FiRSt DRiveS

The Leaf has been ploughing a rather lonely furrow for Nissan on the EV car front for some time now, so the arrival of a second all-electric model, the Ariya, plus a hybrid version of the Juke and an e-Power Qashqai will be keenly welcomed.

A rather striking looking coupe crossover, the Ariya is wider, longer and

taller than the Qashqai, putting it up against cars like the Volkswagen ID.4. The interior is impressive. A pair of 12.3 inch screens dominate the dashboard, while haptic buttons that you press on operate the air conditioning and the drive functions on the central console. There’s an usual concealed glovebox under the screen that opens electrically. Overall the Ariya feels very spacious, something that’s further added to by the central console being able to slide back and forth, while the quality of the materials would look in place in any premium brand.

A 63 kWh battery offers a range of 402km and will be the popular choice, not least that it falls under the price limit for Government grants, while an 87kWh version gives a 529km range. Prices range from €48,995 to €66,995.

A drive of a pre-production version around Mondello Park indicated a car that is well sorted handling wise, with responsive steering and minimal body roll for a car of this type. Overall, a car that is well positioned to take on its rivals.

Mercedes-Benz is rolling out new all-electric models bearing the EQ moniker at an impressive rate. Joining the EQA, EQB, EQC and EQV are a pair of high-end luxury EVs, the EQE and EQS.

The electric equivalents of the E-Class and S-Class, both models offer impressive levels of refinement, while, with a travelling distance of up to 654km for the EQE and 735km for the EQS on a full charge, range anxiety is unlikely to be a concern.

Two variants of the EQS are offered - a rear wheel drive EQS 45+ priced at €129,965, and a EQS Mercedes-AMG 53 4MATIC+ with motors on both axles costs €180,015. Wow factors include an optional (and expensive) MBUX infotainment hyperscreen with a curved and flexed surface - it incorporates artificial intelligence and spans almost the entire width of the dashboard, combining the driver display, central infotainment screen and a large screen in front of the passenger.

Sharing the same platform as the EQS, the EQE is available in two versions at launch, the EQE 350+ priced at €85,980 and the AMG EQE 43 at €120,180. EQE 500+ and AMG EQE 53 versions with all-wheel drive will follow.

A brief run in both cars suggests that while both have a rapid turn of pace when foot is put to the floor, the focus has been on ride comfort rather than outright performance.

Peugeot has turned out some handsome cars in recent times, and the new 308 certainly carries on that form, breathing fresh life into a traditional C-segment that has been increasingly ravaged by the relentless surge in popularity of crossovers.

Boasting the brand’s signature LED ‘fangs’ and some nicely carved bodywork, the 308 is also the first model to carry the brand’s new lion logo. Inside there’s Peugeot’s signature small steering wheel and a newly designed i-Cockpit with virtual i-toggles in place of physical buttons (from Allure trim up).

Buyers can choose between 130bhp petrol and diesel engines, or a plug-in hybrid version with 180bhp. Next year the all-electric model will arrive. All versions are available in Active, Allure or GT trims, with the PHEV version of the latter also available with 225bhp. All models come with 8-speed auto gearbox. Prices run from €31,765 for the Active petrol to €48,765 for the 225bhp GT Hybrid 2.

A test drive in a diesel model in Allure trim revealed impressively low road noise levels, taut handling and sufficiently punchy performance. All in all, a desirable package, good enough to revive hope that there’s life in the old C-segment market for a while yet.