The Nation Newspaper

Category: Motoring

  • Seven best-selling electric vehicles worldwide in 2014

    Seven best-selling electric vehicles worldwide in 2014

    At the top is always the Nissan Leaf in a landslide, while lurking in its shadow is the Tesla Model S. Widening the focus to global electric vehicle sales is a bit more interesting.

    Auto data company JATO recently registration figures for electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids across the globe through September 2014. Here are the seven best-selling EVs worldwide in 2014 according to registrations. Though there have been numerous controversies with the numbers appearing on other auto expert sites such as DailyKanban.com.

    Here are the lists:

     

    7. Ford C-Max Energi Plug-in Hybrid

    Ford’s plug-in version of the C-Max can get 20 miles of electric range and overall economy rated at 88 miles per gallon electric equivalent (MPGe). When the battery is fully out of juice and one is driving on gasoline only, the economy is rated at 38 miles per gallon. JATO counted 7,493 registrations of the C-Max Energi across the globe through September 2014. Ford sold 6,486 units of its C-Max plug-in stateside during that period.

     

    6. Ford Fusion Energi Plug-in Hybrid

    Running the same powertrain as the C-Max plug-in, the Ford Fusion Energi gets the same economy ratings but does it in a more attractive body frame. The 95 miles per gallon equivalent in city driving has obvious appeal to drivers looking to save on long-term vehicle ownership costs, while the 81 miles per gallon on the highway doesn’t disappoint, either. Couple those specs with 20 miles of pure electric range and it’s clear fusion energi owners don’t need to head to the gas station much. JATO lists 10,389 registrations of the Fusion Energi through the first nine months of 2014. Ford sold 9,323 in the U.S. during that time frame.

     

    5. Toyota Prius Plug-in

     

    While its electric range is on the limited side (an understatement) at 11 miles, the Toyota Prius plug-in gets an overall 95 miles per gallon equivalent and a stellar 50 miles per gallon equivalent on gasoline. Customers around the globe like the combination as well as the lower sticker price than U.S.-branded plug-ins. At least 15,268 registrations of the Prius plug-in model went on the books through September 2014. Toyota quotes 11,842 sales of the model in the U.S. over the nine-month period.

     

    4. Chevrolet Volt

     

    JATO has global registrations for the Chevy Volt at 15,898 through September 2014. That would put the Prius plug-in within spitting distance of GM’s plug-in hybrid, depending on how many sales had yet to be registered. Regardless, the Volt is cracking the top five for vehicles with plug-in power. As far as the class is concerned, the Volt has the longest available electric range (38 miles) before gasoline starts to burn in the engine. In hybrid mode, Volts get 98 miles per gallon equivalent and 37 miles per gallon on strictly gas. Chevy sold 14,540 in the U.S. in that time period.

     

    3. Tesla Model S

     

    How many Teslas were sold in 2014? How many were registered? Talk about controversy. After Elon Musk said nearly every car the automaker had was sold in the first three quarters of 2014, one Merrill Lynch analyst claimed he could put his finger on 3,000 that were sitting around with no takers. Daily Kanban went so far as to say JATO had 4,000 Teslas AWOL when looking at registrations. (Of course, Daily Kanban has JATO quoting 6,147 models of the BMW i8 being registered during those months, compared to the 341 BMW sold. Oops.)

    In any event, there are discrepancies, to say the least. JATO puts registered Teslas at 17,815 through September. Autoblog Green, for its part, estimated 21,821 Model S units sold in the U.S. alone over that time frame, while InsideEVs.com puts the U.S. count at 13,800 through November. Hopefully, investigators are scouring the ports of China to uncover the real truth. While they’re at it, Tesla is comfortably placed third on this list.

    Tesla has the segment-leading range of 208 miles in its base 60 kWh model and 95 miles per gallon equivalent.

