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HYUNDAI have set their sights firmly on Range Rover as they prepare to release an ultra-luxurious SUV.

The Korean brand’s upcoming Ioniq 9 is their largest electric car yet and is set to take on a host of premium brands.

Hyundai

Hyundai

Hyundai

Their ever-expanding flagship Ioniq range of EVs, which includes the Ioniq 5 crossover and Ioniq 6 saloon, will now cater for the plush SUV market with the Ioniq 9.

High-class across the board and with a price tag to match, early suggestions claim drivers will have to fork out £80,000 for the very top-of-the-range version.

First unveiled at the Los Angeles Motor Show last week, the futuristic-looking SUV has been referred to by Hyundai as an “aerosthetic lounge” with a focus on aerodynamic efficiency and interior refinement with a spacious cabin.

It will feature three rows of seats with enough seating for up to seven passengers, as well as a tapered cabin, a heavily raked roof, and a bluff rear end.

The car’s debut in California highlighted Hyundai’s focus on the US market, thanks partly to their recent success there with the likes of the Tucson, and is where much of the car’s development occurred.

However, globally it is set to take on the likes of the Volvo EX90, Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, and Kia EV9 when it arrives in the UK.

Hyundai are even aiming to attract customers who usually go for premium brands, such as Audi, BMW, and Range Rover.

As well as seven seats, drivers can opt for the VIP-focused six-seater configuration, which provides substantial legroom and a versatile centre console.

The boot space can be as large as 1323 litres with the third row folded – enough for a couple of bikes and maybe even a set of skis – while the space is 620 litres with seats up.

There’s even 88 litres of ‘frunk’ space.

Expected to start in the low £60,000s, with the top-spec Performance model reaching £75,000, the Ioniq 9 will offer three powertrain options; a 215bhp rear-driven Long-Range model with a 385-mile range, a 308bhp dual-motor version with a 320-mile range, and a 429bhp AWD Performance model with a 311-mile range.

Ultimately, the Ioniq 9 has been designed for long-distance comfort and smooth handling – courtesy of its multi-link suspension, self-levelling dampers, and hydro-bushing components.

Noise levels are kept low with sound-absorbing foam, acoustic glass, and an active sound control system.

Customers in Korea and the US will be able to get their hands on it first, with it being released to these markets in the first half of 2025.

A subsequent rollout is then planned for Europe and other markets – with the UK likely to get it by mid-2025.

The luxury SUV EV market is becoming increasingly intriguing, especially with the Range Rover EV nearing its full reveal.

Sun Motors’ main man Rob Gill also got behind the new Volvo EX90 EV back in September – describing it as a fast, safe and smart SUV, highlighting its hovercraft-smooth air suspension, bi-directional charging, cinema sound system and massaging seats.

This comes as Carwow revealed their coveted awards for the 2025 model year, with SunMotors getting an exclusive peek at the results.

And after assessing hundreds of motors from all major brands, the judges crowned the Hyundai Santa Fe as the nation’s best car.

Hyundai

Hyundai

Hyundai

GARDAI have issued a major travel alert amid “especially dangerous road conditions” as temperatures plummet & heavy snow falls.

Status Orange snow warnings kicked in for several Munster counties and Galway from midnight, with several other Yellow level alerts also in place across the country.

Alamy

pacemaker

Snow has already fallen in some parts of the country such as Mayo, and temperatures have dropped to a staggering -4C last night.

And An Garda Siochana have taken to X, formerly known as twitter to alert the public of dangerous road conditions due to the winter weather.

They said: “Temperatures are dipping now as we set into theMetEireann forecast orange weather warning.

“And the combination of rain, ice and snow makes for especially dangerous road conditions.”

Around 5cm of snow or more was predicted to fall in Galway, Cork, Waterford, Clare, Limerick and Tipperary, during the -4C Baltic blast.

A 12-hour snow and rain orange warning kicked in for Cork and Waterford from midnight, while Galway, Clare, Limerick and Tipperary, will be on orange alert for snow and ice for the same time period.

