Geneva Show Provides First Look at New Models

The annual International Motor Show in Geneva usually features many significant debuts from companies around the world, particularly from European manufacturers. Below are the production cars being unveiled for the first time. The show is held at the Geneva Palexpo and open to the public from March 6-16.

2009 Alfa Romeo 8C Spider
On Sale: Not yet determined
Base Price: $280,000

An Italian journalist talking about Alfa Romeo’s highly-anticipated 8C Spider told us, “This one is for you.” Meaning Americans. But the last time we checked, Europeans liked curves, too. And this spectacular convertible has them in spades. In this way it is different from some of the other angular high-performance cars on display in Geneva. Although its aesthetics aren't completely unique — the design is based on a shortened version of the Maserati GranTurismo.

This shapely roadster is based on the 8C Competizione, the fixed-roof car Alfa plans to use as it re-enters the U.S. market. The Spider will also be driven by the 450-hp, 4.7-liter V8 engine in the Competizione. The powerplant is paired with a six-speed transmission that can operate automatically, or manually using levers behind the steering wheel. Some 80 Spiders will be shipped stateside, out of a total production run of 500.

An Alfa spokesperson said it has not been determined whether the Spider will appear in the U.S. before it hits the rest of the world. Nevertheless, when it does finally get here, it’ll get you to 60 mph in four seconds. A similar rush can be obtained by standing outside the car and staring at it.

2009 Audi A4 Avant
On Sale: Fall 2008
Base Price: $41,830

Despite efforts to package the A4 Avant as a speed machine, what Audi really has on its hands is a classy-looking station wagon that's perfect for a young executive. The wagon variant of the new A4 shares some of the sedan's styling, including its sharp door creases. The new Avant is five inches longer than its predecessor, but the driver is situated well forward due to the short front overhang.

The Avant will be available with four different engines in Europe — two gasoline and two diesel, some turbocharged, some not — but it appears that only a turbocharged four-cylinder model will come to the U.S. in the immediate future. Audi is still making final decisions on what to offer here.

The A4 Avant will offer around 50 cubic feet of cargo room, and will come with options like parking sensors, a lane-departure warning system, iPod and Bluetooth interfaces, a dynamic steering system, and a sunroof.

2008 Bentley/Zagato Continental GTZ
On Sale: Now
Base Price: Around $1 million

Has the Bentley Continental GT become too common to be truly special? According to Italian coachbuilder Zagato, the answer is yes. And for the person who is bored by things that are merely fast, or merely luxurious, there is the GTZ, Zagato's ultra-exclusive interpretation of the Continental GT Speed.

The metalworkers in Zagato's Milan workshop hand-form all body panels with precision, creating sensuous curves and a presence not found on your average Continental. The roof line is given the "double-bubble" treatment for which Zagato is known, and is complemented with a contrasting paint scheme. The exterior is further augmented by aggressively creased fender lines.

The interior is appropriately upgraded as well, featuring unique trim and color options, with two-tone stitching to match car’s exterior. Considering that Zagato’s Milanese home is in the heart of the Italian furniture district, one can expect the interior accouterments to be truly special.

Zagato’s coachwork rides on the standard GT Speed chassis and powertrain, featuring a twin-turbo 12-cylinder engine making 600 horsepower. A robust all-wheel-drive system puts the power to the ground. Like all of Zagato's vehicles, the GTZ will be produced in very limited numbers, for a price of nearly $900,000 above the cost of a standard GT Speed, which already runs more than $200,000.

2009 BMW M3 Convertible
On Sale: Summer 2008
Base Price: Around $60,000

The M3 Convertible is the droptop version of BMW's top-of-the-line 3 Series. It takes the M3's coupe body style (which also comes as a four-door sedan) and adds a retractable hardtop that lowers or raises in just 22 seconds.

Besides the convertible top and some extra structural reinforcements, the convertible is largely the same as the fixed-roof version. Both use a lightweight 420-hp V8 engine that provides nearly 100 horsepower more than the six-cylinder engine in the last generation M3.

