Category: Motor Shows

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Motor Shows Volkswagen

AIMS 2010: Volkswagen Polo GTI

Volkswagen Polo GTI

Volkswagen Australia drove the new Polo GTI from underneath its red cover at AIMS yesterday to mark its Australian debut. A neat trick that easily got the gong for the most innovative way to remove a cover from a car.

After sitting inside the car and pushing all of its buttons it’s clear the new Polo GTI has taken a big leap forwards in interior refinement and layout compared to the old model. From the outside it definitely looks the part. Although, those 17″ Denver alloy wheels, first seen on the Mk5 Golf GTI back in 2004, do nothing to enhance the sharp lines of the current Volkswagen design language.

Apart from seeing the car in the flesh little other detail was given in regards to specification or pricing for the company’s latest hot hatch. We do know the Polo GTI will be offered in Australia in both 3 and 5 door configurations. We also know the Polo GTI will be powered by a 132kW twincharged 1.4 litre engine. And we also know that as far as transmissions go you’re going to have to settle for a 7-speed DSG as there are no current plans to incorporate a manual gearbox in the Pogo. Put all those numbers things together and Volkswagen reckon the Pogo can reach 100km/h in 6.9 seconds, the same time as its bigger Golf GTI sibling, no less.

The Australian launch of the Polo GTI is due in a couple of weeks and full details will be confirmed then. When AUSmotive asked one Volkswagen employee for a scoop on the pricing all we were told was “you will not be disappointed.”

After running that comment through the AUSmotive price predictor we guesstimate the 3 door will hit the market at around $28,950 while the 5 door will be $30,450. That pricing might be a little ambitious, perhaps, but we should know for certain by early November.

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Motor Shows Volkswagen

AIMS 2010: Volkswagen Amarok

Volkswagen Amarok

The reveal of the Volkswagen Amarok was one of the better executed unveilings at AIMS yesterday. Three different scenarios were presented, with a family beach holiday the most plausible. The other themes were a Dakar Rally inspired motorsport reveal and a suburban couple on their way to a romantic dinner, presumably. Although this was, perhaps, the least convincing scenario.

Interesting to note that no farmers or tradies were seen during this presentation. When you consider Volkswagen are expected to target the Hilux market quite aggressively this could be considered a questionable exclusion.

Inside the Amarok things look pretty good, for a work truck. But don’t go in expecting Golf or Passat level interiors. And whatever you do, do not, under any circumstances, choose the dual-tone grey and brown interior as seen inside the brown Amarok at AIMS. While some might consider the all grey/dark theme from the white Amarok on show a tad bland, it is, by far, the better option of the two!

The Amarok goes on sale in Australia next March and we’ll have full details as soon as Volkswagen Australia releases them. In the meantime you can see more pics from the motor show after the break.

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Mercedes-Benz Motor Shows

AIMS 2010: Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Mercedes-Benz G55 AMG

If you ask any true car enthusiast to compile a list of the world’s coolest cars you should expect to see the Mercedes-Benz G-Class appear somewhere on that list. It’s the fact that it simply makes no sense for Benz to keep making a car like the G-Class that makes it so right. That they bother to let AMG fiddle about with the G-Class, as well, simply heightens the madness.

I mean, check the side exit exhausts. It’s bonkers and we love Mercedes to signing off on this most politically incorrect creation. Bravo!

The best news is that Mercedes-Benz Australia are re-launching the G-Class down under. It will be the first time in around 20 years since it has been on sale here. There will be two models on offer, the G 350 BlueTEC ($159,900*) and, of course, the G 55 AMG ($214,900*).

The G 350 BlueTEC model is powered by a 155kW V6 turbo diesel. As suggested by its BlueTEC moniker, this model features innovative technology aimed at reducing harmful emissions. Diesel engines are usually great for their low fuel consumption. However, not so great are the Nitrous Oxide (NOx) nasties that are often spat out the exhaust in big black clouds of smoke. This BlueTEC model, though, converts up to 80 per cent of its NOx emissions into nothing more than nitrogen and water thanks to a very clever catalytic converter.

