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Carsales Staff4 Mar 2009
NEWS

GENEVA MOTOR SHOW 2009

Geneva is Go!

Motor shows may be dropping like flies but the Swiss show is bucking the trend and offering plenty of hope for a bright motoring future

Recent months have seen the demise, delay or doubt of the Sydney, Perth, Barcelona, Tokyo and London motor shows. Despite the apparent doom-and-gloom organisers of the Geneva International Motor Show are enjoying a full-house.

The show that opened this week and runs until March 15 has proved to be the must-do event with all major manufacturers from Europe, Asia and America attending.

The show is playing host to 85 world or European premieres of several highly anticipated new models; many of which are set for the Australian market. Everything from the Bentley Biofuel Continental supercar through to the Mitsubishi iMiEV Sport Air Concept electric city car and all that fits in between are on display.

It is a big show for the German brands with a number of high-profile unveilings. BMW has finally revealed its segment-busting Progressive Activity Sedan in public for the first time. It is calling it the Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo but it looks very production ready.

Mercedes-Benz has its new E Class on public display for the first time too. The sedan and Coupe will both be in Australia by July with the wagon following later.

One of the new additions to the show this year is the Green Pavilion that is housing 10 exhibitors presenting plans for future clean and green motoring. Among the participants will be American electric sportscar maker Tesla Motors pushing its case in Europe. General Motors will also get in on the green theme with the first appearance of the Opel Ampera; Europe’s answer to the Chevrolet Volt.

But it’s not all ‘eco-friendly’ with several manufacturers demonstrating there is still life left in fast cars. Audi is showing off the drop-top A5/S5 range alongside the white-hot TT-RS coupe and roadster.

Aston Martin is introducing the V12-powered Vantage, Maserati has the Gran Turismo S automatic, Porsche’s display stars the 911 GT3 and Honda’s stand features the S2000 Ultimate Edition. In terms of hot hatches Alfa Romeo has a GTA version of its MiTo and Mazda is exhibiting the 3 MPS.

Audi TT-RS
Audi's hot Geneva TT unveiling could be the start of more offbeat Audis
Audi unveiled its new five-cylinder TT RS powerhouse at Geneva this week. The German marque is planning to broaden the bailiwick of the all-new five-cylinder engine and is set to develop longitudinal versions of the powerplant.

As featured in the hottest ever TT, the all-new five was initially designed as a transverse powerplant. That is, as the TT is essentially Golf-based, the engine runs across the car in what is now considered the conventional layout for front and all-wheel drive mass market vehicles.

In its TT RS guise the turbocharged five pumps out an impressive 253kW and 440Nm -- more than the supercharged 3.0 V6 just released in the S4/S5 and now features in A6 models. It is also significantly lighter than the company's existing petrol V6 powerplants and in lower performance variants ranging from 170-220kW would deliver significant fuel economy (and hence CO2 emission) savings.
(more here)

Kia No.3
Stylish mini-MPV concept will be the centrepiece of Kia's stand at the Geneva motor show

Kia's recent run of attractively styled concepts is set to continue at the upcoming Geneva show via the funky 3 concept, which provides a pointer to the South Korean marque's new corporate identity.

Designed by Kia's European design team, led by Peter Schreyer, the No 3 features the new 'face of Kia', with the front grille, headlights and brand logo in a new constellation arrangement. 

Its maker says the 3 was conceived to carve "a new niche in the small-car market" and the company is touting the car's flexibility and fun factor -- not to mention its style.

Among the 3's novelties is a unique extended windscreen and panoramic glass roof with a diagonal supporting bar and an automatic sun visor. The 4045mm long concept appears cleverly packaged and it's offbeat, to say the least.

Kia will also use the Geneva expo to showcase its cee'd ISG (Idle Stop & Go) models, which are claimed to offer fuel savings of up to 15 per cent in city driving.

As the name suggests, the ISG system automatically switches the engine off when the car is stationary in traffic and restarts the powerplant instantly as soon as the driver steps on the gas. 

