Articles by CarsGuide team

The movie Dirty Harry originally sparked the idea, but can a Magnum really stop a car in it’s tracks.   Car Science pits a trigger-happy ex-cop against a “Baddy” caddy. Will the caddy hold out? Watch the video to find out.  

The opening weekend from last Friday to Monday saw 80,000 people flock through the doors - a 27 per cent increase over the same period at last October’s show in Sydney, and a substantial 41 per cent over that timeframe at the last Melbourne show in March 2009. Event director Russ Tyrie says the attendance figures are an indication that the event’s new July date is a success. “The move to July has been met with approval by visitors and exhibitors alike,” said Mr Tyrie. “The clear space around the show on the international motor show calendar has allowed manufacturers to bring in drawcards such as the Audi e-tron, BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept, Lamborghini Aventador, Lexus LF-Gh, Maserati GranCabrio Sport, Mazda Shinari concept and Toyota FT-86 II concept. “The Melbourne public hasn’t had a show for the last two years, and the combination of a host of star cars and the winter school holidays has seen people return in good numbers.” The Australian International Motor Show runs through until Sunday 10 July at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

AudiNew models: A6, R8 GT, TT RS, RS5Concept car: K8 e-tronBentleyNew models: Continental GT, MulsanneBMWConcept car: Vision EfficientDynamicsFordNew models: Falcon EcoLPi, Focus, Ranger Wildtrak, Mondeo EcoBoostConcept car: Mad Max 3/4 clay modelOn sale announcements: New Territory Diesel, FalconHoldenNew models: Ecoline Series II Cruze, Commodore, CaptivaConcept car: ColoradoHondaNew models: CR-Z Coupe, CivicHyundaiNew models: Elantra, Accent, i40, VelosterConcept car: HND-6JaguarNew models: XF diesel, XKR-S, XKR-S Coupe, XJ Supersport, XFRKia New models: Rio 5 Door Hatch, PicantoLamborghiniNew model: LP 700-4 AventadorLand RoverNew models: Freelander 2, Defender, Range Rover Evoque and SportLexusNew model: LFAConcept car: LF-Gh HybridMaseratiNew models: GranTurismo MC Stradale, GranCabrio SportOn sale announcements: Quattroporte 4.2MazdaNew models: BT-50, Mazda3Concept cars: Minagi, ShinariMercedes-BenzNew models: SLK, C-Class Coupe, CLSMitsubishiConcept car: PX MiEVOn sale announcement: i-MiEV MY12 EVNissanNew model: LeafPorscheNew model: Cayman RSkodaNew models: Fabia, YetiSubaruNew model: ImprezaConcept car: XV racing, Liberty B4 GT300SuzukiConcept car: Swift SToyotaNew models: Yaris, HiluxConcept cars: FT-86 II, Prius-C, Prius-VVolkswagenNew models: Caddy, Touareg, Jetta, Scirocco RVolvoNew models: V60 diesel plug-in hybrid, S60

The supercars, the showroom stars, the future technology, the glamour and glitz weve captured the best on video for you.

Due to a new rotation system between Sydney and Melbourne, the Australian International Motor Show returns to the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre for the first time in more than two years – and it is back with a serious bang. The huge positive of that is one motor show per year has seen renewed commitment from manufacturers.Plus, the single yearly event sees the show take a more prominent place in the international motor show landscape – especially in the Asia-Pacific region. The July date means it avoids clashes with other international shows, and allows manufacturers to bring their best show cars.The result is that the 2011 Australian International Motor Show will be the biggest for a long time, with concept cars, future technology and new models aplenty. With 29 manufacturers attending, the show will reflect a broad range of the Australian marketplace; from Land Rovers to Lamborghinis, Peugeots to Porsches, supercars to super-minis.As the premier event of the Australian automotive industry each year, it is the responsibility of the Australian International Motor Show to inform, educate and excite the public about everything motoring.You want a star of the show? Take your pick out of: the BMW Concept Vision EfficientDynamics, the Mazda Shinari concept, the Hyundai Blue2 concept, the Lexus LF-Gh concept, the Toyota FT-86 II concept, the Toyota Prius C concept, the Subaru XV Concept, the Mazda Miyagi concept, the new Lamborghini Aventador, the new Bentley Continental GT, the Lexus LF-A, the new Maserati MC Stradale...Family day returns too, and this time there will be two of them. On both Saturdays there will be activities for the kids – including the opportunity to see Po, from the new movie Kung Fu Panda 2. The 2011 show gives me cause for great excitement – I hope it does for you too.Enjoy!Russ Tyrie Event Director, Australian International Motor Show

Even so, the new baby from the British brand is one of the stars of the motor show. It is expected on local roads from November and will be displayed at the show in both versions – the three-door called a coupe by Land Rover and the more family-focused five-door model. The overwhelming demand for the all-new Evoque vindicates Land Rover’s bold plan to create more identity for the upmarket Range Rover franchise while keeping Land Rover models as more durable alternatives. The Evoque is based on the Land Rover Freelander 2 but, unlike the compact SUV, will be available as a two-wheel-drive model early in 2012. Evoque deliveries start in November with the entry-level 4WD diesel manual five-door at $53,395, rising to $77,395 for the 4WD automatic petrol coupe. Land Rover will also display its full line-up, including Range Rover Vogue and Sport models, Freelander 2 and Defender at the show.

Check out the Girls of the Motor Show 2011 gallery.

.....for a spot of hooning about in some very kooky vehicles. Some 48 teams took part in the humorous contest with their home-made and elaborately decorated carts. Participants competed in competitions of distance and speed on a special track in the centre of the Ukrainian capital.