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BMW iX3 Driven, Interview with Mark Berger, Standard Model Y Launches, Bank of Ireland & Nevo EV Report Launches, New XPENG Dublin Dealer, MDL Model Releases for 2026, Renault 4 Irish Launch, Jeep Avenger Allie Sherlock, Polestar 2 and 3 Business Edition
BMW iX3 Driven, Interview with Mark Berger, Standard Model Y Launches, Bank of Ireland & Nevo EV Report Launches, New XPENG Dublin Dealer, MDL Model Releases for 2026, Renault 4 Irish Launch, Jeep Avenger Allie Sherlock, Polestar 2 and 3 Business Edition
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About this episode
Dive into a detailed discussion on the BMW iX3 with an exclusive interview featuring project lead Mark Berger, highlighting its design, impressive 805 km range, and advanced 800V charging technology. The episode also covers Tesla's launch of the more affordable Model Y Standard, the release of the Nevo and Bank of Ireland EV Market Report showing strong EV growth in Ireland, and updates on new dealer expansions and 2026 model releases from brands like X-Peng, Mercedes-Benz, and BYD. Additional highlights include the Renault 4 Irish launch, Jeep Avenger's new ambassador, and Polestar's updated business edition pricing.
Topics:
bmw ix3 review
interview with mark berger
tesla model y standard launch
nevo bank of ireland ev report
xpeng dealer expansion
mdl 2026 model releases
renault 4 irish launch
jeep avenger ambassador
polestar business edition pricing
ev market growth ireland
Cars:
BMW i3
BMW iX3 (G08)
BMW Neue Klasse
Byd Atto 2
Chevrolet Corvette
Citroen ë-C3
Dodge Avenger
Dodge Charger
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Mercedes-Benz GLC
Polestar 2
Polestar 3
Polestar 4
Renault 4 CV
Renault 5 E-Tech Electric
Tesla Model Y
Welcome back to the Nevo EV News Podcast. If it's Tuesday it must be Nevo EV News Day. My name is Derek Reilly and on this podcast we chat all about EV. Nevo is Ireland's only dedicated EV platform and we'll be covering where we were this week, what we've been driving and what we've been doing between podcasts. If you haven't already subscribed or followed us wherever you are listening please do so and if you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and comment, it really helps us out and it doesn't cost you anything. Let's get stuck in.
BMW iX3 Review & Drive
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHXLhOnPs1k
Interview with Mark Berger, Product Manager "Neue Klasse" iX3\
Standard Model Y Launches in Ireland
https://www.tesla.com/en_ie/modely
Bank of Ireland & nevo EV Market Report
https://www.nevo.ie/post/irish-electric-vehicle-sector-continues-to-accelerate-as-nevo-and-bank-of-ireland-launch-2025-ev-market-report
XPENG New Dublin Dealer in North Dublin
https://www.xpeng.com/ie/contact-us/xpeng-north-dublin
MDL Model Plans for 2026
Renault 4 Irish Launch
https://youtu.be/n218oAFuJ68
Jeep Avenger EV & Singer Songwriter Allie Sherlock
https://www.instagram.com/p/DR1zvgqgcX_/
Polestar 2 and 3 Business Editions Launched
https://www.polestar.com/ie/
Blackstone EV Showcase
https://blackstonemotors.ie/article/cavan-ready-to-go-electric-get-the-real-ev-answers-on-dec-11th-
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Bmw Ix3
"... week's episode, we finally get to chat about the BMW iX3. Embargo has lifted and we also get a chance to t..."
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Tesla Model Y
"...Tesla announces the launch of its more affordable Model Y. The Nevo and Bank of Ireland EV report hits the ..."
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Renault 4
"...its Mercedes-Benz, BYD, SMART, and X-Peng lineup. Renault 4, Irish launch during the week as well. Jeep Aveng..."
Car
Dodge Avenger
"...ult 4, Irish launch during the week as well. Jeep Avenger has a new ambassador. Polestar announced new pric..."
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Polestar 3
"...r their business editions on their Polestar 2 and Polestar 3. If I mentioned it already last week, Blackstone ..."
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Polestar 2
"...d new prices for their business editions on their Polestar 2 and Polestar 3. If I mentioned it already last we..."
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Bmw Neue
"... got a chance to talk to the project lead for the BMW Neue Klasse iX3, Mark Berger. So let's dive straight i..."
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Dodge Charger
"... that also the efficiency of the charging onboard charger accounts for the range yeah so to create a packag..."
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BMW i3
"...ave a front storage area technically the original i3 had a storage area but 550 liters sorry 520 liter..."
