Ford Expedition makes a big and bold return

Ford has unveiled its biggest SUV, the Expedition, which is both larger and lighter than the aging version which was somewhat a gas guzzler. The Expedition promises better fuel economy and new features when it goes on sale later in 2017.

The 2018 Expedition is Ford’s first complete reworking of the big SUVs in about 15 years. The Expedition grows four inches in length with more three inches in the wheelbase. The bigger Expedition Max – previously called the Expedition EL – grows one inch. Its wheelbase is unchanged.

Both SUVs will be powered by a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6 engine linked to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Ford expects the combination to improve fuel economy and give it class-leading towing capacity. Like Ford’s F-series pickups, it adopts all aluminum body panels and has a new frame.

Tosan Aduayi, a motoring journalist since 1994, is the founder and publisher of Trendy Africa Magazine and has reported on Motoring with trademark columns (Roadrunner, Carliners). He is also the founder of Flowtran global.

RANGE ROVER SPORT SVR: GRIPPING ACCELERATION IN ALL CONDITIONS

Range Rover Sport SVR delivers devastating pace in all driving conditions. Merging legendary all-terrain capability with 405kW of V8 power and advanced traction technology provides Land Rover’s fastest vehicle with unique real world performance. 

Since going on sale in 2015, the Range Rover Sport SVR has showcased the abilities of Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations. This super-SUV has contributed to more than 285,000 second-generation Range Rover Sports being delivered to customers around the world since the ranged was launched in 2014. Many buyers will have been attracted by the 0-100km/h time of only 4.7 seconds.

When the perfect traction offered by clean, dry asphalt isn’t available, most sports cars immediately suffer from a lack of grip, stability and performance. But no sports car has the benefit of Land Rover’s legendary all-terrain know-how.

The intelligent system automatically selects the appropriate driving mode to suit traction conditions including: General Driving, Dynamic, Grass/Gravel/Snow, Mud and Ruts, Sand, and Rock Crawl. The driver can also use a simple rotary controller on the centre console to choose a specific mode. On Asphalt, SVR has been timed at 4.7 seconds, on grass; 5.5 seconds, on gravel; 5.3 seconds while on snow; 11.3 seconds.

“The Range Rover Sport SVR is famed for its on-road performance but this hasn’t been achieved at the expense of customary Land Rover capability,” said Driver Darren Jones, Stability Applications Leader, Jaguar Land Rover. “Our Terrain Response 2 technology takes the stress out of driving in all conditions.”

Tosan Aduayi, a motoring journalist since 1994, is the founder and publisher of Trendy Africa Magazine and has reported on Motoring with trademark columns (Roadrunner, Carliners). He is also the founder of Flowtran global.

2018 Toyota Camry is a total Evolution

The eighth-generation 2018 Camry has gone through a total evolution utilizing TNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture) which represents a completely new strategy to the way the company designs, engineers, and packages its vehicles. 

TNGA retains all of Toyota’s traditional values of superlative build quality and safety while injecting a fun driving experience that plays on all the senses. The physical manifestation is the usage of a new engine, transmission and GA-K platform.

 “The all-new 2018 Camry is, without a doubt, the most captivating mid-size sedan we’ve ever produced,” said Bob Carter, Toyota senior vice president of automotive operations.  “It delivers on everything Camry owners have come to expect from America’s best-selling car, and adds to it, jaw-dropping design, more advanced technology, cutting-edge safety systems, and stirring performance that raises it to an unparalleled level of excitement.”  

The 2018 Toyota Camry will again be available in four grades: LE, XLE, SE and XSE.  

Tosan Aduayi, a motoring journalist since 1994, is the founder and publisher of Trendy Africa Magazine and has reported on Motoring with trademark columns (Roadrunner, Carliners). He is also the founder of Flowtran global.

Car thief caught by technology in stolen BMW

A car thief was caught trapped inside the BMW he stole.

READ MORE HERE 

Jaguar reveals it’s electric i-Pace concept vehicle

Following the successful launch of the i-Pace suv, Jaguar has just revealed its concept electric version of the i-pace. The vehicle features a bespoke electric architecture, matched with dramatic design. The result is a no-compromise smart, five seat sports car and a performance SUV in one. “The I-PACE Concept represents the next generation of electric vehicle design. It’s a dramatic, future-facing cab-forward design with a beautiful interior – the product of authentic Jaguar DNA, electric technology and contemporary craftsmanship,” said Ian Callum, Director of Design, Jaguar.

“Our virtual reality reveal today has pushed technology boundaries as well, and captures the hi-tech essence of the concept car. We only have one concept car and it is in LA for the reveal. For the first time, VR has allowed us share it across the globe in the most immersive way possible.”

