and the trim that frames it both come in gloss-black. The redesigned headlight clusters in a crystalline look feature full-LED technology and AFS adaptive front headlights as standard. The fog lights, tail lights and number plate illumination also feature LED technology and a crystalline appearance.

The exterior mirror housings and the trapezoid tailpipes are also black. The radiator grille and the tailgate both sport the vRS logo featuring a gloss-black ‘V’. Features such as the spoiler at the back of the hatchback or roof spoiler on the Estate are further attributes of the car’s emotive and sporty design.

The ŠKODA OCTAVIA vRS 245 can also be recognised as a high-performance sportster acoustically thanks to the husky sound of its exhaust system. 

Sports seats and aluminium design details in the interior

The sporty look also dominates in the interior, which has also been designed largely in black – from the roof lining to the footwell including its silver-coloured pedals with an aluminium finish. With their high sides and integrated headrests, the Alcantara sports seats provide maximum support in fast corners. 

The front seats bear the vRS logo – as do the front door sills. The multifunctional sports steering wheel with perforated leather and integrated steering wheel paddles (for DSG transmissions) matches the car’s dynamic ambience. The LED ambient lighting in the vRS-245-specific decorative trims immerses the interior in one of the ten choices of colours. A colour Maxi-DOT display forms part of the instrument cluster.

A lot of power, little consumption

The ŠKODA OCTAVIA’s top-of-the-range model has a 245-PS, four-cylinder, TSI petrol engine under its bonnet – 15 PS more than its predecessor had to offer. Maximum torque of 370 Nm is achieved between 1,600 and 4,300 rpm. There is a choice of a 6-speed manual gearbox or – for the first time in a ŠKODA OCTAVIA – a 7-speed, dual-clutch transmission. From a standing start, the hatchback reaches 62 mph in 6.6 seconds; the Estate does it in 6.7 seconds. In addition, the engine’s flexibility is particularly impressive. In fifth gear, the ŠKODA OCTAVIA vRS 245 with a manual gearbox can manage the short burst from 37-62 mph in just 6.4 seconds (Estate: 6.5 seconds), 50-75 mph takes only 6.6 seconds (Estate: 6.8 seconds) – a reassuring safety buffer.

The ŠKODA OCTAVIA vRS 245 bristles with emotion and dynamism. In the compact car segment, it provides exceptional value for money for sporty and ambitious yet practical, down-to-earth drivers.

Sports chassis and mechanical limited slip

Compared to the ‘normal’ models in the range, the sports chassis lowers the body of the ŠKODA OCTAVIA RS 245 by 14 mm. Its rear track is 38 mm wider than that of the predecessor. The standard, gloss-black alloy wheels are 19 inches in diameter. The ESC stability system with Sport mode, as well as the electronically regulated VAQ limited-slip differential are also part of the standard equipment. This electronic inter-wheel lock for the differential on the driving wheels allows for particularly dynamic acceleration when exiting corners: the amount of slip on one of the front wheels is limited and transferring power to the road is optimised. The electronically regulated VAQ limited-slip differential will remain a distinctive feature of the vRS 245 model. Performance Mode Select with the Performance Sound Generator function enables individual adjustment of drive, chassis and comfort settings. The dynamic character of the ŠKODA OCTAVIA vRS 245 is additionally highlighted by the car’s progressive steering and the optional adaptive Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC).

Wi-Fi hotspot and real-time navigation

ŠKODA Connect offers pioneering mobile online services divided into the two categories of Infotainment Online (information/entertainment) and Care Connect (driver assistance). The controls for the new generation of infotainment systems are integrated in a glass design for the Bolero, Amundsen and Columbus versions and, with their capacitive touch screens, react even to a light touch; in the ŠKODA OCTAVIA vRS 245, they display a special start screen. The top-of-the-range Columbus navigation system features a 9.2-inch screen and an optional LTE module for super-fast data transfer, and provides occupants with a Wi-Fi hotspot. One of the particularly helpful services is Online Traffic Information, which offers recommended alternatives to the chosen route in the event of a traffic jam. In the Columbus system, destinations can be entered via voice control using the POI (Point of Interest) search. The system also provides news and information on the weather, petrol stations along the route (including fuel prices) or parking spaces. A Phonebox charges smartphones inductively.

