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Guide to the Geneva auto show

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Stylish, sexy, smart

More than 30 concept and production cars will make their world debuts this week

Mark Rechtin Automotive News Europe

With car sales plummeting globally and little sign of life coming from any nation's economy, the 79th Geneva auto show could be seen as the modern equivalent of the string quartet on the deck of the Titanic.

Automakers and design houses will use the show to display more than 30 world debuts of concept and production cars.

Those sorts of numbers are normally seen during boom times.

Of course, many of these product plans were started when times were good. The glitz and showmanship of

past years likely will be muted due to budget cuts. Still, the roster of vehicles, an equal split between performance and economy, is impressive. At a time when automakers are pulling out of auto shows, putting the very survival of the events at risk, the Geneva salon is perhaps one last display of brashness from an industry looking for any hint of good news.

Yet it is possible to wonder how grand the Geneva show could have been.

Many automakers have slowed their product development plans in order to conserve cash, delaying introductions and extending the length of their current vehicle cycles. Had those product plans stayed on schedule, this year's Geneva show would have been truly epic. What follows is the list of planned introductions to occur during the show's March 3-15 run.

Audi aims A4 Allroad at rugged set

The redesigned A4 Allroad gives Audi a more rugged-looking variant of the A4 Avant wagon with enhanced off-road capabilities. At 180mm, the Allroad's suspension is 70mm taller than the Avant's. This results in better ground clearance. The Allroad also has Audi's Off Road Detection stability control system, which offers improved traction during off-road driving. With 17-inch wheels, additional wheel-arch cladding and deeper front and rear protective bumper shields, the Allroad's design has been adapted to reflect its all-wheel-drive functionality. The A4 Allroad comes initially with three engines: a 211hp, 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline direct-injection engine; a 170hp, 2.0-liter turbodiesel; and a 240hp 3.0-liter V-6 turbodiesel.

A4 Allroad

All three motors come in combination with a brake-energy regeneration system, which converts deceleration energy into electricity. The smaller diesel has a manual six-speed transmission while the

gasoline and the larger diesel have a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The A4 Allroad goes on sale this summer.

Wim Oude Weernink

BMW hatches a new type of 5 series

Based on the 5-series platform, BMW has developed a new concept for a five-door premium hatchback. BMW describes it as a Progressive Activity Sedan and calls the model the Gran Turismo. The concept GT is designed like a four-door coupe, with frameless side windows. A large two-piece tailgate gives access to a luggage compartment that grows from 430 liters to 1650 liters when the rear seats are folded down.

BMW claims the concept offers legroom comparable with that of the 7-series sedan, and headroom equal to that of the BMW X5 premium SUV. The overall length is 4995mm, while the car is Gran Turismo 1555mm tall. As shown in Geneva, the GT is still a styling concept. A furt then go on sale in the fourth quarter. production version is expected to be unveiled at this September's IAA in Frank- Wim Oude Weernink

2009 Geneva auto show world debuts

Production Aston Martin V12 Vantage Audi A4 Allroad Audi TT RS Chevrolet Spark Fiat 500 C Mazda 3 MPS Mazda 3 i-stop Mercedes-Benz E class sedan Mercedes-Benz E class coupe Nissan NV200 Opel Ampera

Peugeot 3008 Renault Scenic Renault Grand Scenic Renault Megane Tourer Saab 9-3x Seat Exeo ST Skoda Yeti Toyota Verso VW Polo

Concept Bentley Continental Supersports

BMW Gran Turismo Citroen Inside DS Dacia crossover/coupe Ford small minivan Hyundai HED-6 Infiniti Essence Italdesign Namir Kia YN Mitsubishi i MiEV Sport Air Nissan Qazana Rinspeed iChange Rolls-Royce EX200

Aston Martin

Aston Martin has stuffed a 6.0-liter V-12 powerplant into its small coupe's engine bay. The V12 Vantage will be "the most potent production sports car in the marque's 95-year history," the automaker claims. The engine produces 510hp and 570Nm of torque, resulting in a 0 V12 Vantage to 100kph acceleration of 4.2 seconds. Aston Martin engineers created the car in just a year. The engine bay was redesigned to house the larger motor, brake cooling system and intake system. The rear suspension is more compact to account for wider wheels and tires. Production will start in the autumn, and be limited to about 400 units a year. Pricing will be revealed at the show.

