Mercedes Benz reports USA Sales Record for 2015

 Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) has reported its highest volume month ever with December 2015 sales of 38,918, bringing the company to the highest annual volume in its U.S. history at 380,461. MBUSA's sales for December were up 1.7 percent versus the 38,270 sold in December 2014 (the previous record volume for December) and up 3.8 on a year-to-date basis relative to the 366,589 vehicles sold in 2014.

"This has been a great year and we begin 2016 with strong momentum from the recent launches of our GLE and GLC models. We'll have a constant stream of new products in 2016 – cabriolets, coupes and AMG models – leading us to yet another banner year," said Dietmar Exler, president and CEO of MBUSA.

December sales for the Mercedes-Benz brand were led by the C-Class, GLE and E-Class model lines. The C-Class took the top spot with 7,023 units, followed by the newly introduced GLE-Class. The GLE finished second this month with 6,310 sales, marking a total of 20,663 units sold since its market debut in August. The E-Class recorded the third-highest December sales number with 4,999 units.

For the year, the Mercedes-Benz brand was led by the C-Class, M/GLE-Class and E-Class model lines. Like the month of December, the C-Class took the top spot for 2015 with 86,080 units, followed by the M/GLE-Class with 53,213 sales. The E-Class finished third, recording 49,736 sales for the year.

Mercedes-Benz Vans sold 4,046 vehicles during the month of December, up 23.1% over December 2014, bringing annual sales to their highest volume on record. For the year, Mercedes-Benz Vans tallied 29,889 vehicles sold, a 16.1% increase over the 25,745 from 2014. December saw smart deliver 669 units, finishing with 7,484 for the year.

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

2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio delivers performance and precision

The 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio delivers race-inspired performance, advanced technologies, seductive Italian style and an exhilarating driving experience to the premium mid-size sedan segment. Built in Italy, the Giulia Quadrifoglio Delivers Class-leading 505 Horsepower, 0-60 in 3.8 Seconds and a Record-setting 7:39 Nürburgring Lap Time – the Fastest Ever by a Four-door Production Sedan.

Incorporating next-level technologies, the Giulia Quadrifoglio features a Ferrari-derived 505-horsepower bi-turbo V-6 engine, Alfa Romeo’s most powerful production car engine ever, cylinder deactivation and carbon fiber active aero front splitter for improved handling at high speeds. Race-inspired performance is achieved courtesy of the Giulia’s extensive use of ultralight, high-strength materials, which include a carbon fiber driveshaft, hood, roof and more – all for a best-in-class power-to-weight ratio and near perfectly balanced 50/50 weight distribution, resulting in a class-leading 0-60 miles per hour (mph) time of 3.8 seconds and a record-setting Nürburgring time. And similar to all great Alfa Romeo vehicles, the Giulia features stunning Italian design with impeccable proportions and attention to detail that enables a timeless Alfa Romeo style with world-class craftsmanship.

A Formula-1 inspired steering wheel features a thick-rim profile that transmits the chassis’ direct-steering feel and neatly groups the vehicle controls and the red engine start button. Behind the steering wheel, the Giulia features a full-color 7-inch driver information display (DID) cluster straddled by two large white-on-black face analog gauges.

At the center of the interior, Alfa Romeo Giulia’s all-new 3-D Navigation offers an intuitive, yet sophisticated series of features, including a high-resolution 8.8-inch widescreen display with real-time vehicle performance pages and telemetry, plus 3-D graphic navigation. A short-shift six-speed manual shifter elevates proudly in the center console, while the all-new and ergonomically located Alfa Rotary Pad offers a gesture recognition system, allowing the driver to interact with the 3-D Navigation system simply by moving fingers on the pad.

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

Range Rover named 2015 luxury SUV at NAJA Awards

The Range Rover has been named winner in the Luxury SUV of year 2015 category recently in Lagos, in the Nigeria Auto Journalists Awards, an independent media awards programme judged by motoring editors across Nigeria.This award is a continual of last year’s feat, where the Range Rover was nominated and won the Premium Auto Brand of Year 2014 in its segment. 

According to Abiona Babarinde, the General Manager, Marketing, Coscharis Motors; the award is an attestation to the defining design strategy which was embedded within four major elements in building the vehicle – Luxury, Sustainability, Relevant Functionality and Desirability with  the commitment of Coscharis to taking the Jaguar Land Rover brands to the pinnacle of premium automobiles in Nigeria.   

