GOLF 7 R420 - The New Super Hatch King?

At the moment VW seems to have a massive fixation with speed, as in order to celebrate 40 years of the iconic Golf they announced the 195kw GTI Clubsport. And well despite it being a very good hot hatch it ultimately is a hotted up version of the Standard GTI and not the outright performance version. Duties in that regard are normally handled by big brother the GOLF R, but since the GTI has been pumped up and now in "hot" climates is only 11kw shy of the R, VW too has realized this and decided to make a hotter version of the R.   

VW has decided to make sure that there is no doubt that the R is the hottest hatch around and thus has decided to create the R420 and in doing so aim to take the title of the ultimate super hatch.

   

In doing that it would have to contend with the other Germans in the form of the face lifted 280kw version of the A45, the new 270kw RS3 and the 276kw BMW M2.  This in itself is not easy feat but the name R420 gives a clue as to the Golf’s ambitions, 420 being the metric HP figure translating to in the realm of 300 plus kws.

That equates to a 0-100 of around 4 seconds and will it will keep going until a limited 280km/h.

The Golf Will Hit the global market later this year but as it will cost less than €50,000 which means it’s actually priced like a Golf coming in cheaper than all of its direct rivals.

No news if this will reach South Africa but the poor exchange rate in not doing it any favours 

   

2016 news part 3

This is the final instalment of our three part news feature and to conclude the news we kick things off Nissan.

Nissan- After the launch of the news Navara little over a year ago, the manufacturer are still in two minds about bring the bakkie to South Africa, puzzling due to the popularity of the segment and the success of the outgoing model and the NP series, strange but it’s likely to arrive later this year. 

Big and beefy while managing not to look too menacing

OPEL- Opel plans to launch a sportier version of the ADAM hatch, to be dubbed the ADAM S, with 110kw from a 1.4 litre turbo engine and stiffer chassis to make the car more dynamic in its drive. The new Astra J will be arriving in April.

Big and beefy while managing not to look too menacing 

Sporty accents like a larger boot spoiler, slight body kit and the larger 17" alloys help give clues as to the 110kw that live under the bonnet, it’s good for a 0-100 of 8-5 sec and a top speed of 215km/h

Peugeot- The 308 Hatch will receive an update in the form of an automatic gearbox, and the new 2008 cross over will arrive in the second half of 2016 

The Auto will extend to the already comprehensive package that is the 308 range.

Range Rover- the Evoque will lose its roof in the third quarter of the year and introduce a very exclusive segment that should be very niche given the original cars role 

Based on the looks and the great package that is the standard car this should be very popular among the very image conscientious people at which the original car targeted

Renault- The Kadjar crossover that will replace the Koleos, will arrive in the second quarter of the year, once again being based on the Qashqai but offering the French flare that the brand is synonymous with. The Kwid, small crossover is also due later in the year 

The New Megane will launch later in the year offering better equipment drive and what promises to be a good alternative to the leader of the segment the VW Golf

Toyota - Hilux fans will be glad to know that after a wait of what seemed to be an eternity the all new model will hit the shores next year. Being an all new model it offers new engines, a 110kw 2.4 litre turbo diesel with 400nm and the top spec 2.8 diesel. The 130kw offered by the top spec will be delivered by either a 6 speed manual or auto box. The auto will be capped at 450nm with an impressive 480nm for the manual. The Fortuner SUV will follow soon after its launch.  

The New Hilux aims to reclaim its position as the best One Tonne bakkie with the new model with improved safety, and cabin to make the brute feel more like a car and make it more at home on the tar while simply improving on the formula of its go-anyway origins

A face lifted version of the popular GT 86 will arrive later in the year offering improved dampers and revised suspension geometry, but crucially more power to the tune of 155kw. While the Drop top is following its global launch in October.

Eco Warriors will be happy to know that the all new Prius id due in the Second quarter of the year 

Volkswagen -  The Updated version of the VW Caddy is due to arrive later in the year offering the more angular updates, as seen in VW's current design language

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An All New Tiguan will arrive sometime later in the year will updates to the cabin and drive train likely to feature engines from the golf line up on which it’s based. It takes styling ques from its larger brother the Touareg becoming a far more aggressive looking package.

