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Easter weekend was a good break, but now we’re back for episode 158 with 1 man down (Trevor vd Ven is away on holiday in a Peugeot) and 2 men up (Guy Kilfoil GM of Corporate Communications at BMW SA and Clen Cook, founding man of the BlackTopRally).

In the news

The Mercedes Benz S 250 CDI wins the coveted (read nobody in South Africa is phased by) World Green car of the year 2012. The new S 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY – has an output of 150 kW and achieves a fuel consumption of only 5.7 litres per 100 kilometres (NEDC), corresponding to CO₂ emissions of 149 grams per kilometre. Unfortunately the S 250 CDI isn’t available in South Africa. Greenies weep.

Something Greenies also weep about is the launch of the SLK 55 AMG, which won’t win any “green” medals any time soon. What it will do is make beautiful noise from a 5.5liter naturally aspirated V8, and travel to 100km/h in 4.6seconds. Pricing? R975 000 without options. Ouch. We’d rather have a Porsche Boxter S

What most South Africans would rather have is the Toyota Hilux…this is no surprise. What is a surprise is that Toyota has announced that it has produced 5million Hilux’s globally. We thought it would be more?

Speaking of more – the Renault Fluence has received a spec change. With a new Authentique model adding more value to the range.

Fiat has also extended the 500 range by adding the Fiat 500 Matt Black. It’s the second special edition after the by Diesel (the clothing brand). Adding a matt black paint job (surprise!) as well as some very nifty black rims To the first 50 buyers, you stand in line to receive a Tom Tom navigation system fitted as standard. *Runs to dealer*

Clen Cook discussed the imminent launch of the second iteration of the BlacktopRally, staring 29 April – 4 May. www.blacktoprally.co.za

Whilst Guy Kilfoil chats to us about the vehicles BMW has so generously committed to certain teams for the BlackTopRally, and some interesting discussions around BMW’s Efficient Dynamics technology. Also, he just talks cars with us, which is cool, because he’s cool like that

Episode 158 download 

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We’re trying some new things on ZA Car Show and one fo these is brevity. Take a listen to the compact episode 156 of ZA Car Show and let us know if you like it. As always we are open to feedback, suggestions on subjects for Wallpaper Wednesdays, tips on some crazy cars for sale, and any other things you would to share with us. Click on these black words to submit your feedback, we’d appreciate hearing from you.

The SL 65 AMG generates a full 630 PS (463 kW / 621 hp) from its 6.0-litre V12 biturbo engine that is mated to AMG’s Speedshift Plus 7G-Tronic transmission system. This enables it to accelerate from 0-100kph (0-62mph) in just 4 seconds before hitting an electronically limited top speed of 250kph (155mph).

463kW; 1000Nm; 0-100km/h in under 4s; these are the figures for the recently announced Mercedes Benz SL65. While it’t not a new engine, it does get some technical updates. It’s quite a looker.

New B-class

Meriva

GTC

Review:

VW Tiguan

Audio stream – Download audio file (zacs154.mp3)
Christo, John, Patrick and Trevor explore their best (and worst) cars from the 84th Geneva Motor Show in Episode 154. Christo also sheds a tear at the announcement that Lotus has stopped development on its projects after the disinvestment of it Malaysian funders. Finally, we wrap up the show with a review of the endearing Audi RS5, but the verdict might surprise you. Go on have a listen and let us know what you think by clicking here

You’ve seen some of the more than 150 new model reveals at the Geneva Motor Show, what was your favourite?

Was it the Lamborghini Aventador J?

Perhaps it was the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta? Do you want to see a full gallery, click on the image.

This little beauty was also unveiled in its production form. What a looker. Click on the image to view a gallery.

To wrap it up, we review the non-facelifted 2012 Audi Rs5

Episode 154 download 

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Our friend and contributor John Beale needs a new car so Thomas Falkiner, Christo van Gemert, Trevor van de Ven, Patrick Gearing and journalism student Dean Venter put their collective heads together to show what sensible options can be thought up if you crowd source.  The team, without Mr Beale who was eating sushi without us, also review the new Honda Accord 2.4 automatic and give you the low down on the motoring news from the past week.

The rebirth of the exciting Toyota. This flat four developed in conjunction with Subaru looks as if it has all the right ingredients to steal customers from the hot-hatch market. Click on the image to see a full gallery (you will be redirected away from this page).

Machbach is dead, Merc is pulling the plug. They are not the most handsome or striking cars but Trevor van de Ven still gets a bit teary eyed knowing that he will not see another all-white Landaulet again.

Patrick and Trevor love wagons. They also love Jaaaaags, so this car should put them both in a flat love-induced coma.

The new Honda Accord sports a dramatically revised front-end even if it's only the hawk-eyed that will spot the changes. Under the skin, this car is phenomenal. Take a listen to the show to find out what we think. Click on the image to view a full gallery (you will be redirected away from this page).

Episode 142 hi-fi download (18MB) 
Episode 142 lo-fi download (9MB)

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Arrr, we be hittin ya wit a whole lot ‘a aRRRRRRRRRR cars this turn ‘o tha week, most importantly mateys, arrrr the reviews of the Porsche Cayman (like the pirate islands) R by o’er favourite deckhand from ye Sunday Times, Tom Tom Falkiner an’  also the lane lubbin’ Volkswagen Scirocco R.

Christ’o Nobeard gets excited abou’ all manner ‘o Toyboaters an’ what they be doin’ in Dak to the arrrr. The team ‘o salty dogs also talk about the new Toyboater Yaaaar-is an’ the vulgar display [of pow'aar] that BMW X5M and X6M owners can display with thar new Individual package.

