Autoblog

GM officially debuts Holden Cruze, shows off Australian Volt

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 08:57:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Hybrid, Sedan, Green, Misc. Auto Shows, Holden, Australia

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Holden Cruze

Late last year Holden, the Australian arm of General Motors, announced it would be getting a new small sedan based on the global platform underpinning the Chevy Cruze. At the time, it was assumed that the Holden would feature revised sheetmetal and possibly a new name, but now that the wraps are off, it's clear that the only things changed are the badges, grille and location of the steering wheel. That's not necessarily a bad thing, as the new Cruze is a looker regardless of what brand name is affixed to the front.

Hit the jump to check out the Holden Volt.

Continue reading GM officially debuts Holden Cruze, shows off Australian Volt

GM officially debuts Holden Cruze, shows off Australian Volt originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Feb 2009 08:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Parking garage signage depends on your perspective

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 13:01:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Australia

Click the image above for a gallery of Axel Peemoeller's 3-D signage

Elvis lives. Tupac lives. And we have just discovered that M. C. Escher is also alive, well, living in Australia, and going by the name of Axel Peemoeller. Designer Peemoeller worked out the math to create, optically, directional signage that appears to hang in the air. Found in the carpark of the Eureka Tower in Melbourne, there's no technowizardy here, just a man with a can of paint and a few severely skewed letters. The result: mindbending. And bloody genius. Well done, Mr. ~~Escher~~ Peemoeller. Check out the gallery below for more of Axel's work.

Gallery: Axel Peemoeller Carpark Signs

[Source: Ride Lust via Digg]

Parking garage signage depends on your perspective originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 Aug 2008 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Australia may switch to bi-annual auto shows

Chris Shunk — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 08:02:00 EST

Filed under: Misc. Auto Shows, Australia

The exorbitant amount of money required to participate in an Australian auto show has resulted in automakers demanding a cut to one show per year. The shows in Sydney and Melbourne would need to alternate years for this to happen, but the two shows are run by different groups that don't want to give up the income. Cash-strapped automakers have already begun selectively attending the two shows, with big-time brands like BMW and Mercedes-Benz joining 12 other automakers that skipped out on this year's Melbourne show. Sydney and Melbourne organizers are getting the hint, and the two sides are discussing how best to move forward. Word is that the show count will be reduced to only one next year.

The move to alternating shows makes sense, and there is precedent to support it. The Paris and Frankfurt motor shows alternate each year, and both are far larger events than what the car-crazed Aussies put together. Tokyo is also a huge show, and it runs on a bi-annual basis, split between passenger vehicles on odd years and commercial rides on even years. Sorry, but we won't be covering Japan's trucks this October.

[Source: Drive]

Australia may switch to bi-annual auto shows originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Aug 2008 08:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Melbourne 2008: Mitsubishi Panther concepts claw at good taste

Alex Nunez — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 16:38:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Concept Cars, Minivan/Van, Sedan, SUV, Truck, Hatchback, Mitsubishi, Misc. Auto Shows, Australia

Click image for a hi-res gallery of the Mitsubishi "Panther" Concepts

In addition to bringing the good stuff (Lancer Evo, Ralliart) to Melbourne, Mitsubishi has some schlock on hand to counterbalance the awesome. We're talking about the automaker's "Panther" concepts, which leverage bling, decals, and that whole "dealer-installed accessory" vibe to create all-show/no-go machines of questionable taste. We find those "panther scratch" stickers to be particularly egregious -- they'd look right at home on a busted-up Paseo with 15-inch spinner hubcaps. Check out the attached gallery to see what you like most or least about the five Panther concepts. We think the Pajero fares the best of the bunch, and while we'd love to have the Triton pickup in general, we could do without the 22-inch cartoon wheels and graphics. The other three victims are the Colt (not too bad), Grandis minivan (above) and Lancer ES, whose Panther makeover begs the question, why do this when you can simply buy a GTS? They may wear the name of a predator, but these "Panthers" look like they'd be happier noshing on Friskies than fresh meat. Mitsubishi's ~~excuse~~ explanation for them follows after the jump.

