Motor show serves up stars of the future

HOLDEN

The focus at the GM-owned stand will

be the concept of the next generation of America's iconic muscle car, the Chevrolet Camaro. The partly Australian-designed sports coupe concept will make its debut here.

Holden will be evaluating public response to determine if the Camaro will be a viable option for the local market.

The new model has been confirmed for production in North America at the beginning of 2009. It is expected to be identical to the concept model, a modern interpretation of its original 1969 form.

Part of the Camaro's engineering and design work is done in Melbourne.

Holden is also unveiling a diesel version of its Captiva family all-wheel-drive plus the new Epica mid-size sedan.

FORD

The hottest new baby car for Australia is the Fiesta XR4 (pictured on today's cover) which Ford will start selling here mid-year.

The European-built car will complement its big brother the Focus XR5 Turbo.

The XR4 will be powered by a 2.0-litre Duratec 16 valve engine. Falcon Cobra-style stripes will enhance its racy looks.

Also following the Cobra style is a limited-edition run of 200 FPV GTs to commemorate 40 years since the first Falcon V8, the XR GT, was built in 1967.

The distinctive black with gold stripes machine will sell for $65,110 from next month.

TOYOTA

The company will reveal its latest prestige performance vehicles. The locally designed Toyotas make their world debut in Melbourne.

The TRD range features a supercharged 3.5-litre, V6 Aurion sports sedan and the supercharged 4.0-litre, V6 HiLux sports utility.

The Aurion will go on sale in the middle of the year and the Hilux will be launched towards the end of the year.

AUDI

The surprise of the show could be Audi's new S5 and A5 models, which make their world debut at the Geneva show next week.

The A5 will be available in both four-cylinder and six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, with the 3.2-litre, 195kW V6 petrol topping the range.

The S5 has an eight-cylinder 260kW engine, producing 440Nm of torque. It sprints from nought to 100km/h in 5.9 seconds.

The coupes will be available to order from March, with deliveries starting in June.

JEEP

The Chrysler brand will preview three of its new production models in Melbourne.

The all-new Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited will be the main attraction to the stand, along with the first compact SUV for Jeep, the Compass.

The Wrangler has been redesigned, and has a new diesel engine added to the range.

The Unlimited is a four-door model, with five seats and extended wheelbase.

The new Compass will be available in both petrol and diesel engines when it goes on sale this month and the company believes it will appeal to a younger audience.

NISSAN

Nissan will unveil three new models, including the much-talked-about Qashqai, which has been renamed Dualis for the Australian market. The Dualis will be launched in Australia towards the end of this year and will slot into the small segment.

Nissan will also display the new Micra, a 1.4-litre small car which will also go on sale towards the end of the year and the revised 350Z. With a new 3.5-litre, V6 engine, the 350Z will go on sale in April. It also features changed interior and exterior designs.

HONDA

Honda's latest offering in fuel-cell technology, the new FCX concept, is making its Australian debut in Melbourne.

The low-riding, sporty sedan runs on hydrogen and has more power, while still offering

a a full-sized cabin. Honda is currently working on a retail version of the prototype for the US and Japan.

EDAG

The engineering and design company will exhibit its EDAG SUV, a one-of-kind model based on the Porsche Cayenne. The modified SUV has been lowered and reshaped and the roofline dropped by 70mm.

It has a 447kW turbo engine, with large air inlets on the front bumper for the intercoolers. Wedge-shaped side skirts and muscular fender

flares give the EDAG SUV even more character. It sits on 23-inch wheels with ultra-low profile tyres.

Inside, four sports seats are separated by a full-length centre console, which features a DVD player and Sony PS2 game console.

BMW

We'll see the debut of the new X5 in Australia at the motor show.

The revised SUV will go on sale in April with a 3.0-litre diesel and a 4.8-litre, V8 petrol engine. A 3.0-litre petrol will be available from June. Prices will start at $80,000.

BMW will also show the 3 Series convertible as well as the the updated 5 Series and 1 Series.

MAZDA

Mazda will feature the Australian preview of its new large SUV, the CX-9. The seven-seater will be the third SUV for Mazda when it goes on sale in Australia in January.

It is expected to cost $55,000-$60,000.

Mazda will have both a cut model with the roof taken off, as well as a left-hand drive, North American production model on display.