Ford Donates R12-million Worth of Vehicles to Charities

Ford is spreading the cheer this Festive Season with a donation of 26 brand new vehicles to 22 selected charity organisations in South Africa, worth a combined retail value of over R12-million. The fleet, which comprises 15 Ford Transit vans, seven Tourneo Custom minibuses, the all-new Fiesta and three locally-built Rangers, will be delivered to the registered charities over the next two weeks.

“South Africa is a road-based economy, making vehicle ownership a key factor in order to deliver the services needed to advance the country’s economy and improve the quality of life of all our people. We are very proud that Ford is able to help the selected charity organisations go further in providing the selfless services that they do,” said Duduzile Nxele, Corporate Communications Manager, Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa.

According to Nxele, the donation is the biggest single donation of vehicles that Ford has made in South Africa since the establishment of its local operations in 1923. “It is thanks to the loyal support from South Africans that Ford has become one of the top three manufacturers in the country. This donation is the ideal way for us to pay it forward to the community and support those who need it most,” she added.

Among the deserving recipients in Gauteng are Save the Children and SOS Children’s Villages South Africa; Action for Blind and Disabled Children, a non-profit organisation that offers free digital literacy training; Tomorrow Today Foundation, a community-based football academy in Mamelodi; as well as Tshwane SPCA.

“We wish to thank Ford for the most generous contribution to our cause and for its commitment to making a difference to this marginalised sector of our community,” said Elsie Botha on behalf of Roodepoort-based Action for the Blind and Disabled Children.

“This is huge for our organisation,” exclaimed Peter Chiveso from Tomorrow Today Foundation when he got the news about the donation. “Thank you Ford. The difference and benefit this will bring to our football program is immense. Ford listened to our plight and acted. Our football program will now be more accessible to the greater Mamelodi and Eesterust communities.”

In Port Elizabeth, the Al Fidaa Foundation’s work will be bolstered with its new vehicle, helping the organisation expand its skills development and community empowerment projects, as well as its and feeding schemes.

The Kidz2Kidz Trust and NorSA in the Western Cape have also been selected as recipients, along with the Indoni Cultural School in KwaZulu-Natal, and Sabi Sand Nature Conservation Trust in Mpumalanga.

A big Pat on Ford for giving back to the community.

Top 5 “Vrr Pha” Brands

Golf R

The trending phrase during the 2015 festive season was “Ziright iGirls” meaning “are the girls okay?”. This phrase was used to make fun of the people who worked too hard to impress girls in social spaces e.g. clubs, social markets and chesa nyamas by buying them expensive drinks. However, this year the wheels have turned and you will hardly hear people using that phrase, because “Vrrr Pha” has taken over this December’s festivities.

For those who do not know what Vrr Pha means, it is a phrase that is used to describe the sound that an engine of modern sports cars make when changing gears. Vrr Pha is often associated with hot hatchbacks that have a direct-shift gearbox (DSG) and dual-clutch automatic transmission. And of course it is not every car that can make the Vrr Pha sound, it takes a certain car brand to produce such a sound. In this post PAT ON BRANDS explores the top 5 car manufacturers that are associated with the Vrr Pha trend.

1. Volkswagen Golf 7 R

Source: VW Website
Source: VW Website

The VW Golf 7 R is a stunner, and commonly perceived as a “panty dropper”. It is also probably the car brand that made the “Vrr Pha” trend popular. If you are looking for “street cred” this is a perfect brand for you. With a starting price point of R583 800, this Vrr Pha will have you turning heads with its sporty looks. It is also without any doubt that the Golf 7 R has the credentials of a hot-hatch. Powered with a 2.0 Litre Turbo charged, 4 cylinder engine peaking at 292 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. This four-wheel drive will get you from 0 to 100KM/h within 5.2 seconds making it the fastest Golf ever made. The fuel consumption on this Vrr Pha is 7.1 litres for every 100KM.

2. BMW M140i

m140i
Source: BMW Website

In 2016, BMW changed the name of the BMW M135i to M140i. According to Auto Express, the M140i is the fastest and most powerful 1 series money can buy. It is the only Vrr Pha on the list that has a 3 litre 6 cylinder, turbocharged engine and a rear-wheel drive. The rear-wheel drive makes the M140i one of the finest handling hatchbacks in the market. Although, it has 3 litres engine it is still not faster than the Mercedes Benz A45 as it takes 4.6 seconds to get to 100km/h. The BMW M140i has an 8-speed Steptronic transmission that consumes only 7.1 litres of fuel per 100 km. The engine produces 250kw and 500Nm. To drive this Vrr Pha out of the dealership will cost you about R607 000.

3. Mercedes A45 AMG

a45

According to cars.co.za this Vrr Pha is the ultimate hot hatchback. The Mercedes Benz A45 features the most powerful 2 litre turbocharged, four cylinder engine in the world. The 7-speed dual clutch transmission produces 280KW and 475NM torque giving it the ability to reach 100km/h in 4.2 seconds. This makes the A45 AMG the fastest Vrr Pha on the list. However, with that accolade comes higher fuel consumption, with only 7.3 litres giving you 100km. In order to get this hot hatch, unfortunately you will have to go deeper in your pockets as it will set you back R737 314.

4. Audi RS3 Sportback

s3

According to Quattro World the Audi RS3 is more of a “ballistic hatch”. According to Top Gear the Audi RS3 is innocuously-looking, which basically means it lacks the ability to cause any harm. However, the price is quite harmful as it is the most expensive Vrr Pha on the listwhen compared to the Golf R for example. The basic price of the Audi RS3 is a whopping R775 500, which gets you what I call a unique blend of beauty and performance. This Vrr Pha will take you 4.3 seconds to get from 0 to 100km/h with its 2.5 litre turbocharged, 5 cylinder engine. The torque on this beaut is a massive 465Nm and has a horsepower of 270 kW which gives you a top speed of 250KM/h. When it comes to fuels, this Vrr Pha guzzles, 8.1 litres of fuel gives you about 100KM to drive.

5. Ford Focus RS

st

In order level the playing field, we  couldn’t pull out the Ford Focus ST to compare it with the A45s and RS3s of this world. We had to call out its big brother, the Focus RS. Again, the Ford Focus ST is probably one of the hatchbacks that seem to have lost its streets-cred as a Vrr Pha. It doesn’t make that impressive Vrr Pha sound when compared to its counterparts, however according to Cars.co.za it is still a strong contender in the hot hatchback segment. Featuring a 2.3 Ecoboost litre four cylinder turbo engine. The Ford RS produces 257kW and 440Nm which makes the fourth fastest Vrr Pha on the listthe slowest Vrr Pha on the list, with the ability to reach 100 KM/h in 4.7 seconds. The basic price of the Ford Focus RS is R699 900, which is more expensive than the Golf R. The fuel consumption on the Ford Focus RS is 8.1 litres per 100KM which is the same as the Audi RS3.

Conclusion

Each one of the Vrr Pha brands have something unique to offer, from being the fastest, prettiest or most fuel efficient. The choice is completely yours. In terms of price and fuel efficiency the Golf R is a winner which we I believe has to do with why you and the rest of the world has spotted soI see many of them on the road. The Mercedes Benz definitely takes the title of being the fastest. Please let us know what your thoughts are on the Vrr Phas and which one stole your heart by leaving a comment below. Also do remember to share and to get in touch with @PatOnBrands on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and SnapChat.