Geneva, Switzerland, 04 – 14 March 2010
The Geneva Motor Show celebrated its 80th anniversary with the
2010 edition, and presented a magnificent display of new models
and innovative concept cars for our delectation. Despite the
continuing economic problems faced by the motor industry,
particularly during 2009, the show had sold all its allotted floor
space by the middle of the year, showing the importance and
respect that the manufacturers attach to it as a showplace for
their latest products. In fact there were over one hundred and fifty
world, European or Swiss premieres, further substantiation of its
importance to the automobile industry.
There was a truly diverse selection of previously unseen new
models in all sectors of the market to be enjoyed, from minnows
like the Smart to monsters like the Mansory modified Rolls Royce
Ghost. The move to greener more fuel efficient vehicles with lower
CO2 emissions continues to gather momentum, and there was a
wide range of hybrid and electric cars from manufacturers both
large and small. There was also a wide selection of concept cars
of all shapes and sizes, some truly elegant and just crying out to
be put into production, and others which could be described as,
to be magnanimous, just bizarre! Both Bertone and Pininfarina
showed Alfa Romeo based concept cars, the former featuring
door panels that started at the tip of the front wing and were
hinged at the rear of the car, so that they resembled pieces of
modern art sculpture when in the open position. One would need
a garage that was as high as it was long to get out of the car, and
definitely not something that you would want to take into a multi-
storey car park. The Pininfarina offering was much simpler, an
elegant open two seat design in traditional Alfa Romeo deep red,
with slim horizontal front and rear light treatment.
Peugeot showcased their SR1 concept car against a water wall
backdrop creating a very effective and artistic monotone setting,
whilst they also presented the new 408 model, and their stand
featured their 2009 Le Mans 24 Hour race winning 908 HDi FAP
sports racing car. Arch rivals at Le Mans, Audi, presented their
new A1 model, with a wall that changed colour, featuring
examples of the car set in cut-outs in the structure. They also
had an eco friendly e-tron version, an A8 Hybrid, a stunning deep
metallic bronze R8 5.2 Quattro cabriolet, and reflecting their
motor sport heritage, a Quattro rally car.
Just across the aisle from Audi, Ferrari were showing their green
credentials, with the introduction of a Stop & Start system on the
California model, which will cut fuel consumption and CO2
emissions by 6% in the ECE + EUDC combined cycle. They also
showed their “green machine”, the HY-KERS vettura laboratorio, a
599 GTB Fiorano with a hybrid transmission system, featuring an
electric motor coupled to the rear of the F1 dual clutch system,
with batteries mounted beneath the floor pan of the car to lower
the centre of gravity, thus at the same time improving the
handling, whilst maintaining the same cabin and luggage storage
spaces. It is claimed that this system could reduce CO2
emissions by 35% in the combined ECE + EUDC cycles.
In fact the show was bristling with novelties, concepts and
technical innovation. Citroen showed their female orientated
Survolt and Revolte concepts, while Renault revived the Gordini
name on the Clio and Twingo, with the cars on display featuring
the traditional French Blue with white stripes of the original sixties
R8 Gordini. Hyundai had a very impressive concept car, the Lflow,
a four door saloon with innovative rear door hinging, and some
very nice design details. Swiss company Sbarro always have
something off the wall, and this year was no exception, with a
lurid orange Ferrari based creation called the Autobau, which
wouldn’t have looked out of place in a sci-fi movie. For those who
wanted to know what a Bugatti Veyron look like under its
voluptuously curved body, the Bugatti stand had one laid bare and
split apart so that all its inner details were revealed. BMW
unveiled the new 5 Series model, the sixth generation of their mid
range model, whilst they also went green with the Concept
ActiveE, a 1 Series model that runs purely on electric power.
Chevrolet announced their concept for the next generation of the
Aveo model, with the Aveo RS Concept, whilst Alfa Romeo
presented their new Guilietta, and Aston Martin showed the
Cygnet mini car, destined for Aston Martin owners who want a
matching town runabout. Virtually every corner that you turned
there was something to catch the eye, and that was without
taking into account the hostesses!
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