Jaguar XJR and XJ-R9 LM trash the tracks at Silverstone

The new Jaguar XJR and the race inspired XJ-R9 LM had an encounter at Silverstone. Le Mans racing Winner Andy Wallace tried out both Jags. Wallace drove the Jags during the day and at night while experiencing the 5.0-litre Supercharged V8 of the XJR. Wallace expressed his experiences while driving both cars.

Driving at night on the Silverstone circuit gave Wallace the opportunity to test the new LED headlights on the new XJ, the first Jaguar to be fitted with the technology. “Driving at Le Mans back in 1988, it was so hard to see at night,” said Wallace. “We were travelling at around 385km/h and it was too fast to see the road ahead. We used the lights more to catch glimpses of landmarks as they whizzed past, so we knew where we were.

“These days, modern road cars have incredible lights. LED technology allows you to see three times the distance we could back then, while active steer and bend also help target the lights to the places you want to see. “As a driver, whether you’re cruising on the road or pushing for performance on track, that level of vision really helps to give you confidence and that improves safety, performance and precision. I would love to have had the modern lights we have now on the XJ-R9 LM.”

“The XJ is now more dynamic and distinctive than ever, and taking the high-performance XJR to Silverstone gave an excellent demonstration of how the new LED lighting fitted to the car can benefit the driver,” said Ian Hoban, Vehicle Line Director for the Jaguar XJ. "But the new LED lights are just one of many impressive new features on our flagship sedan. Delivering even greater levels of luxury and performance, it features our new world-class infotainment system and interior materials and finishes that create an even more bespoke feel."

The 2016 XJ has had a thorough exterior design refresh and the full LED headlights with unique double 'J-Blade signature' daytime running lights are one of the key additions. They are unique in the Jaguar range. The LED headlights provide a colour temperature closer to that of daylight than the Bi-Xenon lamps they replace, improving visibility and driver comfort and also delivering a significant improvement in energy efficiency.

The most advanced lights ever seen on a Jaguar or Land Rover product, they also accentuate the 'quad lamp' design feature that Jaguar sporting sedans have made their own – a feature that also appeared on the XJ-R9 LM.

Tosan Aduayi has reported on Motoring since 1994 with trademark columns (Roadrunner, Carliners). He is the Founder and Publisher of Trendy Africa Magazine.

Modern Auto Transmissions are suffering from too much technology

I noticed a flaw with the continuous variable transmission (CVT) of my 2008 Nissan Altima not long after it was purchased. As a seasoned enthusiast, I knew something was not quite right. Months later, Nissan sent out a notice requesting owners of that model to come into the workshop for an evaluation. Without hesitating, I dashed to the dealership in Arlington Texas where they replaced the entire unit at no cost. On the contrary, I have been driving my 2000 Mercedes Benz E-class daily for over 2-years and the tranny just responds with no hitch.

Modern Auto transmissions have become a headache to drivers and manufacturers alike with rising complaints and recalls. Since 2010, automakers have recalled 7.2 million vehicles in the United States for dangerous transmission defects. The problems range from software problem to malfunctioning gears or clutches. Some fixes are as easy as taking a vehicle to a dealership and having the software replaced. Other times, it may require an entirely new transmission at the cost of thousands of dollars to carmakers and weeks of headaches for new owners.

Kia recalled more than 400,000 vehicles recently because they would shift out of park when the brake was pressed. Honda had to recall some Civics and its new Fit due to problems with the continuously variable transmission they use.

Twenty years ago, most cars had four or five gear transmissions. Six gears is now the industry norm though some cars have seven, eight and even nine gears as in the Jeep and Chrysler front or all-wheel-drive models. There are also more cars sold today with continuously variable transmissions, which, technically, have an infinite number of gear ratios.

Tosan Aduayi has reported on Motoring since 1994 with trademark columns (Roadrunner, Carliners). He is the Founder and Publisher of Trendy Africa Magazine.

Two millionth Series Land Rover Defender up for Auction in Dubai

Land Rover’s milestone vehicle the ‘Defender 2,000,000’ has landed in Dubai for an exclusive preview ahead of its special auction at Bonhams on 16th December, when car collectors from across the globe are expected to gather in London to bid for the unique car.

The two millionth Series Land Rover and Defender built in Solihull, UK, was displayed in the Al Fahidi district of the city, the historical heart of Dubai. To reflect Land Rover’s rich history and evolution through the decades, the vehicle was presented alongside a Series I Land Rover. The Defender pedal car concept, a hand-built tribute to Defender’s legacy which could be a popular collector’s piece and children’s toy in the region, completed the trio.

Since 1948 Land Rover has been manufacturing authentic 4x4s that represent true ‘breadth of capability’ across the model range. Defender, Discovery, Discovery Sport, Range Rover Sport, Range Rover and Range Rover Evoque each define the world's 4x4 sectors, with 80% of this model range exported to over 170 countries.

Communication source: JLR SA and SSA

Added Perks for Discovery Sport

Seatbelt for suitcases are among new accessories now available on the Land Rover Discovery Sport.  As a perfect road trip family vehicle, the right accessories can enhance their holiday driving experience even more. Land Rover also offers a centre armrest cooler for rear passengers. Finished in premium leather, this stylish refrigerator will keep your drinks and snacks pleasingly chilled on your travels.