Kia cee'd ISG cars are available in Europe with a choice of 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre petrol engines and in each of the three cee'd family bodystyles -- five-door hatchback, five-door wagon and three-door pro_cee'd. 

In keeping with the enviro-friendly theme, Kia will also display the cee'd Hybrid at Geneva (a fleet of these is already being tested and evaluated in Europe).

The cee'd Hybrid uses an upgraded powertrain with Kia's Gamma 1.6-litre petrol engine, mated to a 15kW, 105 Nm AC synchronised electric motor, a CVT transmission and the new ISG (Idle Stop & Go) system. 

Kia claims the cee'd Hybrid accelerates to 100km/h in 11.8sec and can reach a top speed of 185km/h.  The prototype achieves fuel consumption of 4.81 litres per 100 km, says Kia, and a CO2 figure of 109g/km -- 25 per cent lower than the standard 1.6-litre cee'd.
(more here)

Alfa Romeo MiTo GTA/Maserati Grand Turismo S auto
Iconic Italian brand eager to reassert its former dominance in the performance hatchback arena

Alfa Romeo will unveil the eagerly anticipated go-faster version of the stylish, pint-sized MiTo at the imminent Geneva motor show, and its raw stats suggest the Renaultsport Clio 197 and Volkswagen Golf GTI are in for a bit of shock.

The Mito GTA (Gran Turismo Alleggerito) follows in the wake of the 156 and 147 models that formerly wore the illustrious suffix and promises performance that could well see it claiming the hot-hatch crown from the existing luminaries.

Incidentally, Alleggerito means reduced weight in Italian, and the Mito GTA Concept is said to warrant the description as it has shed unnecessary pounds in the quest for a sprightly power-to-weight ratio.

There's no shortage of power either, as the concept's shapely snout conceals a 1742cc four-cylinder turbo engine that ekes out 180kW -- well in excess of the VW Golf GTI's 147kW, as well as the Mini Cooper S JCW's 155kW.

Also debuting at the Geneva motor show from the Fiat Group is the Maserati GranTurismo S automatic, which is said to meld the comfort and convenience of the six-speed ZF auto with the robust performance of the coupe flagship.

As per the existing GranTurismo S (which uses Maserati's MC-Shift robotised manual gearbox), the new automatic version is powered by a 323kW 4.7 litre V8 that pumps out 490Nm of torque.

Maserati says the transmission has not only been developed to handle the power of the new engine, but has also been provided with features designed to match the driving requirements of this new model. For example, kickdown in manual mode has been eliminated to more accurately mimic the characteristics of driving a manual car.
(more here)

Hyundai SUV Concept
Swoopy crossover concept takes centre stage on South Korean carmaker's Geneva motor show stand

Hyundai unveiled an all-new SUV conceived to replace its Tucson compact all-terrainer at the Geneva motor show.

Codenamed HED-6, the low-slung design study was styled at Hyundai's European Design headquarters in Rüsselsheim, Germany.

Hyundai isn't as yet giving away too much in the way of technical nitty-gritty, other than revealing that the SUV's stubby snout conceals a 130kW, 1.6-litre GDi turbodiesel engine.

The company says the HED-6 "gives a clear indication of the direction Hyundai will take with its next generation of SUVs".

The latest design study follows in the wake of the HED-5 MPV concept unveiled at the Geneva motor show last year, and it carries over some of the former's design language.
(more here)

Mazda CX-7 upgrade
Facelifted, clean diesel CX-7 on show

Mazda unveiled the facelifted CX-7 complete with clean diesel option at Geneva this week.

Mazda has upgraded the CX-7 inside and out, but of importance at least the equal of the new looks and added comfort is the extra safety of the body shell, boasting an improvement in torsional rigidity to the tune of five per cent.

The new CX-7 can be distinguished from the current car by a larger grille, more chrome trim, revised rear bumper, larger roof spoiler and new designs of alloy wheels -- in 18-inch or 19-inch diameters.