     

    2. Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in Hybrid

     

    Everyone keeps saying the Outlander Plug-in hybrid (or any crossover EV) would sell like gangbusters in the U.S., and they could use this evidence to back up the argument. JATO counted 23,908 registrations of the Outlander PHEV from around the globe. Throw in what would undoubtedly be another (minimum) 10,000 bought by U.S. consumers and you a hotly coveted vehicle that Americans can’t buy.

    Mitsubishi has been flashing concept models of the next-generation Outlander plug-in that will eventually come to the U.S., but don’t hold your breath. The glaring void in the plug-in SUV market will remain for the foreseeable future. For the record, the Outlander PHEV gets over 30 miles of pure electric range.

     

    1. Nissan Leaf

     

    There wasn’t much disputing this one. JATO counted 44,897 units of the Nissan Leaf registered around the globe during the first nine months of 2014. Sporting an electric range of 84 miles, 114 miles per gallon equivalent, and an affordable sticker price, the Leaf has hit the sweetest spot yet as far as electric vehicles are concerned. Nissan moved 21,822 Leafs in the U.S. through September 2014, which makes its global market about half in the U.S. and half everywhere else.

    It has already secured the all-time record for EV sales in the U.S., so it appears the Leaf is here to stay. In fact, Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn recently declared the range of an upcoming Leaf will crack 200 miles in the years ahead. Now that Leaf would really be something.

     

  • Coscharis offers Ford customers free diagnosis

    Coscharis offers Ford customers free diagnosis

    Coscharis Motors, the leading automobile company and an accredited dealer of the Ford brand in Nigeria, has offered her Ford customers free diagnosis of the major parts of their vehicle that bothers on basic safety and comfort in her ongoing Real deals around the wheel promo.

    The promo offers free check-up on all the vehicle parts around the wheel including, brake pads, shoes, calipers, shocks, struts, ball joints, wheel bearings, among others. If the result of the diagnosis discloses any defect, and the customer opts to repair the vehicle, he gets an automatic 20 per cent discount on the cost of repairs, which includes the cost of replacement parts and labour.

    Explaining the rationale behind the promo, Mr. Josiah Samuel, Group Managing Director, Coscharis Group said: “We are encouraged by the level of patronage of our Ford brand of vehicles by our esteemed customers and therefore feel obliged to add value to the services we are rendering to them, as a way of saying thank you.” Explaining further Samuel said “Real deals around the wheel is an aftersales safety check campaign, which provides an opportunity for our existing Ford customers to ensure that their brakes, calipers, ball joints, wheel bearings are in top condition as they prepare to embark on business or leisure trips this season. We had ran this campaign earlier this year, but some of our customers requested that we re-run it this season as it will be very helpful for them, thus the re-run.”

    When asked about the level of preparedness of Coscharis Service Centres for the anticipated influx of vehicles into their facilities, Mr Vasant Rele, the General Manager, Coscharis Ford After-Sales Services, said the service centres are all installed with modern diagnostic equipments and manned by factory trained, award-winning technicians who are willing and able to deliver all the promises offered in the ‘Real Deal Around The Wheel promo.’

    He stated that customers have been thronging into their facilities nation-wide and leaving with testimonials of satisfaction concerning “our services.” He emphasised that Coscharis Service Centres are committed to a culture of continuous improvement in service delivery in order to delight customers and “fulfill our promise to render quality service at all times.”

  • Nissan names Manchester City star Brand Ambassador

    Nissan names Manchester City star Brand Ambassador

    Nissan has named Manchester City and Ivory Coast midfielder, Yaya Toure as its newest global brand ambassador for the 2015 African Nations Cup (AFCON), holding in Equatorial Guinea early next year.

    The three-time African Footballer of the Year and UEFA Champions League winner has agreed to the deal which will see him work alongside Nissan’s global UEFA Champions League and Orange Cup of Nations 2015 partnerships.

    Mr Parvir Singh, the Group Managing Director (automobile division), Stallion Motors Limited and Nissan custodian in Nigeria announced the deal at a news brief in Lagos.

    He said Toure will as part of the contract be the face of Nissan’s advertising campaign in Africa and play key role at Nissan’s Orange Cup of Nations 2015 sponsorship.