The M3 Convertible will be available with a traditional manual transmission or what BMW calls Drivelogic — it's a twin-clutch transmission that requires no clutch pedal, but still lets drivers shift manually using paddles behind the steering wheel. (VW and Audi use similar twin-clutch transmissions.) Drivers can select among 11 electronically controlled shift modes, five of which are fully automatic, to match their driving style. The Drivelogic system lessens the time required for shifting and will trim the M3 Convertible's 0-60 mph time by a few ticks.

Because of the space required to store their tops, convertibles are often stingy with cargo space, and the M3 Convertible holds true to form. It affords paltry storage space at its hind end, made even less useful by a tiny trunk opening.

Ford Fiesta
On Sale: 2010 in the U.S., later this year in other markets
Base Price: Not yet determined

Ford of Europe chief executive John Fleming took the wraps off the all-new Fiesta, a vehicle that may be the ailing Detroit automaker’s global hope for a new generation: a car that is compact, light, youthful, and fun.

The big news is that the Fiesta will be coming back to the U.S. market in a few years, the first Ford product bearing the Fiesta name here since 1980. The version available soon in the rest of the world will feature five engines, ranging from a 1.4-liter turbodiesel delivering 67 horsepower to a 1.6-liter four-cylinder gasoline powerplant good for 114 hp. One engine even comes in an ultra-low-CO2 version, Fleming says. There is no word on what engines will be available in the U.S. The Fiesta is meant to be a lightweight car, but uses boron and high-strength steel in its body for critical safety areas.

The Fiesta's exterior design is distinguished by a large-mouthed grille and headlamps that stretch from the front up to nearly the windshield. The interior design flows out from the center console and is meant to work intuitively, like a good mobile phone interface, Fleming says. That and its candy-colored looks — the Fiestas on display remind us of Smarties, to be honest — lend the car a freshness that should help American teenagers get over its European size, even if Ford intends it to be a car for all ages.

2009 Fornasari RR 600 ZEV
On Sale: 2009
Base Price: $235,000

The RR 600 ZEV is an all-electric SUV built by Italian design house Fornasari. The "ZEV" in its name stands for "zero-emissions vehicle." It will run on two electric engines powered by lithium-ion batteries that alone weigh 1,895 pounds, which is nearly half the total weight of the vehicle. The company says the RR 600 ZEV can go from zero to 60 miles per hour in under six seconds, and will have a range anywhere from 150 to 300 miles between charges. It has a top speed of 140 mph.

“We’re known for producing the most outrageous SUVs. But this shows that even an SUV can be reasonable,” says company founder Giuseppe Fornasari. The company hopes that the research it puts into this SUV will benefit all electric vehicles, bringing improvements in battery life and lowering charging times. Fornasari believes that a full recharge might be delivered in as little as 15 or 20 minutes.

“To make electricity feasible is very expensive, so it needs to be an expensive car to introduce the concepts,” Fornasari says. With a base price of $235,000, that expense seems to have been carried over to the production model. The RR 600 ZEV is slated for production in 2009.

2009 Honda Accord/Acura TSX
On Sale: Not yet determined
Base Price: Not yet determined

If you’re in the market for next year’s Acura TSX, Geneva is a great place to be, because the new European-spec Honda Accord, known in the U.S. as the TSX, is debuting here. A Honda spokesperson said the Accord seen here will debut as the TSX at the New York auto show in a few weeks.

The new Accord/TSX is wider than the previous version, with a look that is more dynamic and aggressive. It sits lower to the ground, and the slick integrated fog lamps are still there. The body creases are more pronounced, especially around the wheel wells.

The Accord shown at Geneva sports a 2.4-liter, 200-hp engine and will be available with either a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission. Optional equipment includes a lane-holding system to keep the driver from drifting on the highway; adaptive cruise control, which uses radar to keep a set distance between vehicles; and a sensor-driven braking system, similar to the one Volvo uses, which helps reduce the force of impact if a collision is unavoidable.

The Accord's interior is black with silver trim, with back-lit instruments and steering wheel-mounted buttons that include cell phone control. Overall, the look is definitely upscale — Honda may be aiming for Lexus with this one.

