The motor industry also celebrated a significant milestone, hybrid and electric vehicles and some Chinese investments.

The union of Autos has hit the ton.

Underrated, crazy power.

Underpowered, overrated.

Direct file download (27.2MB)

More pictures, news and show notes after the jump.

In Episode 43 we discuss:

Audi hits the ton. 100 years of sensible cars.

Honda’s producing a hot hybrid and confirmed it will be coming to South Africa [via Motoring] but the FRV is being canned [via Wheels24].

China’s Chana is committed to investing in South Africa.

BMW makes the X6 Xdrive50i available. Twin turbo V8 power for the coupe-like, four door, four seater SUV.

Right engine.

Wrong car.

Driven: Chrysler SRT8.

Underrated, crazy power.

The heart of the beast. Great value for money this is.

Driven: Renault Sandero 1.6 Dynamique.

Great car, kind of, just don't get the top spec - better cars at that price.

Familiar place to be, if you've driven an old Renault Clio.

Driven: Renault Logan.

Suprising car, Trevor Tuck liked it...

Despite an interior that is not so hot.

Good homage to the original 300SL, not entirely sold on the design yet

Have you ever considered an MPV? It might seem like a strange question, but one that is rarely anwered in motoring magazines. They have their place and we have out reviewer: Tuck – sometimes race car driver, sometimes race consultant, “just like Schumi.” All we know is that for an unmarried man with one kid he has an unusual fetich for MPVs. He reviews the Chrysler Voyager while the rest of the team  share their opinions on the motoring industry, new Hybrids, dodgy Italians and frisky Fords.

Tuck loves vans, we love him for that. Otherwise who else would review it?

Show notes and more pictures of the cars and links to the news after the jump

Direct file download (29.9MB)

In Episode 42 we discuss:

Dodge Viper production resumes, to the relief of petrol heads everywhere. Like a crotch rash, it’s difficult to deny that the Dodge Viper has had some impact on your livelihood and ability to pull women. Wait, that’s not right.

Spy shots, spy shots everywhere: In one week, pictures of the new Jaguar XJ were officially released, along with the Alfa Romeo Milano (149) [via: Autoblog] and Mercedes-Benz SLS [via: Autowereld - if you speak Dutch, fortunately van de Ven does] were leaked – it’s a bit like finding out the sex of your unborn child before birth. There are so few surprises these days, maybe some of us would like to be surprised by unveilings at auto shows rather than go: “Oh, finally.”

Alfa 149 (Milano), more than a resemblance to the new Lancias

Tasty rump

Official XJ pics: looks like some borrowed lines from the Maserati Quattroporte and Bentley Continental. It can't be bad.

Very unlike Jag + very much like the XF = big success (hopefully)

This past week also saw the launch of the Hyundai i20, the Korean maker’s compact hatch, but will it still have fight in it to compete against the established brands like Ford, Mazda, Toyota and VW. Some of us don’t think so. [via: IOL Motoring]

Alfa Romeo MiTo press launch. If you were sharp, you could have driven it before the press about two weeks ago, Patrick and Trevor were sharp, Christo not so much.

Alfa's pretty little one

Italian in black leather

New Lexus RX launched. A down to earth affair for a launch of a premium SUV and the press didn’t get any gifts. That is unheard of in SA media, but something the ZACS team supports. Christo gives his impressions of the new RX350 and RX450H – H for Hybrid.

It's a performance hybrid, need more proof?

A good place to be

Driven: Chrysler Grand Voyager LX 2.8 CRD – A van that had Trevor Tuck in a rage thanks to its lack of cupholders and thirsty disposition (though he should be the one to talk with the amount he drinks). But compared with its competitors, on paper it provides a rather different story.

If you thought the Renault Scenic was clever and practical, you clearly haven't been to a Chrysler dealer recently

Driven: Ford Focus 1.8 Si – We’ve never thought a bunch of Italian car drivers could be so impressed with a Ford. They were and we are surprised. Should you consider this when looking for a mid-sized hatch?

New style front really lifts the design

...while the tail is tight and tidy

Not uncomfortable, but also not great. Should cars be good to look at or comfortable to drive?

Long term update: FIAT Grande Punto 1.4 T-Jet: This week we discuss the engine…

Sometimes our intitial predictions are all wrong...

...and other times we're right on the money.

Show notes and links to news stories after the jump

Direct file download (33.3MB)

In Episode 39 we discuss:

• Koenigsegg, the Swedish hypercar producer, is set to buy SAAB from General Motors [LA Times]
• Chrysler starts making cars again for the first time since it bankruptcy filing [Reuters]
• Audi’s sedan version of its coupe version of its sedan – Mercedes-Benz CLS and VW Passat CC competitor [Top Gear] and [Car Magazine UK]
• International Engine of the Year Awards
• Get Homer Simpson to guide you home [CNet Car Tech]
• Driven:
  • 2009 BMW 520D
  • 2009 Diahatsu Terios

BMW's new Z4 - driven.

More pics and details after the jump!

Direct file download (25.7MB)

Hummer’s highest bidder hails from… China!

Opel (also known as Vauxhall and Saturn) has been sold to a Russian and Canadian consortium known as Magna.

Fiat and Chrysler have finally wrapped up negotiations, announcing the formation of a new company focused on cleaner vehicles (which will hopefully make them some money).

Tuck expresses disdain for yet another minivan he doesn’t “get”: the Peugeot 5008.

Tuck doesn't luck those doors...

... but the rest of us like the pretty face.

Jaguar unveils the 2010 model year XF and XF-R.

A big, bold British bully.

BMW makes the M3 Edition models available for exclusive order in SA – only 25 units will be brought in.

