The crossover trend continues with Hyundai’s new Genus concept vehicle. Officially unveiled at the 2006 Geneva Auto Show, the Genus gave a glimpse of future European demand in the D-segment market since the Genus was born at the Hyundai European Design Center in Rüsselsheim near Frankfurt, Germany. The Genus concept vehicle featured a combination of the sporting dynamism of a coupe with the versatility of a traditional wagon.

Thomas Bürkle, Chief Designer at Hyundai’s European Design Center described the Genus as a “…dynamic five-door concept [that] blends roominess and comfort with elegance and practicality. The Genus challenges the traditional compromise of vehicle choice faced by demanding modern lifestyles. It offers space and comfort, similar to a traditional wagon, but has an elegant, dynamic exterior. The Genus thus provides the answer to emotional desires and practical necessity.”

The Rüsselsheim group designed the Genus as a multi-use concept. Its fundamental proportions remain akin to that of a coupe but the long wheelbase, reduced front and rear overhangs and a wide stance provide for increased interior comfort and loading capacity. As a multi-use concept vehicle, the Genus can be used as a family car for tours, holidays or the everyday commute to work as well as for many other activities.

The exterior design of the Genus was inspired by the free-flowing form of the wave. It is actually reminiscent of the Kia Cee’d concept also unveiled earlier this year. Sleek and sculpted, the body of the Genus starts with a hexagonal mouth that takes up the entire front area. Swept back headlamps that are similar to bird’s eyes are echoed in the rear lamps. Overall, the design of the Genus is stunningly attractive and modern.

Inside, the free-flowing theme continues, this time inspired by sand dunes. An elegantly contoured instrument panel is the centerpiece of the Genus’ interior space. Designers envisioned the Genus’ interior space as a versatile living space or cocooning environment where passengers will feel safe, comfortable and protected. Natural aubergine leather and contemporary silk-like reflective textile drape surround the vehicle’s occupants.

The medium-sized Genus wagon draws its power from a 2.2 liter Common-rail Diesel engine (CRDi). It is equipped with a 5-gear automatic transmission that provides a dynamic but comfortable and economic ride. The Genus also comes with 4WD, further underscoring the sporty aspects of this crossover. The Genus is yet another exciting concept that will be highly anticipated if ever it does reach production status.

Crossover vehicles seem to be all the rage these days. A number of these type of vehicles that blur the lines between car and SUV and promise to offer the best of both worlds have been introduced in recent years while some are yet to be released. Volkswagen, long known for its excellent German engineered vehicles, is out to get a big slice of this growing segment. Volkswagen’s venture into the Crossover realm, generically named as Concept A, was unveiled at the recently concluded Geneva Auto Show. The Volkswagen Concept A is a cross between a coupe and a compact SUV. This is the embodiment of Volkswagen’s vision for a future crossover vehicle.

At first glance, the Concept A does look cool with its fresh look highlighted by a new brushed aluminum 3D crest radiator grille and prominent, high-efficiency LED headlights that give the concept a confident stance. The crossover’s sleek configuration, despite its SUV-like proportions, is emphasized by the striking intense blue finish, called Glacier Metallic. Meanwhile, the 20-inch wheels with 295/40 tires and the short overhangs give the Concept A an impression of strength and aggressiveness.

The Concept A’s body is compact and sculpted with a long hood and short rear, molded side skirts, seamless sillboards, wheel arches and fenders. One of the most distinctive characteristic of the Concept A is the absence of the B pillar and the opposing opening wing doors. This allows for generous entry and easy access. The vehicle’s rear features a practical hatchback tailgate and a pickup style fold-down rear section under the LED light clusters. This hatch can be opened independently and can remain open to transport long items.

Inside, the Concept A boasts of a light and spacious cabin emphasized by the lack of B pillars. Four bucket seats provide excellent comfort and are arranged in space saving manner. Interior amenities are covered in a variety of materials with very cool names: Black Reflection, Frozen Ice, Frozen Surface and Antarctica, which is a half transparent and extremely breathable fabric used to upholster the concept’s seats.

Furthermore, The Volkswagen Concept A draws its power from a 1.4 liter, 150 horsepower, direct injection TSI engine that utilizes both turbo and super charger technologies. The concept’s engine also features a 6-speed DSG transmission and 4Motion system, which are currently available in the Passat and Golf R32.

Wolfgang Bernhard, head of the VW brand announced that the Concept A is slated to be introduced in 2008 and will be marketed as the small brother of the Touareg SUV. It will compete against the likes of the successful Toyota Rav4 and BMW X3. The final name of the concept has not been finalized yet though it definitely will not be called “Marrakesh” or “Bedouin” in keeping with the African inspired naming of the Touareg. One thing is for sure though, once the Concept A is released as a production model, it is definitely a cool and exciting addition to Volkswagen’s excellent vehicle lineup.

