The Nation Newspaper

Category: Motoring

  • Skoda out with dynamic Rapid Sedan

    Skoda out with dynamic Rapid Sedan

    With advanced technology systems, the new Skoda Rapid offers more space than one would expect among the B-Segment vehicles and is uniquely adorned inside to cater for growing demands for a budget car. TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO reports.

    Skoda may soon hit a chord with the public following the introduction of the all-new Rapid – a straightforward, spacious, good value B-segment competitor.

    An emerging B–segment Rapid Sedan is Skoda’s first model, incorporating the automaker’s new design language characterised by crisp lines that help to define clean surfaces.

    Also imbued with technologically advanced systems, the Rapid, according to Skoda, is designed to bridge the gap between the Fabia and Octavia, yet offers more space than one would expect and is uniquely adorned inside to cater for growing demands for budget car with agility of an A-segment car.

    Stallion Motors Limited (Skoda World) Head of Sales and Marketing, Mr Sanjay Rupani, at the presentation of the Rapid at a press launch in Lagos, said: “Skoda is going places and it would not be out of place to say the automaker wants to revise its production targets upwards, from a stated goal of 1.8 million cars per year by 2018.”

    He added that the Rapid is Skoda’s latest model in a roll-out of new products that include the new Octavia and a large SUV that would debut soon.

    “It is the Rapid that brings some balance to the line-up, sitting as it does in the gap between the Fabia, which was previously referred to as a conventional super-mini.

    “A straightforward, spacious, good value B-segment sedan, Skoda Rapid will occupy the ‘small family’ ground and soon push the Octavia up into fleet territory,” the marketing helmsman boasted.

    He described the Rapid as an average-sized car, of average weight and wears the kind of keen price sticker one would expect to find on a car that is aimed mainly at private buyers.

    “What may well also surprise prospective buyers’ is Skoda’s high-value brand image, quality of materials used inside yet competitively priced,” Rupani said.

    In the creation of each Skoda car, developers, he said, placed emphasis on added value, especially in relation to the cost (value for money). In this respect, the Rapid, like other Skoda models, employs a raft of solutions under the motto “Simply Clever,” some of which have never before featured in a similar car.”

    Why then should I buy a Skoda Rapid? Rupani said: “In a market sector where storage space is an important feature, the Rapid enters the fray with good credentials, offering 550 litres of space, expandable to 1, 380litres when the seats are down. This clearly triumphs the Golf for instance, which offers 380 and 1, 318litres.

    Built in Czech Republic and underpinned by German Technology, the new Rapid ride on what was already a strong foundation and offers more room than any other car in its class, flashing a price tag that undercuts competitions.

    Buyers, he said, can similarly explore Skoda world’s mouth-watering deals and finance schemes for keen drivers.

    Skoda Rapid is available with a variety of engines, but the highlight for Nigeria market is the 1.6bhp MPI / 77kw Turbocharged petrol engine with high pressure direct injection system. This engine offers better handling when compared to similar vehicles in its category.

    Standard safety kit on the rapid includes driver and passenger as well as ABS and ESP. All these helped it score full marks in the Euro NCAP crash tests, making it one of the safest cars in its class.

    Its engines are made such that they offer the best fuel economy with smooth and refined drive.

  • Intermotors for Abuja Motor Show with Chevrolet

    Intermotors for Abuja Motor Show with Chevrolet

    Intermotors, a division of CFAO Motors Nigeria Limited and the sole distributor of Chevrolet brand in Nigeria is set to hit the Abuja Motor Show with a bang.

    First, the N1million promo is extended to the show for buyers of Chevrolet Captiva. Second, there will be a special and exciting price offer for those who want to buy the recently launched 2013 model of the Chevrolet Cruze.

    Third, Nigerians will see for the first time live, a 2014 Chevrolet N300 seven-seater minibus and its cargo van variant. These will be spiced with gift items and special prizes that would excite all visitors to the Chevrolet stand

    According to Mrs Francesca Fabunmi, Head, Intermotors, this year’s Ninth appearance of the Chevrolet brand at the Eagles Square fair ground promises to be one to remember for a long time to come.

    She said: “We have carefully planned our participation in this year’s Abuja Motor Show in such a way that anyone who visits and buys from our pavilion will have reasons to smile more.

    “With Captiva, our customers will be getting more value for their money’s worth, a seven-seater, all leather 2.4L SUV with a N1m discount!

