Our dear Trevor van de Ven, fan of strange cars and unofficial economy run champion, decided not to join the team this week. Instead, he took the early train home, to see if this is the future of commuting in Johannesburg. That left the  remaining three hosts of your favourite motoring podcast to take to the microphones and be concise about the motoring news for the week that was. Except, the waffle on. Like right now.

Old and new - hard to believe it's been ten years with the X5.

This past week marked the production of the one millionth BMW X5. It’s been ten years since the first X5 rolled off the production line in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and now number 1 000 000 (a black one xDrive35i, with tan leather) has been delivered to its happy owner in Beijing, China.

The terrible trio also talk about some local arrivals, spying VW’s Amarok, a sporting weekend and review a big, fat diesel monster from Audi.

Episode 79 hi-fi download (28MB)
Episode 79 lo-fi download (16MB)

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Show notes and links after the jump.

Hondas CR-Z hybrid sports coupé will be making it to South African shores later this year. Hopefully this fantastic-looking successor to the CRX will be priced aggressively and sell like hotcakes. Speaking of: no word on pricing… yet.

Some cues from the belated S2000 in that front grill.

And a definite nod to the CRX, out back.

More cars need space shuttle dashboards like this.

Mitsubishi’s ageing Pajero (the big one, not the sport) gets a new diesel engine. Power is up from 121kW to 140kW, while torque jumps from 373Nm to 441Nm. Power is now transferred to the wheels via a new 5-speed automatic gearbox, while satnav and Bluetooth become standard features on all models. GLS models feature a premium Rockford Fosgate sound system. Pricing starts at R533 900.

A trusty old steed... but falling behind the pack.

For those who are really keen to get a glimpse of Volkswagen’s Amarok pick-up, it’ll be doing a countrywide sneak-peak tour. Check out the table below for venues where you’ll be able to see it parked in a high traffic area of the mall.

•    10-13 June 2010         Johannesburg, Eastgate Shopping Centre
•    17-20 June 2010         Pretoria, Menlyn Shopping Centre
•    26-27 June 2010         Nelspruit, Ilanga Shopping Centre
•    3-4 July 2010             Polokwane, Savanna Shopping Centre
•    9-11 July 2010         Durban, Pavillion Shopping Centre
•    16-18 July 2010         Bloemfontein, Loch Logan Shopping Centre
•    23-25 July 2010         Port Elizabeth, Walmer Shopping Centre
•    29-01 August 2010         Cape Town, Tygervalley Shopping Centre

While we revealed the pricing info a while ago, Lexus has finally “officially” announced the Lexus LS600hL hybrid limousine. 323 kilowatts in a super-luxury sedan? Yes, please. All of the 12-centimetre longer wheelbase is exclusively for rear passengers, who now get more legroom, Ottoman-designed massage seats, Mark Levinson DVD entertainment and a ton of stuff you don’t even find in First Class on an Airbus. Yours for just under R1.6-million.

The business end.

Notice the reclining backrest and raised legrest? And the (usually invisible) massage motors?

The view that matters most.

Motorsport news

While some men were gathered in a calabash outside Soweto, for some kickball, some men in France were driving around town for a whole day.

Some of those men were driving a new Jaguar car, the first official entrant in a long while, and marking Jaguar’s 75th birthday. Happy birthday old chaps, wot wot.

Then, in French Canada, in a town called Montreal, some other guys were racing go-karts for a few laps. Apparently they’re quite fast.

While they were in Montreal, Ferrari signed up some eleven year old kid called Lance Stroll. He was not quoted as saying, “I’ll be the next Schumacher”, but Ferrari says he shows promise.

Review

Each of the team have driven it, and only one of them really loves it. In fact, he gives it a very big score… The car in question? Audi’s monstrous, 500-horsepower Q7 V12 TDI. Enough torque to help you move house. Literally.

Move over!

Oval tips - a nod to the RS line of Audis.

