Author: yoann besnard

Geneva: Volvo XC60
Volvo has taken the wraps off its new crossover XC 60 set to compete with the BMW X3, the new Mercedes GLK and the upcoming Audi A5.
As predicted, the XC 60 is close to the concept car seen as Detroit and the result is rather appealing thanks to a new dynamic design an engine range able to compete with the German clique. Volvo takes the opportunity to launch its new design direction with the XC60. The overall shape is more dynamic, more animal and it’s hard to believe that ten years ago, Volvo models were merely boxes on wheels.
Like any new Volvo, the XC60 comes with a new safety device, called City Safety, which reduces collision risks. The XC 60 will be powered by a petrol engine or by two diesel engine. The petrol unit is the 285bhp inline 6 unit and the diesel is the 2.4-litre 5 cylinder D5 unit in either 164bhp or 184bhp.
March 7, 2008
Geneva: Brabus Bullit Black Arrow
Brabus has unveiled its own interpretation of a sporty Mercedes C-class powered by a 730bhp V12 engine.
You’ve just bought the latest C63 AMG and think you own the most powerful C-class available on the market. Well, sorry to tell you that Brabus has released a more powerful C-class named Bullit Black Arrow.
The new Brabus model is powered by a 6.3-litre V12 petrol engine that has a power output of 730bhp at 5,100rpm and a torque output of 974lb ft. The enngine is hooked up to a five-speed automatic gearbox.
With such an avalanche of power, the Bullit Black Arrow can run the 0-62mph in just 3.9 seconds, the 0-124mph in 10.5 seconds and the 0-186mph in 24.5 seconds. Brabus claims the Bullit Black Arrow can reach a top speed of 224mph.
In order to brake all that power, the braking system has been upgraded with 380mm discs at the front and 360mm discs at the rear. The car will be built in a limited number and will cost you £264,000 if you want one.
March 7, 2008
Geneva: Mazda 2 three-door
Mazda has revealed the three-door variant of its successful Mazda 2 small car at Geneva which will boost the carmaker sales in Europe.
Like the new Fiesta, Mazda shakes up the small car segment by unveiling a three-door Mazda 2. The Japanese carmaker applied with success its Zoom-Zoom philosophy on this new iteration of its small car. The three-door variant keeps the same length as the five-door model, but the company’s designers took the opportunity to spice up the overall shape by featuring sportier bumpers at the front and at the rear.
The three-door Mazda will be available with a 75bhp 1.3-litre petrol engine, 103bhp 1.5-litre petrol unit and a 68bhp or 90bhp 1.4-litre diesel unit. Mazda will likely launch in the future a MPS version.
March 7, 2008
Geneva: Giugiaro Quaranta
The famous designer has unveiled its latest astonishing concept car, Quaranta, to celebrate its 70th anniversary.
When we celebrate our 50th or 60th birthday, one does like the organize a big party. Giorgetto Giugiaro see things differently and decided to commemorate its milestone by unveiling the Quaranta. The name is also a reference to the 40th birthday of the coachbuilder.
The Quaranta is powered by a Toyota hybrid powertrain combining a 3.3-litre V6 petrol engine and two electric motors which have an output of 268bhp and a torque output of 213lb ft. Despite an all-wheel drive transmission, the Quaranta runs the 0-62mph in just 4.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 155mph.
March 7, 2008
Geneva: Renault Koleos
Renault has officially unveiled its first SUV/crossover at the Geneva Motor Show under the form of the Koleos model, seen as a concept car at the 2006 Paris Motor Show.
Renault will have taken a long time to launch its first crossover being one of the last carmaker to do it. The eagerly-awaited SUV is the result of a collaboration between Renault, Nissan and Samsung. The Korean subsidiary has been selling the Koleos under the QMX name on its domestic market since last december.
The Koleos shares its underpinnings with the Nissan X-Trail, which is a reference in term of mud ability. One does hope that the Koleos will offer same capabilities although Renault has confirmed the Koleos will road-biased.
The Koleos is the company’s serious attempt to take a share of the crossover market. There is a fierce struggle on the growing segment for a share of the pie and with its appealing package, the Renault Koleos might meet a strong demand.
March 7, 2008
Geneva: Audi R8 TDI Le Mans
Audi has launched the first commercial V12 diesel in a supercar, the R8 model: 500bhp and 738 lb ft!
Audi had unveiled a V12 diesel-powered R8 at Detroit. The concept car was so close to production that it was a question of time before Audi unveils the final version. Geneva was the opportunity for the carmaker to do it. The supercar is called R8 TDI Le Mans to commemorate the company’s victories at the famous Le Mans race with its diesel-powered race cars.
The R8 diesel is powered by the 6.0-litre V12 engine that has a power output of 500bhp and a torquer output of 738 lb ft. The R8 TDI Le Mans can shuttle form 0-62mph in just 4.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 186mph.