Mark Rechtin

3 See related story on Lagonda, Page 17

Bentley

Displaying its green-performance credentials, Bentley will unveil a high-performance sports car with an engine that can run on E85, a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. Bentley said adapting the car to run on E85 was achieved by giving it an enhanced engine management system and newly developed transmission. Bentley declined to disclose the price and volume goal for the Continental Supersports, but said it will go on sale this year. The sports car will be positioned above its Continental GT Speed model, with more power than the GT Speed. Bentley Design Director Dirk

van Braeckel oversaw the car's styling. The car will be Bentley's first model under its long-term strategy to deliver renewable-fuel vehicles throughout its range. Bentley claims it will be the first luxury manufacturer in the world to do so.

Continental Supersports

Bettina Mayer

Chevrolet

Replacing the Matiz, the Spark is

Chevrolet's new minicar model.

The Spark was developed in South Korea by GM

Daewoo Auto & Technology, which also will manu-

facture the car.

The Spark comes with either a 1.0- or 1.2-liter four-cylin-

Spark

der 16-valve gasoline engine. It has a five-door layout

that sits on a 2375mm wheelbase, with an overall length of about 3500mm. A

three-door version is also being considered, GM sources said.

The design of the Spark reflects much of the Chevrolet Beat concept, first shown in

spring 2007. A motorcycle-style instrument panel, fitted as a separate cluster to

the dashboard, is a styling touch that carries over from the Beat. The Spark goes on

sale in Europe during the first quarter of 2010, with a US introduction in 2011.

Wim Oude Weernink

PAGE 16 ?

Geneva auto show

March 2, 2009

Fiat

Fiat will take the top

off its popular 500

minicar. The 500 C is

not a traditional convertible. Only the

fabric roof panel can be folded toward

the rear, similar to Fiat's original 500 mod-

els of the 1950s and '60s.

The softtop, including its glass rear window, is elec-

500 C

trically operated. The convertible retains the same interior

space for four occupants as the standard 500.

A stop-start system is standard equipment on the 500 C, which shares its power-

train lineup with the 500: A choice between 1.2-liter and 1.4-liter gasoline engines,

or a 1.3-liter diesel. All are available with a manual or automatic transmission.

The 500 C will be made in Fiat's Tychy, Poland, plant. The car goes on sale in May.

The price premium over comparable 500 trim levels should be about 2,000.

Fiat also will debut its variable-valve-timing system, called Multiair. The technology improves torque and horsepower by about 10 percent, and reduces fuel consumption by 10 percent and CO2 emissions by half. The Multiair technology could be applied to normally aspirated and turbocharged gasoline engines, from two to six cylinders. Its first application will happen this year on a 1.4-liter gasoline engine. Fiat says Multiair could also be adapted to work on diesel engines, doing this would reduce NOx emissions. Fiat hopes that eventually the technology could allow two-cylinder engines to take the place of four-cylinder engines in small cars. The system works with a new application of intake-valve operation, which uses an electronic/hydraulic valve actuation instead of a mechanical throttle valve. Fiat claims the system is less costly than BMW's similar VANOS variable-valve solution.

Wim Oude Weernink & Luca Ciferri

Citroen gives DS a new twist

Looking to benefit from past successes, Citroen will unveil the Inside DS, a threedoor hatchback concept that closely resembles a near-production version of the planned DS3 small car. The new DS3, which goes on sale across Europe in early 2010, will be the first model in Citroen's planned three-car "near-premium" range. The DS badge stands for Distinctive Series. The first DS was Citroen's iconic executive sedan during the 1950s, '60s and '70s. However, the Inside DS concept bears little resemblance to the classic DS. Instead, its design, size and general feel draw immediate parallels with BMW's Mini, whose buyers Citroen executives say will be one of the principal targets for the DS3 small car. The DS3 will be built on the same platform as Citroen's existing small-segment car, the C3, as well as sister brand Peugeot's top-selling 207. The DS3 will offer higher-quality features than its less-expensive cousins, as well as numerous ways to personalize the interior and exterior. These will include a popular option

among Mini buyers ? the choice of different paint colors for the body and roof. Citroen plans to launch six new models over the next three years, part of a plan

Inside DS

to extend the French brand's profile and market share.

