ZA Car Show: Episode 69

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Slowly getting back into the groove, after a short absence from the internet airwaves, the three-strong ZACS team congregates once again to bring you the latest motoring news and history. The new and the old, all in one podcast. Where else can you get quality programming like this?

Before we start with this week’s show notes, let us first CONGRATULATE our fine co-host, Trevor van de Ven, on becoming a dad. Again. His son joined the family last week and Trevor has used this as an excuse for not featuring the latest episode of your favourite motoring podcast.

In his absence, we’ve discussed things as exciting as the new Mercedes Benz E-class estate and as dreary as the Lexus LFA, which will be making its debut as a production race car in the 24-hours of Nürburgring endurance race.

Lexus LFA at the 'Ring

Also featured in episode 69 are a duo of Japanese sports cars, in the cars of the episode’s year (1969), the actual Car of the Year winner, and Fiat’s new additions to the 500 model range.

Episode 69 hi-fi download (21MB)
Episode 69 lo-fi download (11MB)

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More links, pics and words after the jump!

Fiat has added the 500 Cabriolet and 500 Sport MTA to its stable. After reviewing pricing on the 500 range (an entry-level 500 can be had for just under R136 000, rather than the R150 000 it was before) the Italian auto maker has added two exciting, fully-packed 500s to the model lineup. The Sport MTA has an automatically-actuated manual transmission, while the Cabrio has an electrically operated fabric roof that can be used at speeds of up to 60km/h. Pricing for both new models is competitive at R197 600.

Hyundai has launched the i30 – it’s competitor for the segment dominated by the VW Golf. Available with either a 1.6-litre or 2.0-litre engine, the i30 has fresh, but conservative, styling. Ride is comfortable, highway cruising is relaxed and spec levels are surprisingly good – USB connectivity for iPods, airbags and safety features galore. Pricing starts at R189 900 for the i30 1.6 and R229 900 for the i30 2.0.

At the Wesbank South African Car of the Year banquet, mid March, the 2009 Car of the Year was unveiled. To much fanfare, but little surprise, the Volkswagen Golf Mk6 1.4TSI took home the honours. One lucky winner also got to take the Golf home for a whole year, complete with petrol and insurance bills covered. While some would have liked the Alfa Romeo MiTo to have won, the Volkswagen is definitely a worthy titleholder. Interestingly, it’s also the first time in the model’s 35-year history that it has been awarded the honour (in South Africa).

For those who want a little more E-class for their money, Mercedes Benz has launched the E-class estate. Available with most of the engines as offered in the sedan (save for the hot, V8-equipped E63 AMG), the new wagon doesn’t really leave us wanting more. Perhaps a bit too refined and luxurious to be a Q-car, like the Audi RS4 Avant, BMW M5 Touring, Honda Accord Tourer and Alfa Romeo 156 Sportwagon. Pricing starts at R507 000 for the E200 CGI and ranges all the way to R833 000 for the E500.

A lucky group of students at the University of Cologne were given a Ford Focus RS, by Ford, to prepare for racing. The race? Well, 24 hours of the Nürburgring. Let’s hope they actually do go race it, instead of hooning around the parking lot at Cologne McDonalds.

Honda has released some interesting figures for its CR-Z sporty hybrid hatch. Apparently 10 000 orders have been placed, thus far, for the spiritual successor to the CR-X. Of those, 50% are customers new to the brand, and 4 000 units have been ordered with a manual transmission – which really confuses our hybrid advisor, Patrick Gearing.