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MILA Future - an automotive sculpture with four roof configurations At the 2007 Geneva Motor Show, MAGNA STEYR is presenting MILA Future, an automotive sculpture that is reduced to a forward-looking design and fully functional roof system. This unique system can be used to show four different roof configurations on one vehicle - a world first. If a roadster has a retractable hard top (RHT), its back does not usually lend itself to classic coupé lines. When the roof is closed, the trunk volume is generally satisfactory, but when open the storage space may be reduced by up to half. Many of the retractable tops common today require a rear deck cover that opens in the opposite direction to travel to accommodate the roof - making additional motors necessary. MILA Future offers a variety of innovative ideas and demonstrates the development team's creative potential at MAGNA STEYR and MAGNA Car Top Systems in a number of interesting details. MILA Future: the world is adaptable, but alw...

PRESS RELEASE: VAD.HO. BMW hydrogen power Once again, Geneva offers the opportunity to develop research on form and contents that break away from the industrial approach that Italdesign Giugiaro adopt daily in order to supply their worldwide clients with designs that best suit their markets. The challenging "diversion" this year represents a niche theme meant to be heatedly discussed: a super-sporty extreme two-seater fuelled by hydrogen to meet the increasingly pressing need to promote and develop alternative and environment friendly propulsion systems and to explore the potential challenge offered to design by a more flexible "displacement" of the chassis lay-out in new engine, mechanical, and electronic equipments. The decision to remove the steering wheel took Italdesign Giugiaro to the creation of a highly innovative driving system: two joysticks are fixed on the armrests of the pilot's seating and pedals unit, where all elements can be adjusted and customi...

It has long since been a tradition, that Škoda Auto presents studies at the major automobile exhibitions affording a look into the future of the automobile. As a result of a decision taken by the Board of Management in December 2006, the more than one hundred year old motor sport tradition in Mladá Boleslav will be continued. The Škoda Study S2000 is the implementation of this idea in reality. The Škoda S2000 is a concept car on the basis of the new Fabia and is intended for the future involvement of the Škoda brand in rally sport. The Study S2000 has been designed to comply with the new FIA Rally Regulations. This category is on the best way to becoming the most attractive form of rally in the future. However, the Škoda Super 2000 is not only intended to be powerful but also affordable, thus making it the ideal offer for private teams and young talents wishing to enter the sport at national and international levels. In accordance with the regulations, the car will have a two-litre, fo...

Notable only for its barely digestible yellow paint, massive overhangs and bird of prey hood ornament, the Stola concept coupe is the work of a company also called Stola based in Turin, Italy. The enormous coupe owes much to its creator's relationship with Brabus, which supplied its 6.3-liter biturbo V12. The company claims 750 hp, 1,003 lb-ft of torque and a top speed in excess of 200 mph. Twenty-two inch wheels and 315/25 Pirelli PZeros are fitted at the corners, but Stola offered no chassis details. Suffice to say that handling would probably not be among this coupe's strengths. --Erin Riches, Senior Content Editor. source: blogs.edmund.com

PRESS RELEASE: Advanced Technology Inside and Out: Hyundai ATDV Features Innovative Applications Utilizing GE Materials At the Geneva Motor Show here, GE Plastics' high-performance composites and thermoplastics is taking the spotlight with close to 30 diverse applications for Hyundai's advanced technology development vehicle (ATDV), the QarmaQ. The crossover utility vehicle (CUV) is a joint project of GE Plastics and Hyundai to demonstrate the design freedom and practicality of using plastics in components traditionally manufactured from metal, glass, and thermosets. It features GE's advanced technologies in five key areas: the Elastic Front*, exterior, interior, lighting systems, and underhood. Among the benefits of the GE Plastics materials are a weight reduction of up to 60 kg that can offer an average fuel savings of up to 80 litres/year; improved pedestrian safety; and the ability to create complex, 3D shapes. Environmental Benefits The QarmaQ showcases the significan...

(from a.d. Tramontana Press Release) TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION ‘ TRAMONTANA ’ a.d.TRAMONTANA presents its first production model at the Geneva Motor Show 2007 1. Technical description : 1.1. Chassis, 100% carbon fiber It has never been seen in the automotive history a street sports car which resembles so much a Formula 1 like the Tramontana does. It is the first time in the sports car market that it has been incorporated a 100 % carbon fibre monocoque chassis inspired in the design of a Formula 1 and manufactured with the same criteria, guaranteeing a high protection for its passengers. Moreover, it introduces a new structural system that combines an indeformable central zone (cockpit) with a weight of 128kg with other 8 deformable zones calculated for the absorption of the impact energy. In fact, the results extracted of the Crash Test (according to the FIA regulation) confirm that the structural calculation guarantees the integrity of its passengers displacing the lateral components towa...

