Google Tag

Monday, March 18, 2024

Monday Choon: Martin Garrix & DubVision - Empty (feat. Jaimes)


Dutch DJ and Producer Martin Garrix has a knack of playing tracks on his sets, the tracks becoming popular but releases them further down the line with a set of vocals on it. His latest offering is no different with the song featured today. "Empty" was first heard at Ultra Miami last year and played in mash up with his track Ocean featuring Khaled but since then he has played it every set, including his mammoth 3 hour set in Amsterdam late last year. The track was official released in the second week of March and is a collaboration with DJ duo DubVision and features the vocals of Jaimes. The track is very much the Progressive type house music we've come to know and love from Martin, its the type of music that uplifts and gets people moving which is why his sets are often the most sort after at large music festivals. With Ultra Miami happening this weekend, we're pretty sure we will hear this banger along with many others from him during his set.

Thursday, March 14, 2024

Bucket Seat: Rolls Royce Spectre


When one thinks of Rolls Royce, words such as "Opulence", "Luxury", "Rich" come to mind. Of course one also associates it with Royalty but since there's too much drama going on at Buckingham Palace with the Windsor's, I'll exclude that one for this article as I am about to talk about something quite special from a special brand in the motoring world. Ever since the introduction of the Carbon Tax in Europe, vehicle manufacturers were forced to make their cars more green or introduce models that would have lesser impact on the environment than before. Rolls Royce had a major problem on their hand as most, if not all of their cars at the time had massive V12 engines fitted in them. They couldn't go down the route as their British counterparts Aston Martin and make a 1-litre car like the Cygnet, that would mock its very existence! Instead, with the help of their parent company BMW, Rolls Royce found innovative ways to work around this, until now that is. With the introduction of the first fully electric model named the Spectre, this would be a massive plus in their books. The Spectre was first showcased back in October 2022 with production models being ready by end of 2023. This week I was extremely fortunate enough to sample what this electric beauty has to offer and my word it is magnificent. 


I think my history with electric cars has been mentioned one time too many, but I still get blown away when I see the progression in technology from the various brands. Rolls Royce being in a category I've never driven before, be it ICE or EV, I was in for something really special and you couldn't wipe the smile off my face even if you tried. Just standing and looking at the car feels special, the design of it echoes the brands styles but with a modern yet classic twist. The car exudes elegance in any angle that you look at it, the regal nature of its silhouette has onlookers shocked at its stature. Yes, it's a coupe but one that measures 5.475 meters, that is longer than the new BMW 7-series! Inspiration for the Spectre's design is drawn from worlds far beyond automotive, including haute couture, modernist sculpture, nautical design, tailoring and contemporary art. The Spectre features the widest grille ever on a Rolls Royce and the first which is illuminated, it is adorned with split headlights either side of it. The vanes of the Pantheon grille are now smoother in section and a flusher fit, designed to help guide the air around the motor car’s front. The profile of the car has classic lines from the Phantom Coupe, with the eye catching fastback rear design that mesmerizes you as the car glides by. 


Stepping inside, you are greeted by a vast array of plush materials, from the shaggy pile sheep wool carpets, to real oak inserts on the dash. The long suicide doors feature a star light pattern that has over 4,000 inserts, this is married with various high quality leathers which is available in any colour of your imagination. No, really, the specification guide seems endless with the combinations available making each and every car made bespoke to the owners tastes. I've driven a lot of fancy cars that cost a pretty penny but this league is next level. I found myself flabbergasted seeing the details and feeling each and every panel and trim on the interior. There's no detail spared, and it shouldn't given the price tag. While the user interface and some of the controls feel familiar from the Germans, the the comfortable seats and plush surroundings make up for it. The car has loads of tech, all of which come from BMW but it has a few tricks up its sleeve too, the automated closing doors is definitely a feature I could get used to and a handy trick is that when the driver presses the brake pedal, the door automatically starts to close. 


