Show Caters For All Kids

Newcastle Herald

Wednesday October 8, 2008

By BRENT DAVISON

FOR car enthusiasts, motor shows are often the best way to see auto exotica, and for those considering buying new wheels often the best way to do comparison shopping.

Some people, though the little tackers being towed around by dad and mum find motor shows a bit of a chore, even though they try really hard to be interested.

For the Australian International Motor Show's smaller visitors, organisers have nominated both this Saturday (October 11) and next as family days catering for young enthusiasts.

Which means Roary the Racing Car from the ABC show of the same name, his mechanic Big Chris, Fifi from Fifi and the Flowertots and Bob the Builder will be wandering around the display halls to meet junior show visitors and their families.

As well, the Roary Activity Zone will be open from 10am to 5pm on both days, with colouring competitions, treasure hunts, giveaways and screenings of the show.

Three little beauties

WITH the new car market downsizing, three new cars being revealed in Sydney this week are sure to attract cost-conscious buyers.

Honda starts the bidding with its City, a small four-door sedan based heavily on the latest Jazz five-door but with a completely different look.

The car on show in Sydney is extremely close to the car that will soon go into production in Thailand (where it will be sold with a 1.5 litre, 88 kilowatt engine) and Honda Australia is effectively using the show car to gauge public interest.

Ford's latest Fiesta, being unveiled at the show tomorrow, is no production-ready concept but a full-on rendition of the car that was revealed in Britain just a few weeks ago and will soon be on sale here.

A sharp-looking hatchback, Fiesta will be sold in three- and five-door guises, powered by a choice of 1.6 litre engine and manual transmission or 1.4 litre with automatic.

The third contender comes from Kia in the form of an all-new Cerato sedan, a 2.0 litre car designed by the company's chief designer, Peter Schreyer.

Safety first

FOR Volvo, AIMS is all about showcasing safety, and this year it comes in the form of the new XC60, a car featuring a low-speed crash avoidance system claimed to be a world first.

Volvo says its City Safe anti-collision technology works in front-end collisions in which vehicle speed is lower than 30 kmh and the speed differential between the two cars is less than 15 kmh.

Essentially, if the electronics fitted to the Volvo detect an obstacle and calculate a collision is unavoidable, they will brake the car to avoid the crash completely or at least lower the impact, depending on vehicle speed.

So confident is Volvo in its City Safe system it will be demonstrating it every day during the show in Hall One.

All you need to know

WHEN is AIMS open and how much does it cost to get in?

Opening hours are: Thursday, October 9, 5pm 10pm; other weekdays, 10am 10pm; Saturdays, 9am 10pm; Sunday, October 12, 9am 9pm; Sunday, October 19, 9am 7pm. Tickets cost $18 for adults, $11.50 for children five to 16 (under-5s free), $14 for seniors, and $44 for a family (two adults and up to three children under 16 years).

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

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