Shane O’ Donoghue
@shaneodonoghue.bsky.social
Motoring journalist & business owner. I'll be mostly posting pics of cars I have on test and links to car content #andacyclist #radio #tv #parent #motoring #mobility
I’ve the Skoda Elroq on test this week in ‘85 Sportline’ guise with a few choice extras. Though not much smaller than the Enyaq, it feels more like a big hatch than an SUV. Pretty decent car but very expensive in this specific guise.
May 24, 2025 at 11:03 AM
I’ve the Skoda Elroq on test this week in ‘85 Sportline’ guise with a few choice extras. Though not much smaller than the Enyaq, it feels more like a big hatch than an SUV. Pretty decent car but very expensive in this specific guise.
Have a great weekend all. #gonedriving
May 16, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Have a great weekend all. #gonedriving
At the launch of the new Aston Martin Vantage Roadster today. Any questions? Other than “where’s the sun?”
April 25, 2025 at 7:59 AM
At the launch of the new Aston Martin Vantage Roadster today. Any questions? Other than “where’s the sun?”
I’ve the Cupra Terramar on test in its entry-level petrol format (with a little mild-hybrid tech of course). Looks impressive even in this format. Starts from about €47k. What do you reckon?
April 15, 2025 at 5:00 PM
I’ve the Cupra Terramar on test in its entry-level petrol format (with a little mild-hybrid tech of course). Looks impressive even in this format. Starts from about €47k. What do you reckon?
I’ve the Lexus RZ 300e on test and though there’s a usefully updated one coming later this year this strikes me as quite an underrated EV. Fabulous quality and space and it’s surprisingly good to drive as well. Any questions?
April 9, 2025 at 7:39 PM
I’ve the Lexus RZ 300e on test and though there’s a usefully updated one coming later this year this strikes me as quite an underrated EV. Fabulous quality and space and it’s surprisingly good to drive as well. Any questions?
I had this Nissan Qashqai on test last week. Powered by the 1.3-litre petrol engine with mild-hybrid tech and - shock horror - a manual gearbox. This is the most affordable Qashqai power train but I reckon the e-Power is worth the premium. Any questions?
April 8, 2025 at 5:07 PM
I had this Nissan Qashqai on test last week. Powered by the 1.3-litre petrol engine with mild-hybrid tech and - shock horror - a manual gearbox. This is the most affordable Qashqai power train but I reckon the e-Power is worth the premium. Any questions?
I’ve the new Tesla Model Y on test at the moment. Much better car than it was, but… Anything you want to know about it, aside from politics etc?
April 8, 2025 at 2:18 PM
I’ve the new Tesla Model Y on test at the moment. Much better car than it was, but… Anything you want to know about it, aside from politics etc?
At the Irish launch of the new BYD Sealion 7 today. BYD has already become a behemoth of the industry so don’t bet against this one. Anything you want to know about it?
April 1, 2025 at 10:28 AM
At the Irish launch of the new BYD Sealion 7 today. BYD has already become a behemoth of the industry so don’t bet against this one. Anything you want to know about it?
I’ve the Cupra Tavascan on test at the moment: 77kWh battery, 286hp rear motor, coupe-SUV styling, cool interior. Anything else you want to know about it?
March 27, 2025 at 1:49 PM
I’ve the Cupra Tavascan on test at the moment: 77kWh battery, 286hp rear motor, coupe-SUV styling, cool interior. Anything else you want to know about it?
I’ve the new look Cupra Leon PHEV on test this week. Quite a striking thing in this matte-green paint with copper detailing. Anything you want to know about it?
March 25, 2025 at 8:26 AM
I’ve the new look Cupra Leon PHEV on test this week. Quite a striking thing in this matte-green paint with copper detailing. Anything you want to know about it?
At the Irish launch of the new Renault 5 in Renault’s pop-up shop in Dundrum. Such a cool car. I think I prefer it in navy blue though. Thoughts? Questions about it?
March 24, 2025 at 11:21 AM
At the Irish launch of the new Renault 5 in Renault’s pop-up shop in Dundrum. Such a cool car. I think I prefer it in navy blue though. Thoughts? Questions about it?
I discovered a treasure trove of old stuff in my family home. I wanted to be a car designer and as well as sketching my own ideas I did drawings of existing cars. I have hundreds like this one of the Citroen ZX estate. I drew as many regular cars as I did high-end machines. Want to see more?
March 16, 2025 at 1:36 PM
I discovered a treasure trove of old stuff in my family home. I wanted to be a car designer and as well as sketching my own ideas I did drawings of existing cars. I have hundreds like this one of the Citroen ZX estate. I drew as many regular cars as I did high-end machines. Want to see more?
I’m at the Irish-market launch of the new Audi A6 e-tron today if you’d like to know anything about the big electric executive.