(from Spyker Cars Press Release) SPYKER C12 ZAGATO UNVEILED AT 77TH GENEVA INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW Geneva, Switzerland, 6 March 2007 Victor Muller, CEO of Spyker Cars , and Andrea Zagato, CEO of Zagato, today unveiled the Spyker C12 Zagato at the 77th Geneva International Motor Show. Norihiko Harada, Zagatos Automotive Chief Designer, and Muller co-operated closely to design this limited edition of 24 sports cars to be delivered from March 2008 onwards. The world premiere of this ultra-exclusive version of the C12 range celebrates Spykers entry into the world of Formula One and marks the first integration of design elements and styling cues from the Spyker F8-VII Formula One car into the Spyker road car range. This point was underlined by the unveiling of the car being performed by Spykers Formula One race driver, Adrian Sutil. Partnership Spyker and Zagato Victor Muller comments: At the age of 18 I acquired my first Zagato bodied car: a Lancia Flavia Zagato rally car in dire need...

2007 Jaguar XKRs Jaguar's product-led renaissance is on display at the Geneva Auto Show with a redesigned 2008 Jaguar XJ and the special edition Jaguar XKR Portfolio version of the popular Jaguar XK coupe and convertible. Jaguar's recent products have impressed auto writers and consumers, resulting in praise and increased sales for the Jaguar XK and top ratings for the brand in quality surveys like those from J.D. Power. Jaguar's flagship 2008 Jaguar XJ comes with exterior design changes, interior improvements, technological advances, and additional features on the sedan's already unique all-aluminum body. The redesigned front end includes a new bumper, upper and lower mesh grilles with chrome detailing, two power vents and door mirrors with indicator lights. “Every Jaguar must have a distinctive face, something that you cannot mistake if you catch a glimpse of it in your rear-view mirror as it powers up behind you," said Ian Callum, design director at Jaguar. ...

European market Mitsubishi Outlander on-road SUV unveiled Mitsubishi Outlander (European market) Mitsubishi Motors Corporation today unveils the European market version of the Mitsubishi Outlander on-road SUV and shows the Mitsubishi Prototype-X concept for a next-generation high-performance 4WD sedan at the 2007 Geneva International Motor Show. The company is displaying a total of 10 exhibits (16 during the general public session) at the show which runs from March 6 through 18 at the Geneva Palexpo exhibition and conference complex, opening to the general public on March 8. For the European market, the Mitsubishi Outlander lineup starts with a 2.0-liter turbo-charged diesel engine. Other changes introduced for the European market include a new front grille with the 3-diamond logo mounted on a Mt Fuji-motif plinth that provides a central element of the Mitsubishi brand design identity in the European market, as well as Euro-specific chassis tuning. Speaking at the MMC press conference...

All-New Volvo XC70, the next generation of Volvo's segment defining crossover All-New Volvo V70, staking claim as a segment leader take the stage in Europe's first major auto show All-New Volvo XC70. (PRNewsFoto/Volvo Cars of North America) The all-new Volvo XC70 is being introduced at the Geneva Motor Show with comprehensive changes inside and out. With new styling cues, improved driving dynamics, inspiring technological applications, added luxury and of course new developments in safety, Volvo ups the ante in taking its popular crossover to the next level. "We had a winning concept from the very outset and we have continuously refined it," says Fredrik Arp, president and CEO of Volvo Car Corp. "The all-new Volvo XC70 maintains its tough, capable attitude while at the same time growing more comfortable. Additionally, our design team has given the vehicle a more elegant, more luxurious look." As a leader in the wagon segment with 54 years of continuous refin...

Triple premiere for the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of DaimlerChrysler AG and Head of the Mercedes Car Group presents the highly economical and environmentally friendly Mercedes-Benz Vision C 220 BLUETEC in Geneva. In the study based on the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Mercedes-Benz is presenting its innovative BLUETEC emissions control technology for the first time in combination with a highly fuel-efficient four-cylinder engine. Geneva, Mar 06, 2007 -- The new Mercedes-Benz C-Class is celebrating a triple premiere at the 77th Geneva Motor Show: in addition to the standard-production model, the "AMG-Mercedes C-Class DTM 2007" racing version and the highly economical and environmentally friendly Mercedes-Benz Vision C 220 BLUETEC, which is powered by the first four-cylinder engine to feature this innovative emissions control technology, have their debut at the show. With a fuel consumption of 5.5 litres of diesel per 100 kilometres, this stud...

