PODCAST · leisure
Driver's Republic Podcast
by Mark Noble and Paddy Comyn
Driver's Republic Podcast covers all the latest motoring news from Ireland and beyond. New models, international car launches and all you need to know about the fast changing world of cars and mobility. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
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Paddy's Ami long-termer, VW's new ID. Polo & OHME charger advice!
Paddy has been cruising around his town in a Citroen Ami, Mark has been on tour with Skoda Epiq, Peaq and the VW ID. Polo and we talk to OHME chargers about their benefits if you're looking for a home charger for your new EV! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Joyriding, how AI is selling cars & future classics?
Eskimo is software that pulls online enquiries straight from listing sites into one system so sales teams can act on them properly. We speak to CEO Conor Moran on how the platform is changing the way car dealers in Ireland can do business. After the horrific M9 road accident, we talk about what…
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We need to talk about motorcycle safety in Ireland...
This week we're joined by Dave Humphreys who is not only one of Ireland's busiest motoring journalists but a seasoned motorcyclist who has been lucky enough to ride a lot of two wheeled things in his career! He has been trained in advanced riding and is here to chat about being on the road from…
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Goodwood '26, 1300km range Passat, charger etiquette
Mark is just back from Goodwood and fills us in. Paddy thinks we're at crisis point when it comes to new EV sales versus public charger roll out. And we're testing the new diesel Passat this week, is it a case of careful what we wish for when it comes to killing most diesel cars?! Hosted on…
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New BMW X5, EV grants sold out & VW Golf GTI Edition 50
No surprises, the additional EV grant sold out within a couple of hours of going live on July 1st - will it come back in 2027? Mark has seen the new BMW X5 and not everybody is a fan. Just how good is the Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 50? Plus the other car bits and news relevant to Ireland this...
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Minister For Transport Darragh O'Brien interview
We went straight to the top to get all the latest details on the new fully electric vehicle grants from the man who has been charged with spearheading it - Minister For Transport, Darragh O'Brien. Why 13 years? Why not used EVs? Will the grants continue into 2027? We ask all the relevant…
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Driver theory tests & which EV with new grants?
Mark has decided to see how hard it is to pass a driver theory test 20 year+ after he last did his driving test. Paddy has more cars that should be on your radar if you're considering the new €8,500 grants. Is the Tesla Model 3 standard THE one to buy in 2026? Hosted on Acast. See…
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€8,500 new EV grant explained
With new EV grants announced earlier today, Paddy takes us through what it means for motorists. We've also test driven the new Cupra Raval, Honda Prelude and even been to Slane Castle to check out the new Jeep Compass. Ian Tolan from Honda Ireland and Mark McGrath from Cupra Ireland are our…
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Drink driving still a problem & the Skoda Epiq has landed!
We discuss lots on this one! Paddy has been crunching the numbers when it comes to drink driving breath tests and the numbers are well... sobering. Skoda have finally released the Epiq with prices detailed in this episode. Honda get a new Irish brand ambassador and Mark is having another mid life...
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VW boss Thomas Schäfer exclusive interview!
Busy one this week... (yes we say that regularly but it's true)! Mark has been to China for a week with BYD and tells us all about it. Paddy has a big birthday coming up, will he sell his VW eUp! as a present to himself?! And VW boss Thomas Schäfer sits down for an extended chat about his 'True...
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Fuel protests and a rake of new car launches!
We're back after a little break and we have a LOT to catch up on including the new Mercedes GLB, Skoda Peaq, Kia PV5 and the True Volkswagen presentation in Hamburg. Why Mark is a little nervous ahead of his first trip to China with BYD! And Paddy gives us an insight of living close by to the…
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Irish car launches, new Mazda CX-5 driven, SIMI awards & car chats!
A busy one for car launches this week with MG S6, BYD Seal, Polestar 5 and the dynamic drive in Spain of the new Mazda CX-5 which Mark travelled to. Just who is behind the "Mind The Gap" voice on trains in Ireland? Paddy caught up with Zac Hollis from Polestar at their new showroom in Dublin. How...
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How to navigate the financial aspect of buying a car!
We talk about the new Kia PV5, Tesla have made the Model Y go even further for less and VW's ID.Promise initiative is explained. Financial advisor Paddy Delaney from the incredibly successful podcast 'Informed Decisions' joins us for an extensive chat about the true cost of financing both new and...
