Is there room for really expensive track machines in South Africa? Apparently so, otherwise KTM would not have launched the X-Bow here. Episode 85 also covers the new Chev Spark Heavy, Ford Figo and face-lifted BMW 3-series, in both coupe and convertible form. Also on the cards is the very frugal Fiat 500 TwinAir, and the not so frugal Ford Focus RS – both of which will be coming to our shores.

pic courtesy of Wikipedia

Episode 85 hi-fi download (32MB)
Episode 85 lo-fi download (16MB)

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Show notes and links after the jump.

KTM, the motorcycle manufacturer, will be flogging is X-Bow track day special for just under a million bucks. Will it sell? At least one has, already.

A new hypercar from Mercedes-Benz in the form of the SLS (to replace its SLR) lights up Kyalami, in what must have been a very exclusive launch for every man and his dog except ZA Car Show. Boo, we say.

This thing really flies. Apparently.

Ford re-enters the cheap and cheerful entry-level car space, after the demise of the Ka, with the Figo, a Polo Vivo / Fiat Punto / Renault Sandero competitor.

Chevrolet’s refreshed Spark Lite gets the urban offroader treatment a-la Rover Streetwise and VW Crosspolo, while the new Spark looks certain to throw the gauntlet to the Fiat Punto and Hyundai i20, after its awesome launch in Cape Town.

BMW’s face-lifted 3-series coupe/convertible; need we say more, apart from spot the difference?

Good news for us, bad news for Fiat (since it can’t seem to sell a glass of water to a dehydrated man in the desert): Fiat’s 500 TwinAir  will be in SA in 2011

Clever little two cylinder

Pic courtesy of AutoExpress – click to read more about the car.

Something that wont have a problem shifting the fifty units destined for SA: Ford’s 224kW/440Nm Focus RS. We want one in white.

Another spot the difference: Toyota’s New Corolla.

For once, the back end of a new BMW is not its worst angle. It officially unveiled pictures of the new BMW X3 and then outdid itself by releasing photos and pictures of the MINI Countryman. The team also reviews the a BMW X1 sDrive 2.0d with almost all the option packs fitted. Is it worth the nearly R500 000 asking price?

Very pretty

Episode 84 hi-fi download (29MB)
Episode 84 lo-fi download (16MB)

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Show notes and links after the jump.

2011 BMW X3 officially revealed. We think the new X3 has officially taken over the reins from the original X5 as the prettiest BMW SUV. [via MotorTrend]

Bangle introduced the styling elements to shift design perceptions, BMW has now refined them. Very handsome/pretty car.

Even the interior has become more 'normal' but better.

No doubt it will sell and have a following, but we think it’s pants. The Mini Countryman [via AutoExpress]

Ergggg, not sure what else to tell you...

Another big Peugeot: the 508. It probably won’t sell all that well, but it sure does look good. South Africa will get this in 2011 [via Car Magazine UK]

Very pretty. Very French

South Africa’s Ford Figo Pricing -  comment and opinion to come in next week’s show.

Local launch of the Mercedes Benz SLS AMG Gullwing – more info in next week’s show.

Test Driven: 2010 BMW X1 sDrive2.0 diesel

Only 17 more episodes to go until we hit the magic 100 mark! We think its safe to say that podcasts are finally catching on in South Africa, and if you’re like Trevor van de Ven, who uses public transport these days, what better way to make time go by faster on this bus and train rides?

Christo van Gemert joined BMW for its annual Innovations Day at its Munich headquarters. Yes, in Germany. He gives us the inside scoop on BMW’s planned electric car – known as the MegaCity Vehicle – as well as the other advanced technologies ze Germans are working on. We also say good bye to some iconic cars and welcome some new one – who said the patrol engine is dead?

Awesome little car except it doesn't sound like a Ducati

Episode 83 hi-fi download (29MB)
Episode 83 lo-fi download (16MB)

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Show notes and links after the jump.

The brand we love to hate here in SA, Fiat, launches its 500 Twinair: a 900cc two-cylinder turbo engine. Will we see it in South Africa? It’s unlikely, but the technology is fabulous and makes the TwinAir one of the most efficient cars on the road today, bar those electric goodies. [via: AutoExpress]

Clever little car; clever little engine

We’ve seen this shape before from Alfa Romeo, with its 156 and 159 Sportwagons. Now Volvo presents its V60 Sports Wagon: a bit more sports but too little wagon [via: Volvo]

Sexy. Trevor van de Ven is in love - Swedish and a wagon!

Bugatti Veyron SuperSport sets a new world record for production cars – 430-odd km/h. Madness. [via Bugatti and TopSpeed]

Mercedes launches a face lift to its CL model complete with LED daytime running lights [via Motor Trend]

BMW M5 production ended. We bid a legend goodbye.

