FEATURES

National Identification Authority takes delivery of Kantanka Omama Pickups – The National Identification Authority on Monday, 6th December 2021 took delivery of 17 Omama pickup vehicles from the Kantanka Automobile Company.

The delivery of the 17 automobiles is the first batch of 85 vehicles being manufactured by Kantanka Automobile Company, a Ghanaian automobile outfit for the National Identification Authority (NIA).

At a brief handing over ceremony, the Corporate Affairs Director of Kantanka automobile stated that the vehicles are exclusively manufactured for the Ghanaian condition.

He commended the National Identification Authority (NIA) for trusting in the Kantanka brand and assured of timely delivery of the remaining 68 vehicles.

He leveraged the opportunity to appeal to the public and patriotic institutions to patronize Kantanka vehicles since its cost-effective.

We commend the institution for believing in a Ghanaian product. This is the first batch and this is really made for Ghanaian terrain. This is made in Ghana and we believe in it. At Kantanka, we believe in experiencing Africa and we are urging every government institution and individual to patronize the Kantanka products. – Corporate Affairs Director, Kantanka Automobile

Volkswagen puts production on-hold at main due to corona:- The Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand is putting production on-hold in some zones at the Wolfsburg manufacturing plant from today’s night shift and also the component supply sections of the VW Group Components plant at Brunswick are also among the affected ones.

This is attributed to the corona virus infections among the labor force of a German seating foam provider resulting in manufacturing failure at the plant.

VW is working very intensively on countermeasures and replacements in order to curtail the effect. Volkswagen automobiles that cannot now be manufactured in Wolfsburg will be manufactured swiftly as possible so that they can be supplied to clients as usual.

The Volkswagen Management and the Works Council have decided on applying for a short-time working for the affected workforces.

Bosch and Mercedes-Benz start San José pilot project for automated ride-hailing service: – Bosch and Mercedes-Benz’s joint project to develop urban automated driving has now entered a new stage. Their pilot project for an app-based ride-hailing service using automated Mercedes-Benz S-Class vehicles has now been launched in the Silicon Valley city of San José.

Monitored by a safety driver, the self-driving cars shuttle between West San José and downtown, along the San Carlos Street and Stevens Creek Boulevard thoroughfares.

The service will firstly be available to a select group of consumers. They will use an app developed by Daimler Mobility AG to book a journey by the automated S-Class vehicles from a defined pick-up point to their destination.

Mercedes-Benz and Bosch hope this trial will offer valuable insights into the further development of their SAE Level 4/5 automated driving system.

The partners also expect to gain further insights into how self-driving cars can be integrated into an intermodal mobility system that also includes public transportation and car-sharing.

Mercedes-Benz, Bosch, San José – partners for the future of mobility

In mid-2017, San José was the first American city to invite private companies to carry out field tests of automated driving and analyze the growing challenges in road traffic.

Especially in congested city traffic, self-driving cars’ permanent 360-degree surround sensing can potentially enhance safety, and their smooth driving style can improve traffic flow.

“AS A CITY, WE WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT HOW AUTOMATED VEHICLES CAN HELP IMPROVE SAFETY AND REDUCE CONGESTION, AS WELL AS MAKE MOBILITY MORE AVAILABLE, SUSTAINABLE, AND INCLUSIVE. THE PROJECT OF MERCEDES-BENZ AND BOSCH TIES IN WITH SAN JOSÉ’S EXTENSIVE ‘SMART CITY’ OBJECTIVES. IT WILL ALSO HELP US DEVELOP GUIDELINES FOR DEALING WITH NEW TECHNOLOGIES AND PREPARE FOR THE TRAFFIC SYSTEM OF THE FUTURE”

DOLAN BECKEL, DIRECTOR OF CIVIC INNOVATION AND DIGITAL STRATEGY

“IF AUTOMATED DRIVING IS TO BECOME EVERYDAY REALITY, THE TECHNOLOGY HAS TO WORK RELIABLY AND SAFELY. AND THIS IS WHERE WE NEED TESTS SUCH AS OUR PILOT PROJECT IN SAN JOSÉ”

