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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) 
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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) 
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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)
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Three’s a company – and its also this week’s team, sans Christo. He’s off in Zimbabwe to take photographs completely unrelated to motoring. That leaves ZA Car Show in the hands of Patrick Gearing, Trevor van de Ven and Trevor Tuck. Whether that is a good thing or not is a question yet to be answered; what we can tell you is that its s short show, so go ahead download it and see if you can make your journey to work in a single listen.

It’s all about bakkies and Trevor van de Ven getting it horribly wrong about the Audi RS5 (its a V8, not a turbo V6 you idiot), but we burnt his hand with a cigarette when we discovered that faux pas. He shamed us and we apologise.

BMW achieves a five star plus in its NCAP safety ratings [via: World Car Fans]

FIAT wins Technobest award for its TwinAir engine [via Autoworld]

New Ford Ranger and a new Mazda BT-50

Renault launches its limited edition 20th anniversary edition Renaultsport Clio

Look at the gallery below for more pictures

Episode 96 hi-fi download (17MB)
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We’re nearly 100 hundred episodes old and have now been around for over two years. It’s strange then to see that companies like Ford have only now adopted a Facebook campaign to engage with its customers. Two years and 95 episodes ago, the FIAT 500′s seven airbags was big news (YouTUBE video link); now Volvo is bettering even the best scores leaving Euro NCAP to update its safety ratings to “better than the best.”

The team also runs through the latest from Ssang Yong, RenaultSport (fight material that) and the latest solar developments. Trevor Tuck also reviews the 2010 Chevy Cruz diesel with a review that surprises us all. Happy listening.

Trevor Tuck delivers his verdict on the Chevy Cruze Diesel which ZACS had recently for review.

Pics are below with the price available here and specs here

Very pretty inside and out especially in maroon

Episode 95 hi-fi download (29MB)
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Back in full swing is not only the full team at ZA Car Show, but also the pre-launch unveilings for the Paris Motor Show which seems set to be a cracker this year. First on the list is the new 2012 Ford Focus ST, which has a more important brother in the form of the regualr Focus – something the reswt of the media seems to be ignoring. Also set for launch within the year is the Hyundai ix20 and MINI Cooper S Diesel which we discuss.

Locally, the media has been busy with its launch of its Peugeot RCZ which, we assume, featured more celebrity guests than motoring media as this seems to be its publicity strategy if @PeugeotZA on Twitter is anything to go by. This coupe features a TT-like profile and some efficient turbo engines.Its also R140 000 less dear than the Renault Laguna Coupe. Sure they’re different types of cars, but we see a flaw in Renault’s strategy. ZA Car also reveals the rpicing of the Alfa Giulietta (click for a cool car configurator), while Tuck laments why it’s wrong for an Alfa. Finally we wrap it up with the Total Economy run and Christo’s comparative review of the Suzuki Swift Sport and his very own RenaultSport Twingo. The results will surpise and delight.

Head to head against a RenaultSport Twingo, which would you choose?

Photo credits: Quickpic (Ford Focus, Peugeot RCZ) and Motorpics (Suzuki Sport)

Episode 92 hi-fi download (32MB)
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It’s been a busy week for Renault. First it told us it’ll be bringing six new models to local shores before the clock strikes midnight on 2010, and then it unveiled its brilliant “Satisfied or Reimbursed” campaign. Before even giving us room to breathe and take all of this in, it announced the Clio S.

A torquey engine helps it on the uphills.

Good brakes keep it from rolling downhill.

Based on the normal Clio 1.6, the S is aimed at giving aspirational RenaultSport owners something to tide them over until they can get their hands on the bonkers 2.0-litre 3-door hatch. Overtly sporty detailing makes up the majority of the Clio S package. The exterior gains tasty white 16-inch wheels, a white lip on the front spoiler, white mirror caps, and white stickers. Inside we’re treated to seats with some white “S” embroidery, white dials and some white inserts. Damn, there’s a lot of white in this car – aren’t we the Rainbow Nation?

Motivation comes from a 1.6-litre 4-pot producing 83kW at 6000RPM and 161Nm a 4250RPM – decently tractable, if you ask us. Fuel consumption is ridiculously low. People might even get confused, considering this is a “sporty” variant. Renault’s claimed figures are 6.7-litres/100km in the combined cycle, dropping to 5.4-litres/100km on the open road. Oddly, despite the good economy, emissions are 160 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre. Come September 1, and that stupid green tax the government wants to enforce, it’ll add a good few rands to the asking price of R179 900.

The price is attractive – some R20 000 less than the Clio Dynamique. That comes with a few more bits, though, like integrated satnav, light and rain sensors, climate control, Bluetooth, folding rear seats and a couple of other things. Sadly, the S lacks real sporty additions like a more powerful engine, or even a stiffer ride. Still, looks are what count the most for the youth of today.

Check out the gallery below for more shots.

Things have not been going Italy’s way recently. While the Azzuri in South Africa were out drowning their sorrows after dropping out of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Italians had at least one thing to celebrate: Alfa Romeo’s Centenary.

With one soldier down – Trevor Tuck couldn’t join us, thanks to the football loss and Alfa celebration – Christo, Patrick and Trevor (van de Ven) discuss a special edition Ford Focus RS, a European sell-out success and a couple of local models.

