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Ugly, ridiculous, pretty and pointless; well now that we have described the ZACS team we can talk about some cars.
This week we cover some launch news from the Beijing Auto Show in China where Lamborghini shocked, MINI wowed and a couple of high-end manufacturers tried to outdo each other with sheer luxury (which will no doubt be knocked-off by some Chinese auto manufacturers).

What do you think, hot or not? The jury is amongst the ZA Car Show crew…

Somehow we got talking about this Prius, why, we’re still no sure…

Kia has launched a car that will compete with the luxury brands and offer faaaaaaaar better value but if we’re honest, it will just compete against the Hyundai Sonata despite what other journalists might believe.

Finally, we review the Toyota FJ Cruiser. A brilliant off-roader, but what price are you prepared to pay for this ability?
Episode 159 download 

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In this week’s episode, with Trevor on the launch of the new Fiat Punto, Patrick and Christo get to talk all about performancecars. And rallies. Fun stuff, basically.

BMW’s unveiled press photos and information on the new M6 coupé and convertible, both of which will be coming to local shores later this year. The new grand tourer shares an engine with the M5 – the 4.4-litre V8 twin-turbo M-power engine. 412kW, 680Nm, 7sp dual clutch transmission. But possibly missing the point a bit, as Patrick says, because the M5 is far more subtle with its wolf-in-sheep’s-clothing appeal.

Click through for a gallery of more photos!

The TT-RS gets a power hike, because it wasn’t quite rapid enough to start with. The 15kW and 15Nm increase (for a total of 265kW and 465Nm) makes it slightly quicker in a straight line, bringing the 0-100 sprint down to 4.1 seconds in the 7sp S-tronic variant. Audi’s no stranger to these “Plus” models, having offered something similar with the older turbo V8 RS6 Plus.

It's a regular TT-RS, with a bit more power. And badass wheels.

The highly anticipated Subaru and Toyota collaboration will finally see the two cars hit showrooms this year. Toyota’s 86 has already been shown off and driven, but Subaru’s BRZ will have its official unveiling at the Geneva motor show in March

It keeps the blue paint, but the gold wheels are a 90s relic, it seems. Pity.

Meanwhile, Car Magazine’s Hannes Oosthuizen was privy to a private viewing of the Toyota 86. We weren’t invited, but can share what Mr. Oosthuizen had to say. The car will be sold sans GT badging in SA – simply 86 for us – and Toyota will offer a bunch of extras, including TRD bits, body kits and Brembo brake packages. Hannes says that a good guess for pricing would put it at about R320 000… The Golf GTI is sort of the benchmark for 200hp fun cars, and it costs R340 000, while that other, oft-forgotten Japanese rear-wheel drive sports car, the MX5, now retails for an eye-watering R356 000.

It looks pretty hot with this bodykit - click through for the full article on Car's site.

Our very own Trevor van de Ven attended the local launch of the 2012 Fiat Punto. New engines, spec levels and technology are available for the tiny Italian, bringing it right into “class leader” territory, as well as being excellent value for money. Pricing starts at R130 000 and tops out at R209 000 for the Abarth-engined lounge spec – click here for his launch drive impressions, along with more info.

For those who need a not-quite Voyager, the Dodge Journey’s received a slight facelift which is mostly just an engine update. Both SXT and R/T variants of the American people carrier are now available with the fantastic Pentastar V6 producing 210kW.

210kW means you should probably move over when you see this in the rear view mirror.

Chevrolet’s iconic Trailblazer badge will come to SA later this year when it brings the small-by-American-standards SUV to local shores. Here’s an artsy pic of what one will look like if you walk with a bad limp.

We're promised the whole car will make it to South Africa.

Finally, there’s the new Kia Sedona. The headline change here is the move from a 2.9-litre turbodiesel engine to a smaller and far more efficient 2.2-litre turbodiesel mill – the same one used in the Hyundai Santa Fe. It produces 143kw and 436Nm, which is plenty for lugging around the whole family, some friends, and a trailer with loads of luggage. Other toys include a 6-disc CD player, USB ports, and electric tailgate. Prices start at R420 000, which includes a 50-year/100 000km maintenance and warranty plan.

Somebody else said this is the poor man's Chrysler Voyager. But it's actually rather nice.

Episode 150 download 

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Alright peeps we’ll kick the week in the teeth with brand new Jeep to make Otto Diesel proud. Stepping out from the crowd is most certainly allowed in the new Peugeot 508 while you’ll not be late in the great Nissan that the GTR badge ate. We round this bad rhyme up with a review of the new BMW (640i) and give a shout out to the dudes at Su-bar-u. Yup it’s true, you might find that the Outback Diesel and Forester Diesel might just be the cars for you.

