Official Thread: 2009 Geneva Auto Show

mikeyb

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The Geneva Motor Show doesn't have the most debuts or the biggest attendance, but year after year it always manages to draw plenty of interest from nearly every major auto manufacturer. In addition to the usual suspects, the Geneva auto show also attracts a large contingent of European design houses that use Geneva's intimate show floor to display their latest designs. Without a home country to dominate the proceedings, there's guaranteed to be an interesting mix of both production and concept vehicles from every corner of the world. And its place on the calendar each spring gives the European auto manufacturers one last chance to debut new models before the summer selling season.
 
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Alfa Romeo MiTo GTA

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Alfa Romeo has released the first images and details of the MiTo GTA, which is set to debut at the 2009 Geneva Auto Show.

The MiTo GTA is a lightweight, high-performance edition of Alfa's latest compact, featuring carbon-fiber body parts and extensive application of aluminum under the skin in such areas as brakes and suspension.
The MiTo GTA is powered by a new turbocharged, direct-injection 1.7-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 240 horsepower.

The car has been lowered by 0.8 inch, and the suspension has been reworked with new front geometry, new rear bushings and adjustable shocks.
 
Martin DBS Volante

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Aston Martin rolls out the new DBS Volante next week at the 2009 Geneva Auto Show. It is the British automaker's 16th convertible in 95 years.

The DBS Volante boasts a motorized fabric top that retracts in 14 seconds, at speeds up to 30 mph, and stows beneath a new tonneau cover.

The DBS Volante is powered by Aston's superb 6.0-liter V12, which delivers 510 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque. Mated to a standard six-speed manual gearbox, the Volante rockets from zero to 60 mph in less than 4.3 seconds and has a top speed of 191 mph. A six-speed automatic with manual shift capability is optional.
Other features include carbon-ceramic brakes; carbon fiber hood, deck lid and front fenders; and a Bang & Olufsen BeoSound DBS premium audio system.

Aston Martin expects to begin shipping the DBS Volante in the third quarter and will announce prices next week in Geneva.
 
Alpina B7 Leaks Out

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The long wait is over. Seen here is the final look of the Alpina B7 that's based on the new 2009 BMW 7 Series. Speculative pictures and renderings have been doing the rounds since December and this is the culmination of all that activity. Geneva 2009 will finally reveal the car in the metal.
The Bavarian sports a 4.4-litre V8 engine which has been supercharged by Alpina in the best way they know how. In the end it forks out 507bhp (378kW) and a stump-pulling 700Nm of torque. Zero to 100km/h is stomped out in 4.7 seconds and the B7 goes all the way to 280km/h (174 mph). Alpina is famous for calibrating its speedos 100% so you can be assured that when the needle reads 280km/h that is the true speed of the car.

Typical Alpina trim can be expected inside and outside as partly seen from the well known signature Alpina multispoke rims and rear boot spoiler. Technical upgrades should include stronger brakes and a sportier chassis.
Next to the B7 Alpina will showcase the B6 GT3 racer with its 4.4-litre V8 also producing 507bhp (378kW) and 725Nm of torque. The B6 GT3 is Alpina's first foray into the world of racing in 20 years.
 
Audi A4 Allroad Unveiled

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Audi has released several images of their new A4 allroad ahead of the wagon's official debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month.

The new wagon features many of the all-terrain styling cues of its bigger brother, the A6 allroad, such as flared wheel arches, angular sills, stainless-steel underbody guards, and the company's trademark single-frame grille. Other exterior design features include chrome trim around the front fog lights, standard 17-inch wheels, LED daytime running lights, and a roof rack.

At launch two diesels and one petrol engine will be offered, thankfully all three feature forced induction and direct-injection. Petrolheads get Audi's 2.0 TFSI engine which is rated at 155 kW (211 bhp) and 350 Nm of torque. Performance figures for the engine include a 0-100 km/h time of 6.9 seconds, a top speed of 230 km/h (142.92 mph), and an average fuel consumption of 8.1 liters per 100 km (29.04 mpg US). On the diesel side there is a 2.0 TDI with 125 kW (170 bhp) and 350 Nm of torque as well as a 3.0-liter V6 TDI engine which cranks out 176 kW (240 bhp) and 500 Nm of torque. With the 2.0 TDI the A4 allroad runs from 0-100 km/h in 8.9 seconds, hits a top speed of 213 km/h (132.35 mph), and averages 6.4 liters of fuel per 100 km (36.75 mpg US). The range topping 3.0 TDI takes 6.4 seconds to reach 100 km/h, tops out at 236 km/h (146.64 mph), and consumes an average of 7.1 liters of fuel per 100 km (33.13 mpg US).

