Geneva Auto Show highlights

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Maserati’s new Gran Turismo

From Japan to Italy, Maserati’s GranTurismo is all set to make a worldwide preview at Geneva. Styled by Pininfarina, it has a 4.2 litre V8 engine, delivering 405 horsepower and a weight distribution of 49 percent at the front and 51 percent at the rear.

It is fitted with an automatic gearbox and equipped with an adaptive control system which adjusts the gear-shifting mode to the driving style and the driving conditions. Maserati’s tradition of the Gran Turismo concept dates back to 1947 when the Trident Company, following its clients’ demand, unveiled at the Geneva motor show its first Gran Turismo, the A6, again designed by Pininfarina.

It was the first Maserati road car and was produced in 58 units only. The car was acclaimed by the automotive press for its advanced technical content and for its avant-garde style solutions. Let’s see what they unveil at Geneva this time.
 

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Hyundai QarmaQ

Hyundai Motor Company and GE Plastics presented the QarmaQ recently at the Geneva motor show, a first in the crossover coupe segment. The QarmaQ is Hyundai's Advanced Technology Demonstration Vehicle (ATDV) that showcases over 30 different environmentally progressive technologies led by the "Elastic Front", a solution that can help reduce the risk of severe injuries in Crossover Utility Vehicles (CUV) pedestrian collisions,

As per the company, QarmaQ is lighter, stronger and more economical than any current production CUV in its class. The Hyundai QarmaQ concept car is the result of the fusion of work done by both Hyundai and GE Plastics.

Hyundai also introduced a new car ‘i30’ at the biggest show, the Geneva show! Positioned in the mainstream C segment, the i30 is aimed at the discerning European who wants something different. Initially, it is available as a 5-door hatchback and an estate car.
 

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Dodge Demon

For years, the Mazda MX-5 has ruled the economy roadster segment simply because it had no viable challenger. But it is time for a ‘Demon’ to enter the tracks they call roads and drive away the existing toddlers. Dodge will be unveiling its concept car ‘Demon’. A dramatically-styled little roadster, the Demon merges the curvaceous rump of a BMW Z4 into the front profile of a Honda S2000 and a signature Dodge grille. The result is an angry-looking, broad-shouldered concept which is about 150 pound heavier than an MX-5!

With DaimlerChrysler’s 2.4-litre four inline "world engine" serving up a moderate 172 horsepower and 165 pound-feet of torque, the Demon would be right in the thick of a drag-strip battle with the MX-5. Like those other wee, topless two-seaters, the Demon channels its thrust to the rear axle through a six-speed manual gearbox. Though billed as a concept at this stage, Demon seems showroom-ready and could make a debut sooner than later.
 

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Mazda Hakaze

No one is a stranger to Mazda’s concept cars, given that the company has unveiled one at every major motor show for the past few years. Geneva is no different, with the latest creation named the Hakaze.

Unlike the past few slinky sportscar concepts, the Hakaze takes the form of a sporty SUV, though its design language is taken from the same school as the Ryuga and Nagare show cars. Like many other Mazda concepts, the Hakaze features unusual doors and a futuristic interior. It’s unlikely to see anything resembling this concept in the showrooms for some time yet.

The Hakaze is intended to meet the needs of a growing compact segment trend towards SUV-like crossovers in Europe. Pronounced Hah-kah-zay, the name comes from the Japanese word "ha" meaning "leaf" and "kaze" which means "wind."

The Hakaze concept takes much of its design inspiration from the idea of flow and movement in nature. The Mazda Hakaze concept has no B-pillar, and the rear two-thirds of the glass roof can be taken off in two parts and stored in a slide-out compartment in the rear bumper. Lowering the Hakaze's four frameless windows then converts it into a fun-to-drive, four-seat coupe with roadster feel. Its interior design, and especially the instrument panel, is asymmetrical with a strong focus on the driver. The wrap-around cockpit features a long steering unit.
 

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Corvette C6 ‘Victory Edition’

One of the major attractions will be the C6 Coupe `Victory Edition’. This exceptional model, produced only in 250 pieces exclusively for the European markets, celebrates the five successes by the North American car maker.

In 2006, the Corvette Racing team celebrated its first 50 years in the automobile sport by winning the American Le Mans Series. Available in two body colours (black and yellow), with manual or automatic six-speed transmission, it also sports 18" racing wheels at the front and 19" at the rear.

Inside, this model has perforated leather-covered two-colour sports seats, with the crossed-flags logo embroidered and exclusive colour-coded stitches. It is equipped with a DVD navigation system and a Bose audio system with seven loud-speakers.

Exclusively conceived for the European market, the C6 Coupe ‘Victory Edition’ is available in Switzerland from the end of February, 2007.
 
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