Rolls-Royce begins testing EV Spectre, positioned as new-age Phantom coupe - Newstrends
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Rolls-Royce begins testing EV Spectre, positioned as new-age Phantom coupe

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The Rolls-Royce Spectre will be positioned as the spiritual successor to the Phantom coupé in the luxury marque’s range when the new electric model goes on sale at the end of 2023, the super luxury automaker has said.

According to Autocar, the engineering parameters for the Spectre are now being set as the Goodwood firm begins the almost two-year testing programme, beginning with a winter testing near the Arctic Circle.

This included an early ride in a development mule, just the sixth Spectre development car to have been created.

The positioning of the Spectre within the firm’s range has now become clear, too, beyond simply being ‘the electric Rolls-Royce’.

The company has decided against replacements for the Wraith coupé and Dawn convertible. No more orders are being taken for the pair, and the last cars will be built in early 2023.

As a result, Rolls-Royce has made space for the Spectre to fulfil the role of a two-door model in the range, albeit at a larger size than either the Wraith or Dawn and more in line with the 5.6m-long Phantom coupé that was withdrawn from sale in 2016.

Rolls-Royce boss Torsten Müller-Ötvös said it was important that the Spectre had a role simply beyond being an electric car. He added that while technically possible, simply making one of its existing models electric was never seriously considered as this would not add as much to the brand as a bespoke body style would.

“It is first a Rolls-Royce, and then it is electric,” he said.

Sited between the axles is a 700kg battery pack, a joint development between Rolls-Royce and parent firm BMW that uses cobalt and lithium mined from certified sources in Australia and Morocco.

Beyond the weight of the battery, no other technical details of the model have yet been confirmed.

However, Rolls-Royce Director of Engineering Mihiar Ayoubi offered lots of insight into the wider technical development of the Spectre and its early progress.

The battery, for example, plays a key role in the overall package. It is completely flat underneath to allow for a smooth floor to improve aerodynamic efficiency. The battery’s mounting also enables better weight distribution front to rear for improved ride comfort and handling, and a low centre of gravity.

In addition, it has acoustic benefits, allowing Rolls-Royce to use less than the 120kg of soundproofing found in the Phantom.

Rolls-Royce has confirmed that the car will ride on 23-in wheels in production, the largest fitted to a coupé since the 1926 Bugatti Royale, and that it will adopt a twin-motor set-up with one sited on each axle for four-wheel drive.

Familiar chassis technology from other Rolls-Royce models, including the rear-wheel steering and active anti-roll systems, are carried over, too.

In terms of styling, the split headlight design of the Phantom Coupé will return on the Spectre.

Ayoubi said the initial development at the firm’s test site in Arjeplog, Sweden, was to first ensure the prototypes function as expected and then set the parameters for the tests to come. “The car has only just learned to walk,” he said.

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Officers Abroad Benefit as FRSC Promotes over 10,000 Personnel in Tech-Driven Exercise 

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Officers Abroad Benefit as FRSC Promotes over 10,000 Personnel in Tech-Driven Exercise 

 

In a major demonstration of its growing reliance on technology, the Federal Road Safety Corps has conducted a nationwide promotion exercise, enabling officers on academic programmes overseas to participate remotely while deploying surveillance cameras and independent observers to ensure transparency.

The promotion exercise, described by the Corps as one of the largest and most technologically advanced in its history, benefited more than 10,000 personnel.

It covered 3,597 Intermediate Rank Officers and 6,408 Junior Officers across the country, according to a statement issued by the Corps Public Education Officer, Deputy Corps Commander Osondu Ohaeri.

The exercise was conducted under the leadership of the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, and formed part of ongoing efforts to modernise personnel management and ensure merit-based career progression within the organisation.

A major highlight of the exercise was the successful inclusion of FRSC personnel pursuing academic and professional programmes outside Nigeria.

Through the deployment of advanced Information and Communication Technology (ICT) platforms, officers on study leave abroad were able to participate in the promotion process remotely without disrupting their educational activities.

The Corps said the initiative underscored its commitment to ensuring that no eligible officer was denied career advancement opportunities because of geographical location or personal development commitments.

“This development demonstrates the Corps’ resolve to remove barriers to promotion and create an inclusive system that rewards excellence regardless of where personnel are located,” the statement noted.

To guarantee fairness and credibility, the FRSC introduced real-time monitoring mechanisms, including surveillance cameras deployed across all examination centres and independent observers drawn from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Federal Character Commission.

The exercise commenced on June 14, 2026, simultaneously across the Corps’ 12 Zonal Commands, with representatives of the Corps Marshal overseeing proceedings to ensure strict compliance with established standards.

The FRSC, the technology-driven promotion system eliminated many of the traditional bottlenecks associated with promotion exercises, enhanced operational efficiency, and provided all eligible personnel with equal opportunities to compete based solely on merit, competence, and performance.

The Corps further stated that the successful conduct of the exercise reflected Corps Marshal Mohammed’s vision of building a highly motivated, professional, and future-ready workforce where hard work, innovation, commitment, and excellence are consistently recognised and rewarded.

