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THISDAY, THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER ˾ ͼ˜ ͺͶ
Lexus Launches new Flagship LS Sedan
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L-R: Senior Manager, Corporate Communications & Stakeholder Relations, Nissan Sub-Sahara, Africa Department, Nthabiseng Motsepe; Ace Polish explorer, Arkady Pawel Fiedler; Managing Director, Stallion NMN, Parvir Singh; and Head of Sales and Marketing of the Nissan National Sales Company, Amit Sharma, after the media briefing about the arrival in Lagos of the Ace Polish explorers that drove the world’s most popular Electric Nissan LEAF car from Cape Town, South Africa on a first-ever electric vehicle expedition across Africa… recently
Polish Explorer Drives Nissan LEAF on First Electric Vehicle Expedition Across Africa Stories by Bennett Oghifo
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enownedPolishexplorerArkadyFiedler, who in February, attempted the firstever Electric Vehicle (EV) expedition across Africa, is now in Nigeria. Using the first generation Nissan LEAF, the explorer began his trip in Cape Town, South Africa, through West Africa. The first generation Nissan LEAF is powered by a 30kwh battery with a range of 250 kilometres. Travelling with renowned Photographer Albert Wojtowcicz, the vehicle has covered over 8,000 kilometres, in a period of two months. At the media briefing at the Stallion NMN showroom in Lagos, Fiedler said, apart from being the first ever electric vehicle expedition across the African continent, the trip aims to build awareness of electric mobility and new cleaner technologies in Africa,
Poland and the world at large. The voyage, according to him, also seeks to change peoples’ perception of the world and human choices with particular emphasis on the impact of transport on the environment. “Caring for our environment, homes and families starts with us; This journey is proof that something apparently impossible can be achieved with the appropriate attitude and determination,” Fiedler said and that the choice of the electric Nissan LEAF model was not by impulse. “When it came to considering which kind of electric car I would drive acrossAfrica, we took into account several brands, featuring similar specifications but this particular model was favoured. It has been a proven model since 2010 and just in January 2018, the Nissan-RenaultAlliance announced the delivery of the 300,000th Nissan LEAF car sold worldwide.” Besides being the world’s first 100-per cent electric, zero-emission car designed for the mass market,
its advanced powertrain provides a totally new driving experience, with smooth, responsive acceleration with stable handling and quietness. The first generation Nissan LEAF was named Green Car of the Year in 2011. Fiedler said the expedition was entirely his idea and that the initiative was conceived over time. “I chose to drive in my own electric Nissan LEAF. This vehicle was not modified in any way to facilitate the expedition. The car is the standard specification you will find in many European cities. “If I can convince someone in Europe that I embarked on a long-haul trip by crossing this massive African continent with an electric vehicle, then it is possible more people will buy a car like this,” he explained. Fiedler, however, decried the inadequacy of infrastructure such as charging facilities in the course of the journey, which he said is the only limitation to the attainment of a complete transition to EVs in Africa.
Toyota Awards is Strategic for Bonding with Partners, Says Kunle Ade-Ojo
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he Toyota Awards has come a long way – dating back to 2005 and has become one of the strategic tools of bonding with our partners. The Managing Director of Toyota (Nigeria) Limited, Mr. Kunle Ade-Ojo stated this in his welcome speech at the Toyota Awards/Customer Night, held in Lagos, recently. He said, “It has helped in growing the rank of our customers and we are proud to say that Toyota has the highest number of valuable customers in Nigeria.” As usual, the three most valuable customers in 2017 and the Evergreen customer were recognised and won awards. Also recognised were the top three Motoring Journalists. In addition to this, there was raffle draw where three lucky winners went home with juicy prizes while others won consolation prizes. According to the Managing Director, “It has become a tradition for us at Toyota (Nigeria) Limited to celebrate our customers and our key stakeholders on annual basis. This is just a modest way of showing our appreciation to them for the tremendous support we have enjoyed, and still enjoying from them. The loyalty of our customers through thick and thin is an eloquent testimony of their love for the Toyota brand and of course for us as a company.” He said, “At Toyota (Nigeria) Limited, we cherish our relationship with our customers. This relationship has stood the test of time and has endured over the years. Our customers have demonstrated on several occasions that they are not only ardent lovers and patrons of the Toyota brand but passionate advocates as well. The least we could do therefore is to set aside a day like this to celebrate them and showcase our token of appreciation.” He specially acknowledged the presence of the customers who honoured them by attending the invitation. “We are not unmindful of the enormous opportunity cost of your decision to be here tonight because you could have chosen to be at other places.
