The Nation Newspaper

Category: Motoring

  • Land Rover introduces new compact SUV

    Land Rover introduces new compact SUV

    Discovery Sport’s progressive design sets the tone for a new generation of Land Rover Discovery premium SUVs. These vehicles will be positioned in the Leisure family of Land Rover’s three-pillar brand architecture: Luxury (Range Rover), Leisure (Discovery) and Dual-Purpose (Defender), writes TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO

    Land Rover has revealed the new Discovery Sport, the world’s most versatile premium compact SUV, and the first member of the new Discovery family. Uniquely in its segment, Discovery Sport’s dynamic design combines 5+2 seating configurability with design and engineering integrity in a compact footprint.

    A suite of Land Rover innovations debut, including the next generation multi-link rear axle, an all-new touch screen infotainment system and state-of-the-art high-strength steel and lightweight aluminium body shell for outstanding performance, safety and efficiency.

    Discovery Sport has been designed to be as environmentally sustainable as it is affordable to run: CO2 emissions as low as 159g/km are comparable to smaller and less versatile family hatchbacks, and buyers can opt for a range of powerful and efficient four-cylinder petrol or diesel engines, four-wheel drive, and advanced nine-speed automatic transmission.

    “The launch of Discovery Sport is a pivotal moment in Land Rover’s 66-year history,” said Phil Popham, Jaguar Land Rover Group Marketing Director. “Not only does it mark the introduction of the first new member of our expanding Discovery family, it also brings the versatility of 5+2 seating to the compact premium SUV market.

    “Together with design excellence and engineering integrity, Discovery Sport’s versatility is a key differentiator: its chassis is as competent on-road as off. Discovery Sport is quite simply the most accomplished vehicle in its segment.”

    Designed and engineered at Land Rover’s development centre in United Kingdom, Discovery Sport will be produced at the company’s award-winning manufacturing facility in Halewood, Liverpool. It goes on sale in early 2015 alongside the existing seven-seat Land Rover Discovery in over 170 markets worldwide.

     

    Designed for life

    Discovery Sport is clearly identifiable as a Land Rover but introduces a progressive new design approach specifically tailored to create clear differentiation between the other families within the Land Rover brand architecture: Luxury (Range Rover), Leisure (Discovery) and Dual-Purpose (Defender).

    This beautifully proportioned vehicle brings a new sense of dynamism to the Discovery family and projects an image of confidence with its wheel-at-each-corner stance.

    The fast bonnet line steps down into a rising belt line, creating a distinctively compact profile that belies significant interior space with 5+2 seating.

    This streamlined design is complemented by class-leading usability: all-round visibility is excellent, whilst the interior and load space are easily accessible and fully optimised.

    Discovery Sport’s versatile interior has been designed to be premium, not precious. The centre console forms a strong vertical graphic in the middle of the instrument panel, ensuring key controls are deliberately placed to provide easy access from the Sports Command Driving Position. Simple, clean surfaces and high-quality materials feature throughout.

     

    Lightweight body shell, all-new multi-link axle

    Monocoque construction combines a mix of high-strength steel, ultra-high-strength boron steel and lightweight aluminium panels. This ensures a strong, stiff and light base for outstanding dynamic performance and high levels of torsional rigidity. An all-new multi-link rear axle heightens agility, increases axle articulation and – together with lightweight aluminium suspension components and carefully calibrated dampers – enables an unrivalled level of compliance no matter what the surface conditions. The new rear axle also reduces interior noise and minimises intrusion of the rear suspension turrets into the load space; this has proved key in providing excellent load space and 5+2 seating.

    Powertrains

    At launch, a range of four-cylinder turbocharged petrol and turbo-diesel engines is available. All feature high-pressure direct injection, low-friction internal components and smart regenerative charging for outstanding performance and economy.

    Petrol derivatives use an all-alloy Si4 2.0-litre engine with 177kW and direct fuel injection. This offers six-cylinder levels of performance in a compact package that reduces weight and cuts CO2 emissions by up to 20 per cent, compared to conventional larger capacity engines with a similar power output.

    2.2-litre turbo-diesel derivatives are available in either 110kW TD4 or 140kW SD4 specification. With both TD4 and SD4 producing the same 420Nm, drivers can count on exceptional fuel efficiency of up to 5.99 l/100km as well as effortless overtaking ability.

    All engine derivatives are paired with the advanced ZF 9HP48 nine-speed automatic transmission, for peerless refinement, efficiency, driver engagement and off-road capability.

