79 April 2023 www.bahrainthismonth.com motoring news Bentley Motors has launched the second edition of its Extraordinary Women initiative, a global mentoring programme aimed at inspiring and nurturing the next generation of female leaders. The programme is specifically designed for female students pursuing careers in engineering, design, technology, and business. The Extraordinary Women initiative supports Bentley’s Beyond100 strategy and goals to achieve 30 percent diverse management by 2025. In line with Saudi Vision 2030, the programme is expanding to Saudi Arabia for the first time, with the aim of encouraging women to consider careers in STEM and the automotive industry. Bentley will work with Dar Al-Hekma University in Saudi Arabia to identify the students who will be selected to take part in the programme. Successful applicants will enjoy oneto-one mentoring with experienced Bentley staff and the extraordinary Pioneers, ahead of attending a one-week programme at Bentley headquarters in Crewe this June, where they will work with Bentley teams on live projects to put the learnings from their mentoring experience to good use. With a global fleet of around 100 vehicles employed internationally, five BMW iX5 Hydrogen vehicles arriving in the Middle East will demonstrate the reliability and suitability of alternative CO2-free drive systems for everyday use. Based on the current BMW X5, the BMW iX5 Hydrogen was first unveiled as a concept at the IAA show in 2019. Its centrepiece is the highly efficient next-generation fuel-cell system, generating a high continuous output of 125 kW/170 hp. In combination with a highly integrated drive unit using fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology, the powertrain channels maximum output of 295 kW/401 hp onto the road. The hydrogen needed to supply the fuel-cell is stored in two 700-bar tanks made of carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP). Together these hold almost six kilograms of hydrogen, enough to give the BMW iX5 Hydrogen a range of 504 km (313 miles) in the WLTP cycle. As one of the most efficient options for storing and transporting renewable energy, hydrogen has a clear potential in complementing electromobility. It will contribute to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and play a major role as a fuel in the Middle East. BMW IX5 HYDROGEN ARRIVES IN THE MIDDLE EAST. BENTLEY MOTORS EMPOWERS FUTURE FEMALE LEADERS Lexus has reinvented the luxury crossover with the launch of the all-new RX. First launched in 1998, the Lexus RX has created the blueprint for luxury crossover utility vehicles and set the tone in the segment ever since. The fifth-generation RX comes with a choice of three powertrains, two of which are electrified to contribute to the realisation of a carbon-neutral society. A newly developed inline 4-cylinder, 2.4-liter turbocharged engine that produces 275 hp and 430 nm of torque is mated to a new 8-speed Direct-Shift automatic transmission (8AT). Meanwhile, the new hybrid-electric system combines a 2.5-liter petrol engine and electric motor to produce a total of 247 hp, which is mated to an electronically-controlled continuously variable transmission (E-CVT) to provide a fuel consumption value of 20.7 km/L. The hybrid-electric system pairing a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine with an electric motor, provides a combined power of 366 hp mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission that offers fuel consumption of 15.5 km/L while delivering a new level of driving pleasure. The 2023 RX’s boasts a spacious interior offers with ample luggage space and five newly designed luxury seats aside from the Lexus Safety System. THE LAUNCH OF THE ALL-NEW LEXUS RX
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