64kbps stream Download audio file (zacs141.mp3)

32kbps stream Download audio file (zacs141_low.mp3)

Arrr, we be hittin ya wit a whole lot ‘a aRRRRRRRRRR cars this turn ‘o tha week, most importantly mateys, arrrr the reviews of the Porsche Cayman (like the pirate islands) R by o’er favourite deckhand from ye Sunday Times, Tom Tom Falkiner an’  also the lane lubbin’ Volkswagen Scirocco R.

Christ’o Nobeard gets excited abou’ all manner ‘o Toyboaters an’ what they be doin’ in Dak to the arrrr. The team ‘o salty dogs also talk about the new Toyboater Yaaaar-is an’ the vulgar display [of pow'aar] that BMW X5M and X6M owners can display with thar new Individual package.

Already a display of bad taste, the BMW has now opened its Individual styling options pack to X5 and X6 M buyers.

Roundin’ it up Shipmate Tom Tom updates ye all on the new Mercedes Benz C63 and new E63 5.5 Bi-turbo engined wee-beastie. Just ta keep ‘em greenie meanines happy tankard Trevor, gets all excited abo’t a 1-litre engine for a Ford Focus.

No longer a hunking lump of 6.3 litres of V8 in this one anymore, it now features a 5.5l V8 Bi-Turbo. Good for 700Nm and 410Kw. Click on the image to view a full gallery.

A very masculine and handsome car this new C63 is, but is it still just a quarter mile king? Take a listen to find out. Click on the image to see a full gallery of the C63 range.

For the price of the 1.3 3-door you could get into a MINI One and still have change. What would you prefer? Click on the image to see a full gallery of the new Toyota Yaris

Thomas Falkiner reviews the Porsche Cayman R. We are secretly jealous, but when you hear his enthusiasm in the reivew we can't be jealous of him for long.

Episode 141 hi-fi download (18MB) 
Episode 141 lo-fi download (9MB)

Follow us on Twitter, here.
Join the ZA Car Show fan page on Facebook, here.

64kbps stream Download audio file (zacs131.mp3)

32kbps stream Download audio file (zacs131_low.mp3)

131 is an iconic FIAT that both Trevor and Patrick would love to have in their garages one day in Ralaye form. It also had a Spanish twin in the form of the SEAT 131. But of course it’s also the latest episode of ZA Car Show.

What a week of beautiful cars it was too. We talk about the Ferrari 458 Spider, KTM X-Bow with a hardtop kit, the Porsche 911 (991), the Mercedes-Benz A-Class AMG, Toyota FT86′s twin the Subaru BRZ, New Mercedes-Benz SLK and Hyundai Elantra. You can’t disagree with that that, or can you? Hmmm, have a listen to find out.

If you’re considering a new SUV, something like an BMW X5, then do yourself a favour and take in the review of the 2011 BMW X3 2.0d before you make your choice. We might just sway your decision.

Not quite as pretty as an Alfa 8C Spider, but still in the ZA Car Show team's top three most beautiful convertibles. For a full gallery of the Ferrari click on the image.

Very sleek, very sexy, very Porsche. What do you think of the new 911 (991). Click on the image for a full gallery of this car.

The Subaru collaboration with Toyota on this car has spawned a model for each manufacturer, the Subaru has been quite shy though. At least we know it will be called the BRZ, but click on the picture and you can see what the Toyota looks like.

"The best SLK to-date" is what a lot of motoring journalists are calling it. It's certainly the most beautiful. Click on the image for a full 50+ image gallery showcasing many of the new technologies in this car.

In the compact sedan segment we're used to boring or awkward, rarely ever beautiful, have a look at the gallery by clicking on the picture and let us know what you think, we think it's a bit OMG jaw on the floor stuff!

Episode 131 hi-fi download (19MB) 
Episode 131 lo-fi download (9.5MB)

Follow us on Twitter, here.
Join the ZA Car Show fan page on Facebook, here.

