Show offs and no shows

Motor shows are an expensive proposition, even to multi-billion dollar car manufacturers.

Some of the stands at this year’s Melbourne show cost upwards of $1 million. Then there’s the fight for floor space, for a prime reveal time during the opening day’s media scrimmage, and for the title of Best in Show – the reveal and/or stand that leaves a lasting impression.

So it isn’t surprising that some manufacturers have chosen to skip this year’s Melbourne motor show, or plan to alternate between the big Australian shows each year.

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This year, some prominent names that have side-stepped the Melbourne spotlight include Mercedes-Benz (and satellites Maybach and Smart), Porsche, Jaguar, Mini, Citroen, Lotus, and niche luxury brands like Aston Martin, Bentley and Rolls Royce.

But Melbourne certainly knows how to put on a show, and despite these notable absences, some of the biggest star cars are making their debut this Friday…

For starters, the Ferrari Scuderia will be on the stand. This super Berlinetta did not make the trip from Frankfurt to Sydney in time for the Australian International Motor Show in October last year, and it was a disappointing last-minute withdrawal.

However, the fastest F430 has had time to arrive in Melbourne, and pricing will also be announced at the show. Not that it matters – the handful of cars allotted to Australia this year are well and truly sold.

Other supercars making their debut are the highly-anticipated Nissan Skyline GT-R, the hand-built Australian Bolwell Nagari and E-Vade sports cars, the Audi RS6 Avant hyperwagon, Toyota’s ‘Prius on ‘Roids’ FT-HS, and Maserati’s Quattroporte Sport GT-S exec-express.

And of course, for the first time in Australia, the world’s fastest and most powerful production car will be on display. The Bugatti Veyron may have launched almost three years ago, but it will debut in Oz thanks to importer Trivetts and feature in the hall on the first three days of the show.

Take a wild guess which weekend will be the most popular this year…

In the production arena, Italian carmaker Fiat’s presence in Australia will multiply from only one passenger car to three with the debut of the new Fiat 500, and its big brother, the Ritmo (known overseas as Bravo).

Ford and Holden have their usual stoush – Ford is revealing its new Falcon and FPV ranges, while Holden and HSV counter with the VE Sportwagon, and a mystery concept or production show star with a tenuous link to the past.

And many more surprises are in store, hidden under velvet robes and behind screens…

Carsguide will be out in force at the show, so stay tuned for the latest updates, reveals and gossip as it happens this Friday, February 29.

MELBOURNE MOTOR SHOW – Manufacturers

Alfa Romeo

Audi

BMW

Bolwell

Chrysler

Dodge

Elfin

E-Vade

Ferrari