Category: Motor Shows

AIMS 2011 gallery: Lamborghini

Post author By Liam
Post date 5 July, 2011
3 Comments on AIMS 2011 gallery: Lamborghini

Like Jaguar, Lamborghini is enjoying a renaissance of some merit. The Murcielago signalled the return to form almost 10 years ago now, leaving the new Aventador LP700-4 with some mighty big boots to fill. There’s no need to fret, the Aventador is very worthy ambassador to uphold the Murci’s legacy.

It makes a visual statement like few other cars can and even in the relatively dull ‘Grigio Estoque’ metallic grey paint the Aventador hits you right between the eyes. With 700hp and a brand new 6.5 litre V12 to power this latest beast, the Aventador will be a global phenomenon.

Okay, with Australian driveaway prices being well on the northern side of $800K you won’t see an Aventador every day. Lamborghini Australia expect to sell 15 Aventadors in the next 12 months, though, and say they signed up two new customers last week alone. Nice of Lamborghini to allow the media pack to get inside and place their grubby mitts on the wheel, too. A few other manufacturers could probably take a leaf out of their book.

A couple of poor man’s Gallardo models completed the stand for Lamborghini making sure this display is a guaranteed hit for show goers.

Jaguar Motor Shows

AIMS 2011 gallery: Jaguar

Jaguar has been enjoying something of a resurgence in recent years and the 404kW 5.0 litre V8-powered XKR-S is certainly helping the cause. Even if this classically British car is wearing French Racing Blue paint. It was the clear automotive star on the Jag display.

The curves of the models on the stand were pleasing to the eye and the latest Jaguar design language does a great job of positioning their cars in the prestige market, while providing a unique style.

The blue and black interior of the XKR-S may not be to everyone’s taste and if not we suggest taking a closer look at the new XJ. The digital dash is something we’d be keen to see in action. Purple velvet lined storage cubbies also provide a nice level of difference.

Let’s hope Jaguar rides this new wave of inspiration for some time and continues to provide a worthy and reliable alternative to the German mainstays.

Hyundai Motor Shows

AIMS 2011 gallery: Hyundai

Post author By Liam
Post date 5 July, 2011
4 Comments on AIMS 2011 gallery: Hyundai

Hyundai rocked up to the Australian International Motor Show with some nice looking metal, but it was their sweet offerings which really grabbed our attention. Seriously. The Baileys panna cotta was sublime!

Anyway, back to the cars, the Blue square (Blue2) pictured above is quite interesting. Not in the least because of its animated screens front and back, but because it’s a Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle powered by hydrogen. The Blue2 has 90kW provided by its fuel cell electric system and can travel 100km on just 2.86 litres.

Some may argue such technology is a better long-term solution than plugging your car into the electricity grid to ‘refuel’ (see the Honda FCX Clarity as an example). Hyundai say they hope to have their first FCEVs on the streets by 2014.

Also of note is the oddball Veloster with coupÃ© styling on the driver’s side and a 5-door hatch look on the passenger’s side; complete with differently positioned B-pillars. It will go on sale locally before the year is out. An awkward looking hatch thingy powered by a 103kW 1.6 litre diesel and with the option of a 6-speed double clutch transmission; will Australians really go for it?

Something more likey to achieve dependable sales is the smart looking i40 Wagon. Designed in Germany and featuring ‘a package of powertrains, equipment and technology tailored for European tastes’ it also goes on sale later this year.

BMW Motor Shows

AIMS 2011 gallery: BMW

Well, we can say we’ve covered every car on the BMW stand for you with this image gallery. That’s because there is only one car on show: the Vision EfficientDynamics. It’s a clear case of quality over quantity, though, and we acknowledge the lengths BMW has gone to in bringing out their undeniably spectacular concept car, even if it is a bit long in the tooth now (as far as concept models go).

It really is the world’s sexiest three cylinder diesel and it will make the move from concept to production when the i8 is revealed in 2013.

The EfficientDynamics is a mish-mash of finicky folds and coarse angles that shouldn’t really work. And, in truth, in some pictures it just doesn’t. But in reality, when the car is there before you, it’s hard to resist its charms and do anything but marvel at how fantastic it really is.

We still would have liked to have seen a new M5 or a Valenica Orange 1 Series M CoupÃ© on the floor.

Audi Motor Shows

AIMS 2011 gallery: Audi

With the already mentioned e-tron and the desirable R8 GT on the stand it may seem a bit odd to start this feature with the new Audi A6. However, the A6 is a car with a wider audience and with this new model Audi is slowly moving away from the staid designs of past mid-large size sedans. Indeed, we reckon the A6 looks pretty good and, of course, it’s well appointed inside too.

That said, the R8 GT is beautiful and the use of carbon fibre detailing is quite something. Sitting behind the wheel you get a fantastic sense of what this 560hp monster would be like. We wish we could call one of the 333 examples our own.

Other highlights include the TT RS S tronic, the nifty little A1 and the comparatively volume selling S3 Sportback.

Audi BMW Lamborghini Mazda Motor Shows Volkswagen

AIMS 2011: The stars

Updates from our visit to AIMS last Friday havenâ€™t progressed as well as we had hoped, so to give you a taste of whatâ€™s to come hereâ€™s a quick teaser of the five cars that stood out the most for us.