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Golf GTI Edition 50 & the coolest Suzuki Jimnys in Ireland!
Lots of new cars on the pods this week, Skoda Fabia 130, Golf GTI Edition 50, Volvo ES and the XPeng G6 facelift. Matthew Caffrey from the long established Gerry Caffrey Motors in Terenure in Dublin joins us to chat about the key to their family being in business for so long and explains how he…
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New Kia EV2 launch, Tesla Model Y 'standard' and CEO of Fuels For Ireland chats
Kevin McPartlan, CEO of Fuels For Ireland is our guest this week. He talks about how much fuel Ireland has before we run out, why prices work the way they do and if there's anything we can do about it. Mark has been to the launch of Kia's EV2 in Belgium and tells us what he thought Paddy tells us...
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Christmas 2025 extended episode!
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...
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Chinese EVs surge in Ireland, BMW iX3 expert chats and Nobby buys a classic!
Nils 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…
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Kia's Irish EV4 launch, Skoda's surprise & Salou sunshine!
Paddy 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...
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New LEAF driven, Toyota launch 4 new Irish cars & VW Group boss chats
It'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...
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Paddy's eUp woes, Budget '26 for motorists & lukewarm Honda S2000?
This 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...
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RIP Ford Focus ST, used EV prices solid and goodbye 911?
DoneDeal 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…
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RIP Mr MX-5, used EV battery checks made easy and more 911 money woes!
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…
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Volvo's EX90 tested & Paddy's LONG 300km EV journey!
In 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…
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Live from IAA Munich with VW's Head Of Design Andy Mindt
Paddy 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…
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New VW T-Roc, Citroen Ireland MD interview and a must watch TV doc!
We discuss the newly unveiled Volkswagen T-Roc and explore the futuristic new Hyundai Ioniq 9. Ever wondered what it’s really like to camp with a Tesla? Mark has been testing out the Model Y Long Range and the useful camp mode. We reflect on the sobering reality of road safety with RTE’s Anatomy…
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Is paying car journalists the new norm?
With Jaguar and Nissan announcing job cuts and factory closures this week, the lads discuss the worrying trend of OEMs facing headwinds. California Dreamin' - we both spent some time living it up in the new Volkswagen camper van, find out how Mark got on in Wicklow and hear how Paddy rolled into...
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Nadia Adan from Ashford Motors - interview
Nadia has become a familiar face in motoring in Ireland. Whether it's her TikTok clips, her huge Instagram following or her regular appearances on both Irish TV & radio in relation to all things car news. She has also attracted some criticism for refusing to accept trade ins or retailing any...
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We speak to Leapmotor Ireland exclusively!
Of course, Paddy and Mark chat about the news this week including the latest SIMI sales figures, what they're both driving and all the other things two lads chat about BUT we also jump inside a new Leapmotor C10 EV ahead of its official launch in September in Ireland and we chat extensively to…
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BYD slow down, Mazda's plans for '26 & new Bigster V used Kodiaq
Big shifts and bold plans in the motoring world. Renault’s CEO makes a surprise exit, while BYD slows EV production in China. We put the all-new Dacia Bigster head-to-head with a four-year-old Skoda Kodiaq at a similar price point—what offers better value? Plus, exclusive insights into Mazda...
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Nissan Leaf boss interview, Iceland with Ford Ranger & we get gatecrashed!
This week on Driver’s Republic: We’re recording from the all-new Toyota Land Cruiser! Paddy’s back from a UK classic car auction, Mark just returned from Iceland testing the Ford Ranger PHEV, and a surprise listener gatecrashes the show. Plus, we chat with Giovanny Arroba, VP of Nissan Design...
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How Irish car brands negotiate with the factories that build them!
In this week's episode, we dive into the big reveal of the all-new Alpine A290, launched at Mondello – and yes, it’s as exciting as it sounds. 🚗 Paddy shares his first impressions after getting behind the wheel of the VW ID.3 GTX – does it live up to the GTX badge? 🚙 Mark is driving the 2025...
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Crisis at Tesla? MG's S5 Irish Launch & The Reality of Car Journalism
This week on the Driver's Republic Podcast: We dive into the headlines as Trump and Musk stir controversy with their latest online antics, and a ship carrying EVs goes up in flames. Natasha Maher from MG Ireland joins us to share the brand’s journey so far, while we unpack big news on the rollout...
