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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Audi A1 Production Reaches 100,000 Units in its First Year

The Audi A1 premium supermini is proving to be a flying success for the brand with the four rings. Just after a year from launch and without the car being sold in the all-important North American market, the 100,000th A1 rolled off the assembly line at Audi’s plant in the Forest district of Brussels in Belgium.

To mark the occasion, Audi invited King Albert II of Belgium to visit the facility with the German firm’s boss Rupert Stadler taking on the role of the tour guide.

“We are very honored that the King of Belgium has taken such a great interest in Audi and that he has visited our plant,” said Rupert Stadler. “The Forest site has been part of the Audi family – and the Company’s success story – for four years now. With the Audi A1, Audi Brussels is making a major contribution to the dynamic growth of our brand.”

Audi acquired the Brussels plant from VW in 2007 and has since poured roughly €300 million to bring it up to date.

It is believed that Audi’s future plans for the A1 include the presentation of all-wheel drive Quattro model(s) and more sportier editions such as the S1.

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2011 Lexus LS 460 Touring Edition

Lexus has aimed its 2011 LS 460 Touring Editiοn at a less frumpy crοwd, giving the ride new 19-inch wheels and a sportier bοdy kit. The Touring Edition gοes οn sale later this month with a sticker price οf $73,000 before destinatiοn charges.

Tο keep things looking fresh, Lexus is adding a special mica paint jοb tο the limited-productiοn sedan.

The Touring Edition package alsο features spοrt seats, matte-finish wood paneling and black leather uphοlstery with saddle leather accents.

Lexus says this thing will be built in limited numbers, but dοes not say hοw limited. Want οne? Get in line nοw.

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Honda Launches New Fit Shuttle Small MPV in Japan

After briefly postponing the presentation of its all-new Fit Shuttle due to a variety of problems that arose from the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in Japan, Honda on Thursday officially launched its mini MPV.
While keeping the five-seat layout of the regular Fit (called Jazz in Europe), the Shuttle is longer and taller, with the extra space benefiting both the rear passengers and the cargo area.
The more practical version of the Fit is offered in two flavors, the base model powered by a conventional 1.5-liter i-VTEC four-cylinder gasoline engine and a hybrid variant combining a 1.3-liter gasoline unit to a 10 KW electric motor.
The hybrid model is available only with front-wheel drive and a CVT, while the regular Fit Shuttle can be ordered either with front-wheel drive and a CVT or with all-wheel drive and 5-speed automatic transmission.
Pricing of the Japan-only Fit Shuttle starts at ¥1,610,000 (~US$20,030), with the hybrid model commanding ¥1,810,000 (~US$22,500).
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