By Moses Akaigwe 08072100049
Ford Motor Company Sub-Saharan Africa has presented to the motoring media in the region –including Nigeria where the Ford brand is represented by Coscharis Motors – the expanded all-new Everest range built for the first time at the Silverton Assembly Plant in Pretoria, South Africa.
This came months after the auto maker dropped the hint in the first quarter of the year that it was investing about $170 million US dollars {R2.5-billion) to widen operations at the plant with focus on the revamped Ford Everest and Ranger.
The development which has created about 1 200 new jobs, has made the facility the production hub for the Everest, with the advantage of making the vehicle available in the regional market as and when needed. Consequently, Everest is set to become a more compelling and competitive choice in the highly contested SUV market in SSA region.
It was from the facility that Ford mobilised units of the stylish but powerful 2.2-litre and three 3.2-litre models of the seven-seater Everest that thrilled the motoring journalists, including the Motoring Editor of The Sun of Nigeria, all through a road trip from the outskirts of Johannesburg to Limpopo, and back!
The performance of the vehicles on- and off-road during the test-drive that covered about 500 kilometres, confirmed the statement by the General Manager, Marketing, Ford Motor Company SSA, Tracey Delate, that the well-endowed SUV delivers outstanding levels of sophistication, luxury, all-terrain performance and versatility.
Model range
A total of eight models are available, all built to Ford’s stringent global quality standards. This includes five 2.2-litre versions in XLS or XLT trim, as well as three 3.2-litre models in XLT or Limited specification.
The 2.2 XLS is available in three versions, comprising a two-wheel drive derivative with six-speed manual gearbox, along with an automatic model that uses Ford’s smooth-shifting Select Shift six-speed transmission to deliver seamless power and refinement, with the added benefit of Sport and Manual modes for ultimate control.
For owners that intend heading far off the beaten track, there’s the Everest 2.2 XLS 4×4, equipped with a manual transmission. The intelligent four-wheel drive system provides permanent drive to all four wheels, using an active transfer case with high and low range, a rear differential lock and Torque on Demand to deliver optimum performance and traction in all conditions. This is bolstered by the 225mm ground clearance and substantial 800mm water wading depth.
Customers desiring an added measure of luxury and exclusivity can opt for the higher-specification Everest 2.2 in XLT guise, available in two-wheel drive form with either manual or automatic transmissions.
The two top-end models are both matched to Ford’s intelligent four-wheel drive system, automatic gearbox and impressive 3.2-litre engine, in either XLT or range-topping Limited specification.
Ford’s innovative Terrain Management System, available only on the Limited, boasts four driving modes: Normal, Mud, Sand and Rock Crawl.
Smart Technologies {all-new SYNC®3}
One of the most exciting new technologies, available for the first time in Sub-Saharan Africa, is Ford’s latest-generation SYNC®3 integrated communications and entertainment system, fitted as standard on the Limited model. It includes a total of 10 speakers, two USB ports, SD card slot and Auxiliary connector for use with all types of multimedia devices.
The XLT employs SYNC®1 with a colour display, as well as Bluetooth, USB and iPod connectivity. In the case of the XLS models, a Mechless Audio system is provided, and offers an integrated control panel and screen, along with USB and Auxiliary port.
Numerous other sophisticated technologies fitted as standard on the Ford Everest include Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) with Traction Control, Hill Launch Assist and Trailer Sway Control, plus dual front, side and full-length curtain airbags.
The extensive range of smart and safe driving technologies on the Everest Limited make it stand out even further. It boasts the convenience of front and rear parking sensors, linked to the eight-inch touch screen display. As part of a Driver Assistance option pack, Adaptive Cruise Control is matched with an adjustable speed limiter and Lane Keeping system for added safety. This can be further bolstered with Semi-Auto Parallel Park Assist and the Blind Spot Information System (BLIS).
Additionally, the Limited is equipped with HID headlamps with washer and metalized bezel, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, a useful 110/230-volt power inverter and the spectacular optional dual panel powered moon roof.
Load space is rated at 600 litres with the third row seats folded, expanding to 2 010 litres with both second and third rows folded completely flat.
