HOT RIDE SHOOTOUT 2014 – The road to victory chart

For all you die hard petrol heads who faithfully voted and supported the HOT RIDE SHOOTOUT, we’ve completed the final sequence of events for you in this humungous chart.

Check it out and see where the wheels came off for some, and the road to victory opened up for others.

 

Enjoy!!

The Powerflow Team

THE FINAL!! Opel OPC vs Honda Civic TypeR

So we are finally here, the finals of Hot Ride Shootout 2014. It has been one awesome ride featuring 16 cars, you guys deciding who goes forward in the compo and who gets the boot.

There have been some interesting decisions by you and now we can reveal the 2 finalists. These 2 have matched up against some stiff competition. You complained about some Hot Rides not being making the grade. They’re gone!!

You voiced your displeasure at some of the match ups, well the losers, they too are gone.

One-by-one, you’ve weeded out the also-rans and pretenders to whittle our field of 16 down to the Final. Since you’ve come this far, it’s your civic duty as a nitro-breathing, gasoline-bleeding gearhead to finish the mission of naming our 2014 Hot Ride Shootout champion.

But just so you know, things are about to get trickier. Take a look at the pairings and make your call.

Finalist 1: OPEL Astra OPC Extreme
It’s all racer when it comes to the Opel Astra OPC Extreme details. Its 2.0-litre turbocharged motor has been tuned and is good for no less than 225 kW according to Opel. This engine is now the most powerful four-pot unit ever made by the manufacturer. It’s interesting to note that tuners have been getting big power out of these motors for a while, and 225 kW really isn’t that big a number. However the car has been put on a diet and is 100kg lighter than its normal counterpart, which gives it a dynamic edge.

Carbon composite is used extensively in the Opel Astra OPC Extreme. The material is used for the aerodynamically-optimized rear wing, the diffuser, front spoiler, hood, suspension cross-bracing, the engine cover, complete wheels, rear wheelhouse ventilation and roof. The carbon wheels are 20kg lighter than their aluminium counterparts. Gone is the steel roof and in its place is a carbon fibre version. That alone saves just over 6.5kg. As Lotus cars demonstrate on a regular basis, light weight equals high performance.

Haven’t made up your mind yet? Watch the Opel Extreme Video here: http://youtu.be/LMkEjc8CBTM

Finalist 2: Honda Civic Type R

Onto the Honda, you’ve seen the teaser sketch. Now there’s this – the official Honda Civic Type R concept, released at the Geneva motor show. But unlike some of the more far – fetched concepts you’ll see, Honda says this design study ‘strongly hints’ at the production version, which it’s promising in 2015.

You want specs? You can’t handle the specs. The new Type R will be the first model to feature the company’s brand-spanking VTEC turbo engine. It’ll come as a 2.0-litre, direct injection, four-cylinder unit that’ll make at least 280bhp. Blimey.

So, what about that Veneno – like styling? Honda says it offers real performance benefits, which it’s actually tested – the front and rear spoilers adds down force, the vertical side wings and vents in the front bumper help to reduce drag and control airflow around the front tyres, and the front grilles have been enlarged for better cooling. The front and rear wings have also been pulled out to accommodate bigger wheels.

For Honda and its fans, Type R represents its “racing spirit,” which is the company’s corporate philosophy of using motorsport to drive innovation and foster teamwork. Honda’s a company with a rich racing heritage, spanning almost half a century at the highest echelons of motorsport. The Civic iteration of Type R has always been the mainstay of the Type R badge.
 
Here is another video to help you make up your mind: http://youtu.be/QQyiXqVlA8A

The final decision is yours. Make it!

Here are our 3 easy ways to vote
1.    Write your choice of HOT RIDE in the comments section below each blog post.
2.    Follow Powerflow Exhausts on Facebook and vote on each individual match-up when we post it, by commenting on your choice of favourite.
https://www.facebook.com/powerflow.exhausts?ref=hl
3.    Follow Powerflow Exhausts on Twitter and vote on each individual match-up when we post it by commenting on your choice of favourite.
https://twitter.com/PowerflowSA