DR. MICHAEL FAUSTEN, HEAD OF ENGINEERING FOR URBAN AUTOMATED DRIVING AT ROBERT BOSCH GMBH

“IT’S NOT JUST THE AUTOMATED VEHICLES THAT HAVE TO PROVE THEIR METTLE. WE ALSO NEED PROOF THAT THEY CAN FIT IN AS A PIECE OF THE URBAN MOBILITY PUZZLE. WE CAN TEST BOTH THESE THINGS IN SAN JOSÉ”

DR. UWE KELLER, HEAD OF AUTONOMOUS DRIVING AT MERCEDES-BENZ AG

From August through November, representatives of the project joined staff from the City of San José to discuss the project with several community organizations.

At seven meetings of neighborhood and business groups along the corridor, the team discussed the project goals, demonstrated the vehicle technology, explained the layers of safety redundancy built into the project, and took suggestions for future use cases.

Mercedes-Benz and Bosch partnering in the U.S. and Europe

For some two and a half years now, Mercedes-Benz and Bosch have been working together on solutions for automated driving in cities. Their common goal is an SAE Level 4/5 driving system for fully automated and driverless vehicles, including the software for vehicle management.

However, they are not interested in prototypes, but instead want to develop a production-ready system that can be integrated into different vehicle types and models. In their work to develop software for controlling vehicle movement, the partners deliberately do not rely solely on artificial intelligence and clocking up test mileage.

Their engineers also use simulations and specially designed proving grounds to specifically address the kind of driving situations that occur only very rarely in road traffic.

For this purpose, engineers at the Immendingen testing and technology center in Germany can also make use of a 100,000 square-meter proving ground designed especially for automated driving. There, complex traffic situations can be reproduced extremely accurately, and as often as desired.

For Mercedes-Benz and Bosch, thoroughness and safety are the top priorities. In addition, their alliance is not exclusively concerned with the road and weather conditions in the United States. While one part of the team is based in Sunnyvale, a Silicon Valley city between San José and San Francisco, another part comprising engineers from both companies works in the Stuttgart area.

Alliance uses short decision-making channels and direct communication

Wherever they work, the Mercedes-Benz and Bosch associates sit desk to desk. This ensures short decision-making channels and rapid exchange across disciplines.

And at any time, associates can draw on the knowledge and expertise of their colleagues in their parent companies.

Here, Bosch know-how ranging from sensors, control units, and steering and brake control systems to entire automotive subsystems can be seamlessly complemented by Mercedes-Benz’s long years of experience in systems integration and automaking.

The division of labor within the project is no different. Mercedes-Benz’s task is to make the jointly developed driving system ready for installation in the vehicle, and to provide the necessary trial vehicles, test bays, and test fleets. For its part, Bosch develops and manufactures the components for urban automated driving that the alliance has identified.

Platform allows integration of automated vehicles into taxi fleets

Specially for their automated ride-hailing service pilot project, Bosch and Mercedes-Benz have taken a further partner on board: Daimler Mobility AG is developing and testing a fleet platform to accompany the pilot operation phase.

This allows potential ride-hailing partners to seamlessly integrate self-driving (Mercedes-Benz) vehicles into their service portfolio.

The platform manages both self-driving and conventional vehicles, including operation and maintenance. An app-based mobility service for conventionally driven Mercedes-Benz vehicles went into operation in the Bay Area in the fall of 2019.

The service is also available in the German capital Berlin.

The New Datsun GO and GO+ Automatic CVT Versions (continuous variable transmission) kinds brings with them improved fuel economy, better power delivery and for the first time in the South African entry-level vehicle segment’s history – ‘the advanced convenience of seamless gear shifting.’

The Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT) technology offers better control than traditional automatic transmission technologies, by doing away with the lag during acceleration and the sports mode – yet another first for an automatic transmission in this segment – further improves the overall driving experience.

The new Datsun GO and GO+ CVTs is packed to the hilt with the latest in automotive technology and connectivity and fitted with seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system equipped with voice recognition and Android Auto/Apple Car Play.

Increased power

The new CVT version delivers 57kW of power at 6 000 rpm. That’s 7kW more than the manual transmission version. It is furnished with a 1 198cc three-cylinder engine and offers torque of 104 Nm at 4 400 rpm.

