All New High-Tech Hyundai Santa Fe Drives Smoothly in Nigeria
HyundaiMotorsNigeriahasjoined renowned markets in Europe, North America and the Middle East as it premiered the fourth generation Santa Fe mid-size SUV that incorporates Hyundai first AWD–HTRAC, an electronic all-wheel drive system that tracks vehicle speed and road conditions.
Also incorporating a newly adopted 8-speed automatic transmission with cutting-edge powertrain and maximized fuel economy, the Santa Fe continues Hyundai fluidic design tradition that typifies cascading three-dimensional honeycomb patterned radiator grille and a separated-type composite-light.
The arrival of the all new family SUV, dubbed “the lifetime partner for SUV customers who value balance between work and life,” coincides with Hyundai budding accomplishment as the foremost selling passenger-car brand in Nigeria, the company’s Managing Director Parvir Singh told journalists in Lagos, at a media preview of the car.
Exterior Styling
Emerging from a makeover in 2017 with a slight front-end adjustment, the 4th generation Santa Fe is as it is a quintessence of deluxe with a new front-end, reshaped front bumper and new LED fog lights that is standard across the entire line-up.
The side profile with tough side volume and wheel arches are connected to a stable designed rear bumper to create a progressive SUV image and character line that stretches along the body panel from the headlamp to the rear to add dynamism and strength to its silhouette.
This is in addition to the new flag-type outside mirrors applied to the outside A-shaped pillar to enhance side/rear visibility and express strong exterior appeal.
At the rear end is a high-tech lighting image achieved with 3D-type LED rear lamps graphics and a bold proportion that creates a stance full of confidence.
Interior Panache
Hyundai Motors Nigeria Head, Sales and Marketing, Gaurav Vashisht who gave these hints in his presentation said the vehicle’s cockpits adopts well-heeled SUV ideals with a shield-shaped control hub flanked by big air vents and undulating dash, dipping low in front of passengers and bubbling up for gauges.
“Simply put, the dashboard design wraps around the crash pad to express three-dimensional image, which maximize a sense of openness to provide the best visibility while enhancing a sense of luxury by covering a large area with PU leather.”
He said the center stack with large control knobs and audio volume are so intuitively arranged with a larger (7-inch TFT LCD) touchscreen and electroluminescent gauges to add an aura of conviviality.
Also worthy of note is the windshield-type headup display, which was applied for the first time to provide safety and convenience by minimizing movement of eyes during driving by projecting main vehicle information on the front windshield, Mr. Vashisht said.
The Santa Fe’s seat design optimization with an 8-way adjustment function astonishingly uses electric tilting type cushion to enhance thigh support, making driving a cinch for tall drivers.
“At the mere touch of a button, the first and second row seats allow easy access with improved third row spaciousness that enhances the capacity of the rear area of second row, which has been increased by 40-liter from 585liter to 625liter to maximize the convenience of luggage loading.”
Powertrain
Styling isn’t the only reason to seek out the Santa Fe. Hyundai has equipped the new Santa Fe with cutting-edge drivetrains that assures on powerful performance and maximized fuel efficiency.
The Nigerian headquarters of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), has thrown it weight behind Verisure, an integrated IT solutions and software manufacturing company with head office in the United Kingdom, and operating in Nigeria.
This endorsement came recently after a comprehensive delivery by Verisure Nigeria Limited at the Annual General Meeting of the CILT held in Lagos and attended by industry operators in the public and private sectors.
CILT believe it is high time the haulage industry had this form of technological intervention in terms of driver performance rating and background checks to ensure that the human element in the value chain of haulage services is to a large extent regulated. CILT also believes that the coming onboard of Drivercheck will go a long way in easing the troubles associated with recruiting drivers of unscrupulous behaviour who, often times, have collapsed businesses worth millions of naira.
These same drivers may still be in the system as there have, hitherto, been no objective way and manner of flagging them and ultimately flushing them out of the system.[1]
According Olumuyiwa Adewunmi, a Director of the company, “we recently launched a new and innovative IT product/software, specifically targeted at the FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods) industry, haulage companies, as well as the various national transport unions with a large pool of drivers in their employ”.
He added that Verisure is being generally accepted in the country as many fleet owners have come to appreciate the importance of keying into the system in order to ensure the smooth flow of their businesses.
Adewunmi explained that Verisure provides “DriversCheck™, a drivers database where haulage drivers are duly registered and their details updated to make for easy check on their status. Before employing a driver, you should look them up on DriversCheck™ to ensure you are employing a driver whose integrity is guaranteed”.
“Current and constant reporting on driver’s activities to give an overall picture of a driver’s professional or work attitude. Employment information database like guarantor’s current information, Driver’s License check and verification, to determine employability Allows for easy traceability in the case of theft and locks out offending drivers hence preventing a re-occurrence by such drivers again in the industry. The product is absolutely free to Transporters”.
Adewunmi, an international haulage expert also said all registered drivers are covered by Fidelity Guarantee Insurance, just as they are issued Verisure Identity Cards which includes drivers’ VIN (Verisure Identification Number) that is unique to each driver and guarantees confidentiality of all stored data about each driver on the Drivercheck app.
With a mission to standardize the haulage industry in terms of driver information, record keeping and performance monitoring and management, the company’s vision is to be the go-to company for any issues relating to driver recruitment, training and discipline for the haulage industry.