Pictures Monster's visits the 2012 Australian International Motor Show

[Monster]

The Australian international motor show is not a significant event for car manufactures compare to the much bigger motor shows such as Paris, Geneva, so we are quite lucky to have one. This annual event is alternated between Melbourne and Sydney, and this year is Sydney's turn so I took half a day off work to attend the show.

Due to the challenging financial situations faced by many, Auid, BMW, Bentley, Rolls Royce, Volvo and sadly Ferrari all decided not to attend this year's Australian motor show. I have to say their absence has diminished the excitement and glamour of the show, and those manufacturers who attended (except for MB and Lexus) didn't really bring anything new for us to see. There were less staff, less pretty women, but a lot more security guards around the place. Despite all this as a car enthusiast I still enjoyed the show because I get to check out cars that I won't go out of my way to see.

The motor show is located at the Sydney exhibition centre, near the harbor.

I will start off with MB first, it has the most impressive lineup and the biggest display area on the show. In the absence of Audi, BMW and other luxury brands, the show promoter has given a lot of exposure on Mercedes this year, and MB Australia didn't disappoint by creating 3 one off vehicles for the show, in addition of the Australian premier of the A-class, CLS Shooting brake, and the SL-class.

AMG gets its own separate display area

AIMS special edition 1. SLS Convertible finished in special "Coarse Silver Metallic" paint.
The car is finished in a very bright metallic silver paint with very large, diamond like flakes which is very visible up close. The clear coat is much smoother than the normal paint finish and the entire car glows beneath the lights. It is a very unique paint but I am not sure I like the coarse metallic flakes.

AIMS special edition 2. SLK 55 AMG finished in "Magno cashmere white metallic" paint
I am not a huge fan of matte paint on cars, or the styling of the new SLK, however the car looks so good in this color combination.

AIMS special edition 3. C63 AMG finished in designo "Mystic Blue" paint.
Makes the C63 looks even more expensive than it is.

 

[Monster]

Now for the regular AMG model.

SL63 AMG. The new SL only looks good in proper AMG spec, darker shades like metallic black helps to disguise the car's bulk, and the ungainly front lights. It looks subtly aggressive, not sure if it will stand the test of time.

Full carbon interior trim, you don't really notice the off center display.

Over styled, over sized headlight with plenty of empty space inside.

CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake
There is no better way of putting it, it is a great looking wagon. The design looks completely natural. Wish they close the tailgate so I can get a clear view of the side profile.

Brutal looking ML63 AMG in pearl white. It could do without the tacky silver bottom lip.

 

[HighestOfHigh]

Great Photos Monster! I'm loving that black SL.

 

[Monster]

Great Photos Monster!

Thanks, I have plenty more to go, this update will probably take me 3 or 4 days to finish. So please be patient.

 

[Monster]

Now for the regular Mercedes. The A-class received a lot of media exposure because it is the cheapest car to get you behind the Mercedes badge, and that alone will get the aspirational or young buyers very excited. On paper, the A-class is everything you will ever want in a car like this, it has all the latest safety equipment, 7 speed dual clutch gearbox as standard for a starting price of $35k AUD, or $20k cheaper than the basic C-class. This puts it in direct rivalry with the Golf and A3, and other people looking to downsize from their big family car.

I approached the car with high expectation because it is one of the cars on my shopping list. It looked quite good on the photos but it is a different story in the metal. The front end is simply too high, as you can see from the side profile there is a lot of metal above the front wheels. I suppose it is the consequence of sharing the same basic architecture with the B-class. unfortunately it makes the car appears visually front heavy. The side character lines are not too obvious in white, it is very un-Mercedes. I don't dislike but I think the car will look better if the lower character line didn't pick up and ends above the rear wheel.

Now to the interior. I like the dashboard design, it looks sporty without looking over styled. The top half of the dashboard are made from soft touching plastics however the lower dashboard and the console between the front seats are made from some cheap hard plastics. I also don't like the thick glossy frame surrounding the COMMAND screen, it make the screen appear too small and it is a constant reminder of the fact that you are in a budget car.

Build and tactile quality of the buttons and air con vents are up to the MB standards which is good, however I did notice the doors don't feel as solid and they don't close with the traditional MB thump. The Exposed metal door frame is a bit disappointing. Makes the cabin looks unfinished.

Regular SL 500, in not the best color for the car. Flat red hides all the lines and surfaces of the car, it just looks like a big barge. Still not convinced by those goofy headlights, especially when viewed front on.