    Class-leading all-terrain capability

    Class-leading off-road capability stands at the core of Land Rover DNA. Naturally, Discovery Sport’s body geometry has been optimised for even the harshest terrain, with excellent ground clearance, approach, departure and breakover angles, and an ability to wade through water to a class-leading depth of 600mm.

    Land Rover’s Terrain Response system features on all derivatives, allowing drivers to tailor Discovery Sport’s responses to the prevailing conditions.

    Discovery Sport is equipped with vented 325mm front and 300mm rear disc brakes, providing reassuring stopping power in all conditions, including when towing up to 2.5 tonnes. The front brakes are of a new design, with a stiffer caliper and new-generation pads to enhance retardation. They also offer improved refinement and reduced brake dust.

    Further enhancing safety, Emergency Brake Assist (EBA) automatically increases the amount of brake pressure when the system senses an emergency situation; Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) helps to ensure the perfect braking balance between the front and rear wheels in more extreme situations; and Corner Brake Control (CBC) reduces the likelihood of the driver losing control during heavy braking in a corner.

    Advanced safety technologies

    Discovery Sport has been engineered with the latest active and passive safety advances. A comprehensive occupant safety package including driver and passenger airbags, knee airbags, and side curtain and thorax airbags has naturally been a priority. Innovations include an Autonomous Emergency Braking to help avoid or mitigate the consequences of collisions below 80km/h.

    Innovative Autonomous Emergency Braking avoids or minimises the impact of collisions

    Discovery Sport is the world’s first vehicle to offer an autonomous emergency braking system using an innovative stereo digital camera system. Operational between speeds of 5 and 80km/h, the system helps to avoid collisions below 50km/h, and reduces the severity of an impact at speeds below 80km/h.

    The system uses stereo cameras mounted next to the rear-view mirror to detect objects that could pose the risk of a collision, such as queuing traffic. If the system deems a collision likely, it will alert the driver with a visual and audible warning. If no action is taken and a collision is judged unavoidable, a further driver warning is triggered while the system applies full braking pressure to bring the vehicle to a stop.

    “Advanced touchscreen technology and an intuitive interface ensures Discovery Sport’s infotainment system offers all the versatility and connectivity that consumers have come to expect,” said Paul Cleaver, Discovery Sport Vehicle Programme Director. “Every Discovery Sport is fitted with an 8-inch touchscreen, so all buyers can benefit from this latest innovation.”

    Bluetooth functionality allows one phone to be synced to the infotainment system: to make or receive hands-free phone calls via multi-function steering wheel controls and to play audio. Alternatively, smartphones and portable MP3 players can be synced and charged via USB sockets or auxiliary inputs.

    A choice of three audio systems, including 17-speaker Meridian option for peerless sound quality

    A choice of three stereo systems is available: an entry-level system with six speakers; a 10-speaker system with amplifier for enhanced audio quality; and a top-of-the-range system with 10 speakers, an amplifier and subwoofer for outstanding sound reproduction.

    The advanced optional audio system has been developed in partnership with Meridian, a world leader in audio technologies and digital sound processing. The 825W, Meridian Surround Sound 17-speaker system includes a subwoofer for peerless sound quality, and a state-of-the-art amplifier that incorporates the latest digital processing technology to ensure perfectly optimised sound quality for everyone in the vehicle.  This system is packaged with a Rear Screen Entertainment option which includes “8 inch screens fitted in the front headrests and two Whitefire headphones.

  • Volks announces Russian shutdown

    The Russian auto industry is not in a great place right now. A weakened currency, the rouble, is stinging automakers, and in the case of Volkswagen, has prompted a trimming of production.

    VW lowered production projections at its Kaluga factory from 150,000 units per year to just 120,000. Kaluga, which builds the Tiguan crossover and Polo compact, as well as the Skoda Fabia and Octavia, kicked off its production reduction last week, with the start of a 10-day furlough.

    The German manufacturer is not exactly pulling the plug on its Russian operations. VW was quick to point out to Reuters that a new engine production facility and parts depot will go online in Russia next year. Although VW’s trimming of expectations does reflect larger concerns in the country, the most obvious of which were voiced by Opel.

    “There is no doubt that the situation in Russia is a concern. The market has shrunk substantially over the past few months and the Ukraine crisis has added to the uncertainty,” Opel spokesman Peter Christian Kuespert told Automobilwoche, according to Reuters.