Following over forty years of success, designing the current Range Rover and protecting such an icon’s DNA, came with a huge Responsibility. Consequently, this award among other previous awards, cements the aim of Land Rover in building the Range Rover as a sophisticated and modern SUV with peerless characteristics from its unique lineage.  

The organisers of the NAJA Awards opined that the Range Rover was adjudged the best because of “its ownership activities, especially in the last 12 months and the unique brand design adaptation, luxury offerings and sophistication that define it as a remarkable SUV for the new era.”

Coscharis Motors is the sole dealer of Jaguar Land Rover brands in Nigeria and boasts of a wide dealership - sales and service network across the country with a well trained and effective team. It currently stocks the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, Range Rover Evoque, Discovery Sports and Defender Heritage. Other Jaguar variants include the XJ, XF, XE and F-Type.

Defender Captivates London

Londoners were delighted when they spotted a one-of-a-kind Land Rover Defender ‘taxi’ driving through the streets of the capital. The Defender, one of the world’s best-loved 4x4s, had the starring role in a commemorative film to celebrate this global automotive icon and to promote the forthcoming charity auction of the Defender 2 000 000 being held at Bonhams New Bond Street headquarters on 16 December.

The film, released today, also stars a number of other more unusual, specially modified vehicles including a Series II Land Rover ice cream van, a specially tailored Paul Smith Defender and the first ever Series Land Rover show car, displayed at the Amsterdam Motor Show in 1948, all taking in London’s famous landmarks as they tell the story of the Defender’s rich history.

The Defender 2 000 000 will be on display at a specially curated exhibition from 15-16 December for prospective bidders to preview the vehicle at Bonhams ahead of its auction.

All proceeds from the auction of ‘Defender 2 000 000’ will be donated in their entirety to Land Rover’s humanitarian and conservation partners – the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the Born Free Foundation.

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

JAGUAR XE and XF achieve five star euro NCAP safety rating

The Jaguar XE and all-new Jaguar XF have been awarded the maximum five-star rating in Euro NCAP’s 2015 safety tests. XE and XF scored highly in every category – Adult Occupant, Child Occupant, Pedestrian and Safety Assist – and are among the most highly rated models in their respective segments.

“The XE and XF were engineered without compromise: we placed just as much focus on safety as we did on dynamics, performance, refinement and efficiency, and our stringent in-house standards far exceed the requirements of legislative and consumer tests,” said Kevin Stride, Vehicle Line Director for Jaguar XE, XF and F-PACE.

The XE and XF are developed from Jaguar’s Lightweight Aluminium Architecture: the inherently light body structures are also stiff and strong, delivering exceptional occupant protection. Both models are further enhanced by driver and passenger airbags, side airbags and curtain airbags. In the event of an impact with pedestrians, deployable bonnets help to mitigate serious injuries.

The XE and XF offer a full suite of active safety technologies and advanced driver assistance systems including Dynamic Stability Control, Traction Control, Emergency Brake Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Monitoring, Closing Vehicle Sensing, Reverse Traffic Detection, and Adaptive Cruise Control.

Additional safety features offered in the XF – which will be launched in South Africa early next year– include Lane Keep Assist, Driver Condition Monitor and Adaptive Speed Limiter.

Driving the Ultimate Pleasure of Life: Rolls Royce

A gentle tap on the electronic throttle brought to life the massive 6.75 litre-12 cylinder power plant neatly tucked under the bonnet of the world’s most luxurious hand built sedan; the Rolls Royce Phantom Extended Wheelbase. In designing the current Phantom, the influence came from Sir Henry Royce himself: “Strive for perfection in everything you do. Take the best that exists and make it better. When it doesn’t exist, design it.” From that challenge, Phantom was born. And the result is the definition of automotive design and technological perfection. Nigeria’s only accredited Rolls Royce dealership; Rolls Royce Motor Cars Nigeria organized a Ride and Drive event to enable the media experience first-hand the true thrill and feel of the Rolls Royce Phantom, Ghost II and the Wraith.

