Melbourne International Motor Show 2009

MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW 2009

Sticking with the Nickel metal Hydride batteries for storing electrical charge, the new Prius is otherwise one for the trainspotters to pick. Frontal styling is different and the roof has been lengthened, but the look of the new car is a clear-cut case of the tyranny of aerodynamic styling.

Toyota is yet to announce pricing for the new Prius, but the company will be hoping the Australian dollar recovers some lost ground ahead of the car's local launch in the third quarter of this year.

Toyota also unveiled the 1/X 'seaweed' car which has been reported previously by the Carsales Network, but the car that will probably draw the interest of serious cash-in-hand punters visiting the Toyota stand is the HCCV (Hybrid Camry Concept Vehicle), a vehicle that is a foretaste of the vehicle that Toyota will commence building at the Altona plant next year.

Toyota's David Buttner believes that the fuel-frugal Camry will account for as much as 10,000 units of production for the domestic market.

During an impromptu door-stop, Victorian premier John Brumby subsequently highlighted the fact that Australia is the fifth nation to join the ranks of hybrid-car-building countries with the introduction of the petrol/electric Camry.

FORD
Ford's new Focus
There is a lot riding on the new LV-series Focus unveiled at the Melbourne motor show. It is arguably the most important model for Ford Australia over the next two years as it leads into the local production for the car.

The new model features the same styling currently available on the XR5 Turbo model. New headlights are the most notable feature of Ford's global 'kinetic design' language. But it doesn't stop there with a new bonnet, large lower grille opening, new upper grille and bumper.

Four models will join the XR5 the CL, LX and Zetec petrol variants and the TDCi turbodiesel, with the Ghia model dropped. The CL and LX are available in both hatch and sedan body styles.

The petrol models are powered by the same 107kW 2.0-litre Duratec four-cylinder engine paired with either five-speed manual or four-speed automatic. The TDCi is powered by a 100kW/400Nm 2.0-litre Duratorq engine and, crucially for Ford, it is mated to a new six-speed automatic gearbox.

Prices for the Focus start at $21,990 for the CL and $24,290 for the LX. The Zetec is priced from $27,290 and the TDCi from $28,290. Automatic transmissions -- both the four-speed and six-speed PowerShift -- are $2000 extra. Facelift for Territory
After much anticipation the wraps have come off the new Ford Territory SY MkII at the Melbourne motor show; and at first glance the updated is hard to pick. Ford has gone for a subtle evolution of the existing car as the competition heats up in the medium SUV segment, where the car has been strong since its original launch in 2004.

Green Fiesta
Falcon and Territory took a back seat to a European specification Fiesta ECOnetic that signals the company's push for a leaner, greener future. The car will go on sale in Australia later this year and is expected to be the first of several ECOnetic Ford offerings in the coming years.

HOLDEN
New Cruze
The Cruze is one of GM's global cars and is already sold around the world as the Chevrolet Cruze. It is based on the Delta II platform and has been designed and engineered to cater for markets in Europe and Asia as well as North America.

The Cruze will pave the way for Holden's new compact offering, to be built at its Elizabeth plant in South Australia from next year. The locally made car is expected to be based on the same platform and share many common parts.

The range will include the 1.8-litre four-cylinder ECOTEC and 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engines that will be offered in the Cruze when it goes on sale early in the second quarter of this year. Both engines will be available with either five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission options.

Holden is pushing the Cruze as a sophisticated and sporty compact offering, claiming it possesses 'four-door coupe' styling combined with the appeal as a mid-size sedan.

Initially Holden will offer two models: the CD and CDX. The CD is equipped with 16-inch steel wheels, six-speaker audio system with MP3-player compatibility, air-conditioning, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, cruise control, trip computer, power windows and automatic headlights.

The CDX retains all those features but adds 17-inch alloy wheels, front fog lamps, leather steering wheel and seats, heated front seats and rear park assist.

HYUNDAI
'Blue Drive' for small car range
While the striking Genesis Coupe is set to attract the lion's share of attention at Hyundai's motor show stand in Melbourne, the company is also pushing its new 'Blue Drive' program. The sub-brand is designed to showcase Hyundai's work in reducing fuel economy and emissions.

