2008 Perth Motor Show
April 23, 2008 by Karl Peskett
The 2008 Perth Motor Show opened yesterday, with the usual gang of carmakers filling out the Perth Exhibition Centre on the bank of the Swan River.
Australian importer Ateco’s brands were missing from the show, instead preferring to allow dealer Barbagallos to supply its own cars from the stables of Alfa Romeo, Citroen and Fiat.
Also supplied by Barbagallos were an Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster, Lotus Exige, Maserati GranTurismo, Ferrari F430, and Range Rover Vogue.
In general the quality of the stands was decent, the only exception being the spartan Volvo display, which looked, frankly, stark.
Nissan’s halo car, the GT-R, was on display officially in Perth for the first time, as was the Proton Satria R3. We took a look inside the R3 (below), however we were told that the interior is still not production spec. The Recaro seats will not feature in the final product, and neither will the Momo wheel (airbags are missing).
Notably absent also, was Mercedes and BMW, who again preferred to place dealer cars outside the entrance in a static display. Given the amount of money in WA at the moment, these are glaring omissions.
Ford’s new FG range was on display; the crowd’s interest evident by the amount of traffic on the stand. Touching, feeling, exploring; deals were being done on the stand. FPV’s colour combination wall was also of interest.
Holden also proudly showed off its concept Coupe60, with CarAdvice being allowed to get up close and personal. If the quality in the showcar filtered down to production versions, Australian manufacturing would have a guaranteed future. Holden’s new SportWagon was also shown in Calais guise, with the new boot area able to be tested. Although not the same as the VZ wagon in size, there’s still plenty of space. Offshoot HSV also showcased its W427 at the side.
Volkswagen’s new Touareg R50 and Passat R36 garnered many looks, as did the new Tiguan SUV. Even up-and-comers Skoda had a quality variety on display, with Hyundai’s flashy sidewall lightbox competing opposite for attention.
Disappointingly, RAC’s ESP simulator was on the blink, and the amount of deep-tissue massage stalls outside the entrance was staggering.
Mitsubishi’s new Lancer Ralliart was placed on a rotating platform, as was the soon-to-be-launched Evo X. Trying something different, Mitsu spruced up 5 cars with a Panther treatment, consisting of chrome wheels and silver stripes and decals, to gauge interest from younger buyers, and those who want something “different”.
The Lexus stand carried an air of dignified opulence, with the new LX570 and LS600hl on display. Opposite was one of the more interesting attractions, with a dark red LS600hl demonstrating its self-parking capability.
CanAm also showed its Spyder for the first time in WA, with many people gathering just to see what all the fuss is about.
Subaru also made a big splash with its Impreza STI, which many people were saying, will really heat up the war between itself, and the forthcoming Evo X.
While the Perth show won’t be anything like its Eastern States counterparts in the near future, it is still the place to open and shut doors, and tyre-kick for petrol-heads in Western Australia.
- Karl Peskett
Sounds good. Looking forward to seeing it all on Friday. Good to see a few show cars as well as the usual dealer cars.
I would have to agree on the absence of some prestige makes considering the amount of money that is getting around Perth at the moment.
I hope Barbagello have a decent size stand, they have a lot of cars to display. Im hoping to see the Fiat 500 and Punto, obviously no Alfa Mi.To info but that would be just wishful thinking.
Also looking forward to checking out the FG Falcon and Subi STI.
the Mitsubishi panther concepts were at the Melbourne, Brisbane and i think last year’s Sydney motorshow as well so there aren’t new.
Well, hardly worth going now I have seen this. The only thing is that there are images of various instrument clusters pictured but we have no idea what cars they are from ! – can we have a legend please ?
(mainly pics 26 & 29 – I can work out the rest)
Extremely comprehensive gallery Karl. Well done.
Damn… :(
I can’t believe Brisbane Ford fans don’t get to see the FG Falcon before it’s released. Oh well.
Jake – Where was it written that the Panthers were new?
Iamthestig – 26-Lexus LX570, 29-Lexus LS600hl.
Sorry about not naming them. Didn’t have time.
i think brisbane should move its motor show to after melborne that would allow more production spec and show cars to be at brissy
No pictures of the Mitsi promo girls – your breaking my heart Peskett ;)
Top work like usual.
Bavarian Missile and I have just had a 3 hour gander at the show followed by a liquid lunch.
