Bucket Seat: TATA Harrier

TATA is known for their trucks and budget friendly cars locally, so when they had a sort of "relaunch" of their brand last year showcasing a range of their passenger vehicles, it came as a pleasant surprise to many. with the influx of Chinese brands in the market, its nice to see something from subcontinent hit our shores, seeing that many of the budget cars that wear European badges are made in India and are selling extremely well locally, the market should be used to these types of cars. I got to spend some time with the TATA Harrier which tops the range of their passenger vehicle offering to see how it compares  to the Chinese. 

DESIGN

From the moment you lay eyes on the Harrier, it’s clear that Tata aimed for something bold and futuristic. The front end is striking, dominated by slim LED daytime running lights and a wide grille that gives the car a strong road presence. The split-headlight design and sharp body creases make the Harrier look modern without trying too hard, and in a segment where many SUVs blend into one another, the Harrier manages to stand out. The overall proportions work well too. It looks planted and substantial on the road, with a slightly muscular stance that gives it the kind of presence buyers in this segment tend to appreciate. For South African buyers who want an SUV that looks contemporary and a little different from the usual offerings, the Harrier certainly ticks that box.

PERFORMANCE

Under the bonnet, the Harrier is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine, delivering adequate performance for everyday driving. It’s not the kind of drivetrain that’s going to thrill enthusiastic drivers, but it provides enough pulling power to make highway cruising and overtaking reasonably effortless. Where the experience becomes slightly mixed is with the gearbox. While it does the job, it occasionally feels hesitant and not quite as refined as some of the more established rivals in this segment. Around town and in stop-start traffic, this becomes more noticeable. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it’s an area where a bit more polish would elevate the overall driving experience. That said, the Harrier remains easy to drive, with predictable handling and a ride quality that leans more towards comfort than sportiness  which is arguably exactly what most buyers in this category want.

COMFORT

Step inside the Harrier and the focus on comfort is immediately apparent. The cabin is spacious, and the seats are supportive enough for longer journeys. Tata has clearly tried to create an environment that feels modern and welcoming, and for the most part it succeeds. The ride comfort is one of the Harrier’s stronger traits. It absorbs road imperfections well, which is particularly important for South African road conditions, and it manages to keep occupants comfortable even over rougher surfaces. However, not everything inside the cabin feels equally well thought out. Some of the materials used in certain areas don’t quite match the otherwise premium ambition of the vehicle. They’re not necessarily poor, but they do stand out when compared with the more polished finishes offered by some competitors. Another area where the Harrier could improve is cabin storage. While the interior is spacious, practical storage solutions for everyday items are somewhat limited, which can become noticeable during daily use.

TECHNOLOGY

One area where the Harrier really impresses is with the amount of technology and equipment on offer. Tata has packed the SUV with a generous list of features, making it feel well-equipped straight out of the box For example a 4-camera 360 degree view is standard on this car, along with PDC's and front radar detection. From its large infotainment display to driver-assistance systems and comfort features, the Harrier offers a level of equipment that many buyers in this segment will appreciate. It’s the kind of SUV where you don’t feel like you’re missing out on the extras that often sit on expensive option lists elsewhere. For tech-focused buyers, this abundance of features adds a lot of value to the overall package. The nice thing is that the car still comes with physical buttons and knobs so you can still navigate certain controls with ease while driving instead of fidgeting on the screen to access them. The weird one was the controls to adjust the side mirrors being on the A pillar of the car. 

VERDICT

The Tata Harrier enters the South African market as a compelling alternative in the midsize SUV segment. Its futuristic design, comfortable interior, generous list of features and capable drivetrain make it an appealing option for buyers looking for something a little different from the established brands. At the same time, it isn’t without its shortcomings. The gearbox could be more refined, certain interior materials feel slightly out of place in an otherwise modern cabin, and the lack of practical storage space inside the vehicle may frustrate some owners. But taken as a whole, the Harrier delivers a solid and well-rounded package. For South African consumers who prioritise design, comfort and value-packed technology over outright driving excitement, the Harrier is certainly worth considering. It may not be perfect, but it shows just how far Tata has come and hints at an even more competitive future for the brand in this market. 

