Author: Liam

MIMS 2009 – Lotus Evora

Jonathan Stretton, Lotus General Manager Sales and Marketing was “excited and delighted” to reveal the “most significant” all new model from Lotus in over 10 years. He was speaking about the Lotus Evora, of course. Australian pricing for the 3.5 litre V6 powered Evora will start at $162,990 for the two-seater, and $169,990 for the 2+2.

In addition to the photos and press release from Lotus is an audio recording below of Stretton’s address to the media gallery at the Melbourne International Motor Show.

[audio:http://www.ausmotive.com/audio/MIMS09-Lotus.mp3]

Motor Shows Porsche

MIMS 2009 – Porsche

Post author By Liam
Post date 1 March, 2009

An off-roader as the lead image in a Porsche article! What is the world coming to? It could have been worse, I could have chosen the hardly badgeworthy 176kW V6 Cayenne Diesel as the lead pic. Porsche Australia were obviously embarrassed by the new addition to the range, too, tucking it away out of eyesight in the back corner of their stand.

Sorry, but Managing Director, Michael Winkler, wasn’t very convincing when talking about the Cayenne Diesel, either. You’d think, if an oil burner was the go, that the V10 750Nm jobbie from Volkswagen’s Touareg would have been given the nod.

Anyway, back to the rally car. This is the drive of amateur duo Paul Watson and David Morley from the Transsyberia Rallye. The guys also entered in 2007, but failed to finish. They returned in 2008 to put things right.

Some old press blurb about their efforts below, along with plenty more from the Porsche range. I’ve already baggsed the GT2!

Lexus Motor Shows

MIMS 2009 – Lexus LF-A Roadster

Post author By Liam
Post date 1 March, 2009
2 Comments on MIMS 2009 – Lexus LF-A Roadster

The V10 powered Lexus LF-A Roadster concept looks sleek and sexy. Of course, this was the only excuse the Lexus Australia PR team needed to hire a leather clad minx to pull the covers off the 360kW coupÃ© at the Melbourne International Motor Show. Not sure having this young lass climbing all over the bonnet was such a great idea, but there you go.

More pics and Lexus-sanctioned guff after the jump.

Mazda Motor Shows

MIMS 2009 – Mazda

It was all about the Mazda 3 at this display. The first Australian public reveal of Mazda’s best selling model surprised me somewhat. In picture form the 3 can look a bit awkward with its huge smiling face, however, in the metal the car looks more cohesive and one would be extremely surprised if the sales success doesn’t continue for Mazda. The new model goes on local sale in April.

Mazda broke the ice, and the not-another-speech monotony with a performance from the Scared Weird Little Guys. It was a so-so performance from the comedy duo, but a welcome relief all the same.

Don’t forget, the worldwide public debut of the new Mazda 3 MPS will take place at the Melbourne International Motor Show on Wednesday 4 March. The new MPS will make its media debut in Geneva, but with time zone differences Mazda has been able to secure the coup of the first public showing taking place down under. Pretty cool, huh.

Mazda’s iconic MX-5 has also had a facelift recently, and this was shown for the first time in Melbourne, too.

Lamborghini Motor Shows

MIMS 2009 – Lamborghini

Post author By Liam
Post date 1 March, 2009

The Lamborghini display was small in comparison to most others, but, of course, it was one of the most spectacular. The Gallardo is probably the most stuning looking supercar on the market today, and the drop top LP560-4 Spyder version has lost nothing in translation.

There was also a Murcielago on display reminding us just how brutal the Lambo badge can be.

Tucked away, almost sadly, in a corner near the Toyota stand was a Lamborghini Miura. This, in my mind, is the quintessential solution to how supercar should look. Indeed, if I was the deisgner at Bertone responsible for the Miura I think I’d have resigned on completion of the project. Other cars may look as good, but there aren’t any better. A real shame to have it hidden away out of view. Cars like this deserve much better.

See the pics after the jump to see the topless Gallardo, or read this earlier entry for more information.

Mitsubishi Motor Shows

MIMS 2009 – Mitsubishi

Mitusbishi’s main model on display was the tiny i MiEV, a production ready electric vehicle with a range of approximately 160km.

Mitsubishi Australia chief executive officer, Robert McEniry, said “This is the first time a production-ready electric vehicle has ever featured at an Australian motor show.

“Hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles are becoming increasingly common in this current environmentally conscious climate, but Australia hasnâ€™t seen anything like the i MiEV before.”

The presentation was as cute the car itself. With a big screen showing young kids saying what they thought the car of the future would be. Groups of children then descended from the upper level of the Mitsubishi stand to dance around the i MiEV as it was revealed.

Also of note was a pair of Lancers decked out as Playstation 3 consoles and an Evo X in full Police detail.

Full press release on the i MiEV after the jump, along with a few more pics.

Motor Shows Renault

MIMS 2009 – Renault

Post author By Liam
Post date 1 March, 2009

Renault had a relatively low key affair in Melbourne, and I must admit I missed their media presentation. That left the highlight, for me, being the feisty Clio Renault Sport F1 Team R27. This model was released quite some time ago in Europe, but we’ll finally be seeing a limited run on our shores in April. More detail is available in this previous AUSmotive entry.

Hiding away in the background was the iconic Megane, which will be replaced soon by more adult-like Megane III.

Taking centre stage was the Renault Koleos and what I could tell you about this car would fit on a postage stamp.