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Mercedes-Benz GLC
"the introduction of the SUV the GLC which again I've got a look around on the channel"
Select text to request an explanation
Welcome back to the Nevo EV News Podcast. If it's Tuesday, it must be Nevo EV News Day.
On this week's episode, we finally get to chat about the BMW iX3.
Embargo has lifted and we also get a chance to talk to the person that led the project in BMW, Mark Berger.
Good interview with him. Tesla announces the launch of its more affordable Model Y.
The Nevo and Bank of Ireland EV report hits the shelves.
Last Thursday, it was released. X-Peng announced a new Dublin dealer.
MDL, Teleswap models are coming in 2026 across its Mercedes-Benz, BYD, SMART, and X-Peng lineup.
Renault 4, Irish launch during the week as well. Jeep Avenger has a new ambassador.
Polestar announced new prices for their business editions on their Polestar 2 and Polestar 3.
If I mentioned it already last week, Blackstone Motor Group have their EV showcase this Thursday evening on December 11.
For those who don't know, my name is Derek Riley and on this podcast, we chat about all things electric vehicles.
Nevo is Ireland's only dedicated electric vehicle platform and we'll be covering where we were this week,
what we've been driving, what we've been doing between the podcasts.
If you haven't already subscribed or followed us wherever you're listening to, please do so.
And if you enjoyed the episode, please leave us a rating. It really helps us out and it doesn't cost you anything.
So let's get stuck in.
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Next, we have the BMW iX3 finally driven the embargo lifted on December the 4th.
The link to the review is in the description.
Nearly 10,000 views at this stage, so lots of people interested in it and it does not disappoint.
We have seen a lot of the specs with regards to the charging, 800 volts, etc.
We saw the Panoramic iDrive at CES Las Vegas.
It has been a very much a teased electric vehicle, but the driving of it,
the heart of joy is the computer that looks after it.
One of its four supercomputers, I believe in tightness.
And they brought us to the Ascari race track and very confident when a company brings you to a race track.
We did a 5.4 meter kilometer circuit, so it got up some good speeds.
We also did some slaloms.
We also did some emergency braking and then lane changing so you could feel the real stability of the vehicle.
It was in sport mode.
The efficiency was not something that you needed to look at at the end.
I think it might have been the only one that asked because we were towards the end of the press rotation.
And I asked one of the BMW people, I said, how do I see my efficiency after the drive?
And he was like, oh, let me check this out.
But the efficiency after the Ascari race track was 44.4 kilowatt hour per 100 kilometers.
So lots of heavy shoes.
Now, when I was out driving, I was getting around about 17.7 kilowatt hour per 100 kilometers.
So for a large SUV with a 108 kilowatt hour battery, I was very impressed with that.
Beautiful driving.
And we also got the opportunity to do the hands off level two plus highway autonomous driving.
And Serene to take her hands off the steering wheel and not to be asked to even just jiggle it a little bit.
It was, yeah, and I show you in the video what it looks like.
Also, it does a automatic lane change by just looking at the wing mirrors, side mirrors.
And if you see that it's clear, obviously, you're not going to tell it not to continue the manoeuvre.
But yeah, covered all in the video.
Very good, very impressed.
A firm ride, but a fair ride.
I'm actually writing about it in the Irish Daily Star today, if you've picked it up already.
If you're in listening to this on the day of release, Tuesday the 9th of December,
pick up a copy of the Irish Daily Star.
I'll be talking about driving the all new BMW iX3.
Or if you want to see a video, it is linked in the description.
It's already up on the YouTube channel.
As mentioned, we also got a chance to talk to the project lead for the BMW Neue Klasse iX3, Mark Berger.
So let's dive straight into that interview with Mark now.
We are here sitting beside a beautiful sunny coastline in the south of Spain.
And Mark, can you give me your name and title, please?
Yes, I'm Mark Berger.
I'm the product manager for the BMW iX3.
I was asking you about other BMW models last night and you're like,
that is nothing to do with me. I'm only here for iX3.
That is correct.
We're looking out on a beautiful iX3 here.
So we may start with the exterior Neue Klasse.
We've heard a lot of this name, but when you look at the front of the iX3,
you can see the new shapes of the kidney grille.
And that's harking back to the Neue Klasse from the 1960s.
Exactly.
So what the designers were referring to when we thought of the new car
because the Neue Klasse was a big milestone back then
and with all the new innovations and tech that we now put into our new Neue Klasse.