Helping to enhance the allroad's all-terrain credentials over the standard A4 Avant is a 20 mm increase in track, an increased ride height, and offroad detection technology which alters the car's stability program to allow for more wheel spin. However, missing is an the adapative air suspension like it's A6 allroad big brother.

Inside, the wagon features Audi's stellar A4 interior which mixes modern design with high quality materials. With all the seats up the wagon boasts 490 liters (17.30 cubic feet) of luggage room but that increases to 1,430 liters (50.50 cubic feet) when the rear seats are folded down. Optional equipment includes a two-piece panoramic glass roof, three-zone climate-control, and a sound system from Bang & Olufsen.

Look for the A4 allroad to be in dealerships early this summer with a basic price of 37,100.
 
Rinspeed iChange

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World debut at the Geneva Motor Show 2009 (March 5th-15th): The Swiss auto powerhouse Rinspeed presents the 'iChange,' the world's first car whose body adapts to the number of passengers on board. For Rinspeed boss Rinderknecht the vehicle is more than just a clever concept car. The "iChange" is a symbol for the fundamental changes the auto industry undergoes worldwide. And it is clear that only those companies will survive that have innovative answers for the demands of a new automotive era." The visionary Rinderknecht is convinced that the days of gas-guzzling behemoths are coming to an end: "The iChange" is a signal for the coming global changes to individual mobility. We need to be ready to meet these challenges with new ideas."

In seconds a streamlined one-seater sports car transforms into a comfortable car with ample room for three. The trick: At the push of a button the rear end of the teardrop-shaped car magically pops up. "We have designed and built an extremely flexible vehicle. In it we have brought the themes of versatility and continually changing energy demands to their logical conclusions." The result is a streamlined, lightweight zero-emission car with dramatically reduced energy consumption.

The basic idea behind the 'iChange:': The energy demand of a vehicle depends mostly on its weight, the type of engine it uses, and its aerodynamic properties. The engineering-services company Esoro that traditionally builds Rinspeed concept cars has built an extremely lightweight car weighing in at only 1'050 kilograms. To power the car, the Swiss specialists chose an electric motor. The idea of the pop-up rear end was conceived to account for the sizeable effect aerodynamics play in fuel consumption.

While other cars always have to ferry around their puffed-up exteriors that can accommodate up to seven passengers even if they're just transporting a single soul, the iChange" features an adaptive body. The sole driver is conveyed in a teardrop-shaped car that offers optimal aerodynamic properties and thus minimized energy consumption. If more than one person need to be transported the expanding rear provides room for two passengers. As a result of the increased weight and no longer optimal aerodynamics the energy consumption increases - but only for the time passengers are actually on board.

The energy for the electric motor comes from lithium-ion batteries that are available in two different stack configurations for short- and long-distance driving. The electric motor of the iChange" produces 150kW, capable of propelling the car to a top speed of 220 km/h. The sprint from rest to 100 km/h takes just slightly over four seconds. This impressive performance is made possible with the help of a six-speed pre-selector gearbox from the Subaru WRX car. The central research department of Siemens AG (Corporate Technology, CT) supplied the integration technology for engine/generator, electronics and battery connection interface. Siemens has long been one of the world leaders for energy systems and eco technology with pioneering concepts for electric drive systems. Its products cover the entire electric value-added chain from generation to distribution to consumption. The gearbox and drivetrain are lubricated with eco-friendly lubricants from Motorex. Custom-made lightweight 17" and 18" forged wheels with aerodynamic shrouds are supplied by light-alloy wheel specialists AEZ. Pirelli P Zero tires in size 215/40-17 in front and size 245/40-18 in back provide optimal grip.
 
