ZA Car

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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.

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

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Show notes and links after the jump.

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