2009 Infiniti FX
On Sale: June 2008
Base Price: Not yet determined, but should be around $40,000

Starting with a prominent, wavy grille and finishing off with a seven-speed automatic transmission, the all-new Infiniti FX makes a bold statement to the crossover utility vehicle (CUV) community. Whether any statement should be wrapped in a sparkly chocolate brown paint job is open to debate, however. Despite its brawny looks, the new FX is still car-like in many ways, and meant primarily for on-road applications.

It seems rather small at first, until you get up close and the big snout betrays the FX's true scale. It's not clear how they pull off this small-yet-big effect: European product marketing manager (the new FX marks the brand's debut in the Euro market) Nicolas Tschann says it's because of the design's rounded front and radically sloping rear. That treatment seems standard these days, but it actually works for FX.

The FX been radically re-engineered, far more than a run-of-the-mill model evolution normally warrants, according to Tschann. "There's the new platform. The new transmission. The new engine," he says. "The intake's been changed. There's a variable valve system on the engine now, which means it's better optimized, and can achieve a higher rpm. That's comforting."

The new FX line comes in three models — a 380-hp V8 engine will propel the FX50, and another will carry an advanced V6. No word on whether the third will be a hybrid or diesel, although both variants have been topic of speculation. Tschann wouldn't yet say what the FX's fuel efficiency ratings are, in any configuration.

Inside, the FX features tan upholstery with the usual wood trim — nothing special. What should be intriguing, however, is the 11-speaker hi-fi system that Bose developed specifically for the vehicle. Rounding out the perks package is intelligent cruise control, a blind spot monitoring system, and in-dash navigation.

2009 Jaguar XJ Portfolio and XKR Portfolio
On Sale: June 2008
Base Price: Not yet determined

Of the sundry new limited-edition luxury rides bowing in Geneva, here are some you might actually have a chance of getting your hands on. Jaguar has refreshed the content in its high-end Portfolio packages and will make them available on its staid XJ sedan and sexy XKR, which is the company's high-performance model that comes as a coupe or convertible.

The new Portfolio packages aren’t radical makeovers of what's available on current Portfolio models, but a few light touches make all the difference: Milled aluminum vents are elegantly situated on the exterior, performance brakes developed in Germany are fitted for better stopping, and 20-inch alloy wheels give the big cats appropriately extravagant paws.

The XJ employs a 4.2-liter V8 engine, and the XKR with run with a supercharged version of the same, topping out at 175 mph and notching a zero to 60 mph time of 5 seconds. The interiors reek of old-school class: The XJ's seats are covered in navy or black leather with raised contrast stitching, and the XKR cabin is swathed in charcoal leather with cranberry stitching, or ivory leather with slate stitching.

Koenigsegg CCXR Edition
On Sale: Later this year
Base Price: $2.28 million

If you’re going to get your hands on this rare beauty from Swedish boutique automaker Koenigsegg, you’ll have to hurry: only six are going to be made. And they’ll move fast.

The half-dozen custom supercars are built with one thing in mind: extreme speed. Company founder and chief executive Christian von Koenigsegg says the goal for this year is to reclaim the world production car land speed record, taken away from the big K by Shelby Supercars' Ultimate Aero last fall with a top-speed run of almost 257 mph.

The CCXR Edition (the word "limited" is apparently not necessary) premiering in Geneva is a faster version of the just-slightly-less-outrageous Koenigsegg CCXR. With a translucent shell that shows a braided carbon-fiber texture underneath, it looks like a blur fashioned from Kevlar.

The Edition adds a liter to the CCXR's engine size, enough to get the car from zero to 60 mph in a scant 2.9 seconds. It runs best on ethanol-based E85 fuel, capable of kicking out 1,018 horsepower, more than a Bugatti Veyron. The Edition also runs on gasoline, but will make just 880 horsepower.

The Edition relies on aerodynamic downforce created by special airfoils to keep it from flying off the road at high speeds. And although its chassis is very stiff, von Koenigsegg claims a responsive suspension keeps it from delivering an overly harsh ride. “It’s almost fun to aim for potholes," he says. "And then you can take it on the track and be faster than anyone there.”

KTM X-Bow Dallara Series
On Sale: Now, but it's already sold out, and not available in the U.S. anyway
Base Price: $80,000+

The KTM X-Bow Dallara Series is all about stripping down, which makes sense considering that KTM is a company best known for its motorcycles. That heritage shows through not in the X-Bow's minimalist design, but in the high-torque engine that gets the skeletal roadster moving from zero to 60 mph in just four seconds.

