Archive for 2009 Geneva Motor Show

The Geneva Motor Show officially comes to an end, and just before the shutter rolls down, here is a report on Mitsubishi’s iMiev Prototype and the iMiev Sport Air Concept. The iMiev Prototype is basically meant for the European market, and is expected to debut sometime in 2010, while the iMiev for the Japanese market is set to hit showrooms by summer this year.

Compared to the Japanese market model, the European Prototype iMiev features widened front and rear tracks and extended rear overhangs to help provide higher levels of pedestrian protection expected in Europe as well as better occupant protection in the event of a rear-end shunt. With a clean and simple Ice Blue interior treatment, the exterior is finished in a snow-white body finish.

Propulsion power of the iMiev with a rear-midship layout is provided by an electric motor that can output 47kW and 180Nm of torque. This rear wheel drive 4-seater prototype stores energy in a 330V lithium-ion battery pack.

Next up is the iMiev Sport Air Concept which is a sporty concept version of the electric iMiev. Sharing the same platform as the iMiev, this tear-drop shaped Sport Air Concept features a number of new fitments and accessories including front and rear lights that have a 3D look as well as a detachable “clear cutaway” roof panel that also features a solar inlay.

The interior is treated to a high-contrast colour scheme of greyish blue and “greige”, which is an intermediate color between grey and beige with blue illumination for the instruments and interior lighting. Compared to the iMiev, this 4-seater concept features a more powerful electric motor which generates 60kW and 230Nm of torque. The Sport Air Concept is also about 100 kilograms lighter than the iMiev thanks to its body structure that uses tailgate panels and plastic body to help reduce weight. Continue reading to view an image gallery.

Click here to read the rest of Geneva 2009: Mitsubishi’s iMiev Prototype and iMiev Sport Air Concept

Sportec has revealed the SP 550mc which is based on the Porsche 911 Turbo at the Geneva Motor Show. Although the tuner has yet to reveal further details regarding the emissions output of this new project, but we do know that it is an eco-friendly sports car which features a CNG, or compressed natural gas conversion kit which simply means that this new iteration of the 911 Turbo can be fueled with either petrol or CNG.

Performance figures starts off with it being able to sprint from naught to 100 km/h in just 3.7 seconds, all the way to the 331 km/h top speed mark thanks to its 3.6 liter biturbo power plant mounted at the back which is able to produce 550HP and 705Nm of torque. Other upgrades include a special filter that works with the turbochargers that optimizes flow rate which ensures adequate air supply for the engine, a sports exhaust with high capacity catalytic converters and Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires that offer by up to 19% less rolling resistance.

Sportec has also improved the 911 Turbo’s aerodynamic efficiency by installing unobtrusive side skirts, a new front spoiler, a three part apron as well as a large rear wing spoiler. Continue reading to view two more images of the Sportec SP 550mc.

Click here to read the rest of Geneva 2009: Sportec SP 550mc with CNG

Apart from unveiling the Renault Megane RenaultSport 250 in Geneva, the French auto maker also revealed the Renault Clio RenaultSport 200 which also belongs in the performance segment. Offered in two forms, the Clio RenaultSport 200 and the Clio RenaultSport 200 Cup, both models receive power from a naturally aspirated 200HP at 7,100 revs 2.0 liter 16-valve engine, that is also capable of 215Nm of torque at 5,400 revs.

Design wise, the Clio RenaultSport 200 is treated to an aerodynamic splitter, large air intakes, wider front and rear wings, twin exhaust tailpipes which are more visible now and a new rear diffuser, as well as RenaultSport badging on the tailgate, on the side protective moldings’ satin-finish chrome inserts, as well as on the intake manifold. Buyers can also opt for the centre section of the front bumper, front splitter, exterior mirror housings and rear diffuser to be finished in either Gloss Black or Anthracite. The above mentioned aerodynamic upgrades account for an improvement in drag coefficient of 0.02.

On the inside, the driver is surrounded by aluminium pedal covers and footrest, perforated leather steering wheel with visible stitching and yellow centre-point marker, yellow rev-counter that includes an audible and visible Formula 1-style gearshift indicator, body-hugging RenaultSport seats, as well as Renaultsport badging on the rev-counter background, door sills and front seats. With three trim options available including Silver Grey, Yellow and Dark Anthracite, buyers can also opt for Recaro seats which are equipped with lateral airbags, plus a rigid and glass-fiber / polyamide-injected shell.

Improvements were also made to the suspension with wider front and rear tracks (by 48 mm and 50 mm respectively), extended wheelbase (by 10 mm), independent steering axis layout on the front suspension that minimizes weight and provides resistance to torque steer and a stiffened programmed deflection torsion beam which is fine tuned to offer immediate turn-in. Other upgrades include; Brembo front brake callipers, double-effect damper technology, front anti-roll bar with larger diameters (by 1 mm) as well as alloy wheels that are 1 kilogram lighter and wrapped with Continental Sport Contact 3 tires (215/45 R17).