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	2.0-liter Diesel
Gear Box	6-Speed Automatic
Power	125kW
Torque	350Nm
Average Fuel Consumption	6.6L per 100km (Claimed)
Price	R549,900

Bucket Seat: Mahindra Scorpio N

The Mahindra Scorpio has come a long way in its journey in the South African market. While overlooked in its early years, it soon began to take traction as newer models made their way to the country. With word of mouth about its reliability, build quality and capabilities sales took off in a positive note. You won't find many in and around the city but when you move into the farm lands, that is when you will start to spot them. With its latest version sporting the new Mahindra logo, the Scorpio N is a significant upgrade from its predecessors, positioning itself as a robust yet budget-friendly SUV option. I got to spend a few days with this latest version of the Scorpio N and here are my thoughts on this SUV offering from the Indian motor giant. 

DESIGN

I tend to call a spade a spade and the previous generations Scorpio's did nothing for me in terms of design, in fact they were pretty awful with curves in all the wrong places, weird shaped lights, bulges in places that didn't need bulges, overall and eyesore to put it mildly but of recent, the designs coming out of India have a more European style to them and they look great!  Its design, both exterior and interior, has been modernized significantly. The Scorpio N sports a more defined and muscular look compared to the older models, with smoother lines and a stylish appearance that doesn’t compromise on its rugged essence​. The dark green colour that my test unit came in, made it look sophisticated and classy. As mentioned, the design has a European style to it but still has maintains that Indian Identity, kinda like Katrina Kaif wearing a wearing a Lengha top with Sissy Boy Jeans. Didn't expect a Bollywood fashion reference in this review, didn't you? Even the interior has undergone a vast improvement, with a more classic modern layout that is form and functional. 

PERFORMANCE

Under the hood, the Scorpio N features a 2.2-liter mHawk four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine that delivers 128 kW of power and 400 Nm of torque. This engine is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and a part-time four-wheel-drive system that includes a low-range transfer case and a rear mechanical locking differential, making it highly capable off-road​  The SUV offers drive modes like Normal, Snow, Mud & Ruts, and Sand under Mahindra's ‘4XPLOR’ terrain system, enhancing its versatility on different terrains​. In terms of driving experience, the Scorpio N handles well both on and off the road. It provides a comfortable ride, absorbing bumps efficiently thanks to its double wishbone front suspension and Watt’s link rear suspension setup. The powertrain is smooth and adequate for typical driving conditions, although it might not excel in high-speed scenarios​​. Fuel efficiency is reasonable, with real-world consumption likely to be around 8 liters per 100 kilometers​​. I did take the Scoprio N with me on my annual trek to Sun City and it made easy work of traveling the dreaded R556 at night. Dodging potholes and conquering those uneven speed bumps with ease, almost as if to say "please man, I'm made for Indian roads, this is a piece of cake". So, off-road we went with it, to see how it handles the harsh African terrain and again, with the easy to use driving modes selected by the jog shuttle selector, it was simple to change the cars terrain response settings and switching from 2 wheel to 4 wheel driving. 

COMFORT

The interior of the Scorpio N is a marked improvement over previous models, like I said earlier, I love the new layout design, its very functional and it features better quality materials than previous generations which look great and are robust. It even features a modern infotainment system that supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay with wireless connectivity, there are USB ports for charging devices and loads of storage compartments. Higher trims, like the one I was in come with additional luxuries like a Sony sound system and wireless charging​​. That Sony sound system surprised me, at first I wasn't sold but after tinkering with the sound settings, you could tell an Indian had a hand in this sound system because the bass, is definitely in your face. There's a lot of positives to the new designed interior however, some users might find the indicator sound particularly annoying, and the stop-start system could use a software update to function more effectively​​ as it does feel rather abrupt and I found myself switching if off every time I got in. The second row seating is very comfortable and spacious while the third row is pretty much expected of a third row seating in an 7-seater SUV. The luggage space is decent, we logged 2 golf bags and two big suit cases which required us to drop 40% of the second row seating. The tailgate makes it easier with the swing door and not the traditional hatch style tilt up opening. It has two cameras, one in the front and one at the back, but with different angle options which gives the driver a better perspective. 

VERDICT

Overall, the Mahindra Scorpio N stands out as a well-rounded SUV that combines rugged capability with modern amenities at a competitive price, making it a strong contender in its segment​. One of the key selling points of the Scorpio N is its pricing, which offers a compelling alternative to more expensive ladder-frame SUVs like the Toyota Fortuner, while still providing seven-seat capacity and substantial off-road capabilities​. Speaking of the Fortuner, a lot of people have asked me whether it is better than the Japanese firm favourite and whether it would give it some competition in the market. I honestly still feel the Fortuner nudges ahead of the Mahindra on quite a few fronts, doesn't justify the steep pricing but in terms of the Scorpio N being a direct competitor, I'm not entirely sold on that one yet.You're still going to get great reliability from Mahindra, these cars are solid and hardly break, even in the toughest conditions so on that front I think there isn't a need to worry and with them having an assembly plant here in Durban, parts shouldn't be that difficult to source as well. It certainly a massive improvement from the brand and it's good to see this company heading in the right direction.  