Opel GTC Concept -- Gran Turismo Coupé (European Pressphoto Agency) On the eve of the 77th Geneva Motor Show, Opel illuminated the night. Supported by a dramatic light show, the Opel GTC Concept (Gran Turismo Coupé) made its spectacular debut at the "GM Premiere Night." Heralding a new design era for the brand, the Opel GTC Concept gives an insight into how Opel's design language will look in the future. Adding to progressive shapes and surfaces, the four-seat coupé features unique LED lighting concepts in the front and rear, providing a new signature lighting style for the brand. The reveal's exciting light show highlighted the Opel GTC Concept's signature illumination theme by utilizing state-of-the-art LED technology for the huge stage wall. The car then strutted down a long runway to its final resting spot on a turntable in the center of the room. Visual effects of the evening were also part of the futuristic iBar concept: Items like mobile phones or drink gla...

GENEVA — Next week at the Geneva auto show, the Fiat stand will be devoted in its entirety to the 10 models that make up the Bravo lineup. The company hopes this move will maximize the effect of the show debut for the new model. There will be engine variants from a 150-horsepower 1.4-liter gasoline engine to a 150-hp 1.9-liter Multijet diesel, a wide range of equipment levels, trim options and custom choices, and all kinds of enticingly named colors like Maranello Red, Maserati Blue, Provocative Black and so on. This is not an unprecedented move for media days. A couple of years ago, Rover showed two prototypes of a forthcoming Mini replacement to journalists, but by the time the general public arrived, the stand had been rearranged and the one-off cars disappeared. Fiat will also change the layout when the Geneva show opens to public scrutiny. Then the whole Fiat lineup will be presented, including the 100-hp Panda, the highly popular Sedici and the quirky Croma. Also, the Geneva s...

New Fiat Bravo The Fiat stand at Geneva exudes stylistic and architectural appeal, and provides the ideal setting for the world premiere of the new Bravo and for the presentation of the Brand’s new logo to the general public. It is clearly an important event, and Fiat has decided to prepare a spectacular presentation, dedicating the stand exclusively to a display of ten examples of the new Bravo on the first day, reserved for the international media, a significant decision that draws attention to the launch taking place simultaneously in numerous European countries. The ten Bravos will represent the whole range, outfitted with the Dynamic, Emotion and Sport specifications, equipped with the 120 and 150 bhp 1.9 Multijet engine and the 150 bhp 1.4 T-JET, ‘dressed’ in Maranello Red, Maserati Blue, Nocturnal Blue, Warm Grey, Provocative Black and Trusty Light Blue, and with interior upholstery in fabric and leather with a variety of shades and embroidery. These truly beautiful cars will wi...

GENEVA — German tuner TechArt continues to evolve its variations on the classic Porsche 911 Turbo . Its latest endeavor, called GTstreet , will make its debut at the Geneva auto show. TechArt conjured up a GTstreet edition of the previous-generation 911 Turbo in 2001. The most recent iteration, based on the 997 body, takes Porsche 's legendary twin-turbo 3.6-liter flat-6 engine and squeezes out 630 horsepower (up from 480 hp) and 605 pound-feet of torque (up from 457 lb-ft). The boost in output results in breathtaking performance figures: 0-60-mph acceleration in less than 3.2 seconds and a top speed of 214 mph. TechArt also provides a full aero body kit for the GTstreet, and the usual interior modifications.

GENEVA — Japanese automaker Suzuki Motor , which has partnerships around the world, sent out a press release this week touting the upcoming "world debut" of its new SX4 sedan . Trouble is, we've actually seen this vehicle previously — in another country, with another badge, from another manufacturer. Last fall at the Beijing Motor Show, Chinese automaker Changan Auto pulled the wraps off its new Tianyu sedan . Changan is partnered with several different overseas manufacturers, including Ford and Suzuki. The Tianyu , in fact, is none other than the SX4 sedan. The SX4 sedan is the four-door notchback companion to the five-door SX4 compact crossover that was introduced last year in the United States. It is expected to share the five-door's 143-horsepower DOHC 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and most of its running gear. It will go on sale later this year at U.S. dealerships as a 2008 model. Suzuki 's Geneva stand also will feature the Splash, a sneak peek at the com...

European premiere of the all-new 2008 Cadillac CTS Sedan New interior and powertrain options for Cadillac SRX crossover New Cadillac Escalade has arrived in Europe All-wheel drive available for Cadillac STS with Northstar V-8 engine New Sport package for Cadillac BLS High-performance 2007 Cadillac STS-V and 2007 Cadillac XLR-V available in April 2008 Cadillac CTS Sedan GENEVA, 2007-02-18 - Cadillac will open the next chapter of its 21st century product story, as the 2008 Cadillac CTS sedan makes its European premiere at the 2007 Salon International de l'Auto in Geneva, Switzerland. The new luxury sedan is scheduled to begin production in the United States, in late summer of 2007, with European sales to follow in the fall. "The all-new CTS has a mission to bring the striking design of a concept car, the performance of a sports car and sophistication of an elegant sedan right into the heart of the luxury market," said Cadillac General Manager Jim Taylor. "Cadillac is i...