Enough about that, we all know the G 55 AMG is where it’s at! And if you plant your foot to the floor from rest you’ll have your angry off-roader at 100km/h in just 5.5 seconds. That’s all thanks to a stark raving mad 373kW/700N combo provided by its 5.5 litre supercharged V8 engine. Beautiful!

The G-Class is set for its full Australian launch early next year. We can hardly wait!

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Mercedes-Benz Motor Shows

AIMS 2010: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

Here at AUSmotive we are unashamed fans of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. It’s such a great looking car, it has a superb sounding engine and it references the 300 SL Gullwing—a car so beautiful and perfect in its proportions it has rarely been equalled since.

So when we saw the 21st century Gullwing under its cover at AIMS yesterday our anticipation levels reached new heights. Would it be classic silver or that metallic red so often seen in press pics? Neither. It turns out we saw a colour combination that had never been seen before; that’s right this was a world first. And what a spectacular result it was too—designo magno Night Black (that’s matte black to you and I) with bright red detailing.

In truth the red splashes were a little OTT, but the matte black bodywork was stunning and we were not disappointed. Check out more pics form the show after the break.

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Mercedes-Benz Motor Shows

AIMS 2010: Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG ‘Concept 358’

Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG

Mercedes-Benz provided a couple of world firsts at the Australian International Motor show yesterday. This fantastically bright orange C63 AMG was one of them. It was made specifically to Mercedes-Benz Australia’s specifications and in addition to the designo Pearl Orange paint it has been fitted with an AMG Performance Package Plus. These performance goodies, including forged pistons from the SLS AMG, add an extra 22kw to the already potent C63. Total power is now a very tasty 358kW, while peak torque is a smashing 600Nm.

Seeing as BMW won’t let Australia play with their orange beast, it’s nice of Benz to step up to the plate. The matte black details set off the car very nicely and while you’d be sure to take a bit of a depreciation hit with such a lairy colour on a three-pointed star, at least you would have a blast while doing so. It looks really, really good!

Unfortunately it looks like the Pearl Orange pint scheme on this show car will be a one-off creation as it is not currently available to order. However the performance bits can be ordered now and if they got your attention, you’ll need to start saving a few extra bucks, about 15 thousand of them we’ve been told.

More after the break, including a PDF download detailing all the goodies in the AMG Performance Package Plus.

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Motor Shows

AUSmotive at the Australian International Motor Show

Australian International Motor Show

AUSmotive will be at the 2010 Australian International Motor Show tomorrow. We should have a few updates from the floor via twitter, so keep an eye on that. This will be followed by a steady stream of new information over the course of the weekend.

If you have any questions you’d like asked, or any cars you would like us to pay special attention to, just let us know in the comments section below.

iPhone users can also download a free motor show app that includes a floorplan and calendar of events.

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Audi Motor Shows

Audi A1 will be on show in Sydney

Audi A1

Audi Australia has just confirmed via its twitter account that its A1 premium hatch will be on show at AIMS, which starts on Friday. More details as they come to hand.

UPDATE 14 October: Audi Australia has confirmed with AUSmotive that the A1 will have its full Australian launch at AIMS tomorrow. Customer deliveries are expected in the new year. We’ll have full details after we return from the motor show.

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BMW Motor Shows

Australian International Motor Show ticket giveaway – Round 2

AIMS ticket giveaway

We had a great response to Round 1 of the AUSmotive AIMS ticket giveaway, thank you. There’s more on that after the jump. But now let’s move on to Round 2. We’d like to try something a bit different this time, too. It might come across as focusing on a negative in the lead up to the Australian International Motor Show, but think of it as a survey of sorts.

As the image above indicates, BMW will be missing from the motor show this year. At the Melbourne show early last year BMW provided one of the highlights with the M1 Hommage concept. So, we’d like to hear your response to BMW’s absence. Is it good, bad or indifferent for AIMS to be missing such a major manufacturer? Conversely, is the decision of BMW, and subsidiary MINI, to stay away their loss? Can they really afford to knock back such a high profile marketing opportunity?

There’s no right or wrong side to this debate, just tell us what you think. Send your responses in by email to info@AUSmotive.com before 5pm tomorrow (Wednesday 13 October). Keep your answers under 40 words or so and if you missed out on Round 1, have another crack, you never know your luck!

