20 Year Cycle

On Tuesday on my way to work in lekki traffic, on the other lane I was passed twice by 2 Brilliance Bs4 cars. That in itself is not such an event, but just further down the Road was a ‘Tear Rubber’ Honda CRV which had broken down by the Side of the Road. Only then did I actually start thinking.

Brilliance BS4
As kids, I remember that when my Dad was short of Cash and wanted to change his Car at the time, the only viable option (as far as we were concerned) was a Peugeot GL, getting a Mercedes Benz 200 was the target or a BMW 5 series would’ve been just fine, but a Japanese Car was totally out of it, it was dimmed “Cheap”. Such was the discrimination for Japanese Cars 20 years ago, they were reliable, but people just didn’t like them. They were the Whipping boys of the Major Car manufacturers. Considering a Korean Car was nothing short of heresy at the time, i remeber a friend saying that the Daewoo Racer was not safe because it was made of plastic.
Today we know that Toyota, (a Japanese Car) is the number 1 car manufacturer in the World. And 20years down the line, the Koreans have done better at gearing up their image than the Japanese did. It’s a dream come true if you can afford to buy a Korean “Brand New” car today!!!!! Hyundai has the Genesis which Targets the likes of the 5 Series and the E class (imagine that!!!!!).
The sighting of the Brilliance Bs4 car, made me recognize the 20 year cycle. Now let me ask, how many Brilliance Bs4 cars have you seen on the Road? Quite a few I assume your response will be. Now, how many have you seen broken down by the side of the road? None I’m sure you’ll say. The reason you haven’t seen any broken down isn’t because they’re so few, it’s because of the quality engineering that goes into it. Let me add here, that the Bs4 is actually Chinese!!!!!! Brilliance Auto partners with the Bavarian Boys, BMW to make the BS4. At its launch a few years back, the BS4 actually failed the Euro NCAP crash test. At the time I ranted and abused the Chinese for trying to make cars instead of sticking to making noodles that they’re known for until I found out recently that the Ford F150( the Fastest Selling Vehicle in the World) is not mandated to undergo crash tests because it’s a truck!!!!

Ford F150
So what if the BS4 fails the Euro NCAP tests? To heck with the crash ratings, even more outstanding is the fact that India now makes cars. If you remember 20 years ago, what was the name on the Okada your neighbor had? It was likely going to be Honda. Today, we don’t have Honda bikes in this country. What you’ll find as you board the next Okada will likely be a Lifan, Jincheng or the new one Bajaj plastered so proudly on the tank. These are all Chinese and Indian.
Its pretty much the same thing in the Generator scene, you cannot find an original Honda anymore, it’s all Jin Ling (as the case with mine and my brothers) or some Xing Xang Xu Name.
The 1 question I ask is if it has taken about 20 years for “this revolution” when will Nigeria start with hers???

The owners Corner

A local name used to describe the diagonally located backseat occupant in relation to the driver’s seat in a car in Nigeria. Imperials, Royalties and affluent people from time have always ridden in the back seat as they were being chauffeured around; be it in a Horse drawn Carriage or a Ford Model T.
This transcended to the Auto Era and as with the time when the Horse Carts had just 1 Hp, the back seat of Luxury cars were actually the most comfortable place to seat these cars as no expense was spared to keep these high profile occupants happy and comfortable to their next destination (which might have been to witness a Firing squad ( Idi- Amin had a Mercedes Benz 600). Today, these luxury cars come equipped with everything!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The connecting Dot here is Luxury and Car. So in summary for it to qualify to be an ‘owner’s corner’ it must be a luxury car. For the singular reason that in every other car model, the back seat occupants are not considered to be Semi- god’s and their comfort is not really paramount when designing the car.
For several years I have had to watch and see Nigerians abuse this hallowed position. I have seen people claim owner’s corner in Toyota Hiace Buses. When I was in Primary school we had a neighbor who rode constantly in the owner’s corner of His Molue!!!!!!!!!!! All of this was bearable until I saw a marketer in 1 nonsense microfinance bank claiming owners Corner in a Kia Picanto!!!!!!!
I was Livid to say the least, and even without technical knowledge of cars, anyone could see that the back seat of a Picanto is CRAMPPED!!!!!!!!!!!! Afterwards just like the eyes of a newly deflowered teenager I began seeing even more violators of this sacred position. I saw 1 lady push all the way to the limit the front passenger seat just so she could be comfortable in the “owner’s corner” of a 2005 Toyota Corolla. Her P/A’s frontal’s was right all up squashing the Dashboard (I won’t even tell you the sex of her P/A), but I can tell you if the Human rights people saw it they’d make a case for her (P/A).
Why on earth would you risk the life of another for a freaking status symbol????? If you own anything less than a Luxury car: and by definition that is a Mercedes S class, its equivalent and above and have a driver don’t even get in the “owners corner” because its half as comfortable as the front passengers seat.
Please, please this covers all you Camry, Accord owners. Yes even if it was yesterday’s model, these cars are classified as Mid size cars. So do us all a favor and get back in front. Pleaseeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!

