genevamotorshow

Sacr� Bleu! Bugatti Celebrates 100th Anniversary at Geneva Show With a Fresh Coat of Paint

This year's Geneva Motor Show had plenty of surprises and a wealth of breathtaking new automobiles on display, but it also had its share of disappointments. Bugatti, for example, is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. But instead of marking the occasion in the grand style we expected, Bugatti simply slapped a fresh coat of paint on an existing Veyron and blew out the hundred candles on its cake.

Called the Bleu Centenaire, the special Veyron is differentiated from its "ordinary" counterparts (if you could apply the term to a seven-figure supercar) by a special French Racing Blue paintjob in tone-on-tone matte and glossy finish, complemented by special wheels. Only one will be made, but then just about every Veyron to roll out of Bugatti's Molsheim factory is different from every other.

Gallery: Geneva 2009: Bugatti Veyron Bleu Centenaire

Gallery: Bugatti Veyron Bleu Centenaire

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Tags: bugatti, bugatti anniversary, bugatti centenaire, bugatti veyron, bugatti veyron bleu centenaire, BugattiAnniversary, BugattiCentenaire, BugattiVeyron, BugattiVeyronBleuCentenaire, centenaire, geneva, geneva 2009, geneva motor show, Geneva2009, GenevaMotorShow

The Classicist: A Closer Look at Car Show Girls

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Events, Art, Books, The Classicist

All week we've been treated to gorgeous new cars from the world's leading marques at the Geneva Motor Show. In most of the pictures we also got a tantalizing glimpse of thigh, shapely arm or other anatomical fragment of the equally alluring models hired to show off the luxurious machines to best advantage. For most these women are a mere sideshow, a sort of added attraction, but for Dutch artist Jacqueline Hassink they're the main event. Hassink, who has received critical acclaim for her books and exhibitions that deal conceptually with issues of power and social relations, spent the past five years traveling to three continents photographing car show girls.

The resulting body of work from major car shows in seven different cities on three continents, including New York, Paris, Geneva, Tokyo, Detroit, and Shanghai, is collected in her new book, Car Girls (Aperture, $85). Hassink used these sites to reflect on "differing cultural values with regard to their ideal images of beauty and women." The series captures the moments during the women's performances when they "become more like dolls than individuals." The luxuriously produced book, limited to an edition of 1,500 copies, takes a subversively fun yet conceptually astute approach to examining "differing cultural values and ideal images of femininity as used to define corporate identity," and luxury car brands in particular.

"Car companies are global players who need to continually re-present themselves to local markets," Hassink notes. "Each year they show off their latest car models at extravagantly staged shows in major cities across the globe. The shows that take place in Detroit, New York, Tokyo, Frankfurt, Geneva, and Paris are the most important according to the industry. Less important are the shows in New York and Shanghai. At these shows, the auto manufacturers take great pains to distinguish their brands, but they all present their latest cars in the same way: with the help of female models. Essentially, the women become tools to present the corporate image in a very distinctive way." See the gallery for examples from Ferrari, Maserati and more.

Gallery: Jacqueline Hassink: Car Girls

2. Alfa Romeo girl 1, Geneva, 1 March 2005 (city section)

3. Alfa Romeo girl 2, Frankfurt, 19 September 2003

7. Maserati girl 3, Frankfurt, 11 September 2007 (city section)

10. Maserati girl 1, Tokyo, 24 October 2003

8. Ferrari girl, Shanghai, 21 April 2005

Tags: Aperture, Car show, CarShow, Ferrari, Geneva Motor Show, GenevaMotorShow, Harvard, Jacqueline Hassink, JacquelineHassink, Maserati, Models, Photography

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Infiniti and Louis Vuitton Pull the Veil off the Essence Concept in Geneva

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

After twenty years in the North American market, Infiniti has become a mainstay of the luxury segment on this side of the Atlantic. But in Europe - home to some of the most established premium automakers in the world - Nissan's luxury division is just making its debut. The corporate strategists knew they'd have to make a big splash to make any sort of impact on the European market, so they teamed up with luxury label Louis Vuitton to create the stunning Essence concept.

Collaborations between automakers and fashion labels are nothing new - think Audi and Prada or Lamborghini and Versace - and we brought you news of this partnership before the show even opened. But we had no idea what a stunning show car it would yield. Easily among the most beautiful of the show-stoppers this year in Geneva, the Infiniti Essence features hybrid propulsion that yields nearly 600 horsepower, in a muscular yet elegant and futuristic shape that couldn't be missed. LV was brought in to craft a special set of fitted luggage for the concept, rekindling a century-old business for the French luxury label which we hope Infiniti will offer on its existing vehicles already in showrooms. View more in our photography gallery by clicking the thumbnail images below.