Inside, the CX-7 has been redesigned with new steering wheel, new centre console lid/armrest, revised instrument graphics, new Piano Black or metallic-look decorative trim on the centre fascia and anti-glare chrome highlights for the vents.

Based on the European specifications for the press launch, the current CX-7’s turbo petrol four is upgraded to 191kW of power and 380Nm of torque, from 3000rpm. Those figures are based on the engine coupled to a six-speed manual transmission we don't currently see in Australia.

The turbodiesel, according to the Euro specs, is the same 2.2-litre four fitted to the Mazda6, but detuned to 127kW of power and producing the same peak torque figure of 400Nm from 2000rpm. This engine is Euro V-compliant and uses 7.5L/100km of fuel, according to combined-cycle testing. As for all Mazda diesels currently, it drives through a manual transmission only.

Unlike the 2.3-litre petrol variant, which employs conventional hydraulic power assist for the steering, the diesel features an electro-hydraulic system in which the hydraulic pressure is provided by an electric motor. Mazda claims fuel efficiency gains for this type of steering, without the loss of steering feel that can be typical of electrically-assisted systems.

No pricing information for the new car is available at present, but depending on how the Australian dollar fares in the meantime, expect to pay more for the new model, spec-for-spec.

Mazda also revealed the MPS version of the new 3 at Geneva. The pocket-rocket joins the rest of the recently launched updated 3 range.

With plenty of rival hot-hatches also set to hit the roads of the world this year including the new Volkswagen Golf GTI, Ford Focus XR5 Turbo, Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart Sportsback and Renault Sport Megane, Mazda needed to turn the wick up on the new MPS to keep up with the pack.

The impressive direct injection 2.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine has essentially been carried over and will remain mated to a six-speed gearbox driving the front wheels. But despite all the carry over parts Mazda claims to have injected more aggression into the new model.
(more here)

Renault Clio
Renault's baby car gains a mid-life nip and tuck, as well as the addition of a warmed-over variant

Renault used the Geneva motor show to unveil its updated Clio range, which is bolstered by a new GT model conceived to sit between the bread-and-butter models and the stove-hot Renaultsport 197 variant.

The visual updates to the Clio bring it in line with the recently launched Megane III, and the face is distinguished by more squared-off headlights and a large sharp-edged grille positioned in the lower half of the bumper/spoiler assembly. It's supplemented by a smaller air intake that sits just below the marque's familiar diamond badge.
(more here)

BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo
BMW has lifted the covers on its long-awaited 'peoplemover'... And guess what -- it's not a peoplemover...

BMW's stand at Geneva features the Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo. With seating for just four, but a footprint and scale that dwarfs the 5 Series Sedan, the Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo has anything but peoplemover proportions.

Indeed, the show car looks more like a flattened X6 or scaled up four-door fastback version of a 3 Series coupe. The coupe feel is enhanced by features like frameless door glass and the plunging rear roofline.
(more here)

Rolls-Royce 200EX
Ultra-premium British marque provides the first look at its upcoming RR4 limo

Rolls-Royce used the Geneva motor show to unveil its long-awaited new entry-level model -- albeit in "experimental" form.

The 200EX is the precursor to the RR4, a new Rolls-Royce model scheduled for production in 2010. The brief for 200EX? In the words of Rolls-Royce, it was "To create a modern, lithe and dynamic Rolls-Royce... with effortless performance, unparalleled refinement, exquisite quality and confident design."

Company execs haven't as yet made any official announcements about pricing, but what we do know is that it will be positioned above Bentley's Flying Spur -- in keeping with Rolls-Royce's ultra-premium orientation.

The new-age Rolls is underpinned by essentially the same platform as the latest BMW 7 Series, which means it'll be replete with a raft of cutting-edge technology. Motive power will come from an all-new twin-turbo V12 engine that BMW's boffins are currently developing.
(more here)

Audi A4 Allroad
Ingolstadt boffins conjure up a pseudo-off-roader variant of the A4 Avant family wagon

Audi unveiled the new A4 allroad quattro at the Geneva motor show. Similar in concept to the existing A6 allroad quattro, the new rough-terrain A4 adopts its tougher stance through a 20mm-wider track front and rear and a 37mm increase in ride height to 180mm.

