ZA Car Show: Episode 50

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Just before Frankfurt, a flurry of releases and reveals took place: thankfully, we cover just the most interesting ones. In next week’s show, we’ll do a post-Frankfurt wrap up and sort the wheat from the chaff.  This weeks best news is the unveiling of the  tribute to Mercedes-Benz’s classic 300 SL and possible McLaren SLR replacement, the Mercedes-Benz SLS. Another funny red car made the reveal with the Ferrari-tuned little Abarth 695 Tributo. This week we also pit two hot-hatch price competitors together with very different characters; MINI’s JCW goes head to head with the Golf VI GTI.

The final version of this is actually one of the prettiest Mercs in recent times

More show notes and additional news after the jump.

Direct file download (31.5MB)

Abarth 695 TributoFerrari

A normal 500 is a bit effeminate

... But we don't think that sexuality can be questioned in this 695 Ferrari Tributo

McLaren Supercar[via Wheels24]

Moving back to custom supercars, McLaren has severed ties with Merc to deliver this...

Mercedes-Benz SLS – First thought to be electric, it still has a stonking huge AMG V8 and lots of power. Good. [Via: Carblog]

Alfa Romeo MiTo Quadrifoglio [via Pistonheads]

Driven: Golf  VI GTI

Spot the difference

It has the same outputs but at the heart of the car, VW's new 2.0 turbo powerplant

Driven: MINI JCW

This a feisty little terrier, also very impractical