Bad rhyming aside, we must abide to bring you some great pictures and fun, so go ahead, take a listen to what craziness you might have been missin’

Quite a handsome little tyke

Trevor van de Ven is weak at the knees just looking at this picture. The chances of it being released in South Africa are slim, though, but for a full gallery of the very pretty sedan, click on the image. It will redirect this page to another website, so consider right clicking on the image and selecting 'open in new tab.'

It's not handsome, but it's not exactly pretty either. The 640i has the 3.0 Twinpower Turbo engine too which leaves the team with some mixed opinions. Take a listen to find out why.

Episode 140 hi-fi download (18MB) 
Episode 140 lo-fi download (9MB)

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In ZACS 134, John, Patrick and Christo discuss the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show - each picking their personal highlights from the many awesome vehicle on display.

Christo backs Germany and picks three not quite road-legal cars; Patrick chooses three Italians; and John tips his hat to three English arrivals. To make sure all bases are covered, our intrepid trio also selected some “pity cars” – vehicles that are noteworthy, but didn’t quite fall into their “we want one now” criteria.

The Lambo LP 570-4 Super Trofeo Stradale. Click here for a gallery.

The Landy DC100 concept - a possible Defender replacement. Click for gallery.

The Ferrari-engined Maserati Kubang is a Jeep underneath. Click for a gallery!

After all that mega-horsepower excitement, they try cool down by reviewing the Volkswagen Passat. The consensus is that it’s not a bad car. But also not one you’ll remember having driven or owned. Listen to the show for all the details.

Episode 133 hi-fi download (20MB) 
Episode 133 lo-fi download (10MB)

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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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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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Jessica Beale’s cousin joins the ZA Car Show team to discuss all things airbags and things with a firm chassis and killer looks. From very fast Bimmers to strange Land Rovers masquerading as footballer’s wives cars the team including Christo, Trevor and Patrick take you through what you need to know in the world of motoring, both local and international.

If you have not tried it yet, click on the images below and you will be taken to some of the most comprehensive photo libraries available to you online on our Facebook page. If you’re not a fan, go ahead and ‘like’ the page you wont be sorry and you’ll also get the inside scoop and be able to share a lot of other news with us on the wall.

Go on, have a listen. If you always use the audio streamer, did you know there are MP3 files at the bottom of this post that you can right click and ‘save as’ to save and share on your computer hard drive? Also subscribe using iTunes and you will find the new episode on your iPhone/iPod/iPad every week without having to do anything. Links are also at the bottom of this post.

One of the coolest BMWs to come out of Munich in some time. There have been a lot of good BMWs but none quite as cool as the 1 Series M Coupe. Click on the image to be directed to a full image library of this car.

Changes are subtle. Click on the image to view a complete gallery and see if you can spot the changes

Another facelift but a lot less subtle. Like a little bit of cosmetic surgery on Monica Bellucci we're not going to complain with such a fresh face. Click on the image to view the gallery, what do you think?

The Range Rover the South Africans can't wait long enough for. Prices are revealed in this episode but what do you think of the car. Click on the image to see the full gallery.

It's the all new Kia Picanto and finally there is a very good looking car in this segment. Let us know what you think after you've had a look at the gallery. Click on the image to see it.

Finally a replacement to the Zafira and it looks like a good concept. Part crossover, part MPV. Click on the image to see the full gallery.

While it was busy, Chevrolet South Africa thought it would share that the Sonic will be headed to South Africa. Considering it replaces the Aveo, this is one very good looking car. Click on the picture to view the gallery.

Finally we review the 2011 Audi A1 1.2 TSI and the 2011 Toyota Prius

Pretty neat technology apart from the hybrid systems in this car. Click on the image to see some of it in the gallery.

Episode 126 hi-fi download (21MB)
Episode 126 lo-fi download (11MB)

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Download audio file (zacs66.mp3)

What is your favourite car from 1966? For this episode our choices range from the exotic to supremely sensible, listen to the show to hear what the guys pick as their most iconic cars from 1966.

This week’s also been busy, with news from abroad that Porsche - fresh with new ideas like a hybrid track car – that it will launch the new Cayenne in two wheel drive form. While the local market gets introduced to the new Volvo S60, available in 2011, some new Mercedes diesels, a Fiat Sed… Suzuki SX4 four-wheel drive and a new Renault Clio. Listen to the whole show for the ZA Car Show head-to-head of what the team believes to be two of the most influential cars in a compact sedan segment.

Episode 66 direct download (25MB) – or subscribe via iTunes here.