A status yellow low temperature ice warning is in place for the entire country until 12pm today.

The national forecaster warned of a treacherous start to the day this morning as frost, ice, lying snow and spot flooding bash the country.

Met Eireann said: “A very cold AND treacherous start, with lying snow across parts of the Midlands, West & Southwest frost & ice too with spot flooding across southern fringes

“Wintry outbreaks will clear southwards with sunshine & scattered wintry showers following highs of just 1 to 4C.”

Around 5cm of snow or more was predicted to fall in Galway, Cork, Waterford, Clare, Limerick and Tipperary, during the -4C Baltic blast.

A 12-hour snow and rain orange warning kicked in for Cork and Waterford from midnight, while Galway, Clare, Limerick and Tipperary, will be on orange alert for snow and ice for the same time period.

A status yellow low temperature ice warning is in place for the entire country until 12pm today.

To avoid dangerous road conditions, An Garda Siochana shared the following tips on social media:

• Use dipped headlights and fog lights
• Manoeuvre and brake gently
• Slow down

Traffic chaos ensued this morning – with gardai in Mayo having warned of hazardous road conditions – particularly between Westport and Castlebar on the N5.

TRAFFIC CHAOS

RTE have reported a number of road traffic incidents on the M6 motorway – with a one-car crash near Junction 14 between Loughrea and Athenry.

As well as another crash between the Ballinasloe exit on the motorway, which is causing delays around the Conamara area.

A truck jackknifed at the N59 between Moycullan and Oughterard and local diversions are in place.

A number of minor collisions have also been reported in Galway city.

A single vehicle collision has also been reported between J5 Cratloe and J4 Cratloemoyle in Co Clare.

Transport Infrastructure Ireland warned: “Some delays to your journey may occur.

“When approaching the collision location, drive with caution, reduce your speed and please obey instructions form emergency services.”

Around 20mm of rain battered Co Cork since midnight, with some reports of sleet around Mallow causing rain pools on roads.

It is reported some schools have opened late or closed for the day as a safety precaution today and there are travel disruptions on Bus Eireann routes due to the weather.

IRELAND will be blasted by a North Atlantic storm as early as tomorrow after snow wreaked havoc across parts of the country today.

Met Eireann has officially named Storm Bert as the next weather event to hit Ireland and warned that the vicious conditions would last until Tuesday.

Ireland faced a “cold and treacherous” start to the day after 5mm of snow hit the country overnight and traffic and travel chaos ensued this morning.

WXCHARTS

Niall Carson/PA Wire

Ruth Healy/PA Wire

And just hours after thousands of people across the country woke up to a blanket of white snow in their front garden, Met Eireann confirmed that we would be hit by a wicked storm.

A Status Yellow country-wide wind and rain warning will come into effect at 10pm tomorrow night and remain in place until Saturday afternoon.

Met Eireann warned that possible impacts of the miserable weather include localised flooding, travel disruption and fallen trees.

The weather boffins added: “Very strong southeast to south winds coupled with heavy rain.”

Storm Bert is set to move close to Ireland and displace the recent cold Arctic airmass that saw temperatures plunge as low as -4C in recent days.

Forecasters warned that “very strong winds and heavy rain” will track northeastwards over the country on Friday night.

Met Eireann confirmed that the storm, which is expected to last from Friday until Tuesday, will batter the entire island.

They added: “Storm Bert will continue to dominate our weather through the weekend and into early next week and further warnings will be issued for this event.”

Currently, a Status Yellow low temperature and ice warning is in place for the entire country – and it’s expected to remain in place for another 24 hours.

And a Status Yellow snow and ice warning kicked in for Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Offaly, Westmeath, Wexford, Wicklow, Munster, Galway, Mayo and Roscommon at 8am this morning. It will be lifted at 12pm this afternoon.

A 12-hour snow and rain orange warning that kicked in for Cork and Waterford from midnight will also be lifted at 12pm this afternoon while Clare, Limerick and Tipperary will be on orange alert for snow and ice until the same time.

