Articles by Alexis Carey

The Lamborghini dealership brings the luxury Italian car back to the city following the closure of Sydney’s William St store several years ago after it went into receivership. The dealership has opened right before the launch of its new superstar, the Huracan, which is the Gallardo’s replacement.Dealer principal Dwyer Ogle said the newly-opened dealership was good news for NSW’s Lamborghini lovers. “If you have to become a Lamborghini dealer and if you have to open that dealership one month before the launch of the newest model, it is good to be in close proximity to Leichhardt, which is renowned for excellence in all things Italian. We think it is a pretty good location,” he said.“Traditionally the inner west is where most Lamborghinis were sold, which sometimes surprises people who would expect it to be the eastern suburbs.“The majority of orders for the new model are coming from inner west-based customers.” The Huracan made its auto show debut at the 2014 Geneva Auto Show and is scheduled to be released in the second quarter of 2014.The Gallardo was Lamborghini’s most successful model, selling more than 14,000 cars in its lifetime and representing 75 per cent of all Lamborghinis ever sold.Sydney’s Lamborghini enthusiasts were treated to a sneak peak of the vehicle at an event held by Autosports Lamborghini Sydney recently, which meant guests had the chance to check out the car even before its launch at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this month.The dealership is owned by the Sydney-based Autosports group, which includes Audi’s Five Dock dealership and employs more than 200 inner west locals. It also has the only Australian Lamborghini-approved collision repair centre, Autohaus Prestige, which is located in Five Dock.Mr Ogle said there was a lot to admire about the Huracán. The Lamborghini’s V10-powered Huracán can go from 0-200km/h in just 9.9 seconds and the car weighs just 1422kg. “The idea of the car is absolute extreme performance coupled with everyday useability in terms of its behaviour on the road,” he said.“Stick it on the track and it is a weapon, stick it on the road and it is as mild-mannered as most other motor cars.The 2010 Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera is now being replaced by Huracan. “The days of people accepting their supercars as highly strung creatures are over. People want to enjoy their cars and go away on the weekends with them.”The dealership also sells Fiats and Alfa Romeos and has already received a rush of orders for the Huracán. Autosports Lamborghini Sydney boasts a state-of-the-art interactive program where prospective customers can custom design their own vehicle and then place an order.The Huracan:- Price starts at $465,000- The car is powered by a 5.2 litre V10 engine, produces 448kW and 560Nm of torque- Can hit 200km/h in 9.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 325km/hLove your Lambos? Then watch this space - one of our journalists is planning to go for a spin in a Lamborghini next month.

Inner west car dealers met Opposition treasury spokesman Joe Hockey and Reid Federal Liberal candidate Craig Laundy recently to discuss the controversial changes to the fringe benefits tax. Car dealers and representatives of the Motor Trader's Association visited Suttons Holden Homebush to talk about the Federal Government's removal of the fringe benefits tax concession on vehicles. Craig Sutton from Suttons Holden, John Altomonte from Alto Ford, Nick Karagiannis from Larke Hoskins Honda and Greg Hatton from the Motor Traders Association said the "tax grab" would cost 320,000 Australians an average of $1400 a year. Mr Laundy said the changes would impact on families already facing cost of living pressures. "Local car dealers have told us these changes will have a big impact on their dealerships with salary-sacrificed and employer-provided cars amounting to a significant portion of their business,'' he said. "They are another kick in the pants to Australia's automotive industry, but more importantly they will hurt local businesses and families.'' However, Reid Federal Labor MP John Murphy defended the changes. "The changes to the FBT do not prevent people from claiming legitimate business expenses they do not affect tradesmen and users of commercial fleets,'' Mr Murphy said.