In 1900, Rolls-Royce co-founder, Charles Rolls, prophesised an electric future for the motor car. Having acquired an electric vehicle named The Columbia Electric Carriage, he foresaw its suitability as a clean, noiseless alternative to the internal combustion engine – providing there was sufficient infrastructure to support it. 120 years later, that vision is finally here. Rolls Royce boasted the quietest cabin noise as they viewed it as disruptive to listen to the mechanics of the engine in the car whilst driving. They strive for this silence and to an extent much of their line-up delivered through many sound proof layers in the engine bay, but with an all electric setup, its not required as the silence is guaranteed. The two electric motors pump out and equivalent power output of 577 horses and a max torque of 900Nm which gives it a 0-100km/h time of 4.5 seconds! Bear in mind this car weights just less than 3,000kgs thanks to the lithium iron batteries which have a 102kWh capacity and fully charges in 95 minutes using a DC fast charger. The maximum reported range from a full charge is 520km, this includes regeneration through braking. The term "floating on clouds" come to mind when driving this car, as it glides along any surface with ease, the rear wheel steering help navigate the long chassis with ease. 


The Spectre is Rolls Royce introduction into the EV era and my word is it something, if this is the start the company is making into an all electric future, it does look like a bright one from the company. Starting price for the Spectre is in the region of R15 million.



Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Bucket Tech: SAMSUNG Era of Mobile AI



The Galaxy S24 series has been the most rewarding period of my career. As an engineer, I have witnessed many examples of incredible innovations, but AI is the most transformative technology of the century. Few engineers get the chance to be involved in something with such seismic potential. It brings great change, not only for Samsung and the mobile industry but for all humankind.

When integrated into phones, AI is, to put it simply, a revolution. This is a new era for mobile experiences and Samsung Galaxy has a leading role to play in it. Mobile devices will become the primary access point for AI, and Samsung Galaxy — with our broad and comprehensive product portfolio, heritage of innovation and philosophy of open collaboration — is in a great position to accelerate its global expansion. We will make mobile AI easy to access and ignite new possibilities for all.

Opening Up New Possibilities

As we pioneer groundbreaking experiences in mobile AI, we’ve thought a lot about how this new and exciting technology can enhance our lives and inspire society’s next steps. Applied with care and consideration, Galaxy AI1 helps people communicate beyond borders, complete everyday tasks easily and so much more.

Since the launch of the Galaxy S24 series, we’ve had great feedback about how people actually use Galaxy AI features in their daily lives. One of the most welcomed AI features is Circle to Search2 with Google, an incredible new tool for intuitive discovery. Our communication tools for removing language barriers, such as Live Translate,3 Chat Assist4 and Interpreter, have captured the imagination of many. People also love Photo Assist, our tool for creativity powered by our ProVisual Engine.

Again, we’re only getting started. While developing the Galaxy S24 series, we had many ideas and concepts that we wanted to bring to life. Galaxy users will be able to enjoy more Galaxy AI features that build on these ideas and concepts over time as Samsung continuously enhances and grows the mobile AI experience.5

Moreover, we are already planning next steps for Galaxy AI beyond smartphones — optimizing it for various categories of devices across various services. In the near future, select Galaxy wearables will use AI to enhance digital health and unlock a whole new era of expanded, intelligent health experiences. Samsung will keep enriching and expanding Galaxy AI experiences across categories through collaborations with more industry-leading AI partners.


The Next Big Thing Is YOU

Over the past year, we frequently asked ourselves what users want or need and what they could achieve with a little assistance. These questions inspired the Galaxy S24 series, our first AI phone that invites users to imagine how their lives could change thanks to AI. It is the phone of the future — shaping the standard of mobile AI and defining this emerging category of AI phones.

Of course, there are challenges and responsibilities to consider. AI models in training are still susceptible to hallucinations, and the debate on intellectual property rights continues. It is crucial that companies openly collaborate to carefully define AI experiences, so users can confidently and reliably enjoy their new abilities.

