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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 joined this week by Derik and Bradley Scorer from Arnold Chatz Cars. At ZA Car Show we’ve come to meet a great deal of people, but we’ve seldom met with guys who are as passionate about cars as Derik and Bradley.  It’s easy to see why Arnold Chatz Cars, an independent Fiat and Alfa Romeo dealership in Johannesburg, was the first choice for establishing an Abarth performance centre when the brand was launched in South Africa. They share some light on what we might be able to expect from Abarth (like the Punto Scorpione that has Trevor weak at the knees) and some special editions that Abarth would like South Africans to have. It was the Arnold Chatz Cars ‘cash for clunkers’ programme that got us speaking to Arnold Chatz Cars in the first place as it’s a one-of-a-kind offer, especially in the lower end of the market.

By now you might have heard of the new Audi LeMans racers, the R18 E-tron quattro and R18 Ultra – the world’s first hybrid diesel racecar and the lightest Audi racecar respectively.  It’s a rare moment when aesthetics and function marry so beautifully which is made even more impressive when it is on a racecar.

Jaguar has taken the time to pull the covers off of another incredibly beautiful model for lovers of estate cars with the Jaguar XF Sportbrake. Click on the image to view a full gallery.

And from the sublime to the ridiculous is Aston Martin’s Q customization programme. See some of the lunacy in the picture below that features its trunk-top rack for storing your bags.  Click on the image to see a fully gallery of the strange customization options.

Land Rover also broke two records this week: it built the 1millionth Land Rover Discovery, a car we thoroughly enjoyed; and in South Africa it managed to collect over 1000 Land Rovers in a convoy breaking the previous Guinness Book of World Records record of 300-odd cars. Well done to all that participated.

Finally, Renault has rationalised its Clio range once more, making it cheaper and offering loads of customisation options. Are the changes enough to ensure a survival for this nearly-dead horse? We explore the options.

Episode 153 download 

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It’s the last show from the team for the year and what better way to wrap it up than with the ZA Car Show Car of the Year awards? Whether you’re looking for a hatchback, sedan, fun car, practical car or want to find out what each of the team picked as their overall car of the year for 2011, then go on take a listen, the results will surprise you, that much we are sure of.

The third and fourth doors are deceptively hidden in this image. Click on the image to see a full gallery and decide whether you like this new BMW or not (you will be redirected to another page -- right click and select 'open in new tab' to avoid this.)

The smart fortwo pickup expected to be unveiled in the US early in the new year. Our Trevor van de Ven is really excited about this. He really is strange.

The ZA Car Show Car of the Year features a Lexus, Honda, Citroen, BMW, to name only a few. Take a listen to find out what each member of the team chooses for their favourite cars of 2011.

Episode 144 hi-fi download (18MB) 
Episode 144 lo-fi download (9MB)

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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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It’s a flurry of last minute Frankfurt news and because of that the news is brief.  A lot of it will be breaking news in South Africa when the Johannesburg International Motor Show 2011 comes to town 8-16 October 2011. It’s not often we get to review a Porsche, so we take our time with racing driver and motoring journalist from The Times and Sunday Times, Thomas Falkiner, to talk about the Porsche Carrera 4S GTS. It’s also review time for a pocket rocket from the Porsche’s holding company, Volkswagen, in the form of the new VW Polo GTI, a 1.4 twin-charged beastie, but you’ll have to listen to find out why.

Thomas, Christo and Trevor agree it's a good car, but is it the best? Listen to find out. Click on the image to go to a full gallery of the 2011 VW Polo GTi

Strange name, but its the type of car that the FIAT group has needed to counter the success of the Porsche Cayene. Click on the image to go to a full gallery of the Kubang.

This is pretty much the spec of the Porsche 911 Carrera 4S GTS that Thomas Falkiner reviews in this episode of ZA Car Show. Click on the image to see the rear and interior of this customised car.

Episode 133 hi-fi download (19MB) 
Episode 133 lo-fi download (9.5MB)

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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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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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Back are the days of the cool cars. We have speed, speed and more speed. It seems after the world got over its hybrid and electric hiccup, manufacturers are back on track to deliver proper drivers’ cars. Trevor van de Ven and Christo van Gemert discuss them in this episode and also review two small sedans with huge boots to fill both metaphorically and literally.

If you haven’t already seen it, check out our LeMans-themed wallpaper gallery that was posted on Wallpaper Wednesday last week — we talk about the race in this episode show.

Click on the pic to be teleported to the LeMans-themed wallpapers we have collected for you.

 

 

The F10 always was a pretty car, this just got better with power to boot…Click on the picture to view the complete gallery.

 

This thing just blitzed the Nurburgring; it's a front wheel drive; it might even come to South Africa... Click on the picture for a link to the gallery (you will be redirected away from this page)

Renault’s Sandero underwent an update and we have a (very) brief chat about it.

Finally, the ZA Car Show team reviews two close competitors in their segment, the Ford Fiesta sedan and the Mazda 2 sedan. Can either of them offer a compelling alternative to the VW Polo sedan; how do they shape up against their hatchback siblings. Listen to the review to find out.

Episode 121 hi-fi download (bigger – less than 17MB)
Episode 121 lo-fi download (smaller – less than 6MB)

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Here’s a new bit of petrol head goodness for our fans and listeners: Wallpaper Wednesday.

Every Wednesday, from here on, we’ll post a handful of photos* that celebrate all things automotive. Pretty cars, ugly cars, powersliding cars, flying cars and even fantasy cars. If you’d like to submit a photo you’ve found or taken, please send a mail to info [at] zacar [dot] co [dot] za.

Some might not be full wallpaper resolution – sorry – but remember that you can click on these, while on the site, to expand them!

*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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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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