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	2.0L 4 Cylinder, turbo-diesel
Gear Box	6-speed automatic
Torque	400Nm
Power	128kW
Fuel Consumption	8L per 100km
Price	R644,499

Monday Choon: R3HAB & KSHMR - Islands

R3HAD and KSHMR are two of the most successful DJ's of Indian decent in the EDM realm, each with their own unique style but when they combine, the Asian influence and fusion between them produces some great music. We've seen it before when they've produced songs together, one of my all time favourites being "Strong" which is still quite a thumper. The two have combined again and released a new track a few weeks ago titled "Islands". It seems like another great colab and we have it for you along with the official music video!

Monday Choon: Tiësto & KSHMR - Harder ft.Talay Riley

This song has been stuck in my head for most of the weekend, its the new one by Tiesto and KSHMR and while it's not officially released yet there are many fan made videos on YouTube, the video below is taken from his live set at Ultra Miami. It's a brilliant track and I can't see the Dutch maestro out doing himself this year with any other song. It was first played at Ultra Miami during his sunset set where he had KSHMR join him on stage. I'm not sure when the song will be released officially but judging by the reception its getting already, its sure to be a chart topper, listen to it for yourself then you'll know why 

Monday Choon: KSHMR & Tigerlily - Invisible Children

The first time I heard about today's featured artist was when he teamed up with Tiesto and Vassy to produce the track "Secrets" which did incredibly well. There after I never really researched him or his music, but he kept popping up in various collaborations, one of which I quite took a liking to was his track with Shaun Frank featuring Delany Jane titled "Heaven".  It was then I took notice of his sets at the various festivals and loved how he infused classic Indian music with electronic music. I've heard the likes of R3hab doing it but his take on it is near perfect. Niles Hollowell-Dhar, better known by his stage name KSHMR is who I've been talking about if you haven't gathered, he's an American DJ, producer and is from Berkeley, California. If you haven't heard of him yet, you will do quite soon!

Tsogo Sun: High Tea at Jeera, Suncoast Hotel &Towers

Afternoon tea is a must for many and those wanting to spoil themselves often opt for a High Tea which is offered in many establishments but whilst most are great in offering the traditionalist what they expect, the team down at Jeera, located on the pool level of the Suncoast Hotel & Towers decided to give their High Tea a Durban twist. Durban is known to have the highest population of Indians outside India and we all know the significant cultural impact they have had on this city with keeping things spicy and that's exactly what Jeera has done with their high tea.

Last week Tuesday I was invited to par-take in their offering, not knowing what to expect, I was left mouth gaping open at the spread that lied before me. It's not your typical high tea and but at the same time they keep to the aesthetics of what it is meant to be, so you not going to be served a bunny chow and a cup of tea, although some might fancy that? Sandren Govender, executive chef at Suncoast Towers, who has experience in cooking throughout the world has meticulously created a menu to delight everyone's taste buds, with savoury and sweet delicacies to send you into a journey of food ecstasy.

A seating for two will get you a wonderful selection of sweet delights such as burfee shortbread, poli truffles - a modern twist on a traditional Indian favourite, blending chocolate, coconut and cardamom as well as cinnamon eclairs. On the savoury side, the offering expands to an equally wide selection including smoked salmon bagels with paneer cheese; chicken tikka, sheekh kebabs and my personal favourite, Sandrens butter chicken cigars, which is bread, flattend and filled with rich butter chicken curry, then rolled into a cigar shape, crumbed and fried till crispy on the outside.

"This tailor-made approach allowed for authentic creativity to come through quite strongly in the kitchen. We know at the end of the collaboration with our team, we have something unique to offer our guests" says executive chef Sandren Govender. He added that the concept was carefully planned and created incorporating the sense and relaxation associated with the afternoon tea experience.

You probably read this far and must be wondering, high tea but I have not mentioned anything about the tea? Well yes, there is the tea but the food offering is simply that great but the selection of teas will not only awaken your senses but the aromatic flavours and smells will entice you to want to smaple them all. Jeera offers a host of teas with various spices and scents from around the world, each guest has their on glass tea pot with warmer so you can see the flavours fuse with the boiling water. It really was a fascinating experience for me as it was the first time I had the opportunity to indulge a high tea and I'm glad this was the place I did it at.

