Jeep kindly gave ZACS a Jeep J8 for a bit of a comparative test…with a Suzuki Jimny, we’re still trying to work out of we are surprised about the Jimny or the Jeep  both of which equally thrilled when thrown into ridiculous off-road situations.

Jeep J8 and some of its siblings.

For more show notes, pictures of the Suzuki and Jeep excursion and other interesting news  clickerize ‘more’ under this post.

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• Under new VW ownership Porsche plans to kill off non-core models like the Panamera and Cayenne to focus on sports cars [via World Car Fans]
• Porsche then promptly announces the 911 Sport Classic – a model which harks backs to the early 70′s Porsche Carrera RS [via Carscoop]

Arguably better looking than the original

• Fiat Punto Evo: as its name implies it is the next generation Punto with a little more obvious FIAT 500 DNA and FIAT’s Multiair engine [via Eurocarblog]

Still good looking, but many people prefer the original

• Volvo C70 undergoes a bit of a controversial nip and tuck [via Autoblog]

The Volvo corporate styling comes to the C70

• Lexus models also go under the knife and get minor spec changes[via: World Car Fans]
• BMW Vision Concept,  a truly fast hybrid car from BMW with proper hybrid credentials [via: Wired.com]

Remember the orange BMW M1 "Concept"? This bares more than a striking resemblance

• Audi A5 Cabriolet, not yet officially launched in SA, but ZACS breaks the news [Audi A5 Microsite]
• FIAT’s budget saloon car the Linea is officially launched to local press, ZACS drives it

It's good looking, more stylised than the Ford Ikon. Poor choice of engine Christo says though.

• The Nissan Murano’s shows its ugly face in South Africa

Looks like it fell out of a dow and got smacked by the ugly samurai...

The Qashqai DNA runs strong in this one

• Google starts mapping SA, more importantly in Toyota Prius Hybrids

Poles sticking out of Prius roofs became a problem...

• Driven: Suzuki Jimny and non-civilian Jeep J8

Looking a little our of place amongst the Jeeps...

The little Jimny that thought it could...could

Who needs a Jeep for this stuff...

Unless, of course, it's a Jeep J8.

Episode 12 the ZACS team covers:

• New Cars: Toyota Prius 
• Podcars 
• The RUF electric [Porsche] 911 
• Electric cars and the silly things that manufacturers are having to build because electric cars are too quiet
• New Cars MINI E – electric car 
• Fiat’s new downloadable fuel economy tool: For Fiat drivers with Blue&Me only, sorry. 
• New Cars: Ford’s Focus RS Christo has pictures of the car in the flesh which we cannot share unfortunately 
• Smart2Go city commute concept – ready for South Africa or not? 
• New Car Drive: 2009 Ford Fiesta launch in South Africa 
• ZACS challenge: Pick a sports car for under R500 000, sounds like a lot of money, trust ZACS there is not much to choose from. The results, again, are surprising.
• And finally the answer the Episode 11′s challenge on rotary engines

and more…

Direct file download (29.5MB)

In the show we also discuss:

• August 2008 NAAMSA figures – the ugly side of car sales in South Africa.
• We take a look at the peculiar figures, high car prices and Sasha tells us about the Audi A4 he’s had on review while we tackle the high cost of options again.
• Porsche sold 28 cars in August; only four 911s.
• Sasha’s son wants a Fiat Strada bakkie and his daughter wants a Lamborghini, the conversation degenerates from there.
• We talk about the passion in Italian cars and young drivers who drive insanely fast cars
• The Chrysler SRT8.
• BMW are stopping production of big engines in favour of four pots.
• We offer new model advice to Ford and slam their choice of the F250.
• Chrysler/Dodge announce PT Cruiser replacement, the Dodge Journey and new Chrysler Voyager – a little de-ja-vu.
• We talk ‘flappy-paddle’ gearboxes with Sasha, the man that has had far more experience with them than any of us.
• Sasha’s best motoring moments and mishaps. Did you know he’s driven F1 cars and owned a BMW C1?
• Suzuki launch new models in SA; the Jimny and Grand Vitara.

And more…

Direct file download (29MB)