Volvo -   The recently launched XC90 SUV will receive a more powerful T8 Hybrid engine. The T8 dubbed the T8 Twin power engine features a twin charged 2.0 litre engines (both Turbo and Supercharged) with the addition of a electric motor to give a total output of 300kw all this comes together for a claimed 0-100 of 5.3 seconds.

the Swedish brand plans to launch its first executive limousine with the S90, offering an alternative to the models already prominent in this segment. It will be powered by The 2.0 litre engine seen in the XC90 in either T5 T6 or T8 guises, this is a bold move given the consumers loyalty to the already established models in this segment.

The S90 has the Big Three Germans that lead this class firmly in its cross hairs 

2016 news part 2

To pick up where we left of in part one with the Focus RS and how it plans to cause a stir in the world of hot hatchery, we move to an equally awaited hatch from Japan that plans to do the same thing in the form of the Type R

Honda - 2016 sees the long wait come to an end for fans of the Civic type R. Honda took a significant time in the development of the car with new additions including a 2.0 litre turbocharged engine, driving dynamics based on the BTCC touring car and a limited slip differential all in the aim of taming all 228kw going through the front wheels. 

Mid 2016 will bring the new 492kw hybrid NSX supercar powered by a 3.5L v6 with the aid of 3 electric motors, one in the back and two in the front thus making the NSX an AWD supercar. This all provides for an interesting change to the back to basics Ayrton Senna developed original

Hyundai - March will bring the return of the Tucson, replacing the now defunct IX35 promising to be a big contender in the competitive compact SUV market.

The Second quarter of the year brings the new version of the ever popular Elantra offering upgraded spec levels and a new engine choice in the form of a 2.0 litre engine.

Infiniti- the Luxury division of car maker Nissan launches its first compact hatchback, the Q30 based on the Mercedes A-class it offers the same engines and tech as seen in the Merc, but at what should be a fraction of the cost. 

Similarities to the A-Class profile can be seen if you look for long enough but did a very good job in hiding this car’s roots with some sleek lines and the definitive lines and design cues they are known for. Jaguar -  the all new, all aluminium XF  set to launch next month, is claimed to be the most efficient car in class, through new engines and  lightweight construction. The new F pace SUV which shares its underpinnings with the new XF  is to arrive in the second quarter of the year, entering the mid-sized SUV market will provide for an interesting alternative to the current leaders from the German stables  Lexus - The fourth generation of the RX SUV is designed to mimic the sharp lines of the smaller NX. Facelifts to both the IS and GS models is to come in the next few weeks.

Similarities to the A-Class profile can be seen if you look for long enough but did a very good job in hiding this car’s roots with some sleek lines and the definitive lines and design cues they are known for.

Jaguar -  the all new, all aluminium XF  set to launch next month, is claimed to be the most efficient car in class, through new engines and  lightweight construction. The new F pace SUV which shares its underpinnings with the new XF  is to arrive in the second quarter of the year, entering the mid-sized SUV market will provide for an interesting alternative to the current leaders from the German stables 

Lexus - The fourth generation of the RX SUV is designed to mimic the sharp lines of the smaller NX. Facelifts to both the IS and GS models is to come in the next few weeks. 

Similarities to the A-Class profile can be seen if you look for long enough but did a very good job in hiding this car’s roots with some sleek lines and the definitive lines and design cues they are known for.

Jaguar -  the all new, all aluminium XF  set to launch next month, is claimed to be the most efficient car in class, through new engines and  lightweight construction. The new F pace SUV which shares its underpinnings with the new XF  is to arrive in the second quarter of the year, entering the mid-sized SUV market will provide for an interesting alternative to the current leaders from the German stables 

Lexus - The fourth generation of the RX SUV is designed to mimic the sharp lines of the smaller NX. Facelifts to both the IS and GS models is to come in the next few weeks. 

                               

The LC coupe is to arrive before the end of the year 

Maserati - The Manufactures first SUV- the Levante will be launched in April  

McLaren - The 570S will launch in early February, while the larger more powerful 496kw 675LT spider will arrive in June with a retractable hard top to keep the winter chills out.

The 675LT looks to take the fight directly to the 488 GTB spider

Mercedes Benz -  The launch of the new E-Class will arrive be around midyear and will include the addition of the all-new 3.0 litre bi-turbo 270kw V6 engine that is due to feature in the E450 AMG. 

