The Infiniti brand is coming to Europe. The first car they will be showing is the Infiniti EX37, what they call “the world’s first coupé crossover”: a sporty SUV with a coupè-like exterior and a luxurious interior.

The Infiniti EX37 will thus be part of a trend inaugurated by its bigger brother, the FX35/45 and taken further by the BMW X6.

The specs on the EX37 are quite attractive: the VQ37 engine is a 3.7 litre V6 engines with 24 valves, double overhead cams and variable valve timing and lift that produces more than 310 ps and 350 Nm of torque. The engine is mated to a 7-speed automatic transmission and an “intelligent” all-whell drive system. No word yet on performance or fuel consumption.

Equipment levels appear to be quite rich, but we’ll have to wait for information about the prices to know how competitive this EX37 will be on the market. You can find below the full text of the Infiniti press release.

Infiniti EX37

Continue reading: Geneva 2008 - Infiniti EX37

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Mini is resuming production of the John Cooper Works-tuned Mini, both in the hatch and Clubman version.

The engine of the new John Cooper Works Mini will be the 1.6-litre turbo-charged 4 cylinder unit, tuned to produce 211 ps and a torque of 260 Nm (temporarily boostable to 280 Nm). The sprint from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) will take only 6.5 seconds. The modifications are extensive (details in the press release below) and include a bigger turbocharger with a higher charge pressure. As an added bonus, the JCW Mini will be the first to comply with the Euro5 emission regulations.

Sales of the Mini John Cooper Works and Mini John Cooper Works Clubman will start in July 2008. Prices are yet to be announced.

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Maybach has announced the production version of the Maybach Landaulet - the semi-convertible ultra-luxurious limousine, with a 620 ps V12 bi-turbo engine and a € 900,000 price tag.

Probably Maybach hopes that such an over the top car will save the brands’ sagging sales. The first deliveries will start in the autumn of 2008.

Continue reading: The € 900,000 Maybach Landaulet

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Jaguar is to present the XKR Portfolio 2009 at the Geneva Motor Show, a special edition version full of enhancements on the previous model. Available as a coupe or convertible, the Portfolio 2009 is equipped with the 420bhp 4.2 litre V8 supercharged engine coupled with a six-speed automatic gearbox.

Specific additions for this version are the exclusive Shadow Grey metallic paint colour, the new 20” Selena alloy rims and the milled aluminium vents in the side. In addition, the Portfolio will be equipped with the Alcon R Performance braking system, developed on the Nurburgring track, with 400mm six-pot discs at the front. The wheels show off the old Jaguar logo which
reminds us of the tradition and rich history of the British brand.

Continue reading: Geneva 2008: Jaguar XKR Portfolio 2009

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BMW will be showing in Geneva their BMW Vision EfficientDynamic, a concept car based on the BMW X5 with a novel hybrid propulsion system based on the recent 2.0 litre Variable Twin Turbo diesel engine.

The diesel engine outputs 204 ps / 400 Nm, while the electric engine contributes a maximum of 15 kW of power and a torque of 210 Nm, which makes it possibile to accelerate from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 8,9 seconds, with an average fuel consumption of just 6.5 litres/100 km on the EU test cycle.

The generator used in the brake energy regeneration system is directly integrated in the gearbox housing and feeds a lithium-ion battery housed in the luggage compartment. Most vehicle functions are powered electrically and the Auto Start/Stop function should act seamlessy to avoid needless idling. There is also a 1 square meter solar cell on the roof which generates up to one kilowatt.

Continue reading: Geneva 2008 - BMW X5 hybrid concept

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The pictures of the new Volvo XC60 are officialy out. The new mid-sized SUV from the Swedish Brand will be shown to the public on March 4th in Geneva.

At first the XC60 will be available with three different engines: the T6 with a turbocharged inline-6 gasoline engine that produces 285 hp and two variants of the D5 turbodiesel (with respectively 185 and 163 ps). All models will have four-wheel drive, but during 2009 a FWD version with a Euro5 version of the D5 engine will be available.

Continue reading: Geneva 2008: Volvo XC60

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Audi presents the new Audi A4 Avant. Compared to its predecessor, the new estate from Ingolstadt is quite a bit longer, at 4.70 cm. The external dimensions are the same as the saloon, with its shorter front overhang and a body that is both more rigid and lighter.

The A4 Avant has a luggage capacity of 490 liters with the rear seat up and 1,430 liters with the rear seat folded.

The engine range will be the same as the saloon: at the start there will be two gasoline engines, the 1.8 TFSI (160 ps, 250 Nm) and the 3.2 FSI (265 ps, 330 Nm), and two diesel engines, the 2.0 common-rail TDI (143 ps, 320 Nm) and the 3.0 V6 TDI (240 ps, 500 Nm). The 2.0 TDI engine will also come in a 170 ps version, with a torque of 350 Nm.

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From racing to our everyday roads, but always with a sporty approach. This is the goal behind the debut of the long-awaited Abarth 500, announced for the coming Geneva International Motor Show. The new car was developed by the Fiat Group Automobiles Style Centre in the spirit of the legendary Fiat 500 Abarth of the 1960s, and will be marketed from July through the exclusive Abarth network.

With a strong sporty personality, the new car will be powered by a Fire 1.4 16v petrol Turbo engine, which delivers a maximum of 135 bhp (99 kW) at 5500 rpm and peak torque of 206 Nm at 3000 rpm in Sport mode (in Normal mode, torque is reduced to 180 Nm at 2500 rpm). This brilliant, smooth new engine is also a friend of the environment: like the regular Fiat model it is derived from, the new Abarth will respect future Euro 5 legislation.

Another interesting feature of the 500 Abarth is the fact that it adopts the new TTC (Torque Transfer Control) system, which improves the transfer of drive torque to the wheels, but, above all, ensures that the car behaves impeccably on bends, making it safer and more entertaining even with a sporty driving style. In other words, it is faithful to the phrase coined for the Abarths of the 1960s ‘small but wicked’.

Continue reading: Abarth 500 unveiled

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Rolls Royce is going to show the Phantom Coupè in Geneva. The third model in the Rolls lineup is a very close relative of the Drophead Coupè convertible, with the same 6.75-liter V12 engine (460 ps, 720 Nm) and similar suicide doors.

According to Rolls Royce, the Phantom Coupè is the most driver-oriented car in its line-up, with a very rigid chassis, which shouldn’t compromise ride comfort. Production will start in the summer of 2008. Prices still undefined. Below the fold you can find the full text of the Rolls Royce press release.

Continue reading: Geneva 2008 - Rolls Royce Phantom Coupè

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After the new Fiesta, Ford will be showing in Geneva another incarnation of its “Kinetic Design” style, the Ford Kuga.

The Kuga, Ford’s mid-size SUV/Crossover, was first shown as a concept car in Frankfurt last year (the Kuga concept (itself derived from the Iosis X Concept).

The Ford Kuga, based on the Ford Focus’ platform, will be equipped with the 2.0 TDCi common rail Duratorq engine with power output of 136 ps and torque of 320 Nm at 2,000 rpm (a transient overboost to 340 Nm is possible).

The Kuga will be available both with front-wheel drive (”Trend” equipment level, 6.2 l/100 km average fuel consumption) and 4-wheel drive (”Titanium” equipment level, 6.4 l/100 km, 169 g/km CO2). ESP, Anti-Rollover Mitigation, ABS and EBD (electronic brake distribution all come as standard). The Kuga can seat five person and has a luggage compartment with a capacity of 360 liters (1,355 with the rear seat folded).

Continue reading: Geneva 2008 - the Ford Kuga

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