Further online services are offered by the ŠKODA Connect app on a smartphone. By using the Remote Access feature, windows, doors, the sunroof and lighting can be controlled, the fuel level can be checked, or your parking location can be displayed. Care Connect also allows an Emergency Call to be made (automatically in the event of an accident in which restraint systems have been activated). The system alerts your breakdown service at the touch of a button and connects the driver to experts who can answer any questions regarding vehicle functions.

Driver assistance systems usually seen in higher segments

The electronic assistance systems surpass the usual level of the compact car segment by far. Newly available features include Trailer Assist (which steers and brakes the car and trailer when reversing), Predictive Pedestrian Protection (which brakes in the event of an impending collision with pedestrians) as a component of Front Assist, Blind Spot Detect (which warns of any vehicles in the blind spot), Rear Traffic Alert (its rear sensors warn the driver of approaching traffic when reversing out of parking spaces), Manoeuvre Assist (which brakes the vehicle as soon as the sensor detects an obstacle when moving forwards or reversing) and Crew Protect Assist (which closes the windows and sunroof in the event of an impending collision and tensions driver and passenger seatbelts). Crew Protect Assist works in conjunction with Front Assist including the City Emergency Braking function. In the ŠKODA OCTAVIA vRS 245, the proven Adaptive Cruise Control ((ACC), which helps the driver to maintain the selected speed and the desired distance from the car in front) can be activated up to a speed of 130 mph. 

A wealth of ‘Simply Clever’ features

The numerous ‘Simply Clever’ features in the new ŠKODA OCTAVIA vRS 245 include special bottle holders in the centre console (allowing PET bottles to be opened with one hand), a heated steering wheel, two USB ports in the rear, a personalisable key (allowing up to three users to programme their individual settings for the air conditioning, seats, the audio system’s volume and Driving Mode Select) and a removable LED torch in the boot of the Combi; the battery of the torch will recharge automatically while driving.

The abbreviation RS for the sportiest ŠKODA models

ŠKODA used the abbreviation RS for the first time in motorsport in 1974. In 2000, the synonym of sportiness entered the ŠKODA model range, and in the UK was badged vRS. This marked the beginning of the success story. 200,000 RS and vRS models have been sold to date – a whopping 100,000 of which are third-generation OCTAVIAs and have been sold since 2013. In the UK the vRS variant of OCTAVIA accounts for approximately 20 per cent of sales.

IRELAND - The All-New C-Segment Fiat Tipo gets three bodystyles for Ireland, with Hatchback and SW now and Sedan in January.

• Details of the Fiat Tipo Hatchback and Station Wagon body styles are now confirmed for Ireland
• Both body styles of new Fiat Tipo offer exceptional roominess and practicality with class leading legroom and boot space
• Five engines available, two diesel and three petrol, with automatic and dual-clutch transmission available
• High standard Irish specification includes air conditioning, Bluetooth connectivity and full size spare wheel on all versions
• Saloon body type will be added to the range from 1^st January 2017
• Prices start at just €17,995 for the Fiat Tipo Hatchback and €19,245 for the Tipo Station Wagon

Fiat Ireland will re-enter the popular C Segment when the all-new Fiat Tipo Hatchback and Station Wagon go on sale next month with prices starting from €17,995.

The all-new Fiat Tipo hatchback and Station Wagon both offer exceptional roominess, high specification, robust quality and outstanding efficiency, not to mention its stylish Italian flair.

The new Fiat Tipo hatchback is deceptively roomy, and capable of accommodating three six-feet-plus adult passengers in the rear - thanks to class-leading legroom and outstanding headroom - within its 4.37m long, 1.79m wide and 1.50m tall dimensions. 

Its boot capacity is also best-in-class with a volume of 440 litres, while the Station Wagon version adds an additional 110 litres of boot space which, at 550 litres, is also class leading. The Station Wagon can also carry loads of up to 1.8m in length courtesy of an extra 20cm (4.57m) and its flip-and-fold 60/40 split rear seats provide a completely flat load floor. The Station Wagon body style has a height of 1.51m thanks to the standard-fit longitudinal roof bars.

Loading the boot of the Station Wagon is aided by a low load sill with reconfigurable components such as an adjustable load floor and removable side storage panels to further increase the width of the luggage compartment. The roller cover can conveniently be removed with one hand and stored under the floor panel, while two lights, two bag hooks and four load-retaining hooks positioned on the floor provide added convenience.