In this episode we also review the Lexus RX450h Hybrid SUV,  discuss the move to two-wheel drive Land Rovers and give you a first drive through the mouth of Christo van Gemert of the new BMW 5-series.

Episode 76 hi-fi download (30MB)
Episode 76 lo-fi download (15MB)

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Show notes and links after the jump.

LandRover to join the ranks of 2- wheel drive by 2012 with the LRX [via Motorauthority]

If this is what 2WD Landies will look like, we're not complaining

BMW in the Netherlands slipped with a teaser of the next BMW X3 ahead of its unveiling at the Paris Auto Show [via: worldcarfans]

BMW X3 Teaser. Not really revealing much, but don't buy the old one anymore because this is coming soon.

The lovable offroader, the Suzuki Jimny turns 40 [via: Cars in Action]

Old and new, together for the first time in 40 years.

Porsche’s GT2 RS… finally featured on ZA Car Show. Sorry for the delay!

Mazda Turns 90 [via: Mazda]

New Launch: BMW 5 Series

http://www.lexus.co.za/gallery/images/RXh_09/RXh-New-Gen-04.jpg

Qrigami meets SUV.

We’re back in full swing this week, joined by Russell Bennett from Drive Magazine online (link goes to magazine), South Africa’s free online motoring publication. It’s been a slow week on the international front, but we at two significant models introduced in South Africa, the BMW X1 and Mercedes Benz E-Class Cabriolet.

Nice chassis... apparently.

Episode 71 hi-fi download (28MB)
Episode 71 lo-fi download (16MB)

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Show notes and links after the jump.

Lexus GX 460 SUV has been pulled from sale in the US. The ZACS team discusses the lunacy of this idea and all the other recalls taking place in the US of A.  However, this is essentially the new Toyota Prado, which Toyota has remained very quiet about. [via: MSNBC]

Be careful, you might just get the tail to slide out in which case you will die says the US magazine Consumer Report

BMW X1 – Christo believes this SUV actually has a purpose, listen to find out why… it’s got nothing to do with the girl in the main post [images via Timeslive]

Mercedes Benz E-Class Cabriolet – the return of the elegant cabrio [images via Timeslive]

Nissan has facelifted the Qashqai for 2010, and the range now includes a model with a CVT ‘box – hopefully better than the dreary manual in the 1.6-litre. Also new to the range is a Qashqai+2, a seven-seater model of this class-leading crossover hatchback. Perhaps a ZACS road trip is in order to test out its new seating arrangement…

Volkswagen – perhaps in an attempt to remind us that it still makes this model – has revised its Transporter and Caravelle T5 minibuses. The lineup now includes a newer 2-litre turbodiesel mill, DSG gearboxes and about seventeen thousand different models, see below if you don’t believe us.

Caravelle and Transporter lineup

ZACS Cars of the Episode’s Year: The team chooses their most memorable cars from the year 1971

Slowly getting back into the groove, after a short absence from the internet airwaves, the three-strong ZACS team congregates once again to bring you the latest motoring news and history. The new and the old, all in one podcast. Where else can you get quality programming like this?

Before we start with this week’s show notes, let us first CONGRATULATE our fine co-host, Trevor van de Ven, on becoming a dad. Again. His son joined the family last week and Trevor has used this as an excuse for not featuring the latest episode of your favourite motoring podcast.

In his absence, we’ve discussed things as exciting as the new Mercedes Benz E-class estate and as dreary as the Lexus LFA, which will be making its debut as a production race car in the 24-hours of Nürburgring endurance race.

Lexus LFA at the 'Ring

Also featured in episode 69 are a duo of Japanese sports cars, in the cars of the episode’s year (1969), the actual Car of the Year winner, and Fiat’s new additions to the 500 model range.

Episode 69 hi-fi download (21MB)
Episode 69 lo-fi download (11MB)

Oh and HEY! Why haven’t you mailed us? Or started following us on Twitter? Remember – ZACS loves you. Without our loyal listeners, and their feedback, we’d be nothing. Tell your friends, ask us questions, share the podcast, go hog wild.
Follow us on Twitter, here.
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More links, pics and words after the jump!

