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Photos: Revolutionised Mercedes-Benz S-Class arrives in Nigeria

Published

3 years ago

February 25, 2022

Weststar Associates has announced the introduction of an all-new Mercedes-Benz S-Class to Nigeria, coming with a revolutionary interior design such as Interior Assist for riders to enjoy contactless ease of operation.

In the new S-Class, Mercedes-Benz is said to have taken another big step closer to its vision of accident-free driving as the driver is supported by numerous new and/or extended driving assistance systems.
The driver has a reduced workload in day-to-day situations, and is able to drive comfortably and safely.
According to Weststar, the new vehicle is built on the legendary and traditional engineering expertise that has defined the luxury segment in the automobile industry for decades, noting that the S-Class is the top tier model for Mercedes-Benz saloon cars.
The luxury auto firm says with a handful of world’s first and innovations, the all-new S-Class can be indulged with all the senses – seeing, feeling, hearing and smelling. This heightens the pleasure of driving with innovations that focus on people and
It says the all-new S-Class premieres the second generation of the MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience). The MBUX has revolutionised the cockpit in Mercedes-Benz cars.
With MBUX, the S-Class is even more digital and intelligent, as both the hardware and software make great strides with brilliant displays on up to five large screens, in part with OLED technology. This makes the control of the vehicle and comfort functions even easier in comparison with its predecessor.
The car’s voice assistant “Hey Mercedes” has increased its capabilities in intuitive learning and with dialogue.
“Hey Mercedes” now also explains vehicle functions and answers general knowledge questions.
In the S-Class the voice assistant can also be controlled from the rear.
The MBUX Interior Assist is an innovative system that detects and interprets your hand and arm movements. As such you can activate selected functions in a matter of seconds. As part of this, the system is able to differentiate between driver and front passenger.

Interior

The all-new S-Class highlights a digital-analogue revolution in the interior, which has fully evolved into a “third place”, a refuge between home and workplace. The sculptured look of the dashboard, centre console and armrests appear to float above an expansive interior landscape.
The systematic reduction in the number of controls underscores the minimalist appearance of the interior. The desired harmony between digital and analogue luxury results in a revolutionary interior design, including associations with interior architecture and yacht design elements.
The driver display and media display offer a comprehensive aesthetic experience.
The appearance of the screens can be individualized with a choice of four display styles (Discreet, Sporty, Exclusive, Classic) and three modes (Navigation, Assistance, Service).
The seats literally invite the occupants to sit down and relax. The flowing, three-dimensional layer design theme gives an impression of lightness.
Ten different massage programmes are available in the new S-Class. These use the vibration motors, and can enhance the effect of a relaxing massage with warmth on the hot-stone principle.
The Burmester® sound system provides multi-dimensional surround sound. 3D Surround Sound is created with the help of special Burmester® algorithms and two loudspeakers integrated into the headlining. Mercedes-Benz has now realized interactive interior lighting for the first time.
The active ambient lighting is now integrated into the driving assistance systems, and is able to reinforce alerts visually.

Exterior

The exterior design of the all-new S-Class illustrates modern luxury in its most desirable form. With a short front overhang, a long wheelbase and a balanced rear overhang, the S-Class is designed as a classical saloon with perfect proportions. Other unmistakable exterior features are the stretched bonnet, the upright front end with the mounted star, the long passenger cell and the flowing C-pillar with its sculptured shoulder, among others.
The Multibeam Led headlamps characterise the front aspect of the car. They have the three-point daytime driving light signature that is typical of the S-Class, but this is flatter and somewhat smaller overall. The flush-mounted door handles are a completely new development. They are electrically extended when the driver approaches, or the outer surface of the door handle is stroked.
The sophisticated wheel designs (size 18 to 21 inches) also accentuate the side aspect of the exterior.

Engine/performance
In the all-new S-Class, the powertrain comes with more electrification and more efficiency. The all-new S-Class saloon is currently powered by systematically electrified six-cylinder in-line petrol engines in various output classes and the V8 engine returns in the 580 4MATIC model.
The 500 4MATIC is powered by a six in-line, M 256 engine, running on an output of 320kW/435hp and a peak torque of 520nm. EQ Boost provides a further 250 Nm of torque as well as 16 kW (22 hp) for a short period.
The 580 4MATIC’s V8 M 176 engine runs on an output of 370kW/503hp and a peak torque of 700 nm.The powertrain in the new S-Class is coupled with the 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission.
It also comes with Airmatic air suspension with continuously adjustable damping ADS+ as standard equipment.