The Fiat Tipo features numerous cabin compartments with a variety of shapes and capacities totalling no less than 12 litres. Easily reachable by driver and passengers, these compartments are perfect for storing personal objects, smartphones, game consoles, bottles, coins and much more, and there is also a USB port for charging and connecting devices. Maximum comfort is assured by the excellent driving ergonomics and the convenient arrangement of the secondary controls which can be reached easily without the driver having to take their eyes off the road.

In terms of the model range, both the Hatchback and Station Wagon will be offered in three trim levels in keeping with other models in the Fiat Functional Family – Pop, Easy and Lounge.

The Pop trim level is equipped with air conditioning, remote central locking, front and rear electric windows, body-coloured door mirrors with electric adjustment, six airbags, chrome door handles, split rear seats, a front seat centre arm rest, full size spare wheel, USB and Bluetooth connectivity with steering wheel remote controls. The Station Wagon adds longitudinal roof bars.

Key options for the Pop version include front fog lights (€150), dark tinted rear windows (€175), 16-inch alloy wheels (€500), rear parking sensors (€250) and a five-inch Uconnect touchscreen system with Live services, DAB and satellite navigation (€800).

The Easy trim level adds a five-inch Uconnect touchscreen infotainment system, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear knob, LED daytime running lights, 16-inch alloy wheels, front fog lights, rear parking sensors and cruise control. The price for the Easy trim level trim is currently set at the same price (€17,995) as the entry level Pop by way of a consumer offer for Q1, offering exceptional content, value for money and making it easier for customers to choose the best Tipo for their needs and budget.

Also included with the Easy version are the Uconnect LIVE services, which combines with a smartphone app (available via App Store or Google Play) to offer music streaming with Deezer and TuneIn, news from Reuters and the ability to stay in touch with friends via Facebook Check-in and Twitter, not to mention monitoring vehicle performance, efficiency and maintenance status with eco:Drive and my:Car.

Key options for this trim level include a satellite navigation upgrade (just €500), reversing camera (€250) and Comfort Pack (climate control, driver’s side lumbar adjustment and rear arm rest at €750). Two Safety Packs are available, with Safety Pack B offering a speed limiter and Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) for €250 and Safety Pack A adding adaptive cruise control (ACC) in addition to the speed limiter and AEB for €600. Safety Pack A is not available with the Pop trim level or 1.4-litre engine.

The Lounge trim level, which is priced just €1,250 above the equivalent Easy version, builds on the specification of the mid-range Tipo but adds satellite navigation with TomTom LIVE services including HD Traffic, climate control, 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic lights and wipers, rear view camera, driver’s side lumbar support and a chrome pack all as standard. Key options include leather upholstery with heated seats (€1,000) and Safety Packs A (€600) and B (€250).

The engine range comprises five engines in total. There are 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) and two turbo diesel engines – 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 1.4-litre 16v FIRE delivers 95hp at 6,000 rpm and 127Nm at 4,500 rpm and is equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard. It is capable of accelerating the Fiat Tipo Hatchback from  standstill to 100km/h in 12.1 seconds (12.3 for the Station Wagon) and on to a top speed of 185kph (both body styles). The official combined cycle fuel economy figure is 5.7 l/100km for both body styles and their CO2 emissions are both 132g/km. Prices for the 1.4 Hatchback start at €17,995 and prices for the Station Wagon start at €19,245, just €1,250 more than its hatchback equivalent.

The 1.4-litre T-Jet (turbo petrol) engine develops 120hp at 5,000rpm and 215Nm from just 2,500rpm and again it is combined with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard. The 0-100kph dash is dispatched in a lively 9.6 seconds (9.8 seconds for the SW) and top speed for both body styles is 199kph. Official combined cycle fuel economy figures (47.1mpg) and CO2 emissions (139g/km) are also the same for both body styles. Prices for the 1.4 T-Jet start at just €19,245 for the Hatchback (mid Easy trim) and €20,495 for the Station Wagon (mid Easy trim).

For customers seeking an automatic petrol car, the 1.6-litre E-torQ petrol engine has been combined exclusively with a torque-converter six-speed automatic transmission for smooth shifting, minimal maintenance and greater refinement. Producing 110hp at 5,500rpm and 152Nm of torque at 4,500rpm, it can accelerate the Fiat Tipo from 0-100kph in just 11.5 seconds (11.7 seconds for the SW) and on to a top speed of 192kph (both body styles). An official combined cycle economy figure of 44.8mpg and emissions of 147g/km applies to both body styles.