2018Toyota Hilux
We appreciate your gesture and we say thank you. May God bless you immensely.” He also appreciated the company’s other stakeholders who have remained our partners in progress over the years. “Our dealers in particular have demonstrated passion, loyalty and the ‘know how’ for the promotion of the brand in Nigeria. They have also worked assiduously to deliver superior quality products and services in terms of safe, comfortable, and affordable automobile experience to our teeming customers in the country. “We cannot overlook the dedication and commitment of the members of the Toyota family in
the implementation of the strategic imperative of meeting our customers’ expectations and sustaining the number one position of Toyota in Nigeria. Our board of Directors has been fantastic in their unwavering support to us. “Our staff have been fabulous in their contributions to the success and survival of the company in the faceofunprecedentedharshoperatingenvironment. “Last but not the least, we appreciate the love of our friends in the press, particularly the print media- under the aegis of the Motoring Journalists Association. Our relationship has grown over the years into a strong and enduring partnership.”
he all-new Lexus LS flagship sedan, launched in Australia today, delivers premium levels of powertrain smoothness, spaciousness, handling, ride comfort, safety, craftsmanship and attention to detail. The fifth-generation LS is based on a new reardrive platform and features a bold design with a coupe-like silhouette. Two powertrains are offered, including the first turbocharged petrol engine offered in the LS and the first 10-speed transmission in the segment. The powertrains are 310kW twin-turbo V6 LS 500 and multi-stage hybrid system LS 500h (combining V6 petrol and electric power for a maximum 264kW). Pricing is identical for LS 500 and LS 500h, beginning at $190,500 for F Sport, with a $5000 premium for Sports Luxury. There are eight premium hand-crafted interior ornamentation options for Sports Luxury models, four of which command a premium of $9,880. Lexus also expanded the customer care for which it is renowned, announcing an unconditional 10-year complimentary roadside assistance program to make ownership even easier and more beneficial. LexusAustralia chief executive Scott Thompson said the new LS 500 draws on the proud history of its predecessors. “The new Lexus flagship is destined to repeat LS history as a car that redefines and advances automotive luxury expectations and customer satisfaction,” he said. “With multiple world and Lexus firsts, it breaks new ground in design, technology and performance. More than any other model, the LS embodies the history and image of Lexus and serves as a symbol for everything the brands represents - a luxury lifestyle brand that offers amazing experiences.” Mr Thompson said Japanese aesthetics, drawing on the skills of master craftsmen and the “omotenashi” or hospitality principle, reflected the human-centred engineering and attention to detail inherent with the Lexus brand. “This human touch gives the Lexus brand its soul and sets it apart from our competitors,” he said. LS chief engineer ToshioAsahi said the challenge for Lexus with the fifth-generation model was not simply to go beyond the achievements of the past, but to re-imagine what a global flagship sedan should be. “In doing so, four key pillars underpinned the development of the new LS - brave design, Takumi craftsmanship, exhilarating performance and imaginative technology,” he said.
‘Get a Sports Car to Feel Good’
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orgetromance,finediningoranepicboxset binge – new preliminary research reveals that driving a sports car on a daily basis is among the best ways to boost your sense of wellbeing and emotional fulfilment. The study measured “buzz moments” – peak thrills that play a vital role in our overall wellness – as volunteers cheered on their favourite football team, watched a gripping Game of Thrones episode, enjoyed a passionate kiss with a loved one or took an intense salsa dancing class. Only the occasional highs of riding a roller coaster ranked higher than the daily buzz of a commute in a sports car. Working with neuroscientists and designers, Ford brought the research to life with the unique Ford Performance Buzz Car: a customised Ford Focus RS incorporating wearable and artificial intelligence technology to animate the driver’s emotions in real time across the car’s exterior. “A roller coaster may be good for a quick thrill, but it’s not great for getting you to work every day,” said Dr Harry Witchel, Discipline Leader in Physiology. “This study shows how driving a performance car does much more than get you from A to B – it could be a valuable part of your daily wellbeing routine.” Study participants who sat behind the wheel of a Ford Focus RS, Focus ST or Mustang experienced an average of 2.1 high-intensity buzz moments during a typical commute; this compared with an average of 3 buzz moments while riding on a roller coaster, 1.7 while on a shopping trip, 1.5 each while watching a Game of Thrones episode or a football match, and none at all while salsa dancing, fine dining or sharing a passionate kiss. For the research, Ford took one Focus RS and worked with Designworks to create the Buzz Car: From concept, design and installation to software development and programming, the Buzz Car took 1,400 man-hours to create. Each “buzz moment” experienced by the driver – analysed using a realtime “emotional AI” system developed by leading empathic technology firm Sensum – produces a dazzling animation across almost 200,000 LED lights integrated into the car. The Buzz Car also features: High-performance Zotac VR GO gaming PC; 110 x 500-lumen daylight-bright light strips; 82 display panels with 188,416 individually addressable LEDs.