They thought it's a very good reference point
and that's why some key elements from the past like the shark nose front,
the rather upright kidneys in the front are now found their way onto the face
and to the front of the new car.
But since we are 2025, technology has moved on.
So instead of chrome, we now use light to highlight the core of our BMW kidney
and also it is able to welcome you.
So yeah, that has moved on and this is really the key highlight,
I would say, of when you approach the vehicle is the new front.
I didn't realize I was going to interview and mark on the podcast on Tuesday
when I arrived and you were looking after I was showing around the car
and staying with the kidney grille, the M Sport Pro pack has a darker lens
and so it is even to the naked eye without the lights being on.
It's a slightly different look. It's a bit more...
Yes, so we do have different designs.
So we've got three models in total which would be the standard model as we say
as the base car that has these acrylic see-through kidneys
and then you can choose the M Sport package
which gives it complete different bumpers, front, side and rear
all colored in other body color or black high gloss.
And then if you then go for the M Sport Pro package
you get even some more black highlights in the outside like black mirror caps
and like you said, yes, the kidney then is not a glass like translucent.
It's not translucent. It's like tinted, very dark.
So that's why we say it's like a shadow line kidney
and when the lights are turned off it looks completely black high gloss
but when the kidneys are turned on and the lights are on
then you still see the illuminated kidney.
So it's a very nice effect and so we could carry over
some of our key differentiation elements from our cars that we have
where you can also opt for chrome kidneys or black high gloss kidneys
and we could carry that over even to our new Neuer-class models.
The iX3 SUV, but drag coefficient is phenomenal.
They've really done a great job in the aero, that side of the business
because range is of huge importance.
Yes, so proportion-wise we did achieve 0.24 of a CG coefficient
which is for a car of this size, very good.
So keep in mind the front is still very SUV-like, very high.
So this was also very important to us that the proportions of the car
must represent a SUV and then people are looking for this
for a higher front, for an impressive look so to speak,
higher seating and all of that.
And yes, this we could achieve and also I think what is very good
is that no matter if you have the base vehicle or an M-Sport package
the drag coefficient of the body itself stays the same.
So even though the M-Sport package is a bit wider
we do have these air curtains that help to compensate for the loss
that we have on other parts.
What is also a nice effect to achieve this low drag coefficient
is when you look at the rear, over the rear wheel
we do have a very nice shoulder line between the rear and the greenhouse of the vehicle.
So when you sit inside, look in the rear view mirror
you really see a nice shoulder there.
And that also helps.
This is actually a very important part of the vehicle to help reduce drag
together also we've got these arrow blades on the rear windows.
So the air can cut off.
Moving down to the wheels then we've got a choice of 20s to 22s
depending on trim and so large wheels but again arrow optimized.
Exactly, on each size so we start with 20 inch wheels
we do have two designs, we have open stylings and arrow stylings
and same is true for the 21 inch and for the 22 inch wheels.
So there is obviously the arrow wheels do have an advantage of 10 to 15 kilometers WLTP
but they ask the customer say hey this car has such a good range
and I for example want to show my blue or red M-Sport brakes
and the appearance you see them obviously more when you have the open wheels
so yeah so we offer both for the customer.
Speaking of range it's probably the biggest talking point at ERA
when you were looking to be at the launch of it and over 800 kilometers WLTP.
