Category: Motoring

Seven global vehicle manufacturers have met ‘for the first time’ at the Hydrogen for Clean Transport Conference to discuss plans for 2040.

The event confirmed their commitment to expanding the deployment of Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure across Europe.

Seven global vehicle manufacturers – Audi, BMW, Daimler, Honda, Hyundai, Symbio, and Toyota – met in Brussels to confirm their engagement towards continued FCEV deployment in Europe.

The conference, sponsored by the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU) and flagship hydrogen projects HyFIVE and H2ME, is a first for Europe’s transport industry.

The transport industry reportedly had a unanimous message on an emission-free 2040:

European Commission’s FCH JU’s executive director Bart Biebuyck said: “Hydrogen fuel cells plus electric-vehicle technology offer a viable path to zero emission transport and, as part of the wider energy system, support grid operations and integration of renewable energies.’

“While hydrogen fuel cell technology is not yet available across a large range of vehicles, the technology addresses some of battery electric vehicles’ main limitations.’’

“These include drain on the energy grid, limited range, long charging time, and issues with recycling of batteries.”

“This marks an important step for clean mobility in Europe.

“The presence of seven important manufacturers translates to a strong commitment from industry, which is a crucial element to push forward with the deployment of hydrogen vehicles.

“The FCH JU is proud to see how its projects, HyFIVE and then H2ME, have been allowed to build continuously on previous achievements and are bringing technological progress to become key solutions for addressing zero emission transport goals.

“In this way, we contribute to tackling major global challenges”.

Hydrogen Europe’s secretary general Jorgo Chatzimarkakis said: “The Hydrogen for Clean Transport conference is timely, with the release of crucial sets of legislation for the mobility sector this autumn.

“With this conference, our industry members showcase the readiness levels of fuel cell electric vehicles as a complementary solution to battery electric vehicles, the only two zero emission drivetrains that enable transport decarbonisation.”

•Tagged world most luxurious and silent car 

 Rolls-Royce  introduced its eight-generation Phantom at a red carpet launch event in London last Thursday. The British luxury automaker gave its flagship model an update after 14 years. The previous, seventh-generation Phantom was launched in 2003, which was the first model introduced after BMW took the ownership of the iconic brand. The Phantom VIII has been in development for six years and is an all-new model with an all-aluminium spaceframe chassis for the first time, which is set to underpin all of the company’s future models. Roll-Royce claims that this new architecture is lighter and 30 per cent stiffer than before to make the ride more comfortable.

The next generation of the Rolls-Royce Phantom marks a shift within the ultra-luxury automaker.

All the special luxury touches are there. It’s a notable change that will mean the same underlying architecture will be used on Rolls-Royce vehicles of varying size and weight as well as with different propulsion, traction, and control systems.

The new model arrives with quite a few neat tricks.

There have been changes to the exterior as well, notably the front grille, which is raised higher than previous generations of the Phantom. The grille has also been integrated into the bodywork, which Rolls-Royce says produces a cleaner look.

There are numerous small changes throughout the vehicle and all the luxury touches one might expect to find in a Rolls-Royce. The seats are new and wood panelling across the back of the front seats are a nod to the Eames Lounge Chair of 1956.

Behind that wood panelling, the back seat occupants will discover theatre monitors. A centre console in the back has been upgraded and includes a drinks cabinet with whisky glasses and decanter, champagne flutes, and coolbox.

The luxury penthouse suite on wheels is powered by a 6.75-liter twin-turbo V12 that churns out 563 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque. The power is put down to the tarmac through the rear wheels with the help of a ZF eight-speed transmission. The gearbox is linked to the car’s GPS to optimise shift points based on where the driver is going. Rolls-Royce also notes that the Phantom VIII is the quietest car in the world, which has been achieved with the help of 286 pounds of sound deadening material lining the cabin. It’s not only the quietest, but the rides like a flying carpet thanks to the new self-levelling air suspension that uses a camera to “proactively” make ride adjustments up to 62 mph.

Inside the car, the cabin is as amazing as one can imagine. Rolls-Royce says the interior is designed to “embrace” its occupants with the nicest leather, wood, and metal available. The car’s dashboard, which Rolls-Royce is now calling the “gallery,” is literally a price of artwork which customers and commission according to their taste.

Rolls-Royce chairman and BMW board member Peter Schwarzenbauer said: “we’re quite happy to have this wonderful brand and develop it in future. This is not just launching a car, but setting a new standard for luxury overall.”

The pricing is around $450,000 (N162,000,000.)

Massilia Motors Limited has added a new muscle to its robust Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) range with the launch of the Pajero Sport.

It is the first redesigned model in seven years.

The launch featured a test ride at the Landmark Towers Waterfront in Lagos.

The Pajero Sport is a new generation mid-size SUV developed to be robust, stylish and comfortable.