Overall, the Clio RenaultSport 200 is able to sprint to 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds, all the way to a top speed of 226 km/h. The Clio RenaultSport 200 Cup model features a ride height that is 7 mm lower, stiffer damper calibration and a revised steering system. Overall, the stiffer 200 Cup is also lighter by 36 kilograms. Renault also revealed that buyers of the RenaultSport 200 can also opt for the stiffer suspension with an extra charge.

Other fitments available in the Clio RenaultSport 200 include; Carminat TomTom navigation system (optional for GBR 500), hands-free card, two stereo upgrades including the Sound Pack and the Bluetooth Sound Pack, electric sunroof, cruise control with speed limiter, automatic climate control and automatic lights and wipers. Sales will initiate in the U.K by May this year. Continue reading to view an image gallery.

Click here to read the rest of Geneva 2009: Renault Clio RenaultSport 200

Pininfarina attended the Geneva Motor Show this year with its BLUECAR electric vehicle which is expected to go into production by 2011. Developed with Bollore, a French-based industrial group, the BLUECAR is a 4-seater compact MPV that is powered by a Lythium Metal Polymere (LMP) battery pack which is able to help the electric car to offer 250 kilometers in terms of driving range over a full charge.

The maintenance-free with a 200,000 kilometers life span battery pack can be recharged via a 230V house hold power outlet. With construction materials, battery and interior trim carefully selected for their low environmental impact, the BLUECAR also comes with climate control, audio system, GPS, portable phone, drive management mode (environment, sport or ice) as well as a remote control incorporated in the portable phone allows you to monitor the state of the battery and trigger its pre-heating so that the vehicle is immediately ready to start, even after it has been parked a long time.

The BLUECAR also has solar panels mounted on the hood that help draw energy into the battery pack. The auto maker also revealed that it forecasts a production output of 60,000 by 2015. Continue reading to view more images.

Click here to read the rest of Geneva 2009: Pininfarina’s BLUECAR Production Version

Proton-owned and British-based sports car maker Lotus has launched the Lotus Evora Launch Edition at the Geneva Motor Show. The Launch Edition is sort of a “market testing” variant where only 450 unit will be produced at first, and deliveries in Europe will start by May this year. The 2+2 sports car is offered in two body colour options including Ardent Red and British Racing Green and buyers can also opt for other colours as well, with a bump on the price tag.

This mid-engined lightweight sports car receives power from a 3.5 liter V6 that is good for 276HP an 342Nm of torque which enables to Evora to hit the 100 km/h in just over 5 seconds, and can deliver 260 km/h in terms of top speed. With that power, the Evora consumes a reasonable 8.7 liters for every 100 kilometers traveled (based on Official European Combined Cycle), and releases 205 grams of harmful emissions per kilometer. Other fuel consumption figures include; Official European Urban Cycle figures of 12.4 liters per 100 kilometers and 6.5 liters per 100 kilometers for the Official European Extra Urban Cycle.

On the inside, the Evora (my fingers are somehow trying to type Exora) is generously finished in leather with a driver focused instrumentation, a dash with tactile details such as flush-mounted controls that glow with blue LED haloes and a stylized speedometer and rev counter. Other features among others, include; Bi-Xenon headlights, an Alpine Imprint audio system, a reversing camera as well as electric powerfold mirrors.

Lotus also revealed that it plans to produce a 2-seater, a convertible and a variant with an automatic transmission in the future. The Evora comes with a 3-year or 100,000-kilometer whole vehicle warranty with an 8 years chassis perforation warranty for E.U markets. Continue reading to view an image gallery.

Click here to read the rest of Geneva 2009: Lotus Evora Launch Edition

The new E89 BMW Z4 Roadster made its European debut at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show. BMW is solidly hammering it into our heads that the new Z4 is a piece of automotive art, and that it definitely is. All those lovely curves are a modern interpretation of the old BMW 507 and alot of Bangle cues have been toned down. The new Z4 also now gets a convertible hard top, replacing the first gen Z4’s cloth top. New BMW Group design director Adrian van Hooydonk talks to BMW Web TV at the Geneva show on the new Z4’s design. It’s quite interesting to hear stuff said from a designer’s perspective actually – apparently designers take delight in clamshell-style bonnets as they can then play around more with the design lines on the bonnet without having to deal with the bonnet shutlines. Look after the jump to catch the video as well as some previously published videos and a hi-res photo gallery.

Click here to read the rest of Adrian van Hooydonk on the new E89 BMW Z4 Roadster at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show

Considered by many as the M7 without the M, the Alpina B7 is set to take BMW’s flagship luxury sedan into a whole new arena. Starting off with a 4.4 liter V8 which is capable of 507HP and 700Nm of torque thanks to its twin turbos (1.0 bar of maximum turbo boost), the B7 can hit the 100 km/h mark in 4.7 seconds and can deliver a top speed of 280 km/h.

