These are the real drivers’ cars. Machines that transcend automotive design to become objects of beauty and desirability in their own right. Some of the world’s most legendary marques are bringing their ultimate vehicles to this year’s Motor Show as well as a couple of classic models that have been brought back to life for a whole new generation.

Bellisimo GranTurismo!

Very few automobiles produce the pure visceral response as those bearing the famed trident logo of Maserati. Bred for racing and barely tamed by the open road, the Australian specification of the new Maserati GranTurismo will be on display at this year’s Adelaide Motor Show. The GranTurismo Australian release is eagerly awaited by enthusiasts, although its current waiting list exceeds last year’s total sales!

Joining the GranTurismo on display will be the highly desirable, exclusive and luxurious Quattroporte. Both these vehicles have seen the Maserati marque regain its ascendancy in the luxury performance sector, see them for yourself and realise just why the term ‘supercar’ was invented!

The Bambino Rides Again!

A little over a half century ago the original Fiat Cinquecento (Italian for ‘500’) revolutionised the concept of affordability for European vehicles. This city car – nicknamed the ‘bambino’ – set the benchmark for small cars and brought the freedom of motoring to millions, becoming a design icon in the process. The Fiat 500 has been re-imagined for a new generation and makes its Australian debut in March 2008 already wearing its European Car of the Year 2008 title. As fun and functional as its forebears, the new 500 is enhanced by its five star EURO NCAP crash test rating and reputedly has the highest fuel economy of any commercially available car.

Fiat will be presenting the new 500 along with the new Ritmo 5 door hatch and Punto T-Jet Turbo performance models at this year’s Adelaide Motor Show.

Diesel Powered French Luxury Debuts

Iconic French marque Citroën is aiming at bringing its reputation for efficient and economical diesel powered vehicles into the luxury market with the launch of the new Citroën C4 HDi 2.0 litre. While the benefits of diesel engines have generally been touted on their economy and environmental benefits, the new C4 HDi 2.0 continues the drive to combine comfort with economy at the luxury end of the market. The fully equipped and featured C4 HDi 2.0 links Citroën’s 100 kW 2.0 Turbo Diesel engine to an advanced six speed automatic gearbox providing 320 Nm of torque and achieving zero to 100 kmh in just 10.4 seconds.

Sharing the stand with the new C4 HDi 2.0 at this year’s Adelaide Motor Show will be the Citroën C3 HDi, C4 Hdi and C4 Picasso.

The ‘Prancing Stallion’ Comes To Adelaide.

Quite possibly the most passionately adored of all automotive logos, the famous ‘cavallino rampante’ of Ferrari will adorn three high performance super cars at this year’s Adelaide Motor Show. Drawing on technology from both its road and Formula One cars, the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano is the latest classic V12 supercar from the legendary Italian manufacturer. Its earth shattering performance (zero to 100 kmh in 3.7 seconds and a top speed in excess of 330 kmh) puts this production vehicle into the league of dedicated racing machines with equal amounts of comfort, luxury and exclusivity.

Ferrari is also bringing the all-new Ferrari F430 – the closest street legal equivalent to a Formula 1 car, and the incredibly desirable F430 Spider convertible that also gives a wizened nod to the marque’s F1 heritage to this year’s motor show.

Alfa - The Original Supercar Manufacturer Returns.

Way back in the 1920s, the term ‘supercar’ was coined to describe the race pedigreed cars of one of Italy’s most famous marques – Alfa Romeo. Since then, Alfa Romeo has been as design obsessed as any European luxury and sports car manufacturer producing some of the world’s most beautiful automobiles. This legacy is evident in the Alfa 159 Sportwagon, a sophisticated auto that is beautiful, robust, passionate and dynamic. The elegant simplicity of the 159 Sportwagon and its attention to detail makes for a ‘beautiful’ automobile in the true sense of the word.

Blessed by the design trinity of Alfa Romeo, Giugiaro and Pininfarina, the Alfa Spider is a speedster of dramatic curves and creases, poised upon stunning alloy wheels. It was immediately lauded as ‘Cabrio of the Year’ upon release at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show.

Alfa Romeo is bringing both these outstanding to the 2008 Adelaide Motor Show.