It’s also important to raise the standards of security and privacy in this new era of data-intensive mobile experiences. That is one of the reasons we’ve taken a hybrid approach that combines on-device and cloud-based AI. Besides ensuring seamless usability, this lets users limit some features to function entirely on-device, giving them greater control over what they do with their data. We remain committed to enhancing Galaxy device security and privacy by providing users with transparency and choice.

In this new era of mobile AI, it is no longer a question of what any phone can do, but what individuals can achieve with the right tools. The Galaxy S24 series provides just some of those tools and I can’t wait to see what you will do with them. It is you who decides what’s possible, useful and meaningful. The next chapter of mobile experiences does not belong to us. It belongs to you, our Samsung Galaxy users.

Monday, March 11, 2024

Monday Choon: Afroki - Everything You Do (ft. Aviella)



Afroki see's the collaboration between two heavy weight DJ's and Producers in the EDM world. Dutch DJ Afrojack teams up with American DJ Steve Aoki to form the formidable Afroki. Making their on stage debut at EDC Orlando last November, South African audiences got a taste of it a couple of weeks ago at Ultra South Africa. The high energy set with bespoke tracks combining the best of both styles proves to be a festival winner. Their track "Everything You Do" encapsulates that, with a mixture of trance, house and big room techno sound. The song features the vocals of Aviella that transitions well with the production, the bass line has a progression through out the track from the first part to the second part and not repetitive like you'd normally be used to on most tracks. I thought this was brilliantly done and gives the song a better sound. It's the first of what will be many from the duo, one which I'm looking forward to seeing what they have up their sleeves for the future. 

Friday, March 8, 2024

Bucket Seat: Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max All-Wheel Drive


Chery South Africa has unveiled its long-awaited new flagship, the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro MAX with all-wheel drive. The new model joins the growing Tiggo Pro line-up as the top of the range model and promises to welcome even more customers to this fast-growing family. With the addition of this model, the Tiggo 8 Pro range grows to three models, the Tiggo 8 Pro Executive with a turbocharged 1.6 litre petrol engine, the Tiggo 8 Pro MAX with a turbocharged 2.0 litre petrol engine and the new all wheel drive model. At the heart of the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro MAX AWD is the platform and specification of its two-wheel drive sibling. This means that the new flagship lacks for nothing in terms of performance, specification, or luxury fitment. What is new, is the proprietary Chery all-wheel drive system. The system has a front-wheel drive bias during normal driving. This benefits the vehicle’s average fuel consumption and everyday driveability, while also offering a familiar driving experience to existing Tiggo 8 Pro MAX owners. When drivers shift from everyday commuting to more spirited driving, or finds themselves in slippery and wet conditions, the all-wheel drive system comes into play. “Our engineers have spent a considerable amount of development and testing hours with the all-wheel drive system to ensure that it is robust enough to work in the blink of an eye, but that it also offers a long operational life,” says Tony Liu, Executive Deputy General Manager of Chery South Africa.


The result of all this development is an all-wheel drive system that can switch from two- to four-wheel drive in 100 milliseconds. This means the operation is imperceptible to the driver, while providing additional grip and stability on slippery surfaces or during high-speed dynamic driving. During its development, Chery repeatedly pushed up to ten times the expected vehicle torque through the all-wheel drive system to ensure that its operation remains faultless and fast, regardless of the conditions or the workload. “Chery completed another round of extreme weather testing in 2023. The results of these tests have been incorporated in the design of the all-wheel drive system. It means that whether the driver finds him/herself in snowy or desert conditions, the Tiggo 8 Pro MAX AWD will deliver,” says Liu. The wheels are driven by Chery’s award-winning 2.0 TDGI turbo-petrol engine. The engine has been programmed to deliver 187 kW at 5 500 rpm and 390 Nm from 2 000 rpm to 4 000 rpm, while the 7DCT dual-clutch self-shifting transmission has been mapped to smoothly deliver this power to two- or four wheels as required.


