Motor Shows » Australian Car Advice

Mitsubishi Challenger Moscow debut

July 17th, 2008 22 Comments

Mitsubishi is planning to unveil a new sport SUV based on the Triton Ute at this year’s Moscow Motor Show.

This new model is dubbed the Pajero Sport in overseas markets, however will carry the Challenger nameplate when it arrives in Australian showrooms by the end of 2008.

Lotus Project Eagle first official details

July 16th, 2008 11 Comments

Lotus has released the first official image of Project Eagle along with plenty of details before its worldwide public unveiling in the UK.

This is the first all-new sports car from Lotus since it launched the iconic Elise in 1995.

The new model is still currently known only as ‘Project Eagle’ (although one sharp CarAdvice reader has their money on ‘Ethos’ - and I’m keen to agree) with Lotus to announce the official name at its press conference on July 22nd at the British Motor Show.

Earlier reports of a Toyota-sourced powerplant have been revealed as true, with Lotus confirming a 3.5-litre V6 dual VVT-i engine producing 206kW will power Project Eagle.

Whilst performance testing has not yet been completed on production models, early prototypes have recorded a sub-5 second sprint from 0 to 100km/h, with a suggested top speed of 256km/h.

As countless spy shots have revealed, Lotus has visited Germany for some performance testing at the Nürburgring, reporting that its new model is considerably faster around the famous circuit than the Elise and more stable at speed than the Exige.

The interior certainly isn’t nearly as sparse as its smaller siblings, featuring a 7-inch touch-screen multimedia system in partnership with Alpine which includes advanced audio, satellite navigation, Bluetooth hands-free telephone and iPod connectivity functions as well as a removable hard drive.

Furthermore the screen also acts as a monitor for an optional reverse camera, all welcome features aimed at eliminating the voluntary compromises made when purchasing a Lotus.

A bespoke progressive air-conditioning system is standard on all models, while on-board tyre pressure monitoring will be standard in selective models and markets.

An overhead storage module has also been added, in deference to the American market in particular, to carry a remote door control.

Whilst the car is labelled a four-seat coupe, Lotus is willing to admit the rear seats are really only intended for children or smaller adults on short journeys.

However a briefcase or jacket would be a far more convenient and practical rear passenger, with Lotus offering an optional luggage shelf to replace the rear seats if desired.

Lotus also boasts that the rear boot is large enough to accommodate a set of golf clubs and incorporates a fresh air cooling system to reduce heat soak from the engine into the boot compartment.

Project Eagle will also receive anti-lock brakes, traction and stability controls on all models as standard, specially calibrated by Bosch to provide enhanced safety features whilst maintaining performance characteristics.

With practical compromises forming the only downside of the Elise and Exige, Project Eagle promises to defunct any excuse to not buy a Lotus.

Project Eagle is the first of three new models announced by Lotus CEO Mike Kimberley as part of a five-year strategic business plan initiated in October 2006.

Images: Autocar

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2008 Goodwood Festival of Speed

July 13th, 2008 5 Comments

As a kid, I grew up dreaming of supercars, going to the big motorshows, watching Grand Prix’s…. pretty much everything automotive that Australia lacks (well except for the GP in Melbourne). I guess what I’m trying to say is that the big brown land I call home is very isolated from the rest of the world in terms of automotive toys.

- Shaun Lay (UK)

Well at the 2008 Goodwood Festival of Speed today, my eyes were opened a little wider. This festival is by far and away the best, most extravagant and breathtaking automotive event I have attended. The cars are numerous, expensive and completely unique. Pretty much all your senses are given a good long tickle at Goodwood.

New Maserati Quattroporte range unveiled

June 25th, 2008 7 Comments

The Quattroporte has received a facelift with the Maserati flagship now represented by two models that extend the sedan’s range.

Much like the GranTurismo, the two model grades include the standard Quattroporte and more powerful Quattroporte S.

Kia keeps its Soul

May 23rd, 2008 28 Comments

It will hit the roads in Australia early next year, probably priced around $20,000, but the first chance to get a look at the production version of this all new model for the Korean manufacturer will come at the Paris Motor Show later this year.

