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As we wind down into the end of the year we start to get a little more festive, we mock Patrick about his new car a bit, give John a hard time and Trevor gets things wrong again.  The trio also bring you the latest from the Tokyo Auto Show, and reviews of Chevrolet Orlando 1.8 LS and Alfa Romeo 159 1750TBi.

The ZACS team agrees that most people could benefit from these types of cars rather than SUVs, but the rest of the market tends to disagree. It's a Passat with raised-ride-height, go anywhere looks and the comfort of a car. In a market that once featured the Audi Allroad Quattro and Volvo XC70, is VW crazy to suggest something like this even though it will be the better choice against an SUV. Click on the image to see a full gallery of the VW (you will be redirected away from the page. Alternatively right click and select "open in new tab")

in our opinion far more successful as a design execution than the BMW X6. VW's Cross Coupe Concept will likely become a reality and also shows of the changing corporate face that we're likely to see in future VW model facelifts. Click on the image to view a full gallery. (You will be redirected away from this page. Alternatively right click on the image and select 'open in new tab')

Trevor loves the Honda NBox. Yes, we know that it's just plain weird, but we;ve come to expect such lunacy from someone with his car history. What do you think? Click on the image to view a full gallery. (You will be redirected away from this page. Alternatively right click on the image and select 'open in new tab')

This is not a Toyota. It is not a Scion either. It is a Subaru, the new BRZ to be precise and you will notice that it has very little to differentiate itself from the other two. Time will tell whether the Scooby will get a turbo and four wheel drive in the future, leaving the other two in the current rea wheel drive, naturally aspirated guise.

Spot something different? Yes, it's the addition of two extra doors. And in this case it actually works at retaining the funky proportions of the A1. Click on the image to view a complete gallery of the A1 Sportback in various trim levels and in its exclusive Sportback colour, Samoa Orange.

Volvos with little blue Polestar stickers = not to be buggered around with.

Part crossover, part MPV. Click on the image to see the full gallery. Listen to the podcast for the full review.

A real beauty, this much we cannot deny. Even late on in its model-life this is a magnificent looking car that should outsell the BMW 320 and Merc C200. It won't, though, mainly because people think it will break, but probably won't. Ever. Click on the image to see a fully gallery of what you are missing out on if you dont consider a 159. Shame.

Episode 143 hi-fi download (18MB) 
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We’re joined this week by our friend from TimesLIVE and Sunday Times motoring, Thomas Falkiner. Together he, John Beale and Trevor van de Ven go back to the future with the DeLorean EV; talk about the local launch of the BMW 1-Series (F20); South African launch of the Nissan Juke and Tom gives us the low-down on the brand new BMW ///M5 (F10) having been one of the select few to drive it in Spain earlier this month.

Finally, if you’ve always considered buying something outside of the mainstream models and have not been able to bring yourself to do so, you should probably take a listen to our review on the Volvo V60 and S60 T6 R-Design that the crazy three got to drive. Go on, take a listen, download the file to listen later, or better yet, subscribe on our iTunes page to get the new episode automatically each week.

Never mind going back, this IS the future. One of the coolest cars of our time has been reengineered to run on pure electric power. Click on the image to go to a full gallery of the DeLorean EV, including a picture of the Flux Capcitor, er, sort of.

Want some more information on this car? Click here.

Sport and Urban, good or strange looking, you decide. Click on the gallery to see a gallery or listen to the podcast to hear what the team thinks.

Looking for more information on this car? Click here.

Want the spec sheet in PDF? Click here. (3.6Mb)

Pricing you will find if you click here.

Weird photo? It's of the new M5's engine and rightfully so, this is the star of the show. Click on the image to see what the metal that wraps around this powerplant is all about.

Looking for more information on this car? Click here or here for the international website.

Care to download the brochure? Click here.

It's love or hate and there is an abundance of both in episode 138 of the podcast for the Nissan Juke. Click on the image to see a full comprehensive gallery of this car.

