Part 1
The business world has been scouring through turbulent times. As a result the auto industry along with other sectors took a massive hit. This was evident especially in Europe. Most of the shows held in the last year have let us down with very few truly breathtaking showstars.Moreover most of the manufacturers were busy showing cars which were best described as bread and butter. However, at Geneva this year all that seems to have changed.
The manufacturers have come up with not only bread and butter but some spicy curry too. Look at F12berlinetta or the Aventador J or perhaps the Zagato. Hyper cars like these are what make automobiles sexy. At the same time we saw affordable cars too; there was the Dacia Lodgy and the Chevrolet Cruze Wagon. Geneva at the end of the day was a perfect blend of exotic to the practical; of theoutrageous to and sensible. Here's our detailed coverage.
Only 150 Zagatos will ever be produced and each one of them will sport exquisite materials like carbon fi bre and aluminium. The Zagato also features twin scoops on the bonnet which is sure to announce the fi repower under it. The roof is a double bubble design and looks splendid. Under the bonnet lies a 510bhp V12 from the V12 Vantage.
One look at the Nuccio and it is evident that it comes from a design house. The Nuccio is built to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Turin-based styling house. The large wedge shaped windscreen and the light panel up front are totally futuristic. Under the hood lies a 4.3-litre V8 with 480 horsepower that is derived from Ferrari, no less.
With the Grand Sport Vitesse, Bugatti have taken the 1200bhp, 8.0-litre, quad-turbocharged W16 from the Veyron Super Sport and slotted it under the hood of the roofl ess Grand Sport. The result is the Grand Sport Vitesse, the world's fastest production open top.
Chevy unveiled the Cruze in wagon form. Apart from a facelift, the wagon is longer and packs in luggage space varying between 500 and 1500 litres. Needless to say therear seats fold down flat to offer this cavernous loading bay. The wagon will be offered with the enginesfound in the sedan along with a new 1.4-litre turbo petrol.
The Lodgy is a people mover for the budget conscious. It comes with three rows of seats and measures in at just four and a half metres. Expect it to be powered by an array of DCI diesel engines from Renault.
The voluptuous M6 is ready for action. Under that long bonnet and stylish body lies a 4.4-litre V8 offering 560bhp allowing it to sprint to 100kmph in just 4.2 seconds.
Part 2
The 500L is the larger, four door version of the 500. It is powered by Fiat's revolutionary 900cc, two-cylinder TwinAir and 1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engines, along with a 1.3-litre MultiJet diesel. It no longer looks like the 500.
To begin with this is not the CR-V which will come to India. But here's better news. Although Honda remains tight-lipped on the details, it is expected that the CR-V will be fitted with company’s long-awaited 118bhp 1.6-litre diesel engine.
This one is based on the fi ve-door i30 but is 30mm longer. This extra length is used to create more space inside where you fi nd a boot offering 528 litres expandable to 1642 litres. Power comes from a host of 1.4 and 1.6 petrol and diesel engines.
The Track'ster concept uses a Kia Soul body, but features an all-wheel-drive system which is a one-off unit built just for the show car. Power comes from a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol offering 250bhp.
Land Rover has gone berserk with the Evoque showcasing an open-top version. While the company has said that it won't make it into production, we are not too sure about that. The soft-top concept vehicle features a fully retractable premium roof with a Roll Over Protection System for safety. A drop down tailgate and four seats help set up the tone to it becoming an everyday car.
The Sportbrake shares its underpinnings with the XF saloon and inspite of being more spacious it is just 5mm longer than the sedan. Powering the XF Sportbrake will be a range of diesel engines in 2.2-litre four cylinder and 3.0-litre six-cylinder form. Not to forget, it looks splendid.
Part 3
The most significant change in the GranCabrio Sport is a boost in power from the Ferrari derived 4.7-litre naturally aspirated V8. This free-breathing engine now produces 460 horsepower as compared to the previous 434bhp.
The brand new Invitation is based on the versatile Nissan V-platform. Incase you are wondering where you heard this, it is the same one underneath the Micra and the Sunny. However, the Invitation looks a lot more fancier.
Morgan's electric concept is powered by 70kw or 94bhp electric motor . The power is sent to the rear wheels using a 5 speed gearbox.
The Phantom gets a facelift in the form of a new face and LED headlights with electronically-controlled refl ectors. The interiors have also been tweaked. The new 8-speed automatic gearbox and rear differential making it efficient.
The Smart for Us is the company's answer to those who love beach buggies. It features a loading bay at the back and also gets hose down interiors. Large wheels allow for sand driving too. Power comes from a 55Kw electric motor.
The FT-Bh packs a two-cylinder, 1.0- litre petrol engine and uses lithiumion batteries for it's hybrid drive system. Being ultra light weight, it has a claimed efficiency of 50kmpl.