Christo attended the BMW Innovations Day in Munich. Listen to the podcast to get the lowdown on all of the new tech from BMW. Join the ZA Car Facebook fan page, for a gallery of pics from the BMW museum!

1980 heralded in an exciting era for the motor car. For most of us listening to ZACS, its the era of motoring that we grew up with. 2010, 30 years later, is no less exciting. This week we discuss the Gautrain, new technology from BMW and the leaking of the new Volkwagen Jetta images.

Have a quick dose of boring. Sure to stir the greys just a little.

We also review the BMW 530d GT and discuss the cars that changed the motoring landscape for 1980′s. Trevor van de Ven, of course, chose the most sensible option while the rest battled it out with mediocre to rubbish cars.

Google's clever street view technology is enabled by these clever Toyota Prius Hybrids

Episode 80 hi-fi download (28MB)
Episode 80 lo-fi download (16MB)

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Show notes and links after the jump.

The Gautrain, how will it transform the motoring landscape in South Africa.

BMW develops and showcases MicroNavigation – a technology which just wowed Tuck and Gearbox so that they were speechless for half the show checking out Google Maps which recently launched Street View in South Africa.  [Via AutoBlog and BMW]

Secret Jetta VI pics leaked to the motoring press. Looks like a Polo/AudiA4 mixture [via Autoblog]

2011 VW Jetta

VW announces new engines for its local Jetta V lineup

Hyundai looks set to launch an i30-based MPV – probably to replace the horridly named TraJet [via: World Car Fans]

Range Rover plumps the new diesel engines from the Land Rover Discovery into its Bag-Daddy Vogue [via: World Car Fans]

Driven: BMW 530d GT

Our dear Trevor van de Ven, fan of strange cars and unofficial economy run champion, decided not to join the team this week. Instead, he took the early train home, to see if this is the future of commuting in Johannesburg. That left the  remaining three hosts of your favourite motoring podcast to take to the microphones and be concise about the motoring news for the week that was. Except, the waffle on. Like right now.

Old and new - hard to believe it's been ten years with the X5.

This past week marked the production of the one millionth BMW X5. It’s been ten years since the first X5 rolled off the production line in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and now number 1 000 000 (a black one xDrive35i, with tan leather) has been delivered to its happy owner in Beijing, China.

The terrible trio also talk about some local arrivals, spying VW’s Amarok, a sporting weekend and review a big, fat diesel monster from Audi.

Episode 79 hi-fi download (28MB)
Episode 79 lo-fi download (16MB)

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Show notes and links after the jump.

Hondas CR-Z hybrid sports coupé will be making it to South African shores later this year. Hopefully this fantastic-looking successor to the CRX will be priced aggressively and sell like hotcakes. Speaking of: no word on pricing… yet.

Some cues from the belated S2000 in that front grill.

And a definite nod to the CRX, out back.

More cars need space shuttle dashboards like this.

Mitsubishi’s ageing Pajero (the big one, not the sport) gets a new diesel engine. Power is up from 121kW to 140kW, while torque jumps from 373Nm to 441Nm. Power is now transferred to the wheels via a new 5-speed automatic gearbox, while satnav and Bluetooth become standard features on all models. GLS models feature a premium Rockford Fosgate sound system. Pricing starts at R533 900.

A trusty old steed... but falling behind the pack.

For those who are really keen to get a glimpse of Volkswagen’s Amarok pick-up, it’ll be doing a countrywide sneak-peak tour. Check out the table below for venues where you’ll be able to see it parked in a high traffic area of the mall.

•    10-13 June 2010         Johannesburg, Eastgate Shopping Centre
•    17-20 June 2010         Pretoria, Menlyn Shopping Centre
•    26-27 June 2010         Nelspruit, Ilanga Shopping Centre
•    3-4 July 2010             Polokwane, Savanna Shopping Centre
•    9-11 July 2010         Durban, Pavillion Shopping Centre
•    16-18 July 2010         Bloemfontein, Loch Logan Shopping Centre
•    23-25 July 2010         Port Elizabeth, Walmer Shopping Centre
•    29-01 August 2010         Cape Town, Tygervalley Shopping Centre

While we revealed the pricing info a while ago, Lexus has finally “officially” announced the Lexus LS600hL hybrid limousine. 323 kilowatts in a super-luxury sedan? Yes, please. All of the 12-centimetre longer wheelbase is exclusively for rear passengers, who now get more legroom, Ottoman-designed massage seats, Mark Levinson DVD entertainment and a ton of stuff you don’t even find in First Class on an Airbus. Yours for just under R1.6-million.