The Dallara Series, named after an Italian racing engineer, is the limited edition of the X-Bow, the first four-wheeled machine to come from the Austrian motorsports shop. It's designed explicitly for racetrack use. Clad in the firm’s traditional orange and black, the Dallara boasts an exposed industrial chassis adorned with a few choice pieces of carbon fiber that resemble high-tech armor. (The street version's cladding is plain ol' fiberglass.)

There is no roof, the engine is exposed, and the fenders are mere suggestions. On the whole it looks like something that should be classified by the government — or an insect on wheels.

With a unique-looking trapezoidal exhaust system, the 2.0-liter four-cylinder borrowed from Audi makes 240 horsepower. Only 100 Dallaras will be made, and at show time they were all spoken for. Production of the street version, which stickers at $80,000, is starting now.

Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4
On Sale: Europe starting June
Base Price: $220,000

The LP560-4 represents the first real makeover for the Gallardo model in five years. Its design is more evolutionary than revolutionary, retaining the emphasis on angles and hard lines, with a plenty of trapezoids to go around. Both black and white versions were on display in Geneva.

The LP560-4's lightweight aluminum frame houses a 5.2-liter 10-cylinder engine that produces 552 hp. (For those keeping track, the "560" in its name is a measure of its metric horsepower.) This massive engine helps the new Gallardo reach 60 mph in 3.7 seconds, three-tenths of a second faster than the original Gallardo. The LP560-4 can hit a top speed of 202 mph, compared with the previous model's 195 mph limit. These improved numbers are possible because the car has lost 45 pounds overall, says Lamborghini chief executive Stephan Winkelmann.

One non-performance-related but still welcome addition is a rear-view camera mounted on the spoiler. Without one, the small rear window and high posterior can make backing up in a tight spot up a nerve-racking experience.

The Gallardo has been popular for Lamborghini, with some 7,100 on streets worldwide. That’s the most successful model ever for the manufacturer.

Maserati GranTurismo S
On Sale: Later this year
Base Price: Not yet determined

This performance-enhanced version of the Maserati GranTurismo that debuted at Geneva last year puts the focus on a new engine: a 4.7-liter V8 (developed for the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione) that bumps the power to 440 horses, 40 more than in the standard model. This beautifully detailed motor, finished in red paint, gets as much attention at the car's shapely body. It also gets the car from zero to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds.

The GranTurismo S is the fastest Maserati ever, according to the company's chief executive Roberto Ronchi, running out of steam at 185 mph. Ronchi puts as much emphasis on the car's stopping prowess, pointing out a new Brembo brake package featuring six-piston aluminum calipers and cast iron/aluminum discs. The car's MC-Shift transmission is a six-speed, dual-clutch, semi-automatic unit that enables ultra-quick shifting, which means that there’s less of a drop in acceleration between gears.

One of the car's most intriguing features is a pneumatic exhaust valve control. It lets the driver decide whether the sounds coming from the tailpipe should be deep and throaty, or more discrete. “We want to make sure we give the right voice to this great engine,” Ronchi says.

All told, the combination of design and performance appear to be working for Maserati. The GranTurismo line continues to help Maserati return to profitability after years of suffering due to poor quality and lack of brand recognition, especially compared to Ferrari, with whom the company now shares parts.

Mercedes-Benz BlueEFFICIENCY C-Class
On Sale: Spring 2008
Base Price: Not yet determined

Mercedes-Benz came to Geneva with a flurry of show vehicles and vague instructions for when they’ll be on U.S. showroom floors, but one thing is clear: Mercedes will have eco-friendly vehicles across all its model lines by this time next year. And some of the first to appear in U.S. dealerships will be a pair of green C-Class models, slated to arrive this spring.

The new C350 CDI comes with a diesel V6 engine delivering 10 percent better fuel economy over the standard C-Class. And with the looks of a classic sedan, the C200 BlueEFFICIENCY CDI may get as much as 45 miles per gallon from its four-cylinder, 136 horsepower diesel engine. It still has enough power to push the car to 140 mph.