Motor Shows Skoda

MIMS 2009 – Skoda

Skoda kicked off their presentation at the Melbourne International Motor Show by revealing an updated Octavia range. Matthew Wiesner, Head of Skoda Australia, then introduced Australian cycling legend Phil Anderson to assist with the launch of the Skoda Superb.

Both models certainly look the part and with their Volkswagen DNA they are cars that are not short on substance.

Proving this was a Skoda Scout on display, which recently travelled over 20,000kms around Australia in six weeks.

More pics and press releases below.

Tags 2009, Melbourne, Motor Show, Octavia, Scout, Skoda, Superb

Motor Shows News

AUSmotive at the Melbourne International Motor Show

Post author By Liam
Post date 26 February, 2009
2 Comments on AUSmotive at the Melbourne International Motor Show

The AUSmotive crew will be at the Melbourne International Motor Show tomorrow. However, not having the resources of some others there’ll be no live updates. I won’t be back at head office until Sunday, so until then keep an eye out on the official MIMS website.

If you’re considering going to the show, gates open to the public tomorrow from 5pm. Apart from the regular cars on show, there will also be a few other goodies on offer. See the Event Timetable for more info.

If the MIMS website doesn’t satisfy your curiousity for the happenings tomorrow, then best you check out other independent sites such as CarAdvice or The Motor Report.

Volkswagen

2009 Volkswagen Golf – Australian specifications

Post author By Liam
Post date 25 February, 2009
11 Comments on 2009 Volkswagen Golf – Australian specifications

Volkswagen Australia has released pricing and specification details for its new Golf range. Most dealers across the country currently have stock either on their showroom floor or in storage ready for display this weekend. The media launch took place in Byron Bay earlier today and you can expect to see initial reviews around the interweb before next week (in the meantime check out our reader review from earlier this month).

So, what is available in the Australian Golf VI range? There are three models on offer, each with a unique engine. The entry level model is the Golf 90TSI which is priced from $25,990. It is powered by a 1.4 litre turbo petrol engine, producing 90kW. Next is the Golf 118TSI, starting at $30,490, powered by a 118kW twincharged 1.4 litre. At the top of the current range is the Golf 103TDI, powered by Volkswagen’s familiar 103kW 2.0 litre diesel. Pricing for the TDI begins at $33,190. (A matrix of the engine line up, with fuel consumption figures can be seen after the jump.)

The prices mentioned are all for 6 speed manual. There is a DSG option available across the range for an extra $2500. For the 1.4 litre engines the DSG is a new 7 speed option, while the 2.0 diesel has the more familiar 6 speed dual clutch box.

You can expect to see new models added to the Australian lineup before the year is out, including, with any luck, the new GTI.

While the outside may not differ radically from the outgoing Mk5 model, the Mk6 introduces some new technology to the local market for its segment. Items such as Adaptive Chassis Control and Rear View Camera, to aid reversing, are generally found on more expensive cars.

Safety is one aspect Volkswagen prides itself on, and the new Golf is no different. The Mk6 has already been awarded a 5 star rating from Euro NCAP.

One would expect the sales charts won’t differ greatly from the Mk5, either. The previous model Golf has proven to be a sales success for Volkswagen Australia, and I think it is safe to assume the Mk6 Golf will follow suit.

Volkswagen Australia’s press release follows, along with full pricing (including options) and more pics from the Australian model range.

Golf VI – Current Australian specifications (60kb PDF)

Tags Australia, downloads, Golf, images, Mk6, options, pictures, pricing, specifications, specs, VI, Volkswagen, VW, wallpapers

Bentley

Bentley Continental Supersports

Post author By Liam
Post date 25 February, 2009
4 Comments on Bentley Continental Supersports

Bentley has followed the GTC Speed by extracting even more life from the Continental platform by releasing the 621bhp (465kW) Supersports coupÃ©.

The Supersports utlises Bentley’s FlexFuel technology which allows the car to run on bioethanol, petrol or any mix of the two. This enables a drop in CO2 emissions of up to 70 per cent. Performance has hardle been affected, either, with the big cruiser getting to 100km/h in just 3.9 seconds.

The 6.0 litre W12 complements all that horsepower with a massive 800Nm of torque. Further to its 0-100 times, the Supersports can reach 100mph in just 8.9 seconds while having a v-max of 204mph (329km/h).

While the Continental might be showing its age a little, it still cuts a stunning profile and suits its market position very well. The visual mods and red leather interior of the Supersports also help to keep the Conti looking fresh and aggressive.

There is a massive press doc after the jump, along with a few more pics.

Fifth Gear Ford

Fifth Gear drives 2009 Ford Focus RS

Post author By Liam
Post date 25 February, 2009
8 Comments on Fifth Gear drives 2009 Ford Focus RS

Jason Plato from Fifth Gear has been handed a set of keys to the new Focus RS. It’s a pretty wild looking thing, and with 300bhp (225kW) powering the front wheels it sounds like a recipe for disaster. However, thanks to its tricky RevoKnuckle suspension system, which maximises grip, Ford seems to think everything will be okay.

So, it loses marks for lime green paint. It loses marks for hamfisted naming of its technology. But does the Focus RS lose any marks for the driving experience? Not on Jason Plato’s shift, it doesn’t.

Find out more about the Focus RS by downloading this PDF (724kb) or by checking our the Ford.co.uk website.

Tags 2009, Fifth Gear, Focus RS, footage, Ford, Jason Plato, video