Yeah, yes so I mean how can I say that that was a target
we had in mind from the beginning
because we think in order to offer the people a product
to make the transition from a petrol car to an electric car
you mustn't compromise on range and you mustn't compromise on charging
and those were the two factors where all our studies and research show
that this is the drawback for customers to switch
and yeah so thanks to our new battery pack with the round cells of the 6th generation
we can put in a mid-sized SUV like we said
we can put over 100 kilowatt hours of energy into the battery
so 108 usable for the customer
and that together with the efficiency with the low drag coefficient
but also the other systems the low the energy consumption
even the lights yeah every component in the high-five system
the headlights or the air-con yeah every component got an energy target
even the charging components
because that also the efficiency of the charging onboard charger accounts
for the range yeah so to create a package a complete package
that then yeah gives us this fantastic range over 800 kilometers
and the UK colleagues then said ah will it be 801 or 802 or 803
because it wouldn't be like the UK colleagues to be
because they wanted to see the 500 and yeah so we had to wait for the last
a minute until we got the official confirmation
from the KBA after the testing and it turned out to be 805
yeah our target was above 800
then the rest if it's 801 we had to see
yeah it was 805 and luckily that's 500 miles so also
everybody happy British colleagues yeah
and I'm not sure in Ireland you also probably kilometers
oh you're kilometers okay good
and having a good big battery and range is good
but the ability to fast charge it so the first time 800 volt on a BMW
yes yeah so new new architecture with 800 volt technology
that's right we're the first car and this enables really fast charging
was 400 kilowatts maximum
and yeah together again there was efficiency
that's over 370 kilometers of range in 10 minutes
and yeah to charge 10 to 80 in just 21 minutes
but this is also you have to keep in relation
because this battery is over 100 kilowatt hours big
yeah 10 to 80 percent that is a lot of energy
so in these 21 minutes
phenomenal
you have a lot of energy coming
and yeah I think it's also then the convenience
like if you have this kind of size of the battery
you can plan your charging stops more conveniently
or you get along with just charging at home
if you have an AC charger at home
and yeah so yeah that's really
it is really a very well figure
and we believe it will convince customers to do the step
take the leap
the big battery hasn't impinged on the practicality as well
so a really good size boot
not the first time we have a front storage area
technically the original i3 had a storage area but
550 liters sorry 520 liters
the ability to tow up to 2,000 kgs
and a 58 liter
58 liter yeah storage compartment in the front exactly
yeah so I think what you can also see is
the new technology allowed us to have a really slim battery pack
and this is what helps us keep the proportions right
and give us room in the vehicle
so it's a new concept we've got a cell to pack
and then so the round cells are put into the battery pack
and then the battery pack to open body
means yeah we put the complete battery pack from the bottom
is the floor of the car
so the battery becomes a
structural component
structural component exactly of the chassis
makes also the vehicle itself very stiff
and it maximizes room because you don't need
additional crossbars or something it also says wait
because you don't have a second floor
now that you have above the battery
so yeah so it was very clear for us
that from the beginning if you want to be benchmarky
in this segment
yeah we would call this this new route
Speaking of space in the rear seat you'll see the video up on the YouTube channel
you haven't already subscribed
I'm 6 foot 288 centimeters and lots of leg room
lots of head room in the rear and the fact that that battery pack is
in is the floor that the leg length height
all the rest of the ergonomics are very well spread out
as well as having a large boot
yeah that's what I also think we were looking at
so that you're still in the rear
the slimmer the battery then the more
how can I say the more upright you can sit
that you don't have your knees besides your ears so to speak
so and this is yeah this benefits
we also use the space under the seat
for all the control electronics
so yeah we can put the bench a bit higher
because underneath we have all the electronics that control
the battery, the energy management and so on
so the space is not wasted and yeah
in total with the especially also with our new
large panoramic roof
a very airy feeling and lots of space
also the rear base we do have
almost three meters of rear base in this car
that also gives
gives more interior space
especially for the second seat row because
yeah we don't need to fit
six-cylinder engine in the front or fuel tank
or fuel tank in the exactly
so we can use the space
so it's a dedicated EV
unlike the previous ix3 which had
fuel options as well multi-fuel options
this one has been a ground up electric vehicle
on the Neue Classic platform exactly yeah this is
from ground up developed for purely electric to
to maximize the
efficiency the weight
because we thought I mean the
in this field to be successful
I think you do need a purpose
build EV otherwise
you do a lot of compromises
especially in this class
where this size yeah in the size
topic you don't have endless room
so there's not much room to
to spare or space to
to waste yeah maybe it's
for bigger cars might be different
when you talk 5 meters length or
I don't know 170 meters high