E350 with some nice looking wheels .

This year, MB Australia decided to reward its loyal customers (about time) by setting up an exclusive cafe area behind the show stands for owners to enjoy some complementary tea, coffee, and some delicious cookies. You just have to present your MB key to the lovely girl at the front and you are in.

 

[Monster]

I was surprised that Jaguar Australia managed to bring the F-Type here, barely 3 weeks after its debut in Paris. First impression, the car doesn't look as small as I thought, it is longer than the SLK, Boxter, but just shorter than the 3 series.

The double front grill looks better in person.

The F Type is a good looking sports car, it is a modern take on the E-type, and thankfully Jaguar didn't take the retro design approach. As attractive as the car looks, I just don't think it has enough appeal to justify the $250k AUD asking price. More updates will follow tomorrow.

 

[martinbo]

Fantastic coverage Monster. You gonna write us an article?

Ah, Darling Harbour and RHD - there's something about Sydney that feels like home from home...

 

[Monster]

Fantastic coverage Monster. You gonna write us an article?

Will do, but right now it is bed time for me.

Ah, Darling Harbour and RHD - there's something about Sydney that feels like home from home...

You should come by for a visit, the weather is almost perfect right now.

 

[Beemer B773ER]

Thank you indeed Monster for the coverage.... home sweet home....

Sad to see that many of the top brands were absent.

Boy that SL still just doesn't look good, especially the front. Just like the BMW 1er you just wonder 'what were they thinking?'

The San Francisco Autoshow is coming in up in a month, and many of the top brands will be there (Rolls Royce, Ferrari, Lambo, Aston, Bently, Porsche, ..the Germans)... so I'll try to get there, but might be busy that weekend.

 

[Centurion]

Awesome Monster. Thanks for sharing. VAG tend to bring huge installments to autoshows. I can only imagine the void left when they decide not to come. Luckily you did get to see the new Jag F. How the photos you posted, the slicker seems to be the indigo blue C63 Coupe. It must be one feat for the eyes to see that car on the road at day time. As for the A-Class it could as well be wearing a Kia or a Mazda badge. What's a disappointing car by Merc.

 

[mini_cooper4]

Thanks a lot, Monster! Highly appreciated!
Keep them coming! I love the E-Class with those wheels... see them for the first time but they are gorgeous

 

[Monster]

Thank you all for your feed backs, they are much appreciated.

Porsche brought their full range of cars to the show, only the star attractions, the pair of 991s received the most attention, what more can I say, the new 991 are simply delicious.

Bright yellow Carrera S with the aero package. Looks good actually, love the rear duck tail. Even the standard 'narrow' body has muscular rear wheel arches.

Carrera 4S in metallic grey with red interior, at $353k AUD, it is one very very expensive machine. I don't know if my mind was playing tricks on me, was it the horizontal LED bar which really emphasized the wider rear end of the 4WD version.

Price for a piece of near automotive perfection

Boxter. Maybe it is the lighting or the color combination, it looks unexpectedly underwhelming after seeing the 991.

 

[Gianclaudio]

Wonderful report Monster!! Very appreciated.

Have to visit Australia one day.

Regards

 

[Monster]

Sorry for the delayed update, only a few more to go.

The new Range Rover. Although the ride height is set at the comically low level (I assume it is the stationary parking ride height), the SUV still look very imposing because of its shear size and the slab sided styling. It looks much bigger but at the same time much sleeker than the previous generation. The car was fenced off from public access so I couldn't inspect the interior.

The fake grills on the front doors and the chunky silver trim running across the length of the car are probably necessary to break up the vast expanse of metal of the side of the car.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Really great pictures Monster.

The Boxter really pulls at my heart strings. It doesn't look like a bathtub anymore. It looks sublime.

 

[Deckhook]

This Range Rover looks to be a low rider, I wonder has LandRover taken a leaf out of VW's book. (j/k)

 

[Levi68]

Thanks for the nice pics Monster. But no pics of the blue LF-LC?

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

This Range Rover looks to be a low rider, I wonder has LandRover taken a leaf out of VW's book. (j/k)

They drop cars just for show?

 

[Monster]

They drop cars just for show?

I think the car is just in it lowest ride height when parked for easy entry and exit.

Thanks for the nice pics Monster. But no pics of the blue LF-LC?

Will upload the rest tonight.

 

[Cashmere]

great coverage, thanks for sharing your experience monster.

Still can't believe that the Germans would snub such an event.