Met Eireann have previously explained that Orange weather warnings represent “infrequent and dangerous” weather conditions which may pose a “threat to life and property”.

STORMY CONDITIONS & FLOOD ALERT

Friday will be a mostly dry with spells of sunshine, although it will be frosty and icy starting out.

Met Eireann said there will be a few well scattered wintry showers with a “dusting of snow” in some places as highest temperatures reach between 3C and 7C.

And looking further ahead, they warned: “Very unsettled this weekend, with wet and windy, possibly stormy conditions. Becoming milder however.”

Friday night will see conditions take a turn to wet and windy, with “heavy rain” extending from the southwest, accompanied by very strong and gusty southeasterly winds.

People have been warned that spot flooding is likely alongside falls of sleet in some places too, mainly across north and northwest counties, as temperatures hit their lowest between 0C and 5C.

Saturday will be wet and windy with widespread heavy rain, leading to localised flooding and some lying snow likely starting out across northern areas.

Winds will ease off into the afternoon, and the rain will push off but a further band of rain will follow from the west.

It will be “noticeably milder” with highest temperatures of 12C to 15C before temperatures drop to overnight lows of 8C to 10C on a “wet and windy” Saturday night.

Looking towards Sunday, Met Eireann warned it will be “very windy or stormy” with “strong to gale force” southwesterly winds.

They added: “While many areas will remain dry with sunny spells, scattered heavy showers will occur too, the focus of these across Atlantic counties.

“Highest temperatures of 11C to 14C. Very windy Sunday night with clear spells and heavy showers. Lows of 5C to 8C.”

Ruth Healy/PA Wire

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Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press

A MAJOR energy supplier serving 5.6 million customers is offering thousands of customers free electricity over three days this Christmas.

The free power will be available to eligible E.ON Next customers on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day. 

Standing charges will also be waived during this three-day period.

E.ON Next is not the only energy supplier to provide such an offer during the festive season.

EDF Energy announced a similar scheme yesterday.

However, to participate in E.ON Next’s scheme, customers must be signed up for the supplier’s Next Reward Days 12-month Fixed Tariff.

Approximately 28 million households are currently on standard variable tariffs, which are capped by Ofgem‘s price cap.

The current price cap is set at £1,717 per year, but it is forecast to rise to £1,736 in January.

This means customers signing up for E.ON’s plan could expect to save £116 per year starting in January on top of getting free electricity on December 24, 25 and 26.

Julian Lennertz, chief commercial officer at E.ON Next, told The Sun: “As the festive season approaches we know many across the nation may be worried about making ends meet.

“Our new Free Electricity Days deal will help our customers enjoy their Christmas, without worry over the impact any extra electricity usage across these three key festive days will have on their energy bills.

“This is the first time E.ON Next has offered three consecutive days of free electricity and I am thrilled we are able to do this for our customers at a special time of year.”

It is important to note that E.ON’s free power deal over Christmas applies only to electricity and does not include free gas usage.

This means the average household will save approximately £7.27 on their electricity costs over the three-day period.

This estimate is based on a typical household’s annual usage of 2,700 kWh of electricity.

To sign up to E.ON Next’s Reward Days 12-month Fixed Tariff visit eonnext.com/tariffs.

Are there cheaper deals on the market?

If your main objective is to find the cheapest fixed energy deal to avoid potential price cap increases by Ofgem, and you are not particularly interested in free electricity hours, you can save more money with other tariffs.

Richard Neudegg, director of regulation at Uswitch.com, said: “Predictions that energy prices for those still on standard variable tariffs will rise again in January are another kick in the teeth for households.

“However, there are now a range of fixed deals available that are significantly cheaper than the predicted price cap for January, so it is well worth running a comparison to see how much you could save.

“Right now, the average household could save up to £120 per year against the current price cap by switching to a fixed deal.”

Outfox the Market is currently offering the cheapest deal on the open market to new and existing customers.