Gallery: Geneva 2009: Infiniti Essence

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Tags: essence, geneva, geneva 2009, geneva motor show, Geneva2009, GenevaMotorShow, infiniti, infiniti essence, infiniti geneva, infiniti louis vuitton, infiniti lv, InfinitiEssence, InfinitiGeneva, InfinitiLouisVuitton, InfinitiLv, louis vuitton, LouisVuitton, lv

Audi Presents an SUV Alternative with A4 Allroad Quattro at Geneva show

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

If you're in the market for a luxury sport-utility but don't like the idea of driving a mamoth off-roader around town, Audi may have what you're looking for in the A4 Allroad Quattro. Joining the larger A6-based Allroad, the A4 version combines the versatility and rugged styling of an SUV with a more car-like ride and profile.

Like the Volvo XC70 or Subaru Outback, the A4 Allroad is essentially a conventional station wagon with a higher ride height, all-wheel-drive and rugged body cladding. It's being offered with a choice of turbocharged gasoline and diesel engines, starting at around the equivalent of $47k in European markets. Given that the A6 Allroad was withdrawn from the North American market, the A4 Allroad may or may not make it over the Atlantic, so the images in the gallery below may be the closest you get to seeing it up close while we wait for the final verdict from Audi.

Gallery: Geneva 2009: Audi A4 Allroad Quattro

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Tags: a4, a4 allroad, A4Allroad, allroad, allroad quattro, AllroadQuattro, audi, audi a4, audi a4 allroad, audi a4 allroad quattro, audi allroad, audi quattro, AudiA4, AudiA4Allroad, AudiA4AllroadQuattro, AudiAllroad, AudiQuattro, geneva, geneva 2009, geneva motor show, Geneva2009, GenevaMotorShow, quattro

Panamera Delayed, Porsche Unveils Updated 911 GT3 in Geneva

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

At this year's Geneva Motor Show, Porsche was originally scheduled to unveil its highly anticipated new Panamera four-door model, bridging the gap between its sportscar line-up and the Cayenne sport-utility vehicle. The German automaker, which recently acquired majority stake in the entire Volkswagen Group and all its many subsidiaries, opted instead to delay the Panamera's launch. Purists were undoubtedly pleased to see Porsche instead use the occasion to unveil its latest performance-focused driving tool, the revised 911 GT3. Slotting in below the Turbo and GT2 models in the 911 range, the new GT3 features a 3.8-liter flat-six that generates 435 horsepower without the need for turbochargers...good enough to propel the lightweight sportscar to sixty miles per hour in only 4.1 seconds. Center-locking wheels, a big rear wing and vents aplenty set the GT3 apart visually from the more ordinary versions of the 911, as you can see from the photographs in the gallery below.

Gallery: 2010 Porsche 911 GT3

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Tags: 911, 911 gt3, 911Gt3, geneva, geneva 2009, geneva motor show, Geneva2009, GenevaMotorShow, gt3, panamera, porsche, porsche 911, porsche 911 gt3, porsche gt3, porsche panamera, Porsche911, Porsche911Gt3, PorscheGt3, PorschePanamera

Ferrari Announces Exclusive 599XX Program in Geneva

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Hard as it may be to imagine for the common folk, there are some super-wealthy sportscar enthusiasts for whom an "ordinary" Ferrari isn't fast or exclusive enough. But the exotic Italian automaker isn't about to leave its most valued (and high-value) clients unsatisfied, so back in 2005 they launched the FXX program that allows the unspeakably wealthy to become client test drivers for the factory, piloting experimental Enzo prototypes packed with the latest F1 technology around the finest race tracks in the world. This year at the Geneva Motor Show, Ferrari followed up with an experimental version based on the 599 GTB Fiorano. Called the 599XX, it packs a 700-horsepower V12 and a host of Formula One-derived technology to be tested by the participating clients before being applied to the next generation of Ferrari supercars. The program costs upwards of a million euros to participate, including the cost of the car, but only 20-30 will be offered and spaces made available. At that level of exclusivity, you're not likely to see a 599XX roaming your local streets (especially since it isn't street-legal), so click on the images below to see the 599XX on the floor of the Geneva Motor Show.

Gallery: Geneva 2009: Ferrari 599XX

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Tags: 599xx, ferrari, ferrari 599xx, ferrari geneva, ferrari programme, ferrari racing program, ferrari xx, Ferrari599xx, FerrariGeneva, FerrariProgramme, FerrariRacingProgram, FerrariXx, geneva, geneva motor show, GenevaMotorShow, xx

BMW Alpina B7 Bi-Turbo debuts at Geneva Motor Show

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

BMW's M line of performance vehicles have earned a well-deserved reputation among enthusiasts as some of the best driving machines around, but the division's products currently extend only to the German automaker's nimbler offerings. Enter Alpina to fill in the gap with the new B7 Bi-Turbo. Based on the new flagship 7 Series sedan, the Alpina version upgrades with a revised twin-turbo V8 engine to drive 507 horsepower through a revised suspension with bigger wheels and a custom leather and wood interior. Prices have yet to be released, but are expected to reach comfortably into six figures. We stopped by the Geneva Motor Show to see it for ourselves and bring you the photographs in the gallery below.

