At the Geneva Motor Show, besides the Audi R8 V12 TDI Le Mans, another interesting display at the Audi was the new Audi A3 Cabriolet.

Like all Audi’s convertibles, the A3 cabrio is fitted with a classic fabric top (lighter and allows more luggage space when folded) which opens hydraulically in nine seconds and is offered partially automatic and fully automatic, the latter being a specially soundproofed acoustic top. Like you’d expect, the safety is very important at a convertible model and materials like high-strength steels were used and the car also has plenty of reinforcement features.

The A3 Cabriolet customers will have four engine choices: the 1.9 TDI with 77 kW (105 hp), the 2.0 TDI with 103 kW (140 hp), the 1.8 TFSI with 118 kW (160 hp) and the 2.0 TFSI with 147 kW (200 hp). They will also be able to choose the S tronic dual-clutch transmission. The first customers will get their cars this spring.

Read the press release and see more photos of the Audi A3 Cabriolet from the Geneva Motor Show after the jump.

Read More: "Geneva 2008: Audi A3 Cabriolet"

Bookmark, E-mail or Share

At this year’s Geneva Motor Show, one of the stars of the Audi stand was definitely the special edition Audi R8 V12 TDI LeMans, the first 12-cylinder diesel engine in a high-performance sports car. The six liters V12 TDI engine produces 500 hp and 1,000 Nm (737.56 lb-ft) of torque. The R8 TDI Le Mans from Geneva shines in the Brilliant Red paint finish and features a more sporty interior, with aluminum applications, steering wheel rim with a flat lower edge. But enough said, we’ll let you enjoy the Audi R8 V12 TDI LeMans photos we took at Geneva. Click on the ‘Read More’ link below to see the photos.

Read More: "Geneva 2008: Audi R8 V12 TDI Le Mans"

Bookmark, E-mail or Share

Recently presented at the Geneva Motor Show, the Volkswagen Scirocco will definitely be a hit for the German producer. You can check out our previous post on the Scirocco here. And today we have new cool stuff for you, the first video of the car in action, released by VW. So, what do you think? Enjoy!

Read More: "Video: Volkswagen Scirocco in action"

Bookmark, E-mail or Share

On May 9th, the Speed Racer movie will hit cinemas and it looks like an interesting movie. Based on the classic 1960’s Japanese animated series chronicling the aspirations of a young race car driver as he attempts to obtain glory, with the help of his family and the Mach 5, the advanced car created by his father. The movie is directed by the famous Wachowski brothers who directed the Matrix trilogy. Enjoy the trailer and, after the jump, check out the photos of the Mach 5 car replica we took at the Geneva Motor Show.

Read More: "Speed Racer movie trailer plus photos from Geneva"

Bookmark, E-mail or Share

At the Geneva Motor Show, Nissan introduced the second generation of the popular Infiniti FX. The SUV is scheduled to enter the Western European market in the last quarter of 2008 and here it is an official video released by Nissan today. Enjoy!

Read More: "Video: The new Infiniti FX"

Bookmark, E-mail or Share

The Renault Koles will be the French producer’s first entry into the highly competitive crossover market and it was introduced in world premiere at this year’s Geneva Motor Show. The car is based on the Nissan X-Trail and it will be offered with several engines, including a 170 hp 2.5 litre Euro 4 engine. You can read more info in our previous post about the Renault Koleos, by clicking HERE.

Check out more photos of Renault’s new crossover at the Geneva Motor Show after the jump.

Read More: "Geneva 2008: Renault Koleos makes world debut"

Bookmark, E-mail or Share

Among the world premieres presented at this year’s Geneva Motor Show was also the new Skoda Superb. The Czech producer’s flagship will have a roomy interior and also a notable luggage space of 565 litres. Among others, the new Superb will feature 9 airbags, bi-xenon headlamps with AFS, touch-screen navigation system and parking assistant.

The new Skoda Superb will be available with the following engines:

Petrol:
- 1.4 liter TSI - 126 hp/92 kW
- 1.8 TSI - 161 hp/118 kW, also 4×4 and AT
- 3.6 FSI V6 - 261 hp/191 kW 4×4 AT

Diesel:
- 1.9 TDI PD DPF - 105 hp/77 kW, also without DPF
- 2.0 TDI PD DPF - 141 hp/103 kW, also AT
- 2.0 TDI CR DPF - 171 hp/125 kW, also 4×4 and AT

Check out more photos of the new Skoda Superb at the Geneva show after the jump.

