THE 2007 GENEVA AUTO SHOW: WRAP UP
|
|
|
|
Gary Evans,
Wednesday, March 07 2007
|
Page 1 of 2  This week marks the opening of the 77th Geneva International Motor Show, which will run from March 8 to 18.
Once again there will be an abundance of world premieres and new exhibitors – this year from Russia and China. More than 250 exhibitors fill the nearly 77,000 square meters of Geneva’s Palexpo convention center.
We’ll be bringing you some of the highlights from the two press days which attract more than 5,000 media representatives from all over the world.
After the scribes scurry home more than 700,000 visitors are expected from all five continents – generally 40% of them are foreigners from 80 countries – during the 11 days that the Show is open to the public.
This show is seeing an emphasis on the development of alternative fuel technologies, Dream cars and new models being launched by the world’s major manufacturers.
We bring you a slice of Switzerland that you can watch from the comfort of your PC. Close your eyes and imagine that the weather is always fine and get ready for a breath of fresh air in the Sarasin park without leaving home.
On the heels of its announcement of record sales for 2006, BMW was on hand to showcase its line up in Geneva. Have a look at what’s on the stand this year. The 1 Series: The small BMW undergoes a face-lift in both the three-door and five-door versions. Although there are some cosmetic exterior changes, the real adjustments are in the interior, which has been updated with excellent quality materials in a modern palette of colors. The revamped 3 Series showcases the new coupé-cabriolet version with, for the first time, a retractable hardtop, which folds back in under 23 seconds. Its popular mid-range 5 Series sees an M5 wagon added to the lineup. Is it possible to be sporty and functional? BMW answers the question by adding a vast hold at the rear of its M5, transforming it into an estate car/wagon. They’re calling it the “Touring" version. The X5 SUV: the newest incarnation of the big SUV (at least for Europe) from Munich. While BMW management emphasized mileage gains for its Minis and the offering of new clean diesels that would eventually make it to the US market, it was clear the world’s largest premium automaker wasn’t going all soft and green. It’s staying true to its performance reputation with its M cars. On the stand was an M3 concept car that offered some styling clues about the anticipated production version scheduled for US showrooms in 2008. The basic form for the BMW M3 Concept Car is a derivative of the new BMW 3 Series Coupé. The few components adopted directly from the series model are the headlamps and taillamps and, as the only body elements, the two doors and the luggage compartment lid. In all other respects, the BMW M3 Concept Car, which was presented with the Chrome Shadow finish is based on the dimensions and the underlying form of the BMW 3 Series Coupé. Nearly all body elements have been newly developed and designed from the ground up. Apart from the supporting vehicle structure, only the doors and the luggage compartment lid were taken over from the series model. All other components were specially engineered for the BMW M3 Concept Car. Unmistakable features that make the BMW M3 Concept Car instantly recognizable are the special trim at the front and rear, the engine compartment lid with its bulging dome and two air intakes, the lateral air slots in the front side-walls, the side skirts and the exterior mirrors in a BMW M typical design. Its wide track, muscular stance - rear design emphasizes dynamic performance.The rear of the BMW M3 Concept Car picks up on the design of the car's front. The side lines gradually sink toward the rear and the wings end in a modeled hollow flute, emphasizing the rear-wheel drive and visualizing the superior dynamics of this vehicle. There is hardly a body element in the BMW M3 Concept Car that shows off the advanced technology as clearly as the roof. It is constructed of carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP). Specialists at the BMW Plant in Landshut, Germany, relied on an exclusive production method in which the structure of the Formula 1 material remains visible and the finely structured surface is only coated with a layer of clear finish. The BMW M3 Concept Car is a vision that shows where striving for the ultimate driving experience might take us in the future. We’ll have to wait until the Frankfurt Motor Show in September to get the details on what the production car will really be like.