Efficient performance
The Ford Everest shares its outstanding Duratorq TDCi engine range with the Ford Ranger, with the engines produced at Ford’s Struandale Engine Plant in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Everest and other Ford vehicles are marketed in Nigeria by Coscharis Motors Limited.
The extremely capable 2.2-litre four-cylinder engine which produces a maximum power output of 118kW at 3 700r/min is rated for a maximum towing capacity of 3 000kg, reinforcing the Everest’s exceptional all-round capabilities – particularly as a lifestyle vehicle.
Late NAMA Executive Director, Madueke honoured
The late Executive Director of Nigeria Auto Manufacturers Association (NAMA), Mr. Arthur Madueke, has been honoured the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association {NAJA} at its recent awards night held at the Eko Hotel and Suites.
The post-humous award was one of the highpoints of the 2016 NAJA Awards that saw many vehicles and companies winning laurels, while some prominent investors in the sector, including the President of the Coscharis Group, Dr. Cosmas Maduka, were also on the honours list.
In a brief remark ahead of the presentation of the plaque, the Chairman of NAJA, Mr. Frank Kintum, told guests at the event that late Arthur Madueke was being remembered by the motoring journalists for the important and useful contributions he made towards to the development of the auto industry.
Until his death on Monday, July 7, 2014, was in the vanguard of the efforts by Federal Government the auto industry represented by National Automotive Design and Development Council {NADDC}, NAMA and the auto sectional group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria {MAN}.
Unfortunately, he died less than one week after the automotive policy {officially called the Nigerian Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIDP), which he dedicated his life to, took effect, on July 1, 2014.
Perhaps, only next to the former President Goodluck Jonathan and the then Industry, Trade and Commerce Minister, Dr. Olusegun Aganga, late Madueke was one of the most untiring advocates of a virile auto industry to be driven by to the policy.
In one of his many no-hold-barred interviews with the Daily Sun in support of the policy, the late NAMA Executive Director had said: “I only wish that the government of President Goodluck Jonathan was in existence 20 years ago: then the story would have been different today. If this kind of decision had been taken in the 1990s or thereabout, by now you would have had the impact on the Nigerian automotive industry.
“But, be it as it may, I think that the policy by the Federal Government is appropriate. It is one of the best things that history will record as having happened in Nigeria, because it is not only going to impact on the whole engineering sector of the Nigerian economy, because as we keep on repeating ourselves, a unit of vehicle has about 2,500 parts. So, the value change is immense and numerous. Therefore, this singular policy, if well implemented and stuck with, is one of the best things that will happen to the Nigerian economy”.
FRSC, Anambra, Delta plan joint effort to ease Niger Bridge traffic
As the Christmas season approaches, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has announced it would collaborate with the governments of Anambra and Delta states on measures to ensure smooth flow of traffic at both ends of the Niger Bridge..
The Corps Marshal, Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, who made this known during a meeting with Govs. Willie Obiano of Anambra and Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta, said plans were under way to curb the perennial traffic challenges along Benin-Asaba-Onitsha-Awka corridor.
He said that the road was one of the critical corridors of the nations’ highways with a total stretch of about 173 kilometres, linking the east to the other parts of the country.
According to him, the corridor experiences considerable volume of traffic which varies from time to time.
“Recent traffic count indicated that at the peak of traffic along Asaba-Benin highway, a total of 7,692 vehicles were recorded on 12 hourly basis, while Benin-Asaba also recorded 6,681 at the peak.
“ The lowest traffic period within the same period recorded 527 and 412, for the two routes respectively.
“Of recent, it has been observed that the condition of the corridor has degenerated throwing up some traffic non-conformities while at the same time motorists misuse the road thereby bringing considerable hardship to other motorists.
“Aside from this, other non-traffic impediments prevail along the corridor for which concerns have been raised and immediate, medium and long term solutions must be preferred.’’
Oyeyemi said that the FRSC also observed some challenges along that corridor, like the Army, Police and produce officials’ check-points before the bridge head which causes gridlocks.
He said that inappropriate use of intersections along the corridor, motorists making illegal use of the dual carriage Island during peak periods and inadequate and defacement of traffic signs among others, were also discovered to be constituting problems on the highway.