The first two examples of the technology are on display at the show in the form of an i10 and i30 that feature a number of changes over the standard car. Hyundai has made changes to the packaging, aerodynamics, powertrain, chassis and transmission.

Hyundai claims the changes to the i30 reduce the CO2 emissions by over 15 per cent to 106g/km compared to the regular 1.6-litre diesel level of 125g/km. Fuel economy is reduced to from 4.7L/100km to 4.1L/100km. In the i10 the Blue Drive technology reduces the emissions for the 1.1 diesel engine from 114g/km to 95g/km. Hyundai didn't revealed fuel economy details for the i10 Blue Drive.

HONDA

The Civic Si, as the five-door will be known, has the rear door handles hidden in the C-pillar to give the car the impression of being a three-door. Apart from that the styling is the same as the three-door hatch that was launched in Australia in 2007.

Honda also used the Melbourne show to give the fourth-generation Odyssey its Australian reveal. The car features a range of updates to give the car a freshen-up as it enters its 14th year of existence.

As well as a visual makeover the new car is fitted with a more powerful engine (up to 132kW) but with improved fuel economy. To improve safety the new car is equipped with Vehicle Stability Assist and Honda's Motion Adaptive Electric Power Steering that corrects steering in low grip conditions.

Full specifications, pricing details and a launch date will be revealed soon.

The new Mazda3, MPS and MX-5 made a stand for Mazda at the Melbourne motor show.

The updated version of the popular 3 model will be on-sale by April. The soon-to-be superseded Mazda3 topped the sales chart in January, meaning the company has sold out of its stock earlier than anticipated. The strong sales also helped secure the early shipment of new models.

The Mazda3 range will return to its traditional line-up of Neo, Maxx, Maxx Sport and SP range-topper.

The MPS hot hatch also put in an appearance at the show -- on the same day as the Geneva motor show unveiling. Mazda Australia said: "this is a huge coup for Australia and for hot hatch fans, and the second time Mazda has rushed a new car Downunder to the Melbourne International Motor Show.”

The first was the 2005 Mazda MX-5 roadster, which was also unveiled in Melbourne on the same day as its international debut in Geneva.

Mazda's stand included the new MX-5, wearing a "significant" makeover for 2009. The new MX-5 is scheduled for sale in March while the MPS is not due until the third quarter of this year.

The Neo, Maxx and Maxx Sport will come standard with the MZR 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that produces 108kW while the SP25 will be equipped with the MZR 2.5-litre petrol four. An updated version of the 2.2-litre turbodiesel will also be available.

Mazda's six-speed manual gearbox will be standard across the range with a five-speed Activematic optional on the petrol models.

Powered by a revised 245kW/363Nm 3.7-litre V6, the 370Z features a shorter wheelbase, "greater use of lightweight body materials", a new seven-speed paddle-shift auto and "the world's first synchronised down/up shift rev control system" for the six-speed manual variant.

According to Nissan around 30 per cent of the engine's parts are new.

Nissan Australia is hoping the new engine will be able to compete against four-cylinder mid-size sedans, making the car a competitor in both the mid-size and large car segments. Prices start at $33,990 for the 2.5-litre model. The new Nissan Maxima will go on sale locally on June 1.

Looking somewhat like a four-door A-Class Mercedes-Benz, the battery-pack Mitsubishi will go on sale in the Japanese summer this year.

Introducing the i-MiEV, Mitsubishi's Australian chief Rob McEniry said the little four-seater accelerates from zero to 80km/h quicker than its conventional engined counterpart, while offering a range of up to 160km and a top speed capability of 130km/h.

The i-MiEV is already on sale in the UK and is expensive. The pricetag in Great Britain is around 35,000 pounds sterling, which converts to $77,000 Australian dollars.

VOLKSWAGEN

Of special significance was the fact that the new models start at the same price as the outgoing Golf V base model with an opening gambit of $25,990 for the petrol-engined, 90kW TSI.

SUBARU
Enter Exiga
Subaru Australia managing director Nick Senior took the wraps of the EXIGA wagon at the Melbourne International Motor Show, and confirmed the new car will be in local showrooms by November.

