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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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The Johannesburg International Motor Show kicked off for the public at NASREC in Gauteng, South Africa on 8 October. We attended the press days two days prior to the public show, and came away very impressed. In episode 136, John Beale, Christo van Gemert and Trevor van de Ven discuss the highlights and the surprises of the of the show. If you’ve not attended yet, perhaps this might prompt you to make a turn past there, and if you already have, maybe you disagree. Let us know what you thought about the show.

Take a look at the gallery of highlights from Day 1 of the Johannesburg Motor Show…

This Honda CRZ despite being labeled a 'Concept' was built in South Africa to prove that hybrids need not be boring. Click on the image to see the modifications under the hood of this car and some of the other highlights of Day 1 at the Johannesburg International Motor Show.

…and a gallery of Day 2′s highlights.

Another concept on show at the Johannesburg Motor Show, the awesome little Suzuki Swift Sport Concept. The real deal will be coming to South Africa soon, but click on the picture to see what the highlights of day two were.

The J, C and T also review the Land Rover Discovery TDV6 HSE and the Opel Corsa Colour Edition, a good value car for the youth or not? Listen to find out more.

We review this car in this episode, click on the image to view a complete gallery of the details that grace the Corsa Colour Edition

A rare sight is one of these cars off-road, but it's equally good on-road so we don't mind that, that is where most of them will reside. Click on the image to go to a full gallery of some magnificent photography of the Landrover Discovery TDV6 HSE that ZA Car Show had on review.

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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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With Trevor on holiday and John calling in sick, it’s Patrick and Christo holding down the fort for episode 129.

They briefly talk about the new Suzuki Swift Sport, rumours of Bentley’s interest in making diesel cars and SUVs, whisperings of a new Ford Focus RS, and Pagani’s woes with the US authorities.

Christo also talks about his launch drive in the Suzuki Kizashi, and the duo finish off with a review on the formidable Audi A8 4.2. TDI.

Pagani's having trouble getting approval to sell the Huayra in the US. Click for a gallery.

Suzuki's unveiled its new Swift Sport internationally - we hope it'll get here next year.

Christo went to the local launch of Suzuki's mid-sized sedan, the Kizashi. Click for a gallery.

Patrick and Christo discuss the sporty virtues of Audi's A8. Click for a gallery.

Episode 129 hi-fi download (13MB) 
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If you’re an old Japanese man who’s spent his life in pursuit of the record time at Pike’s Peak, your name must be Nobuhiro “Monster” Tajima. With more than 40 years in motorsport, this Nipponese legend has returned to Pikes Peak almost every year since 1988, with the latter part of his career there spent in a highly modified Suxuki. He says it’s an SX4, but it only barely resembles the humble family hatch it is based on. That probably has a lot to do with the fact that it only seats one, has huge spoilers, all-wheel drive and 900-horsepower.

But it does mean that your lifelong dream can be realised. This past weekend Monster finally dipped below the 10-minute mark at the world-famous hill climb, clocking in at 9m51s. Next year the course will be completely tarred over – it’s currently still partly gravel – and times are certain to plummet at the 2012 event.

Thanks to his title sponsor, GoPro (the manufacturers of those awesome little HD action cameras), we have the video below of his awesome drive.

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It’s a week of specials; special cars from BMW and Mercedes-Benz and also the new BMW 6-series Convertible’s South African debut. Reviewed this week is a 2-in-1 from Smart and Suzuki’s sexy little surprise.

BMW’s retro-revision in the form of the 328. Sexiness on wheels.

Mercedes-Benz responds to sexiness on wheels with porn on wheels in the form of the SLS AMG Roadster.

Christo van Gemert reports back on the South African launch of the BMW 6-Series Cabriolet.

ZACS Drive: Smart ForTwo Cabrio Passion and Smart ForTwo mhd Coupe

ZACS Drive: Suzuki Swift 1.4 GLS

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ZA Car Show is joined again by Trendspotting’s very own John “Justin Timberlake” Beale. He’s a very knowledgable hipster – a sign of today’s modern times – and has also driven the recently-launched Volvo S60 T6 which he reviews for ZA Car Show. That aside, it’s a news blitz from ze Germans, with big news from Mercedes-Benz, Maybach, Audi and Aston Martin… okay we’re not sure how Aston got in there, but have a listen to find out. Christo also went to the local launch of the new Suzuki Swift – hear what he has to say about this one of this year’s best new small cars.

In this episode we also discuss:

Mercedes-Benz’s SLS GT3 being awarded FIA safety standards – Christo passionately discusses the merits of explosive bolts in the gullwing doors. (via – Mercedes-Benz – link to full news release)

What it looks like on the outside...

...and what it looks like on the inside.

Audi produces its five-millionth A4

Aston Martin to benefit from Mercedes-Benz tie-up for SUV/off-roader platforms while Maybach will score by being built in the Aston Martin facility in Gaydon, UK. (via World Car Fans – Link)

The new Audi S8 drops it’s potent Lamborghini-derived V10 for the twin-turbo V8 (via Left Lane News – Link)

Nissan’s new Micra is on it’s way as soon as stock becomes less of an issue due to the tragedy in Japan (via Nissan – Link)

A lot prettier than the old one, then again that was not a hard to beat...

It even looks good from the back...

...but most of all, and critically because that's where you spend your time, it's super-nice on the inside.

Enjoy fast unstable SUVs? Well you might enjoy the SAC supercharged Toyota Fortuner (via Steve’s Auto Clinic – Link)

BMW’s 3-series range now with Efficient Dynamics

Er nothing new here, g'vnor. All the good bits (efficient) are on the inside.

ZACS Launch Impressions: 2011 Suzuki Swift

Push hard, and the new Swift is still fun to drive.

Rumpside: the new Swift's styling is more grown-up, but still unmistakably Suzuki.

Inside it's all new - the centre stack has a more modern layout and feels bang up-to-date.

Road Test:  Volvo S60 T6 AWD presented by John Beale (Follow him on Twitter – link or read the full review at Trendspotting here – link)

John Beale wished he could have matched his orange Volvo like this, what a snappy dresser

Episode 111 hi-fi download (24MB)
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Three men, seven cars, countless individual views. Episode 94 of ZA Car Show features local and international news on BMW and SAAB, Chevrolet’s South African plans, Mazda’s booted 2 and two new concepts from Jaguar and Lamborghini.

Very pretty and non-German looking, what are Germans supposed to look like anyway?

...tasty rump...

Christo also reports back on the launch of the face lifted BMW X5 and Opel Atra while the Patrick and Trevor review the 2010 Suzuki SX4 4X4.

Episode 94 hi-fi download (25MB)
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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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Good things come in threes, and this episode is no exception. With Christo away getting technology updates, the Trevors and Patrick explore the virtues of the Alfa Romeo MiTo MultiAir, Suzuki Vitara V6, Crazy Lamborghini theories and the death of the V6.

Nothing new here, move along...

...whoa, but look inside. Those crazy Ities know how to bad design descisions look awesome.

Trevor van de Ven was also one of the very few non-celebrities to attend the launch of a Ferrari 458 Italia in South Africa and despite considering a good deed, gets flack from the two opportunists trying to snap up freebies.

Do the desert war crawl up in here...

Episode 91 hi-fi download (32MB)
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