Dilution!!!

There a few things that as an individual you know as a fact. As a Nigerian, you’re almost sure that once your leaders ascend a political post, they’re almost gonna be unacccessible. I know for sure that on my way home to Lekki, everyday I’ll drive through traffic; you know that PHCN will interrupt Power supply everyday as well as you know you’ll get Hungry if you do not have a meal on time: so I also thought that the proud heritage of BMW not meddling in the business of Front wheel driven cars will continue forever!!!! (Front wheel driven cars; FWD are a compromise of driving dynamics over perceived efficiency)You see with the Front engine RWD, the Weight of the Car is spread along the lenght of the car; i.e the Engine is in front, the transmission is in the middle and the Axle is right in the Rear. With the Front Engine FWD layout, you have the Engine, transmission and axle are in the front. Its like having your eyes, Hands, stomach and legs all in your Head!!! No way on earth you'd be comfortable?
Bmw Claims that if you could mount the 3 Sereis right in its middle on a Pin( that could carry the weight)it won't fall off because it has a 50:50% weight distribution over its its Front and Rear axles. Small wonder it has such Phenomenal Handling!!!
Every other Car manufacturer has fiddled with the Front Engine, Front wheel drive Layout, even Mercedes Benz. BMW was the only Manufacturer that kept the Front Engine RWD layout which was largely responsible for the heavenly driving response achieved on its line up. All of that is set to change now with the introduction of the new 1series with FWD or AWD layout.

2012 BMW 1 series

I cannot begin to come up with excuses on why BMW has chosen to go the way of the others and dilute the BMW driving experience? But a close answer comes in the knowledge that for the 1st time in its History, Land Rover will have a FWD model in its much anticipated LRX.

Land Rover LRX Concept
The closest I can come to telling you why is that Both BMW and Land Rover are trying to adjust to the times. Porsche, Ferrari both have Hybrid models in the works. This was un-thinkable just a few years back.
Please make no mistake, there are Advantages in the Front engine FWD layout: improved Fuel consumption being the chief one, but I thought the reason we bought a BMW was that you wanted a car that you could go round a corner at any speed? And the whole Logic behind a Land Rover was that it could go where Nature you’d rather you stop and go back Home? What use is a Front wheel driven(only) Land Rover?
It’s a Sad time for us pure motor enthusiasts!!!!!

Honda Insight

Toyota followed by Honda sit pretty at the top of the Japanese auto market by sales volume. Following are Nissan and Suzuki. The rivalry between Honda and Toyota goes back several decades. Fuel economy, low price, low running costs and reliability have all Helped Toyota topple GM as the Largest Auto maker in the world.
The fuel economy battle is at an all time high and car manufacturers try to do more to get their cars to consume less fuel thereby saving money for your pocket and the environment. The most popular, not essentially the most efficient fuel saving technique is the use of Petrol engines and an electric motor to power these cars: thus the term HYBRID.
Toyota practically defined the Hybrid market with its Prius.

2010 Toyota Prius

1st generation Honda insight
It wasn’t the 1st hybrid car to be made ( Honda actually released the 1st insight 7 months before the original Prius) but its launch was timely and the fact that it had rear seats probably helped secure its position as the Poster car for Hybrids.