Making best-in-class technology accessible

Hide Kuwayama the newly appointed head of Datsun South Africa  said the new Datsun GO and GO+ CVTs aim to make best-in-class technology accessible to progressive, self-driven young individuals everywhere.

“IN KEEPING WITH OUR CUSTOMER-CENTRIC APPROACH, WE WANT TO ENSURE THAT OUR CUSTOMERS ACROSS THE BOARD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE DATSUN’S PROGRESSIVE MOBILITY BY BRINGING EVEN MORE INNOVATION TO THIS SEGMENT,”

HIDE KUWAYAMA – HEAD OF DATSUN, SOUTH AFRICA

First unveiled in South Africa back in 2014, the Datsun GO and GO+ has over the last five years established itself as the automobile of choice for those looking for a well-priced, reliable set of wheels.

And Datsun predicts the introduction of the Automatic CVT version will serve to build on this success for further growth.

Exciting features

The new Datsun GO and GO+ CVT come with VDC (vehicle dynamic control) safety technology monitors various parameters – like wheel speed, steering wheel position and lateral acceleration. And also including dual airbags, ABS with EBD and BA, reverse parking sensors and follow-me-home headlamps.

The new Datsun GO and GO+ CVT boasts of front and rear power windows, battery saving features, remote key, power steering, 14″ machined Alloy wheels, chrome front grille frame and black main grille.

The new Datsun GO and GO+ CVT is available in a range of exciting colours including Red, Silver, Grey, White, Orange and the new colour Vivid Blue (additionally we have Sandstone Brown for GO+).

Yango and other ride-sharing services to pay annual mandatory fee to DVLA – Yango, Bolt and other ride-sharing services to pay annual mandatory fee to DVLA: -The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has issued a mandatory fee to be paid annually by drivers Uber,Yango, Bolt and any other ride-sharing services in Ghana. The drivers on these platforms are to pay GH¢60 every year.

This is a part of a set of new guidelines from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), the Ministry of Transport, National Road Safety Commission, the MTTD of Ghana Police Service and other key stakeholders.

The DVLA has noted that the new guidelines don’t only affect current drivers in the ride-sharing services. The guideline will also cover companies that intend to operate ride-sharing platforms in Ghana in the future.

Owners of vehicles that are used for ride-sharing are to present their vehicles and its registration certificates to the Digital Transport Center at DVLA’s Headquarters in Cantonment. According to the DVLA, this exercise is for “verification and authentication.”

A signed Power of Attorney and a valid national ID document is required if owners of such vehicles aren’t available. A special sticker will be issued to vehicles that have completed this process to be pasted “on the windscreen at all times.”

Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) further stated that

“Having successfully signed up, the vehicle must now undergo roadworthy examination and certification every six (6) months as it is the case for all commercial vehicles.”

Note that only vehicle owners can be represented by someone, drivers would have to be present at the Digital Transport Center themselves for their verification and authentication.

“Unlike in the case of the vehicle owner, the driver must be physically present for this activity. Drivers must ensure that, at all times, they possess a valid Driver’s Licence.”

The Authority also added that companies that operate the digital transport platforms must only work with drivers who have been verified by the DVLA.

“Once you are signed on, only verified and approved vehicles and drivers must be enrolled on your platform. The DVLA data system becomes the only valid source for verifying the authenticity of a driver’s license or a vehicle’s registration. Submit quarterly reports in the form as agreed with the Authority.”

BENTLEY’S FLYING SPUR CROWNED CARWOW’S ‘LUXURY CAR OF THE YEAR’

• All-new Flying Spur has claimed ‘Luxury Car of the Year’ by carwow at their annual ‘Car of the Year’ industry awards
• First award for Bentley’s all-new luxury sporting sedan
• Flying Spur production began on 16 October

Bentley’s all-new Flying Spur has been awarded ‘Luxury Car of the Year’ by carwow at their annual awards evening. The award winners were chosen by carwow’s team of in-house reviewers and writers, led by editorial director Mat Watson.