Safety
The following are key new safety features of the systems in the S-Class: Active Lane Keeping Assist, Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC, PRE-SAFE® Impulse Side and Active Parking Assist with PARKTRONIC. Another major innovation in the new S-Class is the introduction of frontal airbags for both rear occupants for the first time. During severe frontal collisions, the rear airbag can considerably reduce the loads acting on the heads and necks of occupants on the outer rear seats.

The Chief Executive Officer of Weststar Associates Limited, Mr. Mirko Plath, commenting on the arrival of the all-new S-Class, said, “Mercedes-Benz has upped the game with regard to technology and luxury in the automotive industry with the introduction of the all-new S-Class, not compromising on the philosophy of this historic Mercedes-Benz brand they have managed to yet again create an envy for all. The interior with the new MBUX is a particular highlight our clients will enjoy, as well as the introduction of the electric powered EQ Boost, we hope to serve as many who wish to acquire the new S-Class which is now available at our authorized showrooms nationwide.”
The all-new Mercedes-Benz S-Class is now available in Nigeria, courtesy of Weststar Associates Limited, the Authorized General Distributor of Mercedes-Benz in Nigeria andits dealerships nationwide – Barbedos Cars Limited, MB Automobile Services Limited, Skymit Motors Limited, Sunny Motors Limited and Tetralog Nigeria Limited.

Related Topics:Featured Mercede-Benz S-Class Weststar Associates

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CNG conversion centres now 170, FG targets 200 Dec 31

Published

3 days ago

December 19, 2024

Trends Admin

CNG conversion centres now 170, FG targets 200 Dec 31

The Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (P-CNGI) on Wednesday announced that the CNG conversion centres in the country are now 170.

It was upbeat that the 170 CNG conversion centres in Nigeria would increase to 200 at the end of December 2024.

The centres hit 170 with the commissioning of Portland Gas Conversion centres in Kado, Abuja.

Speaking with reporters, the PCNGI Chief Executive, Engr. Michael Oluwagbemi, said the P-CNGI which has doubled its target for 2024, is hopeful of hitting 500 conversion centres next year.

His words: “Before the end of this year, I promise in the next two weeks, we will get to 200. We are already looking for and certifying at least an additional 35 to 40 on our record.

“I believe we will get to 40 at the end of this year. And that is double our target. You remember this time last year, I told you our target was 100 and now 200.

“Next year, we have set a target of 500 for us and I believe we will blow.”

He recalled that from the seven conversion centres of 2023, there are now 170 centres in Nigeria.

According to him, all the conversion centres are owned by private-sector investors.

“We went from seven conventional centres, that with these now, I easily would say we are around 170.

“So today, from seven to 170, there is not a single one of those that were built by the Federal Government of Nigeria,” he said.

He urged Portland Gas Limited to increase its working hours from 24 to the present 24 hours.

Meanwhile, the Portland Gas Limited, Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Folajimi Mohammed said the workshop which opens 12 hours daily, can convert a car within one hour.

CNG conversion centres now 170, FG targets 200 Dec 31

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Coscharis, Toyota, Globe, Weststar, CFAO, others that win big at NAJA Auto Awards

Published

6 days ago

December 16, 2024

Trends Admin

Coscharis, Toyota, Globe, Weststar, CFAO, others that win big at NAJA Auto Awards

Globe Motors, Coscharis Motors, Toyota Nigeria, CFAO, Weststar Associates and Lanre Shittu (LSM) are among big winners at the 2024 NAJA (Nigerian Automotive Journalists Association) Auto Awards.

The prestigious event, which held on Wednesday December 11 at Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos recognized various categories within the industry, ranging from vehicle innovation to service excellence.

As earlier announced Mikano Motors’ Changan CS55 beat Toyota Corolla and Kia Rio to win the coveted 2024 car-of-the-year prize.

Globe Motors emerged as the Most Resilient Company of the Year, while Coscharis Motors bagged the Multi-Luxury Brand of the Year along with the luxury SUV of the year with Range Rover Autobiography. Toyota Nigeria Limited (TNL) and MD/CEO of Lanre Shittu Motors (LSM) were honoured as Auto Company of the Decade and Auto Personality of the Year respectively.