We were SHATTERED that the Toyota guys removed all the gear sticks and radio knobs from their precious display vehicles. We had a giggle at the wheels on the Hilux TuRD. The new Mazdas did surprisingly little for us. We blazed through the Subaru and Mitsubishi stands, although that was a greater honour than the walk-by accorded Lexus and Chrysler Jeep.
The VW Tiguan was a beaut, but the Skodas were an unexpected highlight. The Hyundai i30 appears commendable from a price and quality standpoint. We loved the Volvo XC70 and Peugeot 308. The Commy Sportwagon is noticeably less wagon and more coupe/wagon than before, but the Missile MIGHT be tempted all the same. By the way, all Holden had to do with their reviled hand brake lever is make it exactly like the Peugeot 308’s. Same theme, finer execution.
On the Ford stand, we were both disappointed with the Falcon, shown in all variants except XT. The dash plastics are, frankly, awful. And do wind your windows up before attempting to impress friends with your door clunk. Only the G6 levels and above went close to impressing. Impressing is what the Mondeo does, in all its varieties.
Have I got it right, Bavarian Missile? Scold me if I’ve misrepresented you! :)
I think that as Adelaide is the Home of Holden as well as Bridgestone ROH Wheels and Monroe Shocks for example.. that they should have [or at least consider having] a Motor Show similar to that of Melbourne Sydney or Perth..
Oi, Wheelnut, Oi’ve just been with your girl, mate. Waddya reckon o’ that, Huh? HUH???
Hey, can anyone confirm if the TuRD Hilux has drum rear brakes like the one in Brisbane did?
Pretty much the same kit as at Melbourne (that’s not a criticism).
One thing I didn’t bother to look at at Melbourne was the Lexii, and I’m now glad I didn’t – those red inserts have got to be the low point of the show. The instrument clusters look good up close, but when you pan back and see those red fake wood trims, you are lucky if you don’t chuck…
Is that a XC60 on the Volvo stand ?
Hidden away a bit if it was…
No wonder the Volvo stand was bare – they equip it with minimal brainpower too.
It was a couple of years ago that they displayed XC70 spec sheets on cars there that showed a incorrect price (it had dropped $5000 a few weeks prior). I told the people there of the error (they confirmed and knew it was wrong) but a couple of hours later, they hadn’t changed it !
Thanks for a great day Golfy….what fun we had!Jaw dropping Aston was the first thing I noticed…drool!A quick complaint though,why like Barbagallo do they bother bringing cars we cant open and shut stuff in? The expensive stuff like Lambos n Astons I can understand but Alfas??????
Skoda and VW stand was great I think we sat opened and shut every thing on it with no complaints from the staff . Next Mazda……..interesting how ya head poked out the roof of the Mazda 6 with moon roof but the pov pac it didn’t!Nice cars all the same.
Ford stand ………mmm GT,XR6 Turbo and my fav the F6 WELL
not that much different.First thing we noticed was the fault on the dash of the XR6 telling us that it wasn’t in park…….arrrr yer it was! GT…..thought the cut out in the back window for the 5th brake light budget cause the 5th brake light is in the spoiler now ,what was with that!My fav was the Mondeo…….much better built car,finished off better and looked fantastic,even the wagon! Oh we did find the bonnet release for the Mondeo left hand side in case your looking.Why the hell were FPVs new stuff in the back row I don’t know! Mondeos took over the front!
Holden stand ,Coupe 60 VERY NICE!! Funny thing was when I went to take a pic of it Ford sent me some advertising through my phone…are they watching us or something??? Sportwagon….mmmm SS nope not me! Calais ,I was hoping would be better and Golfy and I dropped the seats down and really checked it out.Got to say though not sure if it will fill my needs and for 50k I reserved my opinion till we looked at the Volvos!I know lover you found out I could have my V8 version Calais and order the 6 speed manual but I still think somethings not tickling my fancy on it.Maybe I just too fussy!
Oh forgot we took a look at the GTR at the Nissan stand only reason we went on……..wow,that was nice and bigger than I thought…….nice car Nissan{pat on back for you}
Then Toyota…….hehehe…no knobs inside cause I think they all own them..hahaha.Seriously whats the go Toyota you lose appeal when you do that,and you need as much as possible! The funny thing was Golf n I almost walked past the TRD Aurion but saw someone had placed a Holden poster on the back window…..hahaha true I took a pic of it.Gee and the finish…..pfttttt no better than FPV or HSV in some sections we found worse!