Lawrence J. Speer

Ford

Much like Ford did with the Iosis (2005) and Iosis X (2006) ? concepts that were preludes to the production Mondeo and Kuga respectively ? the automaker will show a multi-activity vehicle concept that hints at the replacement for the C-Max medium minivan, or a vehicle similar in size and packaging. The concept will also show phase two of Ford's kinetic design philosophy. Although some sources believed the concept would show the replacement for the Fusion minivan, Ford denies it. The concept will be unveiled on March 2, the evening before the show opens. At the IAA in Frankfurt in September, Ford is expected to present a model that is closer to production.

Wim Oude Weernink & Luca Ciferri

Essence

Infiniti

Infiniti will unveil the Essence concept, a high-performance car that executives describe as "a 20th birthday present to

ourselves." The car will hint at the design and technology direction Nissan's luxury brand will introduce to new models starting in 2010. Styling will be akin to the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren or the Aston Martin Vanquish. The stylish and sporty car will have a massive engine, possibly generating more than 500hp. Sources were secretive about the possibility of a gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain. The Essence features fitted luggage from Louis Vuitton.

Lawrence J. Speer

Hyundai unveils Tucson replacement

Three new vehicles will make their debuts on the Hyundai stand: The HED-6 medium SUV concept, i20 threedoor, and i30 Blue with stop-start technology. The HED-6 hints at the replacement for the current Tucson. The new crossover arrives at the end of this year. The concept's name is an acronym for

Hyundai European Design, which created the car. It is the sixth concept done by Thomas Burkle and his team at Hyundai's design center in R?sselsheim. The production model will be built at the Kia factory in Zilina, Slovakia, and will take the new name IX-35. Hyundai will use the IX prefix for all of its

SUVs in the future. The exterior features a hexagonal grille, angular style lines and back-swept front headlamps, LED daytime running lights and 21-inch alloy wheels. The three-dimensional, sculpted shape of the HED-6's rear window is achieved using Lexan high-performance plastics

instead of standard safety glass. The concept is powered by a 175hp, 1.6-liter gasoline direct-injection turbocharged engine. The three-door version of the new i20 small car also will be shown for the

first time. It replaces the Getz threedoor. It was designed by Hyundai's European studio.

The i30 Blue lower-medium car will showcase the first application of stop-start technology on a Hyundai production car. This technology will contribute to a

significant cut in both fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

HED-6

John Revill

Modular powertrains arrive with E class

Namir

Italdesign Giugiaro

"Fast and furiously clean" is perhaps the message envisaged by Italdesign Giugiaro's new concept car debuting at the Geneva auto show. The Namir two-seat coupe will be able to reach a top speed of 300kph and accelerate from 0 to 100kph in less than four seconds, yet still be capable of traveling 50km on a single liter of gasoline. This miserly fuel consumption equates to about 50 grams per kilometer of CO2. By comparison, the third-generation Toyota Prius will be the first production hybrid vehicle to achieve CO2 emissions of less than 100g/km. In creating what it claims is the fastest hybrid concept car in the world, Giugiaro teamed up with UK-based Frazer Nash Research Ltd. Giugiaro will announce technical details of the hybrid powertrain at the show, but a source said that a Wankel rotary gasoline engine powers a generator. The Namir's traction comes from electric motors that power each axle, creating a permanent all-wheel-drive setup. The wedge-shaped coupe features a body made entirely of aluminum and carbon, sitting on a carbon fiber chassis.

Luca Ciferri

Mercedes-Benz gave a sneak peek of the redesigned E-class sedan to journalists in Detroit in January, but Geneva will mark the public debut of the car, as well as the world debut of the E-class coupe. The new E class focuses on passive safety, with standard features including a hood that actively cushions against pedestrian impacts, and a "pre-safe" brake system that anticipates sudden, sharp application of the brake pedal. The E class is the lead vehicle for Mercedes' modular powertrain strategy,

which requires any four-cylinder Mercedes engine to work with any Mercedes car model, from the A class's transverse mount to the S class's longitudinal layout. A new range of smaller, fuel-efficient four-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines are part of the E class's engineering package. The coupe shares most of its equipment and powertrain packages with the sedan. For this reason, Mercedes-Benz has decided to price the coupe at the same level as the sedan.

The E-class sedan goes on sale this month, followed by the coupe in June. In 2010, the sedan also will be offered with an extended wheelbase in China. That version will be produced there. In September, at the IAA in Frankfurt, Mercedes will present both the E-class wagon and cabriolet. Sales of the wagon will start after the show, while the convertible will reach dealers in November.