2nd Generation Honda Insight
The insight now in its 2nd generation has grown in character and size, even taking a cue from the styling of the prius. Honda seems to have overcome the major draw backs from the first generation Honda insight. Lack of driver involvement, no rear seats, wary styling: all gone. Honda also thought it necessary to “UP” the power. The original insight had a 1.3L 3 cylinder engine putting out 67Hp mated to a 13Hp electric motor. This was good enough for 3.9L/ 100KM of road consumed. Honda this time around features a four cylinder engine doing 88HP while keeping the 13Hp electric motor is good for 5.5L/ 100KM of road. A fair trade for economy for better driver feel and rear seats.
Honda’s second attempt at making a mass market hybrid is a worthy one. Its sleek styling, better driving manners and over all grown up feel could just assist Honda surpass its 17,000 unit sales for the 1st insight.

Coming your way in 2010

The vehicles featured here are all scheduled to drop for 2010. More proof that the global recession is coming to an end....
I'm looking forward to feeling the 5 series!!!!


2010 BMW 5 series
1st launched in 1972, the 5 series has a new look for its 6th generation

All new Jaguar XJ
Under the Ownership of Tata, Jaguar seems to continue with its winning formula as the new XJ strays from the all too familiar "Jaguar" look

Aston Martin Rapide
Joining the Super Saloon Segment, Aston Matin premiers its 1st 4 door Super car


Peugeot RCZ
A few years ago when the concept pictures were released for the RCZ, i had a horrid arguement with a friend that peugeot could not manufacture this car; my reason? Peugeot had not made anything since the 504 was released in the 70's!!! and as u can see, the final product does have a lot of Audi TT look?

Ferrari 458 Italia
Here's the replacement for the F430. A stunner!!!!!!!

Bentley Mulsanne
A remake of the 80's Mulsanne. Bentley now owned by VW has introduced the depth of German engineering to the Mulsanne.

Lexus LFA
After 20 years of making Cars, the Luxury Dept. of Toyota thinks it is time to make its entry into the Super car League with this $375,000 Computer on wheels.

Audi R8 Spider
Audi Chops off the roof on its hugely successful R8 and we have this beauty!!!


SLS AMG
The most famous tuners from Mercedes finally makes its 1st car. i.e that isn't based on an existing model being sold. and i have to say they have gone to great lengths to make the modern Gullwing a real stunner.
The SLS can however trace its origin to Merc's 300SL of the Sixties.

Stunting

Sometime last week on the Beat FM as Toolz was rounding up her show, she said she was pissed off at two things, one of them being that she noticed whenever she was behind the wheels of her car; she often got a rough time especially from Male drivers. Like it was always some kind of battle or Race to get off the Red lights at an intersection or get in front of them in traffic. Well ehmm, yes Toolz it is. The thing is most Women are terrible drivers and in a city like Lagos where it’s a nightmare to drive, you often don’t want things like Trucks, Trailers, Danfo drivers and Women in front of you . They’ll only, only slow you down.
In my nearly 2 decades of driving I have met only a few drivers worth writing about and I’m going to be Married to 1. Now hold up, hold up before you figure I’m all biased and stuff. We can settle this by me challenging you to a test, which is simple: Come drive my Car!!!!!!!!!!!! (You definitely won’t get past opening the doors).
On earth today, there are only 3 people who can drive her (my Car). Me, My Brother and my Boo. Such is her Mastery of the Art of Driving.
The reason why she’s so phenomenally good is simply because she took the route that Male drivers take. They “LEARN”. All bad Female drivers have a biased mindset about driving before they ever get behind the wheels of a car; “oh I’m scared”, “driving is for men”, “whatever I’ll get a driver”, “I can’t drive in Lagos”, “my Husband will drive me”. These and numerous excuses I’m sure you’ve heard at some point and as such they never really get into the feel of being a good driver.
Ask any guy; nothing makes ‘em prouder than seeing his boo beat some other guy off the Lights or do the Shunting!!! You can then begin to understand my joy and pride knowing that beyond being a phenomenal singer my baby can switch lanes!!!!!!