For this model, Chery has increased the fuel tank size to 57 litres (from 51 litres on the 2WD model) to allow for greater range. As with the Tiggo 8 Pro MAX, the MAX AWD model is built on Chery’s flagship platform that uses ultra-high tensile steel in over 60% of the body construction. In the Tiggo 8 Pro MAX AWD the suspension has been upgraded and tuned to fit the fact that power is delivered to all four wheels and there is a unique drive mode select system to adapt the power delivery and vehicle characteristics to the environment. Add to this a complete list of Autonomous Driver Assistant Systems (ADAS) and no-less than ten airbags and you have one of the safest vehicles in its class. The ADAS systems that come standard in this flagship model include autonomous emergency braking (AEV), adaptive cruise control with radar controls, lane keep assistance (LKA), rear cross traffic alert (RTCA), traffic congestion assistance (TJA) and even a driving view recorder (DVR) as standard. 


The MAX AWD model steps up the level of driver assistance further with a smart driver monitoring system (DMS), Emergency Lane Keeping and Lane Departure Prevention and a segment leading Intelligent Evasion System as standard. Move to luxury and the Chery is peerless. The new flagship offers quilted leather upholstery on all seven seats, the door bolsters and on the dashboard. There is ambient lighting with over 64 hues that can be matched to the music from the premium SONY sound system, the driving style or the driver’s mood.  On the topic of the SONY sound system, it offers 10 speakers and a power amplifier for a truly immersive audio experience. Add to this a fully digital cockpit with two large 12.3” screens for a large super screen that is 24.7” long. The infotainment section of the screen has full wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality, and it will show a full panoramic view of the vehicle thanks to the 360-degree camera array. The latter offers the best possible view of the vehicle in its surroundings thanks to an upgraded Around View Monitor system. The flagship Tiggo 8 Pro MAX AWD has a superior air conditioning system with two independent zones and an upgraded air quality sensor (AQS) that ensures that the air is N95 certified clean. In addition, there is a Fragrance System with 3 different scents. A host of other features too long to mention are included in the Tiggo 8 Pro MAX, including a super-fast wireless charger, electric memory seats for the front passengers that are both heated and cooled, multiple Type A and Type C chargers and a large panoramic sunroof.


Lastly, the Tiggo 8 Pro MAX AWD offers a true first-class experience after purchase.

As with all other Chery models, the Tiggo 8 Pro MAX AWD is sold with a comprehensive 7-year / 90 000 km service plan, a 5-year / 150 000 km warranty, a full 10-year / 1-million-kilometre engine warranty (linked to the first owner), 5-year unlimited distance Roadside Assistance, and Chery’s range of Value-added Services under My Chery Care. These include a range of services including scratch and dent repair, rim repair, a courtesy Chery when a vehicle is booked for service and even a free take-me-home service.


The new Chery Tiggo 8 Pro MAX AWD is available immediately from Chery dealers across South Africa. It retails for R 731 900, 00

Wednesday, March 6, 2024

Bucket Tech: HUAWEI Smart Health Innovations



In 2024, HUAWEI has set its sights on conquering three industry challenges: sleep, blood pressure, and mental health management, aiming to provide even more professional and comprehensive health management solutions globally. 

The Growth Engine: Smart Wearables 
Smart wearables have emerged as a critical growth driver within HUAWEI's Consumer Business Group (CBG) global business. With a notable 56% year-on-year increase in smartwatch shipments in Q3 2023, HUAWEI has solidified its position in the worldwide market, boasting a remarkable 14% market share. This success is underpinned by a commitment to innovation, as evidenced by the opening of HUAWEI's largest Health Lab outside the Chinese mainland, in Finland. This lab leads the way in researching smart wearable technologies, offering users more intelligent fitness and health features globally. 

