New Lotus Evora Priced from $149,990 in Australia

Lotus has confirmed Australian pricing for its all-new Evora sports car a few months ahead of the coupe's market launch scheduled for the third quarter of 2009. The entry level two-seater version of the Evora will be priced at $149,990 AU (recommended price before statutory and delivery charges) which is about $119,000 US or €85,000. Bizarrely, there seems to be some kind of a new law in Australia that prohibits official websites from publishing new car prices -we're not kidding- so unfortunately we can't compare the Evora's price to other sports cars sold Down Under.

Along with the Evora 2+0, Lotus will also sell a 2+2 seater version of the coupe that will be priced from $156,990 (again, recommended price before statutory and delivery charges). Rear seats aside, this version adds a host of luxury appointments both standard and optional including Alpine audio system, reversing camera and cruise control.

Both models are powered by a Toyota sourced 3.5-liter V6 engine producing an output of 206kW (that's 276 in good ol' horsepower) and 342Nm of torque. The naturally aspirated V6 is matted to a 6-speed manual gearbox while Lotus also offers a sportier, close-ratio transmission. For those that insist on buying a sports car for all the wrong reasons, an automatic version is in the company's future plans.

With the stick shift, the Evora goes from standstill to 100km/h (62mph) in just over five seconds while returning an average fuel consumption of 8.7l/100km (combined highway/urban cycle).

GM Says Holden is Safe from Bankruptcy Proceedings, will be an Important Part of 'New GM'

It appears that -at least for the time being- Holden has escaped unscathed from the bankruptcy of its parent company, General Motors. As stated by the American automaker, Holden will continue normal operations in Australia and New Zealand as the company is not directly affected by GM's bankruptcy process in the US. "We don't anticipate this decision will have any direct impact on Holden's workforce, dealers, or suppliers," said Holden Chairman and Managing Director, Mark Reuss.

"Holden is a subsidiary of GM but we are a corporate entity in our own right – an independent company under Australian law. Beyond that, GM has indicated that Holden will be an important part of the New GM," Reuss said.

According to Holden's chief, the automaker will continue to maintain its focus on the planned product programs and activities. "That means technology improvements to our best selling Commodore range, launching the all-new Holden Cruze this month, and the introduction of our locally-built fuel efficient, four cylinder small car next year," he added.

Alfa Romeo MiTo Confirmed for Australia, Sales Start in July

Alfa's new sporty hatchback, the MiTo, will be arriving on Australian shores this July, the Italian automaker announced today. In order to maintain a certain sporty pedigree, Alfa has decided to offer the MiTo in Australia only with the 1.4-liter turbocharged petrol engine, that will be available in two guises with 120HP (88kW) and 155HP (114kW), both matched to six-speed manual gearboxes. While the Italian carmaker has yet to announce pricing, the firm states that Aussie buyers will be 'pleasantly surprised".

"We cannot release the prices and specifications yet," said Edward Butler, General Manager for Alfa Romeo in Australia Edward Butler. "But Alfa Romeo has a real value for money reputation across its range, so not only do I think people will pleasantly surprised when we announce prices and specifications in July. I think anyone looking for a car that offers the blend of style, performance and luxury that sets all Italian cars apart from the rivals should wait until to July for MiTo."

In Europe, the MiTo is offered with a broader range of engines that include two entry level - yet asthmatic- 1.4-liter gasoline units with 78HP and 95HP as well as 1.3- and 1.6-liter turbodiesels producing 90 and 120HP respectively. Alfa's future plans include the introduction of a GTA model with a 240HP 1.8-liter turbo engine that was previewed in concept form earlier this year.

VIDEO: Bahrain Soccer Coach Makes Goalkeeper Protect his Range Rover

There are plenty of ways of motivating a goalkeeper to work really hard during training, but some ways are more extreme than others... Skip the jump to watch this amusing commercial that was created for the Bahrain national soccer team and its forthcoming game with Australia in June for the 2010 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.

1971 Ford Falcon XY GTHO Phase 3: Giga 1/8th Scale Die-Cast Model

Being somewhat of die-cast model collectors ourselves, we couldn't bypass the chance to tell you about this giga-sized, 1/8th scale replica of the 1971 Ford Falcon XY GTHO Phase III from 'Icon Models' that will be produced in a limited run of 1,000 units each priced at a hefty $1,295 AUD - that's about €700 or US$925. For non-Australian readers, the GTHO Phase II Falcon is one of the most iconic muscle cars from the land 'Down Under' reputed at its time to be the fastest production saloon in the world.

The actual '71 Falcon XY GTHO Phase III was powered by a modified 351 Cleveland V8 engine that produced somewhere around 380HP. Mated to a 4 speed manual-gearbox, the rear-wheel drive Falcon was said to reach 60mph (96km/h) in 6.4 seconds and the quarter mile in 14.2 seconds while its top speed was close to 230km/h (143mph). Only a mere 300 examples of the GTHO Phase III were built and fewer than 100 survive today. The past few years, prices for the much sought after Ford have skyrocketed to as high as AUD$800,000.

As for the die-cast version of the Aussie muscle car, the 60cm or 23.6-in. long 1/8th scale replica looks the part from the photos featuring many realistic details, but we'd like to see one up close before spending a grand on a die-cast model. According to the maker, the Ford Falcon XY GTHO Phase 3 will be available during the thrid quarter of the year.

Link: Icon Models

JDM Toyota Land Cruiser Receives new 318HP 4.6-liter V8 engine

Toyota has announced that its Japanese domestic market (JDM for short) Land Cruiser V8 has received a new engine and transmission transplant. Beginning from May 6, 2009, the Land Cruiser will be offered with a newly-developed 4.6-liter V8 Dual VVT-i gasoline engine that produces 318-horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 460Nm or 339.3-lbs/ft of maximum torque at 3,400 rpm versus the previous 4.7-liter V8's 288HP and 445Nm or 328-lb/ft respectively. The 4.6L V8 is mated to an also new 6-speed automatic transmission that replaces the previous 5-speed auto.