The average atmospheric temperature on the humid and hot afternoon within the vicinity of the most expensive residential real estate in Nigeria hovered around 94 degree F. However, such statistics had no bearing on the interior conditions of the luxury sedans creating an illusion in my mind that tomorrow should never come. The cabin of the Phantom boasts of bespoke had stitched leather, carefully selected veneer, fully stocked hidden refrigerator, deep lambswool carpets and a host of luxury perks all add up to create an unmatched presence.

I had to be reminded that other media personnel were ready to eject me if I spent a second extra on the heavenly seats. My intimate and personal experience with Rollers also changed my perception about the adaptability to modern auto trends. The 3D surround camera system ensures that you are in control of your surroundings. The integrated park assist is flawless. Adaptive headlamps, blind spot monitoring, multi-contour seats are just a few of enhanced technology available in the luxury cruiser. Dual WiFi hotspot keeps you connected while you’re on the move. 

The presence of a rotary controller allows you to access music or directions with just a swipe of your finger. To make life even easier, voice control is available and enables you change your destination or call your contacts.

As I eased off on a stretch of road made with interlocking blocks and a few speed breakers, the unparalleled driving comfort created the most unique thrill. Thanks to the state-of-the-art suspension technologies which create the air-cushioned ‘magic carpet-like’ ride unique to Rolls‑Royce.

The Wraith and the Ghost II both share the ride comfort. While the Ghost brims with innovative technology and unrivalled engineering boosted by a smooth twin-turbo 6.6-litre V12 engine, the Wraith has a timeless elegance and purity, allowing you to forge a graceful path through an ever-changing world at performances rated from 0-60mph in just 4.4 seconds which is reserved for super sports cars. 

Wraith also features one of the most intelligent drivetrains ever to feature in a Rolls‑Royce motor car. Satellite-aided transmission uses GPS data and the navigation system to pre-empt whatever’s around the corner. It then chooses the right gear and leaves you to enjoy the drive.

The ultimate in auto luxury, performance and standards are available at the ultra-modern Rolls Royce Motor Cars Nigeria showroom in Lagos. If you value the ultimate in driving pleasure, there is by far no other brand than the Rolls Royce.

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

Range Rover marks 45th anniversary with jaw dropping spectacle

To mark the 45th anniversary of its Range Rover family and to highlight 45 years of Range Rover innovation ahead of the Guangzhou Motor Show in China, Land Rover has driven its flagship Range Rover luxury SUV across a bridge made of paper. The freestanding structure in Suzhou, China, spanned five metres without glue or bolts to hold it in place. The hand-built paper bridge took three days to construct in the ancient water city of Suzhou, which is famous for its bridges and nicknamed ‘Venice of the East’. The unique crossing was made of high quality paper supplied by specialist British manufacturer James Cropper PLC. The high-grade paper provided the consistency and visual quality desired by British artist and bridge designer Steve Messam.

The job of driving the Range Rover was entrusted to Land Rover Experience Chief Instructor, Chris Zhou, and the landmark crossing showcased the innovative lightweight body construction and all-terrain capability of Land Rover’s flagship SUV.  

Range Rover represents the pinnacle of the Land Rover line-up and features a host of advanced technologies designed to deliver class-leading capability. The intelligent four-wheel set-up is controlled by Land Rover’s unique Terrain Response 2 system, which adjusts a range of vehicle settings to optimise all-terrain ability without any input from the driver. Range Rover defined the luxury SUV sector when it debuted in 1970 and the latest model was the first SUV in the world to be constructed from lightweight aluminium when it debuted in 2012.

In addition All-Terrain Progress Control (ATPC) allows drivers to concentrate purely on steering the vehicle when negotiating difficult or slippery terrain by maintaining set crawl speed ranging from 1.8km/h to 30km/h without any pedal inputs. The innovative technology can be activated on the move or from a standstill, to help when pulling away on tricky surfaces such as wet grass or deep sand. “China is a hugely important market for Range Rover and the birthplace of paper, so we have picked the perfect place to celebrate 45 years of our luxury SUV family,” said Nick Rogers, Director Group Engineering Jaguar Land Rover. “Driving a vehicle across a paper bridge is a simple and engaging way of demonstrating both the lightweight construction and all-terrain composure of our most prestigious model.” Paper was invented in China around 2 000 years ago and stock from famous British supplier James Cropper PLC – itself celebrating 170 years in business in 2015 – was chosen to highlight Range Rover’s British roots. 

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