Bridging the Health Information Gap 
HUAWEI's latest European Health Survey highlights a crucial gap in the market: consumers are increasingly health-conscious but lack access to timely health information. Smart wearables, mainly HUAWEI's range of products, play a pivotal role in bridging this gap. With features like Health Glance on the HUAWEI WATCH 4 Series and TruSeen™ 5.5+ health indicator monitoring on the HUAWEI WATCH GT 4 Series, HUAWEI offers users valuable insights into their health, promoting proactive management and healthier lifestyles. 

Comprehensive Health Management 
HUAWEI's wearable devices have various features tailored to meet diverse health management needs. From the Stay Fit app's comprehensive calorie control and weight management support to HUAWEI WATCH D's pioneering blood pressure measurement technology, HUAWEI wearables cater to various health indicators. This comprehensive approach to health management is a testament to HUAWEI's commitment to making advanced health monitoring accessible to all. Recognising the importance of physical exercise in overall health, HUAWEI has made fitness more accessible through engaging courses, activities, and pro-level workouts. Initiatives like the "Light Up Your Rings" activity encourage users to lead more active lifestyles, while the introduction of TruSport™ technology supports over 100 workout modes, ensuring there's something for everyone. 

Looking Ahead: Prioritising Health Challenges 
As we move into 2024, HUAWEI remains focused on addressing key health challenges, with sleep, blood pressure, and mental health management at the top of its agenda. By prioritising these areas, HUAWEI is not just innovating for the sake of technology but is deeply committed to enhancing the well-being of its users worldwide. HUAWEI's journey in the smart wearable industry is a testament to its dedication to innovation, quality, and user-centric design. By focusing on critical health challenges and leveraging cutting-edge technology, HUAWEI is not just leading the way in smart wearables but also profoundly impacting global health management. 

As HUAWEI continues to push the boundaries of what's possible, its wearables are set to become an integral part of people's lives, empowering them to lead healthier, more informed lifestyles.

Monday, March 4, 2024

Monday Choon: Genix & flowanastasia - Lights, Sound, Camera, Action


Genix finds himself featured again on the blog, the last time we featured him was after the release of his EP Warehouse55. The UK DJ and producer teams up with Ukraine born vocalist flowanastasia for his latest track "Lights, Sound, Camera, Action". The track is Genux through and through with that deep bassline with techno synths coming throughout the track. It has a 90's groove undertone that gives the track that catchy feel and add on the vocals, it's another banger from his bag of tricks. I'm sure we will be hearing more from Damion following this so keep an eye and ear out for him. 

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Bucket Tech: OPPO Air Glass 3 and more from MWC 2024

The OPPO Air Glass 3 also supports touch interaction, which can be used to easily control functions such as music playback, voice calls, information display, color image browsing, and more. The glasses also feature reverse sound field technology, an open acoustic design with four microphones, and other innovations that improve noise isolation to deliver high audio quality and enhanced privacy protection.

 



Embracing AI with the new OPPO AI Center

AI has long been a core area of investment and development for OPPO, and the company is now taking a number of steps to elevate AI to the core of its long-term growth strategy. On February 20, OPPO established the OPPO AI Center — a new hub designed to better focus the company’s resources towards R&D in AI and drive cutting-edge, user-centric exploration of technology and applications that aim to bring the benefits of AI to everyone. 

As part of this commitment, OPPO Reno11 Series and the OPPO Find N3 in global markets will be equipped with an array of generative AI features, including OPPO AI Eraser, within the second quarter of 2024. In the future, OPPO will integrate generative AI features into more OPPO products in the global markets, including the next generation of the Reno series, allowing more users to experience the smart, powerful, and convenient lifestyle empowered by AI.