There is also an iPad holder that clips into the headrests of the front seats, allowing rear-seat passengers to enjoy some hands-free entertainment, while sipping on some cool refreshments. . A handy set of side window sunshades further enhance the comfort of rear passengers.

Seatback stowage is also made available to help keep drinks, cables, plugs and toys organised in the rear. The Discovery Sport already boasts nearly 35 litres of stowage compartments for small items and boast s of an advanced Climate control unit with sensors which keeps the cabin of the Discovery Sport at the perfect temperature.

Tosan Aduayi is the founder of Trendy Africa Magazine and has been an Auto columnist since 1994

BENTLEY EXP 10 SPEED 6 WINS GOLD AT GERMAN DESIGN AWARDS

Bentley’s EXP 10 Speed 6 concept car has been awarded Gold in the Transportation category of the German Design Awards – one of the most highly respected design competitions in the world.

The German Design Council selects a panel of international design experts to judge the entries. They selected the EXP 10 Speed 6 for the Gold award as a result of its timeless, iconic Bentley design, clever use of new materials and aesthetic dynamism. 

The door panels are not covered with leather, but instead with high-quality wood.

The EXP 10 Speed 6 is a British interpretation of a high-performance two-seater sportscar. It showcases the future direction of luxury and performance using the finest materials and advanced hybrid technology – a powerful, exquisite and individual concept.

Tosan Aduayi is the founder of Trendy Africa Magazine and has been an Auto columnist since 1994

Kinsley Holgate conquers Africa for Land Rover

Land Rover Ambassador Kinsley Holgate spent 39 days on a grueling journey through six countries after departing from Gauteng’s Lesedi Cultural Village, in a fleet of Land Rovers to reach the Heart of Africa. Majority of this unique humanitarian journey was completed in specially outfitted Land Rovers, with the last section of the forest trek requiring the team to park their vehicles and proceed on foot. Kinsley Holgate and his team set out to find the beating heart of the African continent in the vibrant rainforests of the Congo, as scientifically determined by the Department of Environmental and Geographic Science at the University of Cape Town.

Joining the expedition were 14 Ba’aka pygmies, who played the role of porters as they carried tents, bedrolls, water, food, satellite phones and, of course, three GPS devices to help pinpoint the exact location of the Heart of Africa. Despite their great knowledge of the forests they call home, the pygmies had no concept of what Africa looks like on a map, not to mention where its heart would be found or the co-ordinates that were scribbled in the margins. With the help of the expedition’s interpreter, Nazaire, the team discovered that the pygmy porters had never travelled beyond their familiar forest routes. So what lay ahead was completely unknown for everyone.

 The first casualty of the on-foot forest trek was Mike Nixon, who was stung in the mouth by a bee. This eighth sting of the day proved too much for his system. A quick dig through emergency rations saw an Epipen being administered, preventing the swelling from affecting his airway.

At this point the pygmies decided to share their three big fears: forest leopards, forest elephants, and being bitten by the Ndolo – or Gaboon viper – for which they had no cure. Undaunted, the expedition crew proceeded, albeit a little more informed of the potential dangers ahead. For seven days, Holgate and his crew suffered through the last 17km of their journey. Constant rain and skin-piercing vines made for slow progress, with the team taking more than six hours to travel just one kilometre.

“After 9 000 kilometres in our Land Rovers, across six countries, it’s the last 17 kilometres that nearly killed us,” said Holgate. “It became a physical and emotional nightmare of endurance, and the longest seven days of my life. A whole week of grabbing roots to drag us along our bellies, digging through deep mud, and crafting our own pole bridges.”

The team eventual reached their destination using three GPS co-ordinates reading “17.05291°E, 2.07035°N”; as supplied by the University of Cape Town, and verified by the International Geographic Union. The Heart of the African continent now stands in the vast, 200 000 square kilometre rainforests of the Congo.

Tosan Aduayi is the founder of Trendy Africa Magazine and has been an Auto columnist since 1994

Dynamic tweaks for Discovery Sport

With sales reaching nearly 30,000 in the first half of 2015, Land Rover has further enhanced the visual appeal of its latest premium, compact SUV with the launch of the Discovery Sport Dynamic at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show. 

The Discovery Sport with Dynamic pack features a number of exterior enhancements, including Narvik Black exterior details, body-coloured mouldings and door claddings and the choice of a unique new 19” wheel design in Satin Dark Grey, or a 20” Gloss Black wheel.  

The capability of the Discovery Sport is heightened by the introduction of All Terrain Progress Control (ATPC) on petrol models, for 2016. ATPC is an advanced system that enables drivers to set and maintain a steady speed in off-road conditions. 

Another new feature is the Gesture Tailgate which provides the user with the ability to open and close the powered tailgate by means of a kick gesture, enabling the user hands-free access to the load space.

Tosan Aduayi is the founder of Trendy Africa Magazine and has been an Auto columnist since 1994