Recently, I visited BMW’s first-ever Joyfest in India at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi. It was a two-day event consisting of everything from food, drinks, gigs, and, of course, a promise of adrenaline rush.
But before I start, I have a confession to make – I'm a hardcore BMW fan. I have had a long association with the brand as I have owned two BMW 5 series models – the F10 LCI and the G30. I even love flaunting my love for the brand, especially when it comes to BMW caps, of which I’ve got a pretty decent collection if I say so myself. Anyway, I digress.
On the first day of the event, BMW India kick-started the proceedings with the launch of three vehicles – the 2023 S 1000 RR, the updated M340i, and the all-new and mighty XM. When I first saw it in pictures, I felt an aversion towards it. I almost had the same feeling when I first saw the new M3 and M4 on the internet with the vertically laid-out grille. But, then, I saw the new M4 in the funky Sao Paulo Yellow colour at the event, and eventually, it grew on me.
Apart from the launches, BMW India also displayed their whole line-up at the venue. From entry-level vehicles to their flagship models, every BMW was there. Furthermore, there were some delectable food and beverages, including a wide variety of cuisines, soft beverages, and hard drinks – needless to say, the latter was not for those who had opted to get a to drive or ride. To add some zing to the event, BMW had also organised live performances of renowned Bollywood singers like Arjun Kanungo, Amit Trivedi, and KR$NA-KARMA. Suffice it to say, the atmosphere all around was ecstatic, full of excitement and enthusiasm.
Riding the M Wave
I also participated in the 'xDrive Offroad Adventure', which gave participants an opportunity to experience the off-roading capabilities of BMW SUVs equipped with BMW's xDrive technology, albeit for a short duration and in the passenger seat. I think that the entire experience could have been much better had they allowed us to drive those SUVs.
Still, I must say that the overall experience was bonkers. And frankly, to an extent, I do understand why BMW decided against giving us the driving experience of those cars, for there were several participants and just two M-trained official drivers. And training someone to drive an M Performance or any high-performance vehicle takes strenuous effort.
So, while I was waiting for my turn, I found myself in the slalom area filming the drifts of a super saloon with a 4.4-litre V8 engine. If you are a BMW fanatic, you must have guessed the name of the vehicle, and if you haven’t, then let me tell you that it was the one and only - the BMW M5 Competition.
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The sound of the BMW's N63 twin-turbo V8 engine and the sight of the rear wheels breaking traction to get sideways was simply a treat to the ears and eyes. Honestly, it couldn't have been any better, especially for an enthusiast like me. I thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience, especially my time inside the M5 LCI in Marina Bay Blue Metallic colour. I couldn’t help but notice how well the L-shaped LED lights with blue inserts, as BMW Laser lights have, blend with the body paint of the M5 LCI. I think I would call it the Blue Beast.
Seconds after getting into the super saloon, I was pinned to the back of the sport seat as the official driver started the car with wheelspin. As you can expect, I was jostling throughout the laps, as the car whooshed by and exhibited precision drifts around the cones at the entry and exit points. It was indeed one hell of an experience!
Overall Experience
If you ask me to describe the festival in one word, I’d say that it was captivating – I honestly was awestruck by the whole experience. It was my first time attending a BMW-organised event, and I loved every aspect of it, including the arrangements made by their event management and marketing teams. I would definitely like to see more such events from other carmakers, but I wonder if they would be able to top the BMW Joyfest experience.
Now, you may call me biased, as I'm a hardcore BMW fan, but, then, I have already mentioned it, didn’t I?
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