Too many dials, gauges and buttons can be distracting. The new Ford Focus and Renault Megane both suffer from this – buttons, button everywhere!. Sometimes… simplicity is the best. And that’s the theme for this week’s selection of wallpapers. Something plain and elegant, where the objects of our automotive desire are the main focus.

*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.

Modern? Classic? Does it really matter? Well, some would argue that the mid-90s gave us some of the worst American cars in the history of forever, so it kinda does matter. But if we look at the pony car revival of the 2000s, some nice cars have come out of it. The new Mustang is brilliant, the Camaro is – for lack of better words – shit hot, and even some struggling Chrysler’s offerings are pretty sweet.

Lest we forget, the classics are what these modern heroes owe their heritage to. The GT40, classic Vettes, and all those fat-tyred monsters are still sought after, and can easily shame their high-tech offspring on the quarter mile. So here’s a selection of both old and new, to celebrate displacement.

*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.

In case you’ve missed some of the awesome TV ads from this year’s Superbowl, we thought we would share the best one of them all: Chrysler’s emotive “Imported from Detroit”. Two minutes of spine-tingling music and reminiscing over Motor City.

Download audio file (zacs43.mp3)

What an interesting week. At ZA Car Show we cater for everyone – how else are you supposed to make an informed purchasing decision? In one week the ZACS team experienced one of the most raw, fun cars complete with a 6.1 Litre V8 HEMI engine and at the same time the two entry level 1.6 litre four-pots from Renault; the Sandero and Logan.

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.

Download audio file (zacs42.mp3)

We are not entirely convinced that manufacturers ever plan on a global unveiling anymore because it seems every new model is leaked well before the official launch. It’s no different this week with at least three new models revealing what lies beneath the duct tape and dustbin bags.

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…

Download audio file (zacs39.mp3)

We’ve been doing this podcast thing for almost as long as Trevor Tuck owned crazy mommy vans. The insanity of it has gotten to him and he’s had to take a leave of absence. He will also tell you never to buy French cars, so we decided to see if we could push him over the edge by giving him a Renault Logan to use while his Peugeot dies a slow death. It’s no wonder he decided to miss the show this week. So, for the third week running we have a crew of three, Christo, Patrick and Trevor, who wish that they don’t have to discuss the international auto industry misery for much longer. We have to give it to Audi though for releasing teaser images of a sedan version of its coupe version of its sedan. Very clever . The team also reviews the 2009 BMW 520d – something that surprised us all – and wrap it up with the Daihatsu Terios, which is also surprising becuase it’s not a good one.

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.

Three up, the team is without Christo van Gemert this week in a show that it filled with opinion and news. This past week we saw GM on its last legs as a solvent company, Porsche with some dodgy financials and hidden loans and number of smaller brands looking for buyers. We also take a look into the local motoring news, hold off on the review of the BMW Z4 and deliver our driving impressions on the Audi Q5 3.0 TDI, an SUV that we wanted to hate.

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.

Download audio file (zacs33.mp3)

While Chrysler’s global CEO lines up in the unemployment queue, deciding what to do once he is finally escorted out of his office, FIAT’s CEO is looking forward to the new corner office at the US auto giant. Back home the ZACS team is joined by Richard Sloman, Public Relations manager for Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge South Africa. What does the future hold for the auto maker in the world markets, we answer the questions.

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)

Download audio file (zacs32.mp3)

The end of April, despite the countless holidays and only 12 or so full working days, sees not only the team of Trevors, Christo and Patrick wondering how they are going to cope with the next five days work week, but the motor industry in general remains a state of turmoil.  The team put forward thier plans for survival, although if you’ve heard thier car reviews, this could be interesting. ZA Car Show also discusses some new motoring concepts soon to launch in South Africa together with the all new Volkswagen Golf, or is it…?

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…