  • Weststar offers two-door Wrangler

    Weststar offers two-door Wrangler

    Weststar Associates Limited, an authorised distributor of Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge and Ram in Nigeria is offering the two-door 2014 Jeep Wrangler Sahara, in addition to the already widely sold 2014 four-door model. Weststar’s decision to bring in the two-door Wrangler to Nigeria was based on its desire to deliver a variety of choices to its customers.

    The attractive and recent two-door Wrangler Sahara comes with a rugged but refined interior, boasts a five-speed Automatic transmission, and impressively arrives with a black three-piece Removable Hard Top.

    There is ample storage space, thoughtfully designed ergonomics and improved Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH). Protection, comfort and convenience features like: Sahara embroidered front seats, illuminated cup holders, lighting in the foot well and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror with integrated LED are part of the attractive package. Also available is the Uconnect System with its entertainment features, phone, web, Uconnect Voice Command with Bluetooth, an Audio Jack Input for mobile devices, plus Remote USB Port.

    The available wide range of safety and security features still come standard, along with its impressively powerful and efficient 3.6L Pentastar V6 VVT engine. This 285-horsepower engine is ready to provide you with power, satisfying fuel efficiency with up to 600 km on a tank of fuel, and will deliver up to 260 pound-feet of torque, justifying it being voted as one of Ward’s 10 Best Engines for 2013.

    A particular selling point of the two-door Wrangler Sahara is its Short Wheel Base. This makes it lighter, and when fitted with the right kind of modifications, they are the perfect choice for off-roading.

    Lovers of the model should expect the presence of the Command-Trac 4WD system, which helps deliver more control and more torque at the wheels to enable you go virtually anywhere you point your vehicle.

  • Road accidents in Nigeria will remain high if………

    • There are no standard theory and practical tests for learners before being issued licence. Today in Nigeria, there are officers of the state governments and the Federal Road Safety Commission who have printed driving school certificates in their table drawers or cabinets which they personally issue to learners who did not even attend any driving school thereby making people that go to driving schools look foolish. This destructive selfish habit must be stopped forthwith. It is also time for the Federal Road Safety Commission and the state government agencies to conclude arrangements on the uniform theory and practical tests to be conducted monthly or quarterly in all the states in Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory (including verbal versions for those who cannot read and write since they cannot be avoided in Nigeria for now). This if done, will promote standards among the driving schools and safety on the roads since the learners will prefer to attend only the schools that will effectively teach them to guarantee their success in the tests and as it happens in the secondary schools preparing students for WAEC Examinations.

    • Pre – Driver Licence Renewal Refresher Training – Without doubt, majority of Nigerians driving today did not receive the right training in driving schools and this has been impacting negatively on the driving of some of them. In addition, vehicle technology, driver health and the road environment are dynamic. Hence the need for every driver (including drivers of self – owned vehicles as long as you are holding the driver licence) to undergo a mandatory pre – licence renewal refresher training in driving schools. Driving has to do with human lives and valuable properties and it must be appropriately addressed with a very high degree of seriousness without selfish motives. If other professionals have continuing education programmes and workers undergo different levels of capacity building programmes, why not same in driving, whether you drive daily or occasionally, for a living or for pleasure.

    • Introduction of licence seizure or driver suspension:  It is time for the Federal Road Safety Commission to be more present on the roads and focus more attention on what happens on the roads and not             in offices. Any driver who causes  an accident or commits dangerous driving offence should have his or her driver licence withdrawn and also banned from driving for a specific period of time depending on the degree or circumstances surrounding the accident caused by him or her. This will make people see safety – consciousness as expedient.

    To be continued.

  • Jeep Wrangler Rubicon makes debut

    Jeep Wrangler Rubicon makes debut

    Jeep, the legendary off-road and sports utility vehicle (SUV), is back again with a new addition – The 2014 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. It is stylish, provides fun and offers maximum comfort even while tackling rough terrains, writes TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO

    After observing the wide acceptance of the Wrangler in the Nigerian auto market, Weststar Associates Ltd, the Authorised General Distributor of Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram in Nigeria, now debuts the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon.

    Mirko Plath, the Managing Director and CEO of Weststar Associates, is convinced that the Rubicon will prove to be a “big hit” among the lovers of the acclaimed SUV.

    The 2014 Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited is a model of the Iconic, rugged Jeep – a popular American automobile brand division of Chrysler Group LLC, now a subsidiary of the Italian multinational automaker – Fiat SPA.