Under his leadership, the Corps noted, significant reforms have been introduced to improve personnel welfare, strengthen institutional capacity, and leverage technology to enhance service delivery and internal administrative processes.

The FRSC said the promotion exercise has further boosted staff confidence in the organisation’s career advancement system, while encouraging greater productivity, accountability, and healthy competition among personnel.

The Corps described the successful completion of the exercise as another milestone in its drive to institutionalise global best practices and transform the agency into a modern, digitally driven organisation capable of meeting contemporary public service demands.

It maintained that the promotion process reinforced the principle that professionalism, dedication, and outstanding performance remain the primary pathways to career advancement within the Corps, while supporting its broader objective of building a motivated workforce committed to safer roads and improved service delivery for Nigerians.

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Carloha Extends Award-Winning 6-6-7 Care to All New Energy Vehicles 

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Carloha Extends Award-Winning 6-6-7 Care to All New Energy Vehicles 

 

For many Nigerians, the transition to New Energy Vehicles (NEVs) has been held  by a single, nagging qbackuestion: “If something goes wrong, who will fix it?” While the Nigerian market has seen a surge in hybrid and electric models, the promise of innovation has often been overshadowed by the lack of spare parts, soaring maintenance costs, and indefinite workshop stays.
Carloha Nigeria is officially putting those fears in the rearview mirror.
In a landmark move announced at the launch of the all-new Chery Tiggo 9 PHEV, Carloha has extended its award-winning CarlohaCare 6-6-7 package to its entire lineup of New Energy Vehicles. This isn’t just a service plan; it is a total commitment to peace of mind, according to a statement from the auto company.

The statement provides some of the details of the package as follows:

The 6-6-7 Promise: Redefining Ownership
The “6-6-7” package is built on a foundation of reliability that earned Carloha the prestigious *Most Outstanding Aftersales Car Company Award* from the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA). It covers:
6 Years Warranty: Long-term protection for your investment.

6 Years Free Scheduled Servicing: Zero maintenance costs for the road ahead.
7-Day Repair Guarantee: If your vehicle isn’t ready within seven days, Carloha provides a courtesy vehicle to keep you moving.

Confidence in Every Charge
“Consumers should be able to embrace the future of mobility with confidence,” said Dexter Li, Marketing Director at Carloha Nigeria.

“By extending this package, we aren’t just selling cars; we are removing the barriers to sustainable transport. We are proving that our NEVs are built for the Nigerian road, backed by a support system that never leaves you stranded.”

By bridging the gap between cutting-edge technology and dependable support, Carloha Nigeria says it is doing more than just selling vehicles—it’s setting a new standard for the Nigerian automotive landscape.

For the forward-thinking driver, the message is clear: the future of mobility is here, and for the first time, it comes with a guarantee you can actually count on, says Carloha.

 

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Massilia Motors Slashes Mitsubishi L200 Price to ₦42m for Anniversary Campaign

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Massilia Motors Slashes Mitsubishi L200 Price to ₦42m for Anniversary Campaign

 

Massilia Motors Nigeria has unveiled a special anniversary pricing offer on the new Mitsubishi L200 pickup truck to celebrate one year of the latest model’s introduction into the Nigerian market, with prices now starting from ₦42 million.

The company, the sole authorised distributor of Mitsubishi Motors in Nigeria and a joint venture between the CFAO Group and the Chanrai Group, said the limited-time offer applies to all variants of the L200, urging prospective buyers to take advantage of the promotion while stocks last.

The latest-generation L200 entered the Nigerian market backed by strong international recognition. The pickup won the Design Car of the Year award at the 2024–2025 Japan Car of the Year Awards, earning praise for its bold “Beast Mode” styling and practical interior design. It also clinched the Best Mid-size Pickup title at the 2024 Arab Car of the Year Awards for its performance, durability and reliability.

Since its launch, the vehicle has gained acceptance among operators in key sectors of the economy, including construction, agriculture, mining and logistics, where ruggedness, payload capacity and dependable performance are critical.

Built on Mitsubishi’s long-standing expertise in pickup engineering, the L200 combines off-road capability and commercial-grade toughness with modern comfort, safety and technology features.

Massilia Motors said the pickup’s growing popularity reflects the increasing demand for versatile vehicles capable of handling Nigeria’s diverse operating conditions while meeting the expectations of both fleet operators and individual customers.

The company added that ownership of the L200 is supported by a comprehensive aftersales package, including genuine spare parts availability, certified service support and a warranty covering three years or 100,000 kilometres, whichever comes first.

Speaking on the milestone, the Managing Director of Massilia Motors Nigeria, Olivier Lamoure, said the L200 had lived up to expectations since its introduction to the market.

“One year in, the L200 has proven exactly what we believed it would — that the Nigerian market has a real appetite for a pickup truck that is built to work without compromise,” Lamoure said.

He noted that the anniversary pricing offer was designed to reward existing customers and provide an opportunity for prospective buyers to acquire the vehicle at a more attractive price.

According to him, the special pricing will only be available for the remainder of the month, making it a timely opportunity for businesses and individuals considering the pickup.

Massilia Motors provides vehicle sales, genuine parts and certified aftersales support to individual and fleet customers through its operations in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and other locations across the country.

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