Read More: "Geneva 2008: The all new Skoda Superb"

Bookmark, E-mail or Share

The Mitsubishi Prototype-S previews the next high-performance hatchback from Mitsubishi, which will compete Subaru’s Impreza WRX STi. Overall, the car looks good, but, like we said in a previous post, the front and the rear look like they’re from different cars. The awesome front part features the aggresive “Jet Fighter” grille in a matt black finish with mesh inserts and chrome surround, while the rear part is just dull and it looks like it was drawn in a hurry by the designers.

Under the hood, the Prototype-S features the 240 hp 2.0 liter Turbo engine which develops 343 Nm of torque and is mated to the Twin Clutch SST gearbox. The car also benefits from a full-time 4WD drivetrain featuring Mitsubishi Motors’ Active Center Differentia(ACD).

For more photos and the full press release, click on the ‘Read More’ link below.

Read More: "Geneva 2008: Mitsubishi Prototype-S"

Bookmark, E-mail or Share

One year after the five-door version of the Mazda2 debuted here at Geneva, now it’s time for the Mazda2 three-door version to be presented in world premiere at the Swiss show. The car presented at the Mazda stand looks good especially in the red mica color (like the Mazda Ryuga concept presented last year at Detroit) and with the exterior sports package featuring lowered suspension, wider tread, projector-type headlamps and 16-inch painted wheels. On the interior, the car has also sporty accents, with Recaro® seats in racy red and black two-tone, matching red stitching on the leather steering wheel leather inserts and panels on the door trims.

Under the hood, the Mazda2 three-door hatchback will be available with the same engines as the ?ve-door hatchback:
• MZR 1.5-litre petrol with maximum power of 76 kW/103 PS at 6,000 rpm, maximum torque of 137 Nm at 4,000 rpm
• MZR 1.5-litre uses only 5.9 litres of fuel per 100 km (combined), produces just 140 g/km of CO 2
• MZR 1.3-litre Standard Power version with maximum power of 55 kW/75 PS at 6,000 rpm, maximum torque of 121 Nm at 3,500 rpm
• MZR 1.3-litre High Power version with maximum output of 63 kW/86 PS at 6,000 rpm, maximum torque of 122 Nm at 3,500 rpm
• Both derivatives of the MZR 1.3-litre petrol use just 5.4 litres of fuel per 100 km (combined) and produce just 129 g/km of CO 2
• MZ-CD 1.4-litre common-rail turbo diesel engine with maximum power of 50 kW/68 PS at 4,000 rpm and 160 Nm of torque at a low 2,000 rpm for lively driving fun
• MZ-CD 1.4-litre uses just 4.3 litres fuel per 100 km (combined) and produces a very low 114 g/km of CO 2
• Five-speed manual transmission standard for all engines

For more details and a complete photo gallery, click on the ‘Read More’ link below.

Read More: "Geneva 2008: Mazda2 three-door makes world debut"

Bookmark, E-mail or Share

This year, at the Geneva Motor Show, the main attraction at the Seat stand was, no doubt, the Seat Bocanegra Concept. The Bocanegra previews the next generation Ibiza and also the new Seat saloon, which will be unveiled sometime in 2009. Seat’s president, Erich Schmitt said “the SEAT SportCoupé ´Bocanegra´ is a sporty, design oriented prototype, with which we want our brand´s position to stand out. At the same time, the ´Bocanegra´ is an outlook of the future design language of SEAT.”

Spanish for “Black Mouth”, the Bocanegra has an aggressive styling, with a large black front clad and cool LED lights (no wonder, since Seat is part of the VW, just like Audi, which began having LED lighting as a trademark). Besides those, the Bocanegra also features panoramic glass roof, side indicators at the tip of the door mirrors and 19 inch alloy wheels. The rear features a central tailpipe integrated in the rear bumper.

The concept is powered by a 1.4 liter twin turbo TSI engine, mated to a seven-speed DSG gearbox with steering wheel mounted controls. No further performance details were made available, but the Bocanegra features Seat’s “Agile Chassis” which enhances the sporty driving experience.

Read the full press release and see the complete photo gallery of the Seat Bocanegra Concept from Geneva after the jump.

Read More: "Geneva 2008: Seat Bocanegra Concept"

Bookmark, E-mail or Share

Earlier today we wrote about the Renault Megane Coupe Concept, a very interesting concept presented these days at the Geneva Motor Show and here’s the official video presentation of the concept. Enjoy!

Read More: "Video: Renault Megane Coupe Concept"

Bookmark, E-mail or Share

Starting from the Aero X and the 9X concepts, Saab came to the Geneva Motor Show with the highly expected Saab 9-X Concept, which previews a future clean Saab compact car.

The concept looks great and that ’shooting-break’ styling is awesome. The 9-X also features touch-sensitive, keyless entry therefor it has no exterior door handles and there are no door mirrors also, because the car uses small, retracting rear-view camera pods. The roof is fitted with a large solar cell, which uses sun’s energy to charge the hybrid battery pack.

