Latest news with #Megane
Top Gear
7 days ago
- Automotive
- Top Gear
Nissan Ariya Review 2025
This is an electric crossover that went on sale in 2022 – and believe it or not it's only Nissan's second attempt at an electric car since it introduced the Leaf in 2010 and stole a march on everyone. And you thought the Japanese carmaker was going to be a one-hit wonder… It still might be. But not for a lack of effort – the Ariya was designed on a new platform that it shares with the likes of the Renault Megane E-Tech Electric, the new Alpine A390 and er… the new Nissan Leaf, which will launch before the end of 2025. Advertisement - Page continues below It certainly looks bold... It does. Light years away from your mum's old Micra. It's a simple design, with few folds, creases or slashes. It all looks very sleek, technologically advanced and Japanese, like it just crawled out of a racing game. It's ungainly from some angles, and we can see how it might not be to everyone's tastes, but we quite like it. It doesn't just look high tech, it's got plenty of the latest gadgets onboard. Nissan says that the plastic panel at the front of the car houses all the sensors for the fancy safety gizmos and cruise control radar, with an ancient Japanese kumiko woodworking pattern, which allows the beams to pass right through. So that's nice. It's got a lovely interior, too, with a soothing design that should make all family trips harmonious and peaceful. Cough. The main novelty is the switchgear symbols that shine through the wood veneer. Well, it would be a novelty but the Ariya came on sale late and the BMW iX beat it. Plus they can be a bit tough to see in direct sunlight. But if we can't have real buttons we'd settle for weird glowing wood. What other cars should I be looking at? Well, we know the same entrails (on a shorter wheelbase) also carry the electric Renault Megane. The Ariya is about the size of the Tesla Model Y or VW Group's ID.4, Enyaq and Q4 e-Tron mob, or the Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 5 or Volvo EC40. But it's not as wide as some of those, which helps on narrow roads. The Ford Mustang Mach-E is bigger but barely more expensive. Oh. Advertisement - Page continues below What's the line-up like? There are four trims available, the first three (put a pin in the fourth for now) have a choice of a FWD 214bhp motor with a 63kWh battery, a FWD 238bhp motor with an 87kWh battery, or an AWD 301bhp bad boy with e-motors front and rear and the bigger battery. They have 0–62mph times of 7.5, 7.6 and 5.7 seconds respectively, and range figures around the 250-, 330- and 319-mile mark. What about that mysterious top spec? This is where things get interesting – the top-spec model in the range is the Ariya Nismo, which dusts off an old badge and offers an AWD 429bhp dual motor set-up and gets you to 62mph in a perky 5.0s. It'll manage 261 miles on a full charge too if you're very lucky. It comes in the one shade of grey, but gains other sporty upgrades to the exterior, like 20in alloys, new spoilers front and rear and a fetching red accent round the sills. Skip 6 photos in the image carousel and continue reading Turn on Javascript to see all the available pictures. 1 / 6 The Ariya range starts around £40k, but you'll need a smidge under £57k for the Nismo-badged car. We'd be tempted to save the money: the ride is wobbly and the range hit is a big one. Our choice from the range NISSAN 178kW Advance 87kWh 22kWCh 5dr Auto £48,090 See prices and specs What's the verdict? ' If you like the look of the Nissan, we won't judge you... though if you're drawn to the Nismo, seek help ' The Ariya looks fun, but drives a bit more like you'd expect a Nissan to. If you're after an electric family SUV with a decent amount of range, then you could do a lot worse. It's well equipped – that standard fit heat pump is a useful if unglamorous addition to the spec list. You could do a lot better too, mind. We're now at the point where there's a surfeit of choice when it comes to electric crossovers, and it ultimately boils down to your design and styling preferences. If you like the look of the Nissan, and especially its interior, go right ahead – we won't judge you. Though if you're drawn to the Nismo, seek help.