    “Toure will also help connect football fans with the Nissan brand and increase excitement around Nissan’s innovative range of products and slogan, ‘Innovation that excites,” he said.

    Singh described Toure as a symbol of Africa pride which according to him was one of the reasons the Japanese automaker chose him as Nissan ambassador for the 2015 AFCON tournament.

    Toure acknowledged the appointment and was quoted as saying: “I’m proud to be partnering with Nissan across its UEFA Champions League and Orange Cup of Nations 2015 sponsorships. I have been fortunate enough to win lots of trophies in my career, but the Orange African Cup of Nations has always been my target as an African, so I am really looking forward to it and working with Nissan to help bring the excitement around both of these fantastic tournaments to fans around Africa and the rest of the world.”

  • Road construction and government monitoring

    Road construction and government monitoring

    Road and road furnitures are significant causes of road accidents in Nigeria. It is however disheartening that governments always take pride in the award of contracts for road construction without taking adequate measures in monitoring the jobs to ensure compliance with the quality standards.

    One quick example is the ongoing Mile 12 to Ikorodu road construction work. In February this year when rain has not even started , I accosted a few of the engineers of the construction company and  took them to various parts of the road which they have already tarred and I pointed to them that when rain starts, water will not flow in those portions, emphasising that water deposit always weaken the coal tar thereby making the road to fail very rapidly.

    The engineers argued with me that water will flow freely on the portions I complained about maybe because they saw me as an ordinary citizen and not a government official they could listen to.

    Shortly after the rain started, they discovered I was right in all my observations and they are now devising fire brigade solutions some of which may not produce the right results. Most of the water conduit channels they are constructing now are higher than the tarred road levels.

    Except another layer of Coal tar is still going to be put on the one already laid on the Ikorodu – Mile 12 road, the current level is lower than the water conduit holes meaning that some parts of the road will be flooded whenever it rains and more sand will continuously gather at the edges of the roads.

    Some portions of this same Mile 12 – Ikorodu road are too narrow to accommodate two trucks or articulated vehicles side by side. With the envisaged speed of drivers, these narrow portions could become accident and death traps.

    The road median edges are without reflectives thereby making some vehicles to crash into them. The on-going markings on the roads are questionable at some points, particularly where three lanes merged into two. This is a safety risk. Government officials need to visit and effect the corrections.

    The complexity of the new Mile 12 – Ikorodu road, particularly Majidun, Ogolonto and Agric areas among others will turn the road to a death trap with high rate of accidents and fatalities if nothing is done now to critically and proactively effect the necessary amendments with safety as the major goal.

  • Ford builds climatic wind tunnel test centre

    Ford builds climatic wind tunnel test centre

    Germany will soon be home to some of the hottest and coldest temperatures, most arid and humid conditions, hurricane force wind speeds, and highest altitudes to be found anywhere on the planet courtesy of a new climatic wind tunnel test centre being built by Ford at its engineering centre in Merkenich, Cologne.

    The all-new, multi-million US$ facility – which is planned to be the most advanced wind tunnel test centre in the global auto industry when it is opened in the next few years – will feature two climatic wind tunnels capable of operating at wind speeds of up to 250 kph – almost at the Category 5 rating for hurricane wind speeds.

    The test centre will also house an altitude laboratory capable of emulating heights from sea level to 5,200 metres high – higher than the average height of the Tibetan Plateau, often described as “The Roof of the World.”

    “Around 50 percent of the vehicles we sell around the world are sold in areas that are more than 1,000 metres above sea level, including regions like the Alps and Pyrenees here in Europe,” said Barb Samardzich, Chief Operating Officer, Ford of Europe, at the ground-breaking ceremony.

    He added: “This new, world-leading climatic wind tunnel test centre underlines Ford’s continuing commitment to investing in the most advanced vehicle testing technologies to provide our customers with the highest quality, world-class vehicles.”

    The climatic wind tunnel test centre will also feature four separate cells where cars can be cooled to temperatures of minus 40 Celsius Arctic conditions, to plus 55 Celsius, just 2.8 Celsius below the highest-ever air temperature globally recorded in the Sahara Desert.

