Geneva

$2.7 Million Patek Philippe Watch Stars in Christie's Sale

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches, Auctions

An extremely important white gold Patek Philippe single-button chronograph from 1928, undoubtedly the only one of its kind, is expected to fetch up to $2.7 million at Christie's Important Watches sale in Geneva on May 16.

Created in 1928 on the eve of the stock market crash, the unique and complicated 1928 chronograph was a bespoke commission from one of Patek Philippe's most important patrons, though his exact identity is unknown.

The cushion-shaped wristwatch, with vertically positioned registers and Breguet numerals, is the only known example extant of a single-button chronograph by Patek Philippe made in white gold.

As such, it's perfectly possible that it could end up selling for more than $2.7 million, especially with the buoyant market for such horological masterpieces at the moment.

[via JustLuxe]

Tags: auctions, bespoke, Christies, chronograph, Geneva, gold, most expensive watches, Patek Philippe, watches, white gold

2011 Geneva Motor Show: The Supercars

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Geographically located in between the supercar capitals of Europe, Switzerland is where the world's automakers come to showcase the latest array of mouth-watering, bank-balance-tempting exotic sports cars. And this year's Geneva Motor Show didn't disappoint in the least.

In between all those luxury sedans, upscale sport-utes and premium hatchbacks were a blinding assortment of six-figure supercars seemingly capable of bending the very laws of physics. Standing out from the crowd were brand-new offerings from Ferrari, Lamborghini and Pagani, new takes on old favorites from Maserati, Aston Martin and Jaguar, concept cars from Alfa Romeo, BMW and Wiesmann and more.

We went to Geneva to check them out with our own eyes (and lens) – follow the jump to see what we found, and click the images to view the full galleries from our sister-site Autoblog.

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2011 Geneva Motor Show: The Luxury Sedans & SUVs

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Every year the Geneva Motor Show features a staggering array of new luxury sedans, estate wagons, crossovers and sport-utility vehicles on display. And this year's show, still ongoing at the Geneva Palexpo, has proven no exception.

Among the production and concept debuts in these diverse categories were new vehicles from Audi, BMW Alpina, Jaguar, Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Rolls-Royce, Saab and Volvo, as well as the return of De Tomaso. Follow the jump to see what these European automakers had in store for us this year.

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Video: Girls of the Geneva Motor Show

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Events, Video

While we're enjoying the latest luxury and supercar news from our correspondent at the Geneva Motor Show, here's a video clip of some of the beautiful models who attracted the most stares. We're not talking about the machines themselves but rather the bevy of beauties hired to show them off to advantage. The Geneva show sees the debut of some of the world's hottest cars so the competition is fierce. While many spectators take the girls for granted, a sort of added attraction or sideshow to the main event, as The Classicist noted in this 2009 column car show girls are in fact carefully chosen "tools to present the [car brands'] corporate image in a very distinctive way." Our advice: don't read too much into it, just enjoy the show.

Tags: auto show, auto show girls, car brands, car show girls, events, Geneva, Geneva Auto Show, Geneva Motor Show, geneva+motor+show+2011+girls, genevamotorshow2011girls, luxury cars, models, motor show, supercar

2011 Geneva Motor Show: The Premium Hatchbacks

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

While they may just be catching on here in America, across the ocean premium hatchbacks like the Audi A3 and Mini Cooper represent the way things are done. They offer the luxury of a larger sedan or SUV, but in a smaller, more economical and more urban-friendly form. And at this year's Geneva Motor Show, there was no shortage of automakers unveiling their new visions for the segment.

Mini came back with an even smaller concept, Infiniti and Saab threw their proverbial hats in the ring, Fiat showcase two new variants of its popular 500 model and its sister company Lancia joined with a new entry of its own. Follow the jump to see what they had to offer.

Tags: 2011 geneva motor show, 500, fiat, fiat 500, fiat 500 by gucci, fiat 500 zagato coupé, fiat 500 zagato coupe, geneva, geneva 2011, geneva motor show, infiniti, infiniti etherea, jason castriota, mini, mini rocketman, mini rocketman concept, saab, saab phoenix, zagato

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Mini Goes Back to its Roots with the Rocketman Concept

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

When BMW resurrected the Mini from the annals of history, it made it bigger in more ways than one. Firstly, the new Mini went upscale to become a premium vehicle. Secondly, it got bigger in size. A lot bigger, especially when you compare the original with the latest Countryman model. But for the newest Mini concept car, the company has gone back to its roots.

