End of an era? Volkswagen to stop production of Beetle cars

Nothing lasts for a life they said, this can be said of our dear lovely Beetle car popularly known as Ijapa as this may be its last set in terms of production.

Frank Welsch, R&D boss for Volkswagen, confirmed at the Geneva Motor Show there will be no replacement for the current Beetle in the company's lineup. The retro-inspired slot will instead be occupied by VW's all-electric microbus, the I.D. Buzz.

Currently, Volkswagen offers the Beetle as a coupe or convertible, as well as a special "Dune" edition. According to previous rumors, production could end as soon as this year, while arrival for the production version of the I.D. Buzz isn't expected until 2022.

The new Beetle has been in production since 1997, with a new generation arriving in 2011. Before that was the classic Beetle, a rear-engine, air-cooled two-door considered to be one of most important cars of the 20th century.

There's no word on whether Volkswagen will bring back the Beetle in the future, but considering it's done it once before, we don't see why it couldn't happen again, should the market demand it.

5 Most Popular Car Brands In Nigeria

Nigerians love comfort, we love life and we love to take things as it comes. According to NBS, there are 10million cars in Nigeria and they are still counting as new cars, designs and models emerge daily. It is one thing to buy a car, it is another thing to see its parts when it gets faulty or when it requires mechanical touch. We present to you top 5 popular car brands in Nigeria, these are brands you are likely to see even if you go to the remote area or villages in the country.

5. Volkswagen

One of the most famous German car manufacturers, Volkswagen, has a long and successful history of producing vehicles renowned for their comfort and reliability. “A people’s car” offers a wide range of vehicles, from compact and affordable Volkswagen Golf to the new stunning Volkswagen Passat. If you want to never worry about your car breaking down, a VW may be exactly what you’re looking for, thanks to the exceptional durability of the cars and its parts. Famous German quality made its way to the Nigerian market in form of Volkswagen! One of its famous cars is the tortoise design popularly called Ijapa.

4. Kia

Kia’s auto brand hasn’t had a long history in the Nigerian market yet, but this fact didn’t prevent it from achieving enviable success in the last few years. Thanks to the combination of outstanding design, durability of the car parts and systems, and excellent performance characteristics, Kia cars appeal to a wide category of buyers. Affordability is another factor that wins buyers over, and if you’re an environmentally conscious driver, you will be happy to learn that Kia puts a lot of effort into making its vehicles as eco-friendly as possible. Check out beautiful sedans like Kia Sorento and Kia Cerato, or a stylish and eye-catching hatchback Kia Soul.

3. Honda

For many buyers, cost-effectiveness is one of the main reasons to like or dislike a car, and Honda never disappoints its buyers in this regard. This famous Japanese car manufacturer releases one successful car after another, and Nigeria has fallen in love with them a long time ago. A wide variety of models like Honda Accord, Honda Civic, Honda Pilot, and Honda Cr-V have gained a mass following among buyers. And don’t forget about Honda’s luxury subsidiary known as Acura, which offers even more style, comfort, and performance.

2. Hyundai

Korean car manufacturers have achieved massive success all around the world, and Nigeria is not an exception. Out of all cars sold in Nigeria officially, Hyundai takes its rightful place among the top 5. One of the key features of Hyundai is its ability to quickly change with time, adapting to the new trends in the auto industry. If you’d like your car to employ all the latest technologies, while having an ultramodern look, Hyundai may be perfect for you! Take a look at Hyundai Sonata and Hyundai Accent if you like sedans, or Hyundai Santa Fe if you’re a fan of SUVs.

1. Toyota

Any list of the most popular cars in Nigeria wouldn’t be complete without Toyota. Toyota isn’t just another Japanese car manufacturer on our list – it’s an iconic brand with almost 100 years of successful history. Toyota’s lineup of cars makes it possible for every buyer to find their perfect car: from smooth and attractive sedans like Toyota Camry and Toyota Corolla to off-road beasts like Toyota Highlander and Toyota Rav4. Fuel efficiency, unbeatable performance, appealing styling and exceptional reliability makes Toyota a desirable choice for a lot of buyers


Credit:
Jiji.ng

These are the top 10 concept cars of 2017

2017 will be gone in a couple of days and it is necessary we look back to check on the happenings of the year, we check the high and low part of the year, what innovation has wowed us and what needs to be amended. International motor trade fairs, historic Concours, and private press shows have all witnessed the debuts of many unique, first-of-a-kind concept cars in 2017. These vehicles, often fully autonomous, sometimes quirky but almost always highly beautiful in their own right, typically unveil a brand’s new design direction and advancements in technology. however, this year, the automotive world saw a slight shift as the conceptual trend moved from forecasting futuristic visions of self-driving to issues much closer to hand. these include topics such as electric driving, retro-infused styling, and put simply new and wonderful looking sports cars.