Irish Examiner
16-05-2025
- Irish Examiner
Drunk Cork woman who fled a collision with garda on the bonnet of her car is jailed
A member of An Garda Síochána was put at risk of death or serious harm when a motorist drove a distance with the officer on the bonnet of her car, and on Friday the 43-year-old drink driver was jailed for two years. Judge Dermot Sheehan imposed a sentence of three years, with the last year suspended, in the case against Áine O'Connor, of 76 Riverview Estate, Tower, Co Cork, at Cork Circuit Criminal Court. The indictable charge against Ms O'Connor is brought under Section 13 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act. It states that: 'On October 26, 2023, at Cloghroe, Blarney, Co Cork, that she intentionally or recklessly engaged in conduct, namely driving a Red Renault Megane at Garda Karol Mellamphy and knocking him on to the bonnet of the car and continuing to drive for a distance carrying him on the bonnet before stopping, which created a substantial risk of death or serious harm to another.' Garda Eric Stafford said Garda Mellamphy was on his way home from work dressed half in uniform when there was a motor collision and he followed the car, which struck his vehicle. 'He exited his vehicle and approached the Renault Megane where there were two males and a female. He identified himself as a garda and the two males, who did not believe him, assaulted him. 'Áine O'Connor got into the driver's seat and attempted to flee. Garda Mellamphy stood in front of the Megane and directed her not to drive the car. She drove straight at him, knocked him on to the bonnet of the car and she drove towards Cloghroe with the guard on the bonnet. The driver brought the vehicle to a stop.' Defence senior counsel Marjorie Farrelly said: 'She was in an alcoholic state. She has written a letter of apology to the injured party. There is a report from the probation services. 'Undoubtedly, this is a serious offence and the injured party would be affected by what happened. 'The accused has a chaotic lifestyle. She did not have a first conviction until 40 years of age. 'On the night in question, to put if very mildly, she very unwisely after drink, was driving [one of the two young men] home. 'Her feeling was that this happened in a split second. The intentionality of it was in the moment. She expresses remorse quite strongly. She expresses that to the probation service and in her letter. She is taken aback at her own behaviour. She entered a signed plea of guilt at the earliest opportunity.' Judge Dermot Sheehan noted from the victim impact statement that the injured garda 'wondered how it would end and whether he would survive. Every day he lives in pain — he wakes in pain, walks in pain and goes to bed in pain.'
The Independent
10-04-2025
- Automotive
- The Independent
Renault discounts its EV range to avoid tax hikes
Renault has reacted to recent changes to Vehicle Excise Duty (road tax) with price drops and more kit across its Scenic and Megane range. With the government's Expensive Car Supplement hitting cars priced above £40,000, the Renault Scenic Techno Long Range model that was priced at £40,995 now costs £37,195, while the new Techno Esprit Alpine Long Range model with sportier styling also comes in under £40,000 at £39,930, although anything other than standard paint is likely to push that car back into the Expensive Car Supplement bracket. The Scenic appears now only to be available with the longer-range battery with an impressive maximum claimed range of up to 379 miles. The previous Comfort Range model using the same battery as the Megane has been dropped. The smaller Megane model now starts at £32,495 – a drop of £1,500, while the range-topping car, now in Iconic Esprit Alpine trim, costs £1,000 less at £36,995. Both the Megane and the Scenic now come in a simplified range – although the names couldn't be much longer. They both start in simple but well-equipped Techno trim, followed by new sportier Techno Esprit Alpine models and then Iconic Esprit Alpine cars at the top of both ranges. In addition to the new line-up, there are a host of other upgrades across both models that include full one-pedal driving that enables the cars to come to a complete stop smoothly when the driver lifts off the accelerator. Renault says that it delivers a smoother overall driving experience and maximises energy being recuperated through braking, while also reducing brake pad wear. Both the Megane and the Scenic will also come with a vehicle-to-load (V2L) adaptor that lets you plug anything with a three-pin plug into the car, while Renault's Plug & Charge tech has also become standard on all new Scenic and Megane models. Plug & Charge enables a seamless digital handshake between car and selected public chargers to automatically authorise payment and start charging without the need to use an app or payment cards. Esprit Alpine models also get a new face ID feature that will automatically set the driver profile and seating position by recognising who's sitting in the driving seat, while the rear-view camera quality has also been improved. The rear LED lighting signature on the Megane has also been updated. Order books for the revised Megane and Scenic ranges are expected to open at the end of April, with first deliveries following on a month or so later.
