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Geneva, Switzerland, 04 – 14 March 2010

The Geneva Motor Show celebrated its 80th anniversary with the 2010 edition, and presented a magnificent display of new models and innovative concept cars for our delectation. Despite the continuing economic problems faced by the motor industry, particularly during 2009, the show had sold all its allotted floor space by the middle of the year, showing the importance and respect that the manufacturers attach to it as a showplace for their latest products. In fact there were over one hundred and fifty world, European or Swiss premieres, further substantiation of its importance to the automobile industry.

There was a truly diverse selection of previously unseen new models in all sectors of the market to be enjoyed, from minnows like the Smart to monsters like the Mansory modified Rolls Royce Ghost. The move to greener more fuel efficient vehicles with lower CO2 emissions continues to gather momentum, and there was a wide range of hybrid and electric cars from manufacturers both large and small. There was also a wide selection of concept cars of all shapes and sizes, some truly elegant and just crying out to be put into production, and others which could be described as, to be magnanimous, just bizarre! Both Bertone and Pininfarina showed Alfa Romeo based concept cars, the former featuring door panels that started at the tip of the front wing and were hinged at the rear of the car, so that they resembled pieces of modern art sculpture when in the open position. One would need a garage that was as high as it was long to get out of the car, and definitely not something that you would want to take into a multi- storey car park. The Pininfarina offering was much simpler, an elegant open two seat design in traditional Alfa Romeo deep red, with slim horizontal front and rear light treatment.

Peugeot showcased their SR1 concept car against a water wall backdrop creating a very effective and artistic monotone setting, whilst they also presented the new 408 model, and their stand featured their 2009 Le Mans 24 Hour race winning 908 HDi FAP sports racing car. Arch rivals at Le Mans, Audi, presented their new A1 model, with a wall that changed colour, featuring examples of the car set in cut-outs in the structure. They also had an eco friendly e-tron version, an A8 Hybrid, a stunning deep metallic bronze R8 5.2 Quattro cabriolet, and reflecting their motor sport heritage, a Quattro rally car.

Just across the aisle from Audi, Ferrari were showing their green credentials, with the introduction of a Stop & Start system on the California model, which will cut fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by 6% in the ECE + EUDC combined cycle. They also showed their “green machine”, the HY-KERS vettura laboratorio, a 599 GTB Fiorano with a hybrid transmission system, featuring an electric motor coupled to the rear of the F1 dual clutch system, with batteries mounted beneath the floor pan of the car to lower the centre of gravity, thus at the same time improving the handling, whilst maintaining the same cabin and luggage storage spaces. It is claimed that this system could reduce CO2 emissions by 35% in the combined ECE + EUDC cycles.

In fact the show was bristling with novelties, concepts and technical innovation. Citroen showed their female orientated Survolt and Revolte concepts, while Renault revived the Gordini name on the Clio and Twingo, with the cars on display featuring the traditional French Blue with white stripes of the original sixties R8 Gordini. Hyundai had a very impressive concept car, the Lflow, a four door saloon with innovative rear door hinging, and some very nice design details. Swiss company Sbarro always have something off the wall, and this year was no exception, with a lurid orange Ferrari based creation called the Autobau, which wouldn’t have looked out of place in a sci-fi movie. For those who wanted to know what a Bugatti Veyron look like under its voluptuously curved body, the Bugatti stand had one laid bare and split apart so that all its inner details were revealed. BMW unveiled the new 5 Series model, the sixth generation of their mid range model, whilst they also went green with the Concept ActiveE, a 1 Series model that runs purely on electric power. Chevrolet announced their concept for the next generation of the Aveo model, with the Aveo RS Concept, whilst Alfa Romeo presented their new Guilietta, and Aston Martin showed the Cygnet mini car, destined for Aston Martin owners who want a matching town runabout. Virtually every corner that you turned there was something to catch the eye, and that was without taking into account the hostesses!



Keith Bluemel


03/2010


Ferrari Stand
Model Colour Chassis #
F60 F1 Red 267
California Pale Gold Met’/Brown 172723
California Silver/Grey 172724
458 Italia Red/Natural 172105
599 GTB Fiorano Dark Red Met’/Grey 172727
612 Scaglietti Anthracite/Grey 172281
599 GTB Fiorano Hybrid Concept Matt Green-Grey/Grey 172728

Pininfarina Stand
458 Italia Anthracite/Brown 172559

Novitec Stand
430 Scuderia 747 Matt White-Grey/Tan 166896
California White/Dark Grey 170408
599 GTB Fiorano Race 848 Matt White-Grey/Tan 157026

Sbarro Stand
330 P4 Replica Red/Dark Grey 20959*
Autobau Orange/Red 100105**

Hamann Stand
California White/Tan 168254

* 400 A Chassis #
** 456 GT Chassis #