Looking for more info? Click here.

Other specs including the price can be found here.

There is no mistaking this car. It is pretty and agressive at the same time and if you want to hear about its performance, then take a listen to the podcast. For a full gallery of pictures, click on this image.

For more information on this car, click here.

Episode 138 hi-fi download (18MB) 
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This week the team of Christo van Gemert, Trevor van de Ven, John Beale and Patrick Gearing (who is now on Twitter) is back in full force and so is the news that every BMW fan has been waiting for, the announcement of the new BMW 3-Series.

Take a look at the various galleries of these cars by clicking on the images below and if you’re eagle eyed, you will even see the first pictures of BMW’s 3-Series M-Sport which we’ve managed to sneak into the gallery without many people noticing yet. But, BMW is not the be all and end all as you’ll find out in our review of the 2011 Lexus IS-F, the quintessential gentleman’s sledgehammer in a Handy Manny toolbox. We also review a green car, quite literally, in the form of the Volvo C30 D2 and the review might just surprise you.

Agressive, bold, purposeful, what do you think of the new BMW 3-Series unveiled on 14 October? Click on the picture to se a comprehensive 82 image gallery of the various trim lines and vehicles including the ActiveHybrid.

The Toyota that will contest races in the LMP1 series next year including a return to LeMans, this time running hybrid technology.

This is a digital rendering straight out of Forza Motorsport 4 of Christo van Gemert's very own car, a Renault Twingo RS. Can you believe that games have come this far. Click on the image to see some more renderings from the game that Christo has been taking for us. Stand back and be amazed.

The gentleman's super performance saloon. You might not have considered it, but this car can hold it's own amongst the BMW M3 and Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG but for all the other reasons, reasons that the other two long forgot were actually the key attractors to those specific models. Hail the new king of Q-car-dom. Click on the image to see a gallery of images.

Green motoring at its finest in more ways than one. Oft-overlooked take a listen to the review to hear why this is such is a cool car.

Episode 137 hi-fi download 
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John Beale in a Lexus joins Christo in a Mercedes Benz and Trevor in a Suzuki to talk about new Lexus’, new Mercs and small VWs. We also tackle the eternal question “What to buy if you have R300 000.00″ to spend and the results are quite surprising.

Join the team this week for more fun, news and reviews of the 2011 Honda Jazz 1.3 Comfort and Citroen DS 1.6 THP. Go on, have a listen or better yet, subscribe by clicking here and you will have ZACS delivered to iTunes every week without the hassle for free.

Cute little car. For a complete gallery click on the image.

This is the angle that you'll mostly see but very magazines seem to show. Still awesome looking. Right click on the image and click "open link in new tab" for a full gallery of the SLK55 AMG

Cars don't get better than this when looking at practicality versus space versus price. Click on the image to be transported to a full gallery of images.

Trevor loved it, Christo not so much and John was on the fence. Find out why by listening to the podcast. There are few things prettier than this picture.

Episode 130 hi-fi download (25MB) 
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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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ZACS is joined by a guest from Hyundai this week, Ettienne Du Preez. Having just won the North American Car of The Year with the Sonata, we gain some valuable insight into the company’s local operations and plans for Southern Africa.

In episode 104 we also discuss:

• Mazda’s 900 000th iconic roadster, the Mx5
• The Ferrari and Ford spat over the use of “F150″
• Rolls Royce Spirit of Ecstasy’s Centenary
• Nissan Esflow concept
• Volvo V60
• Jeep’s new Cherokee
• Interview: Hyundai – Ettienne Du Preez

Episode 104 hi-fi download (30MB)
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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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The start of the nineties was the last decade of really good cars. There was a wide spread of cars, since all that existed on most options lists was colour; people just had to choose a brand. And they did. Nowadays production has become so efficient, that even the premium manufacturers are producing great volumes of vehicles cannibalising the market. Being a smaller brand these days is not enviable – something we discuss in our landmark cars for 1990 discussion at the end of the show.