    Part of this special motor show bumper package is the special price offer of the Chevrolet Cruze, a 1.8L , 17-inch Alloy wheel curvy glider with multiple safety features and low fuel consumption capacity.”

    Mrs Fabunmi said Intermotors will be presenting the model of the Cruze during the nine-day event. She also said the Special fair price offer will not be let out of the bag and will serve a surprise package; “all I want to say is that it will be mouth-watering. We have placed N1million give away on Captiva and it will be interesting to see the expressions of surprise on visitors’ faces when they hear first-hand, the price which Cruze will be offered to them at the show. The taste of the pudding is in the eating.”

     

  • Hyundai Motors partners Diamond Bank on car offer

    Hyundai Motors partners Diamond Bank on car offer

    Hyundai Motors Nigeria Limited (HMNL) in collaboration with Diamond Bank PLC has announced the introduction of flexible sales offer at affordable price.

    Announcing the incentive which promises to be resilient, HMNL Head, Sales and Marketing, Mr Jatin Nadkarni, said: “The objective of the campaign is to woo perceptive customers to ‘live brilliantly’ by buying precision engineered Hyundai vehicles that reassures, on value.”

    He explained that the campaign was part of efforts to implement Hyundai’s brand essence of ‘Modern Premium’ – which seeks to reassert Hyundai’s commitment with new experience and values that are beyond customers’ expectations.

    The offer is not limited to Accent, Elantra and Santa Fe models.

    “The sales offer is exclusively seamless without any hidden charges and is open to individuals and fleet buyers,” Nadkarni noted.

    Prospective customers, including those without pragmatic account with bank, can also access the scheme to procure any of the aforementioned Hyundai vehicles, the sales and marketing helmsman affirmed.

    He added that the scheme offers the first three services free in line with Hyundai Service Schedule.

    Nadkarni said: “The Hyundai experience begins from the very moment a customer walks into any Hyundai Motors Nigeria showrooms nationwide to process an application for a Hyundai car to discover Hyundai’s Brilliant Moment.”

  • Ember months: Firm offers travellers ‘easy ride’

    Ember months: Firm offers travellers ‘easy ride’

    The Chief Executive Officer of Ifesinachi Motors, Prince Emeka Mamah, has expressed the preparedness of his company to make the difference in these ‘ember months.’

    Mamah said: “We have vowed to give our numerous travellers the best of services never witnessed anywhere in the country. We are strategically positioned to embark on journeys at appropriate times at various locations of Ifesinachi bus terminals. Movements have also been made very easy for our travellers, whereby they can buy their tickets online rather than coming to the office to queue up. We have also procured state-of-the-art passenger jeeps that stand our company out. We have also put in place strategies to ensure that travellers will get to their destinations safely.

    “The roads have improved when compared to what was obtainable in the past, especially from Lagos to Enugu or anywhere in the east. I commend the powers that be for considering our plight by doing justice to those bad areas on our roads. I want to say that what’s worth doing should be done well rather than keeping quiet and allowing our infrastructure to go bad before considering repairs. It pleases me to say that much had been done and like Oliver twist, more should be done to improve on Nigeria roads. We expect free traffic, less accidents and attacks on the highways.”

    On the outstanding features of his company, he said: “Ifesinachi’s vehicles are wonders on wheels – very comfortable, roomy, the convenience unequalled and fully air conditioned having seat belts per sit. Each takes maximum of 11 passengers,” adding: “We did this for our passengers who are on the move having in mind the importance of time.

    “We have initiated measures to make sure that our drivers are well prepared for the challenges ahead. It has been a continuous training, frequent eye checks, good remunerations and working relationship with our management team. Over the years, this has been our guiding principles for our drivers,” he added.

  • Firm to launch product

    Firm to launch product

    A leading automative and Construction Company, Richbon Nigeria Limited, is set to launch an XGMA construction equipment in Nigeria.

    The Managing Director, Richbon Nigeria Limited, Assumpta Muonagolu made this known in an interview with The Nation.

    According to her, the firm is introducing the brand for those desiring to purchase first-class construction equipment at an affordable rate.

    She said the product, reputed for its high pedigree, would become the second major product to be made popular in the country by Richbon Nigeria after the success its recorded with SINOTRUCK.

    It would be recalled that SINOTRUCK brand of truck was made popular in Nigeria by Richbon and has received the award for two consecutive years, in 2011 and 2012 as the fastest selling truck brand in Nigeria by the Nigeria Auto Award.

    Muonagolu noted the advantage of using XGMA equipment and machineries are in the area of energy saving, easy maintenance, eco friendly, affordability, durability and efficiency.

