| Geneva, Switzerland, 7March 2002 Variety Sporting GT Spectacular Ferrari Records Tumble Again Ferrari Stand |
| Ferrari Although Ferrari had presented the new 575M Maranello at the F1 presentation press conference in Maranello in February, this was the first official public appearance of the new model. Two examples were on display, a black example with standard manual gear change system, and the newly available F1 paddle change system on a Rosso Corsa example. This is a development of the popular system which up to now has only been available on the V8 engined models, initially the F355 series and then on their successors the 360 series of models. Apart from a larger capacity V12 engine, up from 5.5 litres to 5.75 litres, hence the change of model designation from 550 to 575, there are alterations to the suspension electronic management system, substantial revisions to the interior layout, a new design of road wheel, plus a revised nose panel, headlight layout and intake scoop on the bonnet. A further example of the new model, finished in silver, could be found on the nearby Pininfarina stand. The ”Carrozzeria Scaglietti” personalisation programme has been expanded to incorporate the availability of duo-tone paint finishes to the 456M GT and GTA models, with an example wearing a very attractive mix of metallic greys showing how the feature works. The display was completed by a pair of 360 models, a Modena in Red and a Spider in silver. |
| Records Tumble Again The success of the salon and its popularity with public can be gauged by the official attendance figures. For the third successive year the attendance figures set new record numbers, with 723,143 visitors having passed through the doors by the time it closed on Sunday 17 March. |
| Ferrari Stand |
| Model |
Colour |
Chassis # |
| 360 Modena |
Red (Corsa)/Black |
127481 |
| 360 Spider |
Silver (Nurburgring)/Grey |
127445 |
| 575M Maranello |
Black (Daytona)/Beige |
125371 |
| 575M Maranello F1 |
Red (Corsa)/Black |
126047 |
| 456M GT |
Duo Tone Grey Met’*/Grey |
126886 |
|
| · |
* Main body in Grigio Nuvolari (Maserati colour) with Canna di Fucile roof and wheels. |
Pininfarina |
| 575M Maranello |
Silver (Nurburgring)/Black |
126911 |
Le Matin |
| 360 Spider |
Red (Corsa)/Black |
123441 |
Urfer Sellerie Creation |
| 275 GTB/4S NART |
Dark Blue Met’/Beige |
09635 |
| Conversion |
Keith Bluemel |
| Variety The Geneva Salon always impresses with the range of new models and concept vehicles displayed by the major manufacturers and specialist design groups, the 2002 edition being no exception. The reason for this is the esteem in which the salon is held by the major players, as one of the focal points in the international automobile calendar to highlight their new wares. To illustrate this point, there were no less than thirty-one World premieres and seventeen European premieres for new models. These were not only from many of the big manufacturers like Ford and Mecedes Benz, but also smaller concerns like Koenigsegg, Irmscher, Rinspeed and Venturi, who view it as the ideal showcase to get their products on the world stage. |
| Sporting GT Spectacular The range of top of the market sports and GT cars displayed in both production and concept form was very diverse. They ranged from the established major players in the field like Aston Martin, Porsche, Ferrari and Lamborghini, through the world speed records breaking Volkswagen W12 displayed by Italdesign-Giugiaro, the Pagani Zonda C12S, the Bugatti EB 16.4 Veyron, the Cadillac Cien, the Chrysler Crossfire, to the Laraki Design V12 engined 2 seater Fulgura coupe. Maserati displayed their new naturally aspirated V8 engined coupe, together with its Spyder cousin, and also had beautifully engineered cutaway displays of the new 4.2 litre engine. Both models are available with either a manual gear change, or the ”Cambiocorsa” steering column mounted paddle change system for the six speed gearbox. |