Saab 9-3X

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Saab is adding a new model to its 9-3 range called the 9-3X. The crossover-style Saab 9-3X wagon will debut at the 2009 Geneva Auto Show next month. It will go on sale during the 2010 model year.

Other than a slightly higher stance, the Saab 9-3X doesn't differ dramatically from the existing 9-3 SportCombi wagon. Saab says the car's extra 1.4 inches of ground clearance are enough to give it light off-road ability, though. Basically, the 9-3X will be Saab's version of the Subaru Outback or Volvo XC70.

In keeping with its slightly more rugged mission, the Saab 9-3X comes standard with Saab's Cross Wheel Drive (XWD) all-wheel-drive system that debuted in the 2008 Saab Turbo X. For efficiency's sake, though, the 9-3X will not use that model's turbocharged V6, instead adopting the company's 210-horsepower, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. Both a six-speed manual and a six-speed automatic transmission will be available.
European buyers will be able to order a front-wheel-drive version of the Saab 9-3X with a 180-hp 1.9-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder.

To help the Saab 9-3X look the part, General Motors' Swedish subsidiary has added such crossover cues as dark gray bumpers, side sills and wheel arches ( la Audi Allroad), as well as matte-aluminum skid plates, lower door strips and roof rails. The 9-3X also gets foglamps and unique five-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels.

Inside, the 9-3X features black leather upholstery with gray fabric seat inserts, as well as dark metallic trim. Maximum cargo capacity is 72.3 cubic feet, and D-pillar-mounted lamps make it easy to move stuff in and out in low-light conditions.
 
Audi TT RS

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Audi's big performance news for the 2009 Geneva Auto Show is the long-awaited launch of the TT RS, its high-output all-wheel-drive compact. Sadly, the car is "not approved for U.S. launch," according to Audi.

The TT RS features a turbocharged 2.5-liter direct-injection five-cylinder engine rated at "far more than 300 hp," the company said. The car will rocket from rest to 60 mph in well under 5.0 seconds, with top speed electronically limited to 155 mph.

The TT RS also will benefit from a number of chassis upgrades, including larger brakes. Audi, in its initial pre-show publicity blast, notes that the car will deliver "explosive acceleration, driving delight and unrivaled sound."
 
Citron DS

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It's been nearly a quarter-century since the last of the iconic Citron DS cars rolled off the line here, but the car with the initials pronounced Desse, which translates as "goddess," is not forgotten. In fact, the French automaker plans to revive the nomenclature on a brand-new family of stylish cars that appear to share little more than their familiar initials with the original.

The first of the new DS range, dubbed the DS3, will break cover officially at the 2009 Geneva Auto Show next month, and images already have leaked on the Web. The boxy compact looks like it could be a potential Mini Cooper competitor in Europe. It borrows heavily from Citron's C-Cactus concept from the 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show. The Geneva concept is named the DS Inside.

Citron says the new family eventually will include DS4 and DS5 variants, positioned above the DS3 in size and price. The first production models will go on sale next year in Europe.
 
Fiat Grande Punto Abarth SS

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Fiat upgrades the Grande Punto Abarth SS for 2009 and will have the vehicle on its stand at the upcoming 2009 Geneva Auto Show.

This hot Fiat hatch gets the same 1.4-liter turbo four-cylinder as in the 500 Abarth SS and the last Grande Punto with Abarth treatment. The engine makes 180 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque and manages to get to 60 mph in less than 7.5 seconds. Top speed is clocked at 133 mph.

The coolest addition to the 2009 model is the dual-mode exhaust system that opens a valve above 4,000 rpm to reduce backpressure and help enhance the hatch's exhaust note.

Performance modifications are aplenty with a lowered suspension, cross-drilled brake discs and 18-inch alloy wheels. The exterior is enhanced with a gray paint job that contrasts with the red of the Abarth logo and other accents.

The tuned three-door also comes with a satellite navigation system and a set of Sabelt racing seats.
 
Infiniti Essence Concept

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L'eau d'Infiniti. A brand personification; Infiniti's 'Essence' in concept form. Presented this week at the Geneva Motor Show, the Essence showcases Infiniti's core values for the future and a compact celebration of the brand's past. Heralding a future of Infiniti's 'Inspired Performance' into the luxury super-coupe market for the first time, the Essence aims at re-establishing Infiniti at the heart of the world's most vibrant brands and positioning it towards the most exclusive.