Start- Stop Technology

High fuel prices, incredible vehicular traffic in urban areas the likes of Lagos, London and New-York has increased pressure on Auto Makers to seek ways to increase fuel economy of their cars.
One of the ever growing solutions is the engine start-stop system. It works by switching off the engine when ever the car comes to a full stop. First seen in Hybrid systems like the Toyota Prius, it’s becoming available in Non – hybrid cars even featuring intelligent systems as to anticipate how long the Car will be at a standstill for working with Radar and GPS to determine if the car will at a stop for more than 15s. Haven previously been proven that stopping the engine to restart in less than that time, the car will consume more fuel than if it were left to run.
Other chief concerns has-been to ensure that the start-stop effect is seamless and occupants and driver are not aware of the Shutting down and re-starting of the engine, also that the engine is able to withstand the rigors of numerous restarts and finally powering systems like the Air-conditioner while the engine is switched off( A/c systems are being powered by batteries).
Its estimated that fuel savings lie in the region of 7-10%.

Honda

After Several decades of gradually creeping up on GM, Toyota a few years back eventually overtook the American Auto giant to become the Largest Car maker in the world. However, Toyota will see a large part of their market share shrink because of growing concerns of Safety and build quality. The straw that broke the Camel’s back was the death of an American Trooper and three members of his Family in his Lexus. The cause, a sudden acceleration that Toyota says was caused by a Jammed accelerator Pedal caused by the floor mat. This has lead to millions of re-calls of several of their top selling brands (Camry, Rav 4, Corolla, Yaris, Avalon, Tacoma, Highlander, Tundra, Prius, Sequoia) and even a US Senate hearing where Akio Toyoda (Toyota’s number 1 man and the Grandson of the founder of Toyota) made a very emotional speech to reporters after the hearing.
In recent years, Honda has closed the gap on Toyota. The Camry- Accord battle which Toyota has won for every model before the most recent release’s, was lost by Toyota for the current edition (Caranddriver.com). I’m not a huge fan of Japanese cars but I think this is a grand opportunity for Honda to steal some of Toyota’s loyalists.
Honda seems to have gotten it right, unlike Toyota that seems to have a more mass market approach; Honda seems a bit more conservative.
If you got a Honda, this might just be the time to hold unto it cuz its value just might appreciate in the days ahead!!!!!!!

Don't Crush That Bug!!!!

In its over 58 years production life, the beetle has sold more than 21 million units. Standing as the 4th all time highest selling brand, behind the Ford F series and the Golf,Corolla tops the record with 35 million units sold over 30years. (the Golf being VW's replacement for the beetle).
Due to slowing sales of the current edition which debuted in 1998, VW is throwing in an all new model Beetle for 2011.
2011 Volkswagen Betle

Historical line up of the Bug

The new beetle will feature 3 engines, 2 petrol engines and 1 diesel and yeah, it will even have a cabriolet. VW's definition for Coupe's.

Isn't that a stunning look? Cheeky, but stunning non the less.....

The 4 door Coupe Concept

A few years ago when Porsche announced it was going to make its first 4 door vehicle, it was greeted with a lot of skepticism. Today we know that the Porsche Cayenne (Porsche's 1st 4 door Vehicle) helped turn the books in Favor of the German Automaker.
Aston Martin joins the Club of Sports car companies having a luxury Sedan in their line up with the launch of the Aston Martin Rapide.

Aston Martin Rapide


The world's 1st true 4 door sports Car( sorry all you Maxima Lovers). According to Aston's top man; Ulrich Bez, it was built as a sports car with 4 doors and not a 4 door car made sporty (unlike their rivals).

with a base price of $200,000,(32 million naira) its certainly not cheap.

The Rapid based on a DB9, is powered by a v12 engine churning out 470Bhp. Though a late entrant into the 4 door coupe segment (mercedes founded this segment with the CLS and Volkswagen followed with the Passat CC, Porsche only just recently introduced the panamera), The Rapide arrives at the Party looking very, very sexy and taking the game to a whole new level!!!!


You've got to admit though, this is one stunningly good looking car!!!!!!