Monday Choon: Anyma - Hypnotized (feat. Ellie Goulding)

 

We kicking off the new year with some fresh music from artist that we never thought would join forces, two weeks after Anyma dropped a teaser  of his new track with Ellie Goulding who had a cameo appearance at his residency set at the Sphere in Las Vegas, the track has been released! Why can't more DJ's release tracks this fast after dropping teasers? The track titled "Hypnotized" has since racked up over half a million views on YouTube and counting. Ellie is no strange to EDM having collaborating with Calvin Harris  in the past, speaking to Rolling Stone Magazine, Ellie had this to say about her latest work,  "Collaborating on ‘Hypnotized’ with Anyma has been an incredibly enriching and wildly exciting ride,” the pop star tells Rolling Stone. “He is a creative visionary with an unmatched ability to marry sound and visual art in a way no one else can."

Bucket Seat: Range Rover Velar 300D Dynamic HSE

I always maintained the Range Rover Velar was for men who secretly like the Evoque but didn't want to buy the Evoque for fear of their masculinity being in question. Not that there is anything wrong with the Range Rover Evoque, but it is a bit small and you will struggle to get a set of golf clubs in the boot. So maybe the designers down at Range Rover figured they'd make something that has the sleek lines of the Evoque but with more space and hence the Velar came about. Of course that reasoning is totally made up in my head and they probably needed a mid-sized SUV to fit their line up. Not too long ago I got to spend a week in the Velar 300D in Johannesburg, the Range Rover Velar 300D is part of the luxury midsize SUV lineup from Land Rover, and it perfectly balances sophisticated design with advanced engineering. The car is a looker of note and while it not have the bulky presence of its bigger brother the Range Rover Vogue, it still commands respect on the roads when driven. 

DESIGN

The Velar’s design is sleek, minimalist, and futuristic, with smooth lines and a floating roof that makes it instantly recognizable. Its flush door handles, slim LED headlights, and coupe-like profile give it a unique stance that sets it apart from other SUVs in its class. The 300D comes with 21-inch alloy wheels as standard, with options to upgrade to even larger 22-inch alloys for a sportier look, this is standard when ordering the Velar with the R-Dynamic kit. The rear design is equally impressive, featuring dual exhaust outlets and a clean, minimal tailgate with striking taillights. The Velar stands out as one of the most attractive SUVs on the road, balancing elegance with an athletic edge. The profile of the Velar is to be admired, hence during my time I parallel parked this beauty on every occasion I could, preferably in front of a cafe, so I can sit and sip on my coffee while admiring the lines of the car and watch as passers by gazed into its charm. I quite like the paint work Range Rover is doing with their cars, this model came in Varesine Blue and had the details finished of in a bronze colour that really enhanced the look of the car. The interior design has gone completely minimalist, and its practically a carbon copy of the rest of the Range Rover range, just adapted to suit the size of the car. 

PERFORMANCE

The "300D" refers to the turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six diesel engine, which combines decent power with good fuel efficiency, appealing to those who prefer a more efficient yet still powerful engine option.The 300D engine is a 3.0-liter turbocharged diesel, delivering 221kW of power and 650 Nm of torque. With this engine, the Velar accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in approximately 6.5 seconds, impressive for a vehicle of its size and weight. The eight-speed automatic transmission is smooth and responsive, making everyday driving a breeze, whether in the city or on the highway. One of the standout features is the inclusion of mild-hybrid technology, which helps to improve fuel efficiency and emissions, especially during stop-start traffic. In terms of fuel economy, the Velar 300D achieves around 8 liters per 100km on highways, with slightly higher figures in city driving. While it's not a full off-roader like the classic Range Rovers, it retains a good deal of Land Rover’s Terrain Response system and All-Wheel Drive (AWD) capabilities, meaning it can handle moderate off-road conditions and weather challenges with ease. The Velar is designed with luxury and comfort in mind, and that is immediately evident once behind the wheel. The adaptive air suspension provides a smooth, float-like ride, soaking up road imperfections and making long journeys relaxing. The steering is precise, and while the Velar’s focus is not on sports-like agility, it is still composed around corners, with minimal body roll for a vehicle this size. In city driving, the Velar feels nimble enough despite its size, and active driver assistance features (such as lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and parking sensors) enhance the driving experience, making tight city streets easier to navigate.

