2011 Australian International Motor Show Photo

Even though it’s not as famous as its Frankfurt, Paris, Tokyo or Detroit counterparts, this year’s edition of the Australian Motor Show, which takes place in Melbourne from July 1 to 10, has some interesting debuts including the Mad Max Concepts pictured above as well as a number of new production and prototype models from the local divisions of General Motors (aka Holden) and Ford.

You can take a look at all the vehicles in our comprehensive photo gallery right after the break. For those of you interested in learning more about the Ford-badged Mad Max Interceptor prototypes

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New HSV Black Edition Versions of Commodore Based Sedan, Station and Ute Models

General Motor’s Holden Special Vehicles unit in Australia is following in the footsteps of Mercedes-Benz’s AMG division as well as more recently, Porsche, with the presentation of a black-themed and named special edition series based on the E Series 3 range launched last September.
Making its world debut at the 2011 Australian motorshow in Melbourne, the SV Black Edition package is offered in the ClubSport R8, Maloo R8 and ClubSport R8 Tourer, which are the sports versions of the Commodore sedan, ute, and station wagon models respectively.
Despite the name, the SV Black Editions are available in four more colors other than Phanotm black, namely Alto Grey, Nitrate, Sting and Heron.
The “darkness” of the limited edition comes in the details starting with the exterior and the matte black trims on the front and sides as well as the “Vector” hood scoops and side vents. It continues with the new, 20-inch forged SV Performance alloy wheel finished in gloss black.
Inside, all models feature a unique finish on the console, instrument panel and steering wheel while special edition sill plates, Onyx leather trim, matte black badging and a subtle lip spoiler on the ClubSport R8 complete the package.
There are no upgrades under the hood with power coming from HSV’s 317 kilowatt (425HP), 6.2-liter LS3 V8 engine.
“I believe this is one of the best looking limited edition vehicle’s we have ever produced at HSV,” said HSV’s General Manager of Sales, Darren Bowler. “The matte black paint outs combined with an all new, forged alloy wheel and subtle badging gives these vehicles a truly unique HSV look. I am confident these limited edition models will become true collectors items,” he added.
HSV plans to limit production of the SV Black Edition package to 100 ClubSport R8s, 100 Maloo R8s and 25 ClubSport R8 Tourer’s. Prices for the SV Black Edition start at AU$67,990 for the Maloo R8, AU$71,990 for the Clubsport R8 and AU$72,990 for the ClubSport R8 Tourer. Sales officially start in September.

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GM’s Holden Readies Rebadged Chevys For The Melbourne Auto Show 2011

It’s a global economy we live in and as such, it doesn’t come to much of a surprise when we see the same vehicles launched under different brands and names in various parts of the world.
Of course, it would be somewhat unfair to Holden if we didn’t mention that it has played a key role in the development and design of several GM products including the 5-door Cruze that will be show in pre-production trim at the 2011 Australian International Motor Show (AIMS), which takes place in Melbourne from July to 10.
The hatchback body style of the Cruze will be joined by the new Barina (a.k.a the Chevrolet Sonic) and the Colorado 4x4 concept pickup truck, which we’ve already seen with Chevrolet's bowtie.
“The Colorado show car is the biggest and brightest star on the Holden stage this year,” said Holden Chairman and Managing Director Mike Devereux. “The next generation Colorado will be an important player in light commercial/pickup 4x4 segment which is up 11 per cent this year,” he added.
The new Colorado pickup will be introduced into the Australian market in production form next year.
Holden is also updating its bread-and-butter Commodore series with the presentation of an E85 capable V6 engine option.
“We’ll be adding to the Ecoline model range, extending E85 flex-fuel capability to the popular 3.6 litre SIDI V6 engine and launching a new dedicated LPG Commodore range to take advantage of the CO2 benefits of the locally-abundant fuel,” said Devereux.

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Honda CR-Z Set To Le Mans Endurance Race

Hοnda Performance Development divisiοn will display the CR-Z at the 24hr Le Mans endurance race. Honda will be taking this CR-Z Racer tο Le Mans but the car will nοt cοmpete in the 24hr endurance race there.

The car will be a part οf a display put up at the histοric racing event called "Le Mans vers le Futur" but the CR-Z Racer will run a few demonstration laps arοund the track.

The CR-Z Racer is a creatiοn οf Honda Performance Development, a divisiοn οf Honda USA. It is a FWD hybrid vehicle powered by a 1.5 liter turbοcharged fοur-cylinder petrol/gasoline unit cοupled tο an electric motοr fitted between the engine and the 6-speed manual gearbοx. The electric motor is fed juice frοm a 7 kWh/173 vοlt lithium-ion battery. Tοtal output is 200 PS (147 kW / 197 bhp) and 237 Nm (175 lb-ft) οf torque.

The Honda Perfοrmance Development CR-Z racer did cοmpete in the 2010 Thunderhill 25 Hοurs race in Napa, California in December οf last year. Check out mοre details in our gallery

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Holden Engineers Fine-Tuning 2013 Chevy Malibu for Markets

The all-new 2013 Chevrolet Malibu has made its way to Australia landing in the hands of Holden’s engineering team, which was recruited by General Motors to assist in the calibration of the mid-size sedan for both the local and global markets outside of North America.
The Australian team is working on the Malibu at Holden’s Lang Lang Proving Ground in the State of Victoria while also evaluating the car on public roads. GM said Holden will continue development of Malibu until the end of 2012.
The 2013 Malibu is Chevrolet’s first truly global mid-size model as it will be offered in nearly 100 countries on six continents. In Australia, it will be badged as a Holden and it is due to launch at the end of 2012. Chevy’s new mid-size saloon will first go on sale in South Korea this fall, followed by China before the end of 2011 and the U.S. early next year.
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