Blog on 2040Parts

Audi Q7 V12, R8 and TT diesels

By Guy Bird Motor Shows 06 March 2008 12:38 What’s new on Audi’s Geneva Motor Show stand? The biggest news from a sales point of view might have been the A4 Avant – on an all-new chassis for improved driving ability and a bigger boot – but new variants of the TT, Q7 and R8 arguably stole its show stand thunder. The production diesel TT and Q7 were finally unveiled.

Lexus LF-A roadster at Geneva

By Guy Bird Motor Shows 06 March 2008 14:02 What’s new on Lexus’s Geneva Motor Show stand? In global unveil terms, the Lexus stand had nothing new. The LF-A roadster concept first revealed at the 2008 Detroit show two months ago took centre stage for its European debut, flanked by the IS-F and various big hybrids from the GS450h to the LS600h L… oh and a groovy cut-away version of the RX400h.

Toyota's production iQ

By Guy Bird Motor Shows 06 March 2008 15:41 What’s new on Toyota’s Geneva Motor Show stand? The brand’s biggest news by far was the production iQ city car. The road-going iQ keeps almost all of the 2007 Frankfurt concept’s great packaging – half a metre shorter than a Fiat 500 at 2985mm – but still housing four seats, three for adults and one behind the driver for a child or luggage (there’s no conventional boot space).

Fiat 500 Abarth show debut

By Jonny Smith Motor Shows 06 March 2008 16:05 What’s new on Fiat's Geneva Motor Show stand? Amongst the kinky white boots and retro chandeliers Fiat rolled out their eco-loving theme across the whole range with three uncloakings: the fresh Fiorino, 500 Aria concept and Panda Aria prototype. The 500 Aria showcased a Euro 5 friendly 98g/km diesel 1.3 16v Multijet engine with a Stop&Start system (better for emissions, better for premature starter motor wear) and predominantly recycled interior materials.

'Jag-Landy deal in 2 weeks'

By Tim Pollard Motor Industry 06 March 2008 18:50 It was the story that never happened. Rival media reported that the Jaguar/Land Rover sale would be completed at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this week, but CAR Online spoke to executives close to the deal who said it wouldn’t be for another couple of weeks.‘We didn’t want to over-shadow the products at the show, but to be honest the deal just isn’t done yet,’ said our insider. He said the paperwork and epic detail required on a deal of this scale had created new delays – and revealed that the 4-5 March date had been leaked from the unions, not Ford or Tata.

Exclusive: Bertone BAT 11 unveiled

For the first time in over 50 years, Bertone sadly did not have a stand at this year's Geneva Show, largely due to the severe financial difficulties facing the company. However, that didn't stop them making a surprise debut at the first AutoDesignNight last night in Geneva with the amazing BAT 11 concept, commissioned by American enthusiast Gary Kaberle who owned the original 1955 BAT 9 car. The car was exclusively unveiled before an audience of 400 of the world's top designers at an evening reception at La Sip nightclub in the heart of the city.

Mitsubishi Prototype-S at Geneva

By Jonny Smith Motor Shows 05 March 2008 13:31 What’s new on the Mitsubishi Geneva motor show stand? A whole family of Lancers. And finally, Lancers with strong memorable faces.

Cadillac at Geneva

By James Foxall Motor Shows 05 March 2008 13:57 What’s new on Cadillac’s Geneva Motor Show stand? It was a festival of silver on the General Motors brand’s stand. But even combining anonymity in colour with gloomy lighting couldn’t hide the lack of new product.

BMW Vision EfficientDynamics X5 and M3 Convertible

By James Foxall Motor Shows 05 March 2008 14:20 What’s new on BMW’s Geneva Motor Show stand? It’s significant that of two debuts on BMW’s stand one is an X5 derivative. The other is the M3 Convertible.

Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe unveiled

By Jonny Smith Motor Shows 05 March 2008 14:31 What’s new on the Rolls Geneva motor show stand? Just one car, but one enormous car with two doors and a hard roof: the Phantom Coupe is the final Roller to complete the Phantom range. It was never going to look any different to the 2006 teaser codenamed 101EX, but it really didn’t need to.

Infiniti European range launched

By Ben Barry Motor Shows 05 March 2008 14:45 What’s new on the Infiniti stand at Geneva? Nissan’s upmarket Infiniti brand officially launched its European range in Geneva, essentially a slimlined and simplified interpretation of its US model line-up: G37 coupe and saloon, EX37 coupe crossover and an all-new V8 coupe crossover to sit at the top of the range: the FX50. The latter model is essentially a scaled up EX37, though the nose treatment is notably bluffer and, to our eyes, a little too severe.

Opel Meriva concept

By Ben Barry Motor Shows 05 March 2008 15:08 What’s new on the Opel/Vauxhall stand at Geneva? Opel (Vauxhall wasn’t represented) chose to showcase the Meriva concept for the first time in Geneva. It features the FlexDoor system – a combination of conventional front doors and rear-hinged rear ‘suicide’ doors.

Renault Megane Coupe Concept (2008): first official pictures

By James Foxall First Official Pictures 04 March 2008 12:10 What's new on Renault’s motor show stand? The French maker’s star was its sleek new Megane Coupe Concept. A typical concept with novel split gullwing doors (dubbed dragonfly doors by the designers), seats that look like they’re straight from Ikea and cameras instead of door mirrors, its profile and design cues preview a forthcoming production model.

Renault Megane Coupe Concept

By James Foxall First Official Pictures 04 March 2008 12:10 What's new on Renault’s motor show stand? The French maker’s star was its sleek new Megane Coupe Concept. A typical concept with novel split gullwing doors (dubbed dragonfly doors by the designers), seats that look like they’re straight from Ikea and cameras instead of door mirrors, its profile and design cues preview a forthcoming production model.

Ford Fiesta shown

By Ben Pulman Motor Shows 04 March 2008 12:42 What’s new on Ford’s Geneva Motor Show stand? The Fiesta of course. Both three and five-door versions of the supermini were on display, and both looked brilliant.

Volvo XC60 at Geneva

By Ben Whitworth Motor Shows 04 March 2008 13:31 So what’s new on Volvo’s Geneva Motor Show stand? It’s all about the new XC60 on the Volvo stand. Based on the V70/XC70 architecture – there’s no commonality with Ford’s new Kuga – the XC60 is the SUV with a conscience.

Porsche Boxster RS 60 Spyder

By Ben Whitworth Motor Shows 04 March 2008 14:08 So what’s new on Porsche’ Geneva Motor Show stand? Not a lot, to be honest. There’s the enticing sounding RS 60 Spyder limited edition Boxster, which couldn’t be more of a disappointment if it tried.

Mini John Cooper Works

By James Foxall Motor Shows 04 March 2008 14:42 So what's new on Mini's Geneva Motor Show stand? It was all about John Cooper Works at Mini with the firm showing off the most powerful version yet of its car in hatchback and Clubman forms. Impact was diluted by official pictures being released a couple of weeks ago but in hatchback form it's still a sharp looking sporty adaptation of the regular Cooper S.

VW Scirocco and eco models

By James Foxall Motor Shows 04 March 2008 16:05 So what's new on Volkswagen's Geneva Motor Show stand? By far the most exciting offering from VW was the production version of the new Scirocco. The good news is the firm has managed to combine the aggressive deep front air dams and skinny grille first shown on the car's concept with a healthy dose of  the original Giugiaro penned model.

Mercedes Vision GLK Bluetec hybrid

By Ben Barry Motor Shows 04 March 2008 17:14 What’s new on the Mercedes stand? Quite a confusingly long list when you include facelifts and revised engines. But the big story is the Vision GLK Bluetec hybrid, a concept SUV with a four-cylinder diesel engine mated to a hybrid module.