Choose your weapon.

The team also debates the cars that made the difference to the motoring world in 1981.

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Episode 81 hi-fi download (28MB)
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Show notes and links after the jump.

On 24 June 2010, Alfa Romeo celebrated its 100th birthday. Trevor Tuck celebrated so much, he could not make it to ZACS for this recording. The loss of the Italian team in the FIFA World Cup 2010 might have something to do with his absence, too.

Audi cannot keep up with demand in Europe. We hope the Audi A1 comes to SA soon, so we can see what all the hype is about.

To pay homage to a Le Mans racer you can do two things. Develop a road going version of the race car – which a lot of manufacturers have done in the past – or, like Ford did most recently, put together a sticker pack for the Focus RS, and call it a limited edition. [via: Insideline]

Engine of the Year awards – every good engine is in here. Best Engines in various capacities: A few BMWs. Best New Engine: an Alfa. Best Performance Engine: an AMG.

Opel’s Corsa 1.4 variants excluding the Essentia, get a new engine and some suspension tweaks to improve, consumption and emissions while raising the power ever so slightly.

Suzuki’s Swift Sport is to Suzuki what the RenaultSport Twingo is Renault. Small, compact and huge amounts of fun in the spirit of the traditional hot-hatch. After nearly two years of promises, South Africa finally gets it.  [via: Suzuki]

Not quite a fizzled out electric storm, GM has refreshed the Spark lineup and brought forth the Spark Lite – a revision of the current Spark. It has done this in anticipation of the new Spark which South Africans will get soon. Another car to hot up the entry-level segment. [via Chevrolet]

New hotness!

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Episode 59 marks the commencement of the slow news weeks, as the year winds down. With Trevor (van de Ven) not guiding us through the news, we briefly chat about the new Kia Sorento and its powerful diesel engine. Also in the headlines are the new Mercedes Benz AMG Performance Centres, the Volkswagen Amarok and some F1 drama. We also review some exciting cars, while Trevor isn’t looking.

The new Sorento. A handsome beast - bits of Subaru Forester and Mitsubishi Outlander, in there.

More notes and pics after the jump!

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Kia’s new Sorento briefly discussed. Watch this space for a road test.

Volkswagen’s Amarok pick-up is now the official Dakar competition vehicle, replacing Giniel’s championship-winning Touareg.

A practical interior. They're gonna need those walkie-talkies.

A huge load bed. Strangely, they have all the wrong tools in there.

Perhaps the racecar won't have those lights. Or wheels. And way more stickers.

Mercedes Benz sets up five AMG performance centres in SA. To give customers a special experience. You know, unlike what they’re going to get a regular dealership. Just kidding – apparently these performance centres will be for enthusiasts of the brand. You know, unlike… nevermind.

The new AMG Performance Centres even have their own website.

Could this AMG brand exercise have something to do with the new Mercedes Benz GP team – formerly Brawn GP? We also discuss other F1 drama, including the driver shuffles and possible speculation about Herr Schumacher returning to the thro… we mean wheel.

The original Mercedes racecars - the Silver Arrows.

Road tests:

The fantastically zingy and fun-to-drive Renaultsport Twingo. 98kW from a 1.6-litre naturally aspirated motor always spells fun. But it’s not perfect…

A cute little city runabout. With dynamite under the bonnet.

The Dynamite.

Unfortunately we will not be able to get this playful pedal set as an option in SA.

A huge big rev counter. With a shift light. Just what your sporty hatch needs.

Tuck, our resident bakkie expert, spent a week with a Daihatsu Gran Max pick-up, to see how it stacks up to other vehicles. He likes it, and sings its praises.

This is NOT the SA-spec Gran Max. We're just making sure you're paying attention, here.

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The regular crew of Christo, Patrick and the Trevors squared are back to talk about Renault and Mercedes-Benz mostly. In this show we explore everything from the best Merc to the Smart brand.

We also have a look at:

• The Twingo RenaultSport – a silly name for a great car, apparently. It’s another small, performance-orientated car announced for South Africa.
• Tuck displays his love for the Renault F1 Team and his favourite driver Fernando Alonso. Not! He is also one of the two people in the world whose actually driven a Spider RenaultSport.
• What is up with Renault?
• Face lifted Nissan Murano looks like its slashed by a samurai rather than styled on one. Is this Renault’s influence coming through?
• Fiat. Great cars, crap service – we rate Fiat’s dealer service using the JD Power survey papers.
• Tuck has a weird fetishes and this week he admits he really wanted a Land Rover Discovery.
• What is the best Mercedes-Benz? Listen to us debate, you will be surprised…
• We also talk about the most desirable old Mercs, the 190E Cosworth 2.3 and Tuck’s Alfa 155.
• The Merc-fest continues and we talk about engine choice and AMG styling packs that cost the price of a second hand Smart car.
• The brand-dilution that manufacturers seem to encourage by offering sport packs; Audi, Alfa and BMW are not exempt.
• The practicality of Mercedes Benz’s Smart brand and how a seemingly decent car brand became a sales flop.
• Student commuters, what cars can you buy for someone going to varsity? Trevor gives his opinions and everyone disagrees.

And more…

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