    Easily identifiable by its fender flares, symbolic seven-slot grille and 17-inch polished mineral grey wheels, the Wrangler is stylish, fun and offers maximum comfort even whilst tackling rough terrains.

    The four-door Rubicon Unlimited version, which is designed in premium leather seats, offers notable features like the mono-tube shock absorbers which have low speed tune-able valve technology that is firm on the rocks and relaxed at higher speeds. It also features standard Dana 44 front and rear axles which are equipped with Tru-Lok locking differentials and offer the ultimate in traction. In addition, the Rubicon has elevated height for better ground clearance – suitable for the Nigerian roads, and the front axle sway bar disconnect allows for better articulation off-road.

    The Wrangler Rubicon can be appreciated for its weather-resistant surfaces and its courtesy interior lights which illuminate the front footwells.

    Like all other Wranglers, the Rubicon is fortified with standard safety and security features. Besides advanced multistage front airbags which help provide occupant protection by matching airbag output to impact severity, there are also side-supplemental airbags with sensor detection. Hill Descent Control helps monitor throttle, speed and braking when travelling downhill, and the Hill Start Assist keeps your brakes applied for a short time after one removed foot from the brake to give time to accelerate without rollback. Inclusive are on-road four wheel disc Antilock Brake System (ABS), and Brake Assist, high-efficiency round fog lamps comprising of chip-resistant polycarbonate plastic lenses with halogen bulbs that provide a low, wide beam of light, tire pressure monitoring display system to enable them drive with the utmost confidence, the sentry key engine system which makes it virtually impossible for anyone without a valid key to drive your vehicle, and the Electric Stability Control (ESC) with the Trailer sway Control (TSC) help keep you (and whatever you are towing) safely and securely on course and under control. Also available are: special quiet, watertight three-ply sunrider soft top that is easy to fold away, the freedom top hardtop which gives driver the control to bring in the sun as deemed fit, removable full-framed doors and fold-down windshield. Delivering communication and entertainment straight into the vehicle is the U-connect System. This consists of the CD/DVD and Mp3 player, Voice Command, and U-connect Phone via Bluetooth.

    The Rubicon brags a powerful and efficient 3.6L Pentastar, V6 VVT 285-horsepower engine that provides power, satisfying fuel efficiency with up to 600 km on a tank of fuel, and delivers up to 260 pound-feet of  torque. The Rock-Trac 4WD system enables more control and torque at the wheels to help go virtually anywhere driver point the vehicle.

    Despite boasting under body armour that protects its critical components with 2.5-mm stamped steel skid plates on its fuel tank and transfer case and heavy duty forged-steel dual front and single rear frame-mounted tow hooks for pulling less capable vehicles out of ditches, the Wrangler is still considered a high-end luxury vehicle.

    The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon is available at Weststar Associates and its authorised dealerships. It comes with a four-year free service and an integration into its Jeep Plus programme. This programme comes with a Jeep Plus card and enables Jeep customers to be recipients of many rewarding benefits.

    Equipped with up-to- date workshops and skilled technical man-power, Weststar Associates assures its customers that their vehicles are in good and capable hands.

     

  • New Ford Mustang out soon

    New Ford Mustang out soon

    For the first time, a right-hand-drive version of Ford Mustang will be made, for sale in more than 25 markets such as the United Kingdom, Australia and South Africa, the Dearborn, Michigan-based automaker said in a statement.

    President of the Americas at Ford Motor Company, Joe Hinrichs, said the firm has begun the building of the sixth generation of its 50-year-old Mustang sports car at a Michigan plant for export to more than 120 countries.

    Ford wants to widen the appeal of a quintessential muscle car, which has been outsold by General Motors Co.’s Chevrolet Camaro for the past four years. The Mustang, which Executive Chairman Bill Ford has called the company’s “most important product,” has long helped woo buyers to its broader lineup. The redesign aims to meet global safety standards while retaining classic cues such as the long hood and three-bar taillights.

    “It’s been designed to be accepted globally,” said Michael Robinet, an analyst at consultant IHS Automotive. “But there is still a lot of traditional American design in that vehicle.”

    The Mustang is being built at a Flat Rock, Michigan, factory, south of Detroit, which also makes the Fusion sedan. The two cars have similar grilles but share few parts, Robinet said. If sales take off for either model, Ford could add a third crew of workers at the plant and boost annual production to more than 300,000 vehicles, from about 220,000 now, he said.