Kia Motors Corporation announced that the production version (that’s the first official picture of the final version) of the Soul – and it will be keeping that name in a major win for Kia design chief Peter Schreyer – will be launched in Europe later this year.

Kia Motor’s Australia spokesman Jonathan Fletcher said the Soul would be launched in Australia in early 2009.

The all-new car is expected to revitalise the Korean brand with the younger buyer market.

CarAdvice understands the final specification of the Australia cars has yet to be determined but Kia insiders who have seen the final versions of the vehicle say it’s interior packaging, in particular, is “very innovative” and they believe it will have strong appeal in the local market.

The car is similar in looks to the Suzuki Swift, which has seriously revived that company’s moribund sales, and is about the same size as a Suzuki Sx4, one of the models with which it will compete directly.

Kia’s official release on the car says that the all-new production model will retain the spirit and name of the SOUL concept cars shown earlier this year at the Geneva Motor Show and the first SOUL concept car which debuted at the 2006 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

“Reaction from the media and public to the three SOUL concept cars first unveiled at the Geneva Show in March and shown subsequently at other international events, has been overwhelmingly positive,” enthused Mr Hyoung-Keun Lee, Senior Executive Vice President and COO, International Business Division, Kia Motors Corporation.

“This reaction, plus the fact that both physically and emotionally, the SOUL concept cars are so closely related to the new Kia Soul production car, made it a natural choice to retain this evocative name.

“The SOUL concept cars reveal a whole new ´fun´ side to Kia. They signal that our new Kia Soul production model is poised to defy conventions and offer buyers a ´world of possibilities´ for expressing their personality.“This new model will reach out to new groups of consumers, appealing especially to the young and young-at-heart – whatever their age,” added Mr Lee.

The three concept cars – SOUL Burner, SOUL Diva and SOUL Searcher – were created by Kia´s European design team led by Gregory Guillaume, under the guidance of Kia´s Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer.

They were developed from the original SOUL concept car designed jointly by Kia´s California and Korea design studios and unveiled in 2006 at Detroit.

Speaking about the choice of name for the original 2006 Detroit concept car, Tom Kearns, chief designer of Kia Motors America commented, “We wanted to inject some life into this car´s design, to give it a soul. And the word ´Soul´ is a homophone for the home city of Kia Motors headquarters, in Korea, so it is a fun play on words.”Kia´s Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer (left), strongly endorsed that name choice at the Geneva Show earlier this year, commenting,“The name SOUL accurately reflects how people will be able to ´express their spirit – their psyche´ with this new product.

Through a variety of options, accessories and colours, they will be able to personalise their Kia Soul and create a sense of individuality, making their new car a true reflection of their personality.”Looking ahead to the 2008 Paris Motor Show, Gregory Guillaume observed, “Because the new Kia Soul is not a replacement for an existing vehicle and is destined to play a unique role within the Kia global line-up, it can be a bit of a rebel!

The trio of Geneva concepts were ´appetisers´ for the new model introduction at Paris, and you can be certain that the new Kia Soul model will retain the core DNA of the three exciting concepts.”The all-new Kia Soul defies classification, and its design will encourage customers to build an emotional bond with this rebellious new car.To be made in Korea from September 2008, Kia Soul will provide a creative platform for buyers to individualise and match their car to their own personality.

-DAVID TWOMEY

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2008 Perth Motor Show

April 23rd, 2008 40 Comments

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

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Ford Fiesta S unveiled in China

April 21st, 2008 21 Comments

The Beijing Auto Salon has today played host to the unveiling of the Ford’s all-new global small car – the Ford Fiesta.

Full details of the entire range will be revealed closer to the car’s official formal launch before the end of 2008, in the mean time Ford has showcased the model range with the reveal of the all-new ‘S’ performance Fiesta.

HSV W427 heading to the UK

April 10th, 2008 38 Comments

For those of you disappointed with the Vauxhall VXR8’s performance against the Euro super-saloons in the video posted yesterday, AutoExpress reports that the 7.0-litre W427 which made its debut at the Melbourne Motor Show is heading over to the UK to settle the score.

Reports suggest it will be based on the W427, which means it is very possible it could sport an all-new look when it arrives in the UK in September.