    In addition, humidity in the centre will be capable of being adjusted from the driest desert conditions of just 10 percent humidity, to the most humid of rainforests at 95 percent.

    The new test centre, which will measure 5,500 square metres in size, equivalent to a football field – also underlines the continuing importance of Ford’s engineering centre in Merkenich, Cologne, which has the global lead for the design and the development of all Ford global B- and C-segment vehicles.

  • Coscharis introduces zero interest promo

    Coscharis introduces zero interest promo

    Coscharis Motors, the sole franchisee of Jaguar Land Rover brands has announced a new favourable price ownership scheme for its Discovery and Freelander 2 variants.

    The scheme allows customers a zero interest spread payment for one year as Coscharis pay the interest on behalf of the customer during this holiday period.

    According to Coscharis Divisional General Manager, Sales, Ufuoma Umukoro, the ownership scheme is the first in the Nigerian auto industry against the usual financing scheme where customers will have to incur some interests or hiding charges that inflate the actual prices of the vehicles.

    “For Coscharis, we are offering the Discovery for N15.5million and the Freelander 2 for N7.5million with the option to choose between your interests being paid for one year, lease or cash transaction. This gives the customer the freedom to own the Discovery, interest free and spread payments over 12 months,” Umukoro said.

    He said the company’s existing customers can attest that the N15.5 million is the best price they can get for lump sum payment, but with the scheme, customers can spread the payment for one year without any interest. Consequently, Coscharis is responsible for the interest accruable.

    In addition, customers also get complementary monetised vouchers to use at GrosVenor Integrated Shirt Limited, the sole franchisee of Grosvenor London, who has the Royal Warrant of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, which makes it an official shirt maker of the British Royal. The voucher is redeemable in either of GrosVenor’s outlets in Lagos and Abuja.

    Furthermore, buyers will receive gift vouchers to spend at Q.Med Diagnostic Centre and Make Me.

    As part of the holiday offering, the General Manager, Marketing, Abiona Babarinde, said: “All buyers will also enjoy one year free registration, free road assistance, special discount for fleet purchase, extended service plan for three years or 100,000km (whichever comes first) and free delivery anywhere in Nigeria.”

    The aim of the scheme is to ease ownership of the premium variants for corporate and retail customers and to reward actual customers especially during festive season. It is one of the company’s strategies to ensure that Jaguar Land Rover customers enjoy their Christmas and New Year seasons with peace of mind.

    Coscharis Motors as the sole importer of Jaguar Land Rover in Nigeria offers a comprehensive warranty backed by a region-wide sales and service network responsible for the provision of world-class sales, maintenance and parts back-up.

  • Auto emissions much deadlier than accidents

    Cars are dangerous. Although vehicular transport has become absolutely vital and necessary to the world’s economy over the past century, along with the fact that there have been tremendous advances in technology, cars still kill a lot of people every year through a variety of means.

    While accidents and collisions are often the first thing you may think of when you see the words “car” and “deaths” in the same sentence, vehicular emissions are quickly becoming a huge problem in different areas around the world.

    But are emissions actually deadlier than accidents themselves? From an American viewpoint, that seems almost absurd. After all, thanks to some regulation from the government, most cities have been able to clear up a good amount of smog and air pollution over the past couple of decades. And when was the last time you heard about anyone getting killed by air pollution?

    Well, that’s the shortsightedness that comes from living in America, whereas in places like China, it’s an entirely different story.

    To get to the bottom of things, CityLab, which is part of the Atlantic Media collective, decided to task itself with finding the answer. The question was originally brought up by David Levinson of The Transportationist in a post titled: “Death By Car: Are You More Likely To Die From a Crash or Breathing its Toxic Emissions?” It’s an interesting topic, and it became the starting point for CityLab.

