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There’s such a varied array of news this wee,k from a very fast record at the 2011 Pike’s Peak hill climb (click on that link, do it) to an off-roader of an entirely different, a sixty year old sort. ZACS also covers the new Efficient BMW X1 and Fiat’s Panda baby before wrapping it up with a review of Christo van Gemert and John Beale‘s favourite tech-packed car, the MINI Cooper S with MINI Connected.

BMW announced efficient engines and other technology for the X1. Click on the image for a link to the gallery

BMW's lighter E90 M3. All the weight reduction from carbon composite body panels has made it as light as...and M3 Coupe. Hmmm. Click on the image for a full gallery of 25+ images and data sheets.

Land Rover's Defender Limited Edition. Nothing new here at first glance. Click on the image for a link to the full gallery.

Fiat's new baby. Great car, bad name. Click on the image for a link to the entire gallery.

ZACS Review: 2011 Mini Cooper S with MINI Connected.

Episode 123 hi-fi download (27MB)
Episode 123 lo-fi download (14MB)

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We’re joined this week again by well travelled and infinitely cooler John Beale from Trendspotting again who lends his thoughts and opinions into the week’s motoring news which includes the International Engine of the Year Awards for FIAT and Ferrari, the unlikely or perhaps appropriate, agricultural show unveiling of Ford’s new Ranger, Toyota’s FJ Cruiser and VW’s Amarok single cab. We also review two of VW’s fuel fairies, the VW Polo BlueMotion and VW Golf BlueMotion. So, take a listen and as always, offer feedback.

Small twin pot, puts out more power than most 1.4 engines. Click on the image for a link to the news

Cool to the power of lots. Is it too late, though?

Built Ford tough, just like the old days, no doubt. Will be a hit in the East Rand and Mpumalanga

Good brand, good bakkie, but does the Amarok have the ability to sway the buyer to go with a smaller diesel engine in South Africa?

Completing the corporate-face for the Hyundai lineup, the i10 still offers value in a tough market, even if it's basically a prettier AtoZ.

South Africa became the laughing stock of the American's when they hear Chrysler launched this in South Africa, what do you think?

ZACS Test: VW Golf BlueMotion (click the text for a link to the specs, listen to the podcast for the review)

ZACS Test: VW Polo BlueMotion (click the text for a link to the specs, listen to the podcast for the review)

Both are very good cars, but one is much better than the other, listen to the podcast to find out why.

Episode 117 hi-fi download (24MB)
Episode 117 lo-fi download (12MB)

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We’re joined this week by Clen Cook, the organiser of the Black Top Rally, which gets underway on Saturday 19 March and ends on Friday 25 March. It’s an epic 3 500km road-trip through South Africa, from Johannesburg to Cape Town via Bloemfontein, Durban, East London and Knysna.  Listen to the podcast for more info on this inaugural run.

We’re also joined by John Beale, a social media expert with a car problem in the form of a VW GTI. The fact that he likes cars and is infinitely more stylish than any one of us helps a lot, because he provides an alternative take on the motoring news and tells us about FIAT‘s new baby, the 500 by Diesel (the Italian fashion house).

We also chat about the face-lifted Nissan GTR, and the Lupinipower Ford Fiesta.

Episode 109 hi-fi download (20MB)
Episode 109 lo-fi download (10MB)

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It was probably one of the most exciting weeks in the past year, not only because the Geneva Auto Salon was on, but because it was so full of exciting cars. Something which has been rather rare for the past two years. We discuss some of the cars that will get loads of airtime and some of those that wont…

• Lamborghini Aventador
• Rolls-Royce 102EX – silent as… er… well… an electric car.
• Fiat 500 Zagato Coupe.
• Alfa Romeo 4C.
• Toyota FT86 – the long awaited return of the ‘fun’ Toyota.
• Nürburgring Edition Lexus LFA.
• Schnitzer Z4 – a powerful diesel coupe that emits less carbon dioxide than the car it shares an engine with while still being more powerful.
• Brabus Widestar G-Wagon. Lunacy in a 39 year old off-roader.

Episode 107 hi-fi download (19MB)
Episode 107 lo-fi download (9MB)

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Italian car, American design, hecho en Mexico and all made for the European market – the league of nations approves.

The takeover of Chrysler by the Fiat Group promised a lot in terms of a widened model range and technologies but we were not expecting Fiat to simply slap a badge on a Dodge for its very first model collaboration…

We should have expected it since Lancias will simply become compact Chryslers in the US market when they are introduced there later this year. So in a way, perhaps this is payback? Fact: Fiat needs to get this partnership off the ground. Why it feels it needs bigger cars for the European markets is a mystery especially since Fiat is known for its good, honest and efficient small city cars.

The next Geneva motor show will host the debut of the new Fiat Freemont, which will go on sale in the second half of 2011 in Europe and (possibly South Africa too). It is built on the base of the Dodge Journey and is the first Fiat vehicle to come out of the partnership with the Chrysler Group. It will be produced in the Mexican plant of Toluca.

Most importantly for a vehicle of this class with an American lineage is the engine choice which comprises mainly of diesels. The Freemont will have front wheel drive with turbo diesel power units (105kW or 127kW 2.0 MultiJet) combined with a manual gearbox which is largely unheard of Stateside. Later, the vehicle will also be available in 4×4 versions with 127kW 2.0 MultiJet and 205kW Chrysler-derived 3.6 petrol V6 engines, both with automatic transmissions.

Thankfully the Journey’s Freemont’s dynamic performances have also been improved with the aid of Fiat engineering, which has developed and introduced a special suspension and steering configuration for greater accuracy and directness. Driving comfort is further guaranteed by significant improvements to passenger compartment soundproofing.

The Fiat Freemont features seven standard-sized seats, two of which fold away into the boot floor.

A nice feature borne out of the US’s fanatical emphasis on occupant safety is the optional child booster system: booster seats are used to make sure that children on board are sitting correctly, optimising the seatbelt geometry and guaranteeing greater protection, practicality and comfort. Safety is further enhanced with 7 airbags, ABS with Brake Assist, ESP with Hill-Holder and electronic roll mitigation (ERM) as standard on all vehicles.

Fiat touches include:

• New bumpers and grille
• redesigned rear end with LED tail lights
• Soft touch interior, which is a welcome addition to the American tradition of hard plastics inside
• All new dash board featuring a brand-new instrument panel, central console and a touchscreen infotainment system

Two trim levels will be provided both offering a comprehensive list of standard features like 7 seats, triple-zone automatic climate control system, keyless entry system, cruise control, advanced trip computer, tyre pressure monitoring system, fog lights and touchscreen radio with colour screen and controls on the steering wheel.

The up-spec metropolitan version will include 17” alloys, touchscreen radio with 8.4” screen, SD card and DVD reader, Bluetooth system, rear parking sensors, fold-down door mirrors, automatic headlight activation, darkened rear windows and roof bars.