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This week Patrick, John and Christo pop in for a quick one, and share some leaked photos of the new Renault Twingo, talk about Merc confirming the C63 Black Series and Christo reports back on the Chev Orlando launch.

The funky and revised new Renault Twingo - click through for a gallery.

It’s funky. And purple. But those lights aren’t to everybody’s tastes. Christo and John argue about it for a bit, but come to their senses when…

Merc's angriest-looking Black Series yet, the new C63. Click through for a gallery.

… they hear that the new Mercedes Benz C63 Black Series has been confirmed for production. It’s got a 510hp (378kW) version of the old 6.2-litre V8, rather than a fancy new turbo mill, and a few other tricks up its sleeve. If anything, at least it looks the part.

Last week we spoke about the Orlando, and this week Christo's got drive impressions. Click through for gallery.

Last up in the news is the Chevrolet Orlando. Two models will be available, and LS and and LT, both sporting a 1.8-litre motor producing 104kW. Christo points out that the car is actually bigger than it looks in the photos, and also notes that it’s quite practical, if just a bit… wanting, in the power stakes.

Turbo, front-wheel drive, and very much a Renault. Click through for an album.

Episode 127 ends off with the speed-freak trio all agog over the Renault Megane RS. The full road test on the Renault sees them all agreeing that it’s a fantastic car, with typical French quirks, including terrible button placement, weird system operation and haphazard ergonomics. It’s also very fast. And they like that. A lot. Listen to the show to hear what their conclusions are.

Episode 127 hi-fi download (13MB) 
Episode 127 lo-fi download (7MB)

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A sexy tail light. A badass wheel. Perhaps it’s even just the little glass louvres on the engine cover. Most cars have awesome little design details that make them a little special. This week’s Wallpaper Wednesday selection showcases some awesome closeups of a few cars that have some great design details, along with a few just-plain-cool macro shots of iconic badges. Hopefully one can find a home on your desktop.

What’s your favourite detail on your car? Or details other cars you like? Let us know on Twitter] or Facebook.

As always, just click on a picture to enlarge it and drag it to your desktop to save it.

*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.

You’d think F1 stars, both past and present, aren’t averse to a little speed. They careen around corners at 250km/h, so what’s a paltry 130km/h in a very capable road-going super car?

Okay, it probably does make a difference if you’re not the one driving. High speed corners with you in control are one thing. The same corners with another racing madman at the wheel? Another story altogether. Then we get to the corners themselves. This isn’t an ordinary racetrack: it’s the notoriously dangerous Nürburgring.

So we can understand why David Coulthard is a teensy bit nervous in this video, where Mercedes GP’s Nico Rosberg is driving him around the track.

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The cosmetic surgeons at the world’s car design studios have been busy nipping and tucking and in some cases embarking on major surgery. This week Trevor van de Ven drove the dramatically updated C-class from Mercedes-Benz and the team also discusses the updated Audi A5 and Toyota Hilux plus the new Ford Focus. Reviewed this week is Nissan’s new champ, well not the champ you might be familiar with, but the new Micra which punches well above its weight.  

For a full gallery click on the image.

The highlight of East London in South Africa is probably the C-Class. Full stop. Dramatic changes inside and out, it is what a mid-lifecycle facelift should be about.

Click on the image to be redirected to a full gallery of the updated Audi A5

For a gallery of the Toyota Hilux click on the picture above.

The Nissan Micra is one of Christo van Gemert and Trevor van de Ven’s favourite small cars. A combination of price, value and technology is where it’s at if they are to be believed, but what you you think?

For a full gallery of Nissan Micra pictures, click on the picture above.

You really should click on the image and check out the gallery of the new Ford Focus, because what is nice from one angle is not necessarily nice fron the other angles.

Episode 125 hi-fi download (21MB)
Episode 125 lo-fi download (11MB)

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We love special cars at ZA Car Show and there are quite a few in this week’s episode featuring Christo, Trevor, Patrick and John Beale. Expensive Bugattis get more expensive, BMWs get more strange, fast Mercs get faster and VWs bakkies get a little more agricultural, and more… go on, have a listen or just click through to the galleries below.

A Bugatti filled with fine German porcelain. Hold on that doesn't sound right does it? Click on the image for a full gallery of this one-off car...

It really is one of the best looking convertibles on the plant. That is until someone decided that a two-tone car was a good idea. Click on the picture for a link to the full gallery of this and the Limited M-sport edition.

The cat's out the bag. And it's a might fine looking cat. Click on the image to see a full gallery of the Mercedes Benz C63 Coupe Black Series

The most handsome BMW got more handsome, can such a thing happen. Trevor quite likes the Individual, but best of all he likes that it's available with a diesel engine. Click on the picture to see a full gallery of the M-Sport and Individual models.

Then just to bring things back down to earth or to bring the earth back down the construction site, the VW Amarok Single Cab. Click on the link to see a full gallery of this pickup.

Also in this episode, a full review of Honda’s lovely Insight hybrid. Trevor, Christo and Patrick give their opinions on this eco sedan – including explaining the differences between full and mild hybrid technologies.

Episode 124 hi-fi download (24MB)
Episode 124 lo-fi download (12MB)

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