The makeover extends to body addenda that include a bespoke grille and bumpers, wheel-arch extensions and additional under-body protection.
(more here)

Fiat 500C
For those who thought the Fiat 500 couldn't get any cuter - here comes the convertible!

Fiat officially revealed the 500C at the Geneva motor show. The design work was handled by Fiat's Styling Centre and incorporates a glass rear window into the electronically operated folding soft-top. The roof will be available in three shades -- ivory, red and black -- that can be matched to the car's colour. Two unique exterior colours have been created for the 500C; Pearl Red and Warm Grey.
(more here)

Citroen DS

French brand aims to broaden its reach
Citroen is plotting a wholesale image revamp that will herald fresh design language, a new logo and a greater emphasis on the customer interface.

The French brand recently made the announcement about its makeover strategy as it unveiled its new 'DS Inside' concept car in Paris. The design study also took centre stage on the marque's stand at the Geneva motor show.

The original DS was penned by Italian designer Flaminio Bertoni and underpinned by hydropneumatic self-levelling suspension that was well ahead of its time. However, the new DS Inside concept is more mainstream in execution, bearing some parallels to BMW's modern-day Mini.
(more here)

Aston Martin Vantage V12
British bulldog will unleash the ultimate Vantage at next month's Geneva show

It's been over a year since Aston Martin revealed a V12-powered Vantage concept, and now the company is set to unleash a showroom-ready version of what stands to be its fastest production car to date.

Based on the popular entry-level V8 Vantage, the new fire-breathing variant sources its 6.0-litre V12 engine from the DBS and DB9, and its outputs of 380kW and 570Nm represent a substantial hike on the 4.7-litre V8 cooking model's 313kW and 470Nm.

No surprises, then, that Aston Martin is boasting of a 0-100km/h split of 4.2sec and v-max of 305km/h -- figures that comfortably give it the edge over the likes of the BMW M6 and Mercedes-Benz SL63.

The original V12 Vantage concept was unveiled to guests at the opening of the Aston Martin Design Studio in December 2007, which means the car has had a relatively rapid gestation period.
(more here)

Porsche 911 GT3
Upgrade for the 997-generation GT3

A revitalised 911 GT3 was unveiled by Porsche at the Geneva motor show. The German sports car manufacturer has raised the cubic capacity of the flat-six atmo engine to 3.8 litres, squeezing an extra 15kW of power from it.

That power hike, raising the total to 320kW, is also the result of variable valve timing for the exhaust camshafts. Previously, the GT3 featured variable timing for the intake valves only.

Porsche is also claiming improved torque for the upgraded GT3 and has timed the new car at 4.1 seconds for the dash to 100km/h from a standing start.

This is a 0.2sec improvement on the superseded variant. Similarly, top speed has risen marginally, from 310km/h to 312km/h.
(more here)

Bentley BioFuel
British bulldog aims to do its bit for the environment by using renewable fuels and reducing CO2 emissions

Bentley showcased its greenie-friendly nous at the Geneva motor show via a biofuel-powered Continental GT that will be the marque's fastest, most powerful car to date.

The concept's mesh grilles aren't too dissimilar to those on the Continental GT Speed, but they're painted black on the biofuel car. Also unique to it are blacked-out headlight bezels and a pair of bonnet vents (we're assuming these actually help extract heat from the engine bay, rather than being merely cosmetic add-ons).

The existing Continental GT Speed serves up meaty outputs of 449kW and 750Nm, so we might venture a guess and suggest the bio-fuelled Bentley will ramp up peak power closer to the 500kW mark.