Gallery: Geneva 2009: BMW Alpina B7 Bi-Turbo

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Tags: alpina, alpina b7, AlpinaB7, bmw, bmw 7, bmw alpina, bmw b7, bmw m7, Bmw7, BmwAlpina, BmwB7, BmwM7, geneva, geneva 2009, geneva motor show, Geneva2009, GenevaMotorShow

Geneva 2009: Rolls-Royce introduces the 200EX

by Sam Abuelsamid (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Click the 200EX for a high-res gallery

Rolls Royce officially unveiled its 200EX concept in Geneva this week as the precursor to the fourth model in its lineup and the first not based on the immense Phantom. For the moment the 200EX is just a concept but this fall the production version will be revealed with a proper name, one likely to start with Silver. Compared to the Phantom this new model is some 18" shorter and is designed to be far less formal.

In spite of that "informality" this is absolutely a Rolls-Royce through and through. The interior is trimmed in the finest hides and wood veneers. This is clearly a more driver oriented car as evidenced by the thicker rim and smaller diameter on the steering wheel. However, those that prefer to have someone else handle the piloting duties will still find the rear compartment of the 200EX a very hospitable location with the lounge style seating well back of the C-pillar along with the coach style rear hinged doors.

The new grille with the vertical slats set back further from the frame is now meant to evoke more of a jet engine intake than a Greek temple. Rolls-Royce has not indicated a price range yet but it will undoubtedly be in keeping with Rolls tradition.

Gallery: Geneva 2009: Rolls-Royce 200EX

Tags: geneva, geneva 2009, geneva motor show, geneva2009, GenevaMotorShow, rolls royce, rolls royce 200ex, rolls royce rr4, RollsRoyce, RollsRoyce200ex, RollsRoyceRr4

Schwarzenegger Scopes Out New Bentley in Geneva

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Events

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger made a surprise appearance at the Geneva Motor Show today, where he checked out a $230,000 Bentley Continental GTC Speed, the most powerful convertible the marque has ever produced. Accompanied by Bentley CEO Franz-Josef Paefgen, Schwarzenegger eyed all the Bentleys on display but seemed to prefer the GTC Speed, which he sat in and fondled lovingly, MotorTrend reports. The Governator also visited several other stands including Audi's during his whirlwind tour of the show. He has been in Europe this week attending the CeBIT 2009 in Hanover, Germany, billed as the world's largest technology trade fair for digital business solutions and information and communications technology. California is the first U.S. state to partner with CeBIT.

Tags: Arnold Schwarzenegger, ArnoldSchwarzenegger, Bentley, Bentley Continental GTC Speed, BentleyContinentalGtcSpeed, Celebrity, Convertible, Geneva, Geneva Motor Show, GenevaMotorShow

Lamborghini launches Murci�lago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce

by Jeremy Korzeniewski (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Click above for high-res gallery of the Lamborghini Murciélago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce

Lamborghini is using the Geneva Motor Show as an outlet to bring its latest supercar to market and all the details and a few images have managed to sneak out ahead of the show's official beginning. The new Murciélago LP 670-4, as the name suggests, features a robust 670 horsepower driving all four wheels. That's enough grunt to launch the new bull to 60 miles per hour in right around 3 seconds and on up to a top speed of 212 miles per hour. If such high velocities aren't required (let's be honest, when are they ever?), Lambo also offers a rear wing with more downforce, which aids high-speed handling but lowers terminal velocity to 209 mph.

The rest of the kit is centered around reducing weight through the use of carbon fiber and magnesium. Especially impressive looking are the huge front air intakes and the rear window, which is a honeycomb of carbon fiber and transparent polymer plates. Of course, casual observers will likely be ogling their necks to get a glance of the exquisite 6.5L V12 engine lurking underneath. See the official press release after the break.

Gallery: Lamborghini Murcielago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce

[Source: Lamborghini]

Tags: geneva 2009, geneva motor show, Geneva2009, GenevaMotorShow, lamborghini, lamborghini murcielago, lamborghini murcielago lp 670, lamborghini murcielago lp670-4 superveloce, LamborghiniMurcielago, LamborghiniMurcielagoLp670, LamborghiniMurcielagoLp670-4Superveloce

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Geneva 2009: Aston Martin One-77 revealed!

by Sam Abuelsamid (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Click for a high res gallery of the Aston Martin One-77

Aston Martin fully revealed its ultimate car, the One-77 today at the Geneva Motor Show. Aston Martins have always been special but the One-77 takes it to a whole new level. The 6.0L V12 found in more "pedestrian" Astons has been expanded out to 7.3L and the output is now in excess of 700 hp with a top speed in excess of 200 mph. Apparently the only thing not in excess for this very special sports car is the production volumes. Only 77 examples will be built with a price tag well in excess of $1 million! No word yet on whether Daniel Craig will have one available for the next James Bond outing.

