Geneva auto show features 170 new cars
Baku, March 2 (AZERTAC). For the leading international auto shows, of which there are about half a dozen a year, bragging rights go to those with the most “world premieres” or the most introductions of new models specific to certain markets. On these counts, it would seem that the 81st Geneva International Motor Show, where two days of press previews begin Tuesday, has trumped its competition.
While the North American auto shows of recent months — in Los Angeles, Detroit and Chicago — have struggled to line up two to three dozen significant new models, the organizers of the annual Geneva show promise “nearly 170 world and European premieres.” More than 40 of those will feature some sort of green technology.
The show opens to the public on Thursday and runs through March 13 at the Palexpo convention center adjacent to Geneva`s international airport. If the projections are correct, the number of premieres, about 170, would be something of a record — certainly for this show, and probably for any recent auto salon.
Through the global economic gloom of recent years, many companies delayed or canceled new models. But the pipeline — it can take three to five years, and more, to design, engineer and produce a new car — that had begun to slow to a trickle in 2008 is now producing a torrent of new offerings.
Not only are individual models being rushed into production, entire lineups are being replaced.
The Fiat Group is leveraging its growing stake in Chrysler by turning the entire Chrysler lineup — 300 and 200 sedans, 200 convertible and Grand Voyager minivan — into Lancia models that will be sold in Europe. The Dodge Journey wagon will be reborn in Europe as the Fiat Freemont.
BMW is introducing BMW i, a subbrand consisting of electric-power vehicles, and showing its Vision ConnectedDrive, a roadster that showcases how driver-assistance systems and infotainment features can be networked through the Internet.
The Volkswagen Group is set to unveil what it describes as “an array of concepts” that will demonstrate how it intends to fulfill its bold goal of overtaking Toyota as the world`s largest automaker. The concept cars were produced with considerable involvement by Italdesign Giugiaro, the Italian styling studio that VW acquired last year.
Toyota, Honda and Nissan will show electric-car concepts, the most intriguing of which may be the Nissan Esflow, suggesting a future rear-drive electric sports car.
Among American automakers, small is in — at least overseas. Ford`s B-Max, a small five-seat van, will make its debut. Chevrolet will show a hatchback version of its Cruze compact car.
Mini is going even smaller with its Rocketman concept, nearly a foot shorter than the smallest current Mini Cooper — closer to the tiny original Mini of 1959.
Another high-character subcompact in Geneva will be the next-generation Kia Rio.
Still, high-horsepower models will not be ignored. Audi is showing a powerful RS3 Sportback meant to compete with BMW`s 1 Series. Mercedes-Benz is offering a sleek new C-Class coupe and an SLK roadster.
Lamborghini is taking the wraps off a new flagship, the Aventador, which will replace the Murciélago.
Two high-performance mainstays, Porsche and Ferrari, will show models that once would have seemed unthinkable. Porsche has developed a hybrid version of its Panamera sedan, and the FF prototype is the first Ferrari with all-wheel drive. A production version could have electric motors driving its front wheels and a hybrid-style regenerative braking system.
Even Rolls-Royce will take a dip in the green pool with an electrically driven prototype, the 102EX, based on the Phantom.
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