AutoWeek Editors' Choice Awards From Geneva Reward Performance and Passion

    DETROIT, Feb. 28 AutoWeek today announced its 2001
Editors' Choice Awards from the Geneva International Motor Show, which each
year inaugurates the European auto show season.  This year's roster of
AutoWeek stars from Geneva includes a highly significant small sedan and three
exciting performance cars and concepts designed to capture the imagination of
those passionate about things automotive.
    For more than a decade, the AutoWeek Editors' Choice Awards have
recognized those vehicles the magazine's editorial staff selects as the Best
in Show, Most Fun, Most Significant and Best Concept models at each major auto
show around the world.
    The AutoWeek Editors' Choice Awards from the 2001 Geneva International
Motor Show are:

    Most Significant:  Jaguar X-Type -- "The Jaguar X-Type is clearly the most
significant vehicle of the Geneva Show," says Dutch Mandel, AutoWeek Editor
and Associate Publisher.  "Not only because of what it means for Jaguar's
future as a complete car company, but for what it means to the segment in
which it competes.  The styling is expressively Jaguar.  You know it is a Jag
the moment you see it.  That Jaguar will bring this car to the U.S. for less
than $30,000 sends a strong statement to the people from Audi, BMW and
Mercedes-Benz.  It is a clear winner."
    Most Fun:  Opel Astra Coupe OPC X-Treme -- "When you look at the Opel OPC
X-Treme," Mandel states, "a couple of questions come to mind:  How fast will
it go?  Can you imagine driving that through rush-hour traffic?  When can I
have one?  Unfortunately, this concept won't make it anywhere but the track
since it is truly a race car for the street.  We can't stop smiling when we
see this car.  We can't stop crying knowing we'll never get to drive it."
    Best Concept:  Pininfarina Citroen Osee -- The famous Italian styling
house has created a mid-engined sports car concept for Citroen.  According to
Mandel, "It is spectacular that Pininfarina is able to do for Citroen what it
has done for others in the car industry -- given the company a stunning
concept vehicle that the world can drool over.  The Osee represents the first
vehicle that Pininfarina has ever done for the French carmaker, and by our
estimation it should not be the last."
    Best in Show:  Aston Martin V12 Vanquish -- "Clearly the Best in Show,"
says Mandel.  "Its styling is stunning and brutish and elegant and passionate.
James Bond must be seen in this car.  Considering its power and performance,
it will help 007 -- or any of its select owners who wish to pretend to be a
secret agent -- out of any trouble.  All we can say is Wow!"

    AutoWeek is America's only weekly automotive enthusiast magazine.  The
full color magazine covers all aspects of automotive enthusiasm -- from racing
to products to news features.  AutoWeek, with a circulation of 340,000, is one
of 30 magazines published by Detroit-based Crain Communications, Inc.