    She said: “XGMA machineries, currently in use in over 80 countries in the world were first introduced into the market in 1951 and the company is rated among China’s 70 most valuable brands.”

    She stated further that it is expected that shareholder in civil engineering, mining, infrastructure, conservational, DAM and irrigation construction and road construction and road construction would benefit from the product launch.

  • BMW 5 Series: Sporty, elegance

    BMW 5 Series: Sporty, elegance

    Split-folding rear seats and a universal garage door opener are now standard features for all BMW 5 Series models. Auto giant, Coscharis Group unveiled the Bmw 5 Series Lci (F10 Lci) last week at the Intercontinental Hotel in Lagos. TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO writes.

     

    In the last 40 years, the BMW 5 Series has been in production in its various iterations, it has come to define the midsize luxury sedan market, and for good reason. A steady stream of improvements and innovations, plus an admirable blend of comfort, craftsmanship and performance, has set this midsize BMW apart from the middle-of-the-road cars in its market segment.

    The latest BMW 5 Series proudly carries on this tradition, although its core message of performance has been obscured by luxury. When this generation of the 5 Series debuted two years ago, it took to the stage with larger dimensions and a decidedly more relaxed personality. For those who put a premium on comfort and space, the compromise was certainly justified.

    But don’t think for a second that the BMW 5 Series is a laggard. Even the entry-level 528i’s turbocharged four-cylinder engine has the decisive response of an inline-6, yet delivers 28 mpg in combined driving. For those who put a greater emphasis on power, the 535i with its turbocharged inline-6 and the 550i with its V8 will surely satisfy one’s cravings. Then there is the raucous M5 with its raucous twin-turbo 560-horsepower V8 (a model covered in a separate review). The only exception is the Active Hybrid 5, which hardly seems to justify its marginal fuel savings at its high price.

    For those in the market for a midsize luxury four-door would also do well to check out some of its competitors. The rare driver who yearns for the days of BMW’s “ultimate driving machine” will find that spirit alive and well in the 2013 Audi A6 and, to a lesser degree, the 2013 Lexus GS 350. Others who seek even more luxury will likely find the 2013 Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Jaguar XF to their liking.

    The car was launched in Lagos last Thursday, courtesy of Coscharis Group.

    The group’s President/Chief Executive Officer, Dr Cosmas Maduka, while speaking with motoring journalists said the car defines a perfect and unique balance of sporty and elegant design, performance and efficiency, driving experience and driver orientation

    “Today, Coscharis Motors has enthused the BMW brand’s market leadership in their respective segments and this is driven by the premium luxury orientation of the current BMW philosophy of joy: the story of BMW 5 Series LCI (F10 LCI), a car designed to lead,” Maduka said.

    According to him, the successful BMW 5 Series story continues with the new lifecycle model introduced in May, 2013.

    “No major changes, he said, “have been made to the already stunning exterior of the car. However, the interior is more advanced than ever

    “As a matter of fact, this car as encapsulated in its Communication campaign is designed to lead and this aptly epitomizes the Coscharis’ philosophy: captivating our customers and prospects through a combination of aesthetics, quality and comfort in sales and after-sales deliveries.

    “The BMW 5 Series LCI (F10 LCI) basic features include parking assistant (turns narrow into wide); active cruise control (turns rush hour into leisure hour); traffic jam assistant (for some it’s rush hour, for you the driver, it’s time to enjoy the scenery); night vision (turns night into day) and head-up display (turns confusion into clarity).

    “In other words, BMW 5 Series Sedan defines a perfect and unique balance of sporty and elegant design, performance and efficiency, driving experience and driver orientation, and these complement the Coscharis brand.”

    Maduka reaffirmed Coscharis’ commitment to provide the highest levels of customer service for the BMW brand, in line with international quality standards and to serve its customers, who seek innovative and high performance luxury cars like the BMW 5 Series LCI (F10 LCI).

     

    Interior Design

     

    Both drivers and passengers will be quite pleased with the 5 Series’ cabin. There is nothing particularly fancy going on, but the overall look of the dash is clean, thanks to the standard iDrive interface that eliminates the need for a gaggle of buttons. The layout features a center display screen and a configurable display in the gauge cluster. The iDrive controller provides a large amount of customisation of the car’s features, though we think Mercedes’ comand system is still a little easier to use overall. Opting for the navigation system is recommended, as its screen is larger and much better-looking than the standard center display.