    “Ford now has the flexibility to turn the volume knob up or down at Flat Rock. They have the ability to allow the Mustang to stretch its legs from an export perspective,” he said.

    Ford will decide about that in about a year, Hinrichs said.

    “There is definitely available capacity for a third shift,” said Hinrichs, who added that Flat Rock is one of Ford’s only plants operating on just two shifts. “We’ll know by the second half of 2015 how global demand is going.”

    The United Auto Workers would welcome the addition of U.S. jobs, said Jimmy Settles, the union vice president who represents Ford workers.

    “We will agree to a third shift right now if Joe says yes,” he said. But “they are not going to give us any raises, they are not going to give us products prior to the negotiations next year for a new contract, Settles noted.

    Mustang sales in the U.S. rose 3.9 percent to 50,795 this year through July, after declining seven  percent to 77,186 for all of last year.

    Camaro sales climbed 13 percent through July to 56,633, after falling 4.5 percent to 80,567 in 2013. The Camaro, redesigned in 2009, overtook the Mustang a year later, ending Ford’s 24-year run with the top-selling sports car in the U.S.

    Buyers of these models tend to respond to new designs, Hinrichs said.

    The Mustang’s best sales were in the 1960s, when Ford built more than 600,000 in a year.

    Ford pioneered so-called pony cars with the introduction of the Mustang in April 1964, and it appeared in Switzerland in that year’s James Bond movie “Goldfinger.” Four years later in “Bullitt,” Steve McQueen’s good guy drove a roaring, squealing Mustang in an extended scene that helped redefine the movie car chase.

  • Stallion Motors partners Diamond Bank on centenary bonanza

    Stallion Motors partners Diamond Bank on centenary bonanza

    Stallion Motors Limited in collaboration with Diamond Bank Plc has inaugurated new sales offer for customers to discover the uniqueness of precision engineered Volkswagen and Skoda passenger cars in a commemorative sales bonanza – tagged ‘Nigeria Centenary Celebration Bonanza.’

    Announcing the scheme in Lagos, Volkswagen Nigeria Head of Sales and Marketing, Mr Manish Daryanani said the offer is designed with a seamless repayment sequence to ease the process of vehicle ownership.

    The bonanza, which offers for sale a select Volkswagen and Skoda models, including Volkswagen Polo, Jetta, Passat and CC variants as well as Skoda Rapid and Octavia models.

    Daryanani said customers can walk into any of Stallion Motors’ Volkswagen and Skoda showrooms nationwide to place their orders.

    Volkswagen and Skoda are part of the Volkswagen Group marketed in Nigeria under the Stallion Motors franchise.

    Skoda World Head of Sales and Marketing, Mr Sanjay Rupani said the scheme is open to all customers including those with or without functional account at Diamond Bank PLC.

    He said the trio of Volkswagen, Skoda and Diamond Bank PLC have cautiously designed the scheme to enable beneficiaries’ access interest free funds without necessarily paying processing fees or showing collateral.

    And as part of the bonanza, “customers will be eligible to one year free service and one year comprehensive insurance cover couple with other benefits as special anniversary pricing, free registration and one free Samsung Galaxy Note 3 NEO phone for any Volkswagen and Skoda cars purchased during this campaign,” Rupani explained.

    While also adding that successful customers could spread payment tenure over a period of up to 48 months in affordable monthly installments, the Skoda World sales and marketing coordinator said the evolving needs and preferences of prospective vehicle buyers prompted this campaign, which essentially seeks to change the predisposition of car buyers to embrace tried and tested European brands that are durable and serviceable.

    “Our objective is to provide the best products and services to our customers and enable them to enjoy value-added experience in line with Volkswagen clear value for customers – affordability, reliability and German engineering,” he said.

    The auto marketing concern has announced starting monthly installment of N66, 000 for Volkswagen Polo; N76, 000 for Jetta; N110, 000 for Passat; N114, 000 for the CC while Skoda Rapid and Octavia start from N71, 000 and N81, 000 monthly installments respectively.

     

  • Road accidents in Nigeria will remain high if………

    Daily reports in Nigeria are still pointing to the fact that the rate of road accidents (crashes) and fatalities is still disturbingly high.

    We should still remind ourselves of the recent rating of Nigeria as second to the last of 193 countries with high rates of road accidents.

    The truth I wish to categorically state here is that unless the issues I want to mention in this article are objectively considered and addressed, the rate of accidents and fatalities in Nigeria will continue to be on the rise.

