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…

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)

In this episode we discuss:

• Fiat has announced that it would like a 35% stake in Chrysler – what are the ramifications? Fiat 300C’s, Dodge Californias or Alfa Romeo RAMs?
• Ford announces its Powershift transmission – DSG for the non-jargonheads
• AMG expresses its interest in more environmentally friendly power antics. Can we expect Diesel or Electric AMGs?
• License plate legislation, the good, the bad and the short sighted…[via IOL Motoring]
• Car Insurance, the UK crushes unlicensed cars, South Africa puts them on the roads
• New Car Launch: FIAT Grande Punto T-Jet

A Very Good Looking Alternative a VW Polo

• Win a TomTom One V4 GPS: Details inside

And more…

Direct file download (24.6MB)

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 http://www.zacar.co.za/za-car-show-jims-special-day-1 http://www.zacar.co.za/za-car-show-jims-special-day-1#comments Fri, 31 Oct 2008 03:51:18 +0000 christo http://www.zacar.co.za/?p=77 The ZA Car Show crew report back on day 1 of the Johannesburg International Motorshow. Media unveilings, world exclusives and more – they saw some fantastic new models that’ll be making their way to South Africa in the next year.

Some of the cars we looked at include the following:

• Mercedes Benz SL65 Black Series
• Mercedes Benz ML63 AMG
• Mercedes Benz Viano V6
• Mercedes Benz BlueTec
• Mitsubishi Pajero Sport
• Mitsubishi Pajero 
• Mitsubishi Evo X Prototype
• Chrysler Voyager
• Chrysler 300C SRT-8
• Dodge Caliber
• Jeep Wrangler
• Jeep Compass
• Jeep Patriot
• BMW 7-series
• BMW X6 ActiveHybrid
• BMW M3
• Renault Logan
• Renault Sandero
• Renault Koleos
• Renault Laguna Coupé Concept
• Renault Twingo
• Audi Q5
• Audi TT-S
• Audi RS6
• Audi S3 Sportback
• Volkswagen Scirocco
• Volkswagen Passat CC
• Volkswagen Up Concept
• Volkswagen Citi Wolf
• Koenigsegg CCXR 
• Lexus LS600hL
• Lexus IS250 Sport
• Alfa Romeo MiTo
• Nissan GTR
• Nissan Nuvu Concept
• Nissan NP200
• Daihatsu Materia DRD

In the show we also discuss:

• August 2008 NAAMSA figures – the ugly side of car sales in South Africa.
• We take a look at the peculiar figures, high car prices and Sasha tells us about the Audi A4 he’s had on review while we tackle the high cost of options again.
• Porsche sold 28 cars in August; only four 911s.
• Sasha’s son wants a Fiat Strada bakkie and his daughter wants a Lamborghini, the conversation degenerates from there.
• We talk about the passion in Italian cars and young drivers who drive insanely fast cars
• The Chrysler SRT8.
• BMW are stopping production of big engines in favour of four pots.
• We offer new model advice to Ford and slam their choice of the F250.
• Chrysler/Dodge announce PT Cruiser replacement, the Dodge Journey and new Chrysler Voyager – a little de-ja-vu.
• We talk ‘flappy-paddle’ gearboxes with Sasha, the man that has had far more experience with them than any of us.
• Sasha’s best motoring moments and mishaps. Did you know he’s driven F1 cars and owned a BMW C1?
• Suzuki launch new models in SA; the Jimny and Grand Vitara.

And more…

Direct file download (29MB)