As an experiment, we’re going to offer a low-quality version of the show for a few episodes. A few listeners have expressed disdain at having such “large” files, so we’re offering a very compressed version of the show, at roughly half the file size of a regular show.
So, click here to download the low-quality version of ZA Car Show, episode 66 (13MB)

Again, we encourage feedback from you, our faithful listeners! Please e-mail us with your comments or queries, and we’ll respond via mail or on the show. Our e-mail address is info [at] zacar [dot] co [dot] za. Alternatively, we can be reached (or read) on the Twitter microblogging service (where we post all our breaking news in between shows) – simply go to http://twitter.com/zacarshow.

For news, show notes and pictures click ‘more’ New Porsche Cayenne accidentally leaked on its car configurator site? [via: MotorCrave via Motor Authority]

Silly configurators, last week it was the BMW F10 pricing in SA, this week it's an entirely new model

Porsche plans to make a run at a 23 percent cut in efficiency for its petrol engine range. Toward that end, Porsche will equip the new Cayenne with three engine options: a 300 hp 3.6-liter V6,  a naturally aspirated 4.8-liter V8 worth 400 hp for the Cayenne S and a twin-turbo 4.8-liter V8 churning out 500 hp for the Cayenne Turbo. A 240 hp 3.9-liter V6 turbodiesel and a Cayenne S Hybrid packing a 330 hp 3.0-liter V6 with a 47 hp electric motor will join the pack later on.

South African Volvo S60 lineup [via Wheels24]

Three engine derivatives will be on offer: T6, 2.0T and D5. The flagship 3.0-litre inline six T6 produces has an output of 224 kW and 440 Nm while a turbocharged four-cylinder 2.0-litre will be the initial entry point into the range with 149 kW and 300 Nm on tap. The 2.4-litre D5 engine kicks off the model’s diesel assault with power of 151 kW and 420 Nm of torque.

Famous Renault Clio S model designation to make a comeback in South Africa (we never really had the original in the first place I guess, but it’s good to bring back the heritage) [via: Renault.com and World Car Fans]

Renault's bid to market cars that deliver sporty appeal at affordable prices has led to the return of a version of Renault Clio that proved highly popular in the 1990s, namely Renault Clio 'S'. Like its predecessor, today's Renault Clio 'S' features an overtly sporty feel thanks to a competitively-priced package of exclusive and distinctive design details.

Merc’s 4 cylinder, twin-turbo diesel engines

To mark the 150th anniversary of the birth of Rudolf Diesel, inventor of the diesel-fueled engine, the manufacturer releases a brand new twin-turbo diesel engine for its C- and E-Class models. In its most powerful variant, the new four-cylinder twin-turbo unit for the E250 CDI BlueEfficiency musters up 150 kW, while torque is up by 25% from 400 to 500 Nm.

2010 Suzuki SX4 Four-Wheel Drive [via: Suzuki]

Fuel Levies increased in SA while government imposes 120g/km emissions tax. Craziness since there are few new cars which will comply.

Driven: Kia Cerato 2.0

Driven: Chevrolet Cruze 1.8 LT

- a happy place to be

Forget about Polo Sedans and Corollas, this is where the future lies.

Download audio file (zacs64.mp3)

It was a fun show with Tuck back in chair for his inaugural show for 2010. This week we discuss Toyota and Honda’s woes, news from the upcoming Geneva Auto Salon and some motoring racing updates.

Nothing seems to be going right for Toyota

On the local front SA sees an upswing in new car sales at the beginning of 2010, VW fans get a new power plant in the popular Scirocco while we welcome some new Frenchies to the Peugoet stable.

Direct file download (27MB)

News links and show notes after the jump

Toyota’s massive recall. How will it affect the brand. No link, just Google: Toyota.

Kia Sportage to be unveiled at Geneva [via The Telegraph]

Dodgy Wheels, but other wise a handsome looking SUV/SAV/?

Bertone Alfa Coupe Teaser [via: Car Body Design]

It will probably look far less dramatic--a restyled Brera perhaps?

After a lengthy break Jaguar returns to Lemans [via: Autoblog]

A return of a legend.

NAAMSA Sales Figures

VW Scirocco get’s the new Golf VI 155Kw eingine [via Motoring.co.za ]

Lexus GS Update [via Motoring.co.za]

Spot the difference and win a prize...

SA sees the new Peugeot 3008 [via: Peugeot]

Download audio file (zacs60.5.mp3)

In the final episode of ZA Car Show for 2009 the team wraps up a couple of outstanding reviews and goes through a list of their favorite motoring experiences for the 2009. With South Africa’s Car of The Year coming up in the new year find out what motors changed the landscape for Trevor, Trevor, Patrick and Christo.

Patrick has a point...listen to find out

Links, pictures and more after the jump.

Direct file download (26MB)

Driven: BMW Z4

Driven: Hyundai H1

Driven: Audi S4

The ZA Car Show – Cars of the year