The business end.

Notice the reclining backrest and raised legrest? And the (usually invisible) massage motors?

The view that matters most.

Motorsport news

While some men were gathered in a calabash outside Soweto, for some kickball, some men in France were driving around town for a whole day.

Some of those men were driving a new Jaguar car, the first official entrant in a long while, and marking Jaguar’s 75th birthday. Happy birthday old chaps, wot wot.

Then, in French Canada, in a town called Montreal, some other guys were racing go-karts for a few laps. Apparently they’re quite fast.

While they were in Montreal, Ferrari signed up some eleven year old kid called Lance Stroll. He was not quoted as saying, “I’ll be the next Schumacher”, but Ferrari says he shows promise.

Review

Each of the team have driven it, and only one of them really loves it. In fact, he gives it a very big score… The car in question? Audi’s monstrous, 500-horsepower Q7 V12 TDI. Enough torque to help you move house. Literally.

Move over!

Oval tips - a nod to the RS line of Audis.

In this episode we also review the Lexus RX450h Hybrid SUV,  discuss the move to two-wheel drive Land Rovers and give you a first drive through the mouth of Christo van Gemert of the new BMW 5-series.

Episode 76 hi-fi download (30MB)
Episode 76 lo-fi download (15MB)

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Show notes and links after the jump.

LandRover to join the ranks of 2- wheel drive by 2012 with the LRX [via Motorauthority]

If this is what 2WD Landies will look like, we're not complaining

BMW in the Netherlands slipped with a teaser of the next BMW X3 ahead of its unveiling at the Paris Auto Show [via: worldcarfans]

BMW X3 Teaser. Not really revealing much, but don't buy the old one anymore because this is coming soon.

The lovable offroader, the Suzuki Jimny turns 40 [via: Cars in Action]

Old and new, together for the first time in 40 years.

Porsche’s GT2 RS… finally featured on ZA Car Show. Sorry for the delay!

Mazda Turns 90 [via: Mazda]

New Launch: BMW 5 Series

http://www.lexus.co.za/gallery/images/RXh_09/RXh-New-Gen-04.jpg

Qrigami meets SUV.

In 1975 Mercedes Benz released a huge stonking engine that placed it at the forefront of quick, fast luxury-barges. It was incidentally the same year that Volkswagen unleashed the GTi on the world. Both were revolutionary cars for their own reasons and changed the motoring landscape for years to come. What is your car for 1975, what changed the face of motoring in your opinion? Listen to Episode 75 for the team’s views, along with those of Drive Magazine’s editor, Russell Bennett.

Cars have certainly moved on, and in this show we discuss a new project by Ford of America where its little [for the USA] Fiesta is tweeting and staying connected to social media all on its own. It’s very cool, so if you are a Twitter user, go to AJtheFiesta and follow his updates on a trip to the West Coast .

This week, together with Drive Magazine, we also review the saviour of the Gulf states, the Range Rover Vogue Supercharged V8.

One great car; perhaps the downfall of the ozone layer?

We also discuss Alfa’s new model choice, a fast BMW, fast Porsche, expensive rust and ugly off-roader.

Episode 75 hi-fi download (28MB)
Episode 75 lo-fi download (16MB)

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Show notes and links after the jump.

AJ The Ford Fiesta plots his own updates on a trip across the United States – AJ is the most connected car in the world at the moment [via Autoblog]

Quite the opposite is the announcement that BMW has introduced the M3-GTS – 440lbs lighter, 4.4l V8 producing, 444HP – there’s a whole lot of 4′s in this.

Very Orange, Very Fast.

This week also sees the most expensive car in the world sold, the Bugatti  Type 57SC Altantic – At between US$30M and US$40 Million it’s still cheaper than that piece of art which was recently sold for US [via: Autoblog]

The most expensive car ever sold

Alfa Romeo announces another sexy model this time with legs, arms hair and er…well we’ll leave it at that. The company has announced that Uma Thurman will be the brand ambassador for its Giulietta [via Eurocarblog]

Two sexy behinds

Driven: Range Rover Vogue Supercharged V8

Range Rover Instruments

In in 1954-5 you may have been born as a certain Mr. William Gates or Steven Jobs. In 1973  you would have been around 19 or 20, with an idea that, when you have made your millions, you might like something flashy in the garage. Poor example, we suppose because at least one of these men drives a fuel-sipping hybrid. However, 1973 was the year the sensible car was launched at the start of the oil crisis: the VW Passat. What would your car of 1973 be?

Witness the fitness of the sensible family car

With very little in the way of news, the team quickly skims over local and international happenings, before jumping right into the meat of the show: a car review, for a very funky – yet flawed – turbo hatch, and the “episode’s car of the year” challenge.

