Taking AIMS – 4WDs at the Australian International Motor Show

Holden's Colorado 7 shows lots of promise as a rival for the Mitsubishi Challenger and recent used-import Toyota Surfs. It's based on the Colorado ute, but its chassis was separately developed. Drivetrain is the same as the ute's and includes a limited-slip diff. It's a decade since we last saw a wagon with low range gearing in the Holden lineup. It was one of the most interesting off roaders at this year's AIMS at Sydney's Darling Harbour.

New wagon has seating for seven. There's nothing particularly exciting about the interior design, but nothing wrong with it, either.

Here's a reminder of the Colorado 7's roots. This ute's decked out with a snorkel and bumper available from the dealer network.

And here's Isuzu's take on the same truck, a D-Max SX fitted out for use in the mines. Presumably it'll be a familiar bit of gear to many of the New Zealanders seeking their fortune in the Lucky Country. The mine-spec package includes external rollover protection; checkerplate floor in the alloy tray; high visibility markings; a pair of 3m-tall flag mounts; a 4.5kg extinguisher; a light bar with LED tail lights, a revolving beacon and work lights; UHF radio; wheel nut indicators; and a combined jump-start, starter motor and battery isolator.

Volkswagen, meanwhile, was showing a single cab Amarok with a really nice alloy deck, available from dealers in Oz.

There's more than $27,000 Aussie dollars worth of luxury tax plus $8000 worth of NSW stamp duty on this diesel G350 G-Class; the main reasons why New Zealand buyers get a better deal on this amazing (but sadly amazingly expensive) vehicle.

4wdNewz was first with the news that the new V8 petrol Patrol will come to New Zealand, after giving up on getting a diesel any time soon. The Aussies have managed to keep the pricing commendably low, but Nissan NZ is still working on what we'll pay.

Nissan reckons the new Patrol will really pull the women.

The show was used to unveil the new Range Rover to Australasia. It's a stunning vehicle, but will be so expensive and is so luxurious that it's almost irrelevant to off-road enthusiasts. Still, it's nice to look and touch!

The ground clearance is almost car-like as Land Rover goes all out to make the Rangie more … car-like! Good job the clearance grows deeper at the turn of a knob.