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Driver's Republic Podcast
Christmas 2025 extended episode!
Season 4, Ep. 2
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Kia have launched the EV5 and their Irish MD Ronan Flood brings us through a record year for Kia in Ireland.
Paddy wants to ask Mark a few things about Christmas FM, including why a particular song is high up on the playlist!!
The lads chat to Dr. Becky Spelman, an esteemed HCPC-registered psychologist, entrepreneur, and mental health advocate with over two decades of experience about how music, our mood and many other factors that can determine how safely we can operate a car.
What are some of the new models coming to Ireland in 2026 that we should be ready for?
Take us on your next Christmas break walk with us and we guarantee you'll get your 10,000 steps in!
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1. Chinese EVs surge in Ireland, BMW iX3 expert chats and Nobby buys a classic!
01:24:59||Season 4, Ep. 1Nils Hesse, BMW's Vice President for Product Sustainability chats to us at the K-Club for the recent Irish launch of the BMW iX3. Paddy has lots of interesting stats when it comes to new EV sales in Ireland, in particular how most of the fastest growing sales are coming from Chinese brands in 2025.Nobby has finally sourced a classic car for himself and reveals the story behind his latest motoring purchase.
8. Kia's Irish EV4 launch, Skoda's surprise & Salou sunshine!
01:09:03||Season 3, Ep. 8Paddy has been range testing the Leapmotor T03 and isn't sure if the tyres are up to the job! Skoda Ireland get a little hot and bothered with a limited Fabia model.Mark has been tyre kicking some Audi Quattros, Clio V6s and Peugeot 205 GTIs in sunny Spain.And we discuss the problem of blocking EV charging spaces.That and lots more on the last episode in the current series!7. New LEAF driven, Toyota launch 4 new Irish cars & VW Group boss chats
01:23:34||Season 3, Ep. 7It's a busy one this week!Paddy has been shoving his mic into faces again, chatting to Aidan Timmons from Toyota Ireland about 4 new models for Ireland and he also sits down with the gaffer at VW Group Ireland, Pierre Boutin who is responsible for all of the VW brands in the country from Audi to Cupra.Mark has been to Copenhagen to try the Carlsberg (and drive the new Nissan LEAF)!We chat about the new Leapmotor C10 and T03 Irish launch at Mount Juliet.And with new speed limits on the cards for rural Ireland, we discuss if they are the solution to driver behaviour on our roads.7. Paddy's eUp woes, Budget '26 for motorists & lukewarm Honda S2000?
01:10:07||Ep. 7This week, Paddy's loveable eUp has caused him some issues - find out more inside. With Budget '26 announced, we look at what is in it for motorists and just how much money do the Irish government take on every litre of fuel that you put into your vehicle.Mark has said goodbye to his Porsche 911 but a look at what might have been his next car didn't quite live up to his expectations. We also announce the Irish prices for the new Nissan Micra with fresh reaction from the lads.6. RIP Ford Focus ST, used EV prices solid and goodbye 911?
01:07:52||Season 3, Ep. 6DoneDeal Cars have released their latest Price Index which gives good insight into the current state of used car prices in Ireland with an emphasis on used EV prices. Could they finally be stabilising? Another hot hatch bites the dust this week, the final Ford Focus ST has rolled off the production line in Germany, the lads discuss the legacy of the famous Ford and wonder which version was best!Paddy has been testing the new Opel Grandland and Mark has been putting the new Tesla Model Y Performance to the test.And with yet another trip to DOB Sportscars, Mark has been learning all about the Porsche 911 997 issue of bore scoring!RIP Mr MX-5, used EV battery checks made easy and more 911 money woes!
57:35|Sad news this week as the man behind the Mazda MX-5, Tom Matano passes away. Paddy has had a good experience with the Ford Puma Gen-E this week doing his usual Dublin-Cork-Dublin road trip. Should a dealer ever be bringing your car home at night when it's in for work?And Mark has another expensive week keeping a near 20 year old Porsche 911 on the road!4. Volvo's EX90 tested & Paddy's LONG 300km EV journey!
01:07:14||Season 3, Ep. 4In DRP this week, Mark has been driving the new Volvo EX90, what did he think of it?Paddy can't help his commute from Dublin to Cork but he attempts it in a Citroen eC3 - how many times did he have to stop to charge?!Can you make enough money being a YouTube car reviewer in Ireland and should you get started at it? Paddy picks Mark's brain on this one.2. Live from IAA Munich with VW's Head Of Design Andy Mindt
01:03:21||Season 3, Ep. 2Paddy and Mark have been to IAA in Munich where they discuss an array of cars from Volkswagen, Hyundai, XPeng, Leapmotor, BMW, BYD and many, many more. We have a number of guests from the event too but most notably VW's Head Of Design, Andreas Mindt who sits down with the lads for an extended chat about his life, career and his early years cutting his teeth in car design with a family background in the field.Thanks for listening and don't forget to leave us a review!Brought to you by DoneDeal Motors.