Part 4
The Golf loses its metal for an electric fabric roof which can be folded away in just 9.5 seconds. It has also received minor design tweaks but retains the 210bhp engine.
With the competition amongst luxury car makers hotting up, Audi has showcased the new A3 at Geneva. The new A3 gets new lines which make it more appealing and fi t to sit by its siblings. The menacing looks of the day time running lamps now are available in the A3 albeit as an option and so are the LED tail lamps and adaptive lighting system. The A3 remains similar to its predecessor in form of exterior dimensions but Audi has extended its wheelbase to 2.60m to enhance interior space. The top of the line A3 gets a host of features which include the newest MMI system, electromechanical parking brakes, a 17 speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo and a panoramic sunroof. The whole interior has also been redesigned to offer that luxury feel.
Audi is offering the A3 with a choice of three engines. A 1.4-litre TFSI offering 122bhp followed by the 1.8TFSI offering 180bhp. The 1.4-litre engine on the other hand can shut down partially when so much power is not required. The diesel in the offi ng will be the 2.0-litre TDI offering 150bhp.Now it might sound surprising but all of the A3 models as of now are FWD!However the company has promised the ‘quattro’ all-wheel drive version to be launched soon. We expect it to come in the S3 version which will offer a sporty 270bhp from its turbocharged 2-litre engine. The current engines can be mated to either a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed S-tronic automatic box. Also in the option list is the magnetic ride control system.
In 2013 the A3 sedan will be unveiled which will be basically a VW Jetta in Audi clothes. This is the car which will be launched in the emerging markets which includes China, Russia and India. The Audi-A3-sedan will be 4.44m long with a boot which can 420 litres of luggage.
However on the inside things get a lot better. The wood finish and the overall theme looks much more like a typical Bentley. Propulsion comes from the W12 6.0-litre petrol engine, which produces a maximum power of 600bhp and torque that peaks at 800Nm. Clearly this massive all wheel drive SUV is after the drag strip rather than off the road. Three different driving modes – Comfort, Sport and Off-Road are selectable according to the road environment and type of journey. Thus the driver information TFT panel would be able to switch between satellite navigation on the motorway to a 'sump cam' when negotiating a bumpy track. However we would like Bentley to offer it with the new V8 the company launched a few weeks back.
But there is a rumour already doing rounds that the company has not received much accolades for the design of their SUV. So its back to the drawing boards then. According to reports, the final production model due for launch in 2014 will feature substantial tweaks for the front end design. The headlights in the revised version will be slightly smaller and set farther inward. So be ready for a better version soon.
Every auto enthusiast skips a heart beat every time Ferrari unveils a new car and it was no different with the berlinetta. Now when Ferrari say that the F12 is the most powerful and high-performance Ferrari road car ever launched, it is but obvious but to start with the technicals. The F12 is powered by a V12, 6262cc engine mated to the F12 dual-clutch transmission, which has closer gear ratios developed specifi cally for this car's performance. Now enthusiasts might now say that it is competition to Lambo’s latest V12 and there’s little denying that. The Ferrari though offers a staggering 740bhp which allows it to sprint to 100kmph in an ultra-quick 3.1 seconds and on to 200kmph in 8.5 seconds. So much so that the F12 is now faster than the Enzo on and around the Fiorano circuit! A lot has been done to ensure that all that power is transferred properly to the wheels. The engineers have tried to achieve perfect weight distribution and so much so that 54 per cent of the overall weight pushes down on the rear quarters. But it is not just about acceleration, but also the fact that the car doesn’t take off at these high speeds. Ultra effi cient aerodynamics coupled with Ferrari’s magnetorheological suspension control system allows the F12 to stick on the tarmac. Moreover when the times call for dropping the anchor, ultra high tech carbon ceramic brakes take up the job!
Moving on to the design. The F12 was penned in collaboration with Pinninfarina and it must be said that it looks like a cracker! The long bonnet, those chiseled flush fitting headlights give the new Ferrari menacing appeal. It seems thought that the F12 is perfect harmony between science and design as every line allows for better aerodynamics at the same time enhancing the looks of this coupe. Inside too the F12 is exquisite with the Frau leather interior staring at the light and lean dashboard which get carbon fibre and aluminium air vents clearly inspired by the aeronautic field.
2012 seems to be a year dedicated to people movers! Here’s Ford’s answer to the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga and the flurry of vans expected from Chevrolet. The B-Max is based on the Ford Fiesta platform which is already launched here in India. Moreover the B-Max is a compact people carrier which is just over 4m in length making it just 11cm longer than the sedan. The B-Max also comes with the sliding rear doors which allow for easy access inside thanks to its unique design which does away with the conventional B-pillar. Inside the rear seats can be folded 60/40 or flat which transforms it into a van with a flat loading bay. Other neat features include the Bluetooth connectivity and USB and aux in for the entertainment system.
