ZA Car

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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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One third of the 2011 ZACS lineup, Trevor van de Ven, is off on parental duties. So while captain consumption gets his daddy on, his polar opposite is on the red microphone: Tom Falkiner, auto journo deluxe and historics race driver extraordinaire. See, while Trev enjoys driving new cars slowly, Tom drives old ones. Quickly.

With Patrick Gearing on his side, Tom attempts to explain to Christo why historics racing is the best, and possibly cheapest motorsport in South Africa.

In normal news, we talk about:

BMW’s M5 concept, to be shown at the Shanghai motor show, had its pics leaked online. Obviously. Because that’s what happens before every major motorshow, now. Thanks, information era!

Quick specs: 4.4-litre Twinpower V8, tickled by the M-division – who else? It’ll produce around 430kW and a billion torques, with promises of an evocative engine and exhaust note, too. Harnessing those 580-odd German ponies will be a 7-speed M-DCT gearbox, of sorts, and the requisite M-diff. Smart.

On local shores, VW’s decided to spice up its showroom floors with the introduction of two performance models. Tom Falkiner was present at the launch of both cars and gives us the low-down.

First up, the Golf R. Interestingly this gets called a Golf, while the GTI lacks “Golf” badging of any sort. Weird sub-brand strategy, guys! The R-ange-topping VW hatch has 188kW and 350Nm, courtesy of a similar 2.0TFSI lump found in the Audi S3 and TT-S. In the UK this engine produces 195kW. So does the Audi S3. But in SA the Golf is said to produce 188kW due to a “hot weather” remap. We think it’s probably because they couldn’t have a Golf that’s faster than an Audi. You can have your R for just over R400k (ouch), with a stack of options, and choice of DSG or manual gearboxes.

The big daddy is joined by its baby brother – and a car Tom says is probably closer to the original hot hatch concept – the Polo GTI. Praise is heaped onto the small, twin-charged 1.4-litre engine (132kW/250Nm), mated to a 7-speed DSG transmission. Along the Cape Test route, consisting of the best roads in the country, it performed admirably and displayed massive amounts of grip. It’s lively, too – just the way a proper hatch should be. Yours for R260k – right up against the Opel Corsa OPC and Renault Clio RS. Listen to the show to find out which is worth your cash.

Finally, there’s Toyota’s Aygo. Yes, it’s a clever play on words. Think iGo. Fresh, funky and tiny. It’s also a car first introduced in 2006 – but now it’s in SA to help take up slack at the bottom end of the car market. Will uGo crazy over this dinky toy?

More pics are in the gallery, below!

Episode 112 hi-fi download (20MB)
Episode 112 lo-fi download (10MB)

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Before Ford totally cocked it up, the Escort was very revered. Even now, the original Escorts are sought-after because they represent something we no longer have easy access to: cheap, entry-level RWD cars. You know – fun.

So to remind us of what cars were like before they got all boring, we dug deep and found this clip on YouTube. Careful, you may just need to tilt your head to keep up with the extreme sideways action in this video.

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Younger readers might not remember the time before Imprezas and Evos ruling WRC (though nowadays it’s Seb Loeb and the also-rans), but back in those days Ford had a few more exciting cars than just the Focus ST/RS. Cosworth was in charge of dabbling with fast Fords, and the Sierra RS Cosworth was a very exciting car.

Also very sideways, if we take a look at this highlight reel from a few rallies over the years. There are some butt-clenching moments… but all have a great soundtrack and some spectacular saves.

Tips or suggestions for the ZA Car Video of the day? E-mail us, catch us on Twitter or leave a message on our Facebook page!

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We’re five episodes into the new year and still we’ve not found Trevor Tuck. He’s stuck on a racetrack or a garage trying to make an old Alfa go quicker. In any event, the show goes on and in this episode we discuss:

• McLaren MP4 12C and South Africa’s Greg Levine who’s heading up sales and marketing for this surefire sales winner.
• Fiesta Sport+ Do you think we need a quick Fiesta? [via: World Car Fans]
• New engines for Mercedes Benz E-class vehicle.
• The new Mercedes Benz C-Class coupe.
• Porsche announces its Panamera Hybrid – well more of a mild hybrid, and if you don’t know the difference between a mild hybrid and full hybrid then you need to listen to the show. Click here for a clever little Porsche Panamera Hybrid Microsite.
• New BMW M5 will possibly be automatic only – why autos are better than manual transmissions despite the purist view on manuals.
• ZA Car Show Review: Alfa Romeo Giulietta MultiAir 125kW.

Episode 105 hi-fi download (22MB)
Episode 105 lo-fi download (12MB)

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