BMW Unveils New X5 M And X6 M Black Fire Editions

BMW has released new Black Fire special editions of their X5 M and X6 M high-performance crossovers.

Set to go on sale in Germany this August, the special editions have a monotone appearance thanks to Sapphire Black Metallic exterior, a blacked out grille, and 21-inch forged alloy wheels with a black finish. Other highlights include carbon mirror caps and BMW M compound brakes with blue calipers.

The unique styling continues as the cabin as designers installed black Merino leather upholstery with contrasting Mugello Red leather accents. The crossovers also have piano black trim, Black Fire badging, and an anthracite headliner from BMW Individual.

Rolls-Royce Goes All Black With New 593-HP Black Badge Edition

At last year's Geneva Motor Show, Rolls-Royce revealed the first models in its new Black Badge range, taking both the Ghost saloon and Wraith fastback in a more aggressive direction. Now it's applied the same treatment to their open-top counterpart.

Set to debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this weekend, the Black Badge Dawn is (as the name would suggest) all murdered out in black. But as with its stablemates, there's more to the special edition than meets the eye.

For starters, the luxury automaker has upgraded the 6.6-liter twin-turbo V12 to 593 horsepower and 620 lb-ft of torque – still shy of the 603 and 624 hp respectively offered in the Black Badge Ghost and Wraith, respectively, but a solid 30 horsepower and 45 lb-ft of torque more than stock.

Rolls has also tightened up the suspension, gearbox, steering, and throttle response, fitted bigger brakes, and equipped it with a variable exhaust system for an altogether sportier feel. And of course there's the visual enhancements. The special Dawn features a black paint job that Rolls calls “the most exhaustive painting and polishing process ever used for a solid paint color.” The brightwork is all blacked out – right down to the Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament – while the fabric roof is done up in black canvas, the rear deck in black leather, and the entire interior blacked out, too, offset by orange highlights.

The sum total is what Goodwood calls “the most uncompromising expression of open-top luxury in the world,” and with the order book now open, each example is sure to sell for a considerable premium over what's already one of the most expensive convertibles on the market.

Watch the video here

Lagos State Gov., Donates 20 New Operational Vehicles to RRS

Lagos State Governor, Akinwumi Ambode, Monday, on behalf of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) presented 20 brand new operational vehicles with modern communication gadgets to the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the State Police Command.

Executive Secretary of LSSTF, Dr Abdulrazaq Balogun, in his remarks, said the donation of the operational vehicles was in furtherance of the commitment of the State Government to bequeath a robust security architecture to residents, just as he assured that the government would soon donate another round of vehicles to other security agencies in the State.

Signs To Note When Your Car Transmission is about to go bad

DIY car diagnosis may seem like an impossible task, but it would make more sense to look at it in terms of your own body. If your stomach, for instance, begins to hurt without warning, you will most probably start thinking of the last thing you ate in order to figure out why you’re having the pain. A similar type of thinking goes into diagnosing cars. The moment you start noticing something out of the ordinary, it’s time to start considering the problem and finding a way to fix it.

Mechanical auto problems, as opposed to electrical auto problems, are usually coupled with distinct sounds and sensations that are key indicators that something isn’t functioning the way it was designed to. For transmissions, it takes a lot of use over the years, and after a while, they’re bound to start having some problems. Transmission repairs can be expensive, so it’s worthwhile to pay attention to anything that seems unusual.

If you think you may be having some car trouble or if you’re just looking to learn more about potential transmission problems, check out these 10 signs of transmission trouble and stay one step ahead of your car.
For those who may not know, there are three types of transmission; the manual, automatic and triptronic which combines manual and automatic but works more as automatic since they don’t use physical clutches. But the prominent first two will be the concentration of this discourse.

1: Lack of Response
Transmissions are designed to go into the correct gear every time they are engaged, so when they hesitate or refuse to go, it’s a sure sign there’s something wrong. With manual transmission problems, you may notice after shifting into a gear that the car’s engine will rev up, but the car won’t be moving as quickly as the engine is running. In this case, a worn-out clutch or more serious transmission problem may be occurring.
Automatic transmissions have the same lack-of-response problem, but will usually manifest the issue while engaging the “Park” or “Drive” selection. The car should shift quickly into either of these modes, but if your transmission hesitates to go into either one, then it’s likely there’s an issue with the transmission.

2: Whining, Clunking and Humming
It’s difficult to nail down exactly how your car may sound if there’s transmission trouble, but one thing’s pretty certain, you’ll probably get a that-doesn’t-sound-right feeling when you hear it. Every car is built differently, so the sounds they produce can vary greatly, but if you have an automatic transmission, there’s a good chance you may hear a whining, humming or even a slight buzzing sound.

With manual transmissions, the sounds will usually come across as a bit more abrupt and mechanical sounding. If you shift gears and hear a clunking sound, then you definitely need to have it checked out by a professional. But a clunking sound from underneath your vehicle may not always point to a transmission problem. Your constant velocity joints (CV joints), or even your differential may be the culprit.

