Big guns all ready for show

Lamborghini, Ferrari, Maserati, BMW, Bentley, Jaguar and Audi will display new models, many for their first showing in Australia.

BMW is holding the international unveiling of its 3-Series convertible in Detroit today, then will rush a car to the Brisbane show. It will go on sale in March, to be priced about $100,000.

BMW also will have its just-released M6 convertible, with a Formula One-inspired V10 engine, $295,000 and six-month waiting list.

Rival Audi will bring an early example of its new high-performance R8 coupe. Deliveries of the $300,000 car will not begin until September.

Brisbane has scored a coup by attracting displays from upmarket marques Jaguar and Lamborghini, which bypassed the Sydney Motor Show late last year.

At the top of the exotic list — and likely to be the most expensive car in the show — will be Lamborghini's $659,000 Murcielago LP640 coupe, making its Australian debut.

The Italian-made V12-powered LP640, a new-generation replacement for the original Murcielago, has a larger engine and more aggressive styling. It is claimed to be capable of 340 km/h, and can reach 100km/h in 3.4 seconds.

The show also will have the Australian unveiling of the production version of a smaller Lamborghini convertible, the Gallardo Spyder. Top speed 314km/h. Price $439,000.

Other high-speed Italians will include the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano ($574,000, V12 engine, 0-100km/h 3.7sec, top speed 330km/h), Maserati's two-door $248,500 GranSport and four-door $258,000 Quattroporte.

The 10-day show, at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, will open on February 2. Adult tickets will be $16.