With a first for Infiniti, the Essence provides the company's first motor show preview of their petrol/electric hybrid powertrain. Dubbed appropriately as 'responsibly powerful', the combination of 3.7-litre twin-turbo V6 engine and the firm's new 3D electric motor feed a mighty 600 PS to a rear-wheel-drive setup. An equally mighty 160 PS being chanelled from the electric motor, the technology works on optimisations to the layout of the electromagnetic coils and permanent magnets - decreasing the lithium-ion battery's size and increasing output.

But the concept's essence requires further investigation. Turning to the design, the Essence is not about showing signs of wealth or success, says Shiro Nakamura, Senior Vice President of Design. It's a 'driver's car', but not an 'aggressive sports car'. Infiniti's "Dynamic Adeyaka" is said to inspire design from both the human and natural worlds, bringing a new classical and dynamic shape to the brand not experimented with in Infiniti's 20-year history.

The Essence is as much a driver's car in the cabin - while the cabin is as much a passenger's car. Two seperate 'cocoons' - the driver's side themed black and the passenger's side themed 'earthy red' - dominate the interior's design. But designers claim the real magic is the 'hidden tech' - allowing minimalism in place of controls and information overload. An exclusive range of luggage specifically designed for the concept car by Louis Vuitton harks back to the partnerships first made with coachbuilders in 1908.

Coinciding not only with the brand's 20-year anniversary as a platform for the three pillars of Infiniti (driving pleasure, hospitality and peace of mind), the Essence takes Infiniti forward with their current challenge: introduction into the European market.

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2010 Lamborghini Murcielago LP670-4 Superveloce

The Lamborghini Murcilago is one of the most extraordinary super sports cars of all time. Automobili Lamborghini has now expanded its model range with a new, exceptionally purist and even more extreme top model the Murcilago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce is even more powerful, lighter and faster than the Murcilago LP 640. With the output of the 6.5 liter V12 increased to 670 hp and a weight reduction of 100 kg (220 lbs), the Murcilago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce boasts a power-to-weight ratio of 2.3 kg (5.1 lbs) per hp. This catapults it from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in a breathtaking 3.2 seconds and powers it on to a top speed of around 342 km/h (212 mph).The twelve-cylinder sends its mighty 660 Nm (487 lb-ft) of torque to the crankshaft at 6,500 rpm; maximum power is reached at 8,000 rpm, with an average piston speed of 23.7 meters per second a figure almost comparable to race engines. Distinctive design refinements ensure that each of this 350-unit limited edition series conveys its full potential from the very first glance.






 
Nissan shows Qazana concept

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This is the Nissan Qazana, a concept crossover that is likely to influence the smaller brother to the Qashqai when it's turned into a production car at the firm's Sunderland factory in late 2010.


The Qazana is relatively compact; at 4060mm in length, it's around 30cm shorter than a Ford Focus hatchback, but 8cm taller. Its styling is dominated by a four-headlamp set-up at the front (including daytime running lights that are flared into the top of the front wings), a high waistline and a stubby tail that takes cues from the recently launched 370Z, in particular its L-shaped tail-lights.

The concept features plenty of tricks that are unlikely to make it into production - it lacks B-pillars, for example, while all of its doors are electrically operated and it sits on 20in wheels that wouldn't do much for ride quality on urban roads - but Nissan says that its design ethos of 'SUV meets sports coupe' will influence the production crossover, a key car for the Sunderland plant.

The Qazana concept does have four-wheel drive, and it's possible that the production car will be offered with it as an option. It also has a torque vectoring system to split torque between individual wheels, and unusually generous ground clearance for a car in its class.

To improve airflow over and through the car, the main air intake for the engine is not through the upper grille, but through the lower black plastic insert which has large round holes in it.

Alfonso Albaisa, vice-president of Nissan Design Europe, said, Qazana might seem a radical solution but important elements of the concept do point to a future Nissan production vehicle."
Matt Weaver, the car's project lead designer at NDE in London, said, "Qazana is a hugely optimistic car, which is no bad thing in these difficult times. Had it been created in the 1960s it would have counted camper vans, bikes and buggies as its rivals. Infused with that same spirit, theres nothing quite like it available today.
 