Wim Oude Weernink

E class

March 2, 2009

Geneva auto show

? PAGE 17

An electric `pocket rocket' from Mitsubishi

In an attempt to show that green vehicles don't have to be boring, Mitsubishi will present a sporty convertible electric vehicle concept. The Mitsubishi i MiEV Sport Air is based on the electric-powered Mitsubishi i MiEV four-door, which goes on sale in Japan this summer. The show concept focuses on the entertaining performance and driving habits of future electric cars, while emitting zero CO2 emissions.The Japanese carmaker refers to the i MiEV Sports Air as a "pocket rocket," which points to a direction a production Mitsubishi electric car might take in the future. Mitsubishi began feasibility tests of a left-hand-drive version of the fourdoor i MiEV in the Netherlands, Norway, Spain and the UK, preparing the car for market introduction in Europe and the US in 2011.

i MIEV Sport Air

Wim Oude Weernink

GM hopes Ampera hybrid will spark Opel

The world debut of the Opel Ampera is the first sign of Opel parent General Motors Europe's plans to enter the plugin hybrid segment here. The car will go on sale in 2011. The four-door Ampera is a rebadged version of the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid, but with Opel design characteristics. The car sits on GM's global lowermedium Delta platform architecture. The hybrid system is simpler than the Toyota Prius's because the Ampera is effectively an electric car with an auxiliary gasoline engine. This engine will start charging the batteries when the car has reached its 64km range on electric

power. The batteries cannot be recharged while the car is being driven under its own power. However, with the 73hp 1.4-liter gasoline engine engaged, the Ampera's range can be extended to almost 1,000km. The electric propulsion works on a 230volt system and develops a maximum of 150hp and

370Nm torque. The 181kg battery pack will be produced by South Korean supplier LG Chem. GM Europe plans to sell several thousand units a year here.

Wim Oude Weernink

Kia

Kia will show a small minivan concept, called No 3. The Korean automaker said the car will have a "unique glass roof treatment to create a cool and spacious automotive

powerhouse." The production version of the car, code-named YN, will be built at the Hyundai factory in Nosovice, Czech Republic, later this year. The minivan will be based on an enhanced platform shared with the Kia Rio. It will go on sale toward the end of 2009. The concept was designed by Gregory Guillaume, Kia's chief European designer.

John Revill YN

Lagonda

Aston Martin said last September that it would revive its exotic Lagonda brand with a concept car at this year's Geneva show. Few expected the idea would survive the subsequent financial crisis. Lagonda spokesman Kevin Watters backpedalled when asked if Lagonda would have a full-sized concept, stating, "We will have a property on the stand to show." In the Queen's English, a "property" usually refers to a theatrical prop, not something full sized. Watters wouldn't clarify whether he was speaking about a car, scale model, or just visual renderings. In 1993, Lagonda, then under Ford control, presented its Vignale concept for a luxury sedan. The model was well received, but never entered production.

Tony Lewin

Mazda

Mazda will give world

debuts to high-performance and

environmentally friendly versions

of its Mazda3 lower-medium car.

The Mazda3 MPS, which stands

for Mazda Performance Series,

will be displayed at the show along-

side the more frugal Mazda3 i-stop.

The MPS features Mazda's 2.3-liter tur-

bocharged Direct Injection Spark Ignition (DISI)

engine and pushes Mazda's design and performance

Mazda3MPS

envelope. The engine generates 260hp and 380Nm of

torque. The Mazda3 MPS also features improved fuel economy and emissions that

satisfy Euro 5 regulations.

When sold in America, it will be known as the Mazda-speed3.

The Mazda3 i-stop with Mazda's new stop-start system adds a new eco-friendly

option to the lineup. In combination with a 2.0-liter engine, the i-stop system

achieves a 12 percent fuel economy savings (urban cycle) compared with the cur-

rent European Mazda3.

Both cars will be introduced in the second half of this year.

John Revill

Nissan

Ampera

A return of the Silver Ghost for Rolls-Royce

Rolls-Royce will display the EX200 concept car, which will be smaller than its Phantom sedan. The concept will preview a "baby" Rolls-Royce sedan due to go on sale in the first quarter of 2010. Some sources suggest the historic Silver Ghost nameplate will be revived for the model, which will be built alongside the Phantom at the company's Goodwood factory in West Sussex, England.

