ZA Car

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We’re two-up so there is just enough space for this week’s ZA Car Show crew of Christo and Trevor in the new MINI Roadster. It’s the sixth model in the MINI range and and looks better than the Coupe at least. Christo, however, disagrees.

It's actually quite a nice looking car, sleek and sporty. Some say it's there to lay the smack down to the Mazda MX5 brigade, but the reality lies firmly in the positioning of this car. A quick look at the press shots (which you can see by clicking on this image - right click and select open in new window/tab for best results) show it very much as an urban hipster runabout, which is not quite the same market that the MX5 attracts.

In Episode 139, we also get feedback on the local launch of the Nissan Juke, introduce ourselves to a facelifted friend, the Volkswagen Tiguan, and talk about one of the most significant models to be launched this year and it’s a pick-up truck, the Ford Ranger. Want to hear more about the Chevrolet Sonic? Well that’s in this episode too.

Handsome: check. Tastefully styled: check. Decent equipment levels: check. This Chevrolet Sonic seems to be a decent car entering into the Hyundai i20/Ford Fiesta/Mazda 2/Volkswagen Polo battle and it looks like a good alternative. Take a listen to find out what more. Click on the image for a full gallery.

The show is rounded off by two car reviews that surprise – good or bad – and delight. You’ll have to take a listen to find which and hear more about the Mazda 5 people mover and Renault’s Megane CC 1.4 tCe.

One of the best Mazdas bar none. No questions, no debate. To find out why take a listen to the show. Click on the image to view a full gallery.

Christo gives you the low-down on the local launch of the Nissan Juke. Click on the image to see a full comprehensive gallery of this car.

It seems to be a prevailing trend, but two-tone hard tops look quite daft. Have a listen to the review of the Megane CC in this episode to find out what we have to say or click on the image for a full gallery of images for this car.

Episode 139 hi-fi download (18MB) 
Episode 139 lo-fi download (9MB)

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It’s a flurry of last minute Frankfurt news and because of that the news is brief.  A lot of it will be breaking news in South Africa when the Johannesburg International Motor Show 2011 comes to town 8-16 October 2011. It’s not often we get to review a Porsche, so we take our time with racing driver and motoring journalist from The Times and Sunday Times, Thomas Falkiner, to talk about the Porsche Carrera 4S GTS. It’s also review time for a pocket rocket from the Porsche’s holding company, Volkswagen, in the form of the new VW Polo GTI, a 1.4 twin-charged beastie, but you’ll have to listen to find out why.

Thomas, Christo and Trevor agree it's a good car, but is it the best? Listen to find out. Click on the image to go to a full gallery of the 2011 VW Polo GTi

Strange name, but its the type of car that the FIAT group has needed to counter the success of the Porsche Cayene. Click on the image to go to a full gallery of the Kubang.

This is pretty much the spec of the Porsche 911 Carrera 4S GTS that Thomas Falkiner reviews in this episode of ZA Car Show. Click on the image to see the rear and interior of this customised car.

Episode 133 hi-fi download (19MB) 
Episode 133 lo-fi download (9.5MB)

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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.

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John Beale in a Lexus joins Christo in a Mercedes Benz and Trevor in a Suzuki to talk about new Lexus’, new Mercs and small VWs. We also tackle the eternal question “What to buy if you have R300 000.00″ to spend and the results are quite surprising.

Join the team this week for more fun, news and reviews of the 2011 Honda Jazz 1.3 Comfort and Citroen DS 1.6 THP. Go on, have a listen or better yet, subscribe by clicking here and you will have ZACS delivered to iTunes every week without the hassle for free.

Cute little car. For a complete gallery click on the image.

This is the angle that you'll mostly see but very magazines seem to show. Still awesome looking. Right click on the image and click "open link in new tab" for a full gallery of the SLK55 AMG

Cars don't get better than this when looking at practicality versus space versus price. Click on the image to be transported to a full gallery of images.

Trevor loved it, Christo not so much and John was on the fence. Find out why by listening to the podcast. There are few things prettier than this picture.

Episode 130 hi-fi download (25MB) 
Episode 130 lo-fi download (12MB)

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With Trevor on holiday and John calling in sick, it’s Patrick and Christo holding down the fort for episode 129.

They briefly talk about the new Suzuki Swift Sport, rumours of Bentley’s interest in making diesel cars and SUVs, whisperings of a new Ford Focus RS, and Pagani’s woes with the US authorities.

Christo also talks about his launch drive in the Suzuki Kizashi, and the duo finish off with a review on the formidable Audi A8 4.2. TDI.

Pagani's having trouble getting approval to sell the Huayra in the US. Click for a gallery.

Suzuki's unveiled its new Swift Sport internationally - we hope it'll get here next year.

Christo went to the local launch of Suzuki's mid-sized sedan, the Kizashi. Click for a gallery.

Patrick and Christo discuss the sporty virtues of Audi's A8. Click for a gallery.

Episode 129 hi-fi download (13MB) 
Episode 129 lo-fi download (7MB)

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