1. BMW Vision EfficientDynamics
Weâ€™ve covered this car before, when it was first revealed way back in 2009. But seeing it first hand has given us an altogether new appreciation for it. The EffeicientDynamics concept is a genuinely stunning design that we now know previews the forthcoming i8 model. Forget the mechanical aspects of the car for a moment, though, and just appreciate every crease, curve and detail. Itâ€™s an astonishingly well made concept and almost makes up for BMW not displaying any other cars. Thatâ€™s right, no 1M!

Motor Shows

Australian International Motor Show: FREE tickets

Post author By Liam
Post date 28 June, 2011
2 Comments on Australian International Motor Show: FREE tickets

AISM 2011 - Free tickets

The Australian International Motor Show returns to Melbourne this year. In fact, it starts this Friday at 6pm. AUSmotive will be on hand at the media day bright and early on Friday morning to catch the news that matters most. We’ll be keeping you up to date live from the floor via the AUSmotive twitter account.

If you don’t already follow us on twitter now might be a good time to start; we’ll be giving away 5 free double passes to AIMS during the week and you’ll need to be watching our tweets for details. While you’re at it, why not follow @themotorshow on twitter as well.

You wouldn’t want to miss out on a chance to see the awesome Lamborghini Aventador first hand, would you.

Motor Shows Skoda

WÃ¶rthersee 2011: Skoda Fabia RS 2000

Post author By Liam
Post date 3 June, 2011
2 Comments on WÃ¶rthersee 2011: Skoda Fabia RS 2000

With the festivities at WÃ¶rthersee 2011 well underway Skoda is making sure it doesn’t miss out on any of the action. They’be prepared a new Fabia RS 2000 concept, based on their successful Fabia Super 2000 rally car.

â€œThese days, the GTI-Treffen is rightly hailed by fans of powerful engines and sporty customization as the Mecca of car tuning,â€ says Skoda chief Winfried Vahland.

â€œAnyone who comes to the event once never wants to miss another year of this fascinating get-together. The jubilee year of 2011 is a welcome opportunity for us to show off our sports models and make sure that everyone knows that Å KODA really has something to offer here.â€

Motor Shows Volkswagen

WÃ¶rthersee 2011: Volkswagen Golf GTI Cabriolet

Post author By Liam
Post date 3 June, 2011
2 Comments on WÃ¶rthersee 2011: Volkswagen Golf GTI Cabriolet

At least year’s WÃ¶rthersee show Volkswagen revealed the GTI Excessive concept. This year they have made another one, but perhaps pushing against a tight deadline, they didn’t find time to put the roof on. So, we have another Cabriolet concept from Wolfsburg on show.

There’s no press release that we can find to go with this one, but it’s probably safe to assume this is another one-off. The front splitter, which wraps around to the side and continues around the back to complement the angled exhaust tips, seems to work better in the Cabrio version than the hardtop.

We wish we could tell you and show you more about this car, but Volkswagen is not giving much away at this stage. There’s a few extra pics after the break and that’s about it.

Motor Shows Volkswagen

WÃ¶rthersee 2011: Volkswagen Golf R Cabriolet

Post author By Liam
Post date 3 June, 2011
3 Comments on WÃ¶rthersee 2011: Volkswagen Golf R Cabriolet

At the 30th WÃ¶rthersee GTI meet Volkswagen has followed up its GTI Edition 35 by ripping the top off the Golf R. The all-paw Cabriolet translates its special R styling cues and 199kW drivetrain across to the regular ragtop Golf and, if you’re into open top motoring this looks half decent.

It’s only being described as a concept, so don’t start thinking you can rock on to your VW dealer and order one. But, as with most things, if enough interest is shown then Volkswagen will find a way to build it, we’re sure.

Audi Motor Shows

WÃ¶rthersee 2011: Audi A1 clubsport

Post author By Liam
Post date 31 May, 2011
12 Comments on WÃ¶rthersee 2011: Audi A1 clubsport

Imagine if Audi took a regular A1 body and stuffed it full of TT RS goodness. That’d be pretty cool, right. But what if they said, “No, that 250kW inline five cylinder is a bit weak; let’s pump it up to 370kW!”

Well, imagine no longer, because Audi has done just that with this one-off A1 clubsport creation. The 500hp A1 will be on show at WÃ¶rthersee from 1â€“4 June.

The A1 clubsport has been widened by 60mm and the flared guards look great, while honouring the great tradition of the Ur-Quattro. The DTM-inspired side-exit exhaust is a nice touch, as well.

At 1390kg, Audi reckon the A1 clubsport, with a 6-speed manual and quattro, will reach 100km/h in a mere 3.7 seconds, 200km/h takes a brief 10.9 seconds.

After the break you’ll see Audi’s official press release, along with a gallery of photos that will have you wishing this mini-beast was in your driveway.

Motor Shows Toyota

Toyota FT-86 II Concept aims for Melbourne

Post author By Liam
Post date 11 May, 2011
2 Comments on Toyota FT-86 II Concept aims for Melbourne

Recent word from Toyota confirms their FT-86 II Concept, first revealed at Geneva in March, will be on show at this year’s Australian International Motor Show. In its new rotating host arrangement the 2011 show will be held in Melbourne (1â€“10 July).

Toyota Australia’s senior executive director sales and marketing David Buttner is excited by the ‘Toybaru’ FT-86 II Concept, stating, “It heralds a compact, rear-drive production car with the style, performance and handling demanded by those who regard driving as a passion rather than a necessity.”