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Geneva: Honda Accord
Honda has launched the eighth generation Accord at Geneva hoping to meet the same success as with the outgoing model.
The new Accord is the carmaker’s new attempt to take on the German clique such as Audi, BMW and Mercedes… However the new model will likely compete with the Alfa Romeo 159 and Saab 9-3 models. With this new generation, the company went wild in terms of design. The exterior styling is not as futuristic as the Civic, but it is sharper and more aggressive than the outgoing generation.
The eighth Accord will offer two petrol engines and a diesel unit. The entry level will be powered by a 2-0litres, followed by the 200bhp 2.4-litres unit. Along with the petrol engines, the unique diesel offer will be the 2.2-litres DTEC engine.
March 10, 2008
Geneva: Think Ox
The Norwegian carmaker has unveiled a new model at Geneva under the the shape of a compact model due to be launched next year.
While the City model hasn’t been on sale everywhere in Europe, the carmaker is working hard on its latest project, the Ox. With this compact model, Think will try to go mainstream by offering a car that can match the characteristics and the performances of a normal compact model.
Technical details remain scarce although Think claims that the Ox can run the 0-62mph in 6.9 seconds and offer a range of 124 miles. The Ox is estimated to weigh in around £26,000 which is a lot compared to any compact model available on the market. However, with rising gas prices, the OX might become an interesting offer as the company claims that 1km will cost £0.76.
If the carmaker announced a launch date sometimes next year, the Ox is far from being built. Indeed, Think wants to establish a partnership with a carmaker to produce the Ox at a large scale. A announcement was expected at Geneva, Think surprised the industry by unveiling another king of announcement, an investment from GE. The American giant has invested £3million in the company and £20million in the battery provider A123 Systems. With such a financial support, Think might finally take off.
March 10, 2008
Geneva: Opel Meriva Concept
Opel has unveiled the Meriva Concept that previews the next-generation Meriva due to appear next year. The Meriva concept features rear-hinged doors called Flexdoor.
With the rear-hinged doors, Opel hopes to help parent’s life by improving access to the rear seats. if you have ever tried to get your small children off the car, you will understand how the Meriva might change the order in the small Minivan segment. Already leader, the next Meriva might oblige other carmakers to reconsider their model architecture.
On the inside, the rear seats can be easily removed and the interior provides a lot of storage compartments. The Meriva Concept seems to be roomy enough for four tall passengers. because it is much bigger than the current generation. The Meriva Concept offers similar dimensions to that of the former Citroen Picasso. Opel hasn’t confirmed whether the next-generation will keep the same dimensions or not.
March 7, 2008
Geneva: Toyota Urban Cruiser
Toyota has revealed its latest weapon to conquer young customers, the Urban Cruiser, a European version of the Toyota Ist sold in Japan.
The Urban Cruiser will go on sale from January next year and the Japanese carmaker tries to persuade us that the Urban Cruiser is environmentally-friendly by promoting its small size compared to bigger SUVs.
At 3930mm, the Urban Cruiser will be the smallest crossover available on the European market. It’s even smaller than a Vauxhall Corsa. It will likely be powered by a 1.5-litre petrol engine seen under the bonnet of the Ist in Japan.
March 7, 2008
Geneva: BMW M3 Cabrio
BMW has launched the 3-Series Cabrio at Geneva powered by the V8 engine of the M3 coupé which promises incredible sensations with the roof down.
The transformation from coupé to convertible has obliged the engineer to reinforce the structure of the current convertible in order to handle the power. Compared to the coupé, the M3 Cabrio is 230kg heavier which has almost no consequences on the performance. The M3 Cabrio can still run the 0-62mph in 5.3 seconds, just 0.4 seconds more than the coupé.
The M3 Cabrio is featured with a new gearbox, a seven-speed dual-clutch called M-DKG, which offers eleven modes: five in automatic mode and six in manual. All modes evolve gradually from soft driving to sporty conditions.
March 7, 2008
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