Volvo made a B-line for the XC70…YEP was brilliant! Finish superb ,may not be as fast as the Calais but the rear section and seats so much better and more thought into it! 58K…..I think great value and AWD to boot! Auto is still a grrrrrr for me,will see if I can order manual????Ill just be too hard on that like the last one otherwise!Golfy n me had the stereo cranked up……great sound systems still.
Stopped for a quick coffee,Subbie stand a tad boring ,except for the REX and RS …….last year they did a better job! Lancer Evo……VERY nice,I like it! then finished at the Peugeot stand……no wonder my dad loves these cars.Got to say the 308 was fab ,stereo, interior ,exterior design and pricing….I would have one over the Golf…..Golfy! Oh and the high light two kids in a convertible pushing buttons and making the roof go up and down …..should have seen the hostess ,that was her job after all!I think the kids were all about 10 years old…but hey they were having a ball! Great day Golfy and Wheelnut knows you looked after me ,as a gentleman!Hope you enjoyed your drive in the M3…..thanks for lunch we will have to do this again next year,Wheelnut will be here then so you can only imagine the fun we are going to have then….think of the 10year olds…..yep hes a big kid too!
ok yes it didnt say they (the panther concepts)were new, but it also didn’t say that they were old either.
it also said that mitsubishi were trying something new with the panther concepts – explain that.
See Golfy just as we were discussing today……he takes everything that’s said about Toyota personally! Also when confronted with what people really think about the Toyota he scowls to the corner and abuses you.Why is it you do that Dingo,at no time did I abuse you and in fact if you read my comments I dislike sections of FORD and Holden………but unlike you can admit when something doesn’t meet my expectations,like it or not that was true about the TRD sections of its finish,in fit especially the interior was woeful! For a start the front left passenger pillar where the roof lining meets some section of PLASTIC thats meant to meet flush was hanging out and not flush ……the interior was dead set boring and no better finished than FPVs or HSVs sorry if the truth hurts ,and don’t come back with abuse. Dont like the heat…..get out of the kitchen as my mum says!
NOTE: In the 1830’s this disorder was called “moral insanity.” By 1900 it was changed to “psychopathic personality.” More recently it has been termed “antisocial personality disorder” in the DSM-III and DSM-IV. Some critics have complained that, in the attempt to rely only on ‘objective’ criteria, the DSM has broadened the concept to include too many individuals. The APD category includes people who commit illegal, immoral or self-serving acts for a variety of reasons and are not necessarily psychopaths.
——————————————————————————–
DSM-IV Definition
Antisocial personality disorder is characterized by a lack of regard for the moral or legal standards in the local culture. There is a marked inability to get along with others or abide by societal rules. Individuals with this disorder are sometimes called psychopaths or sociopaths.
Diagnostic Criteria (DSM-IV)
1. Since the age of fifteen there has been a disregard for and violation of the right’s of others, those right’s considered normal by the local culture, as indicated by at least three of the following:
A. Repeated acts that could lead to arrest.
B. Conning for pleasure or profit, repeated lying, or the use of aliases.
C. Failure to plan ahead or being impulsive.
D. Repeated assaults on others.
E. Reckless when it comes to their or others safety.
F. Poor work behavior or failure to honor financial obligations.
G. Rationalizing the pain they inflict on others.
bavarian Missile, you and I were talking about the above today. Naturally, I found this on the internet and pasted it here.
hahahaha………….trust you. I wonder if his ears burn from all the talking that goes on behind his back? Then again do dogs ears burn? Thats sooooooooo funny Golfy
Jake, the words were: “Trying something different, Mitsu spruced up 5 cars with a Panther treatment, consisting of chrome wheels and silver stripes and decals, to gauge interest from younger buyers, and those who want something “different”.”
This is straight from a Mitsu representative on the stand. Can you see the word “new” anywhere in there?
I take your point that it has been shown elsewhere, but it’s certainly the first time these have been shown in Perth.
It’s mostly all there, Bavarian Missile. Further down in the article, there is mention of repeated use of different aliases…woooooooo…
So there it is – the inability to get along with people, lack of empathy, aggression, name calling, superficial pleasantness, repeated assalts on others, justification of same, and so on.
I knew it long ago, but this confirms it.
hey, thanks again for a great day at the PERTH MOTOR SHOW!!!
It is great! I went there yesterday and saw the Ferrari’s and Lamboghini’s :) tey didn’t show them in these pictures :S
Oh well, anyone else going… enjoy!!! :)
Hey Lover;
unfortunately Volvo don’t offer the XC-70 in a Manual only a Tiptronic Auto…
How about an Audi A3 Sportback or A4 Avant both of which are avaialble with manual for approx 60K.. as is the Subaru Liberty 3.0R or 2.5 GT and of course the BMW 320 Touring
Great review and crammed with pics…………one does not need to be 4ft across forehead to realise that reason CARADVICE is popular is cause of full on amount on real info and heaps of pics together with massive stories on where industry is going with future designs and technology!
