Monday Choon: John Summit - SHADOWS (feat. LAVINIA)

 

With Ultra South Africa around corner, we got one of the headliner acts, John Summit this week with one of his latest tracks, "Shadows". The track has been out for 3 weeks now but fans of the man would have heard him drop it in sets for the last month and half now. It's another high energy, fast paced electronic track that has the vocals spot on by Lavinia. The man can do wrong when it comes to his music ability and to cement his name in the trace music folklore, he has just been confirmed to play a face-to-face set with Armin van Buuren at ASOT Poland in June this year. 

Bucket Tech: Volkwagen Transporter 2.0 TDI

The latest Volkswagen Transporter represents one of the most significant shifts in the history of Volkswagen’s iconic workhorse. For decades, the Transporter has built a loyal following across the world and particularly in South Africa, where it has served everyone from small business owners and fleet operators to large families and shuttle companies. With this new generation, however, Volkswagen has taken a different route by partnering with Ford Motor Company, resulting in a vehicle that shares its underlying platform with the Ford Transit Custom. While that might raise a few eyebrows among long-time fans of the Transporter nameplate, the new model brings with it meaningful improvements in design, performance and practicality. The question for South African buyers is simple: does this new collaboration strengthen the Transporter’s appeal, or does it dilute what made the van so special in the first place?

DESIGN

Visually, the new Transporter manages to retain a distinctly Volkswagen identity despite the shared engineering underneath. The front end is more modern and assertive than before, with slim LED headlights and a broader grille that give the van a more premium and contemporary look. It’s a cleaner design overall, one that aligns well with Volkswagen’s current passenger car lineup while still maintaining the robust stance expected from a commercial vehicle. The new model is also larger in every meaningful dimension. Both the short- and long-wheelbase variants have grown compared to the outgoing version, translating into a more planted appearance on the road. The extra size isn’t just for aesthetics either; it directly improves the van’s practicality. The load area is longer and wider, allowing for greater cargo capacity and easier loading, something that will be particularly appreciated by businesses that rely on the Transporter as a daily workhorse. Inside, the cabin represents one of the biggest leaps forward. The dashboard is now far more modern, dominated by a large infotainment screen paired with a fully digital instrument cluster. The layout feels intuitive and uncluttered, while the materials used give the interior a noticeably more upmarket feel than older Transporters. There’s also a stronger emphasis on storage solutions throughout the cabin, which is an important consideration for drivers who spend long hours behind the wheel.

PERFORMANCE

under the bonnet, the Transporter continues to rely on the proven formula of a 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine, offered in multiple power outputs. These engines are paired with either a six-speed manual transmission or an eight-speed automatic, depending on the variant, giving buyers the flexibility to choose a setup that best suits their needs. Performance in a van like this isn’t about outright speed, but rather about usable torque and efficiency. In that regard, the diesel engines deliver exactly what is required. Power delivery is smooth and predictable, with enough pulling power to move heavy loads without feeling strained. Whether it’s carrying tools to a job site or transporting passengers across long distances, the Transporter feels composed and capable. Towing and payload figures have also improved compared to the previous generation, reinforcing the vehicle’s position as a serious commercial tool. The additional capability will be welcomed by South African businesses that often demand more from their vehicles, particularly in industries where durability and practicality are non-negotiable.

COMFORT

One of the reasons the Transporter has remained so popular over the years is its ability to blur the line between commercial vehicle and passenger car. The latest model continues this tradition by offering a noticeably more comfortable and refined driving experience. The increased dimensions translate into more interior space across the board. For panel van models, that means a larger cargo area capable of carrying more equipment or goods. For Kombi and passenger variants, the extra space makes a significant difference to passenger comfort, particularly on longer journeys. The driving position is excellent, with clear visibility and well-placed controls that make the vehicle easy to live with on a daily basis. Improved seating comfort and better cabin insulation also help reduce fatigue during long hours on the road. In typical Volkswagen fashion, the Transporter also benefits from a wide range of driver assistance features and modern technology, bringing it in line with many contemporary passenger vehicles. For drivers who spend their entire workday in the vehicle, these small improvements make a meaningful difference.