Gallery: 2008 Mitsuishi "Panther" Concepts

[Source: Mitsubishi]

Continue reading Melbourne 2008: Mitsubishi Panther concepts claw at good taste

Melbourne 2008: Mitsubishi Panther concepts claw at good taste originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 02 Mar 2008 16:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MT claims Holden Coupe 60 is really 3-year-old Pontiac GTO replacement

Dan Roth — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 09:54:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Spy Photos, Coupe, GM, Pontiac, Misc. Auto Shows, Holden

Spot any similarities? Holden surprised and delighted when it rolled out the Coupe 60 at the Melbourne Auto Show this past week. Motor Trend put two and two together and dug up some three-year-old photos that show off essentially the same car wearing a Pontiac suit, instead. The nose on the original concept shows what GM was planning for the next-gen GTO at the time. We're glad the prototype styling was deemed too expensive for production; the world wasn't ready for a modern interpretation of the 1982 J2000.

The Coupe 60 started life as Pontiac's replacement for the sales-proof GTO, but Motor Trend reports that development stopped when GM went full bore at getting its next-gen full-size GMT900 trucks to market early. The reappropriation of this past work to create the stunning new Holden show car could signal a return of the Monaro, which could trickle down to North America as another page in the G8 brochure, or a new GTO, but don't start holding your breath yet.

Gallery: Holden Coupe 60

[Source: Motor Trend, Photo: Motor Trend]

MT claims Holden Coupe 60 is really 3-year-old Pontiac GTO replacement originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 01 Mar 2008 09:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota hints FT-HS concept could inspire next Supra

John Neff — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 12:29:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Performance, Supercars, Toyota, Misc. Auto Shows, Australia

Click above to view more high-res pics of the Toyota FT-HS Concept

Usually we would have no reason to report on a concept that we've already seen debut. Hence, the Australian debut of Toyota's hybrid FT-HS sports car concept at the Melbourne Auto Show isn't really news. It becomes news, however, when a suit from Toyota Australia makes a veiled comment about the next Supra and its possible ties to the FT-HS. Peter Evans, corporate manger of product planning for Toyota Australia, said "To really appreciate the FT-HS, think of it as a 'Prius on steroids'. Alternatively, it could be a vision for a Toyota Supra of the future." Whaa?

Had this quote been given on the show floor amidst a throng of journalists, one might be able to pass it off as a slip of the tongue. The quote, however, appears in Toyota Australia's press release for the FT-HS debut down under, which can be read in full after the jump. This means it passed by the eyes of countless PR people whose job it is to vet press releases for embarrassing mistakes. This suggests that the quote is not a case of Evans opening his mouth and inserting foot, but rather was meant to be there, perhaps to whet our appetites, stoke our interest and get us all talking. Job well done, Toyota, because otherwise we would have completely ignored the umpteeth debut of the FT-HS in another country.

Gallery: Toyota FT-HS Concept

[Source: Toyota via Motor Authority]

Continue reading Toyota hints FT-HS concept could inspire next Supra

Toyota hints FT-HS concept could inspire next Supra originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Feb 2008 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Melbourne '08 Preview: Holden to unveil Z06-powered super HSV sedan

John Neff — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 10:55:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Supercars, Misc. Auto Shows, Holden, Australia