The new Mini Rocketman concept car is smaller than the existing range, but a bit larger than the original. (After all, with all the modern safety standards, nothing could be as small as the original Mini.) It's also got a number of innovative design features to help make the most of the small shape, like outwards-pivoting doors and a three+one seating configuration, and the small shape also means exceptional fuel economy, projected at 78 miles per gallon by US standards. Purely for show at the moment, the Mini Rocketman will debut next week in Geneva.

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Tags: 2011 geneva motor show, concept, geneva, geneva 2011, geneva motor show, mini, Mini Rocketman Concept, rocketman

Volkswagen Brings Back the Golf Cabriolet

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Volkswagen Brings Back the Golf Cabriolet

The Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet may not be a luxury car per se, but back in the 80s the daughters of every rich family in California were driving one of these. The last all-new Cabrio was launched in 1993, and was discontinued in 2003. But now it's back.

Joining the Volkswagen line-up alongside the hard-top Eos convertible, the Golf Cabriolet features a fabric roof that takes both less time to operate and less space to store. A wide range of turbocharged, direct-injection engines will be available when orders begin after its debut at the Geneva Motor Show next week.

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Tags: 2011 geneva motor show, geneva, geneva 2011, geneva motor show, volkswagen, volkswagen cabrio, volkswagen golf, volkswagen golf cabrio, volkswagen golf cabriolet, vw

Aston Martin Introduces the Virage

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Aston Martin's VH platform has spawned more vehicles than you can shake a stick at. Not only does it underpin the V8 and V12 Vantage models (and all their derivatives), but as the platform on which the DB9 is based, it's also the basis for the DBS and Rapide models as well. But now Aston Martin has launched a new model called the Virage.

Reinstating a model name from the company's history, the new Virage – available in both coupe and Volante convertible body-styles – slots in between the DB9 and DBS models. Its curvaceous aluminum, magnesium and composite body hides the 490-hprsepower 6-liter V12 engine with six-speed automatic Touchtronic 2 transmission, while all-around double-wishbone suspension with adaptive damping is mounted to 20-inch wheels with carbon-ceramic disc brakes and Pirelli P Zero tires.

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Tags: 2011 geneva motor show, aston martin, aston martin db9, aston martin virage, geneva, geneva 2011, geneva motor show

Jaguar to Launch Fastest Production Model Ever in Geneva

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Events

Jaguar to Launch Fastest Production Model Ever in Geneva

On March 1, Jaguar will launch the new Jaguar XKR-S in conjunction with the legendary E-Type's 50th anniversary at the Geneva Motor Show. With a higher output supercharged V8 engine, revised suspension, and a new aerodynamically-driven design, the Jaguar XKR-S is designed to be a true luxury GT with eye-popping performance – the fastest production Jag ever built. "The XKR-S is a bold and exciting new model for Jaguar," says Adrian Hallmark, Jaguar's new Global Brand Director. "We expect to attract both loyal and new Jaguar driving enthusiasts who still want the comfort, opulence and class only a Jaguar can offer, combined with inspirational performance."

The Jaguar XKR-S produces 550 hp with 502 lb/ft of torque, offers a top speed of 186 mph (300km/h), and can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 4.2 seconds. In addition to the debut, Jaguar will be marking the 50th anniversary of the E-Type with the first in a series of celebrations. The famed British marque will host an E-Type fête at the Restaurant Hotel du Parc des Eaux-Vives in Geneva, where the original car was introduced by Jaguar's founder Sir William Lyons half a century ago. "It is impossible to overstate the impact the E-Type had," notes Ian Callum, Jaguar Design Director.

Tags: car design, Geneva, Geneva Motor Show, Geneva Motor Show 2011, Jaguar, Jaguar E-Type, luxury cars

Audi to Unveil New A3 Concept in Geneva

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Audi's A3 line used to be its smallest, but with the A1 hatchback slotting in beneath it, Audi looks eager to differentiate the A3 from its smaller sibling. And to that end, it is planning to unveil a new concept car at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show.

Bearing a four-door coupe shape similar to the larger Mercedes-Benz CLS but in a smaller form with a "nothback" rear profile, the A3 concept is slightly longer than the current five-door A3 Sportback but shorter than the A4 sedan. The 408-horsepower turbocharged five-cylinder engine from the mighty TT RS has been shoehorned in under the hood driving to all four wheels courtesy of Audi's trademark Quattro all-wheel-drive system.

