By Moses Akaigwe 08072100049
After a keen anticipation by Kia lovers in Nigeria, the all-new, 2018 Sportage SUV last week drove into the local auto market, flaunting an attractive design, a range of advanced technological features and greater quality.
Produced at Kia’s assembly plant in Isolo, Lagos, the fourth-generation Spoprtage is coming in with a number of accolades in its kitty, including the iF Design Award won shortly after its launch in the US.
At a media launch in Lagos, Kia Motors Nigeria explained that the all-new Sportage would be following the success trail blazed by its predecessor models. In order to improve comfort and convenience of the drivers and passengers, the new interior is significantly upgraded with high quality materials and modern design.
Engines and transmissions have also been updated, ensuring enhanced efficiency and performance. With the 2.0 litre engine under the hood of the LX and EX models that account for 185hp and 237Nm of torque, there is no shortage of power for the driver. Thus, the all-new Sportage has been equipped to continue its position as one of the most popular models in the segment.
It highlights Kia’s hallmark “tiger-nose” grille, while HID headlights, LED fog lamps, LED taillights and 17-inch wheels, draw attention to the improved aesthetics. The car’s wheelbase has been stretched for a more spacious interior – which translates into more passenger room and cargo space.
The Sportage scores high in handling, smoothness of the steering and updated driver-assistance features that boost safety and the overall driving experience.
The Group Managing Director, Kia Motors Nigeria, Jacky Hathiramani spoke about the new arrival, saying, “the development of the next-generation Sportage began with an in-depth analysis of market trends to best suit the needs of consumers. The thoughtful design, innovative packaging, premium materials, powerful engine and state-of-the art technology, all translate into a stunning modern masterpiece of SUVs.”
Hathiramani further remarked: “We are confident that the all-new Kia Sportage will take the entire auto industry by storm, not just because it is brave and handsome, but mainly because it has been imbued with new technology for optimum performance. The new Sportage is a bit longer than the old one by 1.6 inches, while the wheelbase is also longer by 1.2 inches longer. Sportage is the new king of the urban jungle with more than enough power to safely and smoothly navigate city roads.”
Also speaking just before unveiling the Sportage, Vice President, Kia Motors Nigeria, Olu Tikolo, said: “Aesthetic improvements in design and improved functionality of the all-new Sportage is expected to once again accelerate Kia’s market progress and open a brand new chapter in the company’s history of pioneering the compact urban SUV segment.”
Earlier while highlighting the strong points of the made-in-Nigeria Sportage just before the unveiling, the Marketing Manager, Jimoh Olawale, explained that the car was tropicalised in order to suit the country’s motoring environment. “The Kia Sportage is all about offering you more than you would expect”.
(Active and passive) safety has not been compromised; hence the SUV comes with Auto Cruise Control (ACC), Parking Assist System (PAS), and Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) technology. The VSM is a cutting-edge technology which intervenes when necessary, especially in difficult road conditions, to help the driver regain control.
Ford supports Riders for Health with Rangers, Smart Mobility
Ford Motor Company has donated two Ford Rangers to Riders {Riders} for Health in Nigeria as part of its Project Better World, which provides support to grassroots efforts to drive sustainable community innovation around the globe.
The Ford Rangers will be outfitted with Ford’s data-capturing OpenXC technology, a Ford Smart Mobility project, which collects vehicle performance, environment conditions, and location data that can be used to optimise delivery of healthcare services and supplies.
Ford Project Better World brings together multiple organisations such as Riders in Nigeria, and social entrepreneurs to deliver health education, medication, nutrition and basic services to thousands of underserved people in remote areas. The services will be accessed using enhanced mobility and connectivity technologies from Ford vehicles.
Riders is a non-profit organisation that seeks to make healthcare in rural African communities more accessible by providing motorcycles for medical practitioners to use for transport.
The addition of two Rangers to the Riders’ fleet is invaluable to the programme’s operations in Nigeria as the new vehicles will also be used to deliver medical professionals and supplies in rural areas, as well as to support Riders’ fleet of motorcycles.
“The Rangers guarantee extra capacity in mobility, allowing us more coverage,” says Ajayi Kayode, Country Director for Riders for Health Nigeria. “We are going to expand our patient monitoring and evaluation activities, saving a lot of money in the process that would otherwise go towards hiring a vehicle.”
The delivery of the Rangers supports a $75,000 investment from the Ford Motor Company Fund, the philanthropic arm of the Ford Motor Company. These funds support Riders in Nigeria with the education and training of local mechanics to service the entire Riders fleet of vehicles, which include a wide range of motorcycles and cars.
Riders works with the Nigerian Ministry of Health and other health-related partners to manage their healthcare vehicles, maintaining a total fleet of 2
370 Ford and other vehicles. Riders for Health uses 77 Ford vehicles across six African countries – Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, The Gambia, Malawi, and Zambia.
OpenXC Technology
The OpenXC sensor kit fitted on the two Ford Rangers will record every trip the pick-ups make and the information collected will provide a database of the Riders team’s routes, vehicle operating parameters and environmental conditions like altitude and ambient pressure. This data can then be used to create maps of remote regions, optimise routes, and track vehicle maintenance.
The OpenXC kit gathers information such as wheel speed, acceleration and altitude, as well as traffic patterns, pedestrian data, and road conditions.
Boulos unveils mobile workshop to back Suzuki Super Carry
A new mobile workshop designed as a vital part of very proactive and innovative measures ensuring smooth motoring for users of the Suzuki Super Carry vehicles, has been launched by Boulos Enterprises Limited.
Called the Mobile Mechanics and Repair Suzuki (MMARS), it will enable purchasers of the new Suzuki Super Carry in the Lagos area to have their vehicles serviced at their doorstep or distribution centres.
National Sales Manager for Suzuki Nigeria, Joseph Fayose, explained that MMARS is equipped with compressor, trolley jack, maintenance table, torque wrenches, secure tooling cabinet and other Suzuki-specific tools. It is manned by two Suzuki qualified technicians.
Fayose gave more information on the mobile workshop: “MMARS further reinforces our promise to maintain the lowest downtime for any commercial vehicle product in Nigeria. The Nigerian Suzuki Carry is assembled and manufactured by Nigerians for Nigerians, likewise the MMARS was designed and built here in Lagos, we are justifiably proud of it and know it will prove invaluable to companies and small business people who need their vehicles to be working 24 hours a day”.
Giving a brief insight into the profile of the 1.2 litre petrol engine Super Carry which the MMARS will be backing up, the Marketing Manager, Titi Olodun, described the 1-tonne van sold in 192 countries, as “the most tried and trusted in the world”.
The launch price of Naira N4.3 million, she said, is N2 million less than any other competitor’s price.
Olodun further disclosed that the pick-up version would be available only to special orders, while the van and refrigerated units are expected to be the best sellers.