The Melbourne International Motor Show opened to the public on February 29 at 5 pm though the media was given access to the exhibits early that day. Many eagerly awaited new launches made their debut entries and impressed all with their clean designs and looks. Prominently among them in the small-sized car sector were the retro-styled Fiat 500, already the European Car of the Year, and the stunning Peugeot 308 Touring. Among Ford’s FG series, the FG Falcon stands impressive with its rear-wheel drive and upgraded powertrains and interiors. But the FG Falcon will face serious competition from Holden’s Coupe 60 which was unveiled today marking Holden’s 60th anniversary this year. Already it’s being touted as a fast seller if Holden goes into production of this beauty though GM Holden Chairman and Managing Director Mark Reuss is reported to have said, "This is a vehicle I know our designers would dearly love to see go into production, but for the moment it has to remain a concept only.”
However, top honours go to the Bugatti Veyron - the fastest and most expensive production car ever built which will make a special appearance at the 2008 Melbourne Motor Show for three days only. With a top speed of more than 400 km/h and an estimated Australian price of $2.7 million, the Veyron makes all other supercars look slow and inexpensive by comparison. The special show car has been brought to the Motor Show in collaboration with the organisers of the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide and Trivett Bespoke Automotive, the Australian importer/dealer for Bugatti. It will appear at the Motor Show from 5pm to 10pm on Friday, then from 10 am to 10 pm on Saturday and Sunday, 29 February to 2 March.
Meanwhile, Bolwell Car Company has revealed the fully finished beauty of its new Nagari sports car. A single frontal image reveals sleek, low-slung lines with generous glass areas and classic mid-engined sports car styling. The faired-in, four-headlight front end echoes the legendary McLaren F1, while other elements capture the spirit of the best Italian mid-engined exotics.
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Press Release
2008 Melbourne International Motor Show - Media Day
Melbourne Motor Show has got off to a spectacular start for 2008, with major new product launches by local and European manufacturers and a remarkable diversity of concept cars from around the world.
Show stars span the automotive spectrum from thrifty turbo-diesels to high-powered sports cars, and from mainstream family sedans to luxury SUVs.
Topping the list of new-models launches is the FG Falcon, with Ford showing the full range of sedans and utes featuring new model designations across the range to match the all-new body and suspension engineering.
Holden made sure of its share of the spotlight with the spectacular reveal of the Coupe 60, a bio-fueled hardtop coupe to celebrate Holden's 60th anniversary year.
Standing out among the European brands is Peugeot, with a world debut for its new 308 Touring, the second successive year in which Peugeot has staged a world debut in Melbourne.
Top performance honours go to the Bugatti Veyron, appearing at the Show for three days only before heading off on Sunday night for its next engagement.
Sharing the Veyron's carbon fibre composite construction and mid-engined configuration is the Melbourne-built Bolwell Nagari, reprising the name and the spirit of the original Nagari from the 1970s.
Popular favourites were the new Fiat 500, recently voted European Car of the Year, and the self-parking Lexus LS600hL, which will complete some 200 demonstrations in the course of the Show.
Melbourne Motor Show opens to the public at 5pm on Friday 29 February and runs until 6pm on Monday 10 March at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
By: AOL Australia Editorial
Courtesy: Melbourne Motor Show 0nline Media Centre
©2008 AOL Australia Pty Limited