Fuel economy has also been improved through weight reduction. Pounds have been shaved from the BlueEFFICIENCY model thanks to a thin windshield and lightweight tires that are designed to roll smoothly. And although the company won't reveal the materials involved, Mercedes says that the engine is also lighter than the one in the standard C-Class.

2009 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
On Sale: April 2008
Base Price: About $100,000 for the SL500

On the heels of the refresh of its smaller, cheaper SLK roadster, Mercedes took the wraps off its more substantial SL-Class convertible in Geneva. It benefits from a new front end and, more importantly, a new range of engines.

The SL now has a wider grille a broad and a hood with muscular bulges. Slick gills are situated on the side panels, acting as air outlets for the engine. Inside the cabin, an optional neck-heating system called AIRSCARF takes the chill out when the top is down in colder temperatures.

The mainstay SL500 gets going with a V8 engine carried over from the current model and puts out 388 horsepower. On the higher-performance end, the SL63 AMG will crank up the juice with a 6.2-liter V8, and the SL600 will provide massive low-end torque with its 517-hp V12. The big news is that two new lower-end models will be available: the SL280, for the European market only, puts out 230 hp. The SL350, which will once again be available in the U.S., will use a 3.5-liter V6 good for 316 hp.

2009 John Cooper Works Mini
On Sale: Late summer
Base Price: $28,550 for the JCW Cooper; $30,800 for JCW Clubman

In the lazy days of late summer will come a crop of new modified Minis from officially sanctioned tuning house John Cooper Works. Introduced in Geneva by rally champion Rauno Aaltonen, the fresh set of JCW Minis (as they are called) got the Nordic driver’s seal of approval as he called the cars “direct heirs” to the Cooper that he drove to victory during the Monte Carlo Rally in 1967.

John Cooper Works is a legendary tuning shop in Britain started by the late John Cooper, who first teamed up with Mini in 1961 to launch the Mini Cooper brand. The car turned the industry on its head, considering that the Mini really was little more than the size of a go-kart and much smaller than anything else on the road. The Cooper Works shop continues the performance tradition today, led by Cooper's son Mike. The JCW Cooper and its larger variant, the Clubman, are now factory models since John Cooper Works is a division of Mini.

The Works Cooper and its stretched-out sibling use the same engine as the standard models, a 1.6-liter four cylinder, but benefit from a larger turbocharger, intake pipe, and air filter. This means more air flows into the engine, yielding more torque and greater horsepower. The JCW Minis will pack 207 horsepower and zero to 60 mph times of 6.5 seconds. In short, these Minis have some serious fizz under the hood to go along with their funky spirit.

2009 Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe
On Sale: June 2008
Base Price: $400,000

"Palisander straight grain." Those three words, from the mouth of Rolls-Royce's design director Ian Cameron, define how the new Phantom Coupe stands apart from most vehicles. Palisander straight grain is a very hard and heavy wood, difficult to carve, and it's one of the most striking features of the Phantom Coupe's interior. It's also a symbol of the car that houses it — that is to say, even though it takes a lot of time, energy, and money to make something out of it, the result is worthwhile. Of course, it's just one of the veneers available to a discriminating Phantom Coupe owner: zebrano, elm, mahogany, and walnut round out the menu.

The Phantom Coupe isn't just a rolling exotic-wood showcase, however. It's got performance credibility on account of its V12 engine, a powerplant that gets the massive car from zero to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds. Rolls-Royce chief executive Ian Robertson said that the two-door exudes something called "waftability," meaning it effortlessly responds to a driver's whims.

The Phantom Coupe is a delight to the eyes as well, using styling touches employed on the recently debuted Drophead Coupe, the convertible incarnation of the Phantom. Robertson is particularly proud of the starlight headliner that was first shown in the concept version of the Phantom Coupe a few years ago. With an overhead canopy that appears to be dotted by points of light, any buyer will feel like master of the universe.

2009 Spyker C8 Aileron
On Sale: Not yet determined
Base Price: Around $350,000

Spyker is one of a new breed of independent, highly design-conscious manufacturers that have cropped up in the last decade. Despite almost losing significant financial stability due to a recent misguided foray into F1 racing, the Dutch company is bringing an new version of its C8 Laviolette supercar to market. Called the C8 Aileron, it's four inches longer than the Laviolette, but due to smart engineering, weighs exactly the same.