Sometimes the selection of colours from a manufacturer doesn’t quite cut it. If it’s not bland, it’s just not crazy enough. Since those who love cars see their vehicles as an expression of themselves, it only makes sense for them to be a little custom…

We’re not talking about “Fast and Furious” levels of insanity, here. Just a nice paintjob, or vinyl wrap for those who don’t have the balls to permanently drive around in a pink Bentley. Today’s selection of wallpapers shows off some of the eye-catching finishes on some exotics and a few limited-availability paint options on some other cars. What colour would you paint your car, given the chance? Sound off in the comments, on Twitter or join us for the discussion on Facebook.

*All photos are property of their respective copyright holders. If you see a photo that is yours, please get in touch and we can credit you, or remove it from this posting.

64kbps stream Download audio file (zacs130.mp3)

32kbps stream Download audio file (zacs130_low.mp3)

John Beale in a Lexus joins Christo in a Mercedes Benz and Trevor in a Suzuki to talk about new Lexus’, new Mercs and small VWs. We also tackle the eternal question “What to buy if you have R300 000.00″ to spend and the results are quite surprising.

Join the team this week for more fun, news and reviews of the 2011 Honda Jazz 1.3 Comfort and Citroen DS 1.6 THP. Go on, have a listen or better yet, subscribe by clicking here and you will have ZACS delivered to iTunes every week without the hassle for free.

Cute little car. For a complete gallery click on the image.

This is the angle that you'll mostly see but very magazines seem to show. Still awesome looking. Right click on the image and click "open link in new tab" for a full gallery of the SLK55 AMG

Cars don't get better than this when looking at practicality versus space versus price. Click on the image to be transported to a full gallery of images.

Trevor loved it, Christo not so much and John was on the fence. Find out why by listening to the podcast. There are few things prettier than this picture.

Episode 130 hi-fi download (25MB) 
Episode 130 lo-fi download (12MB)

Follow us on Twitter, here.
Join the ZA Car Show fan page on Facebook, here.

64kbps stream Download audio file (zacs127.mp3)

32kbps stream Download audio file (zacs127_low.mp3)

This week Patrick, John and Christo pop in for a quick one, and share some leaked photos of the new Renault Twingo, talk about Merc confirming the C63 Black Series and Christo reports back on the Chev Orlando launch.

The funky and revised new Renault Twingo - click through for a gallery.

It’s funky. And purple. But those lights aren’t to everybody’s tastes. Christo and John argue about it for a bit, but come to their senses when…

Merc's angriest-looking Black Series yet, the new C63. Click through for a gallery.

… they hear that the new Mercedes Benz C63 Black Series has been confirmed for production. It’s got a 510hp (378kW) version of the old 6.2-litre V8, rather than a fancy new turbo mill, and a few other tricks up its sleeve. If anything, at least it looks the part.

Last week we spoke about the Orlando, and this week Christo's got drive impressions. Click through for gallery.

Last up in the news is the Chevrolet Orlando. Two models will be available, and LS and and LT, both sporting a 1.8-litre motor producing 104kW. Christo points out that the car is actually bigger than it looks in the photos, and also notes that it’s quite practical, if just a bit… wanting, in the power stakes.

Turbo, front-wheel drive, and very much a Renault. Click through for an album.

Episode 127 ends off with the speed-freak trio all agog over the Renault Megane RS. The full road test on the Renault sees them all agreeing that it’s a fantastic car, with typical French quirks, including terrible button placement, weird system operation and haphazard ergonomics. It’s also very fast. And they like that. A lot. Listen to the show to hear what their conclusions are.

Episode 127 hi-fi download (13MB) 
Episode 127 lo-fi download (7MB)

Follow us on Twitter, here.
Join the ZA Car Show fan page on Facebook, here.

