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The 67th Annual Geneva Car Show - 1997

by Paul Negyesi

Alpina

The builder of BMW-based sportscars exhibited its wide range. The news was a 5 series equipped with a 4.6 litre powerplant, max. torque 470 Nm at 3800 rpm...


BMW

The Z3 Roadster mated with the 321 bhp engine of the M3. The result? M Roadster:

This is the quickest-accelerating BMW ever: 0-60 mph in 5.2 secs. THe 245/ 40 ZR17 Michelins do their job perfectly don't worry about sliding.
The car sits lower and it's more sporting character than any other Z3 varians.
Front suspension, steering and brakes are also taken from the M3.


Brabus

Brabus didn't roll out any significant newcomer.


Irmscher

Last year they exhibited a surf-hobbycar version of the Tigra. Now they added a few spoilers, repainted it and said it's phase II. Naaah.


IVM

For a few moments I thought Audi took note and built an A8 coupé. IVM, a German engineering firm was placed near the Audi booth and their sleek and well-executed one-off Audi represents their craftmanship:


Karmann

They're manufacturing the Kia Sportage for the European market. This and the new Renault Megané cabriolet were shown.


Lorinser

There were various Mercedes SLK conversions at Geneva, but I liked this one the most.
The fine optic alterations made the car look more sporting than ever.


Michalak

The small studio put on show a Jeep Wrangler based "All Terrain Coupé" the Cheep/R which didn't look cheap.
The shape was dramatically transformed - the car looked like an egg with fenders and aggressive nose.


Strosek

"A sporty design programme for the Porsche Boxster": added spoilers and headlight-cover.

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.

© Paul Negyesi, Budapest, Hungary. 1997