Already a display of bad taste, the BMW has now opened its Individual styling options pack to X5 and X6 M buyers.

Roundin’ it up Shipmate Tom Tom updates ye all on the new Mercedes Benz C63 and new E63 5.5 Bi-turbo engined wee-beastie. Just ta keep ‘em greenie meanines happy tankard Trevor, gets all excited abo’t a 1-litre engine for a Ford Focus.

No longer a hunking lump of 6.3 litres of V8 in this one anymore, it now features a 5.5l V8 Bi-Turbo. Good for 700Nm and 410Kw. Click on the image to view a full gallery.

A very masculine and handsome car this new C63 is, but is it still just a quarter mile king? Take a listen to find out. Click on the image to see a full gallery of the C63 range.

For the price of the 1.3 3-door you could get into a MINI One and still have change. What would you prefer? Click on the image to see a full gallery of the new Toyota Yaris

Thomas Falkiner reviews the Porsche Cayman R. We are secretly jealous, but when you hear his enthusiasm in the reivew we can't be jealous of him for long.

Episode 141 hi-fi download (18MB) 
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What a week. With the start of the Johannesburg Motor Show kicking off at the NASREC show complex on 6 October, there is a lot to get excited about. Brent Ellis, a freelance motoring journalist and photographer, is a the special guest this week and he joins Trevor van de Ven, John Beale and Patrick Gearing (who isn’t on twitter so his name isn’t underlined) for the 135th recording of South Africa’s only dedicated motoring podcast. They discuss the local launches of the Jaguar XF 2.2 Diesel, a sub-R500 000 entrant into the Jaguar model lineup that is sure to throw the [leaping] cat amongst the pigeons (do you see what we did there?) and the local launch of the Audi RS3 Sportback a sub-5 second 0-100km/h smack upside the head the bigger, quick hyper-saloons.   Finally they wrap the show up with road tests of the 2011 Mercedes Benz C250 CDI Coupe and the 2011 Suzuki Kizashi manual.

Is that the handsome Jaguar XK? No, it's the updated XF and if you thought it could not get any more handsome, it just did. Click on the picture to see a full gallery of the updated Jaguar XF.

Sit back, think about the fact that is replaces the three-door hatchback CLC and then marvel in how much better it is in every respect, from looks to performance and more. Click on the image to go to a full gallery of this handsome car.

Objects in this picture appear are much larger than they appear. What did the team think of the new Suzuki Kizashi? Listen to find out. Click on the picture to see a full gallery of this car.

Episode 135 hi-fi download 
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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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A friend of ours, Jesse Adams from Star Motoring, once had an off. After seeing him at the side of the road – he collected it nicely and the car remained intact – he said, “There’s no ESP in the world that’ll save you when all four wheels are in the air”. Or something to that effect. The point is: when you’re going hell for leather in a car and airtime is achieved, your bum clenches and your heart jumps into your throat. Quite how rally drivers do it, with alarming regularity, is why we regard them as the ballsiest sportsmen in the world.

And this brings us to the theme for this Wallpaper Wednesday: maximum air. A selection of some stomach-in-throat photos where the drivers were, no doubt, relieved to reunite with mother earth, in one piece.

*All photos are property of their respective copyright holders. If you see a photo that is yours, please get in touch and we can credit you, or remove it from this posting.

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131 is an iconic FIAT that both Trevor and Patrick would love to have in their garages one day in Ralaye form. It also had a Spanish twin in the form of the SEAT 131. But of course it’s also the latest episode of ZA Car Show.

What a week of beautiful cars it was too. We talk about the Ferrari 458 Spider, KTM X-Bow with a hardtop kit, the Porsche 911 (991), the Mercedes-Benz A-Class AMG, Toyota FT86′s twin the Subaru BRZ, New Mercedes-Benz SLK and Hyundai Elantra. You can’t disagree with that that, or can you? Hmmm, have a listen to find out.

If you’re considering a new SUV, something like an BMW X5, then do yourself a favour and take in the review of the 2011 BMW X3 2.0d before you make your choice. We might just sway your decision.

Not quite as pretty as an Alfa 8C Spider, but still in the ZA Car Show team's top three most beautiful convertibles. For a full gallery of the Ferrari click on the image.

Very sleek, very sexy, very Porsche. What do you think of the new 911 (991). Click on the image for a full gallery of this car.

The Subaru collaboration with Toyota on this car has spawned a model for each manufacturer, the Subaru has been quite shy though. At least we know it will be called the BRZ, but click on the picture and you can see what the Toyota looks like.

"The best SLK to-date" is what a lot of motoring journalists are calling it. It's certainly the most beautiful. Click on the image for a full 50+ image gallery showcasing many of the new technologies in this car.

In the compact sedan segment we're used to boring or awkward, rarely ever beautiful, have a look at the gallery by clicking on the picture and let us know what you think, we think it's a bit OMG jaw on the floor stuff!

Episode 131 hi-fi download (19MB) 
Episode 131 lo-fi download (9.5MB)

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Sometimes the selection of colours from a manufacturer doesn’t quite cut it. If it’s not bland, it’s just not crazy enough. Since those who love cars see their vehicles as an expression of themselves, it only makes sense for them to be a little custom…

We’re not talking about “Fast and Furious” levels of insanity, here. Just a nice paintjob, or vinyl wrap for those who don’t have the balls to permanently drive around in a pink Bentley. Today’s selection of wallpapers shows off some of the eye-catching finishes on some exotics and a few limited-availability paint options on some other cars. What colour would you paint your car, given the chance? Sound off in the comments, on Twitter or join us for the discussion on Facebook.

*All photos are property of their respective copyright holders. If you see a photo that is yours, please get in touch and we can credit you, or remove it from this posting.