Powering the B-Max is a host of engines prime amongst it is the 1.0-litre EcoBoost which was seen in the EcoSport here in India. In this vehicle, the engine is tuned to offer 100 or 120bhp and will be coupled with a Start/Stop technology. Other engines include 1.4- litre Duratec and a 1.6-litre Duratec offering 90 an d 105bhp respectively. The diesel brigade will include the 1.6- litre and 1.5-litre Duratorq churning out 95 and 75bhp.
Part 5
Hyundai's latest concept is hailed as a 'Sports hatchback' and it sure is a looker! It features Hyundai's successful fl uidic design philosophy especially with the hexagonal grille with the flush fit headlights sitting atop the fender. The steeply raked windscreen adds to the looks as well. In profile the i-oniq features massive 'gullwing' style doors which give it the fancy touch expected from a concept.
Inside too the Hyundai is exquisitely crafted with smooth flowing tan upholstery. The two tone effect looks sporty as well. Moving on to the propulsion bit, the i-oniq as expected is a green car. But not just another electric car. It follows the philosophy seen in the Chevy Volt.
It gets a 107bhp electric motor which is powered by a lithium-ion battery pack. This motor is mated to a small 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder engine which works as a generator. So the engine is just used to charge the battery pack and not to power the car. This translates into consistent Co2 emissions as there's no interference from the driver in operating the engine. The i-oniq can do 120km on the electricity alone and with the range extender it increases to a respectable 700km. While it is not announced as yet whether the ioniq concept is headed to production or not.
The newest hatch from Sweden looks the part and should provide good competition to its German counterparts. It features a very S60 reminiscent styling in front and at the back the large pillar mounted tail lamps look ravishing.
Power is provided by Volvo's 254bhp turbocharged five-cylinder engine mated to either a six-speed automatic or manual gearbox. The V40 in this spec touches 100kmph in 6.7seconds. Start-stop tech and regenerative braking are standard.
Before the soft top Aventador arrives, Lamborghini presented a concept version. The Aventador J does away with the roof and windshield which limits the height of 4.89 metre long and 2.03 metre wide.
The J is powered by a 691bhp strong, 6.5-litre-V12, which drives all four wheels and propels it to 300kmph. It also posts a 0-100kmph time of just 2.8 seconds. Plenty of carbon fibre has been addedin the Aventador to reduce the weight. This one-off example built by Lambo was sold to a private collector for a reported 2.1 million Euros. The model will be shipped to him after the show!
Mercedes-Benz showcased the production version of their hatchback, the A-class in Geneva. The new A features a lowered stance and centre of gravity thanks to its design which is inspired from the concept version of the same. It also features a sporty front end with the large grille and sweeping headlights. While the front looks sporty it sure is toned down from the concept version. In profile the striking lines give it fl are and so does the alloys shod on low profi le tyres. At the back, the roundish tail lights occupy significant space on the tailgate which is reduced to a rather small unit. However with the little spoiler on the back it is in tune with the sporty design.
Powering the A-class with be a range of engines. The 1.6-litre and 2.0- litre petrol engines will offer anything between 115bhp and 211bhp. The diesels on the A180 will offer 109bhp followed by 136bhp in the A200 version. The top of the line diesel, the A220 will offer 170bhp. These engines can be mated to either a 6-speed manual or the 7G-DCT dual clutch autobox.
But here's the good news. The company will also launch the A-class with its 4MATIC all wheel drive technology. The A-class is also unique as Merc's performance division AMG was involved from an early stage to help develop the A-class Sport edition. The Sport though will be more exquisite thanks to the fact that many of the design elements fi rst seen on the concept have been carried forward in this version. The diamond grille is just one of them. The customer can also specify from various chassis setup right from the factory. This is sure to give competition to the Audi S3 which will also go on sale shortly and also the existing BMW 1M. Fun hatch times we see!
Mini is primarily know for bringing rather wacky concepts to motorshows. However this time they got a rather practical one called the Clubvan. Unlike the Mini Clubman, the Clubvan Concept is a car with a twist. Two front doors for the driver and front passenger, two side-hinged doors at the rear. The rear doors open up to unveil the large space to load up the Clubvan with goods. Not surprisingly the commercial vehicle touch comes in for of the metal grille which separates the driver's cab and the loading bay.
In place of the seats the Clubvan makes do with a flat loading bay. Mini claim that it is a van for the design conscious businesses like the fashion industry and derived inspiration from a range of Morris Mini models of yesteryears.
Part 6
Mitsubishi has moved on to the common design philosophy with this new Outlander. From now on all new Mitsubishi cars will have a common design face in tune with this one. The new Outlander therefore comes withan all new grille and headlight combo which looks streamlined. At the same time, time, the front bumper gets a massive airdam and bulbous proportions which help add to the sporty tone. However the Outlander surprisingly remains similar in dimensions to its predecessor. The interiors too have been spruced up with a better instrument panel and a compact display on board the centre console.
