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Geneva motor show 2007 preview |
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Written by http://www.channel4.com/4car
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Along with the first cuckoo and the appearance of daffodils, we know it's spring when the first photos come through of the new cars to be revealed at the Geneva Motor Show. This year's Swiss spectacular is open to the public during 8-18 March.
It's a relatively easy and affordable trip down to Geneva, by car or budget airline, with the exhibition halls located right by the airport: more info on location and ticketing can be found at www.salon-auto.ch. However, there's an even easier way to see all the show's highlights: 4Car will have its usual comprehensive coverage, so you can enjoy it from the comfort of your own computer.
Alfa Romeo
Spy photographers have captured numerous shots of a large, attractive Alfa, strapped on a transporter lorry. We reckon it's the replacement for the 166 luxury saloon: the 169, a Mercedes CLS-style four-door with a coupe-like profile, based on the rear-wheel-drive Maserati Quattroporte platform. Could this be unveiled, at least in concept form, in Geneva?
Aston Martin
Aston - despite being up for sale - has recently announced the Vanquish S Ultimate Edition, a limited-edition model to mark the end of the Vanquish production run. But rumours are still floating around that Aston is to produce another high-spec 'DBS' last-hurrah for the Vanquish - or perhaps even show the Vanquish's successor - at Geneva. We'll be keeping our ears open for an announcement on the company's new owner, too.
Audi
The main story is the A5 coupe: a four-seater based on the A4's platform, it'll go on sale in the summer with engines to include the 2.0 T FSI and 3.2 V6, plus DSG transmission. There'll also be an S5 version, with a V8 FSI engine. Audi may also bring a preview of the Q5 compact SUV, an A3 cabriolet and the 520bhp-plus V10-engined RS6 super-saloon.
Bentley
Arnage Coupe, anyone? Just in case you've got a spare £200,000 to hand, Bentley's making a hard-topped super-luxury two-door. No official word yet on when it'll appear, but it could be previewed in Geneva, complete with bonkers Bugatti Veyron V16 engine. It's thought to be the first of the new Arnage 'family', based on a lengthened version of the Continental GT/Flying Spur platform, with new-generation saloons following at the end of 2007.
Bertone
The Italian design studio - 95 years old this year - has a proposal for the more affordable section of the sports car market: a Fiat Panda roadster. It's been inspired by Nuccio Bertone's 1947 Fiat 500 barchetta and is based on the 100bhp Panda 1.4 16v. It looks fun: let's hope Fiat likes it and gets inspired to make such a car.
BMW
Three-door versions of the 1-Series will be officially launched, alongside updates to the five-door. The engine line-up now features fuel-saving stop-start and brake energy regeneration technology, variable camshaft and valve timings, with some petrol engines gaining direct injection. There's also been a general equipment upgrade, refresh of the cabin and additions to the options list. The 5-Series has been similarly revised, too, and the 5.0-litre, 500bhp V10 M5 Touring super-estate joins the line-up. And will we see the 400bhp-plus, V8-engined M3?
Cadillac
GM's still trying to position Cadillac as a Europe-friendly luxury brand and alternative to the usual German choices. It's going to have yet another go at launching its medium-sized CTS, with the latest range including a coupe, if anyone's interested. Or there's the Saab stand...
The answer to a question that no-one asked, but is rather amusing nonetheless. A kind of three-wheeled, hard-topped and cleverly tilting motorbike, the Dutch-developed Carver One could be the ideal commuting vehicle for the 21st century; after years of prototypes, it's finally reaching full production.
Dodge
The cool bit of Chrysler brings us the Demon. This is a roadster concept putting some of the menace of the Viper into an MX-5-sized package - and we can't wait to see it. 174bhp in this show car, but could take the 300bhp Caliber SRT-4 engine. Euro-spec versions of the Avenger (sister model to the Sebring) on display, too.
Donkervoort
Mad Dutch vehicle #2. Donkervoort makes an Audi-powered Lotus Seven-inspired Caterham-alike and Geneva brings the launch of the D8 GT hard-topped version. There's a choice of 180bhp, 210bhp and 270bhp versions of the 1.8 turbo engine.