    • Inadequate monitoring of the roads – There are some portion of intra and inter – State roads that have become death traps simply because the government officials responsible are not prompt in monitoring for quality construction by the Contractor or maintenance.

    • Misplaced priority – Evidences abound that Government (Federal and States) and their agencies have and are still misplacing priorities in issues relating to the safety of lives and properties. For example, in the whole country with a population of over 150 million people, there is no single standard driving range constructed  by the Federal Government, state government, Federal Road Safety Commission, Ministries of Transport, Ministries of Works nor by other agencies which the driving schools can use to train people how to drive or test candidates for Licence processing. Instead of focusing on this, the state governments are busy establishing drivers institute without driving range but just for income generation thereby limiting the opportunities that should have been available to driving schools to generate income, improve their standards, pay more taxes and make more impacts.  The Federal Road Safety Commission is also busy running around to companies to conduct training programmes for drivers, a function that the same Federal Road Safety Commission and the State Vehicle Inspection Departments certified the Driving Schools to perform. How many vehicles and drivers on Nigeria roads today passed the standards of the Federal Road Safety Commission and the Vehicle Inspection Officers? Why are they still moving about on the roads with impunity? The answer is not far fetched, the people to check and control them have been diverted by fund mobilisation for the governments and for personal pockets.

     

    3.            There are no standard Theory and Practical Tests for Learners before being issued Licence. Today in Nigeria, there are Officers of the State Governments and the Federal Road Safety Commission who have printed Driving School Certificates in their table drawers or cabinets which they personally issue to Learners who did not even attend any driving school thereby making people that go to driving schools look foolish. This destructive selfish habit must be stopped forthwith. It is also time for the Federal Road Safety Commission and the State Government Agencies to conclude arrangements on the uniform Theory and Practical Tests to be conducted monthly or quarterly in all the States in Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory (including verbal versions for those who cannot read and write since they cannot be avoided in Nigeria for now). This if done, will promote standards among the Driving Schools and safety on the roads since the Learners will prefer to attend only the schools that will effectively teach them to guarantee their success in the tests and as it happens in the Secondary Schools preparing students for WAEC Examinations.

    4.          Pre – Driver Licence Renewal Refresher Training – Without doubt, majority of Nigerians driving today did not receive the right training in Driving Schools and this has been impacting negatively on the driving of some of them. In addition, Vehicle technology, Driver health and the Road environment are dynamic. Hence the need for every Driver (including Drivers of self – own vehicles as long as you are holding the Driver Licence) to undergo a mandatory Pre – Licence Renewal Refresher training in Driving Schools. Driving has to do with human lives and valuable properties and it must be appropriately addressed with a very high degree of seriousness without selfish motives. If other Professionals have continuing Education programmes and workers undergo different levels of capacity building programmes, why not same in driving, whether you drive daily or occasionally, for a living or for pleasure.

    5.          Introduction of Licence seizure or Driver Suspension – it is time for the Federal Road Safety Commission to be more present on the roads and focus more attention on what happens on the roads and not on offices. Any Driver who caused an accident or commit dangerous driving offence should have his or her Driver Licence withdrawn and also banned from driving for a specific period of time depending on the degree or circumstances surrounding the accident caused by him or her. This will make people see safety – consciousness as expedient.

    6.          Government (Federal and States) must adequately fund their road and traffic management Agencies to ensure the availability of all the infrastructures and equipment needed to facilitate safety and security on all roads in Nigeria both in the day and in the night. How long will it take us to be among the Countries with good roads, safety cameras on highways, Breathalyzer or Alcolizers for detecting drunk or drugged Drivers, Middle and Side road markings, adequate and appropriate road traffic signs among others?

    7.          Regular Transport and Safety Conference – There is a need for an annual conference of all Stakeholders by the Federal Ministry of Transport where all issues touching road safety will be regularly addressed for input into the Federal, States and Local Government programmes to further enhance safety and security on Nigeria roads. I am very confident that if the above and allied issues are looked into without bias by the Federal and State Governments and other Agencies, there will be drastic reduction in the rate of road traffic crashes and fatalities thereby improving the global rating of Nigeria.

    8.          Inattention to Other Road Users – As at today in Nigeria, there has been no serious focus on the training and re – raining Motorcycle (Okada) and Tricycle (KeKe NAPEP) Riders. Without doubt, these categories of the mode of transportation carry the highest volume of Passengers in some parts of every State in Nigeria including the Federal Capital Territory. They also have the highest rate of accidents and fatalities. Why then are the Government not taking proactive actions to prevent these loses? The ban of Okada from the Cities and their replacement with Tricycles are mere policy decorations or rhetorics which is far from solving the problems.

