Mercedes Benz has added to it's luxury image with a super design CLS Class range. This combines coupe styling with more space, accessibility and a decent boot. Michael Moroney joined the coupe class recently with a test drive of the CLS and here's his report.

Volkswagen claims that its new Passat engine will reap a four-fold improvement in performance and specifications with the introduction of the 122bhp TFSi engine across the range. The engine brings higher power, greater fuel economy and lower emissions to the range. Volkswagen will add an increased level of standard specifications when the first models to feature the new engine arrive on the market here from the beginning of next year.

Customers considering buying an all-new Ford Mondeo, now have one more reason to make it their vehicle of choice. The new Ford Mondeo has been awarded the German TÜV Rhineland group's "Allergy Tested Interior" seal of approval.

Peugeot has launched its first SUV in Ireland with the arrival of the new Peugeot 4007. The 4007 extends the brand virtues of style, dynamism, innovation and quality and has been designed to attract new customers who are looking for something distinctive. The new 4007 shares a lot of its engineering technology with the Mitsubishi Outlander and the Citroen C-Crosser. Peugeot expects to sell 200 of the 4007 model in Ireland in 2008.

Nissan has unveiled the Pivo 2, an advanced electric concept car at the Tokyo Motor Show. Pivo 2 builds on the popularity of the first Pivo, shown at the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show. Powered by advanced Compact Lithium-ion Batteries and featuring a unique rotating cabin ? meaning no reverse gear is required.

The Daihatsu Terios sport utility has been voted a '4x4 Of The Year' winner for the second year running following tough testing by the specialist '4x4' magazine. The 1.5 litre, five-door, five-seat Daihatsu now holds the title of: 'Budget Class Winner ? 2008'.

BMW 1 series joins convertible classBMW claims that the new BMW 1 Series Convertible, just launched here in Ireland, is the world's first premium convertible in the compact segment. Powered by four and six-cylinder engines, from the entry-level 143hp 118i convertible the open-topped 1 Series uses elements of BMW's EfficientDynamics programme with the aim of delivering high-performance, economical and low-emission, roof-down motoring.

The most common reason for a car not to start in winter is due to a dead battery. According to statistics battery problems increase in November, with December being the worst month of the year. The busiest day for a battery to fail, according to the RAC, is on a Monday between 8am and 8.45 in the morning, after a car has been left parked-up for the weekend.

The Minister for Education and Science, Mary Hanafin, met with students from St Aidan's CBS, Whitehall and Scoil Iosagain, Stillorgan to officially launch the 2007/2008 season of the F1 in Schools Technology Challenge. Teams wishing to experience the thrills of the Honda-powered competition can now sign up at www.F1inSchools.ie.