Episode 73 hi-fi download (28MB)
Episode 73 lo-fi download (14MB)

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Some more notes, pics and links after the jump!

Another rational car this week comes from Bavaria. It’s a pretty BMW, plus it’s also quite sensible: the BMW GranCoupe Concept. [via: BMWBlog]

This week the team also drives and reviews the 2010 Daihatsu Materia Turbo. Good or bad, you be the judge: the guys just couldn’t make up their mind for this feisty number.

110kW, limited to 40 units. Something special for R220 000?

We’re back in full swing this week, joined by Russell Bennett from Drive Magazine online (link goes to magazine), South Africa’s free online motoring publication. It’s been a slow week on the international front, but we at two significant models introduced in South Africa, the BMW X1 and Mercedes Benz E-Class Cabriolet.

Nice chassis... apparently.

Episode 71 hi-fi download (28MB)
Episode 71 lo-fi download (16MB)

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Show notes and links after the jump.

Lexus GX 460 SUV has been pulled from sale in the US. The ZACS team discusses the lunacy of this idea and all the other recalls taking place in the US of A.  However, this is essentially the new Toyota Prado, which Toyota has remained very quiet about. [via: MSNBC]

Be careful, you might just get the tail to slide out in which case you will die says the US magazine Consumer Report

BMW X1 – Christo believes this SUV actually has a purpose, listen to find out why… it’s got nothing to do with the girl in the main post [images via Timeslive]

Mercedes Benz E-Class Cabriolet – the return of the elegant cabrio [images via Timeslive]

Nissan has facelifted the Qashqai for 2010, and the range now includes a model with a CVT ‘box – hopefully better than the dreary manual in the 1.6-litre. Also new to the range is a Qashqai+2, a seven-seater model of this class-leading crossover hatchback. Perhaps a ZACS road trip is in order to test out its new seating arrangement…

Volkswagen – perhaps in an attempt to remind us that it still makes this model – has revised its Transporter and Caravelle T5 minibuses. The lineup now includes a newer 2-litre turbodiesel mill, DSG gearboxes and about seventeen thousand different models, see below if you don’t believe us.

Caravelle and Transporter lineup

ZACS Cars of the Episode’s Year: The team chooses their most memorable cars from the year 1971

It’s all about Formula 1 this week, with a smattering of news from the local scene. The team is joined by South African F1 Guru Sasha Martinengo, Absolute F1, Top Gear Live MPH presenter and 5FM DJ (@F1sasha – for the Twitter fans). He joins the team for the second time to discuss cars, the absurdity of the BMW 5-Series GT, a very old Ferrari and, of course, the 2010 Formula 1 Season.

@F1sasha joins the @zacarshow team for a second time. Much fun and laughter ensues.

BMW 5-Series Grand Turismo launched in SA this week.

Not the worst they could have done, not the best either.

After great feedback from last week, we’re going to continue offering a lo-fi version of the show, to save on bandwidth. This week’s show is quite long – 1h14mins, but well worth the megabytes.
Episode 67 hi-fi download (34MB)
Episode 67 lo-fi download (16.5MB)

Remember, we WANT your feedback. Send us your questions, requests, complaints and spy photos to info [at] zacarshow [dot] co [dot] za.
Or follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/zacarshow, where we break news, post updates and share info.

News and show notes after the jump!

Hummer brand is shut down as the deal with the Chinese suitor falls through [via Autoblog]

SAAB and Spyker seal up their agreement and things get rolling. Small hatch is rumored to be the first for the pair [via: Automotive Business Review]

Renault dealers love their brand, and CAR magazine loves Renault too. The French carmaker has won a brand of the award.

Toyota will have some of its rarest models on show at the Franschhoek Motor Museum this weekend – including a 2000GT, Sport 800 and Conquest 4×4.

Fiat has repackaged the Panda lineup. A facelifted version of the million-plus selling Panda 1.2 Dynamic is now joined by a model with an MTA (manual transmission automated) gearbox, while the 1.1-litre and Panda 4×4 have fallen away. Some more changes coming in March, for this brand…

A facelift for the baby Italian.

And an automatic (with manual shift) as new kit.

SA Launch: BMW 5-Series GT – the car that no one thought they needed until now – Click here for a link to the price and spec sheet (PDF file)

Like individual opening windows in MPVs that are a novelty more than anything, we wonder if this boot will be the same?

BMW always does interiors well. The GT is no exception; who cares what it looks like on the outside when it looks like this on the inside?

2010 Formula 1 Season Overview with Sasha Martinengo

The cars that defined 1967, a couple of Italians, a German and an Aussie – what an eclectic mix.