COMFORT

Step inside the Velar, and you’re immediately greeted by a plush, luxurious interior. Premium materials such as leather, brushed aluminum, and high-quality plastics are found throughout. The seats are extremely comfortable, with the option of heating, cooling, and massage functions for both the driver and passengers, this is an optional extra. Unlike previous models which featured a dual touch screen, the minimalistic design of the cabin now incorporates a 11.4-inch infotainment touch screen,. This controls pretty much everything in the cabin, from the radio, to the GPS as well as climate control.  The UI, which at first glance looks pretty simple to operate can become a bit complicated when diving into the options and controls of the cars full capabilities but still, to do the important stuff is quite easy and with the built-in wireless mobile app connectivity, you will be projecting your phone most of the time. The Velar comes with a Meridian sound system, ensuring passengers enjoy top-tier audio quality. Additionally, the system includes navigation with real-time traffic updates, a 4G Wi-Fi hotspot, and various connected services like remote vehicle monitoring through the Land Rover app. The cabin is quiet thanks to excellent sound insulation, and the Velar's panoramic sunroof adds to the open, airy feel. In terms of space, both the front and rear seats offer ample legroom, and the cargo capacity is decent for its class, offering 558 liters of boot space, which can expand with the rear seats folded. The driver's display is a fully digital 12.3-inch TFT unit, which is customizable to show everything from maps to vehicle information.

SAFETY

The Velar, like any other car from the Land Rover stable features a host of safety features, starting with the 360 camera system, it gives the driver a complete overview of the car and its surrounds, so navigating this car at low speeds is made easier with this. Adaptive cruise control is pretty intuitive and responsive when in use, it monitors the cars around you and not just the ones in front, this is also aided by the lane-keeping assist which keeps the car in line when you on the open road. There is park assist to help you get into those tricky spots or, if you like me want to admire the cars side view, and parallel park it everywhere, you can let the car do it for you! Other key safety features include Autonomous Emergency Braking: Detects potential collisions and applies the brakes if necessary. Blind-spot monitoring, Rear cross-traffic alert, Lane departure warning, Traffic sign recognition and Driver condition monitoring. The Velar has earned high marks in various safety tests, making it a secure choice for families.

VERDICT

The Range Rover Velar 300D stands out for its combination of elegance, luxury, and practicality. While it's not designed to be a hardcore off-roader, it offers more than enough capability for most drivers and excels in providing a plush, tech-laden cabin, refined on-road manners, and a design that will turn heads. For those in the market for a luxury SUV with a powerful yet efficient diesel engine, the Velar 300D is a solid choice. It’s an ideal vehicle for individuals or families who value style, comfort, and technology in their driving experience.

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	6 cylinder, 3-litre Turbo Diesel
Gear Box	Automatic
Torque	650Nm
Power	221kW
Fuel Economy	7.3L per 100km
Price	R1,991,100*

*base price

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.

Bucket Seat: Land Rover Discovery 3.0D

Recently the JLR holding company went through re-branding of the JLR of its various sub companies and brands. This trend follows through to the Land Rover stable where there is distinct differences between the various models and sub-brands that differentiates between the hardcore off-roading models, the mixture of luxury and off-roading, the leisure type vehicles and the ultra luxury categories. Upon my recent visit to Cape Town, Land Rover South Africa let me spend time with the revised Discovery 5 model, it was the first time I got behind the wheel of the new Discovery and while the change from the Disco 4 to the 5 was quite drastic, I was keen to see if it still offered that mixtures of off-roading and comfort that the previous models built the Discovery reputation on. 

DESIGN

Ever since the Disco 5 broke cover in 2017, many were not too happy at how it looked. It's basically a longer version of the Discovery Sport, credit to Land Rover, they did try to pay homage to the Discovery name by offsetting the number plate holder in the back to mimic the older models but this was done because of the spare tyre, now that the spare is located under the car, this exercise seems a bit pointless no? The revised model which is out now see's subtle changes that makes the car look much better than the launch model, small editions like the revised Matrix LED headlights upfront, the R-Dynamic Sports trim and more smoother lines make the Disco 5 look much more pleasing on the eye. The model I had was the Metropolitan Edition in Eiger Grey, with black contrast roof with sliding front sunroof and fixed rear panoramic roof. It came fitted with 22-inch Diamond Turned rims with gloss dark grey contrast that add to that sporty look. While the car is rather large, the curves does help give the illusion that it's not as big as it really is. The side profile and rear of the car remain unchanged with slight modifications to the wheel arches and updated LED lights, the number plate is still mounted to the side but I don't mind it to be honest, keeps that Disco heritage going. The interior is laid out fantastically, fitted with all the new toys that you would find in all of their new models with a few more for this model. 