EDAG
This German engineering and design consultancy wants to custom-build pick-up trucks for the super-rich. The LUV - luxury utility vehicle - is aimed at the yachting/boating set and sports a teak-covered load bay and maritime-style retractable load-securing clamps. It's huge, so should be able to pull that boat-trailer. Not something the world really needs, but that shouldn't stop 'em.
Fiat
The reborn 500 won't make its debut till July, the 50th anniversary of the launch of the original, so we won't see this in Geneva. There's a relaunch of the Abarth brand, though - probably applied to a suitably sported-up Grande Punto. Let's hope it's a properly hot one.
Fioravanti
Leonardo Fioravanti made his name at Pininfarina, where he worked designing Ferraris, but has since turned out a few innovative concept cars and developed some innovative glass-roof technology. The Thalia's an oddball crossover with a two-level glass domed roof: think stylish Popemobile.
Ford
OK, the thought of a new Mondeo may not get your world spinning, but this car is arguably the most relevant to all us real-life motorists. It's good-looking, should be fine to drive and, best of all, cheap to buy and run. Saloons and five-door hatches go on sale June, with estates in the autumn. Engines will include a clutch of different diesels and the Volvo 220bhp five-cylinder 2.5 petrol. New-generation C-MAX compact MPV (the bloated-out Focus) is launched, too.
Honda
A successor to the Insight is on the way and a small, sporty hybrid concept previews this. From the sketch we've seen so far, it's looking quite exciting (and a bit more practical than the Insight, too). On a further eco-friendly note, Honda's also showing a driveable version of its FCX fuel cell concept (on sale in the US and Japan next year) and its super-clean, US-compliant new diesel engine, in production within the next three years. And for entertainment, there's the RA107 F1 car and Group N/A/R Civic Type-R racers.
Huet Brothers
Huet who? Crazy Dutch car #3. The 750kg HB Special is an attempt to recreate the experience of driving a vintage Le Mans racer - at an affordable price. There are old Triumph bits, including TR6 chassis components and 2.5 six-cyl engine, under that carbon shell, but with uprated all-round independent suspension, better brakes and a 180bhp output. We like their attitude, at least.
Hyundai
The i30 - production version of the Arnejs and sister model to Kia's Cee'd - replaces both Accent and Elantra in Europe. It also previews Hyundai's new car-naming policy; well, numbers and letters have to be better than Getz, Atoz and other such Esperanto-style nonsense - or Cee'd, for that matter. There'll also be a pedestrian-friendly crossover SUV concept with high-tech plastics.
Infiniti
It's full steam ahead for Nissan's luxury car division as it aims to do a Lexus in Europe (it might just stand a chance) and sets up its new Euro HQ in Switzerland. A full range of models is coming up, to include the G-series luxury coupe, a series of SUVs and crossovers, and a sports coupe that's a sort of four-seat 350Z. More details to be announced, though sales are still a year or so away.
Jaguar
Revisions to the XJ, apparently. Nothing too major, but an interior makeover is said to bring the option of individual limo-style rear seats with a full-length centre console and to preview the cabin of the smaller XF sports saloon, which comes next year.
Kia
The Koreans are infiltrating the Euro car market with a vengeance - and a shameless set of appalling puns. Kia is launching estate versions of its small family-sized Cee'd (for those who have sown their Cee'ds, presumably) and showing a four-seat, cloth-topped cabrio concept called Ex_cee'd. There may be more news on the Pro_cee'd hot hatch. There's a Rio hybrid, too, which will start testing in Korea shortly.
KTM
Austrian bike-maker KTM is launching its first car - but
it's no sedate shopper. The X-Bow open roadster's a pitch into Caterham
territory, promising to be a high-tech racing machine that nonetheless
does without traction control or other intrusive electronic aids. It'll
be built by Italian motorsport specialists Dallara.