Fiat has added the 500 Cabriolet and 500 Sport MTA to its stable. After reviewing pricing on the 500 range (an entry-level 500 can be had for just under R136 000, rather than the R150 000 it was before) the Italian auto maker has added two exciting, fully-packed 500s to the model lineup. The Sport MTA has an automatically-actuated manual transmission, while the Cabrio has an electrically operated fabric roof that can be used at speeds of up to 60km/h. Pricing for both new models is competitive at R197 600.

Hyundai has launched the i30 – it’s competitor for the segment dominated by the VW Golf. Available with either a 1.6-litre or 2.0-litre engine, the i30 has fresh, but conservative, styling. Ride is comfortable, highway cruising is relaxed and spec levels are surprisingly good – USB connectivity for iPods, airbags and safety features galore. Pricing starts at R189 900 for the i30 1.6 and R229 900 for the i30 2.0.

At the Wesbank South African Car of the Year banquet, mid March, the 2009 Car of the Year was unveiled. To much fanfare, but little surprise, the Volkswagen Golf Mk6 1.4TSI took home the honours. One lucky winner also got to take the Golf home for a whole year, complete with petrol and insurance bills covered. While some would have liked the Alfa Romeo MiTo to have won, the Volkswagen is definitely a worthy titleholder. Interestingly, it’s also the first time in the model’s 35-year history that it has been awarded the honour (in South Africa).

For those who want a little more E-class for their money, Mercedes Benz has launched the E-class estate. Available with most of the engines as offered in the sedan (save for the hot, V8-equipped E63 AMG), the new wagon doesn’t really leave us wanting more. Perhaps a bit too refined and luxurious to be a Q-car, like the Audi RS4 Avant, BMW M5 Touring, Honda Accord Tourer and Alfa Romeo 156 Sportwagon. Pricing starts at R507 000 for the E200 CGI and ranges all the way to R833 000 for the E500.

A lucky group of students at the University of Cologne were given a Ford Focus RS, by Ford, to prepare for racing. The race? Well, 24 hours of the Nürburgring. Let’s hope they actually do go race it, instead of hooning around the parking lot at Cologne McDonalds.

Honda has released some interesting figures for its CR-Z sporty hybrid hatch. Apparently 10 000 orders have been placed, thus far, for the spiritual successor to the CR-X. Of those, 50% are customers new to the brand, and 4 000 units have been ordered with a manual transmission – which really confuses our hybrid advisor, Patrick Gearing.

A bit late – thanks to a few technical glitches – ZA Car Show brings you the latest in motoring news from around the world, the Geneva Motor Show and South Africa.

Trevor Tuck’s excitement is piqued with the announcement that the Mercedes Benz AMG SLS will do its duty as the official pace car for the F1 season.

A very green, green Ferrari

We also give a brief  round up of the noteworthy cars from the Geneva (Auto Salon) Motor Show. A local launch in the form of VW’s Citi successor, the Polo Vivo is followed by a review of the new Polo 1.4 Comfortline. Could this just be the car that VW should have in its lineup to secure world domination?

Episode 68 hi-fi download (34MB)
Episode 68 lo-fi download (16.5MB)

Remember, we WANT your feedback. Send us your questions, requests, complaints and spy photos to info [at] zacarshow [dot] co [dot] za.
Or follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/zacarshow, where we break news, post updates and share info.

Links to news, show notes and more after the jump

Mercedes Benz AMG SLS will do its duty at the hands of Bernd Maylander (click for Wiki Page)as the  F1 Safety Car [via: Wheels24]

Nice change from the C63

Geneva Auto Salon Wrap Up

• For the official website of the show click here
• For UK Car Magazine’s wrap up click here [via: Gavin Green's Blog]
• For our awesome wrap up with Tuck salivating over a green Ferrari and Patrick Gearing going gaga over hybrids listen to the show
• South Africa disappoints SA with the Joule at the show. Not enough electricity to power SA so why the big deal to develop an electric car

Lexus Luxury LX570 off road crusher launched in SA [via: Carblog]

Like a giant LS460 that can climb mountains and carry militants

Volkswagen’s Citi replacement, the funky new Polo Vivo.

