It’s been a while. We apologise. We’ve been working hard on rounding up more high quality hoonage from around the web, and the return of this regular feature sees us start off with a twist.

We’ve asked the folks from the Forza 4 thread, over at the Something Awful Forums, to let us have their best snaps from that game. The game looks great, and it has the option to output some high-resolution images (great for printing out, or using as your desktop wallpaper). So we asked some of the Forza photographers to give us their best, err, shots.

Now this is the part where you have to read carefully: we want you to vote for your favourite wallpaper in this week’s selection. Voting will close at 23h59 on the 30th of November. And we’ve arranged a nice, game-related prize for the winner. See? We do like giving back to the community that supports us.

So get with the downloading and voting, as you feast your eyes on these.

Cinque, by AK Gara

 High res download

Javelin, by biglads

High res download

512, by Cute as Heck

 High res download

DBR1, by Ether Frenzy

High res download

Coronet, by I said come in

Z, by Kilonum

 High res download

Pantera, by Sunday Punch

High res download

It’s one of those again: a video clip where it’s less about what you see and more about what you hear. You best have some badass earphones or speakers, because this one’s gonna knock you outta the park.

It’s the confirmed-for-production Aston Martin V12 Zagato at the 2011 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este – just a few weeks before it went on to compete in the Nürburgring 24-hour race. Yes, it’s a thing of beauty, but we’d still want one even if it was coated in lead paint and came with a guaranteed death sentence.

You know why?

Because that V12 has the kind of sound that makes the entire choir of angels cry, because no matter how many times a week they practice they’re simply not gonna send tingles down your spine the way this does.

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.

64kbps stream – Download audio file (zacs78.mp3)
32kbps stream – Download audio file (zacs78_low.mp3)

Episode 78 the whole team is back and firing on all four cylinders. 1978 is also a significant in Trevor van de Ven’s car history with the launch of the SAAB 99. In this episode the team also reviews the Daihatsu Terios, one of the only cars that every member of the team has driven and not because it’s so  good.

Episode 78 hi-fi download (28MB)
Episode 78 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.

Renault announces its advanced service technology which will change the way cars are serviced in the future

The recession has not affected some South Africans as Lexus announces its LFA Super-GT, Aston Martin launches its four-door Rapide and hyper-expensive One77.

ZA Car Show Launch Drive: Alfa Romeo MiTo  MultiAir and Quarifoglio Verde

Sales are up in South Africa according to NAAMSA, is that good or bad?

VW announces its new CrossPolo range

Download audio file (zacs51.mp3)

Our roving reporters stayed put, for the entirety of the Frankfurt Motorshow 2009. In this episode, they cover the more important models that were unveiled, and go straight into local news, followed by motoring reviews.

Bugatti Galibier: Eight exhausts for your supersaloon.

And lots of shiny chrome bits, too!

Click “more”, and get more pics, plus a wrap-up of other news in this episode.

Direct file download (28MB)

Frankfurt roundup:

Bugatti Galibier

Aston Martin Rapide

Audi R8 V10 Spyder

Bentley Continental GT Series 51

BMW X1

BMW EfficientDynamics Concept

BMW 5-series Gran Turismo

Ferrari 458 Italia

Forza 3

Ford CMAX

Lamborghini Reventon Roadster

Volkswagen Golf R

Mini Coupé

Mini Roadster

… and a few others.

More of Bugatti's new grand tourer...

Audi's electric R8 concept, the E-Tron

So hot. Obviously, because the sun is beating down on you.

The Continental GT Series 51. Looks sorta plain, doesn't it?

The Rapide, from the outside...

... and a less-boring interior than you'd expect.

The maddest car in the whole wide world.

A Mini with a bigger boot.

BMW's answer to Audi's A5 Sportback.

A baby off-roader. Will no doubt be bested by a Jimny.

The hottest hatch of all? Who knows?

A game... about cars.

Local launch:

Chevrolet Cruze

The new Cruze, from Chevrolet. A bold choice for people in the Corolla segment.

It has a sexy interior to match the striking exterior.

Reviewed:

BMW 323i

The facelifted E90 3-series. This time, in 323 guise.

Lexus GS450h

Lexus' full-hybrid luxury saloon.