    By focusing on the year 2005, CityLab looked at the number of deaths resulting from traffic accidents across the country, which added up to a little more than 43,500. Then, the publication contrasted that number with the number of deaths attributable to air pollution. Referencing a recent study conducted by MIT researcher Fabio Caiazzo, it was found that 52,800 deaths could be blamed on particulate matter generated from road transportation alone for 2005 by looking at epidemiological evidence used to relate long-term exposure of pollution to premature deaths.

    By those numbers, it appears that car emissions contributed to 19 per cent more deaths than auto accidents in 2005. That number actually increases when you figure in other factors, like ozone concentrations. Your winner is auto emissions, and by a long shot.

    Those numbers and findings are astounding, and probably come as quite a surprise to most people. With so much energy and effort focused on preventing and protecting ourselves from auto accidents, the exhaust that pours out of vehicles has become the more potent killer. Of course, we can attribute some of this to the declining number of auto accident deaths over the past several decades. With the invention and implementation of numerous safety features like seat belts and airbags, it’s no wonder that deaths have come way down than from past decades.

    But what about the incredible amount of deaths that can be traced back to particulates from emissions? There’s plenty of reason for concern, especially since a great number of people probably never really considered emissions to be a threat. Sure, there has been a lot of talk about things like climate change and environmental devastation, but more than 50,000 deaths just in 2005 that can be blamed on emissions? That is a real wakeup call.

    However, there is also reason to be optimistic that those are figures that can drop dramatically — and may already be doing so. With more and more consumers increasingly opting to purchase hybrids and electric cars, the levels of particles from vehicle exhaust are likely on the downturn. Another way that we can help is by investing more in public transportation systems, which get more vehicles off the road and therefore lead to less matter entering the air.

    Again, there is a long way to go on this front, but think about where we could be in a decade or two if as much effort and concentration is put into reducing emissions as there was in making cars safer to drive. It is still a pretty big shock to realise just how deadly and dangerous emissions actually are. The real challenge will be getting policymakers and auto manufacturers to look at the data and make regulations and incentives to help shape the future.

    China alone sees 670,000 of its citizens die every year from smog-related deaths. If that figure, along with the numbers CityLab has come up with can’t change minds, then we may be in for a rough ride.

  • Ford rewards customers with free service

    This year’s Yuletide season promises to be an interesting one for vehicle shoppers as Coscharis Motors, a foremost automobile dealer and representatives of Ford Motor Company in Nigeria, has announced that it will run the Extended Service Plan (ESP) sales promotion until January 2, 2015. The ESP package offers free service for 4 years or 120,000 kilometres whichever comes first, to customers who purchase qualified variants of the Ford brand from Coscharis Motors or any of its accredited distributors nation-wide.

    The ESP is a package which allows the buyers of a qualified Ford variant to own the vehicle for four years or 120,000 kilometres, whichever comes first, without worry as he need not spend a kobo to service the vehicle throughout the life span of the ESP.

    Customers, Coscharis Group Managing Director of Coscharis Motors, Mr Josiah Samuel, should drive the vehicle to any Coscharis Motors service centre nationwide to get the vehicle serviced and drive away thereafter without paying a kobo.

    Among the freebies to be enjoyed by customers are oil change, tyre rotation, brake pads, wiper blades, belts and hoses and shocks

    Samuel explained that the ESP promo which first came up in 2011 has become one of the longest running promos in the Nigerian automobile arena due to persistent demand for its re-run by customers. He stated that the free ESP only strives to achieve the continued realisation of the vision Henry Ford had over 100 years ago, which seeks to make automobile available and affordable to all mankind.

    “Another reason for the offer is our desire to take over our customers’ worries about vehicle maintenance and free their minds so that they can focus more on the accomplishment of their primary objectives in business and leisure,” Samuel said.

  • Toyota unveils Mirai ‘The Future’

    Toyota unveils Mirai ‘The Future’

    Toyota Motor Corporation has announced a new entry into the automobile world, Mirai ‘The Future.’ The fuel cell car can travel up to 300 miles on one tank of hydrogen, emits only water vapour, and can refuel in less than five minutes, writes TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO with agency addition.

