Cars coming our way in 2024
The Hyundai Iconic 5, with a whopping 650hp, is said to have ‘rally-inspired’ handling and can accelerate from 0-100km/h in just 3.25 seconds, supercar timing.
While the year gone by was a bumper year for new car arrivals, we’re in for another exciting year for 2024 with many new arrivals heading our way. These include ‘affordable’ low-cost Irish and Chinese cars to top-of-the-range supercars. We’ll check out some of the key ones below in alphabetical order.
The second-generation BMW X2 Sports Activity Coupe blends a new dynamic style, cutting-edge technology, increased space and exceptional comfort. It comes with larger dimensions, a pronounced coupe silhouette and dynamic lines.
The fully-electric BMW iX2 version is also introduced, offering a range of up to 417 to 449 kms (WLTP). The range-topping M35i xDrive delivers traditional M performance. Its efficient yet powerful four-cylinder engine produces 300hp that allows a 0-100km/h time of 5.4 seconds.
The X2 xDrive20i Sport with 170hp and 280Nm torque is priced from €55,350, the X2 M35i xDrive with 300hp and 400Nm torque is from €79,780 while the iX2 xDrive30 M Sport with 313hp and 494 Nm torque is from €69,500. Deliveries commence in March 2024.
BYD have just launched their new Dolphin compact hatchback competitively priced from €29,318 after state subsidies. It follows the ATTO 3 SUV launched in April and is the first model in what the Chinese automaker calls their ‘Ocean’ series. Two trim levels have already arrived with two more due in May 2024.
Two battery sizes are a 44.9kWh Blade battery with a range of 340km for urban motorists, and a 60.4kWh (204hp) Blade battery version with a range of 427km. Both come highly specced with useful features. Prices are from €29,318 to €31,192. Fast charging from 30% to 80& takes 29 minutes. The third BYD EV, SEAL, has just launched here with two powertrains and a range of up to 570km. Priced from €40,567.
Citroen will introduce its E-C3 hatchback in Q4 of 2024 priced at under €30,000. We saw a preproduction LHD model in October 2023. The car is taller and roomier than a normal hatch and benefits from SUV-style ground clearance.
The big surprise is the lack of a traditional instrument cluster as the new Head-Up Display reflects all the vehicle information onto a glossy black section between the top of the dash panel and the bottom of the windscreen.
Just two grades are offered. The car uses a 44kWh battery pack to deliver up to 320km WLTP driving range. The 113hp motor and fully automatic transmission accelerate the car from 0-100km/h in 11 seconds. Fast charging from 20c to 80c takes under 30 mins.
The fully electric Dacia Spring will launch here in mid-2024 enhanced by several significant improvements in design and equipment. Already widely credited with making electric mobility widely accessible in Europe, some 120,000 Spring cars have been sold elsewhere since its introduction in 2021. Dacia Ireland says it fills a niche in the Irish electric car market for a highly usable, quality EV that won’t break the bank. Pricing and Irish specs will be announced closer to the launch.
We haven’t heard much from Ford passenger cars in recent times, but that’s about to change with the arrival of their new mid-size Explorer electric SUV which is based on Volkswagen’s electric architecture. The car that combines European engineering with trail-blazing American styling will arrive here by next summer.
We got to see the Explorer here mid 2023 and it duly impressed with its beautiful design. I liked the supersized movable touchscreen and fully connected infotainment system. The 17-litre Mega Console between driver and front-seat passenger can store a 15-inch laptop. There are 450 litres of boot capacity with all five seats in use. The battery can charge from 10% to 80% at a DC fast charging station in just 25 minutes. It will be built at Ford’s new Cologne EV Centre in Germany.
Hyundai’s high-performance Ioniq 5 ’N’ hot hatch electric car was shown at the LA Auto Show. It’s a version of the brand’s Ioniq 5 but built under its ’N’ sub-brand. Subtle changes include N badges around the car and some orange embellishments. The car is lower by 0.79 inches but slightly wider to allow for big 21-inch wheels and tyres. It’s also a tad longer.
The ’N’ version has a large 84kWh battery pack that can charge from 10% to 80% in under 20 minutes. The car, with a whopping 650hp, is said to have ‘rally-inspired’ handling and can accelerate from 0-100km/h in just 3.25 seconds, supercar timing.