1 – Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6 Cabriolet Concept

Revealed at the 2017 Concours d’elegance at Pebble Beach, California, the Mercedes-Maybach ‘6 cabriolets’ concept follows on from the sensational coupé shown in 2016 and showcases luxury in an open top form. the two-seater pays homage to the glorious age of aero coupés and consciously carries this tradition forward into the future. the convertible reinterprets classic, emotional design principles, in a styling that blends smooth surfaces with defined yet sculpted lines. Measuring almost six meters, the electric automobile has an output of 550 kW (750 hp) with a shallow, underfloor battery that allows a range of over 500 kilometres.

2 – BMW concept 8 series

On the occasion of the Concorso d’Eleganza villa d’este 2017, BMW debuted the world premiere of the ‘concept 8′ series, and with it, introduced a completely new design language for the brand. With a sweeping sculptural form, the concept car exudes a more sophisticated and luxurious style, yet still delivers a strikingly dynamic character. From the reinterpreted ‘kidney’ grille to the precise lines that flow along the flanks, The automobile is unlike any BMW seen before and will top the brand’s model line.

3a – Honda sports EV concept

Honda unveiled the ‘sports EV’ concept at the 2017 Tokyo motor show, a striking electric sports car with zero emissions. The vehicle is the second model to be previewed on the firm’s dedicated electric car platform, after the ‘urban EV‘ city car from the Frankfurt motor show 2017. The ‘sports EV’ concept references the long bonnet of the ‘S2000’, with proportions of a front-engined, rear-wheel drive electric sports car. It would join the NSX and civic ‘type R’ as one of the Japanese–automaker’s performance vehicles.

3b – Honda urban EV concept

The 2017 Frankfurtt motor show, the Hondaa ‘urban EV’ concept was revealed, leading a completely new platform for the Japanese automaker. The all-electric vehicle highlights their direction to deliver the technology and design that will appear on future battery-run production models of Honda. The concept showcases a simple yet sophisticated design, where its low and wide proportions give it a muscular stance, whilst with an edge of sportiness. At its front, multilingual messages can be displayed between the headlights, including greetings, advice for other drivers on the road, or charging status updates.

4 – INFINITI Prototype 9

Nissan and INFINITI unveiled a sleek, open-wheeled electric retro-roadster prototype at the 2017 pebble beach Concours d’elegance. the car, dubbed ‘prototype 9’, is a celebration of the Hong Kong-automaker’s ingenuity, artistry and craftsmanship. furthermore, it represents a reimagining of a 1940’s race car with time-honoured production techniques, such as a team of ‘Takumi’  hand-beating panels, to realize its retro design.

5 – AUDI Aicon Concept

At the 2017 edition of IAA, better known as the Frankfurt motor show, AUDI unveiled its ‘aicon’ concept car — an all-electric luxury vehicle that can travel up to 800 kilometres (500 miles) on a single charge. according to its designers, the autonomous sedan, which features four doors, but no steering wheel or pedals, combines innovations relating to the drivetrain, suspension, digitalization, and sustainability. Rather than a robotic taxi, designed for purely functional purposes, the car seeks to merge the advantages of door-to-door transportation with the ambience of a first-class airline cabin.

6 – Renault SYMBIOZ

Following the notion that the car has become a home away from home, at the 2017 Frankfurt motor show, Renault takes this concept a step further as it showcases not only a car but also domestic interior. By being fully autonomous and electric, the ‘SYMBIOZ’ proposes a change in the way humans interact with their vehicles. This is through maximizing the comforts within the car and allowing it to function as an additional, livable space.

