Kia has moved the dial with the recent reveal of the new Kia EV3, the company’s dedicated compact EV SUV.

This is a smaller combination of the brand’s new design, upgraded technology, and other features that they say sets a new standard in the compact EV SUV sector. It follows on from the brand’s larger, multi-award-winning EV9 and what customers expect from modern cars in this segment.

EV3 shows an assertive presence with vertical headlamps positioned at the extremes of the front, giving it a wide, confident stance. Arranged vertically, the Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) adds to the character. It has a long, sloping roofline not unlike a hatchback and a tailgate to match.

On the inside, the EV3’s interior offers a spacious cabin that comfortably accommodates five people. Kia has created a highly functional and effective cabin that is designed to be enjoyed by occupants on every journey and when the vehicle is charging.

An elegant centre console incorporates a sliding table and storage area. The lower area can store drinks and snacks; while personal electronic items such as laptops and tablets can be placed on the table when the vehicle is stationary.

With a 25-litre trunk and a 460-litre rear load capacity, the EV3 offers the largest luggage space in its class.

A near-30-inch widescreen display, including a 12.3-inch cluster, a five-inch air-conditioning panel, and another 12.3-inch AVN display incorporates seamless touch operation of the climate control functionality and provides clear graphics and intuitive information to the driver.

The screen also extends to the centre of the dashboard, giving the front-seat passenger access to entertainment and navigation features. Many of the EV3’s functions, including drive mode, cruise control, entertainment, and navigation, can be accessed and controlled by a simple touch of the steering wheel buttons.

Recycled fabric is applied to the dashboard and door trims to create an intimate and home-like ambience. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which is among the most easily recycled plastics in the world, features in numerous areas of the interior, including the seats, headliner, door armrests, garnish, floor mats, and luggage board.

The EV3 Standard model is offered exclusively with a 58.3kWh battery, while the EV3 Long Range variant is fitted with an 81.4kWh battery. Both models utilise a 150kW/283Nm electric motor, which enables a best 0-100km/h acceleration time of 7.5 seconds. The EV3 Long Range provides an estimated range of up to 600km (WLTP).

The EV3 will launch in Ireland in October of this year, with pricing and specifications to be announced closer to launch.

Pictured: The new Kia EV3.

Groove Tube with Cian O’Connell

Last year, Dublin group Bricknasty released INA CRUELER – a groundbreaking, experimental and deeply personal seven-track EP that chronicled frontman Fatboy’s upbringing in Ballymun. It is difficult to categorise the band. Jazz-informed, their music incorporates hip-hop, R&B, neo soul and 90s garage. Distinct voice notes, often captured in very intimate moments, are scattered through INA CRUELER, revealing its world very frankly against a meticulous, exploratory instrumental backdrop.

This week Bricknasty play Monroe’s alongside South African born, Irish rapper Sweetlemondae, tonight (Thursday), as part of Jameson Connects.

The last time they played in Galway was November 23 – the night of the Dublin riots. In the aftermath, Fatboy posted a tribute to the late Irish filmmaker Ross McDonnell, saying he’d have been out there and “he’d have pulled a beautiful composition out from underneath it.”

“He was someone I looked up to in terms of art,” Fatboy says.

“He was an Emmy award winner – I didn’t know that when I was friends with him. I found that out after he died. We used to talk art often enough… What art we thought was important; what art we thought was unimportant. We just seen eye to eye in a lot of ways.

“The path forward as far as what constituted substance in art was obvious to him and obvious to me as well, even if we don’t always manage to action it in a way that’s visible to audiences. We at least agreed on the criteria.”

Fatboy has an appreciation for a wide variety of artistic forms. He describes Francis Bacon as an inspiration, and many of the people he admires are connected by their approach to their lives.

“I love fighters as well, and coaches,” he says. “I love people who I think are exceptional. Whether they’re exceptionally gifted or even just exceptionally odd. Exceptionally standoffish or exceptionally grating – exceptionally whatever. I love people who take it upon themselves to be themselves. Or be the most exaggerated version of themselves they possibly can.”

Pictured: Bricknasty….part of Jameson Connects at Monroe’s Live.

THERE has been an outpouring of sadness and grief this week at the passing of the man who masterminded the renaissance of Gaelic football in Galway during the county’s last glory period from 1998 to 2001.