When Land Rover ended their Defender in its original drive-over-anything format in favour of a luxury model with lots of Range Roverish touches, there was a British hankering for something chunky and retro. The result is the Grenadier, recently launched in Ireland, which has the looks and the ladder frame, and massive switchgear that wouldn't look out of place in a Cold War-era B-52 ... though when you look through it all, they simply operate normal car functions. There's a commercial version that still has room for four. Powertrain is BMW 3.0 six-cylinder In-Line. Torque from 450-550Nm.
Kia’s facelift 7-seat Sorento will arrive here early this year available in diesel, petrol and plug-in hybrid (PHEV). Diesel models will arrive in April while PHEV models arrive in July in time for the 242-registration period.
The new Sorento features a strong design refresh as well as new technology, colours and sustainable materials; the new frontend design features vertical headlights and new logo placement. Two drivetrains will be a 2.2 diesel coupled with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission; the PHEV comes with a 1.6 T-GDI engine and a 13.8 kWh battery paired with a six-speed automatic transmission which also features 4WD as standard.
Kia’s EV9 6- & 7-seater has just launched here with a range of up to 563kms. The EV9 is an all-electric SUV with a high level of standard items. Priced from €77,500 to €85,500.
After a long run of introducing electric cars in almost all of their segment offerings, Mercedes-Benz in Ireland has recently launched a couple of new models of more traditional flavour. The new generation E-Class and the all-new CLE Coupé — the latter a model completely new to the Mercedes-Benz family, created to replace the outgoing C-Class and E-Class Coupés.
Both reflect a smooth and sensual look for the luxury brand, with more efficient combustion powertrains. Want something a little hotter? — the new AMG GT revealed earlier this autumn will offer a 100km/h sprint in just over three seconds.
Mini in Ireland has unveiled the Next Generation MINI family which includes the new Mini Cooper which gets a style upgrade and more tech.
Opel will electrify its complete model portfolio by 2024 when the new generation Crossland small SUV and Grandland come with a fully electric version. The most recent additions to the brand’s EV range have been the Astra Electric with a range of 418km WLTP available as a 5-door hatch and Sports Tourer estate from late 2023. Opel will have 15 EV models, including commercials, for the start of 2024.
The Lion brand adds to its electric line-up with three new models, the refreshed 208 with a range of up to 400km (WLTP cycle), E-308 hatchback already available in petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid versions; and E-308 Station Wagon. The electric 308 and 308 SW will be powered by a new electric motor with 156bhp and 260Nm torque with a range of up to 413kms. The E-308 will be here in early 2024.
Renault has revealed its Renault 5 E-Tech electric vehicle ahead of its reveal at the 2024 Geneva International Motor Show. It puts a modern, electric spin on the iconic Renault 5 taking it into the future and is aimed mostly at an urban customer. It will sell with two battery options including one with a capacity of 52kWh for a range of up to 400kms (WLTP).
A second 40kWh battery will follow at a later date. It’s hoped to have it here in January 2025.
Renault’s new electric Scenic SUV is also expected here this year with a 220hp E-Tech 100pc electric powertrain and a driving range of more than 620km.
Skoda’s second-generation Kodiaq comes with five powertrains. This is the largest SUV from Skoda. Both diesel and petrol engine options deliver outputs from 1.5 TSI with 150hp to 2.0 diesel with 204hp. A plug-in hybrid version - a first for the model - has an electric range of over 100kms. The two top engines are mated to all-wheel drive as standard. It comes with more space, more features and improved efficiency. Features include a new 13-inch infotainment display, Smart dials with haptic controls, a head-up display available as an option for the first time, and a gear selector lever on the steering column.
The all-new Smart range of all-electric cars will shortly arrive in Ireland. The Irish distributor is Motor Distributors Limited (MDL) in Dublin. Branded with a ‘hashtag’ motif and a numerical model designation, the new electric Smart range has a premium design and advanced technology. Initially, two models will be available - smart #1 and smart #3, the latter having made its European debut in September.
Toyota’s next-generation C-HR will launch here next year with two hybrid petrol engines as well as a plug-in hybrid with an increased EV range beyond current PHEVs. The car will have increased use of recycled and vegan materials and production method improvements will reduce the car’s total life C02 emissions. Due here during 2024.
Volvo will start building its new fully electric Volvo EX30 small SUV in Belgium to meet demand. It will be the company’s smallest model but will have a range of up to 480km. The car, already being produced in China, has already won several major awards in the UK. Volvo expects the model to be one of its best-sellers in coming years.
