In one of the slowest, emptiest news weeks of the year, a cut-down ZA Car Show crew breezes through a few short snippets before breezing on through to the Isuzu 72-hour Endurance challenge at Gerotek. The result is a pretty short – but fun – show, weighing in at just over 30-minutes.

ZACS is part of Isuzu's attempt to break a 72-hour record...

Episode 72 hi-fi download (18MB)
Episode 72 lo-fi download (9MB)

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Show notes and links after the jump.

General Motors is just all over the news, this past week:

• First it organises a huge 72-hour endurance run for its Isuzu KB300, KB250 and Corsa Utility vehicles, at Gerotek. Tuck and Christo were there, driving the cars, and will report back in episode 73.

• Then it rebrands the Opel Corsa Utility, adding a bow tie to the front grille and calling it a Chevrolet.

• And to make up for that, it says it will bring the new Opel Astra to South Africa, early next year. Engines will range from 1.4 and 1.4-turbo, to 1.6 and 1.6-turbo. Oh, and some diesels, too. Hopefully they’ll be competitively priced, and kickstart the brand’s sales, after a long hiatus for this model.

The team also talks about a report from ITWeb, which finds that more than 60% of South African motorists are uninsured. A shocking, but sobering number indeed. Are you paying for somebody else’s car crashes?

Also in the news – and a friend of the insurers – are the tracking companies. Netstar, Tracker and Matrix, who collectively represent 90% of the industry, are being investigated for anti-competitive practices, including price collusion.

Finally, our regular ZA Car Show cars of the episode’s year sees us picking the best cars from 1972. This episode’s historic trio comprises two Italians and a German: start placing your bets.

Now with that out of the way, the fourth podcast of the year sees a team reunited. With all the seats filled the show is packed with more comment on Toyota’s recall in South Africa, a fresh onslaught of new vehicles expected at Geneva in a couple of weeks and ZA Car Show bring you the pricing of the BMW F10, BMW’s new 5-series. This came about as a glitch in the online virtual dealer on the local BMW ‘site revealed the pricing and spec-options ahead of the vehicle’s local launch.

MINI-rival will probably be better have fewer rattles and drive better

Episode 65 direct download (28MB) – or subscribe via iTunes here

For news and show notes click ‘more’

Audi A1 officially revealed ahead of the Geneva Auto Salon. The MINI-competitor was officially unveiled as a concept in 2007 and Audi has had the following showcase on its website for some time now. Click here for the Audi site. [News via EVO]

Renault revealed its Twingo-based coupe/convertible, the Renault Wind. Stop making jokes about  farts. Click here to go to the official Renault Microsite 12-seconds open to coupe to convertible makes this one of the fastest folding roofs in the business. [via Topspeed]

MX5-competitor: this Twingo based coupe will be a cracker if it's even half as good as the Twingo RS.

Renault reveals that the Megane will become available at the end of 2010 in South Africa.

Nissan Juke is not a Joke. Baby sister to the Qashqai and more than likely a MINI Countryman competitor [via: Automotorblog].

Ugly Stick: This was hit by it.

Porsche GT3 R-hybrid [via: Auto123]

KERS for a Porsche, don't let the Hybrid tag fool you.

GM strikes a deal with NASA to build a humanoid robot for space adventures. Perhaps it should strike a deal which will see it build cars that people want before committing to pie in the sky ideas.

BMW 5-series pricing leaked by accident. Listen to the show to find out more.

Rolls Royce Ghost officially unveiled in SA to exclusive customers (I guess all Rolls Royce customers are exclusive anyway).

Competition prize, courtesy of Have2Have.

ZA Car Show Challenge: New cars for R200 000 or less. Each member of the crew picks a car they’d most likely spend their money on. Just for interest’s sake, some rough numbers:

• R200 000 financed, with a R30 000 deposit: 60 repayments of about R4 000 each. Insurance should cost around R900 – R1 200, depending on the relationship with your broker.
• R160 000 financed, with a R30 000 deposit: 54 repayments of about R3 300 each. Insurance is slightly less, at about R600 – R900.
• The average price for a cheap 16-inch tyre? R1 000 or so.
• Prices for 15-inch tyres: R500 – R1 300.
• Service costs: Thankfully most of the cars we look at have service plans, but bank on between R1 100 and R2 000 for a regular service.