     

     

    9.          Imagine a situation where officers of Federal Road Safety Commission, Vehicle Inspection Departments (VIOs), Nigeria Police Force, Traffic Police Officers (Yellow Fever), Highway Patrol Officers, State Traffic Management Officers (LASTMA in Lagos State, TRACE in Ogun State, etc), Military Officers, Joint Task Force, and the State/Local Government Revenue Collectors do stop vehicles to check all the particulars and Drivers Licence with the main goal of extorting money from the Drivers and in some cases from the passengers who are Traders transporting their goods. Ask some Commercial and Private Drivers on plying intra and inter – state roads how many points they are stopped, checked by the Officers of these Agencies and drained of money, oftentimes within an interval of less than one kilometer.

    When multitudes of people are rushing and competing to do the same job, there is always the tendency to neglect other or more vital jobs that could have been better done if there is distinct separation of powers or result – oriented definition of duties.

    No matter the duties that any of these Officers may put forward, the bottom-line is income generation and illegal extortion. They are unknowingly creating emotional pressure for the Drivers which is a great cause of road accidents.

    10.        The Federal Road Safety Commission regulates the Driving Schools in Nigeria. The Vehicle Inspection Department of the State Government regulates the Driving Schools, State Drivers Institutes regulate the Driving Schools, the Nigerian Police Force intervenes in the operation of Driving Schools, the Standard Organisation of Nigeria intervenes in the operation of Driving Schools and the Board of Internal Revenue in some States also intervenes in the operation of Driving Schools in some States in Nigeria. To whom then are the Driving Schools in Nigeria responsible to or should take orders from? Unless this is defined and enforced, there will continue to be a dangerous disorder not favourable to road safety education in Nigeria.

     

    In some vein, the Motor Vehicle Licencing Authorities and the Board of Internal Revenue handle the issue of Learners permit to Learners. The Learners Permit confers the right on learners to drive on the road pending the issuance of Driver Licence to the Candidates. How can an agency that is not responsible for the Training of Drivers issue Learners Permit which certifies them okay to driver?

     

    By all standards, it is the Driving Schools that train the Candidates that can confirm if they are qualified to be issued Learners Permit. This means that the State Governments should allow only Driving Schools to issue Learners Permit to the Candidates on their behalf on mutually agreed terms. It is time to do things right to get the right result in the interest of our dear Nation Nigeria.

    Every Rider must be subjected to pre – Licence and pre – Licence Renewal comprehensive theory and practical Training and Tests in the Driving Schools since they cannot be completely phased out in Nigeria today because of the state of the economy and poor road infrastructures.

    All other road users such as Animal Rearers, Truck Pushers, Bicycle Riders, School Children and pedestrians must be subjected to regular training and re – training using different fora (including radio, television Newspapers and Road shows). Multi – sectoral and holistic approach must be employed by the Government through their Agencies and other Stakeholders to ensure that we truly committed in words and in deed to accomplishment the goals of the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety in Nigeria.

     

  • Jeep Wrangler Rubicon makes debut

    Jeep Wrangler Rubicon makes debut

    Jeep, the legendary off-road and sports utility vehicle (SUV), is back again with a new addition – The 2014 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. It is stylish, provides fun and offers maximum comfort even while tackling rough terrains, writes TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO

    After observing the wide acceptance of the Wrangler in the Nigerian auto market, Weststar Associates Ltd, the Authorised General Distributor of Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram in Nigeria, now debuts the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon.

    Mirko Plath, the Managing Director and CEO of Weststar Associates, is convinced that the Rubicon will prove to be a “big hit” among the lovers of the acclaimed SUV.

    The 2014 Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited is a model of the Iconic, rugged Jeep – a popular American automobile brand division of Chrysler Group LLC, now a subsidiary of the Italian multinational automaker – Fiat SPA.

    Easily identifiable by its fender flares, symbolic seven-slot grille and 17-inch polished mineral grey wheels, the Wrangler is stylish, fun and offers maximum comfort even whilst tackling rough terrains.

