Khuluma November 2017

They’re designed for race tracks, but
these super-fast, super-pricey sports
cars can handle pretty much anything
you throw at them, writes Aaron
Borrill, even trips to the mall.

revvingHEAVY kulula.com

150 NOVEMBER 2017

TOY CARS ROAD TRIP

PORSCHE 911
CARRERA 4S

While the turbocharger is nothing new to the
Porsche modus operandi, the company has had
no choice but to roll out an entirely new range
of twin-turbocharged engines for the 911 – you
can thank strict global emission laws for this.
Porsche likes to refer to its new engine blueprint as
‘rightsized’ rather than downsized by keeping the
cubic capacity fairly large at 3.0-litres. This means
power and torque figures are better than ever while
improvements to economy and emissions come
from some clever ECU trickery. ‘Sacrilege,’ you may
say but the result is an impressive and compelling
attempt at keeping the 911’s soul intact. The fabled
boxer wail we’ve all come to love hasn’t been sullied
either – in fact the 911’s soundtrack is notably beefy
and stays true to the previous model’s granular and
metallic flat-six snarl. Activate the sport exhaust
system and the noise level goes up several decibels.
Whether you intend smashing some hot laps at the
track or just want to cruise along the coast, the
911 delivers an incredibly versatile
ride quality thanks to its adaptable
suspension settings. And that’s
what makes this machine so
special; it’s ability to adapt to
any situation while still holding
true to the Porsche spirit. Oh,
and the R1 697 000 price tag is pretty
special, too. 911? Emergency!

TRACK ATTACK

e nal round of e FIA World Rallycross Championship takes place at Killarney International Raceway in
Cape Town this month and will see the crowning of the 2017 World RX Champion. e Cape Town leg is a new
addition to the Rallycross Championship series which has been running since 2014 and involves a dozen meets
through the year. e Cape Town event marks the World Championship’s African debut. e rallycross championship
format involves a series of short, sharp qualifying heats on a mix of dirt and asphalt surfaces. High pro le drivers are
equipped with RX Supercars with over 600bhp and the ability to accelerate from zero to 96km/h in under two seconds
– that’s faster than a Formula One vehicle. O cially known as the Gumtree World RX of South Africa, the Cape Town event
happens on Killarney’s dedicated new rallycross circuit which is about a third of the size of the main circuit, with lots of twists and a jump.
Killarney Race Track, 6 Potsdam Road, Table View, 11–12 November, capetownrx.com

kulula.com 151

ROAD TRIP TOY CARS

NISSAN GT-R HONDA CIVIC TYPE-R enough to make you spill your morning
coffee on the way to work. Pushing the
Or ‘Godzilla,’ as it’s affectionately known The hot hatch recipe has quickly +R button firms the dampers by 30 per
in Japan. And there’s a very good reason evolved over the last 15 years with cent and sharpens the throttle response
for its nickname: it’s monstrously fast, manufacturers having to adapt or die and steering. The result is an appreciably
whether being driven in a in order to keep up with the pace race. lithe machine, able to devour corners
straight line or around a As a result, high-revving naturally- with ease – a result no doubt owing
racetrack. I know. I’ve aspirated engines no longer have a to the limited-slip differential. It’s just
driven it around the place in today’s frenetic power struggle a matter of aiming it at a corner and
legendary Spa- forcing OEMs to dabble in the dark art of using the massive shards of low-down
Francorchamps in forced induction. Honda’s move to turbo- torque to slingshot it around. Ideal for
Belgium and on the charging represents a massive paradigm those keen on attending track days,
German autobahn. shift in terms of engineering for the participating in school runs and hitting
Frankly, it’s frightening brand, but this mandatory strategy has the grocery store - all on the same day,
how quick it is. Engage culminated in the fastest front-wheel in a very big hurry.
R-mode and everything drive hot hatch money can buy – well,
from the transmission to the around the Nürburgring Nordschleife
suspension tightens up – bludgeon the that is. Even if – at R615 900 – it’s the
throttle pedal and the cabin momentarily most affordable of these racetrack toys,
fills with the distinct whispers of turbo I’ll admit the Type R is not the easiest
impellers spooling in their metallic car to live with every day, particularly
housings before the full wrath of 633Nm when it comes to ride quality. While
of torque kicks in and unleashes itself on it’s not bone-breaking hard, the
the tarmac. Did I mention how speedy it MacPherson strut front/torsion-beam
is? Crikey! It. Is. Fast. According to Nissan,
the GT-R will blitz from zero to 100 in a rear suspension assembly
Lambo Aventador-humbling 2.7 seconds. means it’s still firm
In fact, in the moment it takes you to blink
your eyes the speedometer needle will
already have passed the 100km/h barrier!
Blink again and you’ll set off a couple
of speed cameras – might as well start
thinking of that as a private photo shoot. If
you can cough up the heart-stopping
R2 150 000 required to even consider
owning one, it might even pass as a daily
driver (it even has four doors). But it’s
the way it transforms into a race-honed
monster that makes it so special. In ‘Race’
mode not only are the gear changes spine-
shatteringly brutal, but you can
also hear the entire mechanical
componentry turning and grinding in
the transmission tunnel underfoot.
A mere 0.15 seconds is all it takes
to change gears. Incredible.