The production version of the car will be targeted at younger buyers and will be "more like a well-cut sports jacket than a tuxedo," said CEO Tom Purves, comparing the concept with the Phantom. The EX200, also known internally as RR4, will be powered by a new 12-cylinder engine not seen before on any BMW group product, Purves said. About 80 percent of the car's parts will be unique. Purves declined to say what platform would carry the car. Although

systems such as the air conditioner are shared with BMW, the switchgear visible to the Rolls-Royce owner will be completely different than that in a BMW. The overall length of the car is 5399mm, riding on a 3295mm wheelbase. Rolls-Royce expects to sell about 500 units a year of the EX200, with prices starting slightly above ?200,000 (223,000)

Tony Lewin

EX200

Nissan will show a small crossover concept car called the Qazana. The four-door model shows how the production model, planned for introduction in 2010, could look. The Qazana will complete the Nissan crossover portfolio that comprises the medium Qashqai and Qashqai+2, and the large Nissan Murano. The Qazana will be built at Nissan's Sunderland, UK, plant alongside the Qashqai and the Note small minivan. The Qazana and its production variant are based on the Renault-Nissan alliance's B platform. The boxy Qazana concept features four doors, with the rear doors opening rearward for easier access. The Qazana will compete against vehicles like the Toyota Urban Cruiser, Kia Soul and Citroen C3 Picasso.

Qazana

The Nissan NV200 is an all-new passenger vehicle derived from the NV200 light commercial vehicle. Its predecessor, the Nissan Kubistar, shared its platform and body with the Renault Kangoo. But the NV200 has its own body style, though again based on the Kangoo. The NV200's design is an evolution of the Nissan NSV ? New Small Van ? concept study, first shown at the 2007 Tokyo auto show. Nissan initially wanted to produce the NV200 at the Morocco plant it planned to share with Renault, but now Nissan is looking for another location. Insiders say that the Japanese automaker's Barcelona plant is the most likely option. The NV200 will come to the market first as an LCV, due in September. The passenger-car version arrives at European dealers in March 2010.

Wim Oude Weernink

NV200

PAGE 18 ?

Geneva auto show

March 2, 2009

Renault

Renault will unveil the third generation of the Scenic medium minivan ? which has defined the segment since its unveiling in 1996. Based on the same platform that underpins the new Megane, the redesigned Scenic also comes in a stretched-wheelbase version, Grand Scenic. Although the front fascia styling evokes the new Laguna and Megane sedans, the design of the Scenic is more of a mild restyle of the current model. The new Scenic grows by 180 mm in length while the Grand Scenic will be 150mm longer than its predecessor.The Grand Scenic can seat seven people. That moves it closer to the Renault Espace large minivan, for which no successor has been planned. The Grand Scenic goes on sale at the end of March, while the Scenic arrives at dealerships two months later. Renault also will unveil a wagon version of the recently redesigned Megane, tentatively bearing the name Estate.

Wim Oude Weernink

Rinspeed

Swiss concept car builder Rinspeed will unveil a zero-emissions car with a body that adapts to suit the number of occupants inside. The iChange can transform from a single-seat car into a vehicle with room for three with the press of a button. The car has no doors. Instead, the roof panel pops up to allow access for occupants. The iChange is barely one meter in height. Rinspeed partnered with engineering firm Esoro to create the car, which weighs 1,050kg. The electric motor, powered by lithium-ion batteries, is able to propel the car to a top speed of 220kph, with a 0-100kph acceleration of just more than

four seconds. Siemens supplied the motorgenerator, electronics and battery connection interface. Touches include the use of an Apple iPhone to control important vehicle functions. The project took six months to complete.

iChange

Mark Rechtin

Skoda

Get ready for lots of "abominable Skoda" jokes. Skoda describes its Yeti small SUV as a practical solution for customers who want a compact car that is robust, safe and has universal appeal. The Yeti will be built on the Octavia Scout platform, but use some parts from the Fabia small car. It will come in two- and all-wheel drive. The small SUV segment is a new one for Skoda. The Yeti might be the flagship for the Scout trim level, which usually includes all-wheel drive and SUV-style cladding. The Yeti will compete with the Kia Soul and Nissan Qashqai when it goes on sale in September. The Yeti is based on the same-named design study unveiled in 2005. Skoda also will debut a GreenLine version of its Octavia lower-medium car. GreenLine is the badge Skoda uses for its most fuel-efficient cars. The Octavia GreenLine has fuel consumption of 4.4 liters per 100km and CO2 emissions of 116 grams per kilometer.