    Toyota Motor Corporation has officially announced the name and details surrounding its anticipated fuel cell vehicle. Dubbed ‘the Mirai,’ the groundbreaking car will be able to travel up to 300 miles on one tank of hydrogen, emits only water vapour, and can refuel in less than five minutes.

    ‘Mirai,’ which means ‘future’ in Japanese, is definitely set to take the hybrid and EV market head-on when it hits American market in 2016.

    For Akio Toyoda, the Toyota president and Chief Executive Officer, it is a turning point in automotive history.

    A turning point, he said, where people will embrace a new, environmentally-friendly car that is a pleasure to drive.

    “A turning point where a four-door sedan can travel 300 miles on a single tank of hydrogen, can be refuelled in less than five minutes and emit only water vapour. A turning point that represents many years and countless hours of work by our team to create a car that redefines the industry.

    “All of us at Toyota believe in a future that will be safer, greener and easier for everyone… For us, this isn’t just another car. This is an opportunity – an opportunity to really make a difference. And making a difference is what Toyota is all about,” Toyoda said in a promotional video for the Mirai.

    The car has the looks and design similar to a Camry or Corolla, yet has a certain “space-age” aesthetic to it as well. The Mirai definitely represents a step forward for Toyota, a company which hasn’t been scared to take the first leap with new and groundbreaking technologies in the past, as it did with the wide-scale release of the Prius.

    “Toyota’s vision of a hydrogen society is not just about building a great car, but ensuring accessible, reliable, and convenient refuelling for our customers,” said Jim Lentz, Toyota’s North American CEO.

    “I am happy to announce that this vision will expand beyond the borders of California and give customers the opportunity to join the fuel cell movement,” Lentz said.

    That refuelling that Lentz is referring to will start out in the northeast corridor, with 12 hydrogen stations planned to be built in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Those stations will be built under a partnership with Air Liquide, a producer and supplier of natural gases. These proposed fuelling stations will come in addition to the 19 that are planned for California, with help from First Element Fuels and funding from the California Energy Commission.

    In May 2014, Toyota announced a $7.3 million loan to FirstElement Fuels to support the operations and maintenance of 19 hydrogen fuelling stations across the state. The commitment augments funding provided by the California Energy Commission, and makes Toyota the only OEM to provide working capital for infrastructure development.

    “We imagined a world filled with vehicles that would diminish our dependence on oil and reduce harm to the environment. It was a bold, but inspiring goal. And, today it is a reality. Our fuel cell vehicle runs on hydrogen that can be made from virtually anything, even garbage!  It has a fuel cell that creates enough electricity to power a house for about a week. This is a car that lets you have it all with no compromises,” Toyoda stated.

    The Toyota chief believed that the new Mirai would open more doors for the company.

    “As a test driver, I knew this new fuel cell vehicle had to be truly fun to drive – and believe me, it is. It has a low centre of gravity, which gives it very dynamic handling. After surviving millions of miles on the test track and 10 years of testing on public roads in freezing cold and scorching heat. After passing extensive crash tests, we believe that behind the wheel of the Mirai, we can go places we have never been, to a world that is better, in a car that is better,” Toyoda noted.

    In welcoming the Mirai, Toyota is adding yet another weapon to its line-up of incredibly economical vehicles. Again, the company that took hybrids mainstream with the Prius is willing to make another bet on fuel cell vehicles, whose future is much more unclear. That uncertainty stems from the fact that there are no mass-market fuel cell vehicles currently on the market, and that many consumers are just now getting comfortable with the concept of electric and hybrid cars.

    But it’s hard to ignore those performance stats: 300 miles on a single tank, five-minute refuelling and only water vapour for emissions. Those figures alone will likely garner Toyota some early adopters, but like EVs, it’s probably going to be a while before knowing that the Mirai is a success. Since consumers will need a refuelling network nearby to make owning a fuel cell car viable, only a handful of people will actually be interested.

    But, Toyota has chosen to target two of the most heavily populated areas in America (and also two of the most environmentally conscious) to give it a shot, but getting people to buy into the idea will be a challenge.

