2010GenevaMotorShow

Benz launches MercedesSport Customization Program

Contemporary Mercedes-Benz automobiles have come a long way in terms of their sporty design since the conservatively-styled bricks they once were. But some are looking for a little extra flavor. Short of a full AMG performance model, Mercedes offers cosmetic AMG appearance packages, and has now added the MercedesSport program to the catalog as well.

The individualization catalog includes new aprons front and rear, side skirts, spoilers for the front, the rear and the trailing edge of the roof, as well as new wheel options. There are also upgrades available for the suspension, brakes and interior.

The package will debut shortly at the Geneva Motor Show, initially implemented only on the E-Class, including the saloon, Estate wagon, coupe and Cabrio convertible. After that, Mercedes will continue rolling out similar packages on other models.

Gallery: MercedesSport E-Class

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The One-of-a-Kind Pagani Zonda Tricolore

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Even among exotic supercars, the Pagani Zonda is a rare beast. The Zonda Cinque even rarer, issued (as the name suggests) in a limited run of five examples. But this is rarer still: the Zonda Tricolore.

Built to honor the Frecce Tricolori aerobatics squadron of the Italian air force, the Zonda Tricolore is based on the aforementioned Zonda Cinque, but carries a number of special touches. The titanium-carbon weave of which the Zonda Tricolore is built has been left exposed, tinted only by a clear blue lacquer, and accented by the red, green and white stripes running up the hood. The triangular air vents at the tail are unique, as are the LED headlights.

Only one example will be built and sold for 1.3 million euros, or about $1.75 million. The Zonda Tricolore will be unveiled at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show, presumably the last iteration of the Zonda before its replacement – currently under development with the C9 moniker – rolls in to supplant it.

Gallery: Pagani Zonda Tricolore

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Jaguar Releases XKR Special Editions for Geneva Show

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Falling under Ford's Premier Auto Group umbrella as Jaguar did for years carried certain benefits, but it also kept the cat at bay. With Aston Martin looming overhead in the same group, there was only so high Jaguar could take its XK coupe without encroaching on Aston's territory. Now that Aston's gone independent and Jaguar, together with Land Rover, was bought by Indian automaker Tata Motors, the cat's out of the bag.

As a result, the XKR keeps getting faster and faster, more and more expensive and all the more desirable for it. In the latest development, Jaguar is preparing the tantalizing XKR Special Editions. For starters, output from the supercharged V8 engine is up to 510 horsepower. That's supercar territory, make no mistake about it. The special editions come in two flavors: the Speed Pack, with a top end of 174 miles per hour, and the Black Pack, which gives the XKR a set of glossy 20" wheels and extra black trim all around. The new special Jags will be unveiled at the fast-approaching Geneva show, so stay tuned.

Gallery: Jaguar XKR Special Editions

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Mercedes-Benz Releases F800 Style Concept ahead of Geneva Show

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Feast your eyes on the latest design study from Mercedes-Benz. Called the F800 Style, the show car is, for the time being, purely a concept car, but we can expect to see elements appear in future Mercedes production vehicles in the near future.

For starters, the cutting-edge design. The F800 Style is expected to preview a new design direction for Benz, with the grille from the SLS AMG melded into a dynamic, organic but sharp shape. The shape is particularly expected to show the way forward for the next generation of the CLS-Class, Mercedes' four-door coupe that spawned a new sub-segment in luxury sedans.

Under the hood, Mercedes has also installed its latest green propulsion systems. The hybrid powertrain pairs a V6 engine with an electric motor for the equivalent of 400 horsepower, with plug-in capabilities meaning it can run on electricity alone. The system is expected to make it into the next-generation production S-Class hybrid. The company is also toying with a hydrogen fuel cell set-up, but that's a little farther off. We'll have more for you from the floor of the Geneva Motor Show where the car will be unveiled, but in the meantime you can have a look in the gallery below.

