ZA Car

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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

Episode 118 hi-fi download (bigger — less than 24MB)
Episode 118 lo-fi download (smaller — less than 12MB)

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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)
Episode 111 lo-fi download (12MB)

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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)
Episode 94 lo-fi download (13MB)

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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)
Episode 92 lo-fi download (17MB)

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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)
Episode 91 lo-fi download (17MB)

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