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

PHOTO GALLERY

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FPV’s Murdered-Out Falcon GT Concept with Supercharged Boss 5.0 V8

Not to be outdone by rival Holden Special Vehicles (HSV), Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) unleashed its first-ever concept car at the 2011 Australian International Motor Show in Melbourne.
Unlike HSV and its Black Edition Clubsport and Maloo R8s, FPV went for an all-blacked out look for its bespoke GT muscle car, which is based on the local market, rear-wheel drive Falcon sedan.
Its sinister looks come courtesy of a Silhouette black paintwork combined with a unique matte finish stripe package on the bonnet, rear wing, bodysides and the rear diffuser. The same paint treatment is carried over on the 19-inch one-piece forged alloy rims shod in special Dunlop SP Sportmaxx GT tires.
In addition, the Australian sports sedan gains large brake ducts incorporated into the modified front facia, while black framing has been used to enhance the rear light graphics treatment..
The all-black theme continues behind the smoked windows with black leather trim throughout and an all-black dash treatment that includes the interior command centre (ICC).
Under the sheetmetal, there's a track-tuned suspension specification and a full stainless steel high-flow twin exhaust system exhaust finished with quad black exhaust tips. Furthermore, the performance brake package includes larger six-piston brake calipers up front and four-piston brake calipers at the rear, which are both also finished in black.
Power comes in the form of the FPV GT’s supercharged 5.0-liter Boss V8 churning out 335kW (449-horses) and 570Nm (420.4 lb-ft) of peak torque.
Even though the sinister looking FPV GT is a one-off show car, Ford Performance Vehicles General Manager Rod Barrett said that the company will gauge public opinion at the show.

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Mazda BT-50 Freestyle Cab to debut in Melbourne

Mazda has the world premiere of the new Mazda BT-50 Freestyle Cab will be held at the Australian International Motor Show in Melbourne announced.

One of the unique pickup that is, both doors can be opened in the opposite direction and and do not use the pillar B. So that, 2012 Mazda BT-50 Freestyle it could open the door wide up to 1408 millimeters (mm). Not only that, blessing the wide-open door without a hitch and B pillar, the back passenger comfort is also increased.

The new model promises to offer improved comfort levels for rear-seat passengers, mainly thanks to longer seats (by 50mm) which give greater thigh support, and higher seat-backs (by 128mm).

No mention is made of the powertrains for the Freestyle Cab, but engine options should be the new 197 hp and 470 Nm MZ-CD 3.2 litre turbodiesel engine, with either six-speed auto or manual transmissions, and the MZ-CD 2.2 litre diesel unit, offering 148 hp and 375 Nm, the same mills the dual-cab will wear for Australia.

Press Release

All-new Mazda BT-50 Freestyle Cab To Make Its Global Debut At Aims

Mazda has confirmed that the Freestyle Cab version of its All-New BT-50 utility will make its global debut at the upcoming Australian International Motor Show to be held in Melbourne on 1 - 10 July.

Utilising the revolutionary Freestyle door configuration first seen on the RX-8, the BT-50 Freestyle Cab offers a unique combination of seating for four, an exceptionally wide pillar-less door opening, and a large carrying capacity.

On each side of the cabin, a front-hinged door and a rear access panel combine to provide a 1,408mm-wide opening that makes for easy entry to and exit from either the front or rear seats.

Rear-seat comfort has been taken to levels never seen before in the Freestyle Cab. Cushions have been lengthened by 50mm for better thigh support and more stable fitment of child seats while the seatback height has been increased by 128mm.

The rear seat cushions can be removed and with the rear access panels opening to an angle of nearly 90 degrees, the option of loading and storing cargo into the rear seating area of the cab has never been easier.

A further advantage of the All-New BT-50 Freestyle Cab is its capacious carrying capacity. The cargo tub has increased in width, length and height resulting in an overall cargo volume of 1,453 litres. This is an increase of 266 litres over the equivalent current model.

Mazda Australia managing director, Doug Dickson, points to the significance of this global unveiling. "Just as we were delighted to be given the privilege of hosting the global debut of the All-New BT-50 Dual Cab in Sydney last year, we are equally delighted to be hosting the global debut of the Freestyle Cab in Melbourne this year. With Australia expected to be the largest market for the All-New BT-50 it's no coincidence that we've been asked to host not one but two global unveilings of this important new model. It's only appropriate that the Australian public see it first."

The All-New Mazda BT-50 will go on sale later this year.