As of December 31, 2023, OPPO has filed over 3,160 global patents related to AI. Drawing on years of technical experience in AI, OPPO recently released the AI Smartphone White Paper, providing a comprehensive analysis and outlook on future trends and key applications in AI. The white paper points out that AI Smartphones will replace traditional smartphones to trigger a new revolution in the mobile phone industry. With the widespread adoption of AI, the entire industry will undergo various upgrades and expansions, creating a new AI Smartphone ecosystem encompassing the development of computing resources, function modules, native AI services, LLM, and AI agents.


Building an AI ecosystem through collaborative innovation

A mature AI ecosystem requires open collaboration throughout the industry. As part of its commitment to supporting the creation of this ecosystem, OPPO’s efforts in AI extend far beyond its own innovations to encompass a diverse portfolio of collaborations with a range of global partners.

At this year’s MWC, OPPO is joining motion vision sensor startup, AlpsenTek, and Qualcomm Technologies to showcase the trio’s collaborative efforts to pioneer the use of Hybrid Vision Sensing technologies featuring the new AI Motion algorithm. Developed under OPPO’s lead, AI Motion can perform image deblurring and high frame rate image interpolation for use in high-speed cameras based on a combination of traditional RBG image data and event vision sensing (EVS) motion data. Using AI Motion, smartphones offer advanced solutions to address image and photo blur, enabling the capture of true 960fps slow-motion videos in 4K resolution. Leveraging EVS data for precise moving object alignment between frames enhances both dynamic range and resolution. This technological integration opens up exciting possibilities in image and video capture, elevating the potential for creative content creation.


Ren Yan, Director of Open Innovation Europe, OPPO, introducing AlpsenTek and other startups

OPPO’s leading technologies and products garner industry recognition for AI capabilities

At OPPO ODC 2023, the company released its first self-trained generative AI model, AndesGPT, featuring dialogue enhancement, personalization, and cloud-device collaboration. Drawing on the capabilities of AndesGPT, OPPO has introduced a new AI Eraser feature on the new OPPO Find X7 Series. Visitors to the Qualcomm Technologies booth at this year’s MWC will be able to experience the impressive effects created by AI Eraser and the powerful imaging performance of the OPPO Find X7 Ultra. While at the MediaTek booth, OPPO showcased the application of AI Eraser feature on the OPPO Find X7.

OPPO Find X7 Ultra and OPPO Find N3 at Qualcomm booth

Meanwhile, a series of OPPO innovative products, including the OPPO Find X7 Ultra and the Find N3 series, is also being showcased at Google’s Android Partner Walk, demonstrating the comprehensive cooperation between OPPO and Google in creating smarter user experiences over the years.

During the event, OPPO and Microsoft announced that they will work closely together and explore AI technology to enhance user experience on different devices. Soon through Microsoft Link to Windows and a new plugin, OPPO users will be able to use Copilot to generate content, translate text messages, and search addresses on their smartphones via a connected PC. 


OPPO Inspiration Zone

With the startup community also playing a critical role in the development of AI and other cutting-edge technologies, OPPO is taking the opportunity at MWC 4YFN to introduce six startup teams at the OPPO Inspiration Zone. Among the technologies to be demonstrated by the startups include contactless health monitoring technology, an intelligent diagnosis system for heart and lung auscultation, an AR game, and other applications that showcase the vast potential implementation of AI technologies. 

Under its mission of "Technology for Mankind, Kindness for the World", OPPO will continue to invest in the development and application of AI, working closely with partners around the world to introduce more industry-leading products and services that bring enhanced mobile experiences to users while creating a more open and advanced global technology ecosystem.

Monday, February 26, 2024

Monday Choon: John Summit & Hayla - Shiver

 

John Walter Schuster, better known by his stage name John Summit is an American DJ, producer and remixer burst onto the scenes couple years ago with his track "Human", since then he's been a regular on the EDM scene especially in the US and later on teaming up with some of the top up and coming people in the industry, his bromance with Dom Dolla has been well documented in their socials last year and its great to see. Last year John had another hit released when he teamed up with Hayla for "Where Are You", a track that did tremendously well on the charts and had a host of remixes and mash-ups. This year he teams up again with Liverpool based singer Hayla for their latest production, Shiver. The track has that edgy and catchy sound that is becoming their signature and a song that will suck you in from the first time you listen to it. The gradual build up with the vocals and the gentle back track is the perfect levels for listening or partying. It's a certified banger for sure. 