Ballaghderreen and Kilmovee native, John O’Mahony (71), passed away on Saturday last, July 6, after battling with cancer for a number of years – he is survived by his wife Geraldine, five daughters and two brothers.

His Gaelic football managerial CV is one that’s unlikely to be equalled in the West, guiding Galway to two senior All-Ireland successes in 1998 and 2001, as well as Leitrim to a Connacht title success in 1994 – their first provincial crown in 67-years.

He was also manager of the Mayo team that reached their first All-Ireland final in 38-years – 1989 against Cork – and also had a second stint as manager of his native county when they won a Connacht title in 2009.

A teacher at St. Nathy’s College in Ballaghderreen, he won All-Ireland medals as a player with Mayo at under-age levels – minor in 1971 and under-21 in 1974 – but his biggest legacy to the GAA and sport was in management.

In his initial year as Galway football manager in 1998, he led the county to their first senior All-Ireland success since 1966, when they defeated the Mick O’Dwyer led Kildare by 1-14 to 1-10 in the final.

Although disappointment arrived the following year with a championship exit to Mayo in Tuam Stadium, Galway were back in the 2000 final, where they were eventually edged out by Kerry after a replay.

In the following summer of 2001, Galway had again to battle with adversity, exiting the Connacht championship at the hands of Roscommon also in Tuam, but in the first year of the ‘backdoor system’, John O’Mahony’s charges made full use of the ‘second chance’ going on to beat Meath in the All-Ireland final by 0-17 to 0-8.

Caption: The late John O’Mahony, pictured here in Pearse Stadium.

Read the full tribute to John O’Mahony in this week’s Connacht Tribune, on sale in shops now, or you can download the digital edition from www.connachttribune.ie. You can also download our Connacht Tribune App from Apple’s App Store or get the Android Version from Google Play.

Galway 3-7

Dublin 1-12

(After extra-time)

IF you were to take at face value the general pre-match synopsis of Saturday evening’s All-Ireland senior ladies football quarter-final, you’d be left wondering should Galway even bother turning up at Parnell Park.

To all intents and purposes, the outcome was a done deal. Dublin were unbackable favourites at 1/12 to remain on course for a sixth All-Ireland title in eight years after laying waste to all challengers to date.

Trying to cause one of the sporting shocks of the year was a Galway team which had suffered league demotion and had blown a five-point lead against Cork in the group stages of the championship. Having also to face the title holders in their own backyard only added to the sense than Daniel Moynihan’s charges were on a hiding to nothing.

And when the athletic hosts surged into an early 0-4 to 0-1 lead despite spurning some clear-cut chances, the scale of Galway’s task in trying to upset the odds was alarmingly apparent. Were they in over their heads?

But by the end of a marathon and thrilling contest, it was the Tribeswomen who were celebrating arguably the county’s greatest win bar the county’s lone All-Ireland triumph of 2004. What they achieved at Parnell Park was that momentous.

Led by the brilliant Nicola Ward and drawing some inspiration from the Galway men stunning Dublin the previous weekend at the same stage of their championship, the challengers from the west were simply heroic in securing a semi-final place against Cork.

Galway produced a titanic performance, highlighted by an extraordinary work ethic, a never-say die spirit and being able to come up with the answers in the clutch moments of a compelling battle.

Three times they carved open the Dublin cover for timely goals, including the dramatic match-winner from substitute Aoife O’Rourke four minutes from the end of extra-time. Their first two had come from the long-serving Roisín Leonard who again underlined her predator’s instincts on the big stage.

It was no surprise that the Dublin camp was shell-shocked afterwards even if the champions already knew by the interval, this quarter-final was not going to be the expected walk in the park,

True, they were missing one of their star players in the injured Carla Rowe, were guilty of 11 wides – Galway only had four – and may have been a touch complacent, but their routine run to the last eight had left them ill-prepared for the intensity of the women in maroon jerseys.

Galway refused to give up. They never wilted under Dublin pressure or when defender Aoife Ni Cheallaigh picked up a black card in a match where Kerry referee Seamus Mulvihill tried to turn the game into a non-contact spectacle.

Pictured: Galway’s Aoife Ni Cheallaigh getting the better of Dublin’s Niamh Hetherton during the All-Ireland Senior Ladies Football quarter-final at Parnell Park: Photo: Seb Daly/Sportsfile.