Automotive News - February 25, 2008 - (Page 20)

20 • FEBRUARY 25, 2008 G E N E VA A U T O S H O W P R E V I E W Geneva looks like another green scene nother auto show, another green technology showcase. Fuel economy and carbon dioxide emissions will be on the lips of almost everyone — again — at the Geneva auto show next week. Gasoline- and diesel-powered hybrids will vie for the new-product spotlight, as will the Toyota iQ, a minicar that could end up going head to head with the slightly smaller Smart. And Hyundai will unveil a minivan concept that uses new materials and construction techniques to reduce weight. For U.S. buyers, the show will offer world introductions for the Audi A4 Avant, Ford Fiesta, Infiniti FX, Volvo XC60, two Mercedes-Benz vehicles and other models. Here are some of the world debuts scheduled at the Geneva show. A is powered by a 420-hp, 4.0-liter gasoline engine combined with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. FORD Ford of Europe will show a redesigned Fiesta small car, long a staple in Europe. The new one will be a global product. Sales in Europe and China start this year; U.S. sales begin in 2010. A three-door hatchback Fiesta will be unveiled in Geneva; a five-door model also is planned for Europe. The U.S. model will be a sedan. The Ford Verve concept cars that have been shown at recent auto shows carry about 90 percent of the Fiesta’s styling cues. The Fiesta is the third Ford vehicle after the Mondeo and S-Max to feature the carmaker’s kinetic design theme. Both vehicles have been wellreceived by buyers and the press in Europe. Ford also will unveil its Kuga crossover, which replaces the unsuccessful Ford Maverick crossover in Europe. The Kuga is based on Ford’s C-car vehicle architecture, which is shared by the C-Max and the European Focus. HYUNDAI Hyundai’s HED-5, a concept for a six-seat minivan, aims to show how new materials and construction techniques can be used to reduce vehicle weight, improve fuel economy and reduce CO2 emissions. The Korean carmaker worked with suppliers Recaro, Bayer and LG to create the HED-5. INFINITI Nissan’s luxury brand has a twopart mission in Geneva: the world debut for the restyled, re-engineered 2009 Infiniti FX crossover and the launch of the Infiniti brand in western Europe. In addition to the FX, two other Infiniti models will be sold in western Europe: the EX crossover and the G Hyundai’s HED-5 minivan concept showcases new materials and construction techniques. World debuts Production vehicles Alfa Romeo 8C Spider Audi A4 Avant Audi A3 convertible BMW M3 convertible Ford Fiesta 3-door Ford Kuga crossover Infiniti FX crossover Mercedes-Benz SL roadster Mercedes-Benz CLS sedan Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe Toyota iQ minicar Toyota Urban Cruiser crossover Volkswagen Scirocco 3-door Volvo XC60 crossover Concepts BMW X5 hybrid SUV Hyundai HED-5 minivan Mercedes-Benz GLK hybrid Mitsubishi Prototype-S 5-door Opel Meriva minivan Saab 9-1 small car sedan and coupe. Sales begin in October. Nissan’s European technical center in London has given Infiniti’s vehicles stiffer suspensions and stronger brakes to cope with the speeds on Germany’s autobahns. MERCEDES-BENZ Mercedes-Benz will show the GLK concept packaged with a diesel hybrid powertrain. Mercedes refuses to give details about the diesel hybrid, but German press reports say it will be a 204-hp, Alfa Romeo to unveil U.S.-bound 8C Spider Luca Ciferri lciferri@craincom.de AUDI Audi’s A4 Avant station wagon debuts with a lower roofline and more boldly styled headlights and taillights than the current model. Standard equipment includes light-emittingdiode daytime running lights. Among optional features are adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and blind spot warning systems. Audi also will debut its A3 convertible, aimed at buyers of the BMW 1series convertible. BMW BMW will introduce a mild hybrid concept version of its X5 with technologies to cut CO2 emissions and improve fuel economy. The concept has solar cells covering 10.8 square feet of the roof. The cells generate power to operate equipment such as audio devices or mobile-phone chargers. The concept’s hybrid module is based on technology developed by BMW in its hybrid partnership with General Motors and Daimler. BMW also will unveil the M3 convertible, the first M performance model to feature a retractable hard top instead of a soft top. The M3 convertible Alfa Romeo will unveil the 8C Spider in Geneva. The Spider is a convertible version of Alfa’s flagship 8C Competizione coupe, which went on sale in Europe last October. The 8C models will lead the Italian sports car brand’s return to the United States. The 8C Competizione is expected to go on sale in the United States in July and the 8C Spider in early 2009. U.S. sales of the Alfa 159 and Brera models are expected by the end of 2009. Alfa will build 500 units of the 8C Spider. The carmaker also plans to build just 500 units of the 8C Com- petizione despite receiving almost 2,000 orders for the coupe. Both cars are based on a shortened version of the Maserati GranTurismo platform and use a version of Maserati’s 405-hp, 4.2-liter V-8 engine. For Alfa, the displacement is boosted to 4.7 liters and horsepower to 450. The 8C Spider will go on sale in Europe early next year, priced at about 200,000 euros, or $294,000 at current exchange rates. The 8C Competizione costs $242,000 in Italy. The Junior, Alfa’s first small car, will debut at the Turin, Italy, show in June. Sales in Europe begin in September. The Junior is expected to target the Mini Cooper. c 3.2-liter V-6 with a 20-hp electric motor. The GLK concept debuted at the Detroit auto show last month with a 2.2-liter diesel engine with Mercedes’ Bluetec clean-diesel technology. Mercedes will unveil the production GLK at the Beijing auto show in April. European sales start in October. U.S. sales begin in January 2009. A hybrid variant is expected to follow two to three years after production begins. Mercedes also will introduce the 2009 SL, which receives restyled front Opel’s Meriva concept shows how the automaker will incorporate its new styling theme into the redesigned small minivan. Toyota’s iQ minicar will be the automaker’s smallest model in Europe. Ford’s redesigned Fiesta, the automaker’s latest vehicle to feature the kinetic design theme, will be a global product. U.S. sales begin in 2010.

