Contact Gerry Boud

Write to Gerry Boud at:

Sunday World,
Independent House,
27-32 Talbot St,
Dublin 1

or Email gerry.boud@sundayworld.com

We're on a road to somewhere, finally

IMPROVEMENT: There has been less traffic since 2008I'VE groaned and you've moaned for years. We've all dreamed of the day when we would finally be able to say: "We've never had it so good on our roads"?

We're not there yet and, sure, we still have quite a way to go, but we're getting there - faster! Traffic congestion has improved considerably and jams are less frequent.

"Two main factors are in play," points out AA Roadwatch Controller Nicola Hudson.

"Firstly, there is the downturn. Car traffic on our roads has reduced by four per cent since 2008, and more notably the volume of trucks is down by almost 13 percent according to NRA data. Secondly, there have been very significant infrastructure improvements which have come on line in recent months."

Ireland now has 738 kilometres of motorway, and 188 kilometres of that opened in 2010.

More important than the length of motorway is the elimination of key bottlenecks and the completion of inter-urban connections.

These include the connections between Dublin and Cork, Galway, Waterford and (by the end of the year) Limerick. Major pinch points that used to cause so much frustration, such as Abbeyleix, will disappear off the map in terms of traffic jams.

One of the most significant changes is the completion of the M50 upgrade with the opening of the last parts of the M50/N3 Blanchardstown interchange.

"This means that the busiest interchanges on the M50, the N4, N7 (Red Cow) and N3 Blanchardstown junctions, will all now be free flowing", says Hudson.

The completion of the Dublin to Cork motorway linking those two major cities is very significant. The new Limerick Tunnel opened in July, bringing major relief to areas of the city like the Dock Road. Likewise the new bridge in Waterford will bring significant local relief.

"We are not saying that Ireland will be free of traffic jams, but the pattern will be different," says Hudson.

"Established 'stars' of AA Roadwatch bulletins, like the Red Cow roundabout or the Dock Road, will seldom be heard any longer.

"However we remain very vulnerable to traffic incidents and to bad weather."

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Mazda2 set to wow at Paris Motor Show

SENSATIONAL: The Mazda2 was 2008 Car of the YearTHE Paris Motor Show will also mark the first viewing of Mazda's facelifted lightweight World Car of the year 2008, the Mazda2.

Key changes include a new front end featuring the brand's Mazda's unique family face and upgraded interior, upgrades also to the Euro V powertrain line-up and chassis for better ride comfort.

And there will be a new automatic version.

Also being shown will be the all-new Mazda5 premiering with a new economical MZCD1.6 diesel engine.

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SWEDE DEAL

Volvo presents DRIVe of your life with another magnificent motor

SOLID: As usual, Volvo have brought out a sturdy designSTRONG, safe, secure, surefooted and stylish, the S in S80, Volvo's large and luxurious flagship saloon, could easily stand for any or all of those descriptive qualities.

Now the latest version adds another Volvo strength, "savings".

"Bet that wouldn't even pull the skin off a banana" quipped my cheeky car-loving son as I drew up beside him in my economical "green-powered" 1.6 litre HDi S80 DRIVe diesel version.

I couldn't blame him for thinking that way, after all the two together would hardly seem a successful recipe for top drawer motoring.

I mean, you would hardly want to boast that your executive car has a humble 1.6 kicking out a modest 109bhp under the bonnet.

But it will still take you places fast enough and very economically too - a point brought home by the fact that it sipped just one gallon of fuel for that 55 kilometers travelled.

You could drive overland from Dublin to home ground Sweden on one single tank of diesel boast Volvo.

With their fuel-efficient S80 DRIVe saloon (pronounced drive-e) and its stable companions, the V70 DRIVe estate and XC60 DRIVe Volvo claim they have the world's lowest emissions large premium executive cars with CO2 below 120g/km placing them in tax Band A - the only Band A vehicles of this type available in Ireland.

All DRIVe models are equipped with a conventional diesel engine and fivespeed manual gearbox optimised for extra-low fuel consumption.These cars are also tailored specifically for low rolling resistance and reduced air drag.

Although equipped with this same 1.6 litre powertrain as the smaller models, the S80 (our review car) and the V70 use specially tailored engine software and different ratios in third, fourth and fifth gears.

In addition to front wheel drive, several other factors also contribute to the reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 levels.

Elegant

IMPRESSIVE: The interior is sensational, modern-looking with plenty of roomClever battery recharging and a reduced friction alternator/air con belt also help to reduce the S80's CO2 figure.

The S80, all very solid inside and out, is an extremely safe, elegant, well-equipped luxury car that's unbelievably roomy, beautifully made and finished.

Also the DRIVe badge is displayed but there is nothing to indicate it uses a 1.6 litre engine.

The comfortable, modern cabin just oozes quality, from its feel-good, lookgood materials to its fine design.

Standard features on my SE Lux spec review car include metallic paint, leather seats, walnut wood trim and17-inch alloys. Optional extras include Bluetooth, passenger airbag cut off, front and rear ashtrays and temporary spare wheel.

And, of course, it comes loaded with the usual range of Volvo safety kit.

POWER:

This is a remarkably well tuned four-cylinder 1.6 litre diesel for a car this big. Boasting 15 per cent better fuel consumption than the 2.0 litre diesel model, it is only 1.3 seconds slower to 100km/h (11.9 seconds) and has a top speed just under 10km/h less (190km/h).

There's plenty of torque -117lb ft of pull at 1,750rpm - so progress is fairly brisk, smooth and quiet. It also handles well and ride quality is superb. Steering is weighted on the light side for a relaxed feel and low speed manoeuvres are simple. The standard manual five-speed gearbox is precise and smooth.

PRICE (EX WORKS): €41,895 (test car). Range starts at €34,995.

CO2 RATING: 119g/km.

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