64kbps stream Download audio file (zacs124.mp3)
32kbps stream Download audio file (zacs124_low.mp3)

We love special cars at ZA Car Show and there are quite a few in this week’s episode featuring Christo, Trevor, Patrick and John Beale. Expensive Bugattis get more expensive, BMWs get more strange, fast Mercs get faster and VWs bakkies get a little more agricultural, and more… go on, have a listen or just click through to the galleries below.

A Bugatti filled with fine German porcelain. Hold on that doesn't sound right does it? Click on the image for a full gallery of this one-off car...

It really is one of the best looking convertibles on the plant. That is until someone decided that a two-tone car was a good idea. Click on the picture for a link to the full gallery of this and the Limited M-sport edition.

The cat's out the bag. And it's a might fine looking cat. Click on the image to see a full gallery of the Mercedes Benz C63 Coupe Black Series

The most handsome BMW got more handsome, can such a thing happen. Trevor quite likes the Individual, but best of all he likes that it's available with a diesel engine. Click on the picture to see a full gallery of the M-Sport and Individual models.

Then just to bring things back down to earth or to bring the earth back down the construction site, the VW Amarok Single Cab. Click on the link to see a full gallery of this pickup.

Also in this episode, a full review of Honda’s lovely Insight hybrid. Trevor, Christo and Patrick give their opinions on this eco sedan – including explaining the differences between full and mild hybrid technologies.

Episode 124 hi-fi download (24MB)
Episode 124 lo-fi download (12MB)

Follow us on Twitter, here.
Join the ZA Car Show fan page on Facebook, here.

64kbps stream Download audio file (zacs114.mp3)

32kbps stream Download audio file (zacs114_low.mp3)

It’s no economic crisis in China, judging by some of the vehicles that were unveiled at the Shanghai Auto Show, but it’s brands like Lamborghini and Rolls Royce that seem to impress the most in this (if we can we call it) emerging economy. ZACS also looks at a special model – the E63 AMG – from the New York International Auto Show too. The special cars from Brabus, Opel and Porsche that really impress.

In this show we also discuss the impending launch of Nissan’s New Micra;  the virtues of a notoriously unreliable brand like Land Rover sponsoring the Rugby World Cup 2011 and SA players, Bryan Habana and John Smit; a mini MINI bicycle and a review of the surprisingly pleasant Renault Sandero Stepway.

So very pretty (compared with the old one)

Well that's impressive...

A little less impressive is what it looks like once it has been unfolded.

Episode 114 hi-fi download (15MB)
Episode 114 lo-fi download (7MB)

Follow us on Twitter, here.
Join the ZA Car Show fan page on Facebook, here.

64kbps stream Download audio file (zacs111.mp3)
32kbps stream Download audio file (zacs111_low.mp3)

ZA Car Show is joined again by Trendspotting’s very own John “Justin Timberlake” Beale. He’s a very knowledgable hipster – a sign of today’s modern times – and has also driven the recently-launched Volvo S60 T6 which he reviews for ZA Car Show. That aside, it’s a news blitz from ze Germans, with big news from Mercedes-Benz, Maybach, Audi and Aston Martin… okay we’re not sure how Aston got in there, but have a listen to find out. Christo also went to the local launch of the new Suzuki Swift – hear what he has to say about this one of this year’s best new small cars.

In this episode we also discuss:

Mercedes-Benz’s SLS GT3 being awarded FIA safety standards – Christo passionately discusses the merits of explosive bolts in the gullwing doors. (via – Mercedes-Benz – link to full news release)

What it looks like on the outside...

...and what it looks like on the inside.

Audi produces its five-millionth A4

Aston Martin to benefit from Mercedes-Benz tie-up for SUV/off-roader platforms while Maybach will score by being built in the Aston Martin facility in Gaydon, UK. (via World Car Fans – Link)

The new Audi S8 drops it’s potent Lamborghini-derived V10 for the twin-turbo V8 (via Left Lane News – Link)

Nissan’s new Micra is on it’s way as soon as stock becomes less of an issue due to the tragedy in Japan (via Nissan – Link)

A lot prettier than the old one, then again that was not a hard to beat...

