The 67th Annual Geneva Car Show

The 67th Annual Geneva Car Show - 1997

by Paul Negyesi

Audax

Every show had something drab, a car which doesn't quite live up to its creators' expectations. I am afraid this title befalls with the French Audax now.

It arrived quite late on the afternoon of the first press day. I'd dare to say that the location wasn't succesful either. Nearby stood the Spectre R42 another limited edition sportscar, but it's from the UK. They're two worlds - although their marketplace is similar.
The car is based oon BMW mechanics, it is powered by a 4.4 litre V8 engine. The accompanying text said something, like it's more BMW than a real one. Well, I am not quite sure...

Berard

Since 1991 this small tuning company converts cars as the customer demands. On show as a Ferrarized Honda NSX and a modified Opel Corsa.

Heuliez

The Invader was in Paris and now it appeared in Geneva as well.

Jimenez

Currently the Jumenez Novia W16 car is the sole passenger car on the new car market with a 16-cylinder engine.
The block was born out from two Yamaha motorcycle engines. It sits silently behind the passenger - but it howls when revved.
At the 1994 Paris Autoshow Ramon Jimenez ex-motorcycle racer presented the Novia W.16 prototype. Two years later the car was ready for production.
This year they're hoping to sort out all problems and prepare for production, like finding reliable suppliers. Next year they'll start marketing the car.
The Novia has a max. speed over 350 km/h - but Jimenez claims the gear ratios are suitable for city traffic as well. In fourth gear You can accelerate from 50 km/h to 350 km/h without any difficulty.

Renault

On the wall hanged the two Formula 1 cars which are powered by Renault engine so anywhere You stood and turned Your head to the direction of the Renault booth You saw them!
At a corner, almost hiding was the Pangea.

This mobile laboratory was developed in conjunction with Philips Design. It's a 4x4 hybrid vehicle. Power is supplied to the electric motor by either batterios or a turbine-driven generator running on LPG or by both simultaneously.
The Pange is equipped with a multimedia workstation which comprises a monitor, a plotter and a pair of ultra-flat speakers.
A video camera module mounted on a turret positioned within the roof dome provides 360^o circular vision.
This car is a preview of the forthcoming Renault small van minus technical gadgets. The plan is to introduce a van and then a basic passenger car, just as Citroën did with the Berlingo. This basic model could be the spiritual successor to the Renault 4.
Other Renault news: new Mégane version is the Cabriolet. Technology news: direct injection turbodiesel engine; a 1.9 litre unit which improves fuel economy by 17 per cent.

Venturi

Last year the 13-year-old company was taken over by a group of Thailand businessmen and production of the Atlantique 300 and 400 GT were resurrected. This was their first show appearance in 1997.

Pick another exhibitor:

AC Schnitzer, Alfa Romeo, Alpina, Audax, Audi, Berard, Bertone, BMW, Brabus, Caterham, Chrysler, Citroën, Daewoo, Daihatsu, DeTomaso, DigitPower, Ferrari, Fiat, Ford, General Motors USA Gigliato, Heuliez, Honda, Hyundai, Irmscher, ItalDesign, IVM Engineering, Jaguar, Jimenez Novia Karmann, Kia, Lamborghini, Lancia, Lorinser, Maserati, Mazda, Mercedes, Michalak, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Opel, Peugeot, Pininfarina, Porsche, Proton, Puch, Renault, Rinspeed, Rolls-Royce/Bentley, Rover/Land Rover/MG/Mini, Saab, Sbarro, Seat, Skoda, Spectre, SsangYong, Strosek, Subaru, Suzuki, Toyota, Valmet, Venturi, Volkswagen, Volvo, BEGINNING OF REPORT.