R499 000 will buy you the new Nissan 370Z Manual with rev matching ...but for a bit less you could also get this - MINI Cooper JCW WC

More show notes and a video of the rev matching technology from Nissan after the jump…

Direct file download (27.1MB)

In Episode 38 we discuss:

• The new GM Chariman: “I know nothing about cars” — well there’s a good place for GM to start. – [Autoblog]
• Renault told by Chinese authorities its cars are not safe – [Bloomberg]
• Audi R8 V10 and Audi Q7 V12 TDI order books open in SA – [Wheels24]
• MINI JCW WC50 Edition – there’s a name to make RenaultSport naming conventions look silly
• Some other cool MINIs:
  • AC Schnitzer – [Top Gear]
  • Karmann MINI Convertible with Union Jack soft top – [mini2] via [Autoexpress]
• Driven: 2009 Nissan 370Z

• ZA Car Show opinion: What technology should all cars come standard with?

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.

Is this the future of motoring? We hope not...

...this is more like it.

Direct file download (28.9MB)

Click here for some shownotes and extra links to some interresting news:

In this Episode  30 we discuss:

• GM and Segway partner to develop some ridiculous concept featured above; GM should rather be developing products that will help it through the slump
• First pictures of the Nissan 370Z Roadster
• BMW oficially unveil the BMW X6 and X5 M-models
• Tata Nano
• GM in South Africa cut a great deal of models from its price list; leave buyers with little choice in the Opel range
• South African launch: VW Scirocco
• Car gadgets reviewed by the team
  • http://tinyurl.com/H2Hbreath – breathalyser keychain
  • http://tinyurl.com/solarbt – Solar Bluetooth car kit
  • http://tinyurl.com/incarmp4 – in-car MP4 player
• Garmin  ecoRoute – free ecological route planning software for Garmin Nuvi 2(x)5 and 7(x)5 models www.garmin.com/ecoroute

Christo was dissapointed...listen to the show to find out more

Shocking: a very pretty electric car

More show notes and links to news after the jump

Direct file download (22.8MB)

In this episode we discuss:

Tesla Model S Saloon

Very pretty, a little bit of Jag XF in those rear flanks

Almost perfect from every angle

Mercedes-Benz E Class Global Launch (thanks motoring.co.za)

As exciting as getting a new hearing aid

Subaru Legacy first pictures (thanks to UK Car Magazine)

It aint going to win any design awards, but it aint going to grab much attention either

Aston Martin DB9 S4 Super Sedan  (Thanks Wheels24)

South African sees the launch of the Opel Corsa Sport – a turbo powered compact that doesn’t step on the OPC’s toes

Ford refreshes its Bantam ‘half-ton’ pickup and Ford Focus hatch and sedan

Sales figures, the looming fuel crisis in SA and more…

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/episode-9 http://www.zacar.co.za/episode-9#comments Fri, 03 Oct 2008 11:30:56 +0000 christo http://www.zacar.co.za/?p=60  

Getting better at this podcasting thing, the regular team of Christo, Patrick and Trevors squared are talking about the loads of motoring news to his the South African shores this week.  We drive the Audi A5 and Mercedes-Benz CL65 AMG and pour over some lovely exotica released at the Paris Auto Show 2008. 

In this week’s show we discuss…

Nissan’s solution to the long in the tooth Nissan Champ with the announcement of the replacement the Nissan NP 200, drag racers hang their heads in shame…

We talk the about the down turn in the local motoring industry, GM lays of workers and Ford stops exporting ROCAM engines from SA: costs jobs  

South Africa announces the Joule, South Africa’s first locally designed car in a long time. It’s electric too…

New Car Launch: Lexus Hybrids, the RX400h SUV and GS450h executive saloon.  A fight ensues and we almost pull out the gloves, if you’ve been wondering about this ‘performance hybrid’ tag line from Lexus, listen to this.

Four door supercars, we talk about the Lamborghini Estoque, Aston Martin Rapide, Porsche Panamera 

Abarth 500 Essesse, 147kw in a small car, fast Fiats are back

Test Driven: The Audi A5 3.2FSI, Trevor van de Ven offers his opinion and comes back quite surprised  most surprising is the Bang&Olufsen sound option

Test Driven: Mercedes-Benz CL65 AMG, the gentleman assassin. The car that people who bail out the American Financial Services industry drive.

And more…

Direct file download (32.5MB)