It even looks good from the back...

...but most of all, and critically because that's where you spend your time, it's super-nice on the inside.

Enjoy fast unstable SUVs? Well you might enjoy the SAC supercharged Toyota Fortuner (via Steve’s Auto Clinic – Link)

BMW’s 3-series range now with Efficient Dynamics

Er nothing new here, g'vnor. All the good bits (efficient) are on the inside.

ZACS Launch Impressions: 2011 Suzuki Swift

Push hard, and the new Swift is still fun to drive.

Rumpside: the new Swift's styling is more grown-up, but still unmistakably Suzuki.

Inside it's all new - the centre stack has a more modern layout and feels bang up-to-date.

Road Test:  Volvo S60 T6 AWD presented by John Beale (Follow him on Twitter – link or read the full review at Trendspotting here – link)

John Beale wished he could have matched his orange Volvo like this, what a snappy dresser

Episode 111 hi-fi download (24MB)
Episode 111 lo-fi download (12MB)

Follow us on Twitter, here.
Join the ZA Car Show fan page on Facebook, here.

High quality stream
Download audio file (zacs103.mp3)

Low quality stream
Download audio file (zacs103_low.mp3)

Episode 103 of ZA Car Show brings you the three [sometimes not so] wise men, and a number of cool news stories in addition to a review of the VW Touareg 3.0TDI Bluemotion.

The team also discusses:

• BMW’s partnership with Peugeot for hybrid development [Via: Automotivenews]
• Mercedes-Benz’s C63 facelift
• MINI Cooper S Diesel [Via: Car Magazine UK]
• BMW M Cars
• VW CC Engine revisions including diesel and petrol variants for the South African market (more specs and info here)
• Review: VW Touareg 3.0TDI Bluemotion (Specs and manufacturer info here)

Episode 103 hi-fi download (21MB)
Episode 103 lo-fi download (11MB)

Follow us on Twitter, here.
Join the ZA Car Show fan page on Facebook, here.

Episode 82 is packed with fun, featuring cars both fast and slow. With speed and lap records were being broken, it provided a bit of solace for those of us who thought that the era of big engines and crazy horsepower is nearly dead. Happily, it’s quite far from that.

Brutish in matte black.

Instead, we see Mercedes Benz’s C63 DR520, and the Mercedes-powered Pagani Zonda which broke smashed the Nurburgring lap record. The team also takes a look at (probably) the slowest cars to ever tackle the task, measuring the time in months rather than minutes. Trevor van de Ven reviews the Polo Vivo and comes away with some fresh, new views on the budget hatch segment. Listen to the show to find out more.

64kbps stream
Download audio file (zacs82.mp3)
32kbps stream
Download audio file (zacs82_low.mp3)

Episode 82 hi-fi download (29MB)
Episode 82 lo-fi download (16MB)

Follow us on Twitter, here.
Join the ZA Car Show fan page on Facebook, here.

Show notes and links after the jump.

The standard C63 AMG has 450 horsepower, so nobody was accusing it of being slow. Not content with having the most powerful sedan in its class, the Mercedes Specialist Products Division, headquartered at the Brooklands race track in England, has released the new limited-production DR 520, complete with matte paintwork [via Autoblog]

Wagon please!

Pagani’s Zonda R smashes the ‘Ring record recently set by the Ferrari 599XX; not by miliseconds, but by 11 full seconds. Do you think Ferrari will take this lying down? Probably not…[via Evo]

Frantic rush to beat Ferrari.

Slowest Ring cars

Audi A7 spied [via World Car Fans]

ZACS Test Drive: 2010 Polo Vivo 1.4 5-door

Plain... yet perfect.

Familiar, in a few ways.

Click here for prices and options or here for a worthy competitor