
2004 Ford auto show logo
2004 Geneva Motor Show Index by TCC
Team (2/22/2004)
Corvette Convertible Gets Powered Up

2005 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible
Chevrolet showed off its Corvette Convertible,
which returns in the new body style with a power folding top. The structure around
the windshield and the door pillar have been redesigned for improved
rigidity in such a way that the ragtop C6 would meet the federal crash test standard
for cars with a fixed roof. Some 15 pounds of acoustic damping material has been
applied in the cockpit to reduce noise, but at the same time the engine lost
some weight, so in the end the Convertible is not heavier than the coupe. The
soft top disappears completely under the tonneau cover behind the seats.
Underneath the cover are two small luggage compartments. The power top will be
an option: with a push on a button the top can be lowered or raised in 18
seconds. The new 400-hp lightweight LS2 V-8 of the coupe, in combination with
the six-speed stick shift, also serves as the roadster's powerplant, whereas the
four-speed automatic transmission is available as an option. The open Vette
should be able to do 0-60 mph in 4.1 seconds and should reach a top of 180
mph. It can be expected to go on sale in the fall for a price between $51,000
and $52,000.
G55 Gives G-Wagen AMG
Scoot

2005 Mercedes-Benz G55 AMG
Also new at the
Mercedes stand in Geneva is the G55 AMG, the fast version of the famous
Geländewagen off-road vehicle that was introduced 25 years ago. The G-Class now gets
the V-8 kompressor (supercharged) engine with 476 hp and 568 lb-ft of torque, which
is respectively 34 percent and 32 percent higher than of its predecessor. The G55 AMG
accelerates in 5.4 seconds to 60 mph and reaches a top speed of 130 mph.
Toyota Has Electric Supercar in
Volta

2004 Toyota Volta concept
Italdesign, Giugiaro’s Italian styling studio,
combined with Toyota for the Volta, named in honour of physicist Alessandro
Volta, the inventor of the battery. So it is no wonder that this design study
is equipped with the hybrid power plant of the RX400h, that was unveiled in
Detroit. The system is the second generation of the Hybrid Synergy Drive, which
uses the 3.3-liter V-6 of the RX330 and a very strong electric motor. The
combination offers 408 hp and propels the Volta from 0-60 mph in about four seconds. One gas
tank of 13.7 gallons should be enough for 435 miles of driving to be enjoyed by
three passengers that sit besides each other.
Altea Gives SEAT Some
Lift

2004 SEAT Altea
Spain's Seat, a part of the VW group, showed the Altea
concept for what it calls a "Multi-Sports Vehicle" at the Frankfurt show last
September. The Geneva version is in fact the production version that will go on
sale later in the year. SEAT points out that the Altea is the first vehicle to
be completely developed within the Audi Brand Group since it was established in
2002. Power will come from 1.6- and 2.0-liter petrol engines and 1.9- and
2.0-liter diesels. Top-of-the-range models will have six-speed automatic or DSG
gearboxes. Seat is tasked to bring some Mediterranean flair to VW's Audi
Group; the Altea is Design Director Walter de'Silva's first step along the
way
GM’s X-y Trixx
GM Europe showed a city-car concept, the Maxx, at Geneva some
years ago. This year there's another double-x, the Trixx, which approaches the
same needs. It's designed, like the Renault Wind, for three adults, but the Trixx
adds space for a single child as well. Utilizing GM Europe's industry-leading
expertise in making MPV seats that disappear, the Trixx can also
be used by the driver alone as a load-carrier. The unusual thing about the disappearing
seat format of the Trixx is that the rear seat doesn't fold, it inflates,
thanks to an onboard air compressor. There are three electrically
operated sliding doors, one on the driver's side and two for passengers, and
long-legged passengers can fold the front passenger seat and stretch out in the
back. 119 inches long, 65 inches wide and 61 inches high, the Trixx is powered
by a 1.3-liter diesel engine.
Tigra Twin Top Wins Convertible
of the Year

2004 Opel Tigra Twin Top
Although nobody has driven it yet, the Opel Tigra
TwinTop has earned its first prize already. In Geneva the car was elected
Convertible of the Year 2004. The outcome of the yearly election at the end of
the press days of the Geneva Auto Show was not a surprise, as there were not
many new convertibles at the show. In this case, GM’s smallest beat GM’s
largest, the Corvette Convertible. The jury of 20 automotive journalists chose
the Tigra TwinTop because of the nice design and the clever roof construction.
The electrohydraulic steel roof disappears with a push on a button vertically
behind the seats, leaving 8.8 cubic feet of storage capacity. On top of that
there is more storage space behind the seats (five cubic feet). The TwinTop is the
second Opel to win the title. In 2000, the Speedster was the first.
Fiat Idea De-Weirds
Multipla

2004 Fiat Idea5Terre
Fiat
unveiled the successor of the Multipla, a controversial looking minivan with
three seats up front and in the rear, in Geneva. Fiat obviously had too many
negative comments on the exterior of the daring Multipla, so the body of the new
version is less extreme. With the Idea 5Terre concept car, the Italians show a
bold version of the brand new Idea, that hints to a real ‘off-road’ vehicle with
thick bumpers, but without roof rails. For more all round driving capabilities
the 5Terre is equipped with 4WD. Earlier, Fiat did the same with its new mini,
the Panda, and showed a rugged version with roof rails. That one will go into
production in September. Fiat did not want to confirm if and when the 4x4
version of the larger Idea will see production.
Trepiuno: Comeback in City
Cars

2004 Fiat Trepiuno
Undoubtedly one of the best concept cars of the Geneva show is the
Fiat Trepiùno (tre-pyu-no). Fiat lost important ground in the segment of
the microcars to Smart, which seems to have taken over the traffic scene in Rome
and other crowded Italian cities. So, however late, Fiat had to do something and
now comes with a real mini, which is a retro model as well. European car lovers will remember
the historic Fiat 500 and the Trepiùno concept could well be the reincarnation
of the famous little Fiat. Word is out that the Trepiùno might go into
production in the fall. The name means three-plus-one and indicates that the 130 inch
short Fiat seats three adults and a kid. The microcar is built on the platform of the
Panda and will probably be equipped with the engines used in the Panda.
Lancia’s Luxury Idea:
Musa

2004 Lancia Musa concept
Another small car of the Fiat group that bowed in Geneva is
the Lancia Musa. It is the twin brother of the Fiat Idea and Fiat qualifies the
car as a compact MPV. That term is in fashion now in Europe, where small cars
are popular and manufacturers want to use names for versions that hint to larger
models. The Lancia Musa is a luxury version of the Idea with climate control, a
Bose sound system and a DFN half-automatic transmission. DFN stands for Dolce
Far Niente, or “nice and lazy, doing nothing.” The new Lancia will hit the
European markets by the end of this year with a choice of gas and diesel
engines.
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