Brabus summons 400 ponies for GLA B45

Photo sourced : TTAC

Thapelo Tshule

It has been months since the Debut of the Mercedes-Benz CLA and one is already excited about the launch of the GLA B45, especially after the announcement by German tuner Brabus who have confirmed that they will be introducing a more powerful version of the crossover.

The German performance tuning division was able to squeeze 294kw out of the 2.0-litre four cylinder engines with the help of the B45 tuning kit, which requires the installation of the BRABUS PowerXtra module. This increased the power from the 265kw that powers the GLA 45 AMG, making the B45`s  power upgrade good enough for a breath-taking 270 km/h top speed and essential to propel the car from 0-100km/h in 4.4 seconds, which is regarded as big daddy ML63 AMG territory.  This should be interesting as we might see ‘’fat blokes’’ in tailored suits having their egos bruised by ‘’mohawked’’ young boys with nippy GLA Brabus tuned crossovers.

According to Brabus who also have a surprise in store for diesel enthusiasts, in the form of a Brabus Eco PowerXtra D3 tuning package, which will be available for eco-mentalists who prefer the GLA 220 CDI model. Brabus say they will be able to squeeze 30 more kilowatts from the four-cylinder pot to form a total of 155kw and 308nm of torque output. These figures are sufficient enough for the cross-over to go from 0-100km/h in just 8 seconds.

The GLA will be offered in different versions, from wheels to high performance tyres from notable tyre manufacturers. Brabus offers the GLA in Standard, Style, and Urban specifications. Each of them will feature trim options that are going to set them apart from the other, a raised or lowered suspension setup will also be on offer for the crossover. A variety of leather appointments are available, ranging from Mastik to Alcantara, in addition to interior trims, stainless steel and aluminium are available.

Brabus does not share a similar amount of fame as AMG amonst South Africans, hence AMG variants are already expensive after ticking all the right boxes. Pricing for the South African market has not been confirmed but I would not get my hopes high if I were you as they surely won’t come cheap! 

Six Cylinder line-up for spinning session

Pretoria based Spinner " Leb King" and stuntmen entertained the crowd during the first Sunday Spin
 Chill Session hosted by the Sosh SpinKingz on Sunday 25th of May.

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Six spinning crews have been confirmed by the Soshanguve SpinKingz(SSK), who will combine in entertaining spinning enthusiast and petrol heads during the second Sunday Spin Chill Session that will be hosted at the Sosh Spin Palace(SSP) in Block F of the Township on Sunday 15 June.

Spinners and fans are looking forward to more action packed event after SSK having hosted their first Sunday event as part of a kicking off the series of chill sessions on the 25^th of May. The main aim of the event was for spinners to network with their fans as well as fans to network with spinners.

During the first chill session hosted by SSK, the Magiya Brothers from the South Western Townships (Soweto) of Johannesburg were invited as their guest spinners. The Magiya Brothers spent a Sunday afternoon and evening participating in a rubber burning battle.

SSK`s next chill session will have a six cylinder line up including spinning crews, Limpopo based  Team Y&Sons, Mpumalanga based Team Skorokoro and IZR Crew, SSK as the hosts and Box Boys Spinners from the North West Province who might bring Marikana to Soshaguve.

According to SSK, Sundays will never be the same again as the crew has lined up more crews after having officially kicked off the series of Sunday spinning events.

VW`s R400 guns for A45 AMG

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Like a kindergarten bully unleashed on the playground, the A45 AMG boasted enough energy to outrun its hot hatch rivals and pose questions to teachers(Motoring Journo`s) as to, what has the mother of this bully packaged in the lunch box(engine).

What seemed to be a German battle between the 265kW A45 AMG, 235kW BMW 135i and the 221kW Audi S3 has seen a new contender which will seemingly top the motoring hot hatch, German Bundesliga. The 221kW produced by the G7 R has been amplified to 295kW and the R400 name has been added, which according to VolksWagen comes from its power output figures.  Just five short of 400hp, 395 hp is equivalent to 400 metric horsepower and the Golf R395 would just sound like the perfect price but in SA we could consider the R300 (300kW).

Various manufacturers have shown that the capability of a 2.0 litter engine can been stretched to their limits and the impressive figures we have recently seen from Mercedes Benze`s A45 AMG are certainly not the last.

Developers at Volkswagen’s engineering and customisation R division, have developed a mean concept in Golf`s seventh generation R400, using the same turbocharger as the Golf 7R. Same turbo, different figures as the R400 achieves a 0-100kmh sprint in 3.9 seconds and packs 73kW and 70Nm more than the 7R.

