Suncoast Casino Salon Prive Launch

Late last year popular Durban hot-spot, Suncoast Casino embarked on a R1.6 Billion makeover which included expansion to its gaming floor and an all new Salon Prive Casino for their elite clients. Yesterday I attended the official media launch of the new Prive floor and was honestly blown away with what I saw. As we all know Suncoast Casino's main theme is Art Deco, as Durban and Miami share many trends, Tsogo Sun saw this opportunity when initially building the multiplex to adopt this theme and it has added great value to the Durban Skyline ever since. With the expansion, this trend continues to flow but more bold and more wow factor and it is more evident that ever in the Salon Prive. 

The Prive is located on the first floor and is only accessible to the serious gamers, there are two glass elevators, decorated in gold art-deco style borders, similar to that found in many American art-deco lobby's that take you from either the two dedicated basement parking levels, for Prive members only, directly up to the Casino. Once on the Prive floor, the attention to detail in decor grabs you, from the tiling to the large entrance doors, which lead you to the reception area to welcome you to Prive. From the striking ceilings, hand painted murals, the extravagant tiling and lavish art pieces, it certainly makes this new venue one of the best I've seen in the country. 

Prime Architects and Volume Design were responsible for articulating the incredible design, Howard Dembo from Prime Architects says;"The existing Art Deco exterior of Suncoast forms the basis for the Prive Interior Scheme as a natural extension of the architectural style. With Durban being considered the Art Deco Capital of South Africa and with various fine building examples of this Architectural style being protected and restored to preserve the rich legacy of this Style movement, it made sense that the designers drew from influences of this iconic design, creating a rich and vibrant interior that visually excites yet compliments the Architecture."

The Prive also has a deck which leads out from the exclusive restaurant and bar, it has 180 degree ocean views of the Golden Mile where guests can relax on the lounges provided while sipping their favourite beverage. The gaming area features 21 tables, 202 slot machines and 3 private gaming rooms and features a smoking and non-smoking area. It has everything you need for the ultimate gaming experience, 24 hours a day. 

Present at the opening was MEC of Economic Development & Tourism Sihle Zikalala who emphasized the value of private development in the tourism sector and not only by new developers but from continued support from existing investors too. This forms only part of the upgrade with the new attractions set to opening in December. Visitors to Suncoast can look forward to a whole new dining experience with a variety of restaurants, some new and others existing, the Banyard Theatre as well as a large multipurpose venue. When completed, it really will add such a great addition to an already fantastic establishment. 

Bucket Seat: BMW M2 - Pricing

                     

After it's unveiling last year, many motoring enthusiast waited in bated breath to find out more about when BMW's new pocket rocket would hit our roads in South Africa. Well, we're glad to report that the first of these little demon's has landed and is at BMW HQ in Midrand. No official word on when the launch will be but I think it will remain for the second quarter of the year. 

Some stats on the M2 to refresh one's memory on what power this car is packing. The engine is borrowed straight from it's brother the M235i, it has a 3.0 litre, six cylinder engine but obviously the engine in the M2 is tweaked for maximum performance so the stats will differ a lot to the M235i. The M2's engine delivers 272kW of power and 465Nm of torque, with the overboost, torque increases to 500Nm in short periods. BMW claim the 0-100kph is 4.3 seconds, thats 0.7 seconds faster than the M235i. The car will be electronically governed to 250kph but can be increased to 270kph should the buyer add on the M Drivers Package. Average consumption is said to be 7.9L/100km.

The car will be available in both a 6 speed manual and 8 speed DCT automatic gearbox. There will be four colours that the car will be made available in, Long Beach Blue metallic (which is the launch colour), Alpine White, Black Sapphire and Mineral Grey. Interior wise, it's all M Power. blacks with light grey's and carbon finishes. We have word that only a limited number of these cars will be coming to SA, the number said to be around 64, so like it's predecessor, the 1M, it will be extremely exclusive! So if you thinking of buying one, better get your orders in now!

Prices for the car:

M2 - 6 speed Manual: R791 000.00

M2 - 8 speed M-DCT Automatic: R841 900.00

Another optional extra will be opting for M Performance parts to set your M2 apart from the rest. BMW are offering a range of components to individualize your car and give it that racing touch. Pricing on this will be made available when launched.