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 360o 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.
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