The Australian International Motor Show in Sydney is Australia’s largest automotive event and also one of the top 10 Motor shows in the world. With several manufacturers choosing the AIMS for their world premiers, it’s a value for money event for patrons young and old to see the latest and most innovative designs. According to the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, the year 2009 for the first time, more than one million new motor vehicles will be sold in Australia – one of the highest rates of new car purchases anywhere in the world. Volkswagen took the wraps off the performance version of their Touareg four-wheel-drive, dubbed the Touareg R50. Featuring a performance version of the range topping V10 turbo-diesel, the R50 produces a mind-boggling 850Nm of torque and is capable of sprinting from 0-100km/h in just 6.8-seconds. Over at the Mitsubishi stand, the brand new Evolution X is not the most powerful Evo to date but the first to come with a paddle-operated sports shift transmission made its world debut. Available in two variants, Evolution and Evolution MR, a new twin-clutch direct shift gearbox, along with 6-speed manual will be offered when the car is launched in Australia early next year. Price is likely to be around $70,000.00 Japanese manufacturer Lexus has chosen to use the motor show as an exhibition for its all new LS600hL hybrid limousine. In particular, Lexus will use the show to demonstrate the LS600hL’s automatic parallel parking feature. Available just outside the Lexus stand, the active display shows how a potential customer can park their LS600hL with no hands – literally. Skoda is officially the newest European car company in Australia. The newest European car is one of the oldest automotive brands, in continuous production for more than 100 years, since 1905. Today the company manufactures more than half a million vehicles annually, and is the Czech Republic’s largest corporation, biggest employer and also most prolific exporter, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Volkswagen AG. The Skoda will offer two models in Australia-the mid-sized Octavia and the funky, ultra-practical Roomster. If you are looking for a new car – be it a small city run about or a road tearing sports car, The 2009 Australian International Motor Show you are sure to find something to rev you up. The show runs from Thursday 11th October, right through to 7PM on Sunday the 21st of October. The official Australian International Motor Show website is www.australianmotorshow.com