A slight facelift for what we know as the old Polo!

ZA Car Show Driven: 2010 Volkswagen Polo Comfortline

• Click here for the official VW minisite
• Click here for prices and options

The team has nothing but love for VW's best Polo ever.

ZA Car Show Driven: 2009 Chevrolet Captiva 3.2 LTZ

• Specs and pricing when you click here

Our intrepid Tuck was very Captiva(ted) by this car.

ZA Car Show’s cars that changed the world from 1968

On the opposite end of the spectrum is a chat on car technology. Have 2 Have is an online retailer which sources products from the around the world. It goes without saying that Simon is a gadget freak – at one stage owning probably the most specced E90 BMW.

ENTER THE ZA CAR SHOW LISTENER’S COMPETITION TO WIN A DIGITAL TYRE PRESSURE GAUAGE FROM HAVE2HAVE – Listen to the show for the question and perhaps even the answer.

We also bring you news from the world of auto shows and the local launches of the Lexus LS460 face-lift, Lexus IS-F and more…

BMW's New Luxo-Barge; too bad it's residual values sink quiker than anchors in a storm

Prettier. More Driver Orientated and in four years time with be worth double that of the equivalent BMW

Direct file download (26.6MB)

Show notes and links to news after the jump

An electric Ferrari – What is the world coming to? [via C.Net CarTech]

The Lexus LS460 skips straight past the nip and tuck to get a fat injection

Phat Fat, just don't buy it in gold unless you're 70 in which case you've probably bought a Honda anyway

Lexus IS-F: is F the most powerful letter in the alphabet?

Clever little gills

BMW 760IL: is comes at a price, but for a change would it make better sense to buy Italian? [via Motoring.co.za]

Car Technology

Cars from 1963. Arguably one of the best motoring years.

Is this BMW a future classic? Listen to the show to hear why we think so and why we think the newer M3s will not be.

Direct file download (25MB)

For Show notes and links to news stories click ‘more’ below:

Is the KIA Cerato Koup hitting SA shores soon, we think so but KIA SA won’t say [Aussie microsite: Kia Cerato Koup]

What a pretty coupe. KIA is standing out from the crowd these days

Mercedes-Benz GL gets a mid-life face lift, nip and tuck – Nip and Tuck like it a lot.

Lexus announces that its IS converitible will be in South Africa by the end of 2009 [via: Business Day]

Challenge: What makes a car iconic? The ZACS crew members choose their favourite future classics!

Bugatti Galibier: Eight exhausts for your supersaloon.

And lots of shiny chrome bits, too!

Click “more”, and get more pics, plus a wrap-up of other news in this episode.

Direct file download (28MB)

Frankfurt roundup:

Bugatti Galibier

Aston Martin Rapide

Audi R8 V10 Spyder

Bentley Continental GT Series 51

BMW X1

BMW EfficientDynamics Concept

BMW 5-series Gran Turismo

Ferrari 458 Italia

Forza 3

Ford CMAX

Lamborghini Reventon Roadster

Volkswagen Golf R

Mini Coupé

Mini Roadster

… and a few others.

More of Bugatti's new grand tourer...

Audi's electric R8 concept, the E-Tron

So hot. Obviously, because the sun is beating down on you.

The Continental GT Series 51. Looks sorta plain, doesn't it?

The Rapide, from the outside...

... and a less-boring interior than you'd expect.

The maddest car in the whole wide world.

A Mini with a bigger boot.

BMW's answer to Audi's A5 Sportback.

A baby off-roader. Will no doubt be bested by a Jimny.

The hottest hatch of all? Who knows?

A game... about cars.

Local launch:

Chevrolet Cruze

The new Cruze, from Chevrolet. A bold choice for people in the Corolla segment.