7 – Mazda Vision Coupe

Revealed at the 2017 Tokyo motor show, the Mazda ‘Vision Coupe’ concept expresses a minimalist Japanese aesthetic. Its highlights include a ‘kodo – soul of motion’ exterior that embodies an aesthetic of a simple ‘one-motion’ form, which conveys a sense of speed. the interior applies the concept of ma (literally ‘space’) from traditional Japanese architecture, combining three-dimensional depth with a strong longitudinal axis to produce a relaxed space while maintaining the feeling of motion. The vehicle’s name pays homage to the manufacturer’s tradition of design elegance represented by coupé models like the ‘R360’, Mazda's first passenger car, and the ‘luce rotary’, also known as the ‘R130’.

8 – Volkswagen I.D. BUZZ

Shown at NAIAS 2017 in Detroit, USA, the Volkswagen ‘I.D. BUZZ’ concept is a self-driving campervan that exemplifies the brand’s new era of electric mobility. The multifunctional vehicle combines nostalgic design cues, such as pure form, honest character and authentic emotionality with innovative technology. With a light press on the VW logo, the electrically retractable steering wheel disappears into the cockpit. Laser scanners, ultrasonic, radar sensors and cameras monitor other road users and the surroundings, whilst the driver relaxes. due to the popularity of the concept, Volkswagen announced in late 2017 that the ‘I.D. BUZZ’ will go into production, initially scheduled for a 2022 market date.

9 – MINI Electric Concept

Again, at the 2017 Frankfurt motor show, MINI showcased its latest EV with the simply named ‘Electric Concept’. the vehicle itself embodies a whole new dimension of the brand’s characteristic go-kart feeling, whilst combining it with locally emission-free mobility. The powerful drive of the car draws its energy from a lithium-ion battery, ensuring maximum range and typical MINI agility with emission-free mobility. Significantly, since the electric motor does not require cooling air, the hexagonal front grille is closed in order to enhance its aerodynamic properties. This, as well as the fibreglass attachment that reduces drag, are finished in a reflective silver and interchangeable yellow, which is reminiscent of the MINI E presented in 2008.

10 – Toyota TJ cruiser

As a new crossover genre vehicle, the Toyota ‘TJ cruiser’ cruiser debuted at the 45th Tokyo motor show 2017. The vehicle represents the harmonious balance between the roominess of a cargo van and the powerful design of an SUV. Designed for drivers with lifestyles where work and play intertwine constantly and almost seamlessly, the name’s ‘T’ stands for ‘Toolbox’, alluding to how it can be used like one, whilst the ‘J’ stands for ‘Joy’ in reference to experiencing new places by car. Inside, the passenger seats can be reclined completely flat, allowing the automobile to accommodate extra large items, such as 3 meter long surfboards and bikes.



Credit:
DesignBoom

NADDC Engages BMW, Ford, VW, Nissan and other Global Automotive OEMs Towards Local Production in Nigeria

The Director-General of NADDC, Jelani Aliyu, MFR, has led a delegation to South Africa where they met and had discussions with a coalition of a number of the world's major Automotive OEMs, Original Equipment Manufacturers.

The companies included BMW, Nissan, Ford, Volkswagen, Toyota and BAW. Discussions centered on NADDC's committment and strategy on supporting these multi-national companies to come into Nigeria and manufacture their state-of-the art vehicles as per world standards. This would provide direct and indirect employment and exponential economic multiplier effects.

The NADDC delegation included the Director-General, Jelani Aliyu, Director Policy and Planning, Luqman Mamudu, Special Advisor to the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Emeka Ifezulike and Special Advisor to the DG NADDC, Sani Musa.

Ford and Nissan already have production operations in Nigeria. Moving on, NADDC's objective for the two companies is to support them in exponentially increasing their production capacity, and also in providing more of their model range offerings at various price points, from low cost entry levels to premium configurations. Ford produces the Ranger at their plant in Ikeja, Lagos, a mid-size pick-up with high capabilites and functionality.

There are three global mega-trends in the automotive industry: 1) the electrification of vehicles, 2) vehicle autonomy, and 3) ride sharing.

The NADDC discussions with the automotive manufacturers touched on these three trends, especially the electrification of vehicles. With counties such as the United Kingdom and France setting out targets to phase out the sale of petrol and diesel powered vehicles, Nigeria must not be left behind, and NADDC is strategizing the development of an Electric Vehicles Policy to support the adoption of that technology in the country.