The electronically limited 280km/h top speed 2.0litre engine could be matted with a six-speed manual or DSG box. VW`s latest Haldex multi-plate clutch 4Motion four-wheel drive system has also been taken from the new Golf R. Drive sent to the front and rear axles is constantly changed by the electro-mechanical 4Motion four-wheel drive system, the system may also send up to 100 per cent drive to either axle depending on the levels of traction. The operation is a combination of Volkswagen’s EDS and XDS+ electronic differential locks which form part of the R400’s multi-function ESP system. A sport function will allow a less forceful intervention of the electronics. 

Although much has not been said about the latest buttons one may push inside the cabin, the interior looks fitting with the quality sports interior VW offers. On the exterior side of things, the R400 comes with a bulky looking body kit. Featuring three wings, one at the lower ends of the front and rear bumper and a carbon fibre rear diffuser. Noticeably, the R400 sits on a lowered suspension, looks wider and looking at the 19 inch wheels one does feel confident enough that it stands on enough wheels to put all that power down on the road. 

Less hype revolves around the A45 AMG, with google searches speculating that it will soon have to move over to the left lane as the R400 occupies the Right lane. 

Merc`s Class setting C

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June marks the month that the Mercedes Benze C Class grows, not in terms of sales or regular body dimension growth but within the Merc family, the new C Class will official move from being the smallest sedan in the line-up with the CLA`s addition to the brand.

Despite driving the entry sedan range of the brand, consumers want to be seen in a lengthy Merc. As the C Class grows, an intelligent lightweight kerbing of 100kg is one of the selling points of the 2014 Class. Speaking of selling points, air suspension. The ability of independently changing your ride height, is quite cool even in its unsophisticated manner. Soon we will see Merc enthusiast with slammed C classes at show and shines, but we fancy not seeing one off-roading! with a heightened ride height.

On the calendar, South Africa`s launch has been marked for June with a range of four turbocharged engines.  Pricing has been tagged at an entry level of R415 900 for the C180 1.6-litre. It will fairly push 115kW and 250Nm of torque and according to Merc figures; per 100km it will quench 5.0 litres per 100km. The C180`s 115kW is essential for a 0-100km/h sprint of 8.2 seconds. In the C200, 135kW and 300Nm will set you back R436 600, it will achieve a 0-100km/h sprint in 7.5 seconds.  As far as the Diesel derivative is concerned, you will be charged R459 000 for a C220 BlueTEC ,it`s 125kW and 400Nm will go from 0-100 km/h in 8.2 seconds while sipping a healthy  4.0 litres /100km.

A cheque of half a million (R502 600) will have you comfortably placed in a C250, getting you from 0-100km/h in 6.6 seconds. It`s power comes in at 155kW and a torque reading of 350Nm, it has a fuel consumption reading similar to the C200 (5.3 litres per 100km).  All models are driven through the rear wheels through either a new six-speed manual or 7G-Tronic Plus automatic gearbox.

Since we are talking new stuff, the drive comes with a new four-link front axle and five-link rear end suspension system. The suspension can be tweaked through three systems with variable damping settings ranging from a comfy ride to a sportier ride. Optionally, air suspension or an “Airmatic system” features continuously variable damping at the front and rear end. Unlike the three modes on the standard suspension, four modes from `Comfort` right up to `Sport+` are available. 

Besides the long list of optional extra`s for your ideal Merc, safety should not be an option and with Attention Assist being standard plus Collision Prevention Assist Plus, safety is still ensured by the German brand. An automatic brake will engage at up to speeds of 200km/h, should you be in a situation where an object appears in front of your vehicle while driving. With regards to the optional extra`s list, Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus, Distronic Plus with Steering Assist and Stop&Go Pilot, enhanced Active Lane Keeping Assist, Active Parking Assist and a 360-degree parking camera are listed.

Inside the cabin, gadgets and class are a feature as the dashboard is surrounded by five round air vents and a free-standing central display which is available in either 18cm or 21cm display for online equipped models. In an aim to make the car even livelier, front bass technology has been installed to mimic the acoustic sound quality of a concert hall.

The new generation Merc`s that rome around the streets have a lively face which forms part of the gene`s that have been passed down to the 7^th generation C Class. A 'sporty' face with a centrally-positioned Mercedes star strikes you when looking at the new C Class. Exclusive line models come with a traditional Merc grille with the star positioned on the bonnet. Besides the C being longer than its predecessor, the arched design at the rear end makes the boot which has increased to 480 litres look shorter.

When it comes to class, Merc will never be late and the new generation C Class continues to be class leading.

Photos, Mercedesbenze USA.