GENEVA MOTOR SHOW: New releases and concepts spring hope for 2012
First major European motor show for 2012 a bellwether for the health of the automotive industry — and the global economy?Media outlets around the world are reporting that German exporters prefer the Greek economic crisis drag on unresolved.
The two countries' shared currency, the Euro, remains undervalued relative to the US dollar (and the Aussie dollar too). So, should the Greek tragedy end happily ever after, the Euro would surge back to where it has been in the past. And German exports — including cars — would be less competitive in other markets.
While the world's economic outlook is gloomy then, there are rays of sunshine piercing the gloom for the European automotive industry — particularly those pockets of the industry based in Germany. Would some of that sunlight literally shine down on snow-bound Geneva for Switzerland's 82nd Salon International de l'Auto next month.
Despite being a relative youngster in comparison with shows in Detroit, Frankfurt and Paris — or even Melbourne, for that matter — the Geneva show has always been an important fixture on each year's automotive calendar.
Over the decades, the show has been the venue for the introduction of many iconic, quirky or otherwise significant models of car or design concepts. Jaguar launched its new E-Type sports car there in 1961, followed two years later by the Mercedes-Benz 'Pagoda roof' W113 SL. In the following decade Alfa Romeo launched the beautiful Montreal in Geneva, also the venue for Citroen's highly advanced (but also technically capricious) SM.
Since the advent of the 21st century, cars such as the Audi Nuvolari (the concept that previewed the Q7), the Chris Bangle-designed E65 BMW 7 Series, Ferrari's F430, the Peugeot 207 and the Porsche (997) 911 have all made their debut in Geneva. Some of the oddball cars that have been introduced to the public in Geneva include the Renault Vel Satis, the Nissan Juke, smart fortwo Brabus and the Skoda Roomster.
In addition to the usual round of concept cars revealed at any motor show, Geneva wouldn't be Geneva without the uniquely Swiss offerings from Rinspeed, Sbarro and Wysstec. However, while the weird and the wacky wunderwagons from the Swiss companies can be thought-provoking or hilarious, depending on the vehicle in question and the beholder's own point of view, it's the mainstream models and concepts that attract the most attention. And you can bet good money the car companies will be gauging consumer sentiment and the outlook for the economy by the number of enthusiasts gathered around new models like the Peugeot 208 GTI concept, a car that's expected to be basically production-ready.
Some of the more notable releases so far in Geneva:
Infiniti EMERG-E
Ford Fiesta ST
ItalDesign Brivido
Mercedes-Benz A-Class
Among the other new releases and concepts at this year's show are:
Abarth 695 Tributo Maserati
Aston Martin V8 Vantage
Aston Martin V12 Zagato
Audi TT RS Plus
BMW M135i
Chevrolet (Holden) Cruze wagon
Citroen C4 AirCross
Ferrari California
Fiat 500 Long
Fiat Panda 4x4
Honda CR-V (Europe)
Hyundai i30 wagon
Hyundai i-oniq concept
Infiniti EMERG-E concept
Kia cee'd
Lexus RX facelift
Maserati GranTurismo Sport upgrade
Mercedes-Benz SL 63 AMG
Mercedes-Benz SL
MINI Clubvan
Mitsubishi premium vehicle
Nissan INVITATION
Opel Mokka
Peugeot 208 GTi
Peugeot 4008
Pininfarina Cambiano
Rinspeed Dock + Go
SsangYong XIV-2 Concept
Volvo V40
Read the latest news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site...
Tags
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