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Ford MD Lisa Brankin speaks to us, new Nissan Micra first look & Gowan Motors go Chinese!
Season 2 kicks off with a bang! Mark heads to sunny Spain to get behind the wheel of the all-new Nissan Micra EV and sits down with one of its designers for an exclusive chat. Meanwhile, Paddy is head-over-heels for the reborn Renault 5 — a car we partly record the episode in (yes, really). We’re...
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Affordable EV Wars, Puma Gen-E Road Test & Cupra Ireland Boss Speaks
This Week: Budget EV Battles, Irish Road Trips & Cupra Conversations 🇮🇪⚡️ On this episode, Nobby takes the reborn Ford Capri for some driving around Dublin while Paddy clocks serious mileage on two electric road trips in the plucky Dacia Spring. We pit the Hyundai Inster against the Spring in a...
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MG's sporty Cyberster, Kia Ireland's Ronan Flood & EV sales are up again!
Episode 7: MG Cyberster, VW ID. Buzz, & Kia Ireland’s Ronan Flood In this episode, Paddy takes the sleek, single-motor MG Cyberster for a spin, while Nobby revisits the now 7-seater Volkswagen ID. Buzz to see how it stacks up. Plus, we’re joined by Kia Ireland’s Managing Director, Ronan Flood…
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Inside the Volvo XC90, Toyota's Irish Love Story & Renault 5's Big Reveal!
This week, Paddy & Mark dive into the latest car news, including a unique recording session inside the ultra-quiet cabin of the new Volvo XC90. Zoe Bradley from Toyota Ireland joins us to explore why the Irish public has such a strong connection with the brand. Plus, we head to Dundrum Town…
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Which Car Should You Buy in 2025? Paddy & Nobby's Top Picks!
If you're feeling overwhelmed by the sheer number of new cars hitting the market in 2025, you're not alone! In this episode, Paddy and Nobby break it all down, segment by segment, and reveal which models they’d actually spend their own hard-earned cash on. With their expert motoring opinions,...
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Audi A6 etron & Skoda Elroq test drives, VW Ireland's Alan Bateson & more!
Paddy takes the wheel of the A6 e-tron, while Nobby tests the Skoda Elroq, Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce 270bhp, and the XPeng G6. The lads also dive into an important discussion on road safety messaging in Ireland—what’s working, what isn’t, and what we can do to make a real impact. Plus, we’re…
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VW's ID.1, FIAT boss Olivier Francois interview & a car salesperson!
Nobby has been travelling again, this time to Dusseldorf to catch the new Volkswagen ID.1. FIAT CEO Olivier Francois chats to us at the launch of FIAT Grande Panda. Dubliner Lee Fitzpatrick who is sales manager at Spirit Skoda in Sandyford gives an insight into the world of car sales! Hosted on...
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Kia's 4 new EVs, VW Tayron & EV repair expert hits us with the facts!
This week, Nobby travels around Europe to look at new Kia models including EV4 and looks at the 7 seater Volkswagen Tayron. Paddy visits mechanic and EV repair specialist David Corbally at his Service Stop Limited workshop to set the facts straight about EV battery repair, failure and the true…
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Hyundai Inster, Ray Leddy Head of Marketing at Skoda Ireland & used EV bargains!
In this first episode, the lads chat about some of the latest models in Ireland including the Hyundai Inster and the Peugeot 5008. Ray Leddy, Head of Marketing at Skoda Ireland talks about the extraordinary growth of the Skoda brand in Ireland and Paddy proves that there's actually some true used...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Driver's Republic Podcast covers all the latest motoring news from Ireland and beyond. New models, international car launches and all you need to know about the fast changing world of cars and mobility.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
HOSTED BY
Mark Noble and Paddy Comyn
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Driver's Republic Podcast have?
Driver's Republic Podcast currently has 41 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Driver's Republic Podcast about?
Driver's Republic Podcast covers all the latest motoring news from Ireland and beyond. New models, international car launches and all you need to know about the fast changing world of cars and mobility. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
How often does Driver's Republic Podcast release new episodes?
Driver's Republic Podcast has 41 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Driver's Republic Podcast?
You can listen to Driver's Republic Podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Driver's Republic Podcast?
Driver's Republic Podcast is created and hosted by Mark Noble and Paddy Comyn.
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