A new limited-edition BMW M3 - available in yellow, too!

The gorgeous, but confused, new Z4 is driven by Christo – he reports back on the Cape Town launch.

Those alloys will set you back R24 000. Looks good though, no?

This, like most Audis, is a great place to be

More show notes and news after the jump…

Direct file download (27.9MB)

• A good breakdown on the financial situation and how it affects the automakers [NY Times]
• Porsche took a Euro 700 million loan from VW  – we all thought Porsche was the one in a good state [The Guardian UK]
• Citroen gunning to be Europe’s 3rd biggest automaker [Autoblog]
• Driven: Audi Q5 3.0TDI
• Motorsport: Nurburgring 24 hour, Le Mans and Phakisa in South Africa – we look at them all.

In this episode we also discuss the Porsche/VW merger, Jag and Land Rover’s Indian Expansion and the Parys to De Aar motorcycle adventure.

Direct file download (29.3MB)

This is the all new Golf. Spot the difference

This is the interior of the new Golf. Spot the difference...

One of the Gumball3000 competitors about to get stickered up. Click image to follow Gumball updates on Twitter

Ready for Gumball3000 action: Click the image for the official Gumball website

Direct file download (22.7MB)

Show notes and links to more news after the jump:

In Episode 31 we discuss:

• The rise and fall of Pontiac: Once Iconic American auto brand is to be no more.  [New York Times]
• Chrysler files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. FIAT hopes to sign a deal to turn the brand around, but is it too little too late [Car Magazine UK]
• Audi Q3 Confirmed for production
• Gumball3000 kicks off coast to coast debauchery in supercars on 1 May. Click here for the official website or here for the official Twitter feed.
• Imola Supercar Country Club Estate in Vereeniging, South Africa
• Local Launch: VW Golf 6

and more…

. This little mite can pack a lot of stuff inside. Click in ‘more’ so see…er..more”]

The little Honda that can [hopefully turn the US auto industry around

In this episode we also discuss:

• SAAB on the skids – not the good ones either – Chapter 13. SAAB says “it’s the right way to go”
• Renault Sandero launches in South Africa. Is there room for these budget cars?
• Mercedes Benz E-Class Coupe shown ahead of the Geneva Auto Show

Witness the fitness

• BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo shown ahead of the Geneva Auto Show

Er...yes...well...we'll miss you Chris Bangle...

• BMW 7 series teases with ads flighted in South Africa – when is it coming?
• Subaru WRX Price Drop – Cheaper new than they are second hand. Legendary – not so much if you already own one.
• Chrysler’s Hail Damage special – save up to R100 000 on list price – too bad there’s no 300C Tourings on sale
• The A1 GP in Johannesburg for the first time
• We cover a couple of other F1 related news, including Renault, Honda Filipe and Virgin…oops did we say Filipe’s a Virgin? [no, thank goodness]
  

• Test Driven: Audi A3 2.0TDI S-Tronic Sportback

This car has a very nifty party trick – check out the video from 5th Gear above.

• Test Driven: Honda Jazz

Clever seats will allow multiple configurations to swollow up elephants whole

Luckilly it does not look like an elephant's back end though.

Show notes

• North American International Auto Show 2009 – The Detroit Auto Show launches more models than ever before. More of the same is what it really was.
• Chrysler 200C EV
• Dodge Circuit ENVI – can you say Lotus
• Chrysler Voyager EV
• Jeep Wrangler EV
• Lexus HS250h
• VW Concept Bluesport
• And many more… for more news go here and here [thanks IOL Motoring and Road & Track]
• Alfa Romeo’s CEO resigns
• You bought the wrong car…what makes it wrong? This debate can carry on for pages, what do you think makes cars “right” or “wrong”?
• Test Driven: Hyundai i10 1.2 High-Spec
• Test Driven: Kia Pro_Ceed
• Win a TomTom One V4 GPS.

This week the ZACS team tackle the European Car of the Year, have a look at the vehicles eligible for South African of the year and discuss GM’s fate – the American auto-builder is looking for a bailout from the US government.

In this episiode:

• Chrysler South Africa offers Flex-Fuel vehicles with the 2009 Dodge Journey 2.7 V6.
• European Car of the Year 2009, these are the nominees: Alfa Romeo MiTo, Citroën C5, Ford Fiesta, Opel/Vauxhall Insignia, Renault Mégane, Škoda Superb, Volkswagen Golf.
• And the cars that didn’t make it: Audi A4, Audi Q5, BMW X6, BMW 7 Series, Chevrolet HHR, Chrysler Grand Voyager, Citroen Berlingo/Peugeot Partner, Citroen Nemo/Fiat Fiorino/Peugeot Bipper, Dacia Sandero, Dodge Journey, Ford Kuga, Honda Accord, Honda Jazz, Hyundai i10, Hyundai i800, Jaguar XF, Jeep Cherokee, Lancia Delta, Mazda6, Mercedes-Benz GLK, Mitsubishi Lancer, Nissan Murano, Opel Agila/Suzuki Splash, Renault Kangoo, Renault Koleos, Seat Ibiza, Subaru Forester, Toyota Land Cruiser 200, Volkswagen Scirocco, Volvo XC60
• South African Car of the Year speculation: ZACS guesss which might be the picks from local manufacturers, hedges bets and will check when the announcement is made 28 November 2008.
• General Motors Deathwatch – with a request to the US Government for a financial bail-out, what will happen to porfitable regions like that in which South Africa finds itself.

And more…

Direct file download (23MB) ]]> http://www.zacar.co.za/za-car-show-episode-14/feed 2