Someone at MINI has woken up and cottoned on to these special editions, since there appears to be a new one or two every week. In a way it makes sense, because from a supply chain point-of-view, the company knows exactly how many cars of exactly the same specification need to be produced. And customers lap these special editions up quicker than they realise that have the ability to customize their own car.  Clever, very clever. 

The new MINI Convertible Highgate – named after the exclusive London suburb of Highgate – adds a touch of class through a number of unique interior and exterior design features, colours and materials. Still built in Oxford, England, the MINI Convertible Highgate gets a unique and fresh new colour, Iced Chocolate metallic:  a metallic brown with some blue flakes that reveal themselves in direct sunlight. Not convinced? The bonnet gets itself  brown and blue-pinstripe stripes – a theme that is carried through on the inside which chocolate-brown leather complete with blue piping.  The convertible soft top is a dark tan colour with a slight metallic sheen.

On top of the Highgate spec, you can add infotainment features like MINI Connected, which places your iPhone at the centre of the car’s entertainment and convenience features, complete with a MINI app.

We suspect two modelswill be offered should it come to South Africa: MINI Cooper (90 kW/122 hp) and MINI Cooper S (135 kW/184 hp), both of which have six-speed manual transmissions. That said, local availability has not been confirmed. Past experience tells us that it is sure to arrive on our shores, though.

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The weekend of 28 and 29 January 2012 was black. South Africa lost two talented motorsports men in unrelated incidents, to the families of Curt Alchin and Wim Pretorius, ZA Car gives its condolences.

Despite the news items, ZA Car Show isn’t sponsored by BMW or MINI, it just appears that they have the most to talk about at the moment. On that front, MINI officially announced the MINI Roadster — a convertible based on a hard top that was based on a convertible, the MINI Coupe — and it also alludes to JCW becoming a stand alone sub-brand like the recently announced BMW M-Performance range. We discuss.

The silver slats in the kidney grills give the car a 'cleaner' appearance if that makes sense? Either way, it emits less toxins, produces V8-like power and consumes fuel like a diesel. For more images (around 70 in total) click on the image to be redirected to our gallery. To view in a new tab (if you're streaming the show at the moment) right click and select 'open in new tab/window.

Christo is going to LeMans this year, that is the commitment to motoring that we have here at ZA Car Show,  and no he’s not getting sent there by a manufacturer so to the South African motoring journalists who read this, you don’t need to hound manufacturers to find out why you never got invited. He, however, was sad to see the departure of Peugeot from the LM1 class which would have left it a one-horse race. It’s also good to see that Toyota is regaining its motorsport ‘mojo’ with the announcement of the Toyota’s LM1 racer, the TS030. It will be a 3.4l V8 Hybrid. This is important becuase we cover another perfomance hybrid in the form of the BMW 5-series Active Hybrid. It’s no tree hugging hybrid like the Prius, but rather a performance hybrid that delivers diesel car-like consumption, very low emissions, and performance equal that of a V8. It doesn’t look like ‘hairy arm pit’ hippie car either, which is what tends to be the perception with the term hybrid.

Toyota will return to Le Mans with the LM1 contender, the Toyota TS030. Click on the image to be redirected to the gallery.

In other news Audi’s extremely beautiful A5 has had a nip here and tuck there and come off looking even better. It’s like taking giving Naomi Campbell or George Clooney (see we keep it relevant for everyone here) a slight make over — the blank canvas is already good so it can only get better, right?

Handsome, very handsome. It's the facelifted A5 and it is finally in SA. Click on the image to view the gallery.

Finally we wrap up the show with the ZA Car Show road test. This week it’s the Audi A6 3.0t, which is actually supercharged not turbo’d. Good car, bad car? We’re torn a little bit between good and boring, but you’ll have to listen to the show to find out why. Enjoy.

We cannot fault its looks nor the way it is built, but in creating something that is so competent Audi has removed any sort of soul, granted the words 'soul' and 'Audi' are rarely used in the same sentence in any event.

Episode 148 hi-fi download (22MB) 

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I googled the number 147 to find out what the number meant in numerology terms. I didn’t understand a thing, but there were two tarot cards one with ‘love’ and the other with ‘devil’ on them. That pretty much sums up the Alfa Romeo 147, then. It also, hopefully, shows how much we love ZA Car Show and with our news and reviews, stop you buying the devils cars regardless of how many times Trevor says buys a SAAB. Whatever the meaning,  listen to the show now, because having told you this, you’re either about to fall in love if you share ZACS with all of your friends or will turn into a devil if you don’t. It’s your choice.

