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 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. 

Paddy's eUp woes, Budget '26 for motorists & lukewarm Honda S2000?

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 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 Ford Focus ST, used EV prices solid and goodbye 911?

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!

RIP Mr MX-5, used EV battery checks made easy and more 911 money woes! 

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 you get started at it? Paddy picks Mark's brain on this one. 

Volvo's EX90 tested & Paddy's LONG 300km EV journey!

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 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.

Live from IAA Munich with VW's Head Of Design Andy Mindt

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 of a Car Crash, examining the devastating aftermath of fatal collisions and what it means for drivers today. 

To round things off, we’re joined by Colin Sheridan, MD of Citroën Ireland for an exclusive chat about the new affordable  eC3 electrification, and what’s next for Irish motorists.

Brought to you by DoneDeal.

New VW T-Roc, Citroen Ireland MD interview and a must watch TV doc!

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 Galway - the pros and cons of forking out on a camper van.

And we speak to Natisha Chattan, leading UK YouTube motoring journalist who is dealing with a seemingly growing trend of new motoring brands seeking to pay for editorial in order to gain a foothold in the massive UK market. 

Is paying car journalists the new norm?

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 electric cars despite 2025 being one of the better years for Irish EV sales. 

In this episode, Paddy and Mark visit Nadia in her new showroom in Ashford, Co. Wicklow and ask her all the questions people want to ask!

Nadia Adan from Ashford Motors - interview 

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 one of the key members of the team behind the launch of yet another Chinese manufactured car in Ireland, Stephen McGrath.

We speak to Leapmotor Ireland exclusively! 

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 Ireland’s roadmap, including three brand-new models set to arrive in 2026.

We also dive into whether buying a used car from a dealer franchise really gives you better warranty protection—and of course, we couldn’t ignore that week Elon Musk and Tesla have had, as RoboTaxi plans hit another bump in the road.

Sponsored by DoneDeal.

BYD slow down, Mazda's plans for '26 & new Bigster V used Kodiaq

Drivers Republic Podcast (@motorheads) · Zencastr

Drivers Republic Podcast (@motorheads)

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.