March 7, 2008
Geneva: Renault Megane Coupé
Renault has unveiled the Megane Coupé concept car that previews the next-generation Megane due to be on sale next year.
The car you see here will mark the come back of the carmaker on the design scene. The Laguna III has been heavily criticised for its conservatism. The next Megane will feature a bold design without alienating conservative drivers like the current generation does.
At 4500mm, the concept car is longer than the current Megane. The production version won’t, of course, keep the gullwing doors or the 21in wheels. Under the bonnet, the Megane Coupé is rather conventional: no hybrid engine, but a 200bhp turbocharged 4 cylinder petrol engine.
March 7, 2008
Geneva: Skoda Superb
Skoda has unveiled the second generation of the Superb saloon. Like the outgoing model, the new Superb will promote a highly competitive roominess-to-price ratio, but also more character.
In the UK, the Superb met quite a success with the taxis by offering a lot of space and boot capacity at a low price. However in emerging countries, Skoda is considered as a premium brand and the new Superb will help the company to move upmarket.
At 4830 mm long, the Superb is longer than the outgoing model by 30mm and offers similar dimensions to the Mercedes E-class and the BMW 5-series. Hopefully, the Superb didn’t gain weight and won’t powerful engines to provide decent performance.
If the Superb has the ambitious plan to take on established rivals, it shares its underpinnings with the Volkswagen Passat, like the outgoing generation. However the Superb features a unique exterior and interior styling combining a large grille and strong lines. At the rear end, the Superb is the reminiscent of the aging Saab 9-5. On the inside, the link with the Volkswagen products is more obvious although the saloon comes with exclusive controls like the air conditioning control panel.
The Superb will be available with a choice of four petrol engines, the 138bhp 1.4-litre TSI, the 158bhp 1.8-litre T-FSI, the 197bhp 2.0-litre T-FSI . There will also be the traditional TDI engine range.
March 6, 2008
Geneva: Lamborghini LP560-4
Some faceliftings are more interesting than others. The Lamborghini Gallardo is one f them and gets a styling and technical facelift with an all-new V10 engine.
Without a doubt, the Gallardo is a big success for the carmaker. In just five years, the supercar became the company’s best selling model of all time. After the SE and the Superleggera versions, the new v10 petrol engine takes the Gallardo to new levels.
The new engine is slightly smaller than the current unit and features a new direct injection system. Its power output gains 40bhp and jumps to 552bhp. The final power output is not so impressive if we consider that the Audi RS6 offers 572bhp. However, the Gallardo is also lighter than the heavy RS6.
The gearbox has also received all attention from engineers. Gear change time have been reduced by 40 percent, and the driver may choose between five different driving and changing programs. The most performance-oriented "CORSA" setting not only affects shift speed — it also directs the engine for maximum acceleration. The ‘Thrust Mode’ ensures maximum acceleration from neutral while the angle of the throttle valve and the clutch are optimized. Lamborghini engineers have also focused on weight reduction and the Gallardo loses 44 lbs. The Gallardo can be equipped with a carbon-ceramic-disc braking system which uses eight-piston Brembo calipers at the front and four-piston calipers at the rear.
With all those combined improvements, the Gallardo can shuttle the 0-62mph in just 3.7 seconds and can reach a top speed of 202mph.
March 6, 2008
Geneva: Dacia unveils the European Sandero
Renault’s budget brand Dacia has launched an assault on the small car market by unveiling the Sandero model which is intended to take on established rivals such as the Ford Fiesta and the Renault Clio.
The Sandero shares its inner structure, powertrains and suspension layout, with the Logan, but has a unique exterior and close interior styling. At 4020mm long and 1750mm wide, the Sandero is slightly bigger than a Clio but much shorter than a Logan. Dacia claims it is a ‘generous and clever’ brand and the Sandero proves it. At 320 litres, the boot capacity is larger than that of the Clio and close to that of the Megane. The Sandero promises to be more practical than the Logan by offering a folding rear bench seat with a 60/40 split according to version. With the bench seat folded, the total carrying capacity extends to 1,200 litres.
The Sandero will be available with a wide range of petrol and diesel engines simlar to the Logan’s although the topping 110bhp 1.6-litre petrol unit won’t be featured on the former. The entry level will be powered by a 75bhp 1.4-litre petrol unit, followed by the 90bhp 1.6-litre unit. Along with the petrol engines, there will be two hard working diesel, a 1.5-litre dCi available in two power outputs, 70bhp and 85bhp.
Like the Logan, the Sandero will offer three- year/ 100,000km warranty in the majority of its European markets. No word on pricing yet from Dacia but with the Logan starting at £5,800, expect the Sandero to be aggressively priced. The new Dacia shouldn’t find too much difficulty upsetting the segment’s established order.
March 5, 2008