Friday, February 23, 2024

Bucket Seat: BMW iX1 XDrive 30


Like it or not, electric cars are coming in thick and fast, the Eskom and load shedding jokes are getting boring on this topic as most charging station now have back-up power, also with mobile applications like Plug Share, you can see where your nearest fast chargers are and if they're occupied! As much as the purist denounce the EV, I am still of the opinion that the two can live simultaneously in harmony with each other. A few weeks ago I spent some time with BMW's latest fully electric offering, the new small SAV iX1 and testing it in probably the countries most toughest cities for an EV, Johannesburg. Talk about getting thrown in the deep end, but thankfully, having experienced EV's from it's pre-production inception till now, my range anxiety has managed to calm down a few notches to not have me sweat every time I see the range dip below 100km. The technology has advanced so much over the past 2 years, it's quite exciting to see what we will be getting in the coming years. Anyway, I'm not here to advocate for which type of car is better, I'm here to tell you about my experience with the iX1 so here it goes. 


DESIGN

The X1 is probably one of the best looking crossovers on the market at the moment, BMW have done a stellar job, both on the exterior design and the interior. It's the smallest in the X range but has that bold styling that still makes it stand out despite its small stature. The sharp lines, bold grille and intimidating headlights make the iX1 a stunner on the road. With the iX1 there are a few details that differ from the normal combustion version, for example the grille comes in the full plastic covering with no vents, but if spec'd in the M Sport package, you will get the normal grille with the slated vents, but there is no openings and just there for aesthetic purposes. Other difference would be the rims but this specific spec came with the M Sport style rims, there is also blue accents around the car, which just gives the indication that you are driving something from the i range. There are no exhaust pipes but the rear diffuser is designed as such to give the car a neat and stylish rear.  The interior is exactly like the normal X1, with BMW's new design language with the floating arm rest and that gives it that modern and ergonomic feel. The focal point would be the curved display that houses a split between the infotainment and instrument cluster but that will be discussed later in the review. 


PERFORMANCE

The iX1 comes powered with BMW's fifth generation EV drive, known as the eDrive 5.0. It has two electrically excited synchronous electric motors fitted to each axle making it all-wheel drive and hence getting that xDrive badge on the back. The e-Motor is capable of delivering 200kW with a max torque factor of 494Nm. This is all regulated via the various driving modes which is interchangeable by the driver depending on the type of drive they require. Obviously, the more output you want from the motor will equate in the more power consumed. I found that driving it in comfort mode was the best as it gave you a great mixture of power efficiency and performance. If there was a need to get a short burst of power, there is a single paddle shift behind the steering wheel on the left that serves as a boost function. In sport mode, the iX1 is capable of reaching 100km/h from a standing start in just 5.6 seconds with a top speed regulated at 180km/h. Now, electricity consumption, looking at the brochure, it will tell you that the iX1 averages 18.3kWh per 100km but what does that mean? I think its better I explain to you in range terms, a full charge will give you a range of 400km for average driving styles but as displayed on the instrument cluster, this range will vary and you could get up to a maximum of 450km from a single charge. The high-voltage 48V battery with recharging capabilities works like a dream on the car with it adapting well to any driving environment. Recouping energy on highway driving was what impressed me the most. Normally long distances on open road driving was frowned upon in EV's but with the iX1 I rarely noticed the drastic depletion in range and in some cases ended up gaining more range. So whether you're driving a total of 5km or 50km to get to work, chances are you're going to consume and generate the same percentage ratio of power to that you're consuming. 