    Perhaps the biggest issue facing the Mirai, when it ultimately hits the market, will be pricing. Toyota will bring the Mirai to the masses with a price tag of $57,500, putting it in the same price range as many luxury cars, and likely far above what most consumers would be looking to spend. Think about it, people are probably looking to purchase the Mirai in an effort to save money on operation costs, like fuel, but with such a high barrier to entry, they could easily end up looking at other models.

    The price can be dropped a bit in United States with the addition of state and federal incentives that Bloomberg says could drop the price by as much as $13,000. Still, that puts the Mirai at a price in the mid-$40,000 range, considerably more than the Prius or the swath of other EV and hybrid vehicles on the market. Add on to that the fact that only a handful of consumers will have access to refuelling stations, and Toyota could have a tough sell on their hands.

    In the Mirai, Toyota is definitely taking another step forward, and it’s impressive to say the least. There are others hot on the company’s heels, however, as Honda also has a fuel cell car in the works, and more are sure to follow. Much in the same way Toyota paved the way for hybrids and EVs to become mainstream, the Mirai could do the same for the fuel cell market. The only question is, will customers jump on board?

  • New Cayenne makes debut

    New Cayenne makes debut

    Embodying more power and greater efficiency, Porsche Centre Lagos, Stallion Motors Limited has welcomed the arrival of the all-new Cayenne, boasting enhanced performance, a sharpened design and more exciting features as standard. The new Cayenne extends the model’s evolving, 12-year success story as it continues to underline its position as a true sports car amongst SUVs.

    The new generation Cayenne will launch in three versions: Cayenne S, Cayenne Turbo, and for the first time, the Cayenne S E-Hybrid, the first plug-in hybrid in the premium SUV segment. Adding another chapter to Porsche’s unrivalled legacy of breaking new automotive ground, this model, together with the Panamera S E-Hybrid and the 918 Spyder, makes Porsche the world’s only carmaker to offer three plug-in hybrid models.

    All the three new Cayenne models feature redeveloped engines which deliver higher torque than their predecessors, coupled with lower fuel consumption, as Porsche continues its ethos of delivering increased power without compromising efficiency. When matched with more precise handling capabilities, the new Cayenne represents a sport SUV beyond compare.

    Anurag Shah, Brand Manager at Porsche Centre Lagos, Stallion Motors Limited, said: “The new Porsche Cayenne embodies the ultimate Porsche traits; class-leading performance and outstanding driveability. No matter the road conditions the new Cayenne delivers a unique automotive experience and we expect our local customers to share in the excitement around this thrilling evolution.”

    In its latest version, Porsche designers have given the Cayenne an even sharper design with precise lines and purposefully placed light refracting edges. Front body, front wings, bonnet and air blades are also newly shaped.

    At first glance, the new Cayenne is a Porsche through and through with its bi-xenon headlights and four-point LED daytime running lights. The new layout of the model’s rear lights creates a three-dimensional effect with the brake lights designed in four elements. The license plate, boot handle and lights are now integrated more elegantly into the boot lid. In addition to other modifications, the newly developed exhaust tailpipes are now incorporated in the lower rear section, while an automatically activating boot lid is fitted as standard.

    The three models – Cayenne S, Cayenne Turbo, and the Cayenne S E-Hybrid goes for N25 million and N39 million.

    In the interior, much of the layout has been shaped around the driver, with a new multifunction sport steering wheel – which can also be found in the 918 Spyder – featuring shift paddles as standard. The rear seating system is even more comfortable, with optional seat ventilation now available for the first time.

    Power and torque have been boosted while improving fuel economy in line with Porsche’s commitment to maximum output from minimum input. All new Cayenne models consume significantly less fuel, with the help of new features including a coasting function, a further advanced auto stop-start function plus (except Diesel) and optimised thermal management, with Active cooling air flaps now being used for the first time in the Cayenne. Located behind the middle air inlet, they are opened or closed according to the specific driving situation and cooling needs.