Entries Extended till 24th May 2015 for Ford Ranger Odyssey Africa Challenge

The Ford Motor Company, in association with its accredited dealer in Nigeria, Coscharis Motors, has announced a new closing date for the Call for Entry into the 2015 edition of its action-packed Ranger Odyssey Africa Challenge, themed “Brain Vs Brawn”.

The third edition of the annual Ranger Odyssey will see a total of 20 contestants navigating through the extremely challenging north-western region of Namibia on a 12-day expedition that will push each person to the limit. The adventure starts off at Spitzkoppe and travels through Palmwag, Khuwarib and the barren and unforgiving Desolation Trail that follows the Huab River to Desolation Valley.

“The Ranger Odyssey is a unique event that gives dynamic individuals with a spirit for adventure the chance to see some of the most spectacular parts of Africa,” says Tracey Delate, General Marketing Manager, Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA).

While the life-changing experience is an exceptional prize in itself, there’s also the allure of the grand prize which includes the use of an Odyssey-spec Ranger for a year, along with R5 000 or its naira equivalent (in case a Nigerian emerges winner) worth of fuel per month.

While announcing the extension of the call for entry timeline, General Manager Marketing & Corporate Services, Coscharis Motors, Mr. Abiona Babarinde said “owing to the last minute rush for registration, Ford has decided to give interested Nigerians more time to register so that no one will be denied the opportunity to experience the adventure of a lifetime through the Ranger Odyssey.” He further re-emphasized the objective of the competition thus “The Ranger is built for the Tough, and through this competition, Ford aims to bring together a group of people across the continent who have adventurous spirit to experience the best Africa has to offer.”

Mr. Babarinde further explained that in preparation towards the Namibia competition, Nigeria will hold an antecedent event on the 29th of May, 2015.  Interested participants will first battle it out here in Nigeria, where three winners will emerge to join Mr. Chinonso Okezuo, winner of the 2014 Nigerian arm of the Ranger competition. Thereafter, they will all proceed to represent Nigeria at the Karoo Boot Camp in South Africa where the best two from Nigeria will proceed to grand finale of the competition in Namibia.

Mr. Okezuo could not make it to Namibia last year due to a travel ban on Nigerian travelers owing to the notorious Ebola scare at the time. He will therefore be among the contingents for the 2015 Ranger Odyssey.

Since the first Ranger Odyssey in 2012 which had around 700 entries, last year more than 8 000 people registered for the competition – and this number is expected to grow even further this year due to the high profile and remarkable success of this event.

To enter for the competition, interested persons are required to register online at www.rangerodyssey.com by the new closing date of 24 May.

The application requires submitting a short personal biography, followed up with a ‘selfie’ photograph taken with an Odyssey-branded Ranger or any other Ranger at any Coscharis Motors Showroom.

For further information on the Ranger Odyssey go to www.rangerodyssey.com and follow @FordNigeria on Twitter using the #RangerOdyssey hashtag. You can also like us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/FordNigeria).  

An Adventure with the All New Land Rover Discovery Sport

It’s not just the jet lag after long cross continental flights that haunts me but the nauseating feeling after each of the decompressed meals. As I was ushered to the VIP lounge of the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International airport in Mauritius, all that feeling disappeared at the sight of six Land Rover Discovery Sport vehicles. What a perfect Antidote. The Discovery Sport on first sight is a pure stress reliever and a beauty to behold. I wasn't really sure if the array of the different unique colors on display played visual tricks on my senses. Whatever it was, surely worked.

The Discovery Sport is available in different specs including the S, SE, HSE and HSE Luxury top of the line powered by either a 2.2 liter turbo diesel engine that boasts of a 0-100kmh dash in 8.7 seconds or a turbo charged 2.0 liter petrol engine mated to a revolutionary 9-speed automatic transmission given it 8.2 seconds to the 100kmh mark. I’ll skip the techy data and delve into the experience.

The guys at Land Rovers Liverpool manufacturing facility seem to have been struck by the pimping bug with the production of the Black pack specs which consists of Black grille, black bonnet and tailgate lettering, black 19 or 20 inch wheels, black fender vents and optional Santorini black contrast roof.

My antennas quickly guided me to the top-of-the line HSE Luxury (black pack) thanks to the adaptive Zenon and LED lamps which seemed to wink at me (in my dreams). The 19 inch black wheels and tires stuck to the tarmac as my instructor guided me through the narrow but windy roads that led out of the airport vicinity. He was however quick to inform me that he is required to apply the Emergency Brake Assist (EBA) system which can be activated with the Electronic Park Brake (EPB) in case of an impending situation. Silence was the best answer for him.

The Land Rover Discovery Sport multi-functional leather steering feels pleasant to the palms. The soft touch audio, telephone, cruise control function buttons are ergonomically positioned with zero interference. It almost felt like the Electronic power and speed sensitive steering wheels had a massage function which made maneuvering round very narrow bends a breeze. 

On a few occasions when full lock turns were required, the Discovery Sport advanced steering system cushioned the end turn feel (it eliminates the thud feel when the wheel is turned to the end). Surrounded by multi-color ambiance lighting and the night skyline view through the fixed panoramic roof, the drive to the Heritage Le Telfair Golf and Spa Resort was as therapeutic in the driver’s seat as a meal of ‘Mille feuille’ of crab and Marinated fish in Mauritian spices.

Day 2 commenced with a mixture of hard core indoor drive demonstrations and an array of organic continental breakfast. I chose to have the 45 degree inclined ascent and descent as dessert. The Electronic Traction Control (ETC), Hill Descent Control (HDC) and Gradient Release Control (GRC) all came into play and worked like the textbook stated. The GRC was the real thrill as you could actually feel the brake and engine communicate with intense precision. The convoy of head-turners headed to the Hills through pure gravel tracks that resembled mini boulders. Navigating over rough, slippery and hilly patches caused sweaty palms but I was quickly alerted to the innovative control systems that abound on the Discovery Sport. With available All-Terrain Progress Control (ATPC) and Terrain Response, drivers can tackle difficult trails.

Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Hill Start Assist and Roll Stability Control (RSC) reassured me of the safety features on the Discovery sport as I maneuvered to the Hill top overlooking the Indian Ocean. Dolphin sighting and the glow of the sunset capped with a platter of Ombrine Fish fillet, kalamansi truffle oil sauce and milk chocolate shortbread with coconut sorbet were the perfect climax to an adventurous day on a beautiful Island.

The torrential rains on the night before our departing trials helped with a sound sleep. Not even the highly anticipated boxing bout between Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao could distract my dreams about the Land Rover Discovery Sport. I had fallen in love. A private property tucked into thick vegetation by the coastline was the toughest test yet for the Discovery Sport. As we piloted through rain soaked clay surface, we found ourselves inches away from the ravine as captured by the HD surround camera system featuring rear panoramic view, bird’s eye view, T-junction view and reverse camera system beamed on the LCD display unit.

A much deserved lunch stop at the La clef des champs restaurant located on a cliff by the Indian Ocean further revealed the clean sporty design of the Discovery Sport just as we sampled the Islands palm hearts delicacy, saffron rice and grilled tomato chutney. I was totally surrounded by beauty as I drove to catch my flight in anticipation of the next adventure.

by Tosan Aduayi for Trendy Africa Magazine +234 805 805 6869, +1 817 538 2145