Vanguard, TUESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2014 — 31 By Theodore Opara
Jeep Wrangler Rubicon continues success story in Nigeria J EEP, the legendary offroad and sports utility vehicle maker is back again with a new addition to the Jeep Wrangler line up in Nigeria. After observing the wide acceptance of the Wrangler, Weststar Associates Ltd, the authorised general distributor of Chrysler/ Jeep/Dodge/Ram in Nigeria, added the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon to the family. Mirko Plath, Managing Director/CEO of Weststar Associates, said he was convinced that the Rubicon will be a “big hit” among car freaks in the country. 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 monotube shock absorbers which have low speed tuneable valve technology that’s 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 addi-
tion, 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 you’ve removed your foot from the brake to give you 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 Con-
Jeep Wrangler Rubicon trol (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 threeply Sunrider Soft Top that’s easy to fold away, the Freedom Top Hardtop which gives you the control to bring in the sun as you see fit, removable fullframed doors and folddown windshield. Delivering communication and entertainment straight into the vehicle is the
Uconnect System. This consists of the CD/DVD and Mp3 player, Voice Command, and Uconnect Phone via Bluetooth. The Rubicon brags a powerful and efficient 3.6L Pentastar V6 VVT 285horsepower 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 you go virtually anywhere you point your
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
i.e. M-B Automobile Services and Sunny Motors Ltd. It comes with a 4-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 manpower, Weststar Associates assures its customers that their vehicles are in good and capable hands.
TNL boss calls for support as govt revolutionises auto industry
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HE Managing Di rector of Toyota Nigeria Limited, Mr. Kunle Ade-Ojo has tasked Nigerian Motoring journalists to remain steadfast and more committed in reporting the sector especially at this time that the government is
committed to revolutionisng the auto industry, Mr. Ade-Ojo who was speaking at the occasion of the 2014 Toyota Motoring Journalist Awards at Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, said that his company will continually sustain their partnership with the press through whose publications the positive image of their brand had been sustained over the years. “It is our sincere hope also that the motoring
journalists will on their own part remain steadfast and more committed to objective and more accurate reporting of the company’s activities, particularly at this time that government is commited to revolutionizing the auto industry”, he said. The Toyota boss further noted that Toyota as a company has unique ways of doing things for continuous improvement. He said “but as an organisation, we never
stopped seeking ways of doing things differently which is in strict compliance with our philosophy of Kaizen i.e. continuous improvement.” Mr. Ade-Ojo however explained that the essence of the awards was to appreciate the invaluable contribution of the motoring journalists to their business and celebrate the rewarding partnership which exists between them and the press.
...rewards motoring journalists
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From left: Marketing Manager, Mandilas Motors Nigeria Limited, Akin Adiatu; Managing Director/CEO, TNL, Mr. Kunle Ade-Ojo; and former Managing Director of the company, Chandrasheker Thampy, during the Annual Toyota Nigeria Journalists Awards, in Lagos.
ANGUARD Mo toring emerged the first runner-up at the tenth Toyota Motoring Journalists Awards held at the Oriental Hotel Victoria Island, Lagos. Vanguard was the winner of the awards last year. Other winners at the award were Business Day newspapers and TransportDay, who
emerged winner and second runner up, respectively, at the ceremony. Toyota rewarded the three winner with cash award of N250,000, N200,000 and N150,000 respectively. Other journalists who graced the occasion were rewarded with quality gifts. Toyota said that the
award was their own contribution to rewarding excellence and professionalism in auto journalism in the country. “For 10 years we have consistently rewarded journalist to encourage their professional competence in automotive reporting”, the managing director said.