March 5, 2025 at 10:57 AM
I’m at the Irish-market launch of the new Audi A6 e-tron today if you’d like to know anything about the big electric executive.
In the Mazda MX-5 for a few days. A wonderful automotive ‘palette cleanser’ as ever.
March 5, 2025 at 10:47 AM
In the Mazda MX-5 for a few days. A wonderful automotive ‘palette cleanser’ as ever.
Doing the Dublin-to-Cork-and-back-in-a-day drive today in the Opel Grandland Electric if you have any questions. Quick stop at Ionity Cashel on the way down as I can’t charge at my destination today.
March 4, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Doing the Dublin-to-Cork-and-back-in-a-day drive today in the Opel Grandland Electric if you have any questions. Quick stop at Ionity Cashel on the way down as I can’t charge at my destination today.
I’ve the Hyundai Inster on test this week and it is an absolutely fantastic small EV. Ok, I wouldn’t have it in ‘Buttercream’ yellow and it gets some looks but it’s a joy to drive and has an insanely good interior. Any questions?
March 1, 2025 at 9:02 AM
I’ve the Hyundai Inster on test this week and it is an absolutely fantastic small EV. Ok, I wouldn’t have it in ‘Buttercream’ yellow and it gets some looks but it’s a joy to drive and has an insanely good interior. Any questions?
I’ve the hybrid version of the new Dacia Duster on test this week and it’s definitely the one to go for so long as you don’t need 4x4. Drives well, looks smart and is quite efficient too. Any questions?
February 25, 2025 at 8:15 PM
I’ve the hybrid version of the new Dacia Duster on test this week and it’s definitely the one to go for so long as you don’t need 4x4. Drives well, looks smart and is quite efficient too. Any questions?
I’ve the new BMW X3 on test this week (20d version) and it really is an excellent car. Some of the interior finishing could be more premium but despite that I’d thoroughly recommend it. Love the stance and proportions as well, not so obvious in pics perhaps.
February 21, 2025 at 10:34 AM
I’ve the new BMW X3 on test this week (20d version) and it really is an excellent car. Some of the interior finishing could be more premium but despite that I’d thoroughly recommend it. Love the stance and proportions as well, not so obvious in pics perhaps.
Final test car of the event is the updated BMW iX, in top, M70 format (656hp). Driving impressions embargoed but do you think the light visual makeover has been successful?
February 15, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Final test car of the event is the updated BMW iX, in top, M70 format (656hp). Driving impressions embargoed but do you think the light visual makeover has been successful?
Second test car of the day is the new BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, in M235 guise, fitted with the new M Technik handling package. Can’t say much else about it until the embargo lifts…
February 14, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Second test car of the day is the new BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, in M235 guise, fitted with the new M Technik handling package. Can’t say much else about it until the embargo lifts…
In Spain for a BMW/MINI test drive bonanza. First up is the new MINI Convertible in Cooper S guise. Missing paddle shifters or indeed any way to manually change gears. Cool car if you’re into this kind of thing nonetheless. Any questions?
February 14, 2025 at 1:00 PM
In Spain for a BMW/MINI test drive bonanza. First up is the new MINI Convertible in Cooper S guise. Missing paddle shifters or indeed any way to manually change gears. Cool car if you’re into this kind of thing nonetheless. Any questions?
I’ve the electric Alfa Romeo Junior on test at the moment. Likeable and decent to drive. Anything you want to know about it?
February 12, 2025 at 7:35 PM
I’ve the electric Alfa Romeo Junior on test at the moment. Likeable and decent to drive. Anything you want to know about it?
I’ve the new all-electric MINI Aceman on test if you want to know anything about it. I think it looks cool, I like the current MINI interior design language and it’s certainly nippy. But why oh why does it have to be so firmly sprung? Cool big wheels don’t help of course…
February 5, 2025 at 9:20 AM
I’ve the new all-electric MINI Aceman on test if you want to know anything about it. I think it looks cool, I like the current MINI interior design language and it’s certainly nippy. But why oh why does it have to be so firmly sprung? Cool big wheels don’t help of course…
I had the new Tesla Model 3 Performance on test last week and I was looking forward to it, but found it really disappointing. Sure it’s quick, and it looks subtly meaner, which I like, but something weird going on where it would actually bottom out the suspension. Any questions?
February 4, 2025 at 6:56 PM
I had the new Tesla Model 3 Performance on test last week and I was looking forward to it, but found it really disappointing. Sure it’s quick, and it looks subtly meaner, which I like, but something weird going on where it would actually bottom out the suspension. Any questions?
At the Irish launch of the Xpeng G6 today. Good looking thing. Any questions?
January 27, 2025 at 10:43 AM
At the Irish launch of the Xpeng G6 today. Good looking thing. Any questions?