Futuristic models for Melbourne

The five-door coupe concept was designed for European tastes and is an indication of the sports edge Mitsubishi wants to apply for its future hatchback models.

Mitsubishi Australia's president and CEO, Robert McEniry, says: "The Concept-Sportback's aggressive good looks are an indication of the direction of Mitsubishi design. And with its long wheelbase and wide track, it is clear that the design emphasis of the Concept Sportback is on performance and flexibility."

The Mitsubishi Concept Sportback will be on display at the Mitsubishi stand at the Melbourne show, along with the full line-up of Mitsubishi and Ralliart vehicles.

Based on the Porsche Cayenne, the EDAG team in Germany chopped the roofline of the big SUV by 70mm and designed its beefy styling and body fabrication, including the massive wedge-shaped side skirts and large air inlets for the intercoolers of the 447kW turbocharged engine.

The EDAG SUV rides on 23-inch wheels with ultra-low profile 315/25 tyres. Inside, sports seats all 'round are separated by a full-length centre console that houses an on-board infotainment system with Blaupunkt monitors, DVD player and Sony PS2 game console.

Apart from the Cayenne, EDAG AG has produced show cars based on the Pontiac Solstice and VW's New Beetle. The vehicles are designed to demonstrate EDAG's "competence in innovative engineering solutions right through to low-volume production".

The souped-up matt-red Cayenne will take pride of place at the EDAG Australia stand from March 2.

Suzuki's fuel cell future
Suzuki is showing-off its latest innovations in fuel cell technology with its Ionis Concept car in Melbourne.

The company says although the Ionis is not intended for production, the concept car gives a glimpse of where Suzuki might soon be heading with eco-friendly production vehicles. Ionis converts hydrogen into electricity to drive while emitting only water vapour.

Ionis also reveals Suzuki's developments in drive-by-wire technology, applied to the car's brakes, throttle and steering.

The Ionis concept car uses space-saving, under-floor fuel cell installation, and seats four adults. It has four sliding doors, leather seats, wooden floors, ebony and metal trims and LED lighting. More loungeroom than car, Ionis also has an in-car entertainment system that allows passengers to download music via wireless Internet access and to watch satellite TV.

Ionis will be displayed beside Suzuki's recently launched SX4 crossover (more here).

World's lowest car in Melbourne
Custom car designer Andy Saunders says his 'Flat Out' creation is the world's lowest car. The 54.3cm Flat Out will be on display at the Melbourne show by in-car infotainment company Eclipse, and is Saunders' second custom car to be brought to the event after the X-2000 shown in 2000.

According to Saunders the 'World's Lowest Car' battle started with his Mini-based 'Claustrophobia' in 1985. The record has since changed hands at least twice, most recently standing at 59.9cm.

Saunders chose a Fiat 126 as his donor car and built Flat Out in three days with the assistance of engineer Jim Chalmers, whom he met on the BBC TV program 'Panic Mechanic', and Doug Brown, an Aston Martin designer responsible for the interior of the DB9 and for Flat Out's hand-stitched leather interior.

The Melbourne International Motor Show is open March 2 - 12 at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre.

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