Inheriting the best of the Mitsubishi DNA, the redesigned model brings with it a refined high quality exterior featuring the Mitsubishi Dynamic shield front face seen on recent Mitsubishi Motors concept cars.

The seven-seater SUV uses both sporty and dynamic elements which set it apart from conventional SUVs. In addition handling stability, ride and quietness have all been improved through optimisation of the suspension and improvements to the body mounts.

No compromise was made on safety during the designing process as the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport comes with the Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution (RISE) body technology as well as comprehensive active and passive safety features.

Surrounded by solid craftsmanship, the interior uses a high console proportion dashboard, as befits a larger SUV, while dynamically styled silver-finish ornamentation and sculpted seats add to its luxurious feel.

Paired to an eight-speed Automatic transmission (first for a Mitsubishi model), the 3L Pajero Sport GLS has a powertrain that returns 17 percent improvement in fuel economy over its predecessor and lower CO2 emission.

The firm’s Deputy Managing Director, Mr Kunle Jaiyesimi said: ‘’At Massilia Motors we are committed to satisfying our customers that is why we have created tailored services for our fleet owners and organised activities such as the Mitsubishi Free checkup week where Mitsubishi customers were invited for free diagnosis and discounted spare parts.”

The motor industry appears to be fixated on bringing driverless cars on the roads, but some are looking way beyond that to a point where cars might be able to do without roads as often as they can cope without a human driving them.

For the most part, flying cars have always been the stuff of comic books and fantasy visions of what the future holds. However, it seems some people and companies are taking the idea of flying cars altogether more seriously. I

Volvo’s Chinese parent company, Geely, which has just acquired the startup business behind what is generally regarded to be currently the world’s most promising flying car concept.

Geely has bought out Terrafugia, the company that has so far come the closest to making flying cars a reality, and now with the considerably deeper pockets of Geely, it does raise the prospect of soon seeing Volvos with wings flying high above our highways.

Terrafugia is a small American corporation that has developed a roadable aircraft called the Transition, best known for its ability for a vertical take-off and landing and the fact that the cars are approved for both the road and air.

There are other companies around experimenting with futuristic car/plane hybrid vehicles, but Terrafugia is arguably the first to develop what can be seen as a truly convincing working prototype. This impressive vertical take-off and landing creation is a much sleeker, more polished and convincing vehicle than any of its rivals, and Terrafugia’s Transition has an impressive cruising range of around 400 miles and a 100 mph top speed. A full-vehicle parachute is deployed to bring the car down to earth and safely back onto the road, and there’s even advanced autonomous flight technology onboard to prevent Transition pilots from crashing.

Terrafugia has been given the green light to create a road- and air-legal vehicle weighing up to 1,800 pounds, which has now led to the startup becoming a valuable purchase for the China-based company behind Volvo.

AN Nigeria Limited has unveiled the latest generation of the Peugeot 301 sedan called Peugeot 301 Midlife in continuation of its quest to remain competitive in the local market.

The official unveiling which was elaborately celebrated at PAN drive located at Kakuri Industrial Estate in Kaduna brought together customers, top government functionaries including representatives from  Nigerian Customs Services, Nigerian Prisons, Peugeot dealers and other stakeholders.

Speaking at the unveiling last week, PAN Nigeria Limited Managing Director Alhaji Ibrahim Boyi said since the announcement of the 301 series, the auto giant has regained its market and customers,improving   from six per cent in 2015 to eight per cent last year.

Boyi, who said PAN wants to reconnect with the emotions and heritage of the brand, added that the brand covers all age groups and that is why there is strong emotional connection.

Fixing the price of the new 301 at N5.6 million, Boyi said the car is the cheapest in it class, stressing that there is a large number of Nigerians who like simple functional vehicles like 301.

Listing ground clearance, safety features, space, reliability and comfort as some of the unique advantages of Peugeot 301 Midlife, Boyi said: “The new Peugeot 301 reinforces its qualities with new assets. The body is dressed in the latest stylistic codes of the brand. The vertical grille, body set spotlight and neat adjustments embody the sturdiness of the car. The luminous signatures, incorporating LEDs at the front are expressions of the technological content”.

Yerima Zazzau and PAN Board Chairman  Alhaji Munir Ja’Afaru described the 301 as a fantastic vehicle, appealing to Nigerians to patronise locally made vehicles.

House of Representatives member Nasiru Babale applauded PAN, saying that the House had decided to buy Peugeot for their members for their oversight functions due to the unique attributes of the brand.

General Manager, Sales and Marketing Mr Omagbitse Bawo said the new car is loaded with sophisticated features

According to him, the body is dressed in the latest stylistic codes of the brand, laced with striking vertical grille, body-set spotlights even as neat adjustments embody the sturdiness of the car.