Today at the Melbourne Auto Show in Australia, GM's Holden subsidiary is rumored to debut a new super sedan based on the Commodore and developed by its highly capable Holden Special Vehicles division. The exact nomenclature to be affixed to the sedan's flanks is unknown, but we expect a suitably sporty one like HSV GTSR, or something to that effect. It will powered by the 7.0L LS7 V8 from the Chevy Corvette Z06, which makes 505 hp in the Vette but will likely be detuned a smidge to just under 500 hp in the Holden, and could cost upwards of $150,000 in Aussie money. Reports suggest it will also have a cache of accompanying hardware to back up the monster motor like the largest brakes ever used on a Holden and lots of trickle down technology from Australia's V8 Supercar racing series. It will be built by hand away from the common Commodores, but still be covered by Holden's 3-year, 100,000 kilometer warranty. This will be fastest and most expensive (by far) vehicle that Holden has ever produced, and despite increasing concerns over the cost of gas in Oz, the brand believes it will have no trouble securing buyers for its limited allotment. We'll bring you more pics of the car after it debuts to what will surely be an astonished Australian market, but until then you can wrap your mind around the idea that what fits underneath the hood of this car should also fit in the engine bay of the Pontiac G8 and Chevy Camaro.

[Source: The Sydney Morning Herald]

Melbourne '08 Preview: Holden to unveil Z06-powered super HSV sedan originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Feb 2008 10:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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E-vade track tool unveiled ahead of Melbourne Motor Show

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 15:17:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Etc., Misc. Auto Shows, Australia

Click above for a high-res gallery of the E-Vade.

We've already seen some shots of Australia's own Ariel Atom/KTM X-Bow contender, but the mom and pop operation from Down Under has officially unveiled its E-Vade track car ahead of the Melbourne Motor Show.

The glorified go-kart looks like it came out of someone's garage, which it did, but it's already undergone testing at the VACC karting track in Port Melbourne. The E-Vade tips the scales at a rather portly 2,094 pounds, but the 402-hp, twin-turbo'd Nissan V6 mounted out back should be able to entertain both the driver and his wind-blown passenger. A track-only version is also planned producing (gulp) 670 hp, with both models sending power to a five-speed gearbox produced by Albins Off Road Gear. A six-speed cog swapper is also reportedly in the works.

While we're a bit skeptical about how such a wee-beastie can handle all that grunt with such a short wheelbase, we're looking forward to seeing a shoot-out between the E-Vade, the X-Bow and the Atom. Throw in a Se7en for good measure and it should make for an epically good time at the track.

Gallery: E-Vade

[Source: World Car Fans]

E-vade track tool unveiled ahead of Melbourne Motor Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Feb 2008 15:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Melbourne '08 Preview: Bolwell Nagari emerges from Down Under

Noah Joseph — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 10:18:00 EST

Filed under: Supercars, Misc. Auto Shows, Australia

click to view larger image

Ever dream of making your own supercar? Yeah, so have I, and so has everyone else, and their cousins. Although most undoubtedly get scrapped along the way, a fair few end up making it to the road. Add to those growing ranks the Bolwell Nagari, the latest home-grown sportscar from... Australia?

Granted that the Aussies aren't as well known as, say, Italy or England (or even Holland, for that matter) for making supercars, but that should ensure the awkwardly-named Bolwell Nagari gets the ~~lion's~~ kangaroo's share of attention when it's unveiled at the Melbourne Motor Show on February 29. It's built by Campbell Bolwell - one of three brothers who co-founded their own kit car company in Victoria, Australia - who has released one full-frontal image of the Nagari (named after the MkVIII Bolwell kit car from the '70s, not the Mazda show car), which he describes as drawing design elements from the McLaren F1 and "the best Italian mid-engined exotics". Construction is said to be of carbon fiber, and sources suggest either a V8 or a supercharged Toyota V6, mid-mounted and driving the rear wheels.

Gallery: Bolwell Nagari

[Source: Bolwell ]

Continue reading Melbourne '08 Preview: Bolwell Nagari emerges from Down Under

Melbourne '08 Preview: Bolwell Nagari emerges from Down Under originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Feb 2008 10:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In the Books: Australian Formula One Grand Prix

Dane Muldoon — Sun, 18 Mar 2007 17:19:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, BMW, Honda, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, Ferrari

Ferarri's new driver Kimi Raikkonen put in a dominant performance to win the opening round of the 2007 Formula One series over the McLaren duo of two-time champion Fernando Alonso and debutante Lewis Hamilton. Raikkonen, who started from the pole position, had an incident-free race and at one point held a massive 15-second lead over the field. His Ferrari was clearly faster than many other cars in the race, allowing him to lap all but seven of his opponents by the end.