Aston Martin at Geneva

By Ben Barry Motor Shows 04 March 2008 17:35 What’s new on Aston’s stand? Nothing. After a flurry of activity pre-Ford sale (V8 Vantage Roadster and DBS) and the recent V12 Vantage RS, it’s not surprising to find Aston Martin in something of a lull at Geneva.

Smart ForTwo Edition Limited Two

By Ben Barry Motor Shows 04 March 2008 18:22 What’s new on the Smart stand? The Edition Limited Two – hardly the most breathtaking world premiere on show. There’ll be 2000 made and owners will be treated to brown leather – ‘cognac brown’, says Smart – heated seats and some silver highlights.

Nissan GT-R European debut

By Ben Whitworth Motor Shows 04 March 2008 18:54 What's new on Nissan’s Geneva Motor Show stand? Quite a lot actually. The GT-R stole the show when Nissan announced prices for its supercar slayer.

Citroen C5 Touring and Berlingo Multispace

By Ben Whitworth Motor Shows 04 March 2008 19:31 So what’s new on Citroen’s Geneva Motor Show stand? Citroen has gone in big with its new C5 Touring estate, which arrives in the UK in June, two months after the saloon’s debut. After the hideously ugly current model, the new estate is a seriously good-looking car.

Peugeot 308 SW

By Tim Pollard First Official Pictures 04 March 2008 20:03 So what's new on Peugeot's Geneva Motor Show stand?Not a gala show by Peugeot's standards, if we're being honest. The biggest news on the stand today was the arrival of the 308 SW - a single replacement for two models. This time around, Peugeot isn't distinguishing between the estate and the SW people carrier.

Peugeot 308 SW (2008): first official pictures

By Tim Pollard First Official Pictures 04 March 2008 20:03 So what's new on Peugeot's Geneva Motor Show stand?Not a gala show by Peugeot's standards, if we're being honest. The biggest news on the stand today was the arrival of the 308 SW - a single replacement for two models. This time around, Peugeot isn't distinguishing between the estate and the SW people carrier.

Honda Accord at Geneva

By Gavin Green Motor Shows 04 March 2008 20:09 What’s new on the Honda stand? The big news is the all-new Accord. This is the eighth generation of Honda’s Mondeo.

Dodge Caliber SRT-4 (2008): first official pictures

By Tim Pollard First Official Pictures 04 March 2008 20:30 What's new on the Chrysler group Geneva Motor Show stand?Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge had a quiet show at Geneva, unveiling only metal we've seen before: the eco triumvirate from Detroit (main image) - the Dodge Zeo, Chrysler EcoVoyager and Jeep Renegade - plus airing the S-Max rivalling Dodge Journey again and the high-performance Dodge Caliber SRT-4. Sadly, we won't get the steroidal hot hatch in the UK as it's not being built in right-hand drive.Why so little innovation? There's a natural lull in the model cycle after a ballistic 2007, and we'll have to wait until later in the year to see another new model, rumoured to be a concept car for a future model line.

Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4

By Ben Barry Motor Shows 04 March 2008 20:35 What’s new on the Lamborghini stand? The Gallardo LP560-4. The 560 stands for the 560ps (552bhp) that’s come courtesy of the all-new 5.2-litre V10 engine (previously 5.0-litre and 520bhp – and 20kg heavier), the 4 relates to the four-wheel drive system that usually splits torque 30/70 front-to-rear.

Volkswagen Scirocco unveiled

By Mark Nichol First Official Pictures 03 March 2008 20:00 VW has finally taken the wraps off the new Scirocco, 15 years after killing off the last generation coupe. Due to be officially unveiled at Geneva 2008, the Golf-based Scirocco has a pleasingly similar exterior to the Iroc concept shown at the 2006 Paris Motor Show, although the concept’s space-age interior has, predictably, undergone the full production watering-down. How cynical.