The two best entries as judged by the AUSmotive editor will each win a double pass to AIMS, which starts at 5pm this Friday and runs until 7pm on Sunday 24 October.

UPDATE 13 October: The competition has now closed, thank you to everyone who entered. Congratulations to Phil and Marcus for their winning entries they’ll be getting their double passes in the mail soon.

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Lamborghini Motor Shows

Australian International Motor Show ticket giveaway

AIMS ticket giveaway

The Australian International Motor Show starts in Sydney on Friday and organisers are boasting the show offers the general public a first chance to see the Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera on Australian soil. With undeniable Lambo looks and 419kW on offer from its 5.2 litre V10 this is one car you will want to see for yourself.

AUSmotive can help you do just that with two double passes to the motor show up for grabs.

For your chance to win free tickets send an email to info@AUSmotive.com before 5pm tomorrow (Tuesday 12 October) telling us where in Australia you would like to drive a Gallardo LP570-4 if you had the keys for a day. The two best answers received before tomorrow’s deadline will win a double pass to AIMS which runs from 15–24 October (full list of times below).

We’ll have two more double passes on offer in the next couple of days, so keep reading for more chances to win.

UPDATE 12 October: Round 1 of the AUSmotive AIMS ticket giveaway has now closed. Winners will be notified shortly.

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Motor Shows

AIMS launches iPhone app

AIMS 2010 iPhone app

The Australian International Motor Show starts next week and to help visitors get ready organisers have released a new iPhone app. Event director, Russ Tyrie says, “The ability to pre-purchase tickets using your mobile phone is a great convenience, and the ‘what’s on’ calendar means people can time their visit to coincide with their individual interests.

“Some of our younger users will enjoy the fun driving game on the app. I’m sure they’ll be keen to see if they can beat the top score.”

The app is free and can be downloaded now. Overall, it’s not a bad effort for a first attempt, but there is room for improvement.

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Green Machines Lotus Motor Shows

Paris 2010: Lotus City Car concept

Lotus City Car Concept

Lotus has added to its Paris Motor Show bonanza with this wee City Car concept. As with the Eterne concept, Lotus are proving anything Aston Martin can do, they can do too. The petrol-electric hybrid City Car should do a ripping job at reducing the CO2 emissions of the Lotus fleet. The dirty air emitted from this concept is rated at around 60g/km.

Adding neither speed (0-100km/h: 9 seconds) nor lightness (1400kg), the three-door four seat City Car has a total range of 500km from its hybrid power, reduced to 60km in full electric mode. Lotus do say the new concept offers class-leading acceleration, but let’s face it, that’s no great claim at this point.

Perhaps forewarning us of new greenwash euphemisms to come Lotus call the City Car concept’s 1.2 litre petrol engine a “Range Extender”. To be fair, with just 35kW and 3 cylinders, calling it an engine might be stretching the truth, too. In total, peak power can be as high as 162kW, which is not too shabby at all. However, the catch comes when you see continuous power is rated at a more modest 54kW.

I suppose we shall have to get used to these econoboxes from sports car makers in years to come, but it doesn’t make them any less palatable. More details on the City Car concept can be read after the break.

[via World Car Fans]

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Audi Motor Shows

Paris 2010: Audi quattro concept “Rallye”

Audi quattro concept 'Rallye'

Tucked away on the Audi stand at the Paris Motor Show, almost out of sight, is this “Rallye” version of the Audi quattro concept. Firstly, it looks sensational and clearly harks back to the all conquering Quattro rally beasts of the 1980s.

Secondly, what does it mean? There’s is nothing apparent on the usual Audi press portals that explain anything about this car. In fact, this picture isn’t even an official Audi image.

Is it simply a homage and nothing else, or is this even more extroverted concept a hint of something new to come? WRC perhaps? Or is that simply too much wishful thinking?

If you see anything that offers more than this World Car Fans article, please post a link in the comments section below.

UPDATE 7 October: According to a response from a representative of Audi AG this car is nothing more than a scale model produced to illustrate what a Group B rally car might look like today if the category was still alive. I still want one!