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When it comes to high-priced exotics, the Geneva Auto Show is in a class of its own. Renowned for debuts of some of the world's most expensive cars, 2011 is shaping up to be no different with the planned debut of the the Ferrari FF, as well as Lambo's next Murcielago, the Aventador LP700-4.
See the preview and check back for breaking updates with coverage from the 2011 Geneva Auto Show preview starting on March 1st.
By Viknesh Vijayenthiran Editor February 25th, 2011
Automotive pairings with luxury fashion labels is nothing new but typically we see the more exotic and prestigious models get the designer fashion treatment, such as this Bugatti Veyron Fbg par Hermès or the awesome Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 Versace editions.
The latest collaboration between automaker and fashion house, however, sees the pint-sized--but irresistibly stylish--Fiat 500 dressed by Gucci. Set to make its debut next week at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, the new Fiat 500 by Gucci was created in celebration of the fashion house’s 90th anniversary and was customized by its creative director Frida Giannini together with Fiat's own Centro Stile studio.
It will be sold as a limited edition model and will be available in either black or white, and come with glossy pearl and satin highlights on its exterior. Other special details will include GG logos on the hubcaps, B-pillar and seats and custom 16 inch wheels wrapped with 195 mm rubber.
Each model will be powered by a 1.4-liter engine pumping out 100 horsepower.
No word yet on whether the limited edition Fiat 500 by Gucci will be offered in the U.S. market but we should know more details following its debut next week in Geneva.
Rising fuel price casts shadow on Geneva auto show
2/28/11
GENEVA (AP) — The car industry, it seems, just can't get a break.
Just when automakers thought it safe to roll out new models in the wake of the devastating economic crisis — 170 premiers are advertised for the Geneva Auto Show opening this week — confidence is shaken by a spike in oil prices due to civil unrest in Libya and other energy-producing nations.
Gas pump prices, which are at a seasonal record in the U.S., will sharpen attention at the auto show on technologies that squeeze more power out of conventional engines, along with much-anticipated news in hybrid and electric vehicles.
Although most carmakers are showing upbeat signs of recovery, the key theme, as during the financial crisis years, will once again be fuel efficiency.
Rolls Royce's one-off electric-powered Phantom luxury sedan could give electric the kind of upscale appeal it so far lacks. The concept car, to be unveiled on Tuesday, will be tested on tracks in different climates around the world this year to help decide what drivetrain it should have. At the moment, however, there are no plans to put the car into full production, the carmaker said.
BMW, which owns Rolls Royce, also is launching its latest ActiveE electric concept car in Geneva.
"We'll see a lot of alternative powertrains, which will get a lot of attention given the current oil prices. No one knows where that is going to go, especially given what is going on in the Middle East," said Ian Fletcher, analyst at IHS automotive.
There will be a particular focus on engine downsizing, an industry term for squeezing more power out of small engines. Nissan will be showcasing a 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine in the Nissan Micar DIG-S that is touted as having the same power as a 1.5 liter four-cylinder model. Fiat has done similar work with the Twin Air engine in the Fiat 500.
"It's tweaking current technology to meet new levels of expectations. The internal combustion engine is still a relatively cheap way of producing power on a light vehicle," Fletcher said.
With sales in Europe still sluggish, automakers have been counting on emerging economies, especially China, for major growth. But news that the once-galloping economy is slowing down, even to an enviable 7 percent, could cause companies like Volkswagen and BMW some worry.
Still, automakers are showing optimism coming into Geneva, evident in the rollouts planned. After seeing participants scale back in recent years, organizers said they had requests for more show space than they could provide, and that 70 brands will be represented from 31 countries.
Geneva's motor show, which focuses primarily on European companies, is considered one of the more prestigious auto events of the year. And because it is based in industry-neutral Switzerland, which does not produce cars on any industrial scale, it creates an even playing field for German, French and Italian companies alike, not to mention a rare venue for Asian automakers like Tata to show cars outside of their markets.
Automakers that held back launch during the economic crisis — not wanting to squander the considerable investment — will be out in force.
Fiat, which owns Chrysler, is launching the Fiat Freemont, based on the Dodge Journey and the first Fiat vehicle to be born of the alliance with Chrysler. It goes on sale in the second half of the year.
And Lancia, another Fiat brand that will be the European face of Chrysler, will unveil a series of rebadged cars to pave Chrysler's European renaissance under Fiat's management: an updated three-door Ypsilon minicar, a new Lancia Thema sedan in the C-segment combining American size with Italian style, Flavia concept, a D-segment sedan car, and Grand Voyager minivan.
But perhaps a surer sign that carmakers are feeling cheery is that many high-end automakers have new products to show.
"You only have to look at the launches taking place. Look at the top end, Aston Martin, Jaguar, Rolls Royce. They are all either unveiling concept cars or new roll ours. If the top end of the market is doing well, it's a good sign for the overall economy and growth in developing markets," Fletcher said.
Italian design houses, meanwhile, will be making a strong presence.
Bertone wants to turn Jaguar on its ears, unveiling a design for a concept called the B 99, for Bertone's 99-year history, a compact four-door Jaguar sedan that uses a full hybrid powertrain. The B 99, named for Bertone's 99-year history, is aimed at replacing the Jaguar X-Type, discontinued two years ago, as an entry model.
It's a fitting venue: Jaguar unveiled the legendary E-type 41 years ago in Geneva.
Italdesign Giugiaro SpA, shows up for the first time at Geneva as part of the Volkswagen group. VW last May acquired 90-percent of the coach builder that previously had designed Volkswagen Golf, Passat and Scirocco along with the Audi 80.
And the third in the triumvirate of Italian design houses, Pininfarina will see unveiled its latest Ferrari design, the FF, a four-seat, four-wheel drive — hence the FF moniker — V12 billed as the company's most powerful four-seater ever.
The 81st edition of the Geneva Auto Show opens to the public from March 3-13.
__________________
Rick
Nitro Year: 2007 (1 of 113,000 sold)
Nitro Model: R/T 4X4 Stone White
CAT-BACK Exhaust, CAI, Projector Head Lamps
Fully-Equipped w/all factory options
At the 2011 Geneva auto show, this Dodge Journey sported Fiat badges on the grille and wheels. It seems that Fiat has discovered badge-engineering, using it to bring Chrysler group cars to Europe. Fiat acquired Chrysler in 2009.
Under Fiat, the Journey goes under the model name Freemont, which is intended to evoke the freedom of the open road, and is also a homonym for a name associated with the American West.
Fiat Freemont
With its three rows of seating, the Freemont can carry seven Europeans.
By European standards, the Freemont is a very large vehicle. It comes with third-row seating, so it can handle seven occupants, and still carry cargo. That third row folds flat, making for even more cargo space.
But as the Freemont, it gets a power train that would have been deemed unsuitable for the U.S. market. At launch, it can be had with a choice of two turbocharged 2-liter four-cylinder diesel engines, one making 140 horsepower and the other 170 horsepower, both attached to a manual gearbox.
Although it will be front-wheel drive at launch, Fiat says it will later offer a four-wheel-drive version. Eventually, an automatic transmission will be available, and Chrysler's new 3.6-liter V-6 Pentastar engine.
The U.S. is getting the Fiat 500, and Europe is getting the Dodge Journey. Seems like a fair trade, from our perspective.
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