152 NOVEMBER 2017 kulula.com



ROAD TRIP TOY CARS

JAGUAR F-TYPE S BMW M2 explosive concoction of speed, power Pictures: Supplied
COUPE and sound. Speaking of power, the M2
Here’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing, without produces 272kW and 465Nm (500 in
If you’re looking for a rocket ship a doubt. The M2 coupe is the baby of the overboost) of torque equipping it with
experience, the F-Type is just the car BMW performance range and marks the the necessary shove to slingshot from
for you. If you have R1 483 100 lying entry point to M ownership. However 0–100km/h in 4.3secs. It looks ready to
around, that is. It’s the sportiest and don’t be put off by the ‘entry-level’ tag; pounce doesn’t it? And, what’s more, the
most driver-focussed vehicle to come it’s as hard-core an M product as any M2 has a hunger for corners – its rear-
out of the Jaguar factory since the of its siblings, as the R905 500 price- wheel drive layout and active differential
legendary E-Type and rabid XJ220 tag hints. Muscular and aggressive, it helping caress it through flowing
supercar of the mid-nineties. The V6 employs the usual M embellishments transitions. The steering is accurate
supercharged F-Type you see here such as M gills, a twin double-barrel and well-weighted, perhaps a little too
may not be as angry as the range- exhaust tip formation and the sculpted heavy in Sport+ mode but the sense of
topping V8 R version but it’s just as front and rear bumpers to further telepathy and feel transmitted through
vicious and every bit as capable as bolster its contoured sheet metal. the helm paints a detailed image of
its contemporary German rivals. A Those swollen haunches aren’t for what’s happening underfoot. You’ll be
longitudinally-mounted V6 rests show either – they house the widened aching to hit the track.
up front and drives the rear wheels 58mm front and 45mm rear track and
through an 8-speed ZF automatic box. 19-inch lightweight alloys. Despite
This isn’t just any V6 however – this sharing the basic 3.0-litre six-cylinder
one is breathed on by a roots-type turbocharged engine architecture as
twin Vortex supercharger that helps the M235i, the M2 has undergone a
pump out an impressive 280kW series of tweaks to boost its power and
and 460Nm of torque. Not huge torque quite significantly. Such items
numbers by today’s standards but as the lightweight pistons, cooling
there’s a broad, powerful spread of system and crankshaft all originate from
torque available between 3500 and the BMW M3, as do the M compound
5000rpm. But what’s a Jaguar sports brakes, active M differential and parts
car without the ominous soundtrack of the exhaust system. The result is an
to match? The V6 S is far louder than
I expected – it growls and cusses as
you pin the gas and explodes into a
Travis Barker-like drum solo on the
overrun. Press the sports exhaust
button, place the transmission in
manual with dynamic mode selected
and the F-Type transforms into a
sonic mortar, shooting mechanical
profanities from its centrally-
arranged double-barrel exhaust
system with every change of gear. It’s
freakin’ awesome.