    The front seats are quite comfortable, with the optional “multicontour” seats in particular providing an unmatched degree of adjustability. In back, there is enough room for a pair of 6-foot adults to be comfortable, and the backseat is nicely contoured and padded. The trunk, at 14 cubic feet of luggage capacity, is smaller than average for this segment.

     

    Safety

    Standard safety equipment for the 2013 BMW 5 Series includes stability and traction control, antilock disc brakes, front-seat side airbags, side curtain airbags and active front head restraints. The stability control system integrates several features designed to improve braking performance, such as periodically wiping the brake rotors dry in wet conditions and automatically snugging the brake pads to the rotors when the driver abruptly lifts off the throttle. Also standard is the BMW Assist emergency communications system, which includes automatic crash notification, an emergency response button, remote door unlock and stolen vehicle recovery.

    When equipped with active cruise control, the 5 Series comes with a pre-collision system that can warn the driver of the possibility of rear-ending a vehicle ahead. If a collision is imminent, it can also automatically apply the brakes. A lane-departure warning system and a blind-spot monitor are optional. The night-vision system is capable of displaying possible hazards that are otherwise out of regular headlight range.

     

  • The Police motor central registration

    The Police motor central registration

    Does the equipment acquired to store the data have enough capacity to handle and process the data?

    •Is there any provision for data back-up equipment in case the main data bank crashes?

    •Are all the Police stations (big and small) equipped with computers, internet facilities and tracking equipment to render the services they promised?

    •How many of the Police officers have been trained on how to use the computers, internet and trackers?

    •If a car is snatched in Ikorodu, does the victim need to go to Victoria Island to get the vehicle data retrieved and the vehicle tracked? Are the Police communication and networking gadgets in proper shape?

    •Has the necessary failure-proof arrangement that been made to guarantee that the process does not take move than the 10 minutes promised by the Police Authority?

    •Are the Police stations equipped with alternative power supply to handle security and car theft cases when there is power failure?

    •Is there any provision for the maintenance of the equipment and the fuelling of the generators or will the Police depend on the complainants to service the equipment or fuel the generators as is the case in most Police Stations now?

    •Has adequate public enlightenment been done on the BCMR?

    •Has the Nigeria Police Authority examined if BCMR is not a duplication of what the FRSC and the State Motor Vehicle Licensing Authority are doing as regards Driver Licence and the new Plate Number? Is it not possible to upload the relevant Biometric data from the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and the Motor Vehicle Licensing Authority and collect just N1,000 per applicant for this service?

    I encourage the Nigeria Police not to focus on income generation alone because a lot of money will surely be generated from the scheme at the rate of N1,500 for motorcycles/tricycles and N3,500 for other vehicles. They should however focus more attention on rendering the needed services to Nigerians without suffering us.

    Our lawmakers and other people in authority should stop sitting on the fence. They should take proactive steps to defend the interest of the less-privileged Nigerians in the hands of the Authorities that look stronger than them.

    Lastly, I want to use this opportunity to encourage all the Staff of government agencies and other government official to endeavour to take special course or read books on strategic policy and executive action with special focus on environmental analysis and diagnosis. This will greatly help them in policy Formulation and decision making.

  • Porsche’s golden jubilee

    Porsche’s golden jubilee

    Against all odds, the Porsche 911 is waxing stronger year in, year out. The iconic 911 recently clocked 50 years in production. TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO reports.

    Porsche Centre Lagos is celebrating with other dealerships worldwide as the Porsche 911 clocks 50 years in production.

    The reason is not far-etched. The number of vehicles that have made it to the half-century mark can be counted on one hand.

    Even the venerable Model T lasted barely two decades in production – despite Henry Ford’s stubbornness. So, it is not surprising that the folks at Porsche worldwide are celebrating.

    Porsche’s iconic 911 sports car made its debut 50 years ago on the stands at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

    To celebrate this success, Porsche has introduced a special anniversary edition at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show, with a limited run of just 1,963 to honour the year the 911 made its debut.

    What is particularly unusual about the sports car’s longevity is the fact that, despite all the changes that have been made under the skin and to the interior, today’s Porsche 911 maintains the original’s basic exterior profile.

    When asked to create the latest model, designer Michael Mauer was quick to recognise some serious challenges. Though he was charged with coming up with something distinctive for the seventh-generation model, he knew that a radical redesign simply “wouldn’t be a 911.” That meant maintaining the distinctive silhouette—starting with the long hood, bulging headlamps, “flyline” roof and, of course, rear-engine layout.