So far Audi's only released sketches of the concept car, but we'll bring you more from the floor of the Geneva show next week.

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Tags: 2011 geneva motor show, a3, a3 concept, adui a3, audi, audi a3 concept, geneva, geneva 2011, geneva motor show

Volvo V60: The World's First Diesel Plug-In Hybrid

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Green

Volvo V60: The World's First Diesel Plug-In Hybrid

Volvo is known the world over as a leader in safety features, but at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show, the Swedish automaker will show it can be a leader in environmental friendliness, too.

In what the company is terming "the world's first diesel plug-in hybrid", the V60 prototype combines a 215-horsepower, 2.4-liter five-cylinder turbo-diesel with a 70hp electric motor. The vehicle is capable of operating under electric power only (Pure mode) for 32 miles, or can run in Hybrid mode at the touch of a button for a 746-mile range. Or for an extra boost, the driver can select Power mode for a total 472 lb-ft of torque.

While the car is just for show at the moment, it could make it to production in the near future.

Tags: 2011 geneva motor show, geneva, geneva 2011, geneva motor show, v60, v60 plug-in hybrid, volvo, volvo v60, volvo v60 plug-in hybrid

Maserati GranCabrio Sport

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Feast your eyes on the most powerful Maserati convertible yet. The new GranCabrio Sport is due to be presented in just a couple of weeks' time at the Geneva Motor Show.

While the standard GranCabrio (also known as the GranTurismo Convertible) packs the same 434-horsepower, 4.7-liter V8 as the GranTurismo S coupe, the GranCabrio Sport offers 450. The six-speed automatic transmission has been recalibrated, the brakes upgraded and the styling tweaked for an even meaner look.

Gallery: Maserati GranCabrio Sport

Tags: 2011 geneva motor show, geneva, geneva 2011, geneva motor show, grancabrio, grancabrio sport, granturismo, maserati, maserati grancabrio, maserati grancabrio sport, maserati granturismo, maserati granturismo convertible, maserati granturismo convertible sport

Lotus Elise Club Racer

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

In addition to the Mansory Evora which Lotus will unveil at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show, the British sportscar-maker will also lift the curtain on a new version of the Elise roadster called the Club Racer.

The stripped-out Elise sheds 52 pounds off its already spritely curb weight, and gets a new sport setting for the Dynamic Performance Management system, giving the driver-focused roadster an even bigger performance advantage. Pricing comes in at £27,500.

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Tags: 2011 geneva motor show, Elise, geneva, geneva 2011, geneva motor show, Lotus, Lotus Elise, Lotus Elise Club Racer

Wiesmann Spyder to Debut at Geneva Motor Show

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Beyond the usual suspects sit a handful of niche automakers based in Europe. Companies like Gumpert, Spyker and Wiesmann. And like the former, the latter will be coming to Geneva with a new model to expand its range.

The Wiesmann Spyder is expected to be based on the existing Roadster model (pictured above for illustrative purposes), but does without the doors and the windscreen for a pure driver's experience. Strictly a show car for the time being, Wiesmann says they're bringing the concept to the exposition to gauge public opinion before considering production potential. We'll have to wait as the show approaches to find out more, but like the elite cadre of wealthy motorists Wiesmann calls its clientele, our interests are suitably piqued.

Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: Wiesmann MF5 Roadster

Tags: 2011 geneva motor show, geneva, geneva 2011, geneva motor show, wiesmann, wiesmann spyder

De Tomaso to Relaunch in Geneva with new SLC

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

The 1960s exotic sportscar scene was dominated not only by names we still see today like Ferrari, Lamborghini and Porsche, but also by a few that have since passed quietly into the night. Among them was De Tomaso, a company which, like Pagani, was founded by an Argentinean and was headquartered in the Italian city of Modena. But De Tomaso is making a comeback, and this is their first new vehicle.

While a sportscar and four-door coupe/sedan are reportedly also in the pipeline, the first of the new family is the SLC you see here. A sort of sedan crossover similar in form to the BMW 5 Series GT, the De Tomaso SLC is set to bow at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show. When it finally reaches production at around 3,000 units per year, the SLC will have a range of engines available, including a 524-horsepower V8 or six-cylinder engines burning either gasoline at 296 horsepower or diesel at 247. Pricing is anticipated to start around the €85,000 mark. Follow the jump for video footage.

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Tags: 2011 geneva motor show, de tomaso, De Tomaso SLC, geneva, geneva 2011, geneva motor show, slc

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