Also, CFAO won the Outstanding After-Sale Service, Product Launches of the Year with the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado and Suzuki Vitara, and the Most Enterprising Auto Company, while Chief Chidi Anyaegbu MFR (Founder, Chisco Motors) was recognized as the Transport icon of the Year; Mrs. Karima Okunola of Mikano Motors bagged the Auto Marketing Manager of the Year.

The companies were lauded for their commitment to providing quality vehicles and top-notch aftersales services, which have contributed to their solid reputation in the Nigerian auto market over the years.

Other notable winners included Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing, which was celebrated for its pioneering role in local vehicle production; Nord took home CNG-powered mini bus brand, and A9 launch recognition.

Weststar’s Mercedes-Benz was declared luxury brand of the year and the S-Class won luxury car of the year.

Carloha with its handling of Chery was adjudged the most innovative company of the year, just as the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro launch received a recognition.

While Dangote Sinotruk won the heavy duty truck manufacturer of the year, Lanre Shittu’s JAC was again awarded the heavy duty truck of the year. Taiwo Shittu, MD of the LSM emerged Auto Personality of the Year. His later father and founder of the company received a posthumous award.

RT Briscoe bagged the workshop of the year award; Dana Motors’ Kia Sonet won the best compact SUV prize, and the mini bus assembler of the year went to Jet System.

In his speech, Chairman of NAJA, Mike Ochonma, said, “This year’s NAJA Auto Awards highlights not just the achievements of the big names in the industry, but also the rising stars who are shaping the future of Nigeria’s automotive landscape.”

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Nigeria’s auto industry in limbo over policy delay – LCCI sectoral head

Published

6 days ago

December 16, 2024

Trends Admin

Nigeria’s auto industry in limbo over policy delay – LCCI sectoral head

Nigeria’s automotive industry is in limbo due to prolonged delay in enacting the required law to give investors the right direction.

Head of the Auto Sectoral Group of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mr. Kunle Jaiyesinmi, stated this, noting that the industry was being allowed to stagnate, making it difficult to galvanise the overall development of the Nigerian economy

Jaiyesinmi who is Deputy Managing Director of CFAO Motors, spoke in Lagos on the sidelines of the 2024 Nigeria Auto Industry Awards organised by the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA).

He said, “For now, we are in limbo. We don’t know what is happening to the (auto industry) policy; whether it’s with the Executive or it has gone to the National Assembly. We don’t have information on the stage that the policy is. I think NADDC is coming up with a stakeholders’ meeting maybe they would give us a very detailed information on the policy.”

In his assessment of the performance of the business this year, he lamented that the macroeconomic challenges including the high exchange rates and inflation were adversely affecting vehicle salesmmm

He said, “2024 has provided a topsy-turvy ride looking at the state of the economy. The purchasing power has been so much eroded (due to) the depreciation of the naira (the exchange rate).

“Prices have risen to a level that most private consumers cannot really afford it (new car). You notice that the major corporates are really suffering. You can imagine how much they lost in terms of exchange rate.

“So that has really impacted the procurement of new vehicles… We have more of automobile maintenance service rather than new sales.

“If you look at the market figure, it has so much reduced compared to what we had been having when the exchange rate was around N450, N480. So it’s not been a very good year for automobile business.

Jaiyesinmi also spoke on the high interest, which is over 33%; as well the recently announced government-back N20 billion auto finance.

He said, “Automobile loan is a no-go area for consumers. It’s a bit tough now. Reliance is on government now and it’s not everybody that can do government business.

“We are just looking at 2025 to be a better year going by the appreciation of the naira in recent times. We are just praying that it can be sustained. If we are able to get that into the new year maybe vehicle prices would reduce and based on the government providing very good enabling environment for businesses to thrive.”

Speaking on the N20bn auto finance scheme by the credit corporation (CreditCorp), he said, “The N20bn scheme is even belated because when the Auto Policy started about 10 years ago, the 35 per cent tariff being charged on fully built vehicles, the understanding we had then was that part of it would go to the auto financing and the other part would go to automobile assemblers’ facility.

“In 10 years, nothing happened and we know how much has been collected by the Federal Government from that levy.

“So N20bn is a paltry amount and the scheme is coming up a bit late. Looking at the local assembling, how many assemblers are we really having in Nigeria? Those of us that started eight, nine years ago, almost all of us have really closed shop.”

He however expressed optimism that the new Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, would turn things around.

“I believe she should be able to drive this policy. She should try as much as possible to run away from the era of deceit. She should face reality and I believe as a realist, her tenure would portend a good tiding for the automobile business,” he said.