VERDICT

The new Volkswagen Transporter arrives with big expectations, and understandably so. The name carries decades of trust and reliability, particularly in South Africa where the vehicle has long been a favourite among businesses and transport operators alike. What this latest generation demonstrates is that Volkswagen is willing to evolve the formula while still preserving the Transporter’s core strengths. The design is more modern, the cabin more refined, and the practicality even greater than before. Add to that the proven engineering shared with the Ford Transit Custom, and you end up with a van that feels both familiar and forward-thinking. For South African buyers, the Transporter continues to offer a compelling blend of durability, versatility and everyday usability. It may be built on a new foundation, but the essence of what made the Transporter great remains firmly intact. In a market where reliability and practicality matter more than ever, the Transporter once again proves why it has remained a benchmark in the commercial vehicle segment for so many years.

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	2-litre TDI
Gear Box	8-Speed Automatic
Power	125kW
Torque	340Nm
Average Fuel Consumption	6.6L per 100km (Claimed)
Price	R1,301,400

Bucket Tech: HUAWEI HUAWEI Innovative Product Launch

Huawei stepped confidently back into the professional running arena on February 26, unveiling the all-new HUAWEI WATCH GT Runner 2 at its Now is Your Run global launch event in Madrid, Spain. Marking the brand’s return to elite running watches after five years, the launch signals a renewed focus on performance-driven innovation.

The event also introduced a line-up of flagship products, including the HUAWEI Mate 80 Pro, HUAWEI MatePad Mini, HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro 5, and the HUAWEI Band 11 Series.

Two-time Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge was officially introduced as the global ambassador for HUAWEI WATCH GT Runner. “Running means much more than running fast," said Kipchoge. "I believe that running is the most beautiful activity on every level. Together with Huawei, we can reach millions of runners around the world and hopefully impact their lives in a beautiful and positive way.”

HUAWEI WATCH GT Runner 2

Equipped with a new 3D floating antenna architecture, the HUAWEI WATCH GT Runner 2 is engineered to deliver exceptional positioning accuracy. Powered by an intelligent positioning algorithm, it continues to calculate trajectory and distance even during temporary signal interruptions, helping runners maintain precise data in complex environments.

The new intelligent marathon mode offers comprehensive race management, acting like a personal coach on the wrist. Designed to support professional athletes in optimising performance, it also makes advanced running insights accessible to everyday runners seeking a smarter training experience.

At the event, Kipchoge shared his experience of collaborating with Huawei on product development. "I am passionate about sharing my opinions and perspectives to improve the smartwatch experience, not just for elite athletes but for runners all around the world," he said.

HUAWEI Mate 80 Pro

Huawei also marked a strong return to the global market with its Mate Series, showcasing the company’s continued technological leadership. The HUAWEI Mate 80 Pro features an upgraded True-to-Color Camera system designed to deliver consistent colour accuracy across complex lighting environments and mixed colour temperatures.

Its refined Dual Space Ring Design blends classic elegance with contemporary aesthetics, drawing strong interest from attendees. With enhanced performance, 2nd Gen Kunlun Glass, and advanced AI capabilities, the Mate 80 Pro further strengthens Huawei’s premium smartphone offering.

HUAWEI WATCH Ultimate 2 and HUAWEI Band 11 Series

Expanding its wearable portfolio, Huawei introduced new devices designed to deliver more personalised and professional fitness experiences.

The HUAWEI WATCH Ultimate 2 debuted in a striking new Green colourway, retaining its advanced diving and outdoor capabilities while introducing enhanced features tailored specifically for golf driving ranges and on-course play.