The six-seater wagon is aimed at families with the likes of Honda's Odyssey peoplemover squarely in its sights. Australia is the first market outside Japan to receive the car.

The RX450 is the company's second-generation RX hybrid offering, and is scheduled for local showrooms mid 2009.

The large four-wheel drive uses a new 3.5-litre V6 Atkinson-cycle petrol engine combined with the brand's Hybrid Drive system, producing 220kW -- 20kW up on the outgoing 3.3-litre V6 RX400h model which was introduced to Australia in 2006.

Lexus Australia did not announce pricing at the show.

LF-A opens up
Lexus also unveiled its LF-A Roadster -- the brand's "most exclusive and powerful vehicle" -- at the Melbourne show. First seen at the Tokyo and Detroit motor shows, the open-top version of Lexus' sporty is powered by the same 5.0-litre V10 as the coupe.

The LF-A Roadster has been tested to speeds exceeding 330km/h, claims Lexus, and is good for 360kW, according to company figures.

HSV

Priced at $69,990 the new car will become the most affordable luxury-performance model the company offers. The Senator Signature starts at $80,500 making the new model a significant saving. Only the Clubsport R8 sedan and Tourer are cheaper than the Senator.

SUZUKI
Highlight in Alto
The star of Suzuki Australia's stand at the Melbourne motor show is the Alto, the Indian-built light car that promises more for the Australian market than its European-built rival, the Suzuki Splash.

Suzuki is yet to announce pricing for the Alto, which will be launched here in the third quarter of this year, but the importer's managing director, Tony Devers, anticipates it will offer the same sort of fuel economy (4.4L/100km) as the Toyota Prius -- for a third of the price. That would position the Alto at around $13,000 when it goes on sale.

The frugal 3.0-litre six-cylinder diesel punches out more power than the 3.0-litre turbodiesel in the 530d, with 180kW and 520Nm on hand to propel it to 100 km/h in a seriously quick 6.2 seconds. In fact the 330d is the torquiest 3 Series sedan -- including the M3 V8 that produces a mere (non-turbo) 400Nm.

AUDI
Sub-$60K start-up for Q5
The Q5 SUV was Audi's major product announcement at the Melbourne motor show. Not previously seen here, the Q5 arrives hot on the heels of the Volvo XC60 and, as for the Swedish vehicle, is priced below $60,000 at entry level.

Retail sales commence from March 7 and buyers will be presented with the choice of four variants. The Q5 2.0 TDI and 2.0 TFSI are both priced at $59,900, the Q5 V6 3.2 FSI is priced at $69,900 and the flagship Q5 3.0 TDI, at $71,900, pips the petrol V6 model by $2000.

KIA
Soul for show
Kia chose to reinforce its Generation Y aspirations at the Melbourne motor show introduction of its quirky new Soul model by enlisting the help of a suitably physical mix of 20-ish male and female models.

The new flat-top Kia took pride of place on the show stand with a range of variously coloured samples lined up for inspection.

Kia PR chief Jonathan Fletcher said the edgy new "urban" five-seat hatchback is set to go on sale locally in April but couldn't confirm pricing as this was still being negotiated with the head office in Korea.

However expectations are the three-model range will start at around $20,000 and top out at less than $30,000.

The 3.5-litre V6 will be available in either two-seat or 2+2 configuration with prices starting at $162,990 and $169,990 for the respective models.

LAMBORGHINI
A bite on Gallardo
Lamborghini's Australian distributor chose the Melbourne motor show to introduce the open-top version of the Gallardo LP560-4, the Spyder. Dramatically styled and powered by the coupe's 412kW 5.2-litre V10, the Gallardo LP560-4 Spyder will reach 100km/h from a standing start in 4.0 seconds and will continue accelerating to a top speed of 324km/h. The performance derives from the car's added power (up by 29kW over the previous Gallardo) and the Lamborghini engineers have also cut out 20kg of weight.

"The Gallardo has changed the face of Lamborghini in this country, at the moment we have the youngest, strongest and most popular product line-up in the company's 46-year history," says Andrew Smith, Managing Director for the distributor, Lamborghini Melbourne-Sydney-Brisbane.

The car goes on sale officially in the second half of this year and pricing is yet to be confirmed.