Abarth 500 by Rinspeed

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Rinspeed has announced plans to introduce a new concept at next month's Geneva Motor Show which acknowledges that consumers are becoming more and more concerned about fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions. Most commonly associated with high performance Porsche's and wacky concepts such as the sQuba, the company has decided to jump on the green bandwagon with their new Fiat 500 Abarth based E2.

Like the BMW M5 which features a 400 hp normal mode and a 500 hp M mode, the E2 offers a similar selection system that cranks out 60 hp when "Commuting" and 160 hp when the driver hits the "Highway" button. When the commuting level is selected the car consumes about 4 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers, in highway mode fuel consumption increases to around 7 liters per 100 kilometers.
According to Rinspeed's boss, Frank M. Rinderknecht, he's not a huge fan of eco-tuning but he sees the potential to tap into the market because people are becoming more concerned about the environment and fuel economy. He considers the E2 as well as the iChange to be a way to nudge the tuning business to explore new opportunities that will benefit everyone.
 
Renaultsport Megane 250

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As the latest in a long line of Renaultsport models, the New Mgane Renaultsport 250 stands out through its unrivalled combination of exhilarating performance and handling. The mix of its 250hp engine and stunning new coup design demonstrate that Renaultsport remain top of their class.

Going on sale later this year, the New Mgane Renaultsport 250 has had its first public unveiling at the Geneva Motor Show.

The 2-litre 16-valve turbocharged petrol engine now boasts maximum power of 250hp at 5,500rpm and peak torque of 340Nm from 3,000rpm, an improvement of 20hp and 40Nm over the previous Mgane Renaultsport R26. The Renaultsport engine's twin-scroll turbo is exceptionally responsive and is particularly responsive at lows revs, with 80 per cent of maximum torque available from just 1,900rpm.

The New Mgane Renaultsport 250 has inherited the same suspension arrangement as the current Mgane Renaultsport. Thanks to an independent steering axis layout at the front, the suspension and steering functions have been separated to ensure a particularly high standard of handling and traction performance. Just as with the Renaultsport versions of Clio and Twingo, the New Mgane Renaultsport 250 is available with a choice of two chassis settings: standard or Cup, the latter with a limited slip differential.

The New Mgane Renaultsport 250s stunning coup design features a front bumper incorporating LED daytime running lights, a splitter from the design of the nose of the R28 Formula 1 car, a central rear exhaust, rear diffuser and 18-inch alloy wheels.
Inside youll find all the features youd expect: Renaultsport front seats and steering wheel together with a digital speedometer with analogue rev-counter, visual and audible gearshift indicator and aluminium pedals, all signed off with the Renaultsport logo on the headrests, rev-counter and fascia.
 
Dacia Duster Concept unveiled

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<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="90%" align=center><TBODY><TR><TD class=quote>In case of recession - move up-market. That seems to be the message heeded by automakers like Citroen and Dacia. The former is reintroducing the higher-spec DS line while the latter is unveiling the Duster crossover concept at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show tomorrow. As a design study the Duster concept signals Dacia's intentions of being taken more seriously as a quality brand than it has been before.
The Duster measures 4.25 metres in length, is 1.49m high and has a wheelbase of 2.8m. Loading space is 470dm3 (VDA) while the interior features a two-tone chocolate and blue combination. It's a versatile concept that allows the front passenger seat to slide under the driver's seat to create more loading space.
The front grille has Dacia design elements with a headlights cluster that wraps all the way around to where the front door hinges. The exterior is fitted with oversized 21-inch aluminium alloy wheels and the exterior mirrors are placed so high up the A-pillar they are almost on the roof. At the back the Duster concept features wrap-around rear lights and trapezoidal tail lamps. Fitted in the engine bay is a 1.5dCi engine with 105hp (77kW) and 240Nm of torque. A sprint time for the 0 - 100km/h run of 9.6 seconds is claimed when driven by the 6-speed manual gearbox. The engine produces a C02 emissions figure of 139g/km and an average fuel consumption of 5.3 litres per 100km.
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