Korean automaker Kia unveiled its fresh, new concept car at the ongoing Geneva Auto Show. Named the Cee’d (pronounced seed), the concept car features a stunning new flowing design, precise styling, and solid stance. The Cee’d concept is definitely a step in the right direction for Kia, which will start building an all-new C-segment model, on which this Cee’d concept is based, in its first-ever European assembly plant in Slovakia by the end of this year.

Kia says that the Cee’d incorporate some of the design cues from its current models the Sorento SUV and the A-segment Picanto, with free-flowing lines extending from the nose to the bumper. Other notable features in this concept are the extended, flared wheel arches and 19 inch aluminum wheels with low profile tires. The concept car was named Cee’d to reflect the fact that it is made in Europe and it symbolize its being a seed from which Kia’s European productions will grow. With the Cee’d as preview of what Kia has to offer, the future does indeed look promising for this automaker.

Have you already roamed around and checked every stand in the 76th Geneva Motor Show and yet you feel there is still something (a production car or a concept vehicle maybe) that you haven’t seen? Well, your inkling is right, for you haven’t really seen it all and you’ll probably never see it all. During the two press days, just before the motor show was opened for public viewing, the Lotus APX concept was showcased in the Lotus Engineering stand. But today, and probably until the end of the show, that same spot is now being occupied by the new Lotus Europa S lightweight GT.

So what is the Lotus APX concept all about? The Lotus APX is a 4-wheel drive crossover concept—a surprise coming from an engineering consultancy company better known for their lightweight sportscars. A closer look at the vehicle, however, tells you that it is genuinely Lotus in every way, except maybe for the absence of the Lotus badge. The vehicle is lightweight, thanks to the extensive use of aluminum from the vehicle’s frame to the engine. More importantly, the concept vehicle showcases the versatility of Lotus’ VVA (Versatile Vehicle Architecture), an innovation that will soon be seen in a Lotus production vehicle by 2008.

APX stands for “Aluminum Performance Crossover”—a name that reflects well the structure of the concept vehicle and speaks well of the company’s stated core value, “Performance through Light Weight”. It is a crossover vehicle that can seat up to five adults plus two toddlers on occasional rear seats. With its smooth flowing lines and symmetrical curves, the vehicle looks swift even if standing still.

The true sportscar spirit of the concept vehicle, however, can better be seen on its powertrain and performance specs. Equipped with a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 engine rated at 300 hp, and with a lightweight body that weighs a mere 3,454 pounds, the vehicle can go from 0 to 60 mph in 5.0 seconds. The vehicle also registers a combined fuel consumption of 32 mpg which is definitely better than most production crossover units.

There is little hope, however, for us to see the Lotus APX one more time, whether on the Geneva Motor Show or as a production unit. Apparently, the Lotus Group has no plans of bringing the vehicle into the production line. Not even the 3.0-liter V6 powertrain is expected to be mass produced any time sooner. The Lotus APX concept and all its parts, however, are very feasible for production. And according to a Lotus spokesperson, “If another manufacturer wanted to sell the APX, it could be on the road as it’s seen here.”

This year’s Geneva Auto Show certainly didn’t lack super cool cars that have that peculiar tendency to make car aficionados slobber. With the über-cool Saab Aero-X concept, the Solstice-inspired 2007 Opel GT, the award-winning Alfa Romeo Spider and many other fast, exotic and expensive cars, the auto show is simply a car enthusiast’s dreamland. As if that wasn’t enough, Ferrari unveiled its latest stunner, touted as the most powerful V12-engined production car of all time – the 599 GTB Fiorano.

How powerful? Think 5,999cc 12-cylinder engine (akin to the Ferrari Enzo) generates 620 horsepower at 7600rpm with acceleration pegged at 62mph in 3.7 seconds. The Fiorano, the replacement for the 575M Maranello, is the coming-together of the most innovative and advanced technologies and engineering solutions from Ferrari. The Fiorano will come with the F1-Trac from Ferrari, designed to improve road-holding, safety and stability. Another cool thing about the Fiorano is its magnetoheological suspension, which applies an electronically controlled magnetic field to adjust the dampers.

Ferrari says that the new Fiorano is designed with several objectives in mind: to surpass the intense driving pleasure of such renowned models as the F40, to guarantee stunning performance courtesy of its highly innovative content and technology transfers from the F1 single-seaters, and to deliver superior standards of roominess, comfort, ergonomics and safety. This mid-front engined two-seater coupe is set to make a new benchmark in performance and design. Other cool features include Ipod integration, Xenon headlights, LED taillights, and an anti-theft device integrated into the key.

As Ferrari took the wraps off its latest baby, the 599 GTB Fiorano definitely had more than its share of oohs and aahs. The car, designed by the renowned Pininfarina group, undoubtedly has that pin-up star good looks with its strikingly sculptured body, stunning proportions, and aggressive elegant lines. The Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano name sums up what this car is all about. 599 is the displacement of the V12 engine divided by 10; GTB comes from Gran Turismo Berlinetta, in honor of Ferrari’s famous Berlinettas, including the Fiorano’s predecessor, the Maranello; and Fiorano, from the racing circuit that Ferrari uses to polish the performance of its cars.