In conjunction with the Geneva Auto Show, Saab is introducing its successful BioPower concept, combining bio-ethanol and hybrid technology, to its 9-3 models. Featuring a 175hp 1.8t engine, Saab BioPower 9-3 offers enhanced performance as well as zero fossil-fuel CO2 emissions and reduced energy consumption, with 17% more power and 10% more torque with E85 (bio-ethanol) fuel. The concept is to be introduced in all the 9-3s, including the Sport Sedan (shown in the video at left), the SportCombi and the Convertible. With the launch of BioPower 9-3, being showcased here in Geneva, Saab will now offer eco-friendly variants of all its models. Click on the screen to see the Saab 9-3 BioPower Sport Sedan.
07-Mar-2007 - BMW Group unveiled its latest MINI models here at Geneva. Designed to be marketed exclusively in Europe, the MINI One is powered by a newly developed 1.4 liter engine and the MINI Cooper D by a 1.6 liter turbo diesel engine consuming 4.4 liters per 100 kilometers (64.2 mpg) providing a significant reduction in both fuel consumption and emissions according to BMW. That's better than any hybrid currently available in the US today. The MINI One and MINI Cooper D will be available at European dealerships April 14th, 2007. Click on the screen to see video of the Mini Cooper D
06-Mar-2007--Nissan unveiled its next generation X-TRAIL during the 77th International Geneva Motor Show. The four-door SUV includes four engine choices and features the brand's ALL-MODE four-wheel drive system. ALL-MODE 4x4i includes two unique systems to Nissan: Downhill Drive Support (DDS) and Uphill Start Support (USS). USS is a fully automatic system that maintains brake control on 10 percent inclines until the driver starts to move away. DDS uses the vehicle's anti-lock brakes to maintain a descent speed of 7 kilometers-per-hour, enabling the driver to concentrate on steering. The car will be available in European markets beginning this summer.
06-Mar-2007-- At the General Motors stand executives talked about the future for alternative power and their work to meet the European emission guidelines.
Being an auto show it’s not all about policy choices. People want to see the cars and GM had four world premiers, four European premieres and a look at the future, the Opel GT Concept (click here to see video of the introduction of the Opel GTC). “I think probably the most important is the Opel concept. It shows the way that Opel as a company is heading,” said GM Chairman, Rick Wagoner, Jr. “We're very interested in seeing how people react to that,” he said.
GM is also displaying the Opel Corsa OPC two-door hatchback. This small but sporty car is the kind of vehicle that makes one wonder why GM hasn’t turned more often to its global brands for innovative small cars to supplement its US lineup. The Corsa will sell for 22,560 Euros or $29,717 at today’s exchange rate. This probably would price it out of the average small car buyer’s range but when Tom Hanks is paying a reported $70,000 for a Scion converted to run on batteries you have to believe there is enough of a market for fuel-efficient cars in the US (even at a premium price) that a savvy company like GM could find a way to better compete with its Japanese rivals.
GM brought some Detroit iron to Switzerland too. It showed off its Cadillac CTS, retro HHR and the Camaro concept car. We’re not sure if the Camaro, a modern interpretation of GM glory, was intended for the 5,000 journalists or the members of the US Car Club in Switzerland. The club once claimed a booming membership of 120 but due to worries over emissions, traffic and other automotive woes, “membership adjusted to these new conditions,” according to its website. We assume it’s declined.
These international auto extravaganzas give us a chance to gauge the direction the automotive world is taking.
07-Mar-2007--Under the 'Nagare' umbrella, Mazda unveiled its third design concept, the Hakaze. The four-seat coupe, which was revealed during the 77th Geneva International Motor Show, is a crossover compact SUV. The rear part of the Mazda Hakaze's roof is removable and the rear seats can fold forward to create interior storage space. The Hakaze was conceived and designed at Mazda's European Design Center in Frankfurt, Germany. Prior to the Hakaze, Mazda unveiled the Nagare and Ryuga earlier this motor show season.
<< Start < Prev 1 2 Next > End >>
|
 |
|
