BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage

The BMW’s 3.0 CSL Hommage concept looks like those wild fan-designed cars you often see on Internet forums, and what’s worse is that it was built to honor one of the most legendary BMWs ever made: the 3.0 CSL homologation special of 1972.

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

COSCHARIS MOTORS COMMENCES VEHICLE FINANCE SCHEME WITH STANBIC IBTC AND ACCESS BANK TO BOOST VEHICLE ACQUISITION.

As part of efforts to ease the ability of actual and prospective customers to purchase the various existing brands under the Coscharis franchise; Coscharis Motors Limited, in partnership with Stanbic IBTC Bank and Access Bank, has launched a Vehicle Finance Scheme, which is aimed at empowering retail and fleet buyers to purchase their choice vehicles from any Coscharis Motors outlet nationwide through payment by installment.

The Coscharis Group Managing Director, Josiah Samuel said: “the scheme will allow a repayment pattern spread over a period of four years with the option of a repayment percentage ranging from 10 – 30 percent within the period.”To the market, this scheme is unique in all ramifications as it is a first in terms of partnering two of the leading banks in Nigeria towards financing a vehicle acquisition scheme in collaboration with a multi-brand dealership that provides the market a bouquet of premium and economy auto brands.

In addition, the Group Managing Director stated that “the need for the collaboration is informed by the following key factors:

Many Corporate Nigerian workers including – Small and Medium Scale Enterprises want new vehicles from Coscharis but have inadequate financial capacity to effect outright payment.

Most of the SMEs buy fairly used vehicles to run their businesses in order not to drain their working capital with the cost of new vehicles.

Coscharis will require massive capital investment and extensive Lead time to implement this initiative alone.

Access Bank and Stanbic IBTC are well positioned to perform this financing role and have solid history in this regard.

Customer Centric

He further added that among the four major objectives for the scheme, the priority is to provide a convenient and cost effective third party vehicle purchase finance to buy any of the Coscharis brands.

The scheme which is a first by Coscharis focuses on delivering customers satisfaction given its very low interest rate, ease of accessibility to the banks, quick turnaround time for credit processing at the banks and availability of myriads auto brands and variants for customers to choose.

Tenure

For the first instance, the collaboration will be operative for the duration of one year but renewable for a further one year term thereafter or agreed otherwise.

Sales

The Vehicle Finance Scheme is projected to generate a 2000 unit sale across all brands. However, the key attractions to customers are the following benefits accruable in addition to the scheme: Free Vehicle Registration, Vehicle maintenance and service support including vehicle recovery and emergency assistance.  

The scheme will be available in all Coscharis networks including all the partnering banks networks nationwide.

About Coscharis Motors

Coscharis Motors is a representative of global automotive manufacturers including Ford, Jaguar Landrover, BMW MINI, MG, Rolls Royce and Joylong in Nigeria. The company is an industry leader in Nigeria and has dealership networks (including sales and services) across the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria. 

MG 550, defined by ultramodern safety and comfort

The British Morris Garages brand, a spin-off of Rover, is back in a new guise under Chinese ownership. The new-for-2011 MG 550 1.8T compact sedan is designed by MG's British team and comes with a newly-developed 1.8-litre light-pressure turbo 4-cylinder engine and a 5-speed automatic, on a front-wheel-drive platform vaguely derived from the old Rover 75, with independent suspension and disc brakes on all four wheels. 

The base model gets 16-inch alloys wheels, four-wheel ventilated disc brakes, cruise control, stability control, two front airbags, ABS with EBD, fabric seats, one-press engine start with the key still requiring insertion, steering-mounted radio controls, power windows and mirrors, automatic climate control a/c, faux wood trim, CD/MP3 stereo with 8 speakers, keyless entry, illuminated sunshade mirrors, digital gauges and fog lights. The top “Deluxe” model gets 17-inch alloys, side-curtain airbags, dual-zone a/c, leather upholstery, tinted windows, electric driver’s seat, parking sensors, sunroof and a basic GPS system. There are many more options available, such as Bluetooth, rear camera and cooler box, but the dealer will not offer those for now.

MG 550, has remained the Dream Car of every younger generation and even under Chinese ownership. And yes, it takes you to the new age when the desktop of driving operation can be customized, when the perfect fusion of digital technology and fashion interface.

Coscharis Motors, the authorised dealer of MG in Nigeria is well positioned to make MG the preferred car for the younger generation and to take the dream further by making MG one of the most popular brand in Nigeria.