bigger cars might be different
but for us here in that segment
because it's an important segment for BMW
it's an important segment for European
market yeah exactly it's hugely popular
yeah I think globally yeah true
that KKL or as we say KKL
midsize SUV
I think
probably the most popular
in across the globe
and we do yeah
and that's where we also said that's where we
want to start
our newer cluster in that
segment we've worked around the car
up to the cockpit now and we got a taste
of this at CES in Las Vegas
with the panoramic eye drive
but it's the four components of
that it's head up display
it's full width pillar to pillar
bottom of the windscreen panoramic
vision we've got the screen
yeah and the steering wheel and the steering wheel
yeah so it's it's a combination
of these four the
three of them are standard on every
car yeah so the panoramic vision display
the big central display
and the steering wheel
with the controls with shitech technology
that's that standard
and then on top of that
for more
information especially
with regards to guiding
is the
3D head up display that then sits
even above our panoramic
vision so that's an option
and also
yeah it has been
developed
further the 3D
head up takes what we what
you know from other BMWs also
one step further to give this three-dimensional effect
and even give you some more guidance
on complicated intersections
and yeah the four elements exactly
like we showed on CES
you had the chance to experience it
we we
the target was also there
the screen is much closer to the driver
seat much closer to the steering wheel
so that you don't have to
take your hands far away
it's tilted
towards the driver
left hand drive and right hand drive
for the right hand drive it will be tilted
to the right
then of course where we also have
some shortcuts
things right next to the steering wheel
so you hardly have to move your hands away
the philosophy is always like
yeah eyes on the road hands on the wheel
and this is our concept
and we enhance also the control
I hope you could try it out with our
new intelligent personal assistant
yeah so a lot of the
controlling and the
navigation input you can then do via voice
and we even enhance it now with
Amazon Alexa integration so
you can't only give
voice commands for navigation or
radio channels or vehicle functions
temperature open the window these kind of things
you can also ask some general knowledge
or have your base questions
exactly or you can ask for your
for your music
titles to play out of
your I don't know for example spotify account
or whatever you have linked
to your car and that also makes it
very convenient and easy to
easy to operate and we will also
next year then bring
language model into that as well
so yeah so I think
voice will play
in the future also a big role
in terms of how we interact
well it's very easy
to understand it with that panoramic
vision the customization
of it and depending on what you want to see
what you're doing so we were in
a scary race course yesterday and we were in
the sport mode
yeah and so it was G meter
it was etc etc where you
can have different modes but also the
customization of the widgets
yeah you can do that
we have some preset
widgets where you see for example
the range
your average consumption
that you have at the moment these kind of things
but you also you can personalize your own
screen with six different widgets
from
altitude to compass to
weather information
music album cover
exactly and we also do have
which is coming new but because you mentioned
the racetrack
we do also now have the M in car apps
so if you have an M sport package
or M sport pack pro
one more in your favorites
combine five or more participants
and take them today for 99 cents
each one in our sale of 99 cents
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I'm asking my doctor about EPI
and if creon could help
in our digital premium
pack you do get the M in car
apps so where you also have more
information even about the steering
angle the tire temperature
the rotation speed of the front
and rear engine
you can also have either a big cockpit
on the on the central information
display or you can also some of the
information also put in your
personalized panoramic vision
steering wheel also
something totally different from BMW
yes steering wheel new design
because now where
the instrument cluster behind
the steering wheel is gone
so to speak there is no need
to look through the steering wheel
onto a cluster
because you look over the
top of the steering wheel
to the panoramic vision that's why it's
flattened also on the top
and now the designers then said
hey we the ergonomics we now
have the room we have now more
degrees of freedom on how
to put our how to say
the spokes in the steering wheel
yeah it doesn't have to be
a nine o'clock and three o'clock
and then another one at six
we can actually make free up
hands left and right where you can
really grab around the steering wheel
so there's no spokes in your way
and so that's where we said
yeah we can do the two spokes
vertically
and yeah we've got
different stylings different colors
so there's also now from March
there will be a wide steering wheel
available that we've shown on the
IAA and on the pictures
it's not in the configurator yet
but from March it will come
then we do have an M
steering wheel which is
part of the M Sport Pro package
that has
twisted it again the spokes
you do have on
like what's it five o'clock
seven o'clock you do have
the spokes the rest is free
it's also a little bit smaller
this is a design
because we do have
we have seen
there's for both designs
lovers and haters so to speak
and since
we have it
there we do offer it and
customer in the end can choose which one
she or he likes best
I like about the shy tech as well