Lexus
More news on the 200mph LF-A supercar, hopefully. A near-production
version was shown in Detroit, with a high-revving 500bhp V10;
track-testing is apparently underway. The first of the Lexus F-series
cars to go on sale is the IS-F, though: an M3-rivalling super-saloon
with a 400bhp-plus 5.0-litre V8 and an eight-speed gearbox.
Lotus
Word is that Lotus has been disappointed by the
feedback on its Europa coupe and has moved quickly to address
criticisms with modified versions, featuring an improved-quality
interior and general refinement upgrades. Lotus may also give us a look
at its electric-powered APX compact crossover, to be sold as the ZAP-X
in the USA.
Maserati
Pininfarina has styled the GranTurismo, which
replaces the GT coupe later this year. Built on a shortened version of
the Quattroporte platform, it's larger, roomier and potentially much
more comfortable than the GT; Maserati says it's a full four-seater.
Power comes from a 400bhp 4.2 V8.
Mazda
It looks like Mazda's planning a rival for the Nissan
X-Trail, Toyota RAV4 and suchlike. The Hakaze concept, built on the
Mazda3/Focus/C30 underpinnings, is billed as a show car 'demonstrating
Mazda's new design direction' but the designers were briefed to create
something production-feasible. The real thing may not get the removable
glass roof panels and fancy detailing, but touches such as the
innovative cabin materials will make it to production Mazdas. And the
new Mazda2 supermini will be revealed, as well.
Mercedes-Benz
A big launch for M-B: the all-new C-Class saloon, on sale in the
summer. Versions will include a 400bhp-plus 5.4 AMG, a 3.0-litre
diesel, a 270bhp 3.5 V6 and entry-level 1.8; estate follows in the
autumn. And will we see the long-rumoured Mercedes-McLaren SLR
Roadster? The SLR super-coupe's nearing the end of its production run,
so expect a new take on the theme (and remember, the original Vision
SLR concept was a convertible).
Mini
Some pundits reckon that the Clubman estate will make
its debut, but Mini insiders did tell us last year that they didn't
want to overshadow the advent of the Mk2 Mini One and Cooper D hatches.
Mini One has the 95bhp 1.4 BMW-PSA petrol engine; the Cooper D come
with the 110bhp PSA diesel. Deliveries start in April.
Mitsubishi
It may have developed the C-Crosser and 4007 for Peugeot-Citroen, but
Mitsubishi based them on its own original Outlander. And just in case
the French get too many ideas about SUV supremacy, it's created an
Outlander V6 concept. We'll get another look at the Prototype-X - a
near-production Evo X - as well.
Nissan
It's promising an all-new model and we reckon it's
going to be the Mk2 X-Trail SUV. The Rogue concept (Detroit) points the
way to its styling direction. Nissan's confirmed updates to the 350Z,
however: 313bhp and 264lb-ft from a higher-revving, lower-set engine,
active headrests and some new paint colours, ready for sales in May.
Peugeot
Another French take on the Outlander, the 4007. To be seen in Geneva as
a super-lux-spec show car but, fancy trimmings aside, essentially
production-ready. There will also be three variants on the 207
supermini: the 207 SW Outdoor concept previewing the mini-estate, a
faux-4x4 and the 175bhp 207 GTi.
Renault
The long-awaited Twingo finally arrives - and it
looks as if it's been worth the wait. Could this be the cutest city car
around (at least until the Fiat 500 comes along)? Let's hope it has
kept the magic - and utilitarian cred - of the original. Also up from
Renault is the Clio 192 F1 special edition (yellow paint, graphics etc)
and the SUV-style Scenic Conquest, plus we hear there's a Clio estate
and a real SUV concept.
Rinspeed
There's much debate online as to whether the eXasis
actually exists, or whether it's just a computer-generated image. The
Swiss consultancy has produced some pics of a madcap
transparent-panelled hot rod, with tandem seating and lightweight 750kg
body. It's said to have a supercharged two-cylinder 750kg bike engine
giving 150bhp and capable of running on bioethanol. We're intrigued, if
not encouraged that this is the future of motoring.