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz F800 Style

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Lexus to Unveil CT 200h Hybrid Hatchback in Geneva

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Following the lead of its Toyota parent company, Japanese luxury automaker Lexus has carved out a nice niche for itself, purveying luxury hybrids in a greater range than any of its competitors. The line-up currently includes hybrid versions of the LS and GS sedans and the RX crossover, as well as the HS, which stands as the world's first dedicated luxury hybrid. That range is set to expand in a couple of weeks, however, when Lexus takes the wraps off the new CT.

Previewed in Frankfurt last year by the LF-Ch concept, the CT 200h isn't just "another hybrid" from Lexus. It marks a foray into new territory, taking aim at the likes of the BMW 1 Series and Audi A3. Power comes from the pairing of a 1.8-liter variable-valve four-cylinder engine mated to a continuously variable transmission and a bank of nickel-metal hydride batteries driving electric motors. The images you see above are the first we've seen so far, coming from a leaked brochure, but we'll have more for you once the doors open at the Geneva Motor Show.

Gallery: Lexus CT 200h brochure

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Audi's New 450-Horsepower RS5 to bow in Geneva

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Few cars at any price point have the street presence of the Audi A5. But even in higher-spec S5 trim, the Audi coupe lacks a certain oomph. The German automaker is out to fix that, however, with the tantalizing new RS5.

The super-coupe packs a 4.2-liter V8 engine worth 450 horsepower, driving through an electronic differential and dual-clutch transmission to all four wheels for a 0-60 sprint in 4.6 seconds. The styling of the svelte coupe carries over, only enhanced by some extra sporty trim, bigger wheels and the like. The new RS5 will make its official debut next week at the Geneva Motor Show, so stay tuned. Unfortunately there's no word yet on plans to bring the RS5 to North America, but European pricing will start at €77,000, or about $104,000.

Gallery: Audi RS5

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Porsche Pumps Up the new 911 Turbo S

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

The Porsche 911 is a bit of love-it-or-hate-it affair. Some say it's the worst design ever imagined for a sportscar. Others point out that it's been smoothed to perfection over the course of decades. Whichever way you look at it, Porsche's engineers certainly don't rest from improving the formula, and this is their latest result: the 911 Turbo S.

There hasn't been a Turbo S in the 911 range for about five years now, and it's been fondly missed by Porschephiles. While the current 911 Turbo produces 500 horsepower, the new Turbo S trumps that with 530 – the same as the 911 GT2, only with four-wheel drive and a dual-clutch transmission. The result? 0-60 in 3.3 seconds and a top speed of 196 miles per hour. Available in both coupe and convertible form, the 911 Turbo S will be unveiled shortly in Geneva, after which it will go on sale across Europe starting in May with a base price of €145,400 for the coupe and €154,900 for the Cabriolet, both before taxes.

Gallery: 2011 Porsche 911 Turbo S

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Maserati to Celebrate in Geneva with Special Quattroporte Awards Edition

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

The Maserati Quattroporte has accrued a number of awards over the past several years, and with good reason. The four-door Italian exotic is, to our eyes at least, a stylish and exciting alternative to the usual crop of German and Japanese luxury sedans. So to celebrate the Quattroporte's laudable success, Maserati is preparing to unveil the special Awards Edition at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show.

Based on the top-of-the-line Quattrporte Sport GT S, the Awards Edition gets an exclusive Quarzo Fuso paint job with burnished brightwork, 20-inch wheels and upgraded Brembo brakes. The interior, meanwhile, bears glove-soft Poltrona Frau leather sears and Alcantara microsuede trim, piano black wood veneers and a number of other special touches.

Gallery: Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S Awards Edition

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Citroen to Unveil Exclusive DS3 Racing in Geneva

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Citroen is forging further ahead with its premium DS initiative at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show with the debut of the limited edition DS3 Racing.