The sounds you hear may happen from time to time at first, but if you neglect the noises, they’ll occur more frequently as time goes on.

3: Grinding or Shaking
Depending on whether you have a manual or automatic transmission, your car may respond differently when your transmission isn’t working correctly. As noted in a previous section, with a manual transmission, a common sign of trouble is a grinding sound or feeling when you shift into a new gear. If you fully engage the clutch, shift and then hear a grinding sound, you may have a worn clutch or you may just need to have it adjusted. Or perhaps one or more of your transmission’s gear synchronizers, or synchros, is worn out or damaged. Grinding gears can be caused by a number of different factors.

For automatic transmissions problems, you’ll most likely feel the car shimmy into each gear rather than the typical almost unnoticeable shifts, or the transmission will make a jarring transition into the next gear. Both are signs that your transmission needs attention. If you notice anything other than a smooth transition between gears, then you might need to have your automatic transmission looked at for adjustments or repair.

But feeling transmission problems aren’t the only way to use your senses. Go on to the next page to see what sounds you should be listening for as well.

4: Check Engine Light
The check engine light can be a great early indicator that something is starting to go wrong with your transmission. The check engine light can come on for any number of reasons not related to your gear as well, but don’t overlook this clear warning sign.

In newer cars there are sensors throughout the engine that pick up irregularities in the engine and notify the computer that there’s something wrong in a particular area. In the case of transmissions, these sensors can pick up vibrations and early problems that you may not even be able to feel or see. If you want to know if your check engine light is telling you about a transmission problem, you can purchase a diagnostic scan tool that you plug into your car underneath the driver’s side of the instrument panel. The scan tool will display a code that corresponds to the area of the vehicle causing the fault. If the code tells you there’s a transmission problem, well, that’s a good time to see your mechanic. 

Truck falls off Ojota Bridge, Lagos

The Lagos State Emergency Agency has swung into action following an accident that happened at the Ojota area of Lagos state. A container was said to have fallen from the bridge which caused lots of traffic jam for the motorists. LRU was on ground to toll off the truck to a safer place.  See more pictures below.

Vespa Plus : The Next Generation of Italian Electric Scooter by Giorgi Tedoradze

Vespa Plus is a vision of Giorgi Tedoradze about modern Vespa scooter for young generation. According to him, he said..

Everything started in April 1946 when we first saw Italian brand Vespa. It was a new type of simple scooter and it soon became popular. But now everything changes. There are other challenges in the modern world that no one can answer except the few manufacturers. The mission is simple as Vespa scooters. We have to create a new generation Italian electric scooter. It must be technological, modern and ecological. Here, Vespa will once again surprise the world. Please welcome the new eco-friendly scooter Vespa Plus.

 Futhermore, He said..

Plus is bigger and much more comfortable. To make the electric scooter big range more space was needed for elements. Braking energy is not lost and used for charging elements. This technology today increases price of product, but in the future it will be much more accessible. There is also a new toolbar, that is a round touch screen like iPad. The driver tracks the navigation information on the screen, but the location can be changed from the smartphone. The new Vespa is special not only for technology and design but also for its individualism. A wide choice of colors and materials will give any client more freedom. This is real Vespa! It was never only just a transportation. Vespa is a freedom, Italian design, and style. Now it’s main inspiration for the new generation eco-friendly scooter!

How to Choose the Best Car Seat Covers For the Winter

Are you in need of new seat covers for your vehicle? If so, you may be wondering which options would be best for you to use during the colder winter months. Although there are a number of covers available that may be made with different types of materials, some of the options are better than others because of their durability, strength and elegant appearance.

Look Into Specific Features
Certain features may be of importance to you. For example, you may want waterproof seat covers that will not become damaged if some liquid happens to get on them. The waterproof covers work to keep the seats inside your vehicle protected from all kinds of liquid, including any water that may get on the seat if your coat is wet from the rain or snow. Without the waterproof feature, liquid could quickly cause damage to the seats, thus making them look old and worn.

Consider the Strength and Quality of the Material
Aside from the waterproof feature, you may want the material of these seat covers to last a long time so that you are not stuck replacing them every few months. Faux leather seat covers are a great option because they are stylish and may easily enhance your car’s interior. Aside from improving the way your vehicle looks from the inside, these covers may be resistant to stains and easy to clean. There are many faux leather seat cover reviews that include details about the quality and durability of these specific covers compared to some of the other options.

If you need to get new car seat covers for the winter, make sure to look into the types of materials offered, along with the features that come along with those types of materials. By choosing the right option for your seats, you may be able to keep your car looking its best on the inside for an extended period of time.


Image Courtesy:

Google

Lagos State Govt. Begins Evacuation of abandoned vehicles on Lagos roads

In furtherance of its spirited effort to make Lagos State cleaner, healthier and more liveable, the Lagos State Government has established a special taskforce for the removal of abandoned and disused vehicles and tricycles littering the State.

Similarly, the State Government has appointed vehicular scrap collection agent in line with Section 56 sub-section (1) of the Lagos State Harmonised Environmental Law, 2017 whose activity will commence from Saturday, July 1st 2017.