154 NOVEMBER 2017 kulula.com



Playing Ifyou’respendingeight Google
hours (or more) at work Toronto

every day, you might as well

ON THE JOB enjoy it. Katherine Graham
digs up a few new studies

that reveal how people who

play more at work are more

creative and productive.

redPanda A lthough I work from WORK AND PLAY
Cape Town home, I’ll admit I’m a GO TOGETHER
little envious of some
folks who have to make the trek I know what you’re thinking: All these
to the office. Who wouldn’t want internet companies with their bold, brave,
brilliant ideas are raking in millions, so
to get up in the morning if the they can afford a few office upgrades
workspace you’re heading look that make their employees happy. Which
anything like the offices of Etsy is, of course, true. Nevertheless, in order
in Brooklyn, New York? Like the to retain staff, local companies are also
Etsy website itself, the company’s catching onto this global trend of making
physical space celebrates everything work environments more playful – and
crafty and vintage. Their Wu-Tang with good reason.
Clams conference room features a
wall tapestry and mismatched furniture Dr Stuart Brown, founder of the
to give it a cosy feel. National Institute for Play in the US, says
And then you have the famously fun having a playful work environment not only
offices of tech companies like Google attracts young people, it boosts creativity
with their adult slides, climbing walls and and productivity. Quoted in Fox News,
beach volleyball courts, and he says, ‘Engaging in play opens up new
neural connections in the brain, leading to
there’s Skype’s ‘park’ areas, greater creativity. All sorts of creative new
complete with astroturf, red connections are made when you’re playing
benches and cushions that otherwise would never be made.’
in the shape
of rocks. Andy Golding, employee experience
specialist, agrees. ‘Play is vital, especially

156 NOVEMBER 2017 kulula.com

THE WORK-PLAY BALANCE MONEY MATTERS

Lego
Denmark

Gemini
Solution
Cape Town

for knowledge workers or smart creatives, offices of the ad agency 99 collaborative and playful interaction
as the work that they do is thinking work,’ cents in Cape Town, with its between employees,’ he says. He
she says. Too much thinking exhausts red container waiting room, and believes the open-plan office fosters
the brain, which is why this cerebral work Missing Link in Fourways, with its communication and cross-pollination of
demands some downtime, she maintains, treehouse boardroom and fireman’s ideas between different departments
as well as a better work experience: ‘When pole, are injecting massive doses of fun within the organisation.
creating workplaces where we want into work spaces.
people to do the best work of their lives, It’s the opposite of the old-school
we need to create spaces where people Another good example is the British ‘cubicle’ approach to office design.
have great experiences.’ American Tobacco South Africa’s HQ at ‘Gone are the days of working in silos,
the V&A Waterfront. ‘The office has a cubicles and closed-off office spaces,’
There are many SA firms that are botanical hideaway room that features Hart says. ‘Employers are increasingly
getting the work-play balance right. The cocoon-like seating, a selection of plants, promoting a stronger work-life
as well as a green wall, fitted with balance to keep employees happy and
lights that helps the greenery flourish,’ promote productivity.’
says Aidan Hart, director of Inhouse
Brand Solutions.

pictures: xxxxxxx OPENING IT UP

Google The most effective way of designing a
Zürich playful, user-friendly office is to make
it open plan, says interior designer
Brad Napier of Premiere Design Studio.
‘The trick is to create an open office
environment which allows for flexible,