    The four-door Rubicon Unlimited version, which is designed in premium leather seats, offers notable features like the mono-tube shock absorbers which have low speed tune-able valve technology that is firm on the rocks and relaxed at higher speeds. It also features standard Dana 44 front and rear axles which are equipped with Tru-Lok locking differentials and offer the ultimate in traction. In addition, the Rubicon has elevated height for better ground clearance – suitable for the Nigerian roads, and the front axle sway bar disconnect allows for better articulation off-road.

    The Wrangler Rubicon can be appreciated for its weather-resistant surfaces and its courtesy interior lights which illuminate the front footwells.

    Like all other Wranglers, the Rubicon is fortified with standard safety and security features. Besides advanced multistage front airbags which help provide occupant protection by matching airbag output to impact severity, there are also side-supplemental airbags with sensor detection. Hill Descent Control helps monitor throttle, speed and braking when travelling downhill, and the Hill Start Assist keeps your brakes applied for a short time after one removed foot from the brake to give time to accelerate without rollback. Inclusive are on-road four wheel disc Antilock Brake System (ABS), and Brake Assist, high-efficiency round fog lamps comprising of chip-resistant polycarbonate plastic lenses with halogen bulbs that provide a low, wide beam of light, tire pressure monitoring display system to enable them drive with the utmost confidence, the sentry key engine system which makes it virtually impossible for anyone without a valid key to drive your vehicle, and the Electric Stability Control (ESC) with the Trailer sway Control (TSC) help keep you (and whatever you are towing) safely and securely on course and under control. Also available are: special quiet, watertight three-ply sunrider soft top that is easy to fold away, the freedom top hardtop which gives driver the control to bring in the sun as deemed fit, removable full-framed doors and fold-down windshield. Delivering communication and entertainment straight into the vehicle is the U-connect System. This consists of the CD/DVD and Mp3 player, Voice Command, and U-connect Phone via Bluetooth.

    The Rubicon brags a powerful and efficient 3.6L Pentastar, V6 VVT 285-horsepower engine that provides power, satisfying fuel efficiency with up to 600 km on a tank of fuel, and delivers up to 260 pound-feet of  torque. The Rock-Trac 4WD system enables more control and torque at the wheels to help go virtually anywhere driver point the vehicle.

    Despite boasting under body armour that protects its critical components with 2.5-mm stamped steel skid plates on its fuel tank and transfer case and heavy duty forged-steel dual front and single rear frame-mounted tow hooks for pulling less capable vehicles out of ditches, the Wrangler is still considered a high-end luxury vehicle.

    The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon is available at Weststar Associates and its authorised dealerships. It comes with a four-year free service and an integration into its Jeep Plus programme. This programme comes with a Jeep Plus card and enables Jeep customers to be recipients of many rewarding benefits.

    Equipped with up-to- date workshops and skilled technical man-power, Weststar Associates assures its customers that their vehicles are in good and capable hands.

  • Road accidents in Nigeria will remain high if………

    Daily reports in Nigeria are still pointing to the fact that the rate of road accidents (crashes) and fatalities is still disturbingly high.

    We should still remind ourselves of the recent rating of Nigeria as second to the last of 193 countries with high rates of road accidents.

    The truth I wish to categorically state here is that unless the issues I want to mention in this article are objectively considered and addressed, the rate of accidents and fatalities in Nigeria will continue to be on the rise.

    • Inadequate monitoring of the roads – There are some portion of intra and inter – State roads that have become death traps simply because the government officials responsible are not prompt in monitoring for quality construction by the Contractor or maintenance.

    • Misplaced priority – Evidences abound that Government (Federal and States) and their agencies have and are still misplacing priorities in issues relating to the safety of lives and properties. For example, in the whole country with a population of over 150 million people, there is no single standard driving range constructed  by the Federal Government, state government, Federal Road Safety Commission, Ministries of Transport, Ministries of Works nor by other agencies which the driving schools can use to train people how to drive or test candidates for Licence processing. Instead of focusing on this, the state governments are busy establishing drivers institute without driving range but just for income generation thereby limiting the opportunities that should have been available to driving schools to generate income, improve their standards, pay more taxes and make more impacts.  The Federal Road Safety Commission is also busy running around to companies to conduct training programmes for drivers, a function that the same Federal Road Safety Commission and the State Vehicle Inspection Departments certified the Driving Schools to perform. How many vehicles and drivers on Nigeria roads today passed the standards of the Federal Road Safety Commission and the Vehicle Inspection Officers? Why are they still moving about on the roads with impunity? The answer is not far fetched, the people to check and control them have been diverted by fund mobilisation for the governments and for personal pockets.

     

    • To be continued