Since Europe, Australia and several other markets around the world get the same 4.7-liter V8 engine as the Japanese-spec model, we suspect that it's only a matter of time before Toyota announces the change to the 318HP 4.6-liter V8 and the six-speed auto transmission.

New powerplant aside, the JDM Land Cruiser's range is also enhanced with the addition of a new trim level called ZX.

Report: Aussie Editor Says Recession will Kill GM's Holden Unit

As speculation grows on whether or not General Motors will be filling for bankruptcy, questions arise on the future of the company's subsidiaries such as the firm's Australian unit, Holden. In a report on the future of Australia's automobile industry from AAP that was hosted on several news sites, Clive Matthew-Wilson, Editor of the car buyers Dog & Lemon Guide, claims that Holden will most likely be the first carmaker from Down-Under to bite the dust due to the recession. "It's not a matter of whether they close down, but when they close down," said Matthew -Wilson referring to Holden, Ford and Toyota Australia.

On May 4, Holden slashed the Commodore's production of its in half at its in Elizabeth plant in South Australia in response to slow sales and a shift in Australian buyers taste to smaller vehicles. Matthew -Wilson told AAP that this move 'signaled the beginning of end for Holden'.

"Globally, there's a glut of new cars at bargain prices, yet Australia, which produces a small number of high cost cars, is trying to compete with countries like China, which produces ten million cars a year and pays its car workers as little as one dollar per hour. The Australian government can throw $6 billion or $600 billion at these car plants, but they still won't be economically feasible," he said.

In concern of Holden, we'd also add that, even if the future of the Australian auto industry as a whole wasn't so pessimistic as portrayed by Matthew-Wilson, with the reorganizing - bankruptcy -call it whatever you want of GM that is already trying to get rid of many brands like Hummer and Saab, Holden's outlook would still be seen challenging.

Source: AAP , Via: SMH

Toyota Panasonic F1 Driver Timo Glock gets on Two Wheels with HiLux

A little bit of fun -especially when it concerns promotional activities- never hurt anyone. As part of a series of events in the lead-up to this Sunday's Australian Grand Prix, Panasonic Toyota Racing pilot Timo Glock took a few lessons from Toyota's Hilux Heroes stunt drivers and managed to drive a near-standard Hilux V6 for 60 meters (around 200 feet) on two wheels. The 27-year-old German then moved on to doughnuts and formation driving where he entertained a large group of invited members of the press.

The Toyota Hilux Heroes team performs nationally at leading metro, regional and rural shows in slightly modified versions of the 4x2 V6-powered Toyota Hilux. The team is made up of leading professional Australian drivers including Guinness World Record holder, Lawrence 'The Legend' Ryan and Jack Monkhouse.

"This was a lot of fun," said Glock on his two-wheel stunt driving cameo. "Although, I think it would be a little hard to drive a Formula 1 car on two wheels."

Land Rover Offers Aussies Stormer Kit for Range Rover Sport

Drawing inspiration from the 2004 Range Stormer Concept Car, Land Rover Australia has introduced a new optional styling kit for the MY09 Range Rover Sport. The limited edition, factory fitted Stormer kit which is available in a choice of three colors (black, white and grey), consists of Stormer-style front and rear bumpers, an extended rear spoiler, body colored side cladding, rectangular-shaped chromed, exhaust finishers, a honeycomb radiator grille, plus a front Park Distance Control.

Land Rover said that only a limited number of Stormer Kits will go on sale in Australia, at a factory fitted cost of RRP AU$9,990. Prices for the Range Rover Sport start from AU$90,900 for the V6 turbo diesel model.

Range Rover Sport 09MY RRP:

TDV6	$90,900
TDV8	$118,900
V8	$118,900
Supercharged	$144,900
Stormer Kit (Option)	$9,990

Mazda to compete in Targa Tasmania with Turbocharged RX-8 SP

The 2009 Targa Tasmania endurance race that runs from April 28 to May 3 and comprises around 1,890km (1,157 miles), including 465km across 40 closed-road, stages will see the return to competition of Mazda's SP moniker. Using a production RX-8 GT as a base, Mazda Motorsport Australia added a turbocharger to the car's rotary engine increasing output from 228HP to 275HP and torque from 211Nm to 300Nm.

Other modifications include the addition of a roll cage and bucket seats as well as chassis and suspension upgrades. The RX-8 SP rides on 18-inch lightweight MazdaSpeed alloys shod in performance tires.

Along with the RX-8 SP, Mazda will also enter a Mazda3 MPS at the endurance race that will be competing for honors in the Showroom 2WD Competition.

2009 Melbourne Motor Show Galore with 115 High-Res Photos

The 75th Melbourne International Motor Show opened its gates to the members of the press on Friday and even though there were a few absentees, it has been calculated that local and global brands on show represent 94.7 per cent of Australia's total car sales. Among the new production and concept cars that are making their debut in Australia are the Holden Cruze and Volt EV, Hyundai's i20 mini, BMW's M1 Homage Concept, Toyota's Camry Hybrid Study and the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 Spyder.

And if these premieres aren't a good enough of a reason for Aussies to visit the show, then consider this; the 2009 Melbourne Show will be the only event of its kind in Australia for 2009 after it was decided that the Australian International Motor Show will alternate between Sydney and Melbourne on an annual basis.

This means that this year's Sydney Show has been cancelled and that the next major car event in the land 'Down-Under' will be held at Darling Harbour in Sydney in the fall of 2010.