BusinessDay 28 Mar 2018

Wednesday 28 March 2018
30 BUSINESS DAY
C002D5556
2018 Hyundai Accent debuts with new looks
Stories by MIKE OCHONMA
Hyundai has officially
launched the fifth generation
of its popular Accent
small car in Africa and Middle
East markets, building on the
strengths of previous models with
the brand’s latest design and engineering
innovations while also
maintaining Accent’s unbeatable
value proposition for buyers.
Highlights of the new model
include a completely new exterior
design and comfortable high-tech
interior. More efficient powertrains
deliver an outstanding combination
of performance and fuel
economy, with a choice of 1.4-liter
or 1.6-liter engines, including a
diesel available in some markets,
matched to a six-speed transmission
in either manual or automatic.
Other advances include reduced
cabin noise and remarkably
improved driving dynamics, both
helped by a stronger bodyshell and
a selection of the latest safety and
convenience features offered either
as standard or as options.
The All-new Accent is also
slightly longer and wider than
the previous model, including an
increased distance between the
front and rear wheels, giving occupants
more leg and shoulder
room.
“It makes several key improvements
on the previous model,
which was already an excellent
cally grouped by function. Other
convenience features available
include a proximity key with push
button start, dual USB charging,
and auxiliary input jacks.
Standard safety features include
electronic stability control,
traction control and anti-lock
brakes, as well as emergency stop
signal, which automatically flash
the brake lights when the driver
brakes heavily. Available options
include a six-airbag system, static
bending headlights to provide
better illumination of the road
through corners, and auto cruise
control.
The body is stronger than the
previous model, with torsional
rigidity improved through the
increased use of advanced high
strength steel and structural adhesives.
The New-generation Accent
features several improvements to
the front side members and inner
side sill for improved collision
protection.
Front crumple zones have
been increased, front side airbags
also upgraded, and reinforcements
added to improve the car’s
collision energy management
performance, especially in small
overlap crashes. It includes many
of the latest auto innovations
available, immediately setting a
new benchmark for its segment.
“It offers something exceptional
to car buyers, and will continue
the Accent success story.”
said Mike Song.
Lagos moves to revamp
water transportation
… As pilot operations of Ikorodu ferry terminal commences
In line with its commitment to
facilitate an effective and efficient
integrated transportation
system, the Lagos state government
has commenced pilot operations
at its Ferry terminal at Ipakodo
in Ikorodu.
With this development, there
has been a turnaround renovation
of the Ikorodu Terminal to upgrade
the facility to a world-class, robust
and accessible hub for the water
transportation and other ancillary
services that would engender convenience
and safety, efficiency and
effectiveness in water transportation
experience for both the commuters
and operators in the state.
The terminal, when fully operational,
will primarily provide an
umbrella shelter for ferry logistics
with ample and safe space for operators
to load and offload passengers,
goods and services.
They will provide for the convenience
of operators as well as
the commuters, safety considerations
like water ambulances
and emergency rescue and water
maintenance in collaboration with
Lagos State Waterways Authority
(LASWA).
The facilities will also provide
for recreation and shopping, banking,
foodcourt, parking, customer
services, security, and well-maintained
conveniences.
A pilot operation at the terminal
is essentially for boat and ferry
operators and their passengers to
have a feel of the facility ahead of
kick-off next month.
Reacting on the development
Amina Agboola, the Director of
Corporate Services, Ikorodu Terminal,
said, “Our role is to work
with the operators to ensure that
this facility is maximised to help
develop and grow water transportation
in Lagos. We are very keen
to provide efficient, safe and world
class water transport solutions in
Nigeria.”
Agboola added; “Indeed, the
safety of operators, commuters,
our team and visitors, is a strategic
priority for us. We have put in place
intelligent control measures which
will reduce or eliminate hazards
within the terminal. These measures
will also take care of delays,
eliminate rush, human errors, improve
connectivity and provide a
better customer experience. Our
Water ambulance service and rescue
team are prepared to respond
within the shortest time possible to
any emergency situation.”
On his part, Andrew Lana, chief
executive officer, Halo-Waters (Nigeria),
operators of commercial
water transport ( Lagos WaXi),
said, “It’s a milestone in the journey
of putting in place efficient
inter-modal human and goods
transportation system and specifically
in-land water ways transportation
by the Lagos state through
the provision of infrastructure and
enabling environment that engender
continuous private sector investments
in the sector.
The users of the terminal shall
experience world class customer
service, given the facilities and services
promised by the operators
of the terminal and commercial
boats.
“As an operator, we are excited
that finally, outbound and inbound
passengers can experience
convenient, safe and reliable water
transport service in Ikorodu”, he
added.
Pirelli’s Cyber Car heralds fresh innovation in tyre technology
Pirelli, one of the leading
global trye makers has
recorded fresh breakthrough
in tyre technology.
It is called Cyber Car and it’s
a tyre that connects the rubber
with the car and provides
loads of information and
data.
Under the arrangement,
the tyre can relay information
such as air pressure, internal
temperature, and tread
depth. All of the information
comes via a tiny sensor that
Pirelli said weighs less than
an ounce. But, the tyre won’t
just look at data; it will help
make adjustments for drivers,
too.
Also, the tyre can communicate
with the car to
car and very popular with customers,”
said Hyundai’s Head of
Operations for Africa and the Middle
East, Mike Song. “Design and
engineering are completely fresh,
ensuring a car that looks superb, is
enjoyable to drive, with high levels
of safety, and will be economical
to own.”
The design exhibits confidence
and sophistication, delivering
a new interpretation of design
language. This includes Hyundai’s
signature cascading grille – a design
element being introduced
across the brand’s product range.
The grille is flanked by wraparound
headlights and optional
LED signature daytime running
lights, while sharp character lines
run the length of the car to the
slim LED wraparound tail lights.
The interior continues the
modern, confident, sophisticated
theme of the exterior. A driveroriented
layout with intuitive
controls combines with improved
interior roominess, high-quality
materials and premium technology
features. Premium, soft-touch
materials in key points create an
inviting and comfortable environment
for the driver and passengers.
A wide instrument panel
prominently features a standard
backup camera system via the
touchscreen LCD display. Beneath
the screen, the control panel
is laid out in a horizontal design
with buttons and controls logiactivate
the ABS and traction
control systems when needed,
and soon-to-come cars will
be able to adjust their setups
based on the tyre’s identification.
The tyre can provide the
vehicle accurate weight figures
to display a more exact driving
range, which is especially useful
for electric cars.
In terms of maintenance,
it can let drivers know about
specific information on tread
wear and when a rotation is required.
Pirelli will offer a suite
of services such as roadside assistance
and valet.
The company said the very
first cars with the Pirelli Cyber
Car tyres are coming this year,
as several manufacturers are
working to integrate the system
into their vehicles’ computer systems.
In addition to sending the information
to your car, the information
from the tyres will also go
to the Pirelli Cloud and drivers
will be able to get messages via a
smarphone app.
In Nigeria, the Pirelli range
of tyres has remained as one of
the most sort-after brand among
car owners, and available in
many service outlets scattered
all over the country. In the past
few weeks, the Pirelli trye brand
as part of the Infinity group have
opened a number of service centres
in Ajah, located in Lagos, followed
by the opening of other
service outlets in Abuja, Nigeria’s
capital and recently followed with
another center in Kaduna.