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- AMG winner says receiving the A45 S feels like the best 21st birthday present.
- A superbike was also given away, but the winner says he'll need lessons to tame it.
- Monster Energy added visual modifications to the car and bike to make them unique.
- For motoring news, go to Wheels24
"I didn't really think I was going to win the car, but I have been praying about it a lot," says 21-year-old Tristan Louw from Newcastle in KwaZulu-Natal. The self-confessed petrolhead won a customised Mercedes-AMG A45 S that's worth R1.8 million after entering a Monster Energy competition that required entrants to SMS a bar code from a can of Monster Energy drink to a unique phone number.
"I definitely plan to keep the car," says Louw on his plans from now on with his new beast of a vehicle. "It is like the ultimate 21st birthday present."
Joy on two wheels
Louw wasn't the only lucky winner that the gods of horsepower were smiling upon in the Monster Energy competition, as Dhavasundra 'Jonathan' Govender from Edenvale in Johannesburg walked away with a custom Yamaha R1M that's valued at R500 000.
"I was reading my horoscope, and it said a big win was coming my way," says Govender. "To be honest, I haven't rode something with this sort of horsepower before. This bike is definitely one of a kind. I thought it was actually one of the smaller bikes, and I only realised how big it was when I saw it in front of me."
Govender is incredibly excited about his big win, over half a bar worth of bike, but was definitely a little daunted by the sheer brawn of the motorcycle. "I might have to go for lessons from the Yamaha crew to get me ready for the track," Govender jokingly admits. The bike looks pretty intimidating, so maybe a few lessons are needed."
Delivered in style
Monster Energy awarded the Mercedes-AMG A45 S and the Yamaha R1M to the lucky winners at a glitzy affair in Johannesburg.
Louw and his mother drove from Newcastle to Johannesburg to attend the ceremony, not knowing what would happen. "I drove to Jozi with my mom in a Kombi," says Louw. "It was a 3-hour drive, but it was definitely worth it."
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Performance powerhouses
The Mercedes-AMG A45 S comes with an eight-speed double-clutch transmission and 4Matic+, an advanced all-wheel-drive system, enabling the hyper hatchback to enter a Drift Mode. It's powered by a 2.0-litre in-line four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that breathes fire, delivering 310kW and 500Nm at full tilt.
The standard car can sprint from a standstill to 100km/h in just 3.9 seconds, and it will tap 270km/h flat out before calling it quits. We're not sure what mods, if anything mechanical, has been added to Louw's Monster Energy model for added oomph, but as standard, we reckon it's plenty fast and furious enough.
The Yamaha R1M that went to Govender features a 998cc in-line four-cylinder naturally aspirated engine with unique cross-plane crankshaft technology derived from the YZR-M1 MotoGP race bike. According to the bike maker, titanium connecting rods leverage a precision fracture-split method to ensure maximum reliability with minimal weight.
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Lightweight parts help achieve high redline and over-rev capability combined with titanium intake valves and forged pistons. The cylinder block is also offset from the crankshaft, reducing friction loads on the pistons and bores. They add that the six-speed transmission features close-ratio gearing to best match the high-revving engine. 0 to 100km/h is dispatched in just 3.3 seconds, while top speed is pegged at 295km/h.
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