so depending on what you're doing the speed you're at
the circumstances that you're in the mode that you're in
it will display
the implementation of it is very good
yeah so yeah so independent of the
design you're right we do have the
controls on the left and right
the left side of the steering wheel is all about
your assisted driving
so if you go very
slow that's where you start your
parking maneuvers your parking assistant
and if you're
above 30 kilometers
an hour like on regular speed
you can then also use it to activate
your
assisted driving functions
and exactly so
and yeah only those
buttons appear
that are relevant yeah so when you've
then started your assisted driving
then you see also a plus and minus
where you can adjust for example the speed
otherwise
they are hidden
because nothing
they would not work if you press them
if you hadn't before started the assisting
driving so I think yeah that's a
clever way you instantly know
you don't have to remember and search
you now need to press
the set button or the resume
or the on or off
so it's one button
and the rest the car
is doing based on the situation
because in okay you press it now
okay now you need to activate
and if you press it then you
cancel and then you press it again it resumes
so the car basically knows
based on the situation
or anticipates what the driver wants to
and with that redesign of the wheel
where your thumb and hand sits
the controls are really right beside
the designers the ergonomic designers could say
okay where does the typical hand sit
so the volume buttons have been moved up
on the right hand side so lots of
thought put into it because the steering wheel is
one of the most iconic parts of a car
it's the one that you usually have to touch
all the time when you are driving it
so Mark before we wrap up
an 805 km range
is phenomenal but your colleagues
hyper miles from the production facility
Tim Unick in an attempt
there recently and got a phenomenal
range
they did indeed so they did do
a
our project had we were always thinking
of okay what is possible because WLTP
is
it's a given
cycle with highway speeds and so on
and
they were wondering if we can break it
in real driving
and in the end
they drove from our planned and hungry endeavors
to Munich and even
they even did a detour because
the battery wasn't empty yet and in the end
they arrived
with over a thousand kilometers
we had a thousand and seven kilometers
two percent battery left
so it was about twenty some I think
was left so I was there
we were informed
they are on their way and five o'clock
afternoon whatever they would arrive so
we all rushed out there to the BMW world
and welcomed them and
I would not have
believed that you can
put another twenty while it's even more
that
you can put that much on top but
they made it
of course they did
it was even more than one person in the car
so and they guided
each other and
no highway which is understandable
but they did restrict air conditioning
after a little while
so it was hypermiling
of course they did some route planning
stuff so that you also don't drive through
the city in rush hour but that you arrive
at certain points in time when the traffic
flow is rather good
but yeah in the end
it is remarkable and
really proud I think that
we could and they could achieve it
such a great distance
Mark thank you so much for your time and best of luck with the IX3
Thank you
Thanks to Mark, thanks to Laura
from BMW Ireland for facilitating that interview
it's always great to talk to the people behind
the project and you can imagine how long
it has been worked on
we've been teased enough
but great to see it and
as mentioned in the YouTube video
I believe the order bank is very strong
for the IX3 coming in Mark
now it's the IX350
X-ray 50 that's coming
in March at that 74
and a half thousand euro price
there will be an X-ray 40
coming
and that will be slightly smaller
battery not as powerful
and that will be in around that 64
65,000 euro mark
so yeah good price
for what it is and for the standard of equipment
that you're getting
speaking of good prices we have the
announcement of Tesla bringing in their standard range
and if you are a regular listen to the Popcast
you'll know that we talked about this a couple
of months ago when we spotted it coming
to the North American market
and we reached out to Tesla UK
and Ireland and they could not comment at the time
but last
the 5th of December at the end of last week
Tesla announced the addition of the Model Y
standard to its Irish product lineup
replacing the Model Y rear wheel drive
with a range of over 500
and 5, it's actually 505 km
WLTP Model Y
standard will be priced at 42,990
or for
319 euros per month
so we already
have the premium which comes as a
long range rear wheel drive
and a long range all wheel drive
and then we have the Model Y performance
so we have 4 different tiers of Model Y
starting off at 42,990
then the long range rear wheel drive is
49,90
the long range all wheel drive
is 52,990 and then the Model Y performance
probably one of the best electric vehicles
I have that video up on my channel as well
at 61,990
now the standard is not just a smaller battery
there are stuff that's deleted from it
and so listen back to
the
there I was scrolling my phone
then someone cracked open a Mountain Dew
Baja Cabo Citrus
next thing I know I heard a rip
my friend tried the splits and jeans
but not a drop was spilled
have a blast with Mountain Dew
Baja Cabo Citrus
a punch of Tropical Citrus flavor
podcast
if you want to find out more
it has
it's the most efficient Model Y yet because it's the lightest
it's saying the EWLTP
consumption target of
13.1kWh per 100km
it has
19 inch cross wheels
differing from the 18 inch wheels offered