Saab
Saab's continuing its ethanol campaign with the 9-5
Biopower 100 concept. This one runs on pure ethanol (E100) rather than
the usual E85 blend and its 2.0-litre turbo engine's sported up for
300bhp/295lb-ft. Its exterior has been suitably tweaked, too, albeit in
a subtle Swedish style. There's also the possibility of an early
glimpse at the facelifted 9-3 range: to get a new front end, LED
taillights and uprated engines, AWD option and XC70-type crossover
version of the Sportwagon.
Skoda
The Fabia supermini is getting larger than ever; the Mk2 is especially
roomy in the back, apparently. Five-door hatches will be launched, with
a revised variety of economical petrol and diesel engines, plus new
options including Tiptronic transmission, climate control, head airbags
and MP3/iPod-compatible audio systems. Sales start in the summer.
Smart
Brabus-tweaked versions of the Mk2 Fortwo give
98bhp/103lb-ft and can do 0-60mph in less than 10 seconds. There are
all the usual Brabus trimmings: firmed-up and lowered suspension, plus
the option of head airbags, spoilers, side skirts, heated leather seats
and more in the Brabus Xclusive. Sales in the autumn, but only black or
silver paint to choose from.
Spyker
It's those Dutch again. No point in writing that
cheque for €580,000, though, as all 25 of the limited-edition C12
LaTurbie Zagato convertibles - with special body work and glass roof
panels- have already been sold. But how about the D12 super-SUV, seen
in Geneva in production form for the first time? Well, it's going to be
a rare sight
Subaru
Subaru's said that it's saving its all-new Impreza
for launch at the New York Motor Show in April, so the best we can hope
for is the preview of its new diesel engine. Hmm. Still, the prospect
of a flat-format 'boxer' diesel pushes all the right tech-head buttons.
An outside chance we'll hear more on its new supermini, too.
Suzuki
This is of very little interest to us Brits, but
Suzuki is launching a four-door version of its Swift/SX4. Small saloon
with a separate boot? Nope, thought not. The more interesting Splash
mini-MPV on the same platform will come out again, though - perhaps
we'll hear confirmation of production and we could also see a new-gen
Wagon R+.
Toyota
A concept called Hybrid X 'proposes a new design
language', apparently, and will be shown alongside the FT-HS hybrid
sports car concept as unveiled in Detroit. There's also a dressed-up
three-door Auris hatchback (the new Corolla) and (stay awake)
revised-for-2007 Avensis models with new kit including touch-screen sat
nav.
Vauxhall
Much intrigue from Vauxhall/Opel, which appears to be arranging an
extravagant unveiling ceremony for its new concept car. We think this
is a concept previewing the Vectra's replacement - the long-rumoured
Insignia? Coming as well: the Trixx (replacement for the Agila, more
functional and more fashionable-looking) and the 192bhp, 1.6-litre
Corsa VXR.
Volkswagen
VW's staying mum at the mo, saying only that it's
launching the Golf estate (larger than before, with a Jetta-style front
end) and the clean-diesel Passat and Polo Bluemotion models. We're
expecting a production version of the Tiguan compact SUV, though, and
wouldn't be surprised to see a new concept.
Volvo
The V70 estate's had updates in line with the latest
S80; it's longer, taller, wider and roomier all-round, as well as more
comfy. Engines will include five- and six-cylinder petrols and diesels,
but four-cyl entry-level units may be dropped. The crossover AWD XC70's
been overhauled too, but if you're after a less car-like SUV, there's
the XC60. This won't go on sale till 2009, but Volvo's bringing the
concept to Geneva.
Zagato
The legendary design studio's been busy; besides the
limited-edition models for Spyker, Zagato has built the Diatto Ottavu
V8 to special order for a wealthy client. Diatto is a long-lost name
from the early days of the Italian motor industry and motorsport; the
Ottava is a luxury-spec sports coupe which could well be based on one
of Maserati's.
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