PERFORMANCE

With a weight of 2,315kg's, you'd expect quite a powerful power plant and you would be right, the Discovery came with a 3.0D V6 that produces 221kW and a torque rating of 650Nm, enough pulling power to tow up to 3,500kgs with a full load. It's a big vehicle so on the road driving could feel cumbersome at first but doesn't take long to getting used to, plus with all the driving aids like lane departure warning, as well as lane keep assist, multiple cameras, collision detection, adaptive cruise control and the list goes on, it makes driving he Discovery pretty simple, no matter what environment and terrain you find yourself in. Building up speed on the freeway isn't an issue due to the high torque value, cruising speeds ensure that you keep your average consumption in check. Urban driving was pretty similar, the diesel engine in the Discovery is just sublime and I cannot fault it at all. Seeing I was in the scenic Cape, I did some exploring with the Discovery, the capabilities of it are endless. 

Fitted with electronic air suspension, the transition from tar to gravel is effortless with the car automatically picking up the change in terrain and raising the suspension, going onto harder gravel, a turn on the selector to change the terrain response is all that you need. The car comes with all the off-road assists such as ETC, GAC, RSC, CBC and EPAS, most importantly DSC and EDB. I know I just rattled a bunch of acronyms to you but if you have decent knowledge of 4x4ing, it shouldn't be anything new to you. The steering response is great and extremely accurate. After spending some time exploring the gravel roads around Franschhoek, it was time to see how it handled the Pass and I've driven many sports cars on that road but I was pleasantly surprised by the capabilities of this massive SUV as it just tore through the twists and bends, making mince meat of what would be quite a handful for most big cars. 

COMFORT

I can't even begin to tell you about the level of comfort in the Discovery, lets put it this way, the 3rd row seating which is electronically control has heated seats, yes, the 3rd row seating has heated seats! The drive and front passenger get heated and ventilated seats along with a whole command center for the four-zone climate control. That panel has a neat trick as it drops down to open a secret storage compartment. The driver gets a multi-function steering wheel that has heating function, the instrument cluster is an interactive fully digital screen, and the car has a large 11.4-inch touch screen infotainment center that has mobile apps built-in. The center storage doubles as a cooler so you can keep your water bottles chilled on a long road trip. Cabin has mood lighting which sets a nice tone to it at night. Space is of utmost importance in the Discovery and the second row seats gets plenty of it. These seats also get heating functionality, like the 3rd row and have their own dual zone climate control settings. There are plenty of 12V sockets in the cabin with USB ports for charging phones, there is also a wireless charging station. The tow bar is electronically deployed from the boot and you will also find switches for dropping or raising both the second and the third row seats in the cabin. This makes for much easier loading. The tailgate which is also gesture control splits with a small bench that drops at the bottom, loading space with the third row up is 291mm but when it dropped extends to 986mm or 1,231-litres.  

VEDICT

I was wrong about the Discovery, I thought the newer model didn't do justice to its predecessors but after spending some time with it, it does all that and a whole lot more. While the interior is super luxurious and has all the latest technology you can think of in cars of today, it still maintains that true off-roading heritage that we all know and love. Whether its being used for picking up the kids after sports practice or traversing around the mountain side, the Discovery is more than capable of any challenge it faces. Some might frown upon the cross pollination from various brands but I think JLR have done well with adapting some of the Jaguar's plushness and luxury into the Land Rover stable and it makes a huge difference when it comes to putting out a premium package like this. The quality of materials, build quality and tech showcased in the Disco 5 is second to none its segment, truly a remarkable vehicle from the brand. 

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	3.0D 6-cylinder turbocharged
Gear Box	8-speed automatic
Torque	650Nm
Power	221W
Average Fuel Consumption	7.8L per 100km
Price	R1,896,000*

*base price 

 

Bucket Seat: Jaguar F-Pace SVR

Last month I got to spend some time with a rather special car whilst I was visiting the place of Gold, aka Johannesburg. Jaguar very kindly allowed me to spend some time with their range topping performance SUV, the F-Pace SVR, the epitome of British engineering. With a car like this, it is pretty evident that you'd be standing out from the crowd a lot but Jaguar ensured that this car would make peoples head turn even further with it being finished in an eye catching colour, with some exceptional details and if that wasn't enough, the sound of that roaring V8 would awaken sleeping beauty herself! While big engine cars like this aren't the most practical to have with the rising fuel costs, they still serve a place in the market for those budding performance heads, I mean there's nothing better than the sound of a V8, something that gotten quite accustomed to over that weekend. 