“For the first time in history, a global automotive brand has used fully immersive VR to launch their latest car,” said Ross Wheeler, Head of Automotive at Imagination. “This launch takes the individual far beyond any new car experience they would have witnessed before, allowing people across the world to connect in real time, be fully immersed within the vehicle and share live together their experience of Jaguar’s first ever electric vehicle.”

This unique and world-first ‘social VR’ reveal is believed to be the largest live and connected VR event of its type to date. Throughout the day more than 300 guests were transported into a specially created life-like virtual space, into which, two of the car’s creators, Ian Callum and Ian Hoban were projected.

From VR hubs in Los Angeles and London, groups of 66 guests including A-list stars Michelle Rodriguez, Miranda Kerr and James Corden, used HTC Vive Business Edition headsets, powered by Dell Precision workstations, to put themselves inside the concept car and interact live with other participants. Guests ‘sat’ on the concept’s virtual seats, had a 3600 view of Venice Beach as the concept was built piece by piece around them, and saw the I-PACE Concept race towards them across a virtual desert.

"This is an uncompromised electric vehicle designed from a clean sheet of paper: we’ve developed a new architecture and selected only the best technology available,” said Dr Wolfgang Ziebart, Engineering Director, Jaguar Land Rover. “The I-PACE Concept fully exploits the potential EVs can offer in space utilisation, driving pleasure and performance."

The state-of-the-art electric motors and 90kWh lithium-ion battery pack were designed in-house by Jaguar Land Rover to give the best possible performance and range for most daily journeys. Wherever you are in the world you can simply plug your car into a wall socket overnight, and have more than enough range to complete the average daily commute of around 50km.

Tosan Aduayi, a motoring journalist since 1994, is the founder and publisher of Trendy Africa Magazine and has reported on Motoring with trademark columns (Roadrunner, Carliners). He is also the founder of Flowtran global.

Introducing the all-New 2017 BMW 5 series

The 7th generation iconic BMW 5 series has been unveiled with Improved Performance and Dynamics. Over 7.6 million BMW 5 Series have been sold worldwide since 1972 and since 1975 over 1 million units in the U.S. alone. The 2017 BMW 5 Series has been entirely newly developed allowing for a significant weight loss of up to 137 lbs with the use of magnesium, aluminum and high-strength steel.

Thanks to the available state of the art chassis systems including Integral Active Steering now combined with xDrive (BMW’s intelligent all-wheel drive system), Driver and Parking Assistance Systems and Adaptive Mode including Dynamic Damper Control, the all-new BMW 5 Series once more defines the athletic and executive design of a true sport sedan.

Featuring a new user interface (iDrive 6.0), Gesture Control, the latest generation of Head-Up Display, Remote 3D View and an improved Voice Control with natural voice input, the 2017 BMW 5 Series marks a new era of personalized connectivity. The BMW 5 Series is the most innovative BMW 5 Series to date, combining unique driving dynamics using Remote Control Parking and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems clearing the way towards semi-automated driving.

The all-new BMW 5 Series will be available at U.S. dealers in February 2017. Pricing will be announced closer to market launch.

Tosan Aduayi, a motoring journalist since 1994, is the founder and publisher of Trendy Africa Magazine and has reported on Motoring with trademark columns (Roadrunner, Carliners). He is also the founder of Flowtran global.

BUGATTI CHIRON WINS IN THE CATEGORY “EXTERIOR PREMIUM BRAND - LUXURY“

The world’s most powerful, fastest; most luxurious and most exclusive production super sports car has the best design in the world. In its "Automotive Brand Contest", the German Design Council honours outstanding product and communication design in the automotive industry every year. 

At this year’s awards ceremony, the Bugatti Chiron was selected by the jury as the winner in the category “Exterior Premium Brand - Luxury.” This March, the Chiron celebrated its world debut in Geneva. The awards ceremony was held on the occasion of the Paris Motor Show.

The Automotive Brand Contest is held annually by the German Design Council. As the only impartial design competition for automobile brands, it has rapidly established itself as one of the world’s most important competitions in the industry. The German Design Council is one of the world’s leading competence centres for communications and know-how transfer in the design field. 

The association currently has more than 230 members. The German Design Council was established in 1953 at the initiative of the German Bundestag to strengthen the design competence of German industry.

Tosan Aduayi, a motoring journalist since 1994, is the founder and publisher of Trendy Africa Magazine and has reported on Motoring with trademark columns (Roadrunner, Carliners). He is also the founder of Flowtran global.