It has a sexy interior to match the striking exterior.

Reviewed:

BMW 323i

The facelifted E90 3-series. This time, in 323 guise.

Lexus GS450h

Lexus' full-hybrid luxury saloon.

Jeep kindly gave ZACS a Jeep J8 for a bit of a comparative test…with a Suzuki Jimny, we’re still trying to work out of we are surprised about the Jimny or the Jeep  both of which equally thrilled when thrown into ridiculous off-road situations.

Jeep J8 and some of its siblings.

For more show notes, pictures of the Suzuki and Jeep excursion and other interesting news  clickerize ‘more’ under this post.

Direct file download (31.6MB)

• Under new VW ownership Porsche plans to kill off non-core models like the Panamera and Cayenne to focus on sports cars [via World Car Fans]
• Porsche then promptly announces the 911 Sport Classic – a model which harks backs to the early 70′s Porsche Carrera RS [via Carscoop]

Arguably better looking than the original

• Fiat Punto Evo: as its name implies it is the next generation Punto with a little more obvious FIAT 500 DNA and FIAT’s Multiair engine [via Eurocarblog]

Still good looking, but many people prefer the original

• Volvo C70 undergoes a bit of a controversial nip and tuck [via Autoblog]

The Volvo corporate styling comes to the C70

• Lexus models also go under the knife and get minor spec changes[via: World Car Fans]
• BMW Vision Concept,  a truly fast hybrid car from BMW with proper hybrid credentials [via: Wired.com]

Remember the orange BMW M1 "Concept"? This bares more than a striking resemblance

• Audi A5 Cabriolet, not yet officially launched in SA, but ZACS breaks the news [Audi A5 Microsite]
• FIAT’s budget saloon car the Linea is officially launched to local press, ZACS drives it

It's good looking, more stylised than the Ford Ikon. Poor choice of engine Christo says though.

• The Nissan Murano’s shows its ugly face in South Africa

Looks like it fell out of a dow and got smacked by the ugly samurai...

The Qashqai DNA runs strong in this one

• Google starts mapping SA, more importantly in Toyota Prius Hybrids

Poles sticking out of Prius roofs became a problem...

• Driven: Suzuki Jimny and non-civilian Jeep J8

Looking a little our of place amongst the Jeeps...

The little Jimny that thought it could...could

Who needs a Jeep for this stuff...

Unless, of course, it's a Jeep J8.

What a pretty car. This is what good car design is about...

Ooh la la

For more images, links to news stories and useful info click the ‘more’ tag underneath this here line…

Direct file download (26.8MB)

IIHS Roof strength test results: Small cars [via: Autoblog]

Super strong thanks to the Tridion cell

World Health Organisation release results on primary fatalities in different age bands, guess what, cars kill quite a number of people – number one global killer of 15-29 year-olds [via: TTAC]

Seat releases its hottest Cupra yet. We predicted green will be the next performance car colour; we were right [via: Topgear]

One hot Spaniard and it's not Fernando Alonso

Lexus CT drawings leaked. Small Lexus is set to compete with mid-sized hatchbacks and expected to debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show [via Topgear]

Porsche reveals its new GT3RS track monster, little boys will have wet dreams about this car

Perhaps there’s a bit of Arab influence in the colour and design themes? [via: Auto News Europe]

Bentley shows us its latest model. This is a proper Bentley

Click on the coloured and underlined words for the link to the Bentley microsite for the Mulsanne

Audi launches its new S4 in South Africa, will the BMW 335i competitor have the boost to compete on power and price?

Suzuki’s pocket-sized Alto launched in South Africa. The 3-cylinder mini-car will hopefully woo some customers to the brand which seems to be gaining in popularity

Renault launches its newest revisons of the Clio 3; cuts the model line to two from ten

Driven: Nissan 370Z [click for link to Nissan site for specs and details]

Great looking exterior and fantastic performing engine

...is let down by a bit of a low-rent interior