Hot Ride Shootout: WE HAVE A CHAMPION

Good Afternoon ladies and gentlemen, the time has come to announce the winner for this year’s Hot Ride Shootout. This knockout competition has been welcomed by you guys and we would like to thank you for all the support you have given us over the last 7 /8 weeks. We hoped you enjoyed it and next one will have a different spin on things so watch out.

This year’s winner had an extremely tough road to the final and then to win it against what I thought was going to take it hands down, it has definitely punched above its weight class. It quashed the dreams of other super rides along way and in the end defeating both the old Honda Civic and then the new Honda Civic Type R to claim the title. Before the final round it impressively knocked out the Subaru WRX STI as well as the Mitsubishi Evo, so we believe that the Opel Extreme OPC has had a hell of a tournie and is the deserved winner.

Until next time guys keep well and don’t forget to follow our blog to stay tuned.

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
 
 

Round1: 95 Honda Civic vs Opel Astra OPC Extreme

So it’s finally here, our first match up.

Starting off our match up we have 2 very worthy opponents so make sure you vote so that your favourite goes through to the next round.

I think it’s safe to say that both of these hatch backs need no introduction so let’s give you some info about each car so you can vote.

 

’95 Honda Civic

So as we all know, these little beauties stole our hearts and imagination from when they first appeared as they drove up to hijack a semi at the beginning of the hit movie Fast & Furious.

Since then these Honda’s have been looked at in a different light. The standard Honda Civic 5^th Generation has nothing to write home about in terms of power, but it does have the ability for owners to customize their rides as well as bring a sense of pride to each individual owner. The sky’s the limit, and some people have tuned these rides into true beasts!

 

Opel Astra OPC Extreme

This is the kind of extremism we at Powerflow like!

Opel’s new Astra OPC Extreme is the fastest Astra ever created and it even looks likely to enter low-volume production.

Not only is this beastly hatch 100kg lighter than the normal Astra OPC (thanks to the widespread use of carbon composites), but it’s also significantly more powerful, with Opel claiming that its 2-litre turbo petrol engine has been tuned to deliver more than 221kW (up from the standard 206kW). What do you think?

 

So there you have it folks, the first of many posts to go up. FOLLOW this blog, Share with your friends, get them involved and don’t forget to cast your vote for your favourite HOT HATCH, so that they progress into the next round.

 

Here are our 3 easy ways to vote

1. Write your choice of HOT HATCH 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

 

The 16 Hot Hatch Grid is UP!

So here’s the complete grid of our 16 hot-hatches competing for CLASH of the HOT HATCHES Title!

Get familiar with them and choose your winners. We will give you more info about each car in Round 1 which will be open for voting shortly!

Remember to please FOLLOW the blog to be kept up to speed on new Hatch Clashes as they’re posted!