According to the General Manager, Marketing and Corporate Services, Mr. Babarinde Abiona, “Coscharis Motors, offers to customers unmistakably British standard vehicle (MG) with a unique combination of Style and Sportiness that ensure drivers and passengers alike look forward to each and every journey just as much as they do to reaching their destination. And it’s our responsibility to find innovative ways of satisfying our teeming customers through quality services, he further stated”.

MG 550 takes you to the new age when the desktop of driving operation system can be customized, where the perfect fusion of digital technology takes place. And with the desktop of driving operation in your command, your personal taste can be manifested in each and every detail. Even more, the intelligent active system redefined the boundary of digital safety.

The MG Brand Manager, Mathew Aje, stated that the new MG 550 is ideal for retail customers, as well as fleet customers. Trendy car lovers could also take advantage of the packages that come with the purchase of MG cars from Coscharis Motors, and enjoy adequate after-sales back-up, genuine spare parts, finance and leasing, one year Free Service, Test Drive, Free delivery to any part of Nigeria and 3 years warranty/100,000 kilometres whichever comes first.

Coscharis motors wins Rolls-Royce award

It was a glorious day for the leading auto dealer giant, Coscharis Motors at the recently held Rolls-Royce Motor Cars 2015 Regional Dealer Conference in Dubai where the Company was awarded the BEST PERFORMING NEW DEALER in the Middle East Region in 2014.

The award which was presented to the Coscharis team led by its Group Managing Director, Josiah Samuel at the Gala dinner during the Conference at the prestigious Park Hyatt Hotel, Dubai by Mr. Brett Soso, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars' Regional Director for Middle East, Africa, Central Asia and South America for the outstanding performance of the dealership during the 2014 business year. The award according to the Regional Director is in recognition of Coscharis Motors for the outstanding sales record and maintenance of the global standard of positioning the luxury brand of Rolls-Royce in the Nigerian market within the short time of having the exclusive franchise of the brand.

L-R: Richard Collar, Head, Bespoke Sales & Marketing, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, Goodwwod; Brett Soso, Regional Director, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, Middle East, Africa, Central Asia & South America; Tolulope Gbadamosi, Sales Manager – Rolls-Royce, Coscharis Motors; Josiah Samuel, Group Managing Director, Coscharis Group; Ayman Ghanem, General Manager - Sales, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, Middle East, Africa, Central Asia &South America; Abiona Babarinde, General Manager – Marketing & Corporate Services, Coscharis Group; Mohamed Fawzi, Regional Dealer Development Manager, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, Middle East, Africa, Central Asia & South America at the award ceremony where Coscharis Motors was awarded the BEST PERFORMING NEW DEALER in the Middle East Region at Park Hyatt Hotel, Dubai recently.  

Commenting on the award, the excited Group Managing Director of Coscharis Group, Mr. Josiah Samuel who received the award on behalf of the Company dedicated the award to the company's ever loyal customers for their patronage and acceptance of the brand with a promise to continually create more value in the automobile industry in Nigeria. In his words, 'there can't be another best way to start a new business year in 2015 than with this recognition on a globally respected luxury brand like Rolls-Royce that is timeless and iconic. This award will definitely gear us up as a team to further delight our esteemed customers and the new prospects to equally come and share in the seamless luxury experience a Rolls-Royce car delivers at all times''.

Coscharis Motors has the exclusive franchise of the Rolls-Royce cars with the availability of the Phantom, Ghost I & II series and the new Wraith models in their Lagos and Abuja showrooms respectively with after sales offerings for both existing and new owners of the cars. 

The Lagonda Returns

Initially available only to buyers in the Middle East, where it was launched in Dubai late last year, the Aston Martin Lagonda Taraf is being built in a strictly limited small series of no more than 200 cars.

The return of Lagonda follows in the wake of other bespoke special projects by   Aston Martin such as the creation of the extreme Aston Martin Vulcan supercar, Vantage GT3 special edition, One-77, V12 Zagato and the CC100 Speedster Concept.

Based on the brand’s almost infinitely flexible VH architecture, the saloon draws inspiration from the highly sought-after William Towns-designed Lagonda of 1976 and features many of the same cutting edge engineering techniques seen in modern      Aston Martin sports cars, such as the extensive use of carbon fibre body panels.

The car is hand-built by the finest craftsmen and women at Aston Martin’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Gaydon, Warwickshire, in a dedicated building previously given over to the creation of the One-77 supercar.