3:47 pm, March 9, 2008
THE motoring world’s eyes are cast on Geneva this week as the world’s manufacturer’s gather to show off their designs for the future. Here, Car Dealer show’s you some of the unveilings.
SAAB 9-X BioHybrid
THIS is a brand on the move, displaying two concept cars at this year’s show as part of a commitment to expand its product portfolio by entering all major segments of the car market. Both concepts share distinctive Scandinavian styling themes and feature further developments in the rightsizing appeal of turbocharging with Saab BioPower.
The world premiere Saab 9-X BioHybrid is an expressive vision of what a future compact car from Saab could look like. The Saab 9-X BioHybrid majors on progressive design, efficient performance and ‘high-tech’ features that appeal to typically youthful buyers.
It’s an evolution of Aero X and 9X concepts with clean and uncluttered styling, a 1.4-litre, 200bhp BioPower engine partnered by hybrid power assistance. There’s an innovative interior cockpit, seamless connectivity for nomadic devices (whatever that means) and a unique ‘friction’ load-carrying system.
AUDI Q7 COASTLINE
AUDI’S barge for the road gets a ‘nautical interpretation’ with teak decking in the boot.
But it’s what under the bonnet that really counts – a mindblowing Q7 V12 TDI!
Making its world debut the new Q7 is the world’s most powerful diesel-powered passenger car. It already complies with proposed EU5 emissions regulations effective from 2010 and features a 6.0-litre twin-turbo engine producing nearly 500bhp, 1,000Nm of torque and 0-62mph in 5.5 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 155mph.
The world’s most powerful diesel-powered passenger car – the Audi Q7 V12 TDI – will use the Audi stand at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show as a springboard to make the leap from one-off concept to fully fledged production model.
The advanced engine specification was honed with the benefit of expertise gained in the development of the Le Mans-winning, V12 TDI-powered Audi R10 TDI endurance racer, and that is emphasised by the performance data.
LAND ROVER LRX CONCEPT
LAND Rover is showing two different versions of its LRX concept in Geneva – it says they are desirable, premium and compact 4x4s which extend the definition of ‘breadth of capability’. More marketing pap. What you need to know is it looks cool and points the way towards the next Land Rover models.
Land Rover says the concept was conceived as capable of having a range of powertrains, including a 2.0-litre turbodiesel hybrid, with potential CO2 emissions of 120 g/km and fuel economy of 60 mpg (pretty precise figures for a concept?)
‘With its metallic black paintwork, silver roof and precisely detailed exterior features, the second version of the LRX concept is designed to show how well the vehicle can deliver a contemporary example of personalisation,’ says Gerry McGovern, Land Rover’s arty design director. Thanks for that…
There will be a full round up of the Geneva Motor Show in the first issue of Car Dealer magazine. Subscribe for your FREE copy by clicking on the link on the left of this page.