The mid-mounted engine is an Audi-sourced 400-horsepower V8, same as in the shorter Laviolette. Gears can be shifted manually, or with a six-speed automatic. The C8 Aileron is the first Spyker to be offered with an automatic as standard equipment.

The interior is classic Spyker, dripping with luxurious touches and styling that is nearly over-the-top. There are Chrono-Swiss dials, analog meters, finely wrought chrome switches, and enough leather to perturb even the least-committed PETA supporter. Spyker makes a point of saying that six cow hides from the renowned Hulshof Tannery go into each C8 Aileron.

TechArt GT Street Cabriolet
On Sale: Now
Base Price: Unknown

There's not much mystery about the new TechArt-tuned GT Street convertible — it's build around the Porsche 911 Turbo, which is already a powerful machine. The Stuttgart-based high-end tuning shop has merely made it more powerful. Like the amps in Spinal Tap, this one goes to 11. And if those amps were "one louder," that must make the GT Street "one faster."

The wraps were pulled off the TechArt GT Street Coupe at Geneva last year; this go-round features a convertible top in order to let you feel the jump in performance as the wind tears at your scalp. According to exclusive North American TechArt importer Claus Ettensberger Corp., everything's ready to go for the convertible GT Street — all you have to do is make the call and place your order.

The newly-revealed TechArt specs involve some 630 horsepower, an increase of 150 over the stock 911 Turbo, thanks to a pair of new turbochargers that deliver more boost to the 3.6-liter, six-cylinder engine. That means zero to 60 in 3.2 seconds (leaving your sunglasses miles behind) and a top speed of 215 mph. Bystanders will be left looking in awe at your rapidly receding custom black-chrome tailpipes.

Toyota IQ
On Sale: Late 2008 in Europe only
Base Price: About $20,000

If you're smart, you'll buy the IQ, or so goes the thinking at Toyota, which unveiled its urban microcar in Geneva. The IQ is its answer to the Smart ForTwo.

The 16-inch wheels are pushed to the corners of the car to free up room on the inside. The overhang up front is very short, giving passengers an extra half-foot of room over the likewise compact Toyota Yaris. Engine details are scant, with Toyota saying consumers will have the choice of three: one diesel and two types of gasoline powerplants. Word has it that at least one variant will be a 1.0-liter developed using Yamaha motorcycle technology.

Otherwise, all the advantages of urban driving offered by the Smart are here: easy parking, good fuel economy, low emissions. What's billed as a 3+1 seating system puts three adults and a child (or luggage) in the car. Toyota expects to produce 100,000 a year, and is keeping an eye on how Smart does stateside. If there's a hint of room for sales in America, expect the IQ to try to take advantage.

Volvo XC60
On Sale: First quarter 2009
Base Price: $35,000-$38,000

The sleek XC60 is Volvo's new midsize crossover utility vehicle (CUV) and "the safest Volvo ever" according to company chief executive Frederick Arp. The one-two punch of safety and style has worked well for Volvo in terms of sales, and the firm’s definitely sticking with the program.

Safety in the XC60's case means intelligence: This is a vehicle that’s going to tell you when you’re in trouble. It comes with Driver Alert Control, a system that warns you when you drift out of lanes for no good reason, blind spot sensors to tell you when changing lanes is not recommended, and a back end that lights up completely during braking.

The XC60 isn't all about safety, though — it has performance to back up those muscular lines. “This is for a younger customer who’s decided for a larger car, with the same attitude,” Arp says. The XC60 rolls on stylish 17, 18, or 19-inch wheels, has plenty of ground clearance for less-than-perfect surfaces, and is powered by a 3.2-liter turbo six-cylinder delivering 285 horsepower. It can do the zero to 60 mph dance in about seven seconds. A non-turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine will also be available.

Volvo has ambitious goals for the XC60, with a sales target of 50,000 split mostly between the U.S. and Europe. It will also send a large number of vehicles to Russia and China.

Check back for more coverage of new vehicles debuting at the 2008 Geneva auto show.

Cindy Yeung and Zino Carr helped report this article.