CHARGING

I think a separate section on charging is required as I've had plenty of questions come in before on this topic. Yes, while it will take you maximum 10 minutes to fill up a combustion engine car at your fuel station, when it comes to electric cars its a little different  with charging times varying from 30 minutes to 4 hours at public chargers. I mentioned earlier about a mobile application called plugshare which basically gives you locations of various charging points, tells you what sort of chargers are present and if they are in use or not. The last part required the driver to "check-in" which I found was few and far times between, I'm guessing because this is still new to many and with the limited number of EV's on the road, there isn't a need right now to do so. I always found that when it comes to charging, its best to plan your charging trips, for example I only needed to charge the iX1 once, so I planned to meet a friend for coffee and quick catch up, I found a DC fast charging station that was convenient for the both of us to meet, got there, plugged it in and the car was done charging in 25 minutes! Most chargers are located in public spaces such as shopping malls, so many can integrate this into their shopping schedule or lunch plans, there wont be a need to sit and wait for your car to charge. Also, most of these charging spots have dedicated bays that are located close to entrances of the establishments so you have prime parking! The card that comes with the car can be loaded with credits to charge the car which still I'm told works out to cheaper than petrol per kilometer. The DC fast chargers do cost more to top up at than the regular AC chargers. The other option can be to charge at home which can be done via your normal 3-Pin socket but this takes up to 8 hours from 0-100%., if you get a 11kW wall box installed, this time drops to 2 hours. 


COMFORT

With the additional weight load of the batteries, you'd think it would make a difference to the ride quality but with the dual motor system and balancing from the overall design, you still get that famed 50/50 weight distribution that BMW have been renowned for. The car handles like a dream around bends and on the open road. The interior finished off in black leather was a decent contrast to the exterior white, but this combo might be boring for some, perhaps a change to a brown or mocha might stand out a bit more. Like most EV's, you have to get used to the silence from the drive, I find the additional engine noise through speakers in some other EV's being too gimmicky, which is why I'm glad BMW have embraced the change by not opting for that. Plus, the optional extra Harman Kardon sound system that the car came with was more than enough to keep the silence at bay. The infotainment comes with built in mobile apps which are accessed wireless but there are USB C charging ports available in the car for up to 4 devices. The car comes with all the creature comforts like the normal X1, from dual-zone climate control to the panoramic sunroof.  Was a bit disappointed that the driver seats was manually adjustable, would have expected for the price-tag that it would come with electric seats as standard but maybe it used too much battery power, I kid. The rear seats are spacious enough for two adults and the luggage space is a handy 491-litres and if need be the rear seats do fold down for additional loading requirements. 


VERDICT

The signs of progression in the electric car segment is positive and the iX1 is proof of this. Fitting in well with its environments and giving the driver a sense of confidence in doing extra distances without the fear of getting stuck with a flat battery or worrying where to charge it. Yes, with the prices starting at just north of R1,2 million, it is a tough pill to swallow but when you think about the fluctuation in fuel costs and basic maintenance in ICE cars, depending on the conditions, the EV could be the car just for you. If your daily commute to and from work is minimal and on the odd occasion you find yourself going on slightly longer drives, you could save a lot of money on fuel with a car like the iX1 and the good thing is you still have the space to do so. As we see brands adapt to the market, bringing in a bigger range of their EV's, we should start seeing healthy competition in this space with keener pricing. Apart from that, the ever growing network of charging facilities will grow as there will be a demand for this as well. Like I said at the beginning of this article, I think a world where EV and ICE can coexist in harmony, as technology in the EV segment continues to improve, this might see some house-holds phase out the latter, it all comes down to user preference. Either way, the future of motoring is exciting and dare I say, electric. 


SPECIFICATIONS

Motor
eDrive 5.0 M170SF
Gear Box
Single stroke
Torque
494Nm
Power
200kW
0-100km
5.6 seconds
Price
R1,205,000*

*base price