Consequently, Lagosians are hereby notified of the operational procedure of the Taskforce as follows:

i. Pasting of Removal Notice Stickers on identified abandoned vehicles with a 7-day period for self-removal by owners of the vehicle

ii. Upon expiration of the grace period, identified abandoned vehicles will be removed by the taskforce to a designated depot within the State.

iii. Where such vehicles are unclaimed within 30 days, the vehicles will be forfeited to the government and undergo proper disposal accordingly.

The General public is hereby advised to comply strictly with this directive while Security agencies are urged to ensure compliance.

LASG inaugurates committee to decongest traffic in central Lagos

The Lagos State Government through the Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Central Business Districts has inaugurated a Committee to proffer ways of eliminating the traffic congestion along the Apongbon-Marina axis of Lagos Island.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Central Business Districts, Hon. Agboola Dabiri while inaugurating the Committee in Alausa said the traffic menace has become a source of concern for the government and therefore, it is being tackled head-on to find an enduring solution to the perennial logjam.

Dabiri urged members of the Committee to “please find a lasting situation that will reduce drastically the perennial traffic situation on the Apongbon Marina axis, just as it was done in Oshodi”.

Speaking further, he informed the Committee members that “about 5000 vehicles come into the Island daily and most of them come to do business in the Apongbon, Idumota and Marina axis” and asked them to proffer solutions on how well to manage the high traffic experienced daily along the routes.

The Special Adviser disclosed that as part of efforts at reducing the traffic situation in the area, a new park has been approved in Ajegboro, Leventis on Lagos Island for use by commercial vehicles to load and offload passengers instead of discharging passengers directly on the road.

The Committee is expected to submit its report within one week.

PEP Tandem Bike Concept for Disabled Olympic Racers

PEP Tandem Bike concept just won the 21st international bicycle design competition, excellent award. It’s a special bike designed for disabled Olympic racers and essentially it is an emotional design. It is the state of the struggle, the majesty and the achievement of reaching the goal. Innovative structure of PEP was designed for to help two disabled competitors control a single bike and help each other reach their destination with power. The name of this bicycle came from there.

Think about two bicycles… one is a tandem for two and the other is handcycle. These two have been created by opposite designs. Do you think that they can be combined? Yes! Think about these two different design styles are uniting in one case. Strength of the hands are supporting the power of the legs and two people are coming together for one purpose.

Uniting of the powers! The sole motivation point of these two people is determination! PEP is the name of the bicycle that can be used by visually impaired or physically disabled people. That is why it is called being each others eye, hand or foot.

It is possible that two Paralympic bicycle participants, from different categories, can participate in one field with the help of PEP. PEP bike brings a new wave to the games by the light and innovative design, and proves that disabilities are not barriers for the love of bicycle

91m Naira New Porsche 911 GT2 RS Is Already Sold Out, All 1000 Of Them

As Kenny Blaq the popular comedian normally says, when you are big, you are big. Such can be said of Porsche 99 GT2 RS which was a sold out even before it hits the stores. This will be a bad news for the prospective buyers of the upcoming 911 GT2 RS, as Porsche has reportedly already sold the entire production run. The new king of the 911 range was always going to be offered in limited numbers, but so far we didn’t know exactly how many of them would hit the roads. Auto Bild reports that the new GT2 RS will be produced in 1,000 examples, all of which are already spoken for.

Porsche traditionally reserved the GT2 RS moniker for the big daddy of each generation of the 911. The recipe is simple enough: take a 911 Turbo, give it more power, an extreme aero agenda and the most hardcore of chassis components and, as a final touch, revert it back to rear-wheel drive to get the adrenaline flowing.

The new 911 GT2 RS has already made an unexpected public debut during the Forza Motosport 7 event, revealing for the first time its final production silhouette. No information was given about what’s hiding underneath its race-car bodywork, but according to the latest reports, Porsche is going to honor the Widowmaker nickname with some serious numbers.

The twin-turbo 3.8-litre flat-six engine will make 700PS (690hp) and 553 lb-ft (750Nm) of peak torque and is mated exclusively to a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission. The 0-62mph (0-100 km/h) sprint will take only 2.9 seconds, with the top speed set at 212mph (340km/h).

The first cars will be delivered this autumn and prices start at around €260,000 in Germany ($289k in current exchange rates). That's about 91.1 Million Naira

Kaduna State Govt. Commissions the first dry port in Nigeria

Kaduna state gov., Mallam Nasir el-Rufai has commissioned the first dry port in Nigeria in Kaduna.

The inland port will give importers and exporters in and around the North the chance to import directly into and from Kaduna State. The port will be served by Lagos-Kano railway line

CIG MOTORS MD VISITS NADDC DG

Director General of National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Mr. Jelani Aliyu, MFR, on Tuesday June 20, 2017, received in Abuja the visiting Managing Director of CIG Motors Company Limited, Mr. Felix Lee, who came to congratulate him on his appointment and also to introduce one of the products of his company, GAC GS8 SUV assembled through SKD operations at its Lagos plant. See more pictures below...