Light changes to Audi`s A3

Audi`s latest A3 which is also dubbed as a stretched A1, now offers a new fuel efficient 77kW 1.2 Pot. Photo : The Motor Report

@ROBERT_MABUSELA

While Korean manufacturers are putting their design teams under pressure to come up with fresh new customer attracting designs, their German counterparts seem to be relying on making subtle changes to their vehicles.

The Audi A3 has been a strong competitor and benchmark for various brands in the hatchback market, leading amongst rivals including the BMW 1 series, VW Golf range, Renault Megan, Ford Focus and the Opel Astra. This year has seen the latest offering of the A3 hit South Africa, just before the Golf 7 which has just joined the segment. Exterior features include a four ringed large, not to missed hexagonal single-frame radiator grill with a noticeable change to the front and rear lights. Light changes, through solid day time running headlamps which similarly continue at the back end with rear lights ensure that your A3`s hatched back is visible all day.

Three different spec levels will now differentiate between the vehicles, namely the S,SE and Quatro.  Packed with new engines within the range, seven models will range from a new 1.2T FSI engine to the more powerful 1.8T FSI.  The new 1.2T FSI offering is the most economical model in the range, which all models will enjoy some of those economic features thanks to an 80kg weight loss. Performance has always been one of the brand`s strongest points in their top-end models like the 132 kW 1.8T FSI. Together with a maximum torque figure of 280nm this model will reach 0-100km/h in 6.7 seconds while achieving a fuel consumption figure of 6.6 liters per 100km and a 131g/km CO2 emission.

Having  developed 1.2 pots in the Wolkswagen-Audi family may seem to be stirring confusion, as both the Golf 7 and Audi A3 feature the same 77kW engine which seems to be making it difficult for consumers to make a decision as to which part of the family do they want to fall into.

Inside the vehicle, premium Audi quality leather and stitching fills the interior with notable new designs made to the steering wheel, seats and air vents. The A3 may not be the perfect car for jet setters, but passengers and the driver will enjoy the new Jet design air vents that are adjustable to ones preference. Various vehicle information will be displayed through a 7 inch screen, a MMI navigation control system is featured into the centre console. If you`re a person who enjoys having a booming sound system in your car then you should be prepared to tick the options box to include a 14-Speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system with LED lighting. A Panaromic sunroof also comes as an optional extra.

Although the new A3 is dubbed a stretched A1 and may only seem to have light changes at first glance, paying more attention to the vehicle may give you second thoughts. Be sure to lookout for the A3 sportsback and a sedan that is set to make its debut in the sedan segment this year

Article Published in the Tshwane Youth Magazine

Candy Coated paints at DUB Fest

Vishen Ramdhani owner of the Candy Apple Green Volkswagen Cady, that was show in the Show and Shine category out at the 2013 Vdub Camp Fest that  took place at the Hartebeespoort Resort.

@ROBERT_MABUSELA

The annual Volkswagen Camp festival is one of the events that measure how much passion motoring enthusiasts have for their cars; others take it as far as spending more than what their vehicles cost on customs and that selected few define what owning a car means in terms of keeping it as standard as possible.

This year’s 2013 Vdub Camp Fest took place over two days at the Hartebeespoort Resort from the 2^nd to the 3^rd of Febuary. With temperatures reaching highs of up to 33°c, those who attended the event were sure to have spent a hot day with some of the hottest Vdubs. The weekend was packed with events and competitions that were set to find the best looking car in the Show and Shine event, and the loudest in the Sound competition which both competitions had the respective owners working hard in order to win a prize in their category. In terms of the sound competition a combination of, how many sound components one has in their vehicle, how they are put together within the interior of the car as well as the overall look of the car and quality in the sound which is produced was key for the prize.

Keeping a vehicle clean for the Show and Shine for the judging was a challenge due to the dusty conditions at the resort. It was important to use the best products that don’t attract & leave a layer of dust on the car which came from people coming over to check out the ride. One of the many eye catching rides at the event belonged to Vishen Ramdhani from Centurion, who is the proud owner of an Apple Green Volkswagen Caddy. Referring to it as a “Toy” Vishen estimates his customs to be worth approximately R60 000 excluding the price of his vehicle. His list of modifications include a Candy Apple green paint job, flared out wheel arches, custom rims, suede interior, an import 2.0 ABF engine and 3 LCD Screens :2 in the car and a detachable screen which he places in the bonnet for show purposes. The Vura 6 Club also came out in their numbers from all over the country, with 38 Jetta and Golf 3 VR6 models visiting the event.  Xolani Moyana Online Content Manager of the club travelled all the way from Kwa-Zulu Natal  to unite with country wide VW owners  

The event provided a good platform for those who are looking for ideas on how to customize and custom ride owners to network whilst creating competition amongst those who attended the event to win various prizes.  In a nutshell the German family showed its unity in numbers and variety at the 2013 Vdub Camp Fest.

Pictures from the event

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Lamborghini Estoque Concept

Photo : RSPORTSCARS

@ROBERT_MABUSELA

The beauty of concept cars is visible when manufacturers go beyond their usual design, that mostly consist of making changes to the previous design and selling it as a successor. Lamborghini`s Estoque concept is a merger between a super car and sedan, taking the manufacturer beyond its usual supercar designs.

Bringing in a sedan feel in the concept doesn’t give the Lamborghini sedan performance figures as the Estoque has a power rating of 560bhp, which in South African measurements we are looking at about 418kW. All the power comes from a 5.2L V10 engine that is currently used in the Gallardo LP 560-4 which goes from 0-100 km/h in 4 seconds while reaching a top speed of 325km/h.

Being a merger between a Supercar and sedan interior features are not as you would expect in supercars, the concept also has a touch of luxury and elegance that isn’t cramped up thanks to an extended wheel base. A navigation system, LCD Monitors and a CD player are some of the features you will find in the Estoque.

The front end of the concept looks lambo like while the rear end is something you haven’t seen come out of the Italian manufacturer`s manufacturing plants. An overall edgy design is enhanced by 22 inc rims and 23inches at the back, while there`s no need for sunset to see the daytime running LED that fit in well with the shape of its lights.

The Estoque concept brings in a fresh design that one would least expect from the manufacturer, its the next fresh car that could be parked amongst the likes of the Ferrari FF, Aston Martin Rapid and Porshe Panamera.

Article Published in the Tshwane Youth Magazine

Lamborghini Estoque images

Photos: Ultimate Car Page & Concept Carz