Louth Motoring: New release roundup

Some very impressive cars have just arrived in Ireland for the start of the 2024 sales year.

First up is the Kia EV9 which is a gargantuan 6/7-seater SUV.

Kia don't know which will be the bestseller here, but the 6-seater seems to be the one most are gravitating to if early interest is any measure.

A very futuristic design and landing firmly in the premium SUV sector, with prices starting at €77,500, this car has an impressive 563km range that can be recharged via 800V charging to give a top-up of 249kms in 15 minutes.

If only all electric cars could do this, then charging anxiety would evaporate.

When it comes to luxury and premium cars Mercedes-Benz are synonymous with the sector.

They have just launched the new E-Class which, together with the BMW5 series, used to dominate the premium sector.

Above: Mercede - Benz E-Class

There is a 75-year history of the E-Class with tons of loyal buyers who have high expectations, and this car has to deliver.

It has a slightly longer wheelbase, increased interior headroom, greater rear leg and knee space, and that so important elbow space grows by 25mm.

And, of course, the boot is bigger, now at 540litres.

It's a car that spans a number of demographics with the hi-tec afficionados well catered for with the excellent MBUX infotainment system.

No doubt hedging against buyer sentiment there are petrol, diesel, mild hybrid petrol & diesel and before the end of March, a plug-in hybrid.

You'll need a minimum of €80,525 to get the keys to one and, surprisingly, the cheapest model has a diesel engine.

Mercedes have also launched one car to replace two cars – now there's a new trend.

Before there would be so many variations of one model, you'd be dizzy trying to figure out how they all fit in together.

That new model is the CLE Coupe.

Above: Mercedes - Benz CLE Coupe

The name gives a big clue in that it replaces both the C Class and E Class Coupes.

Both of those cars are stunning looking and very desirable – I have a longstanding hankering for the C Class Coupe.

Owners of either model won't be disappointed by the look of the new model as it hasn't wandered too far away from the original – why would it with them being the excellent looking cars they both are?

There are petrol and diesel models as well as mild hybrid versions and the CLE 220d starts at€73, 215.

BYD has had a massive impact in the EV space in 2023 with their ATTO3 selling 506 of them in Ireland last year making it the 16th best-selling EV in Ireland - and they only started in April.

They have a serious pipeline of cars coming our way with the first being the Dolphin - think Ford Focus size.

Above: The BYD Dolphin

It comes with two battery sizes with a maximum claimed range of 427kms.

I'm going to have to stop thinking that the most important feature of an EV is its range.

You should always buy an EV based on your needs/use and pick from that perspective.

Prices start from €29,318 to add to the increasing number of EVs that cost under €30k.

Make no mistake there will be much more keener pricing in this EV sector and brands like BYD are at the vanguard in this respect.

Full reviews of all the above cars coming soon in Dundalk Democrat/Louth Live Motoring.