“THE BENTLEY FLYING SPUR OOZES LUXURY. FROM THE POWERFUL YET ELEGANT DESIGN, THE IMPECCABLE CABIN, THE LAVISH MATERIALS AND THE HAND-BUILT BOUTIQUE AMBIANCE THAT MAKES YOU FEEL SUPER SPECIAL WHEN YOU CLIMB ABOARD. AND IT’S AS ENJOYABLE TO DRIVE AS IT IS TO BE CHAUFFEURED IN.’

MAT WATSON

The all-new Flying Spur was launched earlier this year, and first drives have recently been completed by the world’s media in Monaco. The car has been praised by many for its drive dynamics paired with uncompromising luxury. GQ commented that it is ‘the best new luxury car in the world’.

The start of production for Flying Spur was recently announced, with first customer deliveries to be expected early next year.

Alfa Romeo will be Automotive Sponsor of the 2020 “1000 Miglia” – The 38th re-evocation of what Enzo Ferrari liked to call the “most beautiful race in the world” will be held from 13 to 16 May 2020 on the traditional Brescia-Rome-Brescia course.

An unmissable event, which will once again enjoy the partaking and support of Alfa Romeo as Automotive Sponsor. Renewed in 2019 to run until 2021, the three-year sponsorship contract sets the seal on the deep bond that has united the “Freccia Rossa” and the Italian brand ever since 1928.

As always, numerous fine Alfa Romeo models from the collection of FCA Heritage, the Group’s department dedicated to protecting and promoting the historic heritage of the Italian FCA brands, will be present at the 2020 edition of the Brescia event.

Stelvio and Giulia

And these heritage gems will be joined in the parade by a fleet of thirty current vehicles; Stelvio and Giulia models that embody the new Alfa Romeo paradigm. In their role as official cars of the 2020 “1000 Miglia”, Giulia and Stelvio are sure to delight the many enthusiasts who watch them travelling the legendary course: there could be no better introduction to the Alfa Romeo values, steeped in history and competition.

One of the most famous events in Alfa Romeo’s racing history took place in 1928, during the second edition of the “1000 Miglia”, when the constructor won both the individual and the team titles, with all eight of its cars successfully finishing the course.

In the years between then and 1957, Alfa Romeo triumph the event an amazing eleven times, a record which will now never be beaten, and which confirms the unbreakable bond between two brands which shine with a special glory on the world motoring scene.

And it was with the same, undimmed passion as in the past that on 18 May last year enthusiasts welcomed the arrival in Brescia of Giovanni Moceri and Daniele Bonetti, winners of the 2019 “1000 Miglia” in the 1928 6C 1500 SS from the FCA Heritage collection, normally on show in the Museo Storico Alfa Romeo at Arese.

Second place went to the 1929 6C 1750 SS Zagato of Vesco-Guerini, while the other Alfa Romeo cars entered by FCA Heritage all completed the race with very respectable placings. What’s more, Alfa Romeo also received the Sponsor Team Trophy, thanks to Moceri’s victory and the fifth-place finish of the 1929 6C 1750 SS Young driven by Cavalli-Gamberini.

Special edition for anniversary: Porsche Panamera 10 Years Edition – Porsche is celebrating the tenth anniversary of the Panamera line with a special edition. The new Panamera 10 Years Edition features particularly extensive normal equipment in the areas of comfort and the chassis, and has also been enhanced with exclusive design highlights.

For example, the new 21-inch Panamera Sport Design wheels in satin-gloss White Gold Metallic and the “Panamera10” logo on the front doors, also in White Gold Metallic, are exclusive to the special-edition models.

The anniversary logo can also be found in the interior on the front passenger trim panel and on the door entry guards. The interior is designed in black partial leather.

Decorative stitching in White Gold creates a particularly high-quality impression. The new anniversary edition is available in Germany for the Panamera 4 and Panamera 4 E-Hybrid models and for the Sport Turismo derivatives equipped with the same engines.

Many additional extras as standard

The Panamera 10 Years Edition models come ex works with a host of additional comfort and safety features: the LED matrix headlights including PDLS Plus, Lane Change Assist and Lane Keeping Assist with traffic sign recognition and Park Assist including reversing camera are part of the extended standard equipment, as are the panoramic roof system, privacy glass, the heated 14-way comfort seats with Porsche crest on the head restraints, the soft-close doors, digital radio and the BOSE® Surround Sound system.

