2006 Geneva Motor Show, Part X

 

2006 Geneva Motor Show Coverage by TCC Team (2/19/2006) 

 

 

Suzuki SX4

 

Starting in August of 2007, Suzuki will race in the World Rally Championship with a car that is based on the Suzuki SX4, a new crossover unveiled inGeneva. The SX4 is Suzuki’s third new model since last year and is the successor to the world-market Ignis. Developed together with Fiat, as a result of the former cooperation between General Motors and Fiat, the SX4’s Fiat cousin is known as the Sedici. Both the Fiat and the Suzuki models will be built in Hungary in the Magyar Suzuki plant that has a capacity for 40,000 Suzukis and 20,000 Fiats. If there is enough capacity, Fiat will also build a more luxurious Lancia version of the crossover.

The Suzuki SX4 will be available in two models, an urban and an outdoors model. The latter will have AWD with three modes: front-wheel drive, automatic AWD and AWD lock mode. There will be two gasoline engines with 99 hp and 107 hp and a diesel with 120 hp. The SX4 will get ABS and EBD, while ESP will be available.

 

The Rally Sport version of the SX4 has been developed parallel to the new SX4 model and is being tested and further developed to be ready for competition next year. Suzuki decided to participate in the WRC because the team had done so well in the Junior WRC, with drivers winning first place with the Ignis Super 1600 in 2004. The new all-wheel-drive system that Suzuki developed especially for the WRC car consists of mechanical differentials front and at the rear and a central electronic differential. The 320 hp of the turbocharged four-cylinder will be transferred to the wheels via a sequential five-speed gearbox. Maximum torque is expected to be 470 lb-ft.

 

 

Mazdaspeed3

 

Mazda launched the MPS version of the Mazda3, which follows its bigger brother the Mazda6 MPS (in the U.S. , Mazdaspeed3 will be the moniker). Mazda says the 2.3-liter turbo engine delivers over 250 hp, along with 170 lb-ft of torque at 3000 rpm. It’s teamed to a six-speed gearbox, and the front-wheel-driven Mazda3 MPS can sprint from zero to 60 mph in just over 5.8 seconds. With aerodynamic changes the 3 MPS can reach a top speed of 155 mph. Mazda claims that the Mazda3 MPS is the fastest car in the compact class.

 

The sporty version stands on 18-inch ten-spoke wheels, has unique fascias, square fog lights, side skirts, and a roof spoiler with LED third brake light.

Mazda improved the suspension and brake system to match the sportier qualities of the MPS, and at the same time facelifted the car with a new radiator grille and new front and rear fascias. Mazda uses new interior colors, while the instrument panel is white and the dials of the gauges are white.

 

 

Ferrari F599 GTB

 

Ferrari unveiled the F599 GTB Fiorano in Geneva to the usual throng of tifosi, journalists, and press-kit seekers. The 599’s V-12 engine is a derivative of the engine of the Enzo and is the most powerful twelve-cylinder Berlinetta ever produced in Maranello. The new model is equipped with the most innovative technology that Ferrari has ever built into a two-seater, with the engine placed directly behind the front axle.

 

The 599 GTB Fiorano got its name from the displacement of the V-12, 5.99 liters, while GTB stands for Gran Turismo Berlinetta and Fiorano is the name of Ferrari’s test track. The F599 GTB Fiorano was designed by Pininfarina and replaces the 575M Maranello, of which 5700 units were built together with the 1996 550 Maranello, a record for Ferrari in the segment.

The 6.0-liter V-12 in the F599 produces 620 hp at 7600 rpm. The body is made of aluminum; for the frame Ferrari enlisted the help of Alcoa. And for the innovative damping system it turned to Delphi.

The new car should offer ever better driving excitement as the F40, but be more sophisticated, while the technology derived from F1 know-how will take the 599 GTB to the highest levels of speed and performance. The car is equipped with the F1-SuperFast transmission that Ferrari applies to all models.

 

With its serious power and a maximum torque of 448 lb-ft, the car sprints from 0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds and it reaches a top of over 205 mph. Zero to 125 mph takes the new Ferrari only 11 seconds.

The cockpit of the 599 can be customized to the wishes of the buyer, but race seats with a carbon frame and aluminum shift elements are standard, as are dual-zone A/C, electronically adjustable steering column, rain sensors, bi-xenon lights, and LED rear lights. Ferrari has even installed a connection for an iPod. A price has not been announced.
 

 

Volkswagen Concept A

 

VW brought its new Concept A to the Geneva Motor Show as a concept crossover that could give away some details of the upcoming Marrakesh ute. The Concept A blends sport-ute with sportscar, VW says, from its chrome-framed grille on back. The four-door (the back doors are rear-hinged) has a sleek roofline that ends in a hatchback that’s split into tailgate and liftgate sections. A soft top pulls back to open the cabin to the elements, and the Concept A rides on massive 20-inch wheels. Power for the concept comes from a 150-hp version of VW’s new Twincharger four; a six-speed manual gearbox puts power through all-wheel drive. The concept could host a turbodiesel engine or the 200-hp FSI turbo four, VW admits. Inside, four bucket seats are surrounded in black patent leather; the console sports a Multi-Media Interface (MMI) like those on some Audi models.

 

 

Peugeot 207

 

The Peugeot 207 is undoubtedly the most important production model that bowed in Geneva. It is the successor to the 206, the most successful model ever from the French car manufacturer. The 207 is longer than the 206 it replaces; it will be available with a range of engines starting with a 1.4-liter four-cylinder with 75 hp. There will also be a sport model, for which Peugeot showed a concept in the shape of the 207 RCup. It gives an impression of what we can expect in the future with regard to the most sporty version of the 207. Next year, we will see the RC-model with a 1.6-liter direct-injection, turbocharged engine good for 170 hp.

 

 

Loremo Supercar Greens Up

 

Uli Sommer had an idea for an environmentally friendly car. And that car emerged at the Geneva Motor Show as the Loremo, a car with supercar performance, econocar frugality and an 11,000 euro pricetag.

 

The Loremo is 151 inches long, 53.5 inches wide and 43.3 inches high, weighs only 992 pounds and has a very low coefficient of drag of 0.20. The Loremo LS is equipped with a 20-hp two-cylinder turbodiesel engine and with a 5.3 gallon fuel tank, the Loremo LS has a range of 808 miles. Power goes to the rear wheels via a five-speed gearbox. The car reaches a top speed of 99 mph, but acceleration from zero to 60 mph in around 20 seconds is very slow. 

 

There will also be a GT version with a three-cylinder turbodiesel with 50 hp that reaches 137 mph and accelerates from zero to 60 mph in 9 seconds.

 

For safety, the body has an unconventional cell structure with one frontal door that opens forward in front of the seats, at the same time lifting the steering wheel. Roof and doors are of a two-layer plastic construction with a laminated interior. In front of the dashboard is a small trunk, while the rear seats can be used for stowing luggage.

When designing the interior, Loremo had weight reduction in mind as well and refrained from luxurious equipment. The instrument panel consists of only one gauge. The only options will be leather seats, air conditioning , an MP3 player and navigation. The pedals and steering wheel can be moved to an ideal driving position. Rear passengers face rearward after entering the car through the tailgate.

 

The Loremo LS and GT are expected on the market in 2009.