This week we saw the reveal of the MINI Cooper crossover, the Countryman, and are not sure what to think…

Weird, awkward, refreshing, we're not sure what to think...

…see a preview of the face-lifted Mazda 5 ahead of it’s Geneva launch…

Pretty. The best execution of this new design language. Look at the sheet metal folds in the door

…while South Africa gets the new Polo

A bit bland but will probably age very well. Not Walter Da Silva's best work.

Direct file download (19MB)

Links to news stories and show notes after the jump

Crazy concept will become a reality; the MINI Countryman [via World Car Fans]

The pretty Mazda 5 has photos and details released ahead of its Geneva launch [via: Autoblog]

South African Volkswagen Polo unveiled to local motoring press [via Wheels24]

Driven: Facelift Audi Q7 4.2 TDI

ZACS’ favourite cars from 1962

NOTE: Due to unforeseen circumstances, sound quality of this recording may not be perfect. We experienced a glitch in our hardware and tried our best to salvage the recording.

In episode11 of ZA Car Show, the team of Christo van Gemert, Patrick Gearing, Trevor Tuck and Trevor van de Ven  (the hollow man) tackle another challenge, this time its executive family sedans for under R300 000.   The team also goes over some new car news for SA a lot of other chats about everything mooring related. 

Renault launches the Renault Koleos in South Africa, the only car to talk all about the interior without actually showing any images of the interior

Alfa reveals the 149 – a successor to the legendary 147

Mazda announces plans to develop a Renesis rotary engine that runs on hydrogen   

Listener challenge: What was the first production car in the world with a Wankel engine?  

ZACS Challenge: Family sedans for under R300 000 – once again, the results are surprising

Visiting the licensing departments in South Africa reveal a couple of other surprises

And more…

Direct file download (30,3MB)

We also discuss:

• What was the car Tuck was talking about in Episode Five – the first production car designed in a wind tunnel? Designed in 1963 this thing has the same drag coefficient as a Porsche 911. You’ll never believe us but find the answer here
• Cheap cars again, this time a Renault hash up of TATA and Dacia, what a combo
• Christo likes to put Trevor van de Ven on the spot, this time ZACS picks a bone with the new BMW 520d – is +R400 000 good value?
• We talk Porsche’s move to four cylinder and the Mercedes-Benz DiesOtto
• South Africa and emissions laws…
• And even more ridiculous legislation on left hand drive cars
• The Volvo C30 1.6, overpriced cold hatch, or alternative to the Golf V, Christo waits for them to depreciate while we all get sidetracked again, this time fixated on another 90’s classic the Volvo 850R
• The Caddy-shack CTS, launched in South Africa is this a serious competitor to the BMW 5-Series, and Merc E-Class
• Mazda introduces stop/start technology in Europe. The new wave of fuel efficient engines do they work some agree some don’t
• We play the second instalment of our “Pick the best car from brand X” This week listen and be surprised. A debate ensues.

Direct file download (33MB)

Under discussion in this episode:

• Hummer driving sales by advertising fuel economy.
• The small engine big car strategy we talk VW’s 1.4TSI – turbo and supercharged – engine.
• Forced induction; good idea or high maintenance costs.
• Turbo cars in motor sport – killing the game?
• The Audi Q7 4.2, Christo gives us his impressions.
• Our advice on SUV purchases.
• WiFi, lane wandering alerts and cool or useless technology soon to be built into cars.
• We give the Department of Transport some advice on how to alleviate traffic on South Africa’s national highways.
• Duncan brings up the Fiat 500 again.
• The tame racing driver lusts after a Chana Star Bakkie after Nissan pulls the plug on the Champ.
• We all lust after RenaultSport models speaking about the launch of the R26 and R27.
• Tuck again reveals strange fetishes for minivans while we talk about the Mazda CX7, Renault Espace and Mazda 5.

And more…

Direct file download (30MB)

• We introduce ourselves, Christo van Gemert, Trevor van de Ven, Patrick Gearing and the tame racing driver, Trevor Tuck we also talk about our motoring heritage.
• The New BMW X6 and debate whether it’s answering a question that’s never been asked.
• The Subaru Tribeca and Forrester and how diametrically opposite they are.
• Nissan’s Qashqai, 4×4 and Diesel variants launched in SA, who are these cars made for?
• The death of the Ford Ka and what other affordable cars are available in SA for under R100k.
• Sad passing of Andrea Pinifarina.
• The fancy exorbitantly priced Fiat 500, have retro people-cars lost their focus and is the Mazda 2 really the benchmark.
• The Euro NCAP is killing fun cars.
• Fiat’s Bravo, a sad case of Fiat’s reputation killing a good car.

And more…

Direct file download (28MB)