VIDEOS: Mazda's All-New 2011 BT-50 Pickup Truck

At the end of last week, Mazda lifted the covers off its all-new BT-50 pickup truck at the Australian Motor Show in Sydney. Now, the Japanese automaker has released three videos with static shots as well as footage from the motor show reveal. As a reminder, the BT-50 was co-developed with Ford, which also presented its proposal in Sydney, the new Ranger. The BT-50 shares its powertrains, including four- and five-cylinder diesel units and new six-speed automatic and manual transmissions, with Ford's pickup truck. Follow the break to watch the videos.

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Walkinshaw Performance Series II Commodore eats Ferraris for Breakfast

For the Australian car buff, Tom Walkinshaw needs no introduction. Here is the man who founded HSV and was responsible for the epic VL Commodore based HSV SS Group A in late '80s. Though no longer working for Holden, 'Walky' continues to turn out some of the most powerful and ballsiest vehicles Australia has ever seen through the performance company named after him.

At the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney, Walkinshaw Performance took the wraps off its latest model: the WP Series II Supercar. The Holden Commodore Series II SS derived super saloon is fitted with an Edelbrock WP 230 supercharger, boosting power to 617-horsepower (460 kw) and torque to 780 Nm (575 lb ft).

To reign in this beast, six piston brake rotors have been added along with a upgraded and recalibrated suspension package co-developed with Bilstein. The final touch is a unique audio system upgrade by Rockford Fosgate.

Walkinshaw Performance CEO Craig Wilson is extremely satisfied with the Series II Supercar:

"We're celebrating the release of the WP Series II Supercar by producing just 23 examples, finished in Panorama Silver, the same colour which adorned the original 'Walky' when it debuted at the Sydney Motor show 23 years ago". he said.

The whole package, including the AU$47,790 (US$46,930) manual Commodore SS base car, will start from AU$99,990 (US$98,810). This means the Walkinshaw modifications alone cost around AU$52,200 (US$51,880), including parts and labor.

By Tristan Hankins

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Sydney Show Subaru Forester S-Edition Study Hints at Sportier Production Model

At the 2010 Australian International Motor Show in Sydney, Subaru unveiled the Forester S-Edition, a concept study that points to a new Forester variant for 2011. Built on the existing turbocharged Forester XT, the S-Edition produces an additional 32 hp and 20 lb ft (24 kw and 27 Nm) over the Australian market XT's 227 hp and 236 lb ft (169 kw and 320 Nm) lifting the 2.5-liter boxer engine's output to 259-horsepower.

A flappy-paddle 5sp automatic gearbox, revised sports suspension and Variable Torque Distribution (VTD) all-wheel drive round out the mechanical package, whilst new styling and comfort features including STI sourced 17-inch alloys, Alcantara interior trim and drilled alloy pedals help further differentiate the S-Edition from the XT.

Subaru Australia's Managing Director is quite pleased with the Forester S-Edition concept: "We're delighted and honoured that Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI) have chosen Sydney for the worldwide unveil of this Forester concept. It points towards an exciting development in our Forester range early next year." he said.

At the time of writing, the Forester is Australia's best selling compact sports utility vehicle, with its major rival - Toyota's RAV4 - trailing close behind. Carscoop will have more information on the possible production model variant of the S-Edition study as we get it.

By Tristan Hankins

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New Lexus CT 200h F-Sport Receives World Premiere at 2010 Sydney Show

Lexus chose this week's Australian International Motor Show (AIMS) for the world premiere of its CT 200h F Sport model ahead of the car's introduction to Australia in the first half of 2011 as well other markets around the world.

As with other Lexus models, the F Sport treatment adds a number of visual and performance goodies to the firm's dedicated hybrid. On the outside, the CT 200h gets a sportier looking front bumper along with a honeycomb upper grille, beefier side skirts, and a reworked rear bumper that incorporates a diffuser.

The larger alloy wheels in a gunmetal finish and the option of a unique Flame Blue color round off the exterior upgrades.

Inside, those that opt for the F Sport-badged CT 200h will receive unique dashboard and door panel trims, plus F Sport steering wheel with a thicker rim, sports pedals, scuff plates, instrument panel and privacy glass.

While there are no changes to the CT 200h's hybrid powertrain, which comprises a 1.8-litre VVT-i petrol engine, an electric motor and an electronically-controlled continuously variable transmission (E-CVT), Lexus says the F-Sport features an up-rated suspension.

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Mercedes-Benz Shows C63 AMG (Not-Much-of-a) Concept 358 in Sydney

After a two year absence from the Australian International Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz is returning to this year's edition of the event that takes place in Sydney from October 15th to 24th with a [supposedly] special C63 AMG. Called the Concept 358, the show car was co designed by Mercedes-Benz Australia and built by AMG.

The Stuttgart-based marque claims it's the only C63 AMG in the world to be painted in designo Pearl Orange paint from the AMG factory in Affalterbach. Bright orange paintwork aside, the Concept 358 features an AMG Performance Package Plus which lifts the 6.2-liter V8 engine's output from 336 kW (457-hp) to 358 kW (480-hp).

Other parts included in the Performance Package Plus are unique 19-inch multi spoke alloy wheels in black, KEYLESS-GO and extended designo leather appointments in the cabin.

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New Mazda BT-50 Pickup Truck: First Photos of Ford Ranger's Sister Model

Shortly after the reveal of the 2011 Ford Ranger that we told you about in our previous post, Mazda released the first photos of the all-new BT-50. As we've mentioned many times before, the two pickup truck models are the result of a collaboration between Ford and Mazda and will both get their world premiere at this week's Australian International Motor Show in Sydney.

The Japanese automaker's iteration of the compact pickup truck theme gets its own unique exterior cues and interior styling inspired by the firm's passenger car range. Though far less aggressive than originally implied on the first teaser sketches, the BT-50's exterior design is more funky than it's Ford sibling. The same can be said about the interior which is said to feature all the accommodations of a passenger car.

Here's what Mazda had to say about the new BT-50 in its teaser press release:

"It offers all the functionality required for business use combined with passenger car-like comfort for family use; and for active customers in Australia and Europe, it is the perfect answer for all kinds of outdoor leisure activities.

"With modern and refined styling both inside and out, the All-New Mazda BT-50 will raise the bar in the utility segment and for the first time provide a realistic alternative to the family wagon and 4x4 SUV."

Though the company is still holding back on the technical details, buyers should expect a similar engine range to the new Ford Ranger.

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