2001 Melbourne International Motor Show

Opens 5pm Thursday 1 March 2001, closes 6pm Monday 12 March.

Uhh? The Ariel Atom (right) looks like fun, but not so good for dicing with semi trailers on the Hume highway. The Atom can apparently be registered for road use in Australia. It is powered by the 1.6 or 1.8 litre Rover K-series engines, as fitted to the MG-F. Production began in 1999.

Alfa Romeo 147 (right) debuts; it collected European awards in 2000. The 147 is Alfa's sensible car, but the GTV 2+2 coupe, Spider, 166, Sportswagon and even the 156 will draw more looks.

Audi has the Allroad 4x4 and previews the new A4 which will not go on sale in Australia until "the third quarter of 2001"; you can order yours at the show for au$2K deposit. Other Audis include the RS4 rocket station wagon.

BMW has the new Mini (was the BMC Mini way back, but don't talk about the war, Rover has now been cast adrift Mini-less). It is the Mini Cooper version with all the go-gear.

The BMW X5 4x4 features prominently with both 4.4 litre V8 and 3-litre 6-cylinder ($79,750) versions on the BMW stand.

The BMW I-Drive concept car (right) is not for sale but may hint at BMW sports cars to come.

The 3246cc BMW M3 coupe on the other hand is for sale, for $136,500+/-.

Citroen shows the C5 up-market medium sized car, the Xsara (from $au23,990) and the Berlingo van/ people mover.

Ford has an R5 crew cab ute design study fitted with full time four wheel drive. Such mechanicals are more likely to be found under a future Ford Falcon station wagon c2003.

Right on sale now is the Ford Mustang from $85,000 and the Ford Escape 4x4, from $33,200 + orc, sibling to the Mazda Tribute.

The GT40 (right & below right) is an Australian built replica of the real thing. The replica has a proper space frame "chassis", four wheel independent suspension, and Ford 302 cubic inch V8 racing engine, as per the original.

Roaring Forties, 2/32 Collins Rd., Dromana, Victoria,
tel/fax: 5981-4044, is responsible for this piece of extreme indulgence.

GM Holden's Sandman (concept) brings an image of retro sin to motoring.

Honda's Insight hybrid car, with Hans Tholstrup at the wheel, had just set a new Australian fuel conomy record of 43.5km/litre by driving more than 1700kms from Brisbane to Melbourne on 37.75 litres of fuel.

Hyundai's Santa Fe 4x4 was released last year, but the larger Terracan 4x4 is comparable to the (previous) Pajero say - 3.5 litre V6, chassis, live rear axle, etc. - on sale here in late 2001.

Jaguar has the new four wheel drive X-type medium size sedan. Also unveiled, the Jaguar S-type Sport. This has the 179kW AJ-V6 dohc engine, and either a 5-speed automatic or a 5-speed manual gearbox. 8x18" wheels distinguish the Sport from the standard S-type. The S-type Sport is priced from au$99,900.

Kia has the new Optima 2.5 litre V6 saloon, Carnival people mover, & Carens compact people mover from au$22,990, 2001 Sportage 4x4, and the Kia Rio small car from au$14,990.

Lamborghini Diablo 6.0 VT is as desirable as it was last year. The firm also has some past classics on the stand - a pretty little yellow Muira and one of the rather fussy Countachs.

Land Rover is under new ownership (Ford). The Freelander was updated most recently, getting the choice of a 2.5 litre V6 or a 2-litre Td4 turbo-diesel just last year. It's not bad, but a few $K more costly than its obvious competitors. The Range Rover remains little changed, waiting on its BMW developed replacement c2002. Discovery and Defender have lots of model life left in them.

Lexus (Toyota) have the rather nice SC430 sports car with a 4.3 litre V8.

Lotus' Elise is still a stunner whichever way you look at it.

MG - MGFs, with a variations on the 1.8 litre mid-mounted engine and alternative transmissions, show MG and Rover (below) are back in business.

Nissan P.R. claims to have the X-Trail 4WD, but I'm sorry, if it's there I missed it! The 200 SX looks pretty though, and there is a new Pulsar hatch due to go on sale ~July. The X-trail is based on a front wheel drive system with a choice of "two-wheel drive running, automatic four-wheel drive and constant four-wheel drive." It was first shown at Paris 2000, is now on sale Japan with a 2-litre 4-cylinder engine, and may come to Australia.

Renault returns to Australia with its current range of cars plus a "startling concept vehicle." which makes the Scenic RX4 4x4 (right) look quite staid by comparison! Other Renaults are the Clio small hatch back, Megane cabriolet (soft top), Scenic, and Laguna.

Rover was here last year about to launch the 75 sedan - until BMW sold Land Rover to Ford and could hardly give the Rover car company away. Rover has risen from the ashes, now free of BMW, and is back with the 75 sedan and a 75 estate (station wagon). The cars are to be imported by MG Rover Australia.

The Rover 75 sedan prices are $51,950 manual, $53,950 auto, and the Connoiseur model $60,500. The rear engined MG-F 1.8 prices are $42,270 manual, $45,490 Steptronic (man'/auto'), and $49,990 VVC 5-spd manual.

- 4wd.sofcom.com/4WD.html

Subaru fans will like to see Possum Bourne's WRC2001 6-speed 4x4, 224kW at 5500rpm, 471Nm at 4000rpm.

Toyota has the Prius hybrid petrol/ electric car, which recently gained approval for volume sales in Australia. Right: A Landcruiser 100-series on the four wheel drive test track at a previous show.

What was Toyota thinking of with the WiLL Vi? It is based on the Toyota Echo platform, and is apparently on sale in Japan!

Volvo's Cross country (XC) is an alternative to the Audi Allroad in the posh light duty 4x4 market.

- L. A11ison

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