This week with the start of the WRC, Citroen driver, Sebastian Loeb has kicked off the WRC Sebastien Loeb Invitational Season. Will he be as unstoppable as the other Sebastian, Mr Vettel? With the WRC starting we’re glad that the Dakar has ended. Have you considered a Mazda 3? Yeah, we didn’t think so, so you might like the debate that breaks out as Christo tries to tell us about its new update. The Jeep Wrangler has also had an update and it appears to be quite significant while we swoon over the Fiat 500 1.2 Cabrio Audi R8 GT Spyder and Review the MINI One — the one car you should not overlook at if you are already looking at things like the Ford Fiesta, Mazda 2, Volkswagen Polo and Toyota Yaris — we’re willing to bet you’ll be very surprised.

Your hosts this week are Christo van Gemert, Trevor van de Ven, John Beale and Patrick Gearing.

As always, click on the image to view full galleries of the cars featured. You will be directed away from the page, so right click and select “Open Link in New Tab/Window” to avoid this.

MINI Bayswater. Apart from the riduculous colour, these special editions seem to sell out before they're made available. We cant fault MINI on its style. Click on the image to view a full gallery.

Yes it's a Mazda. It has a new engine in the range - 2.5 litres in capacity now and some other tweaks. Click on the image to see a gallery.

Jeep can pull of khaki better than a farmer from Limpopo. Click on the image to see a full gallery (not from the local local launch).

The Fiat 500C 1.2 has become South Africa's cheapest convertible. Oh we do like this little thing.

You can now order one of these in South Africa. You'd better have a fat wallet and not drive past Porsche on your way to Audi.

This is the basic Mini One. It looks pretty much the same as every other MINI, but offers far better value than most competitors. Find out what we think in the show.

Episode 147 hi-fi download (22MB) 

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We’re two-up so there is just enough space for this week’s ZA Car Show crew of Christo and Trevor in the new MINI Roadster. It’s the sixth model in the MINI range and and looks better than the Coupe at least. Christo, however, disagrees.

It's actually quite a nice looking car, sleek and sporty. Some say it's there to lay the smack down to the Mazda MX5 brigade, but the reality lies firmly in the positioning of this car. A quick look at the press shots (which you can see by clicking on this image - right click and select open in new window/tab for best results) show it very much as an urban hipster runabout, which is not quite the same market that the MX5 attracts.

In Episode 139, we also get feedback on the local launch of the Nissan Juke, introduce ourselves to a facelifted friend, the Volkswagen Tiguan, and talk about one of the most significant models to be launched this year and it’s a pick-up truck, the Ford Ranger. Want to hear more about the Chevrolet Sonic? Well that’s in this episode too.

Handsome: check. Tastefully styled: check. Decent equipment levels: check. This Chevrolet Sonic seems to be a decent car entering into the Hyundai i20/Ford Fiesta/Mazda 2/Volkswagen Polo battle and it looks like a good alternative. Take a listen to find out what more. Click on the image for a full gallery.

The show is rounded off by two car reviews that surprise – good or bad – and delight. You’ll have to take a listen to find which and hear more about the Mazda 5 people mover and Renault’s Megane CC 1.4 tCe.

One of the best Mazdas bar none. No questions, no debate. To find out why take a listen to the show. Click on the image to view a full gallery.

Christo gives you the low-down on the local launch of the Nissan Juke. Click on the image to see a full comprehensive gallery of this car.

It seems to be a prevailing trend, but two-tone hard tops look quite daft. Have a listen to the review of the Megane CC in this episode to find out what we have to say or click on the image for a full gallery of images for this car.

Episode 139 hi-fi download (18MB) 
Episode 139 lo-fi download (9MB)

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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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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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There’s such a varied array of news this wee,k from a very fast record at the 2011 Pike’s Peak hill climb (click on that link, do it) to an off-roader of an entirely different, a sixty year old sort. ZACS also covers the new Efficient BMW X1 and Fiat’s Panda baby before wrapping it up with a review of Christo van Gemert and John Beale‘s favourite tech-packed car, the MINI Cooper S with MINI Connected.