With the standard adaptive three-chamber air suspension including Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) and Power Steering Plus, the Panamera10 models are also ideally equipped for outstanding driving dynamics.

The hybrid models of the Panamera 10 Years Edition come with an on-board charger with a charging capacity of 7.2 kW instead of the otherwise standard 3.6 kW.

The Panamera 4 10 Years Edition with 2.9-litre biturbo engine and 243 kW (330 PS; Combined fuel consumption 8.4 l/100 km; combined CO2 emissions 194 – 192 g/km) can already be ordered.

The 2.9-litre biturbo engine and the powerful electric motor with 100 kW (136 PS) in the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid Sport Turismo combine to deliver a system power of 340 kW (462 PS; Combined fuel consumption 2.9 – 2.8 l/100 km; combined power consumption 16.2 – 16.1 kWh/100 km; combined CO2 emissions 66 – 64 g/km).

Sports car, luxury saloon, hybrid pioneer: the history of the Panamera

Like no other car in the luxury car class, the Panamera has combined the performance one would expect from a sports car with the luxury and versatility of a touring saloon since 2009.

In addition, the Panamera has decisively shaped the brand over the course of the last ten years as a technology platform for innovations that were later also transferred to other Porsche models. The current, second model generation is manufactured entirely in the Porsche plant in Leipzig, and comes in three different body variants. Over 250,000 units have been delivered so far.

PANAMERA: A PORSCHE FOR FOUR

A Porsche for four – over the course of the company’s more than 70-year history, Porsche engineers kept coming back to this idea. However, prototypes such as the Type 530 based on the 356, lengthened variants of the 928 or the four-door coupé Type 989 did not make it into series production.

At the start of the new century, the decision was taken to develop a four-door hatchback saloon. The specifications included outstanding driving dynamics, generous space conditions and a quintessentially Porsche appearance. The first Panamera – with the internal designation G1 – made its public debut on 19 April 2009 on the 94th floor of the World Financial Center in Shanghai, and set standards in its class thanks to the wide spread between sportiness and comfort.

And it was packed with innovations: for the first time, a luxury-class production model was offered with a dual-clutch transmission and start-stop system. The flagship model Panamera Turbo also introduced air suspension with additionally switchable air volume, as well as an adjustable, multi-dimensionally extendable rear spoiler. The Gran Turismo also paved the way for all other Porsche model lines with its new display and operating concept.

In 2011, the Panamera set the stage for a new age of electromobility: as the first parallel full hybrid in the luxury class, the Panamera S Hybrid was the most economical Porsche to date despite a power output of 380 PS. Two years later, the Panamera S E-Hybrid once again led the way in the segment as the world’s first plug-in hybrid.

The model range continued to grow quickly, and the Panamera was extremely important for Porsche: the Gran Turismo – with an output of up to 570 PS and also available with a lengthened wheelbase from 2013 – established the brand in a new market segment.

All new: the second model generation from 2016 onwards

The development of the second Panamera generation (G2) followed several paths: alongside the saloon, which celebrated its world premiere in Berlin on 28 June 2016, and the long version, a third variant was developed on the joint platform: the Sport Turismo.

As from 2017, its avant-garde design and body concept brought more versatility to the luxury class. The G2 is even sportier and more elegant, but with the same generous space. The attractive exterior once again houses a host of innovations, including a digitised display and operating concept. Thanks to chassis systems like the three-chamber air suspension, rear-axle steering and the PDCC Sport electromechanical roll stabilisation system, the Panamera is equally at home both on the streets and on the track.

The power range of the petrol engines extends from 330 to 550 PS. In addition, Porsche fully embraced electric performance with the second Panamera generation: the boost strategy adopted from the 918 Spyder allows sports car-like performance in combination with high efficiency. The top model is the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid with a system power of 680 PS (Combined fuel consumption 3.3 l/100 km; combined power consumption 16.0 kWh/100 km; combined CO2 emissions 74 g/km).