kulula.com NOVEMBER 2017 157

MONEY MATTERS THE WORK-PLAY BALANCE

Airbnb
San Francisco

Travelstart
Cape Town

Google
LA

Caide Oxland of the minds that associate director of Tetris.
can always One of the offices the firm
Gemini Solution feels that be at the designed was TNS, which has
top of their a quiet zone fashioned from
being in an open-plan office game,’ says antique library tables – an introvert’s
CEO Hendri dream come true.
is more democratic: ‘We Lategan. The firm
also serves lunches at ‘There are different types of employees
work in an environment a long family-style table to in each organisation and they will all have
encourage free-flowing conversations different needs,’ says Golding. ‘Think about
where managers don’t have and offers PlayStation games to those yourself and your varsity mates: some of
needing a break. you work exclusively in the library, alone
their own office, so we’re aware But ‘mindless’ relaxation is not the and in quiet; others will sit on the lawns, in
same as creative play, asserts Gareth the quad or in the restaurant to do their best
of what’s happening almost 90% Hawkey of redPanda Software. ‘Instead of thinking. Different people need different
watching TV or playing Xbox, businesses stimuli to thrive and do great work.’
of the time. I think having management should rather offer activities that
encourage mastery, such as learning to A playful work space is not always
engage with floor staff increases levels play an instrument or how to paint,’ he necessary. If, like me, you work for
states. At redPanda, staff can have yourself, you may just need to give
of respect and admiration and in turn, guitar, piano or drum lessons to get yourself permission to play. Ultra-trail
their creative juices flowing. marathon champion Ryan Sandes jokes
productivity.’ that the mountains are his ‘office’. Author-
SOLITARY SPACES illustrator Alex Latimer claims to have his
BREAK AWAY best ideas walking in the hills above his Pictures: aoo3771/shutterstock.com, hacksss/shutterstock.com, supplied
There’s also a need in offices for private Glencairn home. I guess it makes sense
Breakaway areas allow spaces for staff to sanctuaries, especially for those who that it’s more likely to motivate the mind
unwind or hold informal meetings and it’s a like to work in silence. ‘Areas of noisy when you’re doing something that brings
trend that many corporates are embracing. collaboration need to be balanced with delight than when you’re staring stiffly at
‘For Travelstart’s Cape Town headquarters, quiet sanctuaries,’ says Robyn Bailey, a blank screen waiting for inspiration
we included breakaway areas in the form to strike.
of a games room,’ says Hart. ‘We also
included communal areas, such as a
striking cafeteria and stadium seating for
company presentations and meetings.’

At Swipe Interactive, there are regular
exercise classes and pizza Fridays to help
staff let off steam. ‘The high demand
of keeping up with the fast-pace world
of digital development requires the
occasional reprieve to ensure rested

158 NOVEMBER 2017 kulula.com





JAMES BOND GOES BOSSIES KEEPSAKE

Playtime, heavenly massage – just plan your days
UNRESERVED carefully. There are no time constraints,
no scheduled itineraries, no rules (except
S ensational stargazing – from a paintballing from helicopters and full-on for your safety), and no limits, except when
private astronomical observatory military-style tactical missions. Of course, it comes to respecting the environment.
fitted with a 20-inch telescope the in-house chopper can also be used The whole set-up is meant to afford
– is among many enthralling downtime for scenic flights, transfers to and from an opportunity for you to do whatever
activities at Leobo Private Reserve in civilization, and skydiving missions into the blows your hair back – ideal for next-level
the Waterberg. Dubbed ‘The Ultimate bushland below. Also on offer are quad corporate getaways or adrenaline-fuelled
Playground’, the 20 000-acre safari estate bike safaris and cross-country Polaris bachelor parties. When you’re taking a
three hours from Joburg has been hailed buggy drives over the rugged terrain that break from the action, there’s a heated
as South Africa’s foremost destination for can also be explored on horseback, by infinity pool set on a deck with ridiculous
James Bond wannabes. Aside from the kayak, on cave walks, or by starlight. views, plus an outdoor swing, huge fire pit,
usual game drives and bush walks, guests and a hot tub on the sunset terrace, and
can sign up for such grown-up games as And, no, you don’t have to choose a dedicated gin and tonic station. And the
between a game of bush golf and a bedrooms are the kind of super-seductive
sanctuaries you can retreat to when
you need a break from the ceaseless
thrills – 007 would certainly approve.
ultimateplayground.co.za

pictures: xxxxxxx

kulula.com NOVEMBER 2017 161



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