VANGUARD, TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2016 — 37
By Theodore Opara
Understanding turbo engines with Peugeot 508 I
T is probably one of the most powerful cars in its category, yet the engine capacity is 1.6 litres. The Peugeot 508 is Peugeot’s flagship sedan which replaced the legendary Peugeot 608. It is fitted with a 1.6 litre turbo engine that delivers more power than most 3.0 litre engines. The turbo engine in the 508 means that it delivers twice the power of a 1.6, making it more powerful than most cars in its segment. The 1.6 turbo horsepower Peugeot 508 churns out amazing 156 brake-horsepower with a very high torque of 240 Nm@1400rpm even at slow speed. This engine is both dynamic and smooth, boasting very high fuel efficiency. The beauty of it all is that the Peugeot 508 delivers the fuel efficiency of a 1.6 litre car but the power of a 3.0 litre V6 engine. Peugeot also marched this engine with a six-speed automatic gearbox which strikes a perfect balance between driveabilty and fuel efficiency. The double wishbone front suspension with drop link, gives superior level of driving precision making for an enjoyable ride in the 508. From outside to inside, the 508 is an epitome of beauty. The style of the 508 suggests a vehicle sculpted from a solid mass, reflecting attributes of elegance, robustness and prime design quality.
Finely-worked headlights At the front, the 508 illustrates Peugeot’s evolving aesthetic code with a unique grill rendered in a fluid style, and finely-worked headlights with their feline look, combining chrome and satin surfaces. LED driving lights also add to the beauty of the 508. The rear is simple but seductive. Three prominent red claws mask three rows of LED lights. The sides of the car are purposefully streamlined, enhanced by the contours of the satin chromeedged windows. Inside the 508 is the height of luxury because the 508 is the flagship of the Peugeot family. Leather seats, quad-zone air conditioning, seats with memory settings, streamlined style of the dashboard with quality material, all add to the top-of-the-range feel of the passenger compartment. When it comes to technology, the 508 has more than enough to offer the most demanding occupants. Intelligent, innovative and
intuitive, 508 benefits from next generation technologies. They inform you, help you and facilitate your driving with minimum effort. Keyless entry, head-up display ensures you access driving information without taking your eyes off the road by displaying essential driving information, while the parking space measurement system guides you to park. The 508 offers the latest technology you can imagine in today’s cars. The audio and navigation systems are ahead of their time. The 508 is equipped with WIP audio system or WIP NAV+ navigation system. The radio CD MP3 WIP is connected to six or eight speakers. It is fitted as standard with a Jack socket/USB port and a Bluetooth hands-free kit. The 508 comes with Arkamys system and the JBL Hifi Kit with 10 speakers combined with a 500 amplifier. When it comes to safety, the 508 is in a class of its own and abundantly blessed too with modern safety features.
It boasts top-notch roadholding and a high level of active safety, thanks to the ESP traction control system. It groups the Antilock Braking System ABS, AntiSkid Regulation, ASR, Electronic Brake-Force Variation, EBV and CBC, Emergency Brake Assistance EBA, Motor Stall Regulation MSR and Intelligent Traction Control that optimise the 508’s progress when road grip is precarious. Airbags, headrest with integrated adjustment, electric parking brake, main beam headlamp assistance, cruise control/speed limiter, etc adds to the 508 safety package.
FG launches 283 operation vehicle for FRSC •All vehicles supplied by local auto assemblers
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RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has commended the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC for the commitment it has shown to road safety campaigns, saying his administration will remain committed to supporting it to achieve optimal performance. The President stated this on Monday while commissioning the 283 operational vehicles procured for FRSC by the Federal Government to boost its operational activities. The vehicles comprised Peugeot, Nissan, and Innoson brands,all supplied by motor companies that have assembly plants in the country. The President, who was represented at the occasion by the Minister of Interior, Lt General Abdulrahman Dambazzau (rtd), stated that the establishment of the FRSC 28 years ago was a demonstration of government’s concerns for the safety and security of road users. He noted that in sustaining government’s goodwill for the success of road safety campaigns in the country, the administration has remained unrelenting in its commitment to provision of road infrastructure and development of capacity of staff of the FRSC including provision of facilities that could enhance effective management of traffic on the nation’s highways. According to him, the vehicles would boost the operational capability of FRSC and enhance the capacity of the personnel to face the challenges of enforc-
ing traffic rules and regulations on the highway. “This administration is committed to the ideals of road safety and will continue to demonstrate its support for the FRSC in its commitment to ensuring safety of lives on the nation’s roads,” he stated. He noted that government was aware of the various policies and programmes being put in place by the FRSC to manage the nation’s highways, giving examples of such policies as Road Transport Safety Standardisation Scheme, RTSSS; reforms in the licensing system of the country and other operational mechanisms being put in place to address the menace of road traffic crashes in the country.
Road traffic crashes According to him, in line with government’s commitment to the success of the United Nations Decade of Action For Road Safety: 2011-2020, Nigeria in 2010, became a signatory to the Vienna and Geneva Conventions on Road Markings and Signage, after over 40 and 60 years without the nation’s endorsement. Also speaking at the occasion, the Corps Marshal and Chief Executive Officer of FRSC, Boboye Oyeyemi, described the launch as a milestone in the history of the organisation.
“For the first time ever, the Federal Government has injected 283 vehicles into the fleet of the Federal Road Safety Corps for use in its operations,” he stated. Oyeyemi said it was another milestone in the annals of the FRSC that symbolised “the sustained intent of the Federal Government to raise the bar on road safety management and collective dedication to the task of exploring innovative and resourceful ways of funding the road safety intervention in the road sector.” The commissioning of 283 operational vehicles, he said, should remind everyone of the capital intensive nature of road safety business. “It is a thing of great joy that FRSC has, by the injection of this state of the art operational vehicles, been retooled for improved performance. It is on record that road safety has been at the heart of this administration. This passion was visibly exhibited when Mr. President, upon assumption of office as President and Commander - in - Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, approved the introduction of the use of speed limiting devices in the country," he said. Mr. President, while giving the approval, considering stakeholder’s interest, had in his magnanimity extended the period for the commencement of enforcement of motorist’s compliance from the initial date proposed by the FRSC and the Transport Unions.”