The power plant is mated to ZF’s 6 speed automatic transmission which is fitted with Alpina’s Switch-Tronic system that adapts to different driving situations. It has been programmed to shift exceptionally smooth in Automatic mode and it also offers different shift characteristics in the additional Sport and Manual modes.

Suspension wise, the B7 features shorter and uniquely calibrated springs which reduce front and rear ride height by 15 mm and 10 mm respectively, 21″ wheels and conventional tires instead of fun flats, among others. The electronic suspension system with Dynamic Damping Control and Dynamic Drive (active roll stabilization) enables the driver to choose between Comfort, Normal and Sport modes. Overall, the suspension is more responsive, but softer than a race suspension.

Design wise, other than 21 inch 20-spoke wheels, it is treated to an Alpina bodykit which gives the 7 Series a wider and lower stance. While getting into the B7, you are welcomed with Alpina’s door sill trims which are finely illuminated in blue, and once you are in, you are treated to a SWITCH-TRONIC steering wheel that is gloved and hand-stitched in Lavaline leather, red pointers over a field of blue dials grace the instrument cluster and exclusive luxury wood trim in the form of Myrtle Burl. You can also opt for Alpina’s Piano Lacquer interior trim. Continue reading to view an image gallery.

Click here to read the rest of Geneva 2009: Alpina B7 Biturbo launched

Italian-based sports car maker Lamborghini has released the Murcielago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce at the Geneva Motor Show which is actually a more powerful, and lighter Murcielago. With 670HP and 660Nm of torque produced by its 6.5 liter V12 power plant, and with an overall weight that is 100 kilograms lighter than the Murcielago LP 640, it does not seem difficult for the LP 640-4 SuperVeloce to take the credit.

With certain design cues carried over from the Reventon, this all wheel drive super car with a two-level diffuser and a fixed carbon fiber rear wing looks the part as well. Other features include a lifting system which enables the front end of the car to be raised by 45 mm to ease garage entries, Carbon Ceramic (CCB) brakes with ABS and more. Read our related previous post for more on the new LP670-4 SV.

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Lamborghini reveals the Murcielago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce

Mercedes Benz arrived at the Geneva Motor Show with the SLK 2LOOK Edition which is essentially a regular SLK but with a number of features which sets it apart from a regular version. These include two body colour options such as calcite white or black, headlights with black surrounds, 18 inch 5-twin-spoke light-alloy wheels with mixed tire sizes (front: 225/40 R18, rear: 245/35 R18) that can ordered with titanium silver or a dark “shadow” finish, discreet emblems bearing the 2LOOK Edition logo on the wings and a drought-stop of transparent acrylic glass.

Over on the inside, the 2LOOK Edition features sports seats finished with nappa leather with seat centre panels in white and the contoured bolsters in black, contrasting black-and-white scheme on the doors and centre armrest, carefully finished decorative seams on all leather surfaces, white-painted trim in the black dashboard, black roof lining as well as white-edged floor mats with an embroidered Edition label.

Potential owners can place their orders now, with a number of engine choices including the SLK 200 KOMPRESSOR, SLK 300 and SLK 350 Sports Engine. Price wise, the 2LOOK Edition demands an extra 2,100 Euros over the standard SLK. Potential buyers can also request for an exclusive obsidian black metallic body finish or the special designo mystic white finish, which is limited to 300 vehicles worldwide. The obsidian black finish costs 580 Euros while the designo mystic white carries a 1,990 Euros price tag. Continue reading to view an image gallery.

Click here to read the rest of Geneva 2009: Mercedes Benz releases the SLK 2LOOK Edition

Our favorite motorbike company turned sports car maker KTM arrived in Geneva with the X-Bow Superlight and the X-Bow ROC. The Superlight features motorsport-derived technologies such as a lightweight carbon composite monocoque that weighs only 90 kilograms, carbon crash box, inboard pushrod suspension and black body panels of visible carbon fiber. This range topping X-Bow also comes with limited-slip differential, lightweight lacquered alloys with a single central wheel nut and as well as a lap timer and more, all with a price tag of 79,980 Euros.

The Superlight features a 240HP 2.0 liter TFSI power plant from Audi, individually adjustable pedals, adjustable and removable multi-function steering wheel, ‘Keyless Go’ system, and of course a performance suspension, with adjustable compression and rebound rates, and with preload-adjuster.

The X-Bow ROC on the other hand is a limited edition model offered inline with the X-Bow’s recent involvement in the Race of Champions, where only 30 units will ever be produced. This exclusive model features weight-saving all-carbon body, sports exhaust which attracts special attention with its deep sound, specially painted light-weight alloy wheels with a central wheel nut, adjustable sports suspension, a removable multi-function steering wheel and lastly, exclusive ROC design on the body panels. This special edition model retails for 69,980 Euros. Continue reading to view an image gallery of both the KTM’s.

Click here to read the rest of Geneva 2009: KTM reveals the X-Bow ROC and X-Bow Superlight