The race, run in perfect conditions, started impressively with a huge crush of vehicles successfully navigating the tight first and third turns of the course without any clashes.

There were a small number of vehicle failures throughout, and one spectacular collision when David Coulthard of the Red Bull team attempted an impossible passing maneuver around a tight, windy section of the temporary street circuit, cutting across the front of Williams-Toyota's Alexander Wurz. Coulthard's front left wheel assembly was smashed as his vehicle flicked up onto and then slid across the nose of Wurz's car and went flying through the air to land safely in the sand. Remarkably, Wurz was able to continue without any problems while Coulthard walked away from his ruined machine. Despite this, the pace car was not required throughout the 58 lap Australian Grand Prix, which ran very smoothly after requiring four stoppages last year.

[Source: The Age]

In the Books: Australian Formula One Grand Prix originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 18 Mar 2007 17:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Shell leaves Australia in a hurry, but Ferrari will be back soon

Noah Joseph — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 10:06:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Marketing/Advertising, Ferrari

We reported a couple weeks ago that Shell was pouring big money into furthering its brand association with Ferrari and F1 racing by filming what was projected to be the most expensive television advertisement ever to be produced. The commercial was set to feature a Ferrari F1 car racing through the streets of downtown Sydney, London and New York.

The crew was reportedly all set to begin filming in Sydney last week when they ran into a slight glitch: at the last second, the government in the state of New South Wales denied the film crew the necessary permits to begin filming. When it was suggested that they could obtain the permit by making a certain - ahem - "charitable contribution", the presumably enraged producer called a halt to production and the entire crew packed up and left.

For our readers in Australia hoping to get a glimpse of the Ferraris racing through their streets, you'll know who to blame for the disappointment. All is not lost, however, as a Ferrari street parade is scheduled to run down Melbourne's Lygon street on March 3. The event, which will serve as a combined promotion for the Australian Grand Prix and for Ferrari's 60th anniversary, will feature 60 Ferraris rolling down the closed-off street section, including a modern Ferrari F1 race car.

[Source: GrandPrix.com]

Shell leaves Australia in a hurry, but Ferrari will be back soon originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Feb 2007 10:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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'Till checkered-flag do us part: Husband & Wife team claim Austalian rally championship

Noah Joseph — Wed, 27 Sep 2006 20:02:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Toyota

Simon Evans and his wife/co-driver Sue took the Australian Rally Championship in their Toyota TRD Corolla after finishing a close second on their home turf at the NGK Rally of Melbourne this past Sunday.

Going into the Melbourne rally, the Evans' only needed an eighth place finish in Melbourne to secure the title, and they nearly took first place, only surrendering to Mitsubishi's Scott Peder on a technicality after the two were deadlocked.

All the jokes about the wife giving directions aside, there are doubtlessly many single gearheads out there who wish they could find a spouse to share in their passion.

Follow the link for the full race report.

[Source: Rally.com.au]

'Till checkered-flag do us part: Husband & Wife team claim Austalian rally championship originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Sep 2006 20:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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'Skipee', the eco-friendly trike concept from Down Under

Joel Arellano — Mon, 10 Apr 2006 18:06:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Gadgets, Hybrid, Etc., Green

BusinessWeek Magazine recently weighed in on 'Skipee', the three-wheeler concept seen here, designed by Australian Dimitrios Scoutas.

As an environmentally friendly proposition, Scoutas envisions his curious trike as an alternative form of transportation produced primarily from recycled materials, with a battery-powered motor contained within the rear wheel.

Skipee debuted as part of the 'Forecast Motors' exhibit by the Monash University Art Design Faculty at the Melbourne International Motor Show. Other displays by Monash included the Tribe and the Triad 2-seater sports car.

[Source: gizmag via BusinessWeek]

'Skipee', the eco-friendly trike concept from Down Under originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Apr 2006 18:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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