The new Outlander will be made available with a choice of two different engines. The fi rst amongst which is the "4J11", a 150bhp 2.0-litre MIVEC petrol now fi tted with an all-new valve train Following suit is the "4N14", a 150bhp 2.2-litre Clean Diesel with innovative features to include an ultra-low 14.9:1 compression ratio. The engines will be mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox and all models will be kited with a automatic Start/Stop module. Expect to see this model in India soon.
Everybody across the world is hailing this as the successor of the Nissan Murano cross over and we too have little to doubt it. The new Hi-Cross concept is designed in tune with the new Nissan design language. Hence the Hi-Cross gets the 'V'-shaped grille and a pair of sleek and sweeping lights. The front bumper is a large unit which also adds to the design. In profi le the 21 inch alloys add to the glamour of this crossover. The rear is symbolised by the large wraparound tail lamps and an extra large tailgate. Look closely and you will notice that the tail gate actually ends up at the furthermost corner of the car. The large exhausts are moreover are fl ush fi t and give a aggressive stance at the back.
Inside the Hi-Cross will be able to seat up to seven passengers and at the same time the seats can be folded in multiple ways to allow for a versatile cabin.
Being a concept, this Nissan is powered by a hybrid powertrain. Under the hood is a 2.0-litre direct injection petrol engine and mated to it is an electric motor. While capacities of the motor is unknown, Nissan claim that it is in tune with that offered by a 2.5-litre engine.
While Nissan is yet to announce production plans, but we are sure that it will be some time soon. That is primarily because there is very little of the showy bits on this concept and most of it looks production ready.
SsangYong will soon be making its debut in India and at Geneva they launched a new concept.
SsanYong unveiled the first concept previously and now here is the second version. Exciting user-Interface Vehicle 2 is what transforms into XIV2. It looks the part thanks to the flowing lines. There is very little muscle in the design but it looks smooth and interesting. At the back, the small spoiler adds the sport quotient. Moreover look closely and you will spot that the XIV2 offers a soft top which sure is electrically operable. The XIV2 will be offered in both three and fi ve door version and we hope it reaches production soon.
The car will be equipped with various highly fuel efficient, low CO2 technologies including Euro VI compliant 1.6-litre petrol and diesel engines mated to either a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission.
Tata had showcased the Pixel sometime back and now comes the bigger MegaPixel. The MegaPixel is a four door hatchback. It features a futuristic design with a typical Tata face. This primarily because of the large smiling grille and the large headlamps. In profi le the small Tata demonstrates plenty of headroom inside the cabin and along with it comes the striking designs of the four sliding doors. Apart from the glamour bit, this also allows the Mega- Pixel to offer a pillar less design. The MegaPixel also gets a large panoramic glass sunroof which is an addition in this version.
Inside the MegaPixel offers mega glitzy bits. The fl oating seats to begin with look stylish and funky. The Mega- Pixel also offers an HMI interface that is displayed on an LCD panel on the centre console. It also comes with an iDrive system similar to the one on the Pixel too.
Powering the MegaPixel is a set of four electric motors mounted on all four wheels. Not only is it all wheel drive then, but also can travel either ways. This comes in handy because of the revolutionary feature on this car which allows the wheels to turn in considerably allowing for a small turning radius of 2.8m. Moving back to the propulsion bit. The power to the electric motors come from a 13Kw lithium ion battery pack which can acquire 80 per cent of its charge in 30 minutes.
The other motor in the car comes in form of a conventional petrol engine. It develops 30bhp from 325cc and gives the MegaPixel enough grunt to get to a top speed of 110kmph. On battery power alone the car can drive 87kmph after which it requires help from the internal combustion engine.
In all the MegaPixel is quite a substantial improvement and we hope that all this translates into a better Nano.
The Brivido is a result of a combined effort between Italdesign Giugiaro and VolksWagen. Power comes from a VW derived supercharged 3.0-litre, 360bhp V6 engine and an eight-speed automatic gearbox. Coupled with an electric motor, this hybrid can touch 100kmph in just 5.8 seconds and keep on accelerating till it hits 275kmph.
The design of the Brivido is much suited for the future as well. It gets a long sweeping bonnet and fl ush fi t headlights. It also gets fancy gullwing style doors with inserts for glass panels. At the back, the two-tone red and VW GIUGIARO Brivido black treatment looks brilliant.
Inside the can comfortably seat four. It gets a superb interface which is aimed at making driving easier. The steering wheel for instance comes with two panels on either ends which project the rear view through the cameras mounted on the wings. The complete system features a touch interface and the instrument panel can be projected for both the driver and passenger.