Its Fix’d Dual Nov24 v1.0 tariff costs a typical household £1,597 a year.

This means it is £120 cheaper than Ofgem’s October price cap and £139 lower than the predicted cap for January.

It comes with a £25 exit fee per fuel or £50 if you lock in with a dual fuel tariff.

E.ON Next’s Fixed 12m v33 costs the same.

Sainsbury’s Energy’s Fix and Reward Fixed 12m V33 costs £1,615 a year – £102 less than Ofgem’s October price cap and £121 cheaper than the predicted cap for January.

It comes with a £50 exit fee per fuel or £100 if you lock in with a dual fuel tariff.

Other firms may offer offer prices which beat those in the table above.

But, these often cost customers more by forcing them to take out an extra service, like boiler cover, which isn’t always necessary.

So, make sure you always read the small print.

What are the alternatives?

Customers unwilling to commit to long-term fixed energy deals may want to consider flexible tariffs.

Kara Gammell, personal finance expert at comparison site Money Supermarket Group, says: “These will almost always be at or below the price cap.”

For example, E.ON Next‘s Pledge variable tariff offers a fixed discount of around three per cent on the price cap rates for 12 months.

It will save the average household around £50 a year but comes with a £50 exit fee if you switch before the year ends.

The deal is available to both new and existing customers.

EDF Energy’s Ensure Tracker works in a similar way and offers a £50 discount off the price cap’s standing charges for 12 months.

For a bigger reward but at a higher risk, Octopus Energy offers two variable tariffs which track wholesale gas and electricity costs.

Customers on the Octopus Tracker see their prices change daily, but unit rates have remained consistently lower than the price cap in recent months.

For example, in the last 30 days, people living in Southern England on the Octopus Tracker paid a maximum of 22.5p per kWh for electricity and 5.22p per kWh of gas.

The Agile Octopus tariff works similarly to the Octopus Tracker, but the main difference is that the former’s prices change every half hour.

Remember that those wishing to switch to any of these tracker tariffs must have a smart meter.

What energy bill help is available?

There's a number of different ways to get help paying your energy bills if you're struggling to get by.

If you fall into debt, you can always approach your supplier to see if they can put you on a repayment plan before putting you on a prepayment meter.

This involves paying off what you owe in instalments over a set period.

If your supplier offers you a repayment plan you don’t think you can afford, speak to them again to see if you can negotiate a better deal.

Several energy firms have schemes available to customers struggling to cover their bills.

But eligibility criteria vary depending on the supplier and the amount you can get depends on your financial circumstances.

For example, British Gas or Scottish Gas customers struggling to pay their energy bills can get grants worth up to £2,000.

British Gas also offers help via its British Gas Energy Trust and Individuals Family Fund.

You don’t need to be a British Gas customer to apply for the second fund.

EDF, E.ON, Octopus Energy and Scottish Power all offer grants to struggling customers too.

Thousands of vulnerable households are missing out on extra help and protections by not signing up to the Priority Services Register (PSR).

The service helps support vulnerable households, such as those who are elderly or ill.

Some of the perks include being given advance warning of blackouts, free gas safety checks and extra support if you’re struggling.

Get in touch with your energy firm to see if you can apply.

THE Coca-Cola Christmas Truck rolls into London today, bringing festive cheer and magical experiences for visitors young and old.

Expect seasonal games, a lucky dip for exclusive merchandise, and delicious treats served alongside ice-cold Coca-Cola Zero Sugar.

This year’s 2024 tour promises to be “bigger and better than ever,” with stops across Great Britain transforming into a magical winter wonderland.

First launched in 1995, the Coca-Cola Christmas Truck became a household name after starring in the brand’s iconic “Holidays Are Coming” ad campaign. It has since become a beloved tradition, marking the start of the festive season.

Where to catch the truck
Only London has been confirmed so far. But stay tuned—more dates and locations will be announced soon!

Follow our Coca-Cola Christmas Truck live blog for the latest updates…

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