Meanwhile, the HUAWEI Band 11 Series combines sleek design with practical functionality, featuring a larger, clearer display that ensures excellent visibility even in bright sunlight. Integrating health monitoring, activity tracking, and convenient features into one compact device, it serves as a reliable companion for users' daily fitness needs.

HUAWEI MatePad Mini and HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro 5

Huawei also unveiled its first-ever Mini tablet, the HUAWEI MatePad Mini. With its compact 8.8-inch form factor, slimmer and lighter than traditional tablets, it fits easily into pockets and handbags. Whether reviewing documents, streaming content, or working on creative projects while travelling, the device is designed for productivity on the move. It serves as a versatile digital companion for professionals, readers, and researchers alike.

Completing the launch line-up, the HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro 5 become the industry’s first wireless earbuds to feature dual-engine AI noise cancellation. Combined with a dual-drive acoustic system, they deliver powerful noise reduction while preserving vocal and instrumental clarity, creating an immersive listening experience.

Last year, Huawei introduced its brand proposition, Now is Yours, reflecting its commitment to building authentic connections with global consumers through a more inclusive and youthful voice. At the Now is Your Run launch event, the partnership with Eliud Kipchoge reinforced Huawei’s ambition to inspire movement and promote healthier lifestyles worldwide.

Looking ahead, Huawei will continue advancing fitness and health innovation, empowering more people to live active, connected, and healthier lives.

Monday Choon: Oliver Heldens - Lady

 

There's certain songs that must never be remixed or recreated out of pure respect for the original artist, and I firmly believe that if you are going to attempt to remake it, it must keep the originality of the song that make it great and not tarnish it's sound. Oliver Helden's is no stranger to house music and he in his own right have created some masterful songs in his career, so when I saw he released his own remake of the cult classic "Lady" by French DJ Modjo. I feared to listen to it, not that I doubt Oliver's talent but for so many the song meant so much and it was one of those that was an instant classic when it came up, but listen to it I did and you know what, Oliver, take a bow. It is exceptional, he pays homage to the original but adds his own unique sound to it which elevates the song to modern standards. If you loved the original, you definitely going to love this one too. 

Bucket Seat: Volkswagen Golf 8.5 GTI

Yesterday I was invited by Volkswagen South Africa to experience the new Golf GTI, first showcased at last years Festival of Motoring and later went on sale around December 2025, the new GTI has a lot more advancements than the previous model which was launched in 2024. For starters, we are now getting the full European spec in terms of engine performance where as the previous model had a down tuned version of the engine, after various tests locally it was found that the fuel quality locally has proven to be suitable for these cars hence the change in mind for bringing us this new GTI, albeit a bit later than the rest of the world. 

This translates to the engine producing 195kW and 370Nm of torque, making this one of the most powerful GTI's to hit the streets of Mzanzi (that is stock). So what else is changed in the car? Well there is new alloy wheels that make the car look amazing, 19-inch Queenstown rims are the only choice available on the new GTI and the design pays homage to the Mk5 GTI rims. The headlamps and tail lights receive new Matrix LED' signature designs and the VW badge in the front is now illuminated. Stepping inside, the first thing you would notice especially if you driven the Mk8 GTI is that the steering wheel now has actual buttons and not the haptic touch ones used previously, the infotainment screen has grown with it now measures 10.3-inches but the cars we drove came with the optional 12.9-inch screen with a redesigned interface and VW's MIB4 operating system. 

All GTI's come standard with a range stuff, like premium sports seats with integrated head restraints and the GTI logo embossed in it. The driver side seat is electronically adjustable with the front passenger having to do it manually. The climate control still is accessed via the screen and does get a bit cumbersome especially when driving. The screen is angled at the driver so as the front passenger, trying to access the screen can get a bit tricky. The new GTI also has a range of safety features like travel assist, side assist with rear traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, front assist with emergency braking which we tested voluntarily, PDC and reverse camera, proactive passenger protection system and driver alert system to detect when you need to pull over and have a stretch of the legs.  

