Bucket Seat: BMW M5 CS

What's that noise coming over the hill from Munich? It's those crazy Bavarians again! That's what! BMW have unleashed the most powerful production car they have ever made in the form of the new BMW M5 CS. This super saloon spits out figures that just boggles the mind, for example a 0-100km/h time of just 3 seconds! For a four-door saloon! That is mental! Obviously with the CS being a special model in the BMW ranks, there will be a limited number of models produced with South Africa only being allocated 5 and you can bet your bottom dollar that these things will sell like hotcakes, even with the fact that the price tag of them will be well beyond the R3 million mark. 

The BMW M5 CS is powered by a 4.4-ltires V8 engine, that produces a whopping 467kW of power and delivers 750Nm break your neck on take off torque, making this the most powerful car in the history of BMW M. The M5 CS comes standard with an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic and the MxDrive all-wheel-drive system like the Competition model which offers the option of a 2WD mode for pure rear-wheel drive, also makes for more fun driving around the corners if you want to hang the back out. 

As mentioned before, the 0-100km/h time is 3.0 seconds, but the 0-200km/h time is 10.3 seconds with the top speed electronically limited to 305km/h. I'm not sure if the South African models will differ with ours normally being governed to 250km/h. The BMW CS has large 20" M forged wheels with a unique Y-spoke which is Gold in colour, these are wrapped around Pirelli P Zero Corsa track tyres which come standard on the car. The CS has M Carbon ceramic brakes with red callipers also as standard. Other key noticeable differences on the M5 CS are the Gold bronze accents on the hootlid and gill bar, as well as around the grille, carbon fibre rear spoiler carbon fibre rear diffuser and exterior mirror caps in carbon fibre. With the LCI headlamps , the L-shaped light tube on the M5 CS illuminates in yellow instead of white. Most vents and splitters are in carbon fibre as well. 

Stepping insider the M5 CS, The steering wheel is covered in Alcantara with center marker in red, which harks back to the classic race cars, the shift paddles are carbon fibre. CS Badge on the front passenger side, all head restraint show outline of the legendary Nurburgring and all a lot of light weight design aesthetics to make the car as light as possible. The seats at M Carbon for front driver and passenger with the rear seats being individual bucket-style sports seats.

This car is a beast of note and everything about it just shouts performance, it really is a remarkable piece of engineering from BMW which will have many frothing at the mouth just by looking at it. We can't wait to see one in the metal. 

Lights Out and wait....

This was meant to be a post on the 2020 Formula One season, this was meant to be a post on what we could expect in Melbourne, it was meant to be a post on who to watch out for this season and what we could expect but after this early mornings decision by authorities to cancel this weekend's opening Grand Prix in Abert Park, Melbourne, this post is now one of great sadness but also the reality the world is facing right now. 

Yesterday a member of the Mclaren F1 team tested positive for the COVID-19 virus which this was was labelled a global pandemic due to the fast spreading nature of it. The virus takes up to 14 days to show up in tests so there could be many walking around and spreading it without even knowing. The virus which has claimed thousands of lives world over has forced a number of public events and sporting events to either cancel or carry on without any crowds. The virus attacks the respiratory system and with Formula One being such a high intensity sport with drivers losing so much liquids and weight during the race, one can only imagine what effect it could have on them. So the best option was taken to cancel. 

This news does cast doubt on the next scheduled race on the calendar which takes place in Bahrain on the 22nd of March. Bahrain officials already notified the FIA that they plan to have no spectators present for the race a heavy knock but following similar decisions made by the Italian football league, this could be one way of still having sporting events carry on without the risk of contamination. The drivers all issued messages independently via their social media channels, stating their disappointment but also highlighting that it was a necessary decision to make. Until the World Health Organisation finds some sort of way to contain this virus, we can expect a lot more scenes like this throughout 2020.  

Maserati Cape Town Race Week

My past trip to Cape Town saw me visit the V&A Waterfront where Maserati SA were hosting the Maserati Cape Town Race Week. It is Cape Town's premier yacht racing regatta which is built upon a foundation laid by many great summer regattas before it. With Maserati at the forefront, the organisers and Royal Cape Yacht club believe that the opportunity is now to create an even that has a lasting impact on sailing in South Africa, but also the community of Cape Town at Large. 

With some of the biggest sailing events in the world being hosted in Cape Town, it made perfect sense for Maserati to seize this opportunity. The Volvo Ocean Race, The Vendee Globe, The Clipper Race and Cape To Rio all taking place from December till March and Maserati will be there showcasing some of their vehicle range, including their recently launched SUV, the Levante. Also on offer to visitors is the Corsa Classica Museum with some classics of yesteryear from the Italian Supercar manufacturer. It was an excellent display and attracted the crowds in the area. 

Don't be a goat, go vote

So today most of South Africa have the day off, I've seen many people on the social media streams saying what a welcomed day off it is. It's not like we didn't have any prior to this but granted an extra day to lie in is nice. The masses on line were planning on where to get drunk on Tuesday night or how to spend the day on Wednesday but none said anything about the main reason we have the day off...to vote.

20 years ago, South Africa had its very first democratic election, that gave birth to a free and fare country with a constitution that catered for all races, this election was spear headed by the late Nelson Mandela. This is what he fought for, to give us, the countries citizens to vote for who we feel is right to lead our country. I know many of us are confused on who to vote for but at least make a choice tomorrow, that extra vote can go along way. Don't be one of those that doesn't vote, then sits and complains about the state of affairs during the next 4 years.

So again, I ask you , if you are registered, please exercise your right to vote and don't waste your chances. There will be plenty time for you to enjoy your day lounging by the pool or around a braai. Voting normally shouldn't take more than an hour and for those who are too lazy to get to a voting station, Uber are offering free rides to and from voting stations, so you can vote in style!