New Toyota Yaris Wears a Sport Kit for its Australian Debut at the Melbourne Motor Show

After its world premiere in Japan last December as the Vitz, Toyota is gradually introducing the new generation of the Yaris in other markets around the world. Now, with the European version out of the way, it’s time for the Yaris to make its first appearance in Melbourne at this week’s 2011 Australian International Motor Show (AIMS). Revealed in show car form, the Yaris is fitted with a TRD-like sports kit comprising of a honeycomb grille, a restyled front bumper with larger openings and a chrome trim around the lower grille, side skirts, chunky alloy wheels and a new rear bumper with a diffuser plus a roof spoiler.
In Australia, the new Yaris is scheduled to arrive in local showrooms during the final quarter of 2011.

PHOTO GALLERY

_______________________________________________________________________

VIDEO

A Mazda MX-5 On Steroids: Australia’s V8 Engined Bullet Roadster

In the late ‘90s, Australian John Bettini unleashed onto the word the Bullet Roadster. What begin life as a heavily modified Mazda MX-5 with an RX-7 13B powerplant gradually evolved into a V8-engined monster like the one you see here that we found for sale in Queensland, Australia.

According to the seller, this was the fifth Bullet Roadster built and the first V8-engined one to roll out of the company’s then new Chinderah, NSW factory. It’s all hearsay, of course, but I’m willing to believe the words of a 62yo motoring enthusiast with arthritic knees. So here goes...

Bullet No. 5 was a special order from a man named George Covacic who supplied a 4.6-liter all-alloy, fuel injected V8 crate motor along with a Tremac 5-speed manual transmission and the differential from a Holden Commodore SS. Like all Bullet supercars, the brakes and suspension came from the Mazda RX-7.

Standard equipment extended to 17-inch alloys, air conditioning, power window and an Alpine CD stereo sound system – flash for a car built in the late ‘90s. All cars also got leather and a Momo steering wheel, shift knob and drilled pedals.

This particular example, which has done a paltry 16,107 km (10,008 miles), is finished in “Grace Green” with a black leather interior.

It’s fully registered and roadworthy, and at “just” AU$44,000 (US$46,191) is more than half the price it was when it was new (AU$98,000 / US$102,880). Check out the seller’s gallery of the V8-powered Miata below.

By Tristan Hankins

PHOTO GALLERY

GM’s Holden Readies Rebadged Chevys for 2011 Melbourne Auto Show

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.

HOLDEN COLORADO

_______________________________________________________________________

HOLDEN CRUZE

_______________________________________________________________________

HOLDEN BARINA