On the road, the GTI remains true to its heart as a performance hatchback, it gives you the thrill that you'd associate with the car and more. The new engine performances speaks for itself and you can feel it when you are on the road, the cornering and braking is very responsive and even though the Vrrrpha is not as loud as we are used to, it still sounds amazing when you're in the car. Driving on both the highway and side roads really gave me some insight into how well balanced the car is and while being a performance car, it still has that practicality to it. 

Staring price for the GTI is R908,000 with not much additional extras you can get, I will give me full review on it after having it on test. 

Bucket Tech: Samsung Unpacked 2026

Last night I attended the Samsung Unpacked event for 2026 in Hyde Park, Sandton. The event was a bold step for the brand as they unleashed a new era for their mobile phone outlook for the future. As CEO of Samsung South Africa put it "We are moving away from the smartphone and welcoming the AI phone". The launch gave us the first look of the all-new Galaxy S26 series which consists of 3 devices, the S26, the S26+ and the S26 Ultra. 

So before I dive into the AI bits of the device, lets look at the physical characteristics of the phone. Samsung have moved away from the titanium body and opted for the aluminium unibody design which not only keeps the device lighter but thanks to the new vapour chamber, also keeps the device cooler. The screen is protected by the latest Corning Gorilla Glass that is the strongest one yet. Inside the Galaxy S26 Ultra we have the latest Snapdragon 8 processor which enables the phones top performance whilst still being able to cope with all the AI background workings. The screen is a 6.9-inch AMOLED 2x Display that provides in depth performance for gaming an faster refresh rate but the biggest feature form the screen is the Privacy Mode, where one can activate it on demand or program it for certain applications or notifications to keep away prying eyes. 

The camera remains mostly the same with the front facing camera gaining some extra AI features like auto editing to minimise glare and increase the details. The video is the biggest gainer from the AI features, with a better Nightography setting that allows you to video in the dark with a lot more detail and light with less of the grain that we are used to on devices of old. The video also has an increase stabilization with Super Steady feature and horizontal lock which means you dont have to make sure your phone is level when recording. 

Lets look into the AI, along with Google Gemini the Samsung Galaxy S26 series becomes one of the most powerful AI phones on the market. With features such as "Now Brief" which gives you a summary of things for the start of your day that is in curated for your interests, like weather, news, traffic, health etc. Then you get "Now Nudge" which dives into your phone and assists when you need push info on request. For example, when you chatting on text and someone asks you if you free for dinner on Saturday, it will check your calender and notify that you are free or ask you to view calendar. Circle search can now search multiple things in a single pictures. Gemini can also run tasks in the background whilst you are busy doing other things on your phone, like read through your messages to curate and order to your favourite delivery app, when its done, it will ask you to confirm order and pay. 

The Knox security has stepped up a notch giving you unparalleled layer of protection as its a physical barrier against hackers. Overall the device has exceeded expectations and we hoping we can get a hands on feel with the phone to review soon. 

Pricing starts from:

Samsung Galaxy S26 - R20,999

Samsung Galaxy S26+ - R25,999

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra - R30,999

If pre-ordering the 256GB, Samsung will double your storage for the same price! So take advantage of this great offer. 

Monday Choon: Tiesto - Beautiful Places

 

Beautiful Places is the second single released from Tiesto after his return to trance music, his first release "Bring Me to Life" was extremely well received from the fan base and gained many other fans thanks to it. His show at the Pyramids of Giza was incredible and this song featured so well with the amazing background of the world wonders. The song features the vocals of Brieanna Grace who add's so much character to the already great song. It has so many different levels and elements to the track that only Tiesto could bring together and make it work so well. It's one of my favourite tracks of the moment and I'm many others feel the same way. 

Bucket Seat: 2027 Audi RS5 Avant

Audi have lifted the covers off its all-new RS5 Avant which takes over from the outgoing RS4 Avant and it has the motoring world doing cart-wheels. All motor heads love station wagons and when its a performance station wagon we going nuts! And with good reason too. This new RS5 which is also offered in a sedan as well but nobody is paying much attention to that as the Avant is the one featuring all the headlines. 