on other markets this decision
was taken to reflect consumer preferences
in the Irish market and support residual
values to the market
built in the Gigafactory in Berlin
again video up on the channel if you want to
see what that is like
so
the light bar across the front, the light bar across
the rear, the screen in the rear passenger
seats
the leather effect
seats that's in the premium you are not going to get that
in the Model Y so there definitely are
differences between the two go on to the
configurator or listen back on the previous
podcast and there will be
a video coming to the channel soon
on the Tesla Model Y
standard
we also had the announcement and launch
last week of the NIVO
and the Bank of Ireland EV Markov Report
great to get that finally
out into the marketplace with
regards to what's happening in
the leading up to now
and also in the year 2025
so as we all know
if you listen to this podcast you know that the electric vehicle sector continues to accelerate
and so we launched our EV
Markov Report so NIVO is very much
in partnership with Bank of Ireland
and we provided a comprehensive analysis
of Ireland's evolving EV landscape
link is in the description
we've had 39% EV registrations
in 2025
yes slightly down November
but that was just a blip and otherwise a very
strong year
why? Better awareness levels
of the positive climate impact
competitive finance offering, government supports
improved charging infrastructure
Bank of Ireland's EV financing
levels could see
a rise, a growth of 50% in 2025
so
the bank is helping propel Ireland's EV Markov
forward with 16 brands
will underneath the Bank of Ireland umbrella
accounting for 42%
of all EV sales this year
the report also reveals that Irish consumers now
have more choice than ever choosing
electric vehicle
we've had BYD come into the market in the last couple of years
X-Peng Smart Leap Motor of All
debuted several new models in
2025
Hyundai Insta, EC3
Renault 5, Renault 4
we're going to talk about in a bit
the Bank of Ireland sustainability related
lending grew by 16.5
billion at the end of September
2025 achieving its
end 2025 objective
of 15 billion ahead of schedule
the bank is targeting 30
billion euros of sustainability related
lending to households and businesses by 2030
Derek Havana from the Bank of Ireland
spoke at the launch
and he said Bank of Ireland is proud to support the continued
growth of Ireland's electric vehicle market
a sector we've long championed
the insights from the NEVO latest EV Markov
report highlights the importance of how the alignment
of well-designed electric vehicles
motoring policy with the industry
and finance supporting can help
unlock large-scale adoption with tailored
finance solution Bank of Ireland is helping individuals
and businesses embrace the environmental
and economic benefits of electric vehicles
as we continue our successful partnership
with NEVO we look forward to playing our part
in enhancing Ireland's electric vehicle future
Simon Andresetti who is the managing
director of NEVO
and he's been on the podcast recently
as Ireland's only dedicated electric vehicle platform
NEVO is seeing firsthand the momentum
building across the electric mobility sector
the EV market report clearly
demonstrates a pace of change
strong sales growth
wider model choice more
confident and informed consumers
what stands out most is the increasing role
collaboration plays in sustaining this
progress the collaboration
between Bank of Ireland is a prime example
of what can be achieved when industry finance
and the consumer education align behind
a shared goal by combining NEVO's audience
EV market insights
and expert EV market insights
thank you Simon
educational content with Bank of Ireland's
leadership in EV financing
we're helping remove barriers, simplify decision-making
and support both consumers and businesses
as a transition to electric motoring
so link is in the description
if you want to see that full report
it's online and it's available
as an e-booklet
so make sure you pop along to the link
in the description of the podcast for that
you should also have received it via email
if you're in the media or in industry
X-Pang
announced their new dealer location
in north Dublin so great to see
that expansion so we have south
west and north and we also have
new markets down in Munster
so X-Pang growing brand
MDL who are the importers
of X-Pang as well as other
prestigious brands
we got an email from Ashley and Hallpure
talking about the 2026
new model arrivals coming into MDL
so motor distributors limiters are MDL
the pace of new model introductions
planned for 2026 shows there's no sign of slowing down
with 24 passenger
cars arriving over the year
with 15 of them being Mercedes-Benz
7 from BYD
and 2 from X-Pang
early arrivals from Mercedes-Benz
will be the latest version of the popular
four-door CLA Coupe which I was looking
off to attend the international launch in Rome
video was up on the channel and the
shooting break variant I haven't seen that yet
really looking forward to seeing that
that will come in battery
electric but also in a combustion engine version
as well Q2 will see
the introduction of the SUV
the GLC which again I've got
a look around on the channel
expected later on then in the
early summer
late spring is the
7-seat GLB
and that will be coming both BEV
and ICE variants
rounding out the Mercedes-Benz
Q2 arrivals will be the all-electric
AMG GT four-door Coupe
performance unit that blends
sporty styling with executive car
practicality you'll see some more
combustion engine versions coming
S-classes etc
C-class coming in as well
with a C-class saloon
BEV version coming in early
Q4
we'll also see the all-electric
GLA coming in
late 2026
you'll also finally from Mercedes-Benz
