Izuogu Z-600
The Izuogu Z-600 prototype wis the first indigenous Nigerian caur. It is an aa the first automobile o indigenous aw-African technology. It wis the brainchild o ingineer Ezekiel Izuogu. Launched in 1997, it cause a stir in the herts o the mony Nigerians who hope for a personal caur an stimulatit the Nigerian media. The caur wis toutit bi the then Nigerian chief o Staff General Oladipo Diya.
Design an Specification
eeditThe prototype wus equipt wi a self made 1.8L fower cylinder ingine that got 18mpg an alloued the caur tae achieve a top speed o 140 km/h (86 mph). Front Wheel Drive(FWD) wis chosen ower Rear Wheel Drive(RWD) because a transmission tunnel wad be mair expensive tae fabricate. FWD avoidit this. 90% o the caur's components wur made locally.
The design o the car was vera utilitarian resemblin a Renault 4 wi its upricht stance an a front end that resembles the locally assembled Peugeot 504.
Tae be priced at $2000 it wad hae been the cheapest caur in the warld. Clever features like a door bell uised in place o a horn ensure it achieves its laich price target. Mass production wis planned unner Izuogu motors locatit in Naze, Imo state. but ower mony hurdles mainly financial an political preventit the caur frae goin past the prototype stage.
Current progress
eeditIn 2005 interest frae ither African kintras arose aboot the Z-600 an Dr. Izuogu invitit tae Sooth Africae tae give a speech on science an technology. The Sooth African government showed keen interest in the caur an wantit Izuogu to build it in Sooth Africae.
Optimism surroondit the caur till Mairch 11t, 2006, when airmed robbers raidit the factory o Izuogu Motors takin wi them the molds for the ingine blocks an crank shaft, mudguards an ither components. This wis a big setback for the project. Since then no muckle is kent on the status o the caur.