The CLA will undergo a mild facelift in line with the recent changes to the A-class

The S-Class cabriolet will arrive in the second half of the year

Mitsubishi - The Triton bakkie range is set to arrive in mid-year to attempt to de-thrown the Ford Ranger as the most sold one-tonne bakkie. With the launch of the Triton,the Pajero sport will follow with the same underpinnings and slightly better usability with a 7 seat options

Whats New in 2016

With 2016 being an important year for the car, the year has a lot up its sleeve with the world waiting with bated breath of the launch of what promises to be some game changing cars

This is a 3 part “A-Z" of what 2016 is said to bring, full features and reviews of the cars will come as the cars and more info are released, with that being said lets jump straight into it.

ALFA ROMEO - The Quadrifoglio Verde version of the Gulieta gets a slight update, but more importantly the new Alfa Guilia being the C-class rival will be available from the first quarter of the year, still no new on the 375kw M3 killer though

Alfa has launched the Spider version of the two seat sports car the 4C, and are already at dealers and are ready to take new owners

AUDI - Audi launches the new version of the mid-sized A5 coupe with the new revised engines that we first saw in the B9 A4. The new SQ7 is also due in May and will be powered by a 4.0TDI twin turbo with an output of 325kw and a planet restarting 900nm with a 0-100 of around 5 seconds.

The new Q2 is due in June being a rival for smaller compact suv's like the Nissan Qashqai also soccer moms alike will be happy to know that the new Q5 is due in November with new engines and Audi's usual "evolutionary" rather that revolutionary styling changes 

  

Alfa has launched the Spider version of the two seat sports car the 4C, and are already at dealers and are ready to take new owners

Performance fans will be happy to know that September sees the launch of the TTRS with the same powertrain as the RS3 good for 270kw from the 2.5l 5 cylinder motor put to the road through the Quattro All-wheel drive system

BMW - The all-new 7- series has already hit the shores and boosts the latest tech and updated versions of the 3.0 turbo, turbo diesel and 4.4 litre twin turbo engines, with the 760Li due later in the year. 

Performance fans will be happy to know that September sees the launch of the TTRS with the same powertrain as the RS3 good for 270kw from the 2.5l 5 cylinder motor put to the road through the Quattro All-wheel drive system

  The eagerly awaited M2 will arrive in April, with a 3.0 turbo engine pushing 272kw and 465nm with up to 500nm on over boost. all this is good for a 0-100 of 4.4secs for the DCT and 4.5 for the Manual

The more track focused hardcore version of the M4 will arrive in April with a stripped out interior better aerodynamics and more power to the tune of 368kw, thanks to the standard fitment of water injection

Chevrolet - The only launch for this year is the face-lifted Captiva with slight revisions to the interior and the exterior 

Ferrari - June brings with it the cold and the perfect time to launch, the 492kw 760nm turbo V8 488 GTB Spider

The 3.9 Litre V8 turbo takes the prancing  horse from 0-100 in  3.0sec with a top speed of  325km/h

Fiat- the Italian car maker aims to have a busy year planned kicking thing off with the introduction of the award winning MultiAir engines in the 500 and 500c range. 

The 3.9 Litre V8 turbo takes the prancing  horse from 0-100 in  3.0sec with a top speed of  325km/h

The introduction of the MX5 based 124 two seat sports car will be due in the last quarter of the year

Fiat also plans to expand into new markets with the Fullback bakkie; based on the new Triton this will be an interesting change from the car maker due. 

The Tipo will arrive late 2016 offering a mid-sized sedan to take the likes of the corolla.

FORD-   after a rather busy 2015 with the launch of the new ranger, additions to the fiesta range and engine updates to the focus. Ford will calm it down in 2016, but that could be considered a bit of a paradox given what exactly they will be calming things down with. A 2.3 litre turbocharged 258kw, All-Wheel drive MK3 Focus RS 

The introduction of the MX5 based 124 two seat sports car will be due in the last quarter of the year

Drift mood that allows for some tail wagging "hooning", appropriate given Mr Blocks role in its development 

Welcome to Forged_SA

Welcome to 2016 and welcome to Forged_SA.

Forged_SA is Currently South Africa's only online based motoring magazine, boasting both an online blog for all your news and features and YouTube page for all your reviews and active interaction.

The YouTube Page is currently under development but once completed will be the platform for all video presentations including, reviews, event coverage, and viewer rides to mention a few. Given the complexity of this, it will only be going live towards the end of Feb but will defiantly be worth the wait! 

Our Team is comprised of people that are truly passionate about cars and motoring in all aspect all in the aim of providing viewers with the best possible viewing, we look forward to growing as a brand and trust we'll have the support of you as the views! 

We look forward to the year ahead with you and the Motoring World as a whole!

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