If you realy want an IX35, consider this Sportage first

The show, featuring three of the four ZACS members, tackles the August Naamsa figures, which reveal the best sales month since 2008. Renault launches another new model in the form of the cut-price [for a] Megane Shake-it, a sub R200 000 C-segment hatch back.  Volvo South Africa has also laid out its plans for the DRIVe range of eco -efficient models, while we reckon that the Sportage is the car to buy if you’re in the market for a Hyundai iX35.

Trevor van de Ven and Patrick Gearing also review the Mitsubishi Outlander, while Patrick and Christo talk about the introduction of quattro all-wheel drive on the 2.0T models in the Audi A4 range.

Silver. A popular colour in Sweden

Episode 90 hi-fi download (32MB)
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Only 17 more episodes to go until we hit the magic 100 mark! We think its safe to say that podcasts are finally catching on in South Africa, and if you’re like Trevor van de Ven, who uses public transport these days, what better way to make time go by faster on this bus and train rides?

Christo van Gemert joined BMW for its annual Innovations Day at its Munich headquarters. Yes, in Germany. He gives us the inside scoop on BMW’s planned electric car – known as the MegaCity Vehicle – as well as the other advanced technologies ze Germans are working on. We also say good bye to some iconic cars and welcome some new one – who said the petrol engine is dead?

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Episode 83 hi-fi download (29MB)
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Show notes and links after the jump.

The brand we love to hate here in SA, Fiat, launches its 500 Twinair: a 900cc two-cylinder turbo engine. Will we see it in South Africa? It’s unlikely, but the technology is fabulous and makes the TwinAir one of the most efficient cars on the road today, bar those electric goodies. [via: AutoExpress]

The dinky 500 gets a dinkier engine.

We’ve seen this shape before from Alfa Romeo, with its 156 and 159 Sportwagons. Now Volvo presents its V60 Sports Wagon: a bit more sports but too little wagon [via: Volvo]

Swedish? Check. Wagon? Check. Trevor van de Ven is in love.

Bugatti Veyron SuperSport sets a new world record for production cars – 430-odd km/h. Madness. [via Bugatti and TopSpeed]

If the Veyron already didn't scream "get out of the way", the orange paint definitely does.

Mercedes launches a face lift to its CL model complete with LED daytime running lights [via Motor Trend]

Daytime Running Lights are getting a bit...

BMW M5 production ended. We bid a legend goodbye.

In true M-car tradition

Christo attended the BMW Innovations Day in Munich. Listen to the podcast to get the lowdown on all of the new tech from BMW. Join the ZA Car Facebook fan page, for a gallery of pics from the BMW museum!

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The news is picking up, and so are car sales. Patrick, Trevor 1, Trevor 2 and Christo explore what the uptrend will bring, together with new models from Ford, Hyundai and Volkswagen. The team also reviews the new Volvo C30 1.6 – a car that is not popular in South Africa because “it has the wrong badge”.

Just in case you thought the R8 was for poseurs, Autoblog shows us the GT

Volvos definitely ARE sexy these days

Episode 74 hi-fi download (28MB)
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Show notes and links after the jump.

The Audi R8 GT throws down its soft leather driving gloves in favour of a gauntlet. [Via Autoblog]

Nissan should be quivering with the new VW Amarok on the horizon; it will be revealed at an agricultural show, the NAMPO Harvest Day soon. Farmers, get out your cheque books…

Fiat Punto 1.2 – Budget gets sexy too

Probably the best 'cheap' car on sale in South Africa today...

The Ranger Wildtrak brings added style and exclusivity to the already popular line-up of Ford Ranger models.

New Cars: Hyundai IX35 – flip it and this is what you might see. Certainly is a sexi car.

Sex! or Sexi - you decide.

Driven: Volvo C30 1.6

Click here for specs

…and here for more pics