One of the most exciting features of the Saab 9-X Concept is its powertrain. The concept is powered by a 200 hp 1.4-liter BioPower turbo engine which produces 280 Nm of torque and runs on E85 fuel (85% bioethano/15% gasoline). The engine is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox with automatic clutch and steering wheel controls and the estimated fuel consumption when running on gasoline is 4.9 l/100 km and 117 g CO2/km, while when running on E85, CO2 emissions are projected to be even lower, at just 105 g/km and estimated fuel consumption of 6.4 l/100 km.

See more photos of the Saab 9-X Concept from the Geneva Show and read the full press release after the jump.

Read More: "Geneva 2008: Saab 9-X BioHybrid Concept"

Bookmark, E-mail or Share

Renault’s stand at this year’s Geneva Motor Show was on of the most impressive, with some great premieres, like the Renault Laguna Coupe Concept, the new Renault Koleos crossover and the new Twingo. But the star of their stand was definitely the Renault Megane Coupe Concept. The concept previews an upcoming Renault compact production coupe and it features an impressive fluid, sportier styling and new door-opening system which consists of two parts deploy ing in an independent movement and connected to the body structure through a carbon arm at the rear of the doors. Besides being spectacular, the system also allows easier access into the car.

As you’d expect from a concept car, the interior looks futuristic and is equipped with Renault’s Touch Design which features a central multimedia control coupled with a display divided into three zones. The central part displays journey-related info, like navigation, radio, music, video, Bluetooth® telephone, while the other two screens show images relayed by cameras incorporated in the exterior mirrors.

The Renault Mégane Coupé Concept is powered by a 200hp 2.0 turbocharged petrol engine which delivers 280Nm of torque at 2,600 rpm and peak power of 200hp at 5,800 rpm. Equipped with a manual six-speed gearbox, the concept goes from 0 to 62 mph (100km/h) in 7.2 seconds while having a fuel consumption of 6.5 litres/100km and producing 154g of CO2/km.

Read the full press release and check out more photos of the Renault Megane Coupe Concept from the Geneva show after the jump.

Read More: "Geneva 2008: Renault Megane Coupe Concept"

Bookmark, E-mail or Share

One of the most expected events from this year’s Geneva Motor Show was, without any doubt, the world debut of the new Volkswagen Scirocco, 34 years after the first one debuted at the same Swiss auto show. The idea behind the Scirocco concept is that VW will offer an affordable sports car (in Germany pricing will start at 21,750 Euros), which can also be used in day-by-day activities.

Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Volkswagen Group’s Chairman of the Board of Management commented: “What we have done with the Scirocco is to put the kind of sports car in our showrooms that people have dreamed of owning. A dream that a good deal of motorists – in spite of all the high-end engineering we have integrated – can actually afford.”

The Scirocco will be offered with the following powerplants:
* Three petrol engines:
- 122 hp TSI - 0-100 km/h in 9.7 sec - 200 km/h - 6.1 liters / 100 km
- 160 hp TSI - 0-100 km/h in 8.0 sec - 217 km/h - 6.5 liters / 100 km
- 200 hp TSI - 0-100 km/h in 7.2 sec - 235 km/h - 7.6 liters / 100 km
* One diesel engine:
- 140 hp TDI - 0-100 km/h in 9.3 sec - 207 km/h - 5.4 liters / 100 km

Check out more photos of the Volkswagen Scirocco from the Geneva show, after the jump.

Read More: "Geneva 2008: Volkswagen Scirocco makes world debut"

Bookmark, E-mail or Share

The Mercedes Benz stand at the Geneva Motor Show was pretty impressive, with four world premieres, the updated CLS and SLK, the new CLC and, maybe the most impressive, the new Mercedes SL 63 AMG facelift. The car will replace the current SL 55 AMG and will feature new bodykit, darkened headlamps and tail-lights and new 19-inch alloy wheels.

Under the hood, as its name suggest, there’ll be a 6.3 liter V8 engine which develops 525 hp and 630 Nm of torque, slightly more than the current 5.5 liter V8 on the SL 55 AMG which has 517 HP and 720 Nm. And you’re probably be amazed, but the SL 63 AMG will be slower than the current SL 55 AMG, going from 0 to 62 mph (100km/h) in 4.7 seconds, 0.2 seconds slower than the SL 55 AMG. The engine will be mated to a MCT 7-speed sports transmission and the car will also feature new sports suspension and a new speed sensitive steering wheel system, plus a new 3-stage ESP system (ON/SPORT/OFF).

Check out more photos from the Geneva show after the jump.

Read More: "Geneva 2008: The new Mercedes Benz SL 63 AMG"

Bookmark, E-mail or Share