Based on the Mini-rivaling DS3 premium hatchback, the DS3 Racing packs a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine producing 200 horsepower. Tuned by Citroen's world championship rally team, the DS3 Racing sits 15 millimeters lower and 30 millimeters wider than the stock version. Special graphics, wheels, bodywork and carbon-fiber trim also help differentiate this special model, which will only be produced in limited quantities and, sadly, not available in North America.

Gallery: Citroen DS3 Racing

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Citroen DS High Rider Concept Previews New Premium Crossover

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

The French can do some decent automobiles, but most of them are minivans and economy hatchbacks. Citroen, for one, is trying to change all that with its re-launched DS line.

The upscale sub-brand has already given birth to the DS3, a sort of premium rival to the likes of the Mini Cooper and Alfa Romeo MiTo. And now the Parisian automaker is preparing to unveil its second offering in the range. Tentatively called the DS High Rider Concept, the show car is set to be unveiled in just a couple of weeks in Geneva, Switzerland. It's not only a more upscale version of the C4 hatchback, but a more crossover variant as well, riding higher (as the name suggests) and featuring an unusual three-door body-style.

When it does reach production, expect the car to wear the DS4 nameplate. Stay tuned while we bring you more from this year's Geneva Motor Show.

Gallery: Citroen DS High Rider Concept

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Custom Bentley Continental GTC by Carrozzeria Touring en route to Geneva

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Aspiring to drive a Bentley is ambitious enough for most of us, but some are looking for something a little more unique. That's why the stoic British luxury marque is collaborating with some of the industry's leading coachbuilders to craft custom creations based on their most popular motors.

A couple of years ago, Bentley collaborated with Zagato to create the Continental GTZ (pictured above). Now reports suggest that another coachbuilder – the recently-revived Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera – is working on a version of its own.

Reportedly based on the Continental GTC convertible, Touring's custom creation is set to be unveiled at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show in two months' time. And if the $1.7 million asking price for the Zagato is any indication, it promises to be very exclusive indeed.

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Italy's Finest to Unveil Trio of Alfa Romeo Concepts in Geneva

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Alfa Romeo is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Along the way, the Italian automaker has collaborated with some of Italy's finest design houses and coachbuilders. And they plan on reviving those relationships at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show in March with not one, not two, but three new concept cars.

Pininfarina – the design house responsible for crafting most modern Ferraris, among others – will present a roadster concept (previewed in the blue sketch above) targeted to succeed the Alfa Romeo Spider. Stile Bertone – responsible for the BAT series of Alfa Romeo concepts – will present a new coupe design (teased in the black and white sketch at top). And finally ItalDesign Giugiaro – which was responsible for the original design of the achingly beautiful Brera coupe – will present its proposal for a replacement for the 159 sedan.

All the while, Alfa Romeo itself will present the new Giulietta in its major motor show debut. Geneva, it appears, is gearing up to be a real Alfa love-fest.

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Presenting the All-New Alfa Romeo Giulietta

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Take a good look at the car above, because Alfa Romeo wants you to get used to seeing it. If the Italian automaker has its way, this will be the most popular product in the company's 100-year history. It's the new Alfa Romeo Giulietta, and it's here to stay.

Replacing the old 147, the new Giulietta is positioned just above the MiTo, and while pricing hasn't been announced, Alfa promises its positioned will be attractive enough to lure potential buyers away from the Volkswagen Golf. The vehicle was initially expected to carry the 149 nameplate before Alfa changed tracks to Milano. Workers displaced by Alfa's move to Turin, however, prompted the company to revive the age-old Giulietta badge.

With styling cues borrowed from the 8C Competizione supercar in a more aggressive format, the Giulietta will offer a range of four-cylinder turbocharged gasoline and diesel engines ranging from 120 horsepower to an eventual 230. Each model gets start-stop technology for improved fuel economy and will soon get the advanced MultiAir valve management system as well as a dual-clutch transmission. The new Giulietta is scheduled to make its public debut at the Geneva Auto Show in March, so stay tuned.

Gallery: Alfa Romeo Giulietta