Hybrid v diesel? our special test; SEAT - that’s the Spirit; T-Cross April

Which goes further on €20 worth of fuel: a hybrid or a diesel?

We undertook a ‘special’ test involving a Toyota Auris hybrid and a Skoda Octavia 1.6 diesel.

We drove in town, on the motorway and over country roads.

It was a highly informative exercise.

See inside for the full story.

● SEAT today announced details of a “significant strategic development” as the wellknown Spirit Motor Group joins its dealer network.

Spirit SEAT, at Sandyford Business Park, south Dublin will create 11 jobs – bringing the total number employed within Spirit to more than 200.

The full SEAT range, which will include the February arrival Tarraco large 7-seater SUV, will be on display at the new premises.

This will be the fifth SEAT dealership in Dublin.

Spirit is one of the country’s largest retail motor groups.

It already represents a large number of brands.

The group also specialises in secondhand sales at its operations at Spirit Premium in Sandyford, and Spirit Burton in Kilpedder, Co Wicklow.

● It’s hard to believe that KIA’s Sportage compact SUV is now 25 years on the go.

It was the first KIA to be built in Europe and consistently ranks in the Top 10 best-sellers list here in Ireland. It has recently been revised.

● Volkswagen’s new small Crossover, the T-Cross (pictured above), will go on sale here from April next.

There are no indications of price just yet as negotiations continue.

But I’m told there will be the usual trim levels of Trendline, Comfortline and Highline.

● Ford has announced a new Carbon Series of its GT, making it the lightest of the road-going supercars.

The limited-edition model sheds 18kg thanks to carbon fibre wheels, titanium exhaust/wheel nuts and a lightweight polycarbonate rear hatch.

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Thanks and we look forward to hearing from you. ecunningham@independent.ie