Download audio file (zacs41.mp3)

We had fun this past week. Tuck was off at an SA Racing Legends dinner the night we recorded the show and we had to record without him. We’re still not quite sure how he managed to get that right, just how we’re not sure what Aston was thinking when it decided to launch a mini-car. However, in the week that was, there were a couple of tight models released from BMW. Some interesting cars too. The three-strong team get to do without Tuck’s butting-in, once again managing to disagree on model launches and two of the road tests of very different cars.

This is the nice BMW press shot... (click the 'more' link for the one we were talking about)

Some more pretty BMWs. This one looks particualrly good for some reason, click 'more' to see er, more.

Subtlety's the key, new 308 at a quick glance is not very different to outgoing 307cc...

Show notes and more pretty pictures after the ‘jump’

Direct file download (28.1MB)

In Episode 41 we discuss:

BMW’s gloabl picture unveiling of the X1

Tight

The BMW 7 Series M

The baby Aston

Did you know a baby swan is called a cygnet...? (Christo didn't)

• Audi’s R8 V10 Pricing (PDF File)
• New Model: Peugeot 308CC [Wheels 24]

• Driven: Renault Koleos – something which feels a lot like a Nissan, but decent inside like a Renault. Trevor likes, Christo hates, why?

• Driven: Volkswagen Scirocco 2.0TSI DSG

Download audio file (zacs25.mp3)

To celebrate our 25th episode, we pretend we went to Geneva and report back on the latest models. The economic recession’s full effects are felt as Aston Martin launches its R15-million (one million Euro) supercar, the 1-77. Lamborghini has the Murcielago SV, Rolls Royce a baby Phantom and Spyker a fantastic-looking model called the Aileron. We also lay into SUVs just a little bit more and all get very ‘Excited’ about another VW Citi Golf. Sigh.

Christo gets excited about the new Chevrolet Spark, and the team reviews the Renault Twingo 1.2 Dynamique+

"Pah, you peasants! I needed something smaller to get to work and back in; a city car if you will." The new small Rolls Royce is diminutive -- it's only about the size of a BMW 7-Series

The furthest looking thing to a aeroplane wing, but nevertheless unmistakably Spyker

The raging bull just got more...er...enraged.

In the spirit of fast cars... Wait, this is apprently new. New in the way that your grandmother might be young for a 76 year-old.

Direct file download (22.2MB)

More news, links and stories after the jump…

South African Launches:

Audi Q5

Audi has launched that it calls “the sportscar of the SUV landscape” in the Q5 (don’t they all call their SUVs that?), the smaller companion to the bigger Audi Q7 which seems to be selling okay in SA. Summary of press release: its another way for Audi to  secure sales in a segment which seems to be growing as consumers downsize without necessarilly downgrading. Our verdict: the Audi Q5 prettier than most big SUVs but also the BMW X3, VW Tiguan and new Nissan Murano. It’s never going to do any serious offroading anyway, so you may as well buy the one that looks the prettiest, no?

Pretty little microsite

Prices:

2.0 TDI – R407 000
2.0 T FSI – R460 500
3.2 FSI – R515 000
3.0 TDI – R533 500

BMW 7-series

Better looking, mostly while moving

One of the world’s oddest cars got more handsome. The predecessor which has been an unprecedented sales success was never one of the good looking kids. The new 7-series from BMW combines a design that’s easier on the eye, which upset the Ophthalmologists out there, but nevertheless will more than likely be able to steal some sales from the typical luxo-barge leaders Mercedes-Benz. 54-Page press releases summary: Despite sales, we are sorry for subjecting you to the last generation BMW 7-series. To say sorry, we have given you one that with just blend in at the golf club and offer nothing remarkable to make it stand out. “At BMW we talk with our engines;”  this is no different with the new 740i, 750i which are not 4.ol and 5.0l as you might expect and 730d.

Pretty. New i-Drive and normal gear lever.

Another pretty microsite

We also discuss:

• Like that old dog that might just be better off euthanaised but then shows you puppy dog eyes, VW releases yet another version of the VW Citi (Golf 1 circa 1974).
• BMW are pretty poor at keeping secrets – click here to see the X6 M and X5 M – yup, fast SUVs. We don’t know what to say.
• The Geneva Motor Show2009  is in full swing. Click here to see some of the cars we talk about in the show.