IF PEOPLE DONT LOVE THIS WEBSITE AHEAD OF ALL THE OTHERS… THEN THAT IS SAD AS AND WRONG!
Still very impressive luggage space in the VE Sportswagon!
Na….babe I still think I want the Volvo,I just have to behave myself and not give it a hard time.Maybe this wont be as bad as the V70 2.5T was for me?That was FWD only XC70 is AWD,got to help with the load on the tranny!
Yeah Duck there is plenty of room in the Sportwagon its just slopes down at the back that restricts height,just as the BMs do! I did think Mondeo even……they are a cool looking wagon.But the finish in the Volvo got me!
BM and Golfie,
did they have the new falcon utes at the show?
Hi Andrew M. Yes, a metallic green XR8 ute with matching hard cover. I lifted it up and had a peek inside there, but we gave the interior a miss cos we’d already seen it in the sedans, and a couple of boys were already ensconced inside anyway.
i ask because i have noticed a couple of changes that i would like confirmed.
do they now have remote fuel release?
and has the torneau cover set up changed? the traditional elastic loop setup seems to have disappeared
i doubt you payed attention to the small details if you arent a ute follower.
also i see they have done away with the on glass aerial on just the utes
CAN SOMEONE TELL ME WHEN I CAN HAVE A LOOK AT ONE
Hehe…you’re right, I wouldn’t have a clue. Oh, it was a matching green hard cover, by the way, so no idea how a standard tonneau is fastened.
did it have painted rivots where you would normally expect torneau hooks?
all the photos ive seen including the ones on the ford site, dont show any allowance for torneau hooks, whether it be the pics of the base model of sports models.
anyone know when in May they hit the dealerships?
I’d say if Ford have done away with the elasticised rope and hooks that they have probably gone for something like Holdens snap-on system whare a plastic ridge hidden under the tonneau cover locks in to a groove around the edge of the tray – similar to a tupperware container..
When I get my ute [in a couple of months] I’ll be getting a remote controlled roll-a-back tonneau cover fitted to it as it is stronger last longer and more practical than the regular soft/hard tonneau covers [it can lock in 3 positions] and they look cool
No I don’t think it did Andrew…..sorry we should have paid more attention at the time .I did say to Golfy we should take some pics for you ,but there were a few people around it at the time.
Ask Phoonfan when there coming out,you should have his email address cause hes c/ced into all our little conversations off line. I thought he said mid to end ????
wheelnut,
yep i know how the holden cover works.
the thing with the holden cover is it isnt as user friendly as the traditional elastic loop style that ford still uses.
roller cover better looking and more practical???
well i dont think so anyway.
can you get them colour coded now?
they reduce the tray opening in both width, length and height compared to a hard lid.
also if you have something in the back that is a bit higher than the tray depth, you cant close the cover at all, at least you can rest the lid down so it isnt sticking right up
BM,
damn right you 2 should have paid more attention to the ute for me.
and you call yourselves friends???????PFFFFFFFFFFTTT!!!!!!
You can get Roll-A-Backs painted to match the colour of your ute.
If there is something which sticks out higher than the tray – put it down near the tailgate and the tonneau cover can be locked at 75% closed
The motors they now use are smaller and quieter and I believe that the bearings and tracks etc have also been improved compared to the original models which means more space for you to use..
They can also be made to fit utes with load or sports bars
For more info go to http://www.quig.com.au
whimper whimper……Sorry Andrew but I assumed you were ordering one either way!!!!!!!!!! Not sure of Fords green in it though ,too close to Holden’s .They using the same paint shop now ?
I think it closes today ,or I would go back for you! Ill ask the other Perth Ford boys for you if they took any shots? Gee I didn’t think your email worked any more,we send you stuff but get no reply????hehehe Still slack on the email contact baby!
Hey gorgeous……….give me another 30 min and Ill ring you! Make that call you !hahaha what can I say I have a naughty day without you but your going to benefit!
sorry mate,
but all i can say is you obviously have never carried something that sits higher than the tray.
it sounds like you are regurgitating something found on a sales brochure.
you would dead set have near 200mm less height compared to a hard lid setup.
dont be sold by opting for the one that offers a fancy remote