The Melbourne International Motor Show opened on Friday 26 February. As usual the cars ranged from the exotic to the eccentric to the practical and down to earth.

Playing the nostalgia card, the new VW Beetle (right) created a good deal of interest.

Above: the VW W12 supercar. Other dream machines: Aston Martin DB7, Lamborghini Diablo, Lotus Esprit and Elise, TVR Speed-12.

An AmphiRanger, one of the lots to be auctioned by Shannons, next week.

Land Rover had the new 1998 / 1999 model year Discovery side by side with the old model. There are few obvious differences in the shape, but plenty of changes in the mechanicals, and a price hike: the new one starts at $45K.

A crew cab version of the Ford Explorer.

Europeans are familiar with the Ford `Ka'; this is the Ka Rally.

GM Holden had both the short and long wheel-base Frontera's which have recently started to appear on the roads. Those that are nostalgic for the Holden Monaro will appreciate the Commodore Coupe prototype.

Mitsubishi let their styling guys rip in the Technas 4x4. The tyres have ``runner'' type treads, and the seats consist of a string mesh strung over a metal frame.

Subaru had the new Liberty sedan to join the wagon released last year. The sedan has been selling well in Japan.

Recent arrivals from Audi: A3, A6 Avant (station wagon) Quattro.

The Honda S2000 is unveiled by members of the Melbourne Storm and assistants. Honda also had the revised CR-V 4x4 and the surprisingly roomy HR-V 4x4.

Mercedes Benz SLX 230 Kompressor, a 2.3 litre supercharged sports car with 142kW at 5300rpm, 280Nm at 2500rpm.

Toyota's Euro-styled compact car would make a handy shopping run-about. Also on the stand, a Toyota Corolla Rally Car (minus the rear half of its four wheel drive if you looked underneath) would be a bit more exciting.

The Victorian Premier, Mr. Jeff Kennett (of the shed), praised the Victorian (and Australian) motoring industry for its technical innovation and good skills base, but sounded a note of caution over the `Euro' and other overseas developments that might cause problems.

Also there: Modulo (a 3-wheeler that can top 200km/h), Nissan Trail Runner 4x4 and updated Pathfinder, accessories, tools and equipment, toys and scale models.

When: 26 February - 8 March 1999, Melbourne Exhibition Centre.

Go to the 1998 and Motor Show cross-reference pages