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FEATURE |
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GENEVA Auto Salon |
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The city that houses some of the world’s most prominent international organizations is also home to one of the most prestigious auto shows on the annual calendar – the Geneva Auto Salon. Perhaps because it’s located in neutral territory, the Geneva motor show is held in high regard by manufacturers, members of the press, and visitors from all parts of the globe. It’s also the most stylish of the world’s auto shows. The recently concluded 78th edition was one of the biggest yet, and if the Geneva Auto Salon is any indication, it looks as though the future may just be bright after all. |
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Tata Motors have been present at the Geneva Auto Salon every year since 1997, and this year they caused a bit of a stir with the Nano. Since its debut at the Auto Expo in January, the Nano has sent tremors down the spine of the automotive establishment the world over – primarily because they can’t seem to fathom how a conventional automobile can be developed, manufactured and sold at a starting price of around Rs. 1 lakh or $2,500 USD.
Geneva gave the automotive elite from all over the world, as well as the international press, a chance to see the Nano up close and personal for the first time. Tata Motors, however, will first focus on meeting demand in the domestic market before thinking about adapting the Nano for the overseas markets. |
Tata Nano |
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At the absolute other end of the car spectrum from a cheap people mover is the ultra exclusive, and some would say even excessive, Rolls Royce Phantom. Since 2003, BMW owned Rolls Royce has had only one model – the Phantom. More recently, however, they’ve introduced a handful of new variants. Last year, they launched a convertible known as the Phantom Drophead, and, at Geneva this year, the car you see here, the Phantom Coupe. And if there was ever any fear that such modern and striking interpretations of a Rolls Royce may not go down well with their well heeled buyers, they’ve been well and truly quashed by the fact that the convertible is sold out for the next two years, while the coupe has already sold all 200 cars that’ll be produced in the coming year.
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Rolls Royce Phantom Coupe |
Fiat 500 Abarth |
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The car that took Europe by storm in 2007, the Fiat 500, is now available in a slightly more menacing version – the Abarth 500. Abarth was an independent Italian racing team and tuning expert prior to becoming a part of Fiat in 1971 when they were put in charge of developing Fiat’s race and rally cars. It’s nice to see the famous Abarth name resurrected with this new car. The Fiat 500’s 1.4 liter engine gets a turbocharger to bump its horsepower to 135bhp, which should be more than sufficient for its light shell. The Abarth also gets larger wheels and more aggressive styling to demonstrate that this one means business. |
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Alfa Romeo 8C Spider |
Maserati Gran Turismo S |
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Needless to say, there were a few more Italians battling for people’s attention, and two of the most drop dead gorgeous cars at the show were the Alfa Romeo 8C Spider and Maserati Grand Turismo S – both of which have to be among the most beautiful cars to have been conceived over the past few years.
Since both are owned by the Fiat Group, they also share a fair number of mechanicals as well – the most notable being their Ferrari derived 4.7 liter V8 heart. The Maserati Gran Turismo made its world debut at Geneva last year and the S version makes its debut this year. The Gran Turismo S is an even more focused drivers’ car featuring a larger engine producing 440bhp mated to a transaxle, which is essentially a combined rear axel and gearbox for better weight distribution. The Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione was one of the most stunning cars put into production in 2007 (although first showcased in 2003), and its convertible stablemate, the Spider, certainly takes the honors so far this year as well. |
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Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 |
Audi R8 V-12 TDi |
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The Americans weren’t to be left behind either. The Chevrolet Corvette is the quintessential all-American sports car. Despite the fact that, in recent years, they’ve been known for providing Ferrari rivaling performance at a fraction of its price, Chevrolet has struggled to win over too many European hearts. Well, with their newest variant that could be about to change. At Geneva, they showcased their new ZR1, which is the fastest Corvette ever produced. It features a 6.2 liter supercharged V8 that produces in the range of 650bhp and accelerates to 100 km/h in the low three 3 second bracket – supercar territory indeed. As always, the European supercar makers had some tricks up their sleeve. Audi showcased the first V12 diesel in a road going sports car. The R8 V-12 TDI LeMans concept has a 6.0, V12, direct injection, turbo diesel producing 500 horsepower and a mammoth 740lb/ft of torque at a lowly 1,750rpm. It’s also Euro 6 compliant – norms that aren’t expected to come into effect until 2014, which clearly points to the fact that you can actually make a green sports car. Another car that strengthens that case even further is the new CCX by Swedish supercar maker, Koenigsegg. The out of this world CCX is capable of producing over 1,000 horsepower when run on ethanol. |
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Koenigsegg CCX |
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