Australian Motor Show-offs

And, for the first time in Australia, a leading design company will join manufacturers at the exhibition as the local branch of the German design and engineering company EDAG, is importing a concept car and bulletproof vehicle from its parent company, for the show at Darling Harbour.

The concept car, Show Car #8, is based on a smart roadster platform and has had its body re-engineered, showing that by simply redesigning exterior components, a completely new vehicle can be created.

EDAG Australia spokesman, Darren Will, says there are no plans at present to bring the prototype, made over a year ago in Germany, into production.

Standing alongside the concept car will be the Audi A6 Security, an EDAG-modified Audi made a fortress with a ballistic armour kit of bulletproof glass and panels that can withstand fire from weapons up to 9mm.

"The car is a right-hand drive Audi A6 Quattro, available through Audi and fitted with ballistic protection," Will says. "It looks like a standard A6 Quattro until you sit in it or wind down the windows, then you become aware of the protective nature of it."

Although the vehicle was designed in Germany, Will says EDAG is setting up a centre for protective systems in Melbourne, which will be the first office for the division outside of the company's home country.

EDAG Australia provides engineering and design services to manufacturers such as GM Holden, Ford, Toyota and Mitsubishi, and works on exteriors and interiors in addition to full vehicle design, prototypes and technical recruitment. This will be the company's first major showcase in Australia.

Also making an appearance at the show, which starts next Thursday, will be a handful of race cars never seen before in this country. The highlight will be Audi's Le Mans-winning R10 diesel sports car. With a 484kW, V12 diesel engine, the R10 made history earlier this year when it became the first diesel-powered car to win the 24-hour Le Mans race.

The Suzuki SX4 rally car and the Citroen C4 will also be on show, with both set to compete in World Rally Championships.

The C4 is expected to take part in next year's series, while the Suzuki makes its debut in the championship in 2008.

The SX4 WRC, which is still in its concept form, has a 2.0-litre turbocharged J20 engine, delivering 235kW at 4000rpm-4500rpm and 637Nm at 3000rpm.

A SX4 production model for retail sale will go on sale in Australia early next year and while pricing has yet to be announced, it is expected to be in the mid $20,000s.

Citroen will be showing the new C4 WRC to the world for only the second time, a month after it's debut at the Paris Motor Show.

It will replace the existing Xsara World Rally Car and has big shoes to fill as the Xsara holds the record for the most consecutive World Rally Championship wins.

The C4 WRC will feature a 234kW, 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, mated to a six-speed, semi-automatic gearbox.

Over at the Peugeot stand, an all-new diesel hybrid technology vehicle will be on display, with the 307CC Hybride HDi making its way straight from the Paris Motor Show.

The new hybrid features a 80kW, 1.6-litre diesel engine with a Diesel Particle Filter System, as well as an electronic power train. It is one of the first vehicles to combine diesel and electric engines.

The 307CC hybrid has a claimed fuel consumption of just 4.1-litres per 100km, 30per cent less than a standard diesel.

Peugeot spokesman Mathew McAuley says the company is looking at a possible introduction of the vehicle by 2010, if not earlier.

"They're working hard to reduce the cost so they can release it for sale," he says.

"The technology works, it's not like a concept, it's very much a working car, the only thing prohibiting them is the cost."

Peugeot is also bringing the new 207, which is due to go on sale early next year.

FAST FACTS

Australian International Motor Show

When: Thursday, October 26, until Sunday, November 5

Where: Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour

Price: $17 adults, $10.50 children under 16 (under fives free), $42 family, $10.50 seniors

How to get there: Darling Harbour is a 5-10 minute walk from Sydney's CBD or you can get to the venue by light rail or monorail. Car parks are located at Harbourside, Exhibition halls and the Entertainment Centre. Additional parking is at Star City and Pyrmont St parking stations. There will also be a free shuttle bus service. Check the website for details.