Although challenges exist in general power availability in the country, three important enabling factors must be acknowledged: 1) the Nigerian Federal Government has now allowed the establishment of private sector driven modular power generation, 2) Nigeria is blessed with high solar insolation that must be harnessed, and 3) NADDC is now committed to collaborating with developers of automotive relavant sustainable energy solutions from both within Nigeria and without.

The delegation also visited an Automotive Industrial Park in Rosslyn, there in South Africa, in lieu of the proposed NADDC Automotive Industrial Park for Nnewi. NADDC is also proposing two other parks, one in Kaduna and the other in Oshogbo.

NADDC's committment is to work with all credible and progressive stakeholders in enabling the Nigerian automotive sector leapfrog into a comprehensive advanced ecosystem populated with sustainable, energy efficient and inherently safe vehicles and transportation solutions.

This recent NADDC engagement with world leading automotive companies is a solid strategy towards having their most modern models produced and available in Nigeria.

Volkswagen To Launch Fully Self Driving Ride-Sharing In 2021

The Volkswagen Group says it intends on launching fully-autonomous ride-sharing vehicles in a handful of cities globally by 2021.

During the Frankfurt Motor Show, the company’s head of digitization strategy, Johann Jungwirth, said that VW intends on launching autonomous fleets in two to five cities in just a few years’ time and will offer the services to the general public through the Moia and Gett mobility brands, Automotive News.

According to Jungwirth, legislation changes in various countries will make the plans possible.

“We expect the [U.S.] Senate to pass legislation in the middle of next year. Once it does, then Dubai, Singapore and China would follow suit,” he said.

Also discussing the brand’s autonomous future in Frankfurt was chief executive Matthias Muller. The German leader of VW says a fleet of new self-driving vehicles will follow on from the Sedric concept that debuted in March.

“Our team is already working on ideas for a whole Sedric family of fully autonomous vehicles for the city, for luxurious long-range mobility, through self-driving delivery vans and heavy commercial trucks,” he said.

The Volkswagen ID CROZZ Concept is a self driving electric SUV

Volkswagen unveils its latest addition to the electric ID car family at auto Shanghai. Following the premieres of the ‘ID’ (Paris, 2016) and ‘ID buzz’ (Detroit, 2017), the ‘ID CROZZ’ previews as a charismatic crossover: the concept car features a 500 km range, all-wheel drive, and autopilot mode. the ‘ID CROZZ’ is scheduled for production in 2020 as a member of a new generation of Volkswagen electric vehicles.

Volkswagen conceptualizes the ‘ID CROZZ’ as a sporty, interactively designed zero-emissions vehicle – with an electric all-wheel drive that is equally impressive in the urban environment, as it is on the tracks. The concept car delivers the power of 225 kW, has a top speed of 180 km/h and covers up to 500 kilometers on one charge. The high-performance battery can be charged to 80% of its energy capacity in 30 minutes using a fast-charging system (at 150 kW DC power).

The zero emission design of the concept car expresses its electric mobility DNA in every component. One dominant visual characteristic is the light signature for Volkswagen electric mobility. The light elements – C-shaped LED daytime running lights and variably controllable LED headlights – merge to form a front end with electronic moving ‘eyes’ (‘interactive spotlight’). in ‘ID pilot’ mode, these ‘eyes’ communicate with other road users.

The ‘ID CROZZ’ is more compact than Volkswagen's latest production SUV, the ‘Tiguan’, which is also produced as the ‘Tiguan all space’ (Europe). yet the concept vehicle provides just as much space, and this is because it is based on the new architecture for Volkswagen electric vehicles. The suspension and drivetrain modules are positioned far to the outsides of the vehicle and exhibit very compact construction. The battery is fully integrated with the vehicle floor, while the seat configuration offers great flexibility – a generously proportioned ‘open space’.

Throwback of Volkswagen Cars that rock our roads in the 1980s

Gone are the good old days, it was once reported that a Beetle Car of Volkswagen car costs 4000 naira to buy then. We bring to you some cars that you may relate to. These are not for the indomie age. If you can still relate to these pictures and you are still single, my brother, kindly run to RCCG camp or MFM.