    That did not mean standing still. Introduced last year, the Gen-7 model was a bit lower, wider and longer than the previous model. It was more aerodynamic and, defying conventional wisdom, more powerful while being about 16 per cent more fuel-efficient.

    Not all changes over the years have been uncontroversial; Porsche fanatics raised a fuss in 1998, when the maker abandoned the time-tested air-cooled 911 engine in favour of a more modern water-cooled power train. But the 911’s distinctive rear-mounted engine layout has held since day one.

    Porsche reported that it has sold 820,000 911s.

    The original design was sketched out by Ferdinand “Butzi” Porsche in 1959, and the auto was intended to serve as the replacement for the original 356.

    Delivered to showrooms in early 1964, the car was originally going to be called the Porsche 901, but the manufacturer had to make a quick change when French automaker Peugeot claimed a monopoly on using “0” in the middle of three numbers.

    A year after the European launch, the first 911 reached the United States, incidentally, going for a then-pricey $6,500. The base Porsche 911 Carrera model carries an MSRP of $83,050. Few get out of the showroom at that price, however, as Porsche traditionally makes almost every feature an option that rapidly drives up the price.

    And the 911 is really a family of variants, including models such as the all-wheel-drive Carrera 4S and the top-line turbo, with a base price of $138,450.

    The 911 50th Anniversary Edition will be offered in two unique colours: light-gray metallic and dark graphite. It will also feature a “two-tone 3-D-effect” badge on the rear marking it a “911 50” edition. The edition will be available in the U.S. for $124,100.

    But while the 911 is no longer the brand’s best-seller, it is the icon and generally rated the most popular of the German maker’s offerings. Indeed, in the 1999 international balloting for the Car of the Century, the Porsche 911 came in No. 5, behind the Model T and the Volkswagen Beetle—which just happens to trace its roots to the Porsche family.

  • Volvo to open new service centre

    Volvo to open new service centre

    The auto giant Volvo is planning to widen its investments in Nigeria.

    The Head, Marketing/Logistics, Adphil Transport Company Limited (ATC Nigeria), Ade Ojuoko made this known during an interactive session with journalists.

    Ojuoko, whose company is the sole distributor of Volvo trucks, Volvo construction equipment, Volvo Penta and bus in the country, said the company is ready to strengthen its after-sales service department to allow clients to abreast themselves with the Volvo brands in the country.

    Speaking on the brand’s trucks inauguration, the marketing manager explained that the company was not new to the market, adding that the brand name- Volvo speaks volume internationally.

    “As you can see, we are not relatively new in the Nigerian market as an automobile manufacturing brand; the difference is that Volvo today is talking to you as a truck, industrial and earth moving equipment.

    “Our commitment is to improve and set new records in sales and after sales support.

    “With our global experience in other West African countries and a national presence, we guarantee second-to-none sales, service and maintenance to suit our customers’ need; to ensure this we have workshops in Lagos and Abuja, offices in Port-Harcourt and Kano and a brand new technical training centre in Abuja,” he added.

    According to him, as the authorised dealer for Volvo brands, the company has the following products for construction and road maintenance: tractor heads tipper trucks, excavators, pipe laying equipment, eheel loaders, motor graders, articulated haulers, Rollers, Swam bogie, Paver for Asphalt and Penta (Boat engines and Industrial engines).

  • Toyota holds skills contest

    Toyota holds skills contest

    Toyota (Nigeria) Limited (TNL) has held the Toyota National Skills Contest (Intermediate Test). Five technicians qualified for the final rounds of the Test three, which will hold in November this year.

    According to company, the contest is in alignment with Toyota Motor Corporation’s Customer Service philosophy and it is aimed at enabling dealer technicians to continuously acquire new skills and deliver next level expertise in the area of after sales service to Toyota customers in the country.

    TNL Managing Director Mr Chandrasheker Thampy said the contest is to expose dealer technicians to world class technical know-how.

    This, he said, would avail their customers with excellent after sales experience in the business. The overall winner of the final rounds of the contest would proceed on an all expense paid trip to Toyota Motor Corporation, in Japan to compete on the global stage to widen their knowledge and understanding of Toyota service philosophy.

    At the end of the contest, Mr KayodeAdeoye and Mr Julius Odiboh, both of R. T. Briscoe; Mr OkeYusuf and Miss Faith Macwenboth of Elizade Nigeria Limited and Mr Simeon Jimoh of Mandilas qualified.