John Revill & Lyle Frink

Peugeot joins crossover fray

In an attempt to broaden its offerings in the lower-medium segment, Peugeot will debut a 308-derived crossover model. The crossover is called the 3008 because it is a different model from Peugeot's mainstream range. It is based on the PSA/Peugeot-Citroen medium-sized platform and has styling reminiscent of the 308 wagon, but with a taller ride height. Functionality and intelligent packaging are keywords of the 3008, which will have a dual-rear hatch for better access. The 3008 will come with standard frontwheel drive, but have an enhanced traction control system. In combination with special tires, this system offers mild off-road capabilities. It also has an electronic compensation system between the left and rear shock

absorbers, to improve stability. Starting in 2011, the 3008 will come with Peugeot's diesel hybrid-4 system, which has an electric motor fitted to propel the rear wheels. The 3008 will go on sale in April. The

3008

company hopes to sell 100,000 units annually, although that target was announced before the current economic crisis.

Wim Oude Weernink

Tougher Saab 9-3X to arrive in September

Saab will debut the 9-3X, which features additional off-road capabilities compared with the standard 9-3 wagon from which this model is derived. For the 9-3X, Saab will offer a 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine, which can also use E85, a blend of ethanol and gasoline. Alternatively, the car will be equipped with a 1.9-liter 180hp turbodiesel engine that emits less than 145 grams per kilometer of CO2. The 9-3X gasoline-powered variant comes with all-wheel drive as standard and a suspension setting that is 35mm higher than the 9-3 wagon. The diesel version comes only with front-wheel drive and a 20mm higher suspension than the wagon. Both gasoline and diesel versions are available with manual or automatic transmission. Roof rails are standard and the lower part of the bodywork has been

clad with grey composite wheel arches, rocker panels and bumpers. The car's equipment is equivalent to the Aero trim level.

9-3X

Production of the 9-3X is planned to start in September.

Wim Oude Weernink

Polo sets new green target of 87g/km

Exeo ST

Exeo

Seat

The Spanish carmaker's upper-medium Exeo sedan launched at last year's Paris auto show will get a wagon sibling in Geneva. This gives Seat a more comprehensive lineup for its entry into the segment. The Exeo ST wagon goes on sale in the third quarter. The Exeo sedan is arriving at European dealerships now. The Exeo sedan and wagon both borrow heavily from the 2000-2007 version of the Audi A4. Seat says the original A4 design has been upgraded with more than 500 details. The changes include a Seat front-end design as well as a carryover of the A4 cabriolet's dashboard. The car also will have the latest A4 suspension and its engine technology, which meets Euro 5 emissions standards. The Exeo comes with three gasoline engines of 102hp, 150hp and 200hp, plus two diesels of 143hp and 170hp with diesel particulate filters. Seat expects to sell 50,000 units per year of the combined Exeo wagon and sedan. That would be a marked improvement over the Toledo lower-medium sedan, which sold only 4,280 units in 2008.

Wim Oude Weernink

Toyota

Toyota will unveil a production

version of the redesigned Corol-

la Verso medium minivan,

which originally launched in

2004. The new version, based on

Verso

the new Avensis platform, will do without the "Corolla" part of its name, and simply

be called Verso. Its wheelbase grows by 20mm, and has 70mm more overall length.

Luca Ciferri & Wim Oude Weernink

The redesigned Polo, Volkswagen's second-best selling model, will be one of Geneva's most important debuts. The original Polo was launched in 1975, a year after the original Golf. The new Polo will be the model's fifth generation. The Polo features a strong focus on fuel

efficiency and reduced CO2 emissions, with gasoline turbocharged engines downsized to 1.2- and 1.0-liter capacities. VW sources say the new Polo BlueMotion diesel variant will emit 87 grams per kilometer of CO2, down from 99g/km in the current Polo BlueMotion.

Such a ratio will make the Polo BlueMotion's CO2 emissions one better than the tiny Smart ForTwo. The Polo initially comes as a three- and five-door hatchback, followed by an SUV-like variant to succeed today's Cross Polo. In the future, VW will also introduce an all-new Polo variant, a small minivan to rival the Opel/Vauxhall Meriva, at an undisclosed future date. However, only the five-door Polo will be introduced at the Geneva show.

The redesigned Polo goes on sale in Europe starting in late summer. In 2010, Volkswagen wants to introduce the Polo to the US because it believes customers there will be increasingly keen to buy fuel-efficient small cars.

Wim Oude Weernink

Polo

Computer illustration: Christian Schulte

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