The 1.3-litre MultiJet II 95hp engine combines strong performance with extremely low running costs, thanks to its variable geometry turbo charger and third-generation Common Rail MultiJet II injection system. It is equipped with a five-speed manual gearbox and Start & Stop as standard, and develops 95hp at 3,750rpm and 200Nm from 1,500 rpm. It is capable of accelerating from 0-100kph in 12.0 seconds (12.3 in the SW) and top speed is 180kph, while official combined cycle fuel economy figure is 76.3mpg and CO2 emission are 99g/km for both hatchback and Station Wagon. Prices for the 1.3-litre MultiJet II 95hp start at just €19,745 for the Hatchback and €20,995 for the Station Wagon.

The top diesel engine in the range is the 1.6 MultiJet II 120hp unit and in the Tipo it is combined with a six-speed manual gearbox or Fiat’s new DDCT six-speed dual clutch automatic transmission. It produces 120hp at 3,750rpm and 320Nm at 1,750rpm and the manual model is capable of accelerating to 62kph from a rest in 9.8 seconds (10.1 in the SW), while the top speed, official combined cycle fuel consumption figure and CO2 emissions are the same for both bodies – 199kph, 76.3mpg and 98g/km respectively.

The Fiat Tipo was designed in Italy by the Fiat Style Centre, developed in Turkey together with Tofaş R&D, one of FCA's largest research and development centres, and made in the Tofaş plant in Bursa – one of the world's best automotive factories, which has received a World Class Manufacturing Gold Medal.

Since its world première at the Istanbul Motor Show in May 2015 and its presentation to the international press last November, the Fiat Tipo has collected the prestigious Autobest "Best Buy Car 2016" award, chosen by a jury of 26 international journalists.

The all-new Fiat Tipo goes on sale in Ireland from 4^th November in hatchback and station wagon body styles while the saloon body style will join the range from 1^st January 2017. 

FIAT TIPO HATCHBACK
ENGINE/FUEL/POWER/TRANSMISSION	CO2	OTR PRICE
1.4 Petrol 95hp MT	132	€17,995
1.3 MultiJet II Turbo Diesel 95hp MT	99	€19,745
1.4 Petrol 95hp MT	132	€17,995
1.6 E-TorQ 110hp AT6	147	€20,495
1.3 MultiJet II Turbo Diesel 95hp MT	99	€19,745
1.6 MultiJet II Turbo Diesel 120hp MT	98	€20,995
1.4 T-Jet Turbo Petrol 120hp MT	139	€19,245
1.6 MultiJet II Turbo Diesel 120hp DDCT	99	€22,245
1.4 Petrol 95hp MT	132	€19,245
1.6 E-TorQ 110hp AT6	147	€22,245
1.3 MultiJet II Turbo Diesel 95hp MT	99	€20,995
1.6 MultiJet II Turbo Diesel 120hp MT	98	€22,245
1.4 T-Jet Turbo Petrol 120hp MT	139	€20,495
1.6 MultiJet II Turbo Diesel 120hp DDCT	99	€23,495
FIAT TIPO STATION WAGON
1.4 Petrol 95hp MT	132		€19,245
1.3 MultiJet Turbo Diesel 95hp MT	99		€20,995
1.4 Petrol 95hp MT	132		€19,245
1.6 E-TorQ 110hp AT6	147		€21,745
1.3 MultiJet II Turbo Diesel 95hp MT	99		€20,995
1.6 MultiJet II Turbo Diesel 120hp MT	98		€22,245
1.4 T-Jet Turbo Petrol 120hp MT	139		€20,495
1.6 MultiJet II Turbo Diesel 120hp DDCT	TBC		€23,495
1.4 Petrol 95hp MT	132		€20,495
1.6 E-TorQ 110hp AT6	147		€22,995
1.3 MultiJet II Turbo Diesel 95hp MT	99		€22,245
1.6 MultiJet II Turbo Diesel 120hp MT	98		€23,495
1.4 T-Jet Turbo Petrol 120hp MT	139		€21,745
1.6 MultiJet II Turbo Diesel 120hp DDCT	TBC		€24,745