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Automotive News - February 25, 2008

Automotive News - February 25, 2008 Chamco's 'consultant' is forced into limelight Group 1, Gulf States clash Dealer profit stuck in neutral Ghosn: Autos are in recession NHTSA investigates Toyota, Pontiac cars' windows The upside of upside down: Better belts Push buttons will alter interiors Schwarzenbauer leaves Porsche for Audi CSM: Cuts in auto output to ease in 2nd quarter Ford's Hispanic ad campaign takes it to the mat Hydrogen slips as a solution for the greening of autos Kia to spend big to upgrade dealerships GMAC: Office cuts won't affect dealers LaSorda: Chrysler's $700 million axle plant is 'going up' Toyota hybrid battery partner boosts output Buick may add a car below the LaCrosse Toyota could add 2 more small vehicles to U.S. lineup Calif. regulators shoot for 40-plus mpg by 2020 Loyalty/conquest: Power's best, worst Chrysler firm on retrieving tools from Plastech Former NUMMI exec applies Toyota ideas to aircraft industry Kozyra's resume reflects volatile supplier climate Obituaries Chrysler, Plastech now have chance to work together Do it the NADA way Hail, Geneva; spring must be near Volt's potential is unlimited The Volt is terrific; give GM a hand Beware of high tech running amok Teach reporters half full/half empty Dealer wants to view Conti exec: Inside, it's about the info Dealers Caddy chief's goals: Build on CTS, prestige, high-tech Geneva looks like another green scene Volvo XC60 system senses impact, hits the brakes Saab 9-1 concept awaits green light GM: Supply of vehicles to certify will stay steady Used-vehicle supplies up, prices down in Jan. Black Book plans daily updates Cars.com rolls out video service Manheim launches search tool Luxury sales channel is high on GM agenda GM seeks dealers' help with 5-point green plan Northwood offers dealer MBA Court rejects Chicago dealer's appeal Taxes distort Jan. sales in Europe Nissan to cut designers NHTSA studies window woes Bank: Autos easier to afford VW labor boss gets jail term Delphi sells 2 units Toyota Tundra had tough Jan. Chrysler's white knight: We're investors, not heroes Ford's 'Knight Rider' is Sync on steroids GMAC parties have lost a bit of their pizazz Global warming? It's a crock - but . . . Nardelli's NASCAR debut is a winner A frosty reception for the TSX

Automotive News - February 25, 2008

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