Test Driven: Renault Twingo Dynamic+

Looks sporty, feels sporty.

A pretty little super mini from the Frenchies. Not all of us agree and opnions are very different. We can only agree that it offers better value than the Hyndai i10 1.2 High spec.

Vital Stats

• Engine: 1.2; 4-cyl 16 valve (56kW/107Nm)
• Gearbox: 5-Speed
• 0-100km/h: 12 sec
• Max speed: 170km/h
• Fuel Consumption l/100km (Combined/urban/extra-urban): 5.7/7.5/4.7
• CO2 emissions: 132g/km
• Safety: 4-airbags (driver/passenger/sides), ABS, EBD, EBA, auto-lock doors, ISOFIX child restraints
• Comfort: MP3 cabable single CD player, satellite audio controls on steering column, auto-headlights, auto-wipers
• Price: R133 500

Individual Seats. You will not fit more than two in here.

Funky dash you can even buy plasic grass for it

Download audio file (zacs9.mp3)

Getting better at this podcasting thing, the regular team of Christo, Patrick and Trevors squared are talking about the loads of motoring news to his the South African shores this week.  We drive the Audi A5 and Mercedes-Benz CL65 AMG and pour over some lovely exotica released at the Paris Auto Show 2008. 

In this week’s show we discuss…

Nissan’s solution to the long in the tooth Nissan Champ with the announcement of the replacement the Nissan NP 200, drag racers hang their heads in shame…

We talk the about the down turn in the local motoring industry, GM lays of workers and Ford stops exporting ROCAM engines from SA: costs jobs  

South Africa announces the Joule, South Africa’s first locally designed car in a long time. It’s electric too…

New Car Launch: Lexus Hybrids, the RX400h SUV and GS450h executive saloon.  A fight ensues and we almost pull out the gloves, if you’ve been wondering about this ‘performance hybrid’ tag line from Lexus, listen to this.

Four door supercars, we talk about the Lamborghini Estoque, Aston Martin Rapide, Porsche Panamera 

Abarth 500 Essesse, 147kw in a small car, fast Fiats are back

Test Driven: The Audi A5 3.2FSI, Trevor van de Ven offers his opinion and comes back quite surprised  most surprising is the Bang&Olufsen sound option

Test Driven: Mercedes-Benz CL65 AMG, the gentleman assassin. The car that people who bail out the American Financial Services industry drive.

And more…

Direct file download (32.5MB)

Download audio file (zacs3.mp3)

With the crew back in full swing for episode 3 we tackle the following topics:

• The world’s prettiest cars according to a top 10 list provided by Jalopnik, including Alfas, Astons, Audis and others.
• Audi’s new A4 Avant arrives.
• Car-buying costs – how dealers are shafting us.
• Ridiculous option lists and how they bite you in the ass when selling.
• Audi – again – with the RS6. Who’d pay a million bucks for an Audi? (R8 excluded)
• The big three from Germany. How are Audi, BMW and Mercedes Benz stacking up, today?
• Some talk about the 2006 Auto Africa Expo, and tips from us for the next expo…
• Speaking of Auto Africa -  we mention a little surprise for Johannesburg International Motor Show (JIMS, ex Auto Africa).
• Power! We think some cars have way to much power. What do you think?
• We ponder whether hot hatches have lost the plot. We talk about the Civic Type-R, Focus ST, Golf GTI and more.
• Tuckie shares some Opel love. And Trevor van de Ven admits to lusting after a BMW.
• Trevor and Christo talk about the SEAT Leon Cupra, which they’ve driven, and we talk about the SEAT range overall.
• Trevor spotted the face lifted Focus ST in traffic, which leads us onto the Focus RS and LSDs in front-wheel drive cars.
• Tuckie laments the demise of Subaru’s Impreza sedan, which they’ve now replaced with a hatch. He compares its shape to a potato, and mentions how the new Evo X looks a lot hotter.
• Patrick tells us about his atrocious service experience at a certain Alfa dealership. We might make this a regular spot. Not because his car’s always at the dealership, but because there’s always some clutchplate messing things up for motorists.

And more…

Direct file download (29MB)