It's not a bolt from the blue, as Bentley used last year's Geneva show to announce its intention to introduce renewable fuels -- primarily ethanol -- across the entire Bentley range by 2012.
(more here)

Lamborghini Murcielago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce
Lamborghini's new V12 range-topper has swallowed a handful of angry pills... with fearsome results

Lamborghini is using the Geneva motor show to unveil what's arguably the last hurrah for its venerable V12-powered Murcielago flagship.

The evocatively named Murcielago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce is essentially a steroid-infused successor to the LP 640 and, as its numeric designation suggests, power from the 6.5-litre V12 has been ramped up to 670 horsepower (493kW) -- thanks to optimised valve timing and a reworked intake system.

The power hike is complemented by a crash diet that's resulted in a substantial 100kg weight loss, and this has yielded a formidable power-to-weight ratio of 3.1kg per kilowatt.

No surprises, then, that Lambo is boasting of a 0-100km/h split of 3.2 seconds and a top whack of 342km/h with the small standard-fit rear spoiler. Opting for the large "Aeropack Wing" (pictured) takes 5km/h off the v-max, but it might be a worthwhile sacrifice in exchange for the high-speed stability it brings.

As per the LP 640, the SuperVeloce is equipped as standard with the sequential, e.gear robotised manual gearbox, which has a high-performance "Corsa" mode and a "Low adherence" mode.

The SuperVeloce will also be available with a conventional six-speed manual transmission as a no-cost option.

Ferrari HGTE Fiorano/Ferrari 599XX
New 599XX revealed alongside Fiorano HGTE in Switzerland

Melbourne may have missed out this year, but that didn't mean the 2009 Geneva motor show missed out on a strong showing of Ferrari models.

Among the Modena models on display was the new "Handling GT Evolutzione" (HGTE) version of the 599 GTB Fiorano that wields the monstrous force of its 65-degree 456kW/608Nm 6.0-litre V12 with even more authority.

The HGTE, according to Ferrari, provides the 599 with "an even more aggressive, responsive and laser-sharp response on the road and on the track."

But the trick Fiorano pales beside the new Ferrari 599XX also on display in Geneva.

Mooted to be the most blatantly high performance road Ferrari yet, the Fiorano-based 599XX is about as uncompromising a road car as you can get and is destined to fall only into the hands of a select group of customers.

No real news of all the stuff going on under the 599XX's aggressively functional lines, apart from the fact it "incorporates the most advanced technologies resulting from Ferrari's road-going and F1 research. Many of the technological solutions it carries are being used for the first time and have been developed exclusively for this unique car."

Rumour is that ex F1 champ Michael Schumacher had a hand in development of the 599XX, which would hardly come as a surprise.

The Fiorano HGTE and 599XX were joined on the Geneva stand by a full complement of road Ferraris including the Scuderia Spider 16M, F430 Scuderia, the California and the flagship 612 Scaglietti.

Zagato Perana
Credit crunch? What credit crunch? Roll out the high-powered V8 concepts...

January's Detroit motor show may have been a somewhat sombre affair conducted under a pall of financial gloom, but the Geneva show promises to be a breath of fresh air, with an array of exotica and hot-hatches on show.

Also guaranteed much exposure is this striking coupe, crafted by the stylists at illustrious Milanese design studio Zagato.

Dubbed the Perana Z-One, the V8-propelled two-door has been jointly created with South Africa's Perana Performance Group (hence the name) and plans are afoot to allegedly build and sell 999 examples.

Not too much has been revealed in the way of technical nitty-gritty, but what we do know is that the car's propulsion comes from a General Motors-sourced 6.2-litre LS3 V8, and said motor has been tweaked to crank out at least 320kW, according to overseas reports.

A sub-four-second 0-100km/h split is being claimed, which would put the Perana Z-One in the league of the Nissan GT-R and Porsche 911 Turbo.

Pricing remains unclear at this point as some sources suggest it could be as low as 50,000 euros (just under $100k), while others suggest it's more likely to be around 90,000 euros (about $180k).
(more here)

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