see an AMG GT
BEV all-electric two-door
luxury sport coupe
BYD then gearing up with
lots of DMI technology
coming in with the C6 coming
super hybrid saloon
we're seeing a lot more of this
happening
C-line 5 with hybrid again
SUV and also we'll
start to see the BYD ATTO2
which I reviewed a while ago
but they were holding it back because it will be coming now
also as an electric and DMI
technology
we'll also have the BYD Dolphin G
a new grand trim
for the popular EV hatchback
Dolphin is one of their BYD's most
popular vehicle globally
I think I heard recently on
Martin from EV news daily
chatting about it
we'll also see a refreshed all-electric
ATTO3 coming in
Q3
and that will be coming
in a hybrid version as well
X-Peng will be bringing
their updated G6 Coupe
SUV in Q1
I've just done a video
on the existing model which I think is great value
and then in Q2 we'll see the 7 seater
X9 which I was looking enough to have a look at
in Norway
at the beginning of this year one of the most
spectacular MPVs
3 row 6 7 seater
that I've ever sat in
so if you're interested
if you're in that market for a large
electric vehicle have a look at that video on the channel
so lots of stuff happening
with MDL and their plans
for 2026 so thank you
Ashley and Hallpure for that
during the week we attended
myself and my colleague Dave from Nevo attended the
Renault 4 Irish launch video
up on the channel have had a chance
to look at it at the launch
but great to get it back on Irish roads
and we are looking
at starting off at
27995
and then going all the way up to 34995
for some reason
I think they'll sell more of these than the Renault 5
as much as Renault 5 is a lovely looking car
I think the Renault 4 will sell more
practical super low
the lowest
lift into a boot in that sector
so real practical
very much like the original Renault 4
the original blue jeans
car is what they talked about that you could do
anything in it so we remember
the original Renault 4 from
Irish
on post back in the 80s
and it didn't realize that they were made in
Wexford which was a nice little
fact that Jeremy
Warnock
gave us at the launch of the Renault 4
so if you're interested in finding out more about the Renault 4
the video is up on the channel
Jeep Avenger
signs a partnership with new ambassador
Allie Sherlock from Cork
you'll know Allie from Grafton Street
great singer songwriter and she's going to be driving around
in the Jeep Avenger
All Electric if I'm not mistaken
a link in the description
to see more about that press release
Polestar announcing new prices
for their Polestar 2
business edition
and Polestar 3 business edition
so the Polestar 2 business edition is now priced
under 40,000 euros
at 39,897
phenomenal value
because we have Polestar 4
coming in at
57,000 euros
if I'm not mistaken
56,490
business edition
and then we've had that and this is the new
investment for Polestar
Polestar 3 then also
business edition so they've seen that this
business edition is getting traction
people want to get into these cars
I have a neighbour here in my new house
and he's currently driving a Polestar 2
and he says I wish I went for the Polestar 4
business edition
Polestar 3 going back to that beautiful premium
electric SUV
is coming in at under 75,000
at a business edition price of
73,590
so these prices will be
effective
from the first of the first
2026
so looking forward to seeing that
more of that
I'm going to be doing a bit more of those
on the channel just to remind you how good
those cars are
$1 per gallon
is easy to save
the savings can vary by state
apply fuel receipts
see the details in the site
save even more in your favourites
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the crew couldn't stop laughing
but hey, not a drop of
Baja Cabo Citrus was spilled
have a blast with Mountain Dew
Baja Cabo Citrus
a punch of tropical citrus flavour
day or night
verbal care is here
24-7 to help make
every part of your stay seamless
if anything comes up
or you simply need a little guidance
support is ready whenever you reach out
from the moment you book
to the moment you head home
we're here to help things run smoothly
because a great trip
starts with the right support
and hey, a good playlist doesn't hurt either
last but by no means least
we are going to be covering a Blackstone
motor group up in Cavern
this Thursday evening so if you're in the area
please come along to their EV showcase
the link is in the description
and we're also going to be on the night
it's between seven and nine
in Blackstone Motors in Cavern
and we're also going to be launching
unveiling the all-newness and leaf
that we had at the EV electric vehicle show
so they've tied it in
I'm going to be chatting about the latest trends
Deepunk and Mitz
running costs home and public charging
the top tips there
and just the real world experience
of living with electric vehicles now
for coming up on seven years
which is phenomenal to think and
reliant on the public charging network
so I'm the unique use case
yes we have a home charger
for our own MG4 but
for all the press cars that I rely on
the public charging network so I'm having
the delights and the struggles of dealing
with the public charging network out and about
up and down the country so
I will be driving the this week's
press car of the week which is the
Pugio E408
so the fully electric lineup now from Pugio
last week I was driving
the Citroen EC3
and the Porsche
McCann and I did the coast to coast
with the McCann so that video will be coming to the channel soon as well
that is
over 42 minutes of
the Neville EV news podcast
thank you so much for listening, thank you for all the feedback
episode 40
and I look forward to chatting to you
next week
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