Gallery: Geneva 2009:Aston Martin One-77

Tags: aston martin one-77, AstonMartinOne-77, geneva 2009, geneva auto salon, geneva auto show, geneva motor show, Geneva2009, GenevaAutoSalon, GenevaAutoShow, GenevaMotorShow

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Bugatti Plans Veyron Centenaire 100th Anniv. Edition

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

The $1.5 million Bugatti Veyron may already be the most super of supercars, but it's also been the subject of countless special editions designed to up the ante even further. The ultra-exclusive models we've seen include the Pur Sang, Sang Noir and Hermes editions, as well as one-offs like the Mansory Vincero. Now reports have surfaced that Bugatti will unveil a new Veyron limited edition called the Centenaire 'Bleu' in celebration of Bugatti's 100th anniversary at this month's Geneva Motor Show. The Centenaire could produce up to 1,400 hp with a top speed around 275 mph to help the Veyron recapture the world's fastest production car title. Carbon fiber could be used to reduce weight and up the speed quotient.

Gallery: Bugatti Veyron Special Editions

Tags: Bugatti, Bugatti Veyron, BugattiVeyron, Geneva Motor Show, GenevaMotorShow, Hermes, Mansory, supercar, Veyron

Perana Ltd. Edition Z-One Supercar by Zagato

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Earlier this month we wrote about the $1.7 million Bentley Continental GTZ designed by famed Italian coachbuilder Zagato. Now they have designed a less expensive but hardly less attractive new supercar for South Africa's Perana egineering, dubbed the Z-One (above). Slated to debut at next month's Geneva Motor Show, only 999 examples of the stylish GT will be built at a price of about $115,000. The limited production is due to the fact that the body of each Perana Z-One will be handbuilt in Italy by Zagato and then shipped in pieces to South Africa to be attached to the vehicle's chassis. Under the hood lies a 6.2L LS3 V8 engine sourced from General Motors' Corvette. The engine will allow the Z-One to do 0 - 62 mph in less than four seconds and reach a top speed of close to 200 mph.

[via MotorAuthority]

Tags: Corvette, Geneva Motor Show, GenevaMotorShow, Italy, Perana, Perana Z-One, PeranaZ-one, Supercar, Zagato

Aston Martin reveals DBS Volante for Geneva Motor Show

by Sam Abuelsamid (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

When we next see Agent 007 hit the big screen, this car may well be his new ride. After providing Bond with an Aston Martin DBS coupe during the last two movies, Aston Martin will introduce the DBS Volante at next week's Geneva Motor Show. In order to preserve the voluptuous profile of the DBS with the top down, Aston has opted to stick with a fabric top rather than a bulkier retractable hard-top. The top can be stowed away in just 14 seconds even when the car is moving at speeds up to 30 mph. Once the top is down or up, the 510 hp V12 can push the DBS Volante up to speeds of 191 mph! Inside the cockpit the driver and passenger will as always be ensconced in the highest quality hides and veneers. The DBS Volante will be delivered starting in third quarter of 2009.

Gallery: Aston Martin DBS Volante

[Source: Aston Martin]

Tags: aston martin, aston martin dbs, aston martin dbs convertible, aston martin dbs volante, AstonMartin, AstonMartinDbs, AstonMartinDbsConvertible, AstonMartinDbsVolante, geneva, geneva motor show, geneva2009, GenevaMotorShow

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Rolls-Royce 200EX Making its World Debut at the Geneva Motor Show

by Sam Abuelsamid (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Rolls-Royce 200EX

The newest addition to the Rolls-Royce model lineup still a year away from production but we'll be getting a preview in two weeks at the Geneva Motor Show. The car that until now has been referred to as the RR4 will appear as a concept called 200EX. When the production version of the 200EX hits the streets in 2010 it will be the fourth Rolls-Royce model since the company was reborn under BMW ownership in 2003. Compared to the Phantom saloon, the 200EX is about 18 inches shorter but it remains a big machine spanning 212.6 inches from bumper to bumper.

Rolls-Royce isn't revealing to many technical details yet but we do know that like the Phantom, the 200EX/RR4 will have V12 power. The new car will however get an all-new engine not shared with any other car. The new Roller retains the rear hinged coach (don't call them suicide) doors but its more modest size means this is likely to be more of a drivers car than the Phantom. As with any Rolls-Royce, the interior will be impeccably finished in the finest hides, wood veneers and fabrics. The final production version (and presumably its name) will debut this fall at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

Gallery: Rolls-Royce 200EX Concept