BMW announced efficient engines and other technology for the X1. Click on the image for a link to the gallery

BMW's lighter E90 M3. All the weight reduction from carbon composite body panels has made it as light as...and M3 Coupe. Hmmm. Click on the image for a full gallery of 25+ images and data sheets.

Land Rover's Defender Limited Edition. Nothing new here at first glance. Click on the image for a link to the full gallery.

Fiat's new baby. Great car, bad name. Click on the image for a link to the entire gallery.

ZACS Review: 2011 Mini Cooper S with MINI Connected.

Episode 123 hi-fi download (27MB)
Episode 123 lo-fi download (14MB)

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Trevor van de Ven is a turkey, in Turkey, this week, which means that Patrick Gearing and Christo van Gemert get to sit around and talk about fast cars that aren’t economical at all. They start their speed show at the Nürburgring, where there’s a 24-hour race being held (or rather, was being held – this past weekend). Toyota was there with a hybrid sports car and MINI entered a one of its recently-announced Coupés into the race.

In episode 121 we mentioned the Renaultsport Megane Trophy, a 195kW, rip-snorting hatchback that will only see 500 production units. Well, to prove its credentials, Renault took the car to the ‘Ring and gave it to a Frenchie to flog. He sure can pedal, though: he set a new FWD production car record of eight minutes and eight seconds. Check out the video below.

Citroen has said South Africa will get only ten DS3 Racing hot hatches. It’s got a 153kW and properly sorted suspension, but you’re gonna have to pay Scirocco R money – an eye-watering R400 000 – for one of these mad garlic grocery carts.

Staying on the topic of hatches, but maybe not as spicy: Lexus has confirmed the very green, very posh CT200h for local launch in August.

Audi’s also decided to go all-out on its luxury models. The A8 is now available in a long-wheelbase version, because it obviously was not big enough in the first place – keep an ear out for our road test, soon, as we have one on test at the moment.

The second Audi in the news is the all-new A6. It’s available in three models, a 3.0 TFSI quattro (225kW), a 3.0 TDI (150kW) and a 3.0 TDI quattro (180kW). Prices for the new A6 start at R520 000 – quite competitive when compared to the competing Mercedes and BMW models. It’s also a bit of a looker…

Finally, Patrick and Christo go wild and review the Alfa Romeo Giulietta QV – the fastest of the new Alfas. 173kW, good looks, competitive price and a bit of Alfa magic. Listen to the show to hear what they thought of it.

Episode 122 hi-fi download (20MB)
Episode 122 lo-fi download (10MB)

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We’re a three man team hosted once more by Patrick Gearing, Christo van Gemert and Trevor van de Ven.  This week it’s all the big news from Europe ahead of the international motorshows in Geneva, Paris and, of course, Johannesburg. There’s a sleek Benz, a  an awk er BMW 1-Series, a Cooper Coupe and VW’s fastest Scirocco. We also review the revised Nissan X-Trail which is surprising according to Trevor. Good or bad, you will have to take a listen.

One of the those strange cars that only looks strange in certain colours and from certain angles. Click on the image for a link to the full gallery.

It was always a coupe and a little impractical to begin with, it's now just got more impractical and remains a coupe. Weird. Click on the image to link to the full gallery.

Is it worth the R60k-R80k premium? 188kW and some trick bits make it a little more special than a standard one. Click on the picture to go to the full gallery.

Episode 120 hi-fi download (bigger – less than 15MB)
Episode 120 lo-fi download (smaller – less than 10MB)

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It’s no economic crisis in China, judging by some of the vehicles that were unveiled at the Shanghai Auto Show, but it’s brands like Lamborghini and Rolls Royce that seem to impress the most in this (if we can we call it) emerging economy. ZACS also looks at a special model – the E63 AMG – from the New York International Auto Show too. The special cars from Brabus, Opel and Porsche that really impress.

In this show we also discuss the impending launch of Nissan’s New Micra;  the virtues of a notoriously unreliable brand like Land Rover sponsoring the Rugby World Cup 2011 and SA players, Bryan Habana and John Smit; a mini MINI bicycle and a review of the surprisingly pleasant Renault Sandero Stepway.

So very pretty (compared with the old one)

Well that's impressive...

A little less impressive is what it looks like once it has been unfolded.

Episode 114 hi-fi download (15MB)
Episode 114 lo-fi download (7MB)

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