Index: 2002 Geneva Motor Show by TCC Team (3/5/2002)
2002 BMW CS1 concept
BMW CS1
The very big news at the Geneva show will be on the BMW
stand, where the company is showing its CS1 concept. A smooth little four-seat
convertible, the CS1 is interesting because it’s said to be a direct pointer to
the small ‘1-Series’ car that the Munich company is planning to put into
production in 2004. Designed to attack the vast European market segment
currently dominated by the VW Golf, the 1-Series will, if the CS1 is any guide,
be unique in having a front-engine rear-drive format. According to BMW, the CS1
marks a new trend in the company’s styling policy. Current BMW’s have a family
resemblance, with the 3-, 5- and 7-Series cars all having shapes that are
reminiscent of one another. In the future, each Series will have its own
design identity, although the CS1 is notable for its readily identifiable BMW
grille. It’s unlikely that the twin ‘kidney’ air intakes will disappear.
2002 Rover 25
Rover 25 Supermini
Vying
for the title of the most colorful car in Geneva will be the Rover 25 supermini
customized by British fashion designer Matthew Williamson. Wiliamson has dressed
such celebs as Madonna, Elizabeth Hurley, Kate Moss and Jade Jagger, but you
have to wonder whether the girls would go for what is called an ‘art car’ that
features gold bodywork with pink instead of chrome accents. But the exterior
looks restrained when compared with the interior, which has pink plush seats,
tapestry-patterned door trims and carpets, and enough pink leather to dress a
Gay Pride marching band. On a more serious note, MG Rover is promising to unveil
a concept that will point the way to a new medium-size sedan based on a
shortened floorpan from its Rover 75.
2002 Citroen C3
2003 Citroen C8
Citroen C3 and C8
French
manufacturer Citroen will show the production version of its new C3 supermini,
which has just gone on sale in France, and at the opposite end of the scale it
will display the C8 minivan. The C8 is the second generation of a joint-venture
between Peugeot-Citroen of France and Italy’s Fiat, and it will appear carrying
all three badges.
Peugeot 307SW
As well
as two smart two-seat concept cars, Peugeot will be showing the new version of
its 307 sedan, the car selected as Europe’s Car of the Year for 2001. Called the
307 SW, for Station Wagon, the car follows the hottest current trend in Europe,
that of small- to medium-size sedans made into people movers with space for all
the family. The SW features three rows of seats, and to some eyes looks better
than its sedan sibling.
2003 Bentley GT Coupe
Bentley GT Coupé
It won’t
officially be in Geneva, but it would not surprise industry watchers if Bentley
had a secret display area on its stand or close by to show the favored few a
mock-up of the new ‘small’ car it will launch next year. The GT Coupé will break
cover before the end of this year, but exactly when is not yet clear. The
company has stirred the pot by issuing a teaser photograph hinting at the shape
of a car that will combine the craftsmanship and luxury Bentley learned from
Rolls-Royce with the hair-curling performance it is now making a vital attribute
of the brand. The descriptions TheCarConnection has published of its new Arnage
T show the kind of performance the GT Coupé should offer – a 175-mph top speed
and 0-60 mph in 5.5 seconds.
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