Speaking to Palvi Oddone Aquino, who is the guest relations manager at Suncoast Hotel and Towers, she had this to say, "Much time was invested in crafting this concept where our primary goal was to take our guests through a journey of spice and distinctive flavour through confectionery - where tea becomes a conversation piece."

Jeera serves their high tea throughout the week (Monday to Friday depending on availability) between 14h00-16h30 and will be available for groups of four or more. Cost per person is R150 and each will get one or two of every serving on the platter, whatever is not eaten can be opted to be taken away for you to indulge at home.

Mystic India comes to Durban - Competition

                  

After entertaining audiences around the world with electrifying and mind blowing performances to sold out shows, the much anticipated Mystic India in association with Zee TV makes it way to South African shores, to leave local audiences spell bound with brilliant dancers, breathtaking acrobats, renowned musicians, extravagant sets and stunning visual effects. 

Mystic India has been seen by over half a million people in it's world wide performances and tours. Critics have only spoken of high praise for the show which features a cast of 22 talented performers in a show that takes you through the journey of India and it's dance. This production intertwines a mesmerizing combo: Traditional India meets the urban streets of Mumbai and New York. The audience will be taken through a cultural expose' of the various dance forms through the many states in India, from Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat as well the evolution of Bollywood films via a visual display that fuses dance, theatre and special effects. 

It's like a Bollywood spectacular but live on stage, with 750 lavish costume changes, and a celebratory production which is directed and choreographed by the prominent choreographer and production master, Amit Shah, and produced by US-based AATMA Performing Arts, of which Shah is the founder and creative director.  Shah is no stranger to such productions as he has been known to have a critical eye and creative disposition with his many years of experience in the world of dance, theatre and media as well as working on Bollywood film sets and choregrpahing stage productions with top actor and former Miss World, Priyanka Chopra. 

"If you have ever wanted to visit India, this production is your direct flight there. Mystic Indian will blow you all the way to the small villages of India to the fast-paced streets of Mumbai and New York. Audiences will get it all!" - said Shah about Mystic India.

South African audiences can look forward to this spectacular on stage performance that features a female lead of Kruti Shah, an internationally distinguished dancer and choreographer who shot to fame as a Top 10 finalist on the dance reality show, Just Dance. She's trained in modern forms of movement, such as ballet, pointe, tap, hip-hop, jazz and modern. Kruti also developed an interest in more ancient Indian forms of dance, particularly Bharatnyatam and Kathak. 

This larger than life Bollywood extravaganza will be visiting Durban on the 23rd of April at Durban's ICC and then moves on to Johannesburg for 3 nights at The Teatro Monecasino from the 29th of April till the 1st of May 2016. Tickets range between R185 and R485 and will be available through Computicket and its various retail outlets. Bookings are now open so make sure you get your tickets now! for more information visit their website: www.mysticindiatheshow.com

Competition time! the Bucket in association with Mystic India is giving away a set of double tickets to one lucky reader for the Durban show on the 23rd of April 2016. All you have to do is Tweet me @AMG133 "I want to win with #MysticIndia and #theBucket". Competition closes on the 12th of April and winners will be notified by Twitter. 

Minced Meat

Ok so I said I'd blog some recipes from time to time so here's another one that doesnt require much effort that even if you're suffering from a massive hangover like I was you can complete. Its a basic dry mince curry that will satisfy your hunger if you not in the mood to chew whole meat.

Ingredients:
300-500g Lamb mince
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp turmeric powder
2 tsp chilli power
2 green chilli's chopped
1 red chilli chopped
1 clove garlic
tiny bit of grated ginger
2 cinnamon sticks
1 dried clove
1½ onion coarsely chopped
½ green pepper
1 soft tomato
½ cup sour milk
1 tbsp oil

ok I'll admit, its not the best looking thing

Rinse your mince out as they maybe excess blood in it, we dont want that in there now. add the salt, black pepper, tumeric power, chilli powder, green chilli's, red chilli, ginger & garlic. Mix well and allow to stand for 15 minutes.

the onions & green pepper

In a pot heat your oil, add you cinnamon sticks & dried clove, when they begin to sizzle add your onion & green pepper. Allow them to go limp, then move to one side of the pot and add your mince mixture in the pot. Make sure you continuously mix the mince otherwise it will be lumped up. Once the mince starts to get cooked, you can mix it up with the onion and green pepper.

mince one side, onions & pepper on the other

Take your soft tomato and grate into a bowl, add you sour milk to it, mix it well and add it to your mince. Mix into your mince & allow for excess water to burn out.

 Again I made a quick and easy "roti" which consists of cake flour, oil, salt & water.