DESIGN

With the face-lift design on the F-Pace already having some design cues to uplift it from the older model, the SVR has added extras in terms of appearance that give it that extra aggressive look. Finished in a unique Avocado Gloss colour, the car was already a standard in that military style looking paint, extra cosmetic cues that enhanced the sportiness of the F-Pace was the larger, more prominent air intakes with the honeycomb grille at the front with a more pronounced border finished off in a gloss black. The wheels which were an optional extra like the paint work are something to be admired. Style 5117 forged, diamond turned with gloss black contract and satin technical grey inserts which really elevated the cars overall look and feel,  bargain at just R10,860! The side profile of the F-Pace SVR definitely benefits from those rims too but along with the side vent behind the front wheel arch and the sleek lines, it really makes this car one of the better looking SUVs on the road. The rear end of this car is just pure art, with the symmetry of the lines and arches, along with the vent on the rear wheel arch and the newly designed LED lights, make this a joy to look at from behind, because naturally that would be most peoples view of it as it powers past them. Jaguar really spared no expensive on detail with this one, even down to the twin tail pipe housings being so neatly designed and pronounced at the rear. The interior design borrows a lot from their sister company, Land Rover as some aspects are carbon copy of that in the Discovery Sport and new Evoque but it works and that is the most important thing. 

PERFORMANCE

Where do I start, it has a 5.0L Supercharged V8 engine that produces a staggering 550kW of power and 700Nm of torque all of which is controlled by an 8-speed automatic gearbox which in Dynamic mode selects the gears in optimal performance and firing them each to the maximum potential all which the twin-tail pipe produce the most frantic symphony of gurgling and thunder as the car propels you from standstill to 100km in just 4.0 seconds! Mind you, do this quite often and you'll be visiting the petrol station sooner than expected, with Jag claiming an average fuel economy of 11.7L per 100km, doing those launched starts will see that figure spike above the 15L per 100km mark but its oh so worth it! The car is pretty heavy and while it might not be as quick as the other performance SUV's out there, it is pretty quick and the timing of the gear changes makes the drive exciting for the driver. Handling on this beast is quite comfortable with the steering wheel being loose and adaptive to all types of surfaces. It's a stunning example of engineering and to say I enjoyed my time with it is a massive understatement. I mean, I got pulled over by the JMPD on 5 occasions, all times of which they just wanted to see the car. That is how much attention this thing was getting!

COMFORT

With it being a performance SUV, the SVR came fittings with sports styled bucket seats for the front and back passengers. The front seats are electrically adjustable with it have seat heating and cooling for the driver and front passenger. The multi-function sports steering wheel is extremely comfortable in hand and even with this plush finish, still very easy on the hand to hold at high speeds. The twin large screen infotainment unit and climate control screen that makes up the center console is the same in which you will find in the new Discovery Sport and Evoque but as mentioned before, it works and works well. It comes with all the latest mobile apps which are wireless, it has a host of USB ports and a wireless charger for your smart phone. The car has a digital instrument cluster which can be customised by the driver. The rear passengers enjoy a single climate control cluster to control their cabin temperature and while it might not be a bench seat, it still can accommodate three people at the back. The SVR comes with Meridian sound system which I quite enjoyed, not overly harsh on the ears with extreme bass, but made for great listening and appreciate the clarity. The details is what I couldn't get over in this car, from the embossed head rests with SVR in them, to the silver insets in the seats. Jaguar really went all the way into making this car standout from the rest. The luggage capacity is also pretty decent, with me carry a heavy load from the airport, I made good use of the 613 litres that were at my disposal.

VERDICT

Yes, this car is as impractical as they come, the sports seats means that you cannot fit 5 fully grown adults in comfort, the big 22" rims along with the sports suspension means that the ride quality is hard and bumpy. The addictive sound of that supercharged V8 and twin tailpipes make you want to drive like a hooligan most of the time which drains the fuel faster and sends you average into a spiral but you know what? I'd still buy this car if I had the money, it gives you a thrill like no other and the way the car drives adds to the addictiveness of it. The car wants you to push it so it can show you its full potential. I don't need to even touch on the looks department because I think I've exhausted myself on that topic but my God is it good to look at! If there's anything I could add about this car, is that I didn't have the car long enough to fully appreciate what they've done. 

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	5.0-litre V8 Super Charged
Gear Box	8-speed automatic
Torque	700Nm
Power	550kW
Fuel economy	11.7L/ 100km/h
Price	R1,965,000*

*base price