This new RS5 is taking cues from its competitors as its a plug-in hybrid, featuring a  2.9-litre twin-turbocharged V6 petrol engine upfront which is mated to a single electric motor at the rear, giving you a combined power output of 470kW and 825Nm of torque. 130kW is thanks to the electric motor to boost performance and that is instant power with lower emissions. 

The car also features a brand new RS suspension setup, a new quattro drivetrain and Audi Sport has done some magic with the engine mapping by introducing an electromechanical torque vectoring at the rear, allowing the RS5 a pure electric range of 85km with the battery capacity rated at 22 kWh. 

The design of the Audi RS5 is nothing short of menacing, its everything we expect from Audi and more with plenty of aggression in the body work, large black air-intakes, massive wheels and a bloated rear that would make Shakira jealous of its hips. The twin exhaust system looks like it comes straight out of the Porsche factory and it looks like the car is equipped with afterburners. With all that power you need some good stopping power, Audi is offering customers the option of carbon-ceramic brakes or steel which will come fitted as standard. 

Audi never disappoints when it comes to the theatrics, their lighting specialist are showing off again with some extremely detailed designs with their matrix LED setup for both front and rear lights. The animations and light greetings are really something that must be admired, giving individuality to every car of theirs. The rear lights feature a checkered pattern which is also on the rear center break light. 

The RS5 has picked up a lot of weight thanks to its electric power unit, that has added an addition 600kg's from its predecessor giving the car a total weight of 2,355kg's. Now a lot was said about the new M5 when it came out, that however is still 100kgs more than this RS5. No one is seems to care about the RS5's extra kilo's though, we all waiting to see what it can do on the road and track. The car is scheduled for arrival in 2027 which means we have to sit and wait to hear if it will be coming to South African and if it does, how much it will be costing us but for not we can sit and admire how pretty she is.  

Bucket Tech: Samsung Galaxy Unpacked Preview

With the Samsung Galaxy Unpacked Event just around the corner, Samsung have decided to whet our appetite with what we can expect from their latest range of devices and technological advancements. 

Turning a photo from day to night in seconds. Restoring missing parts of objects in images – like a bite taken out of a cake. Seamlessly merging multiple photos into a single, cohesive result. These are the kinds of creative capabilities that once required professional skills or hours of editing. Now they’re about to become possible in minutes, directly from a phone, by simply asking in your own words.

That’s the next evolution of the Galaxy camera: an end-to-end experience with the brightest Galaxy camera system ever as the foundation.

 Mobile cameras are moving beyond capture alone and the latest Galaxy AI experiences bring advanced creative capabilities together in one intuitive place, unifying capture, editing, and sharing into a seamless experience. The result is a more fluid creative process – eliminating the need to switch between apps or navigate complex tools, so creativity feels faster, simpler, and more natural.

At the core of this evolution is the belief that creativity should not be limited by technical skill or experience. From shooting to editing, the phone camera has quietly redefined what’s possible. Now anyone can create cinematic movies, track stars across the night sky, or capture richly detailed photos – even in low light. And with natural, multimodal input, editing becomes as easy as using a few words to express what you have in mind.

Stay tuned for the easiest and most user-friendly Galaxy camera experience yet, unveiling next week at Galaxy Unpacked February 2026.

Monday Choon: John Newman - Love Me Again (Again)

 

This one is for all those FIFA fanboys, as we know the legendary Football game by Electronic Arts has had some stellar playlists over the years featuring great artists with tracks that become cult classics. FIFA 14 introduced us to the voice of John Newman with his track "Love Me Again" fast forward 12 years and John has decided to re-release the track as "Love Me Again (Again), bringing a fresh new beat and sound to the track, giving it a progressive house vibe and bass line with an energetic piano play stealing the show on this one. Turn up the volume and let nostalgia take over.