For those who can afford this car (US$250,000), the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano is offered with a vast choice of personalization options covering four areas: Racing and Track, Exteriors and Colors, Interiors and Materials, and Equipment and Travel. Aside from the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano, other drool-worthy cars on display at the Ferrari exhibit in Geneva include the F2005 single-seater, F430 and F430 Spider, and a 612 Scaglietti.

With leaked pictures of the car making its way into the Internet a week before its official launch, the Saab Aero-X became one of the most highly anticipated concept cars in the 76th Geneva Motor Show. And when officially unveiled in the auto show, the concept car did not fail any expectation. The vehicle is simply gorgeous, with a very simplistic yet extremely stylish appearance. Beyond all those gorgeous looks, however, is a deeper explanation of its design—because the Saab Aero-X is representative both of Saab’s heritage and of its future design plans.

According to Saab, the Aero-X concept has captured in its design the aeronautical roots of the auto manufacturing company. While others cannot figure out how, the aeronautical theme is actually very evident on the vehicle’s design, which can be better characterized by its lack of components than the presence thereof. The concept car, for example, doesn’t have doors and windows. Instead, those two components were replaced by a wraparound cockpit canopy, reminiscent of those used on Saab jet planes in the past. Inside, the vehicle’s dashboard is also devoid of too many dials and buttons. Instead, driving information is displayed on glass-like acrylic ‘clear zones’ in graphic 3-D images.

Despite capturing Saab’s aviation heritage in its design, the Saab Aero-X concept never lost its futuristic touch. For one, the canopy and dashboard in themselves are already very futuristic. And so are the interior and exterior lights that make extensive use of light emitting diodes (LEDs)—something that we can expect to see on future Saab products.

On the technical side, the Saab Aero-X concept is equipped with a 400 bhp Biopower 2.8-liter V6 engine that is capable of running in pure ethanol. The vehicle is also relatively lightweight (1,500 kg), thanks to its carbon fiber body. Other advance components that can be found on the vehicle include a seven-speed gearbox and steering wheel-mounted paddles for sequential-shift mode.

Indeed, the Saab Aero-X concept is one of the best concept cars showcased in this year’s Geneva Motor Show. Too sad to learn, though, that Saab has no plans of getting the vehicle into production. On the brighter side, however, Saab revealed that some features of the concept vehicle will appear in their future products.

As expected, the Dodge Hornet Concept, DaimlerChrysler’s foray into the rapidly growing B-segment market created a big buzz in its world premiere at the ongoing 2006 Geneva International Auto Show. Featuring a brash, rally inspired look reminiscent of the Scion xB, MINI Cooper and Suzuki Swift, the Dodge Hornet Concept will certainly appeal to European sensibilities regarding size and engine power and the American predilection for an aggressive, youthful stance and versatile interior space.

Unlike other B-segment cars that offer friendly and even “cutesy” looks, the Hornet concept does look ready to sting with its aggressive styling: tall, boxy shape with 19-inch wheels pushed out to its far corners, signature Dodge crosshair grille, muscular profile with sculpted fenders and arching wheel flares. The Hornet also ups the coolness factor with its “Blue View” tinted windows contrasting with the Liquid Silver paint. Stark, beryllium gray “skunk stripes” inspired by the iconic Dodge Viper crosses the hood, roof and overhanging rear defuser wings. The Hornet concept will also be offered in a spectrum of paint and window color schemes.

Under the hood, a 1.6L 16 valve OHC supercharged I/C 4-cylinder engine produces 170 hp and 165 lb.-ft of torque at 4000rpm. The Hornet can go from 0 to 60 mph in 6.7 second and can reach 130mph, much like the MINI Cooper. The Hornet concept’s interior is sporty and flexible with space-saving foam seats, modular instrument panel, and three-circle six gauge delta shaped instrument panel. In a predominantly black and slate gray color scheme, the Hornet interior is designed to offer both style and utility and is surprisingly very spacious (the Dodge Hornet Concept is almost as wide as a C-segment vehicle).

“We wanted the Hornet to be dynamic, nimble, fun to drive, and have an adaptable space-efficient interior, at the same time we set out to create a vehicle with a uniquely American character to expand the image and presence of the Dodge brand in Europe and international markets, especially in the entry-level market” explained Mark Moushegian, Principal Exterior Designer. For now, the Hornet is nothing but a concept vehicle, but considering the largely positive response for this stinger, we may eventually see lots of Hornets buzzing around. Estimated sticker price for the Hornet is expected to be below the Dodge Caliber, which is priced at $13,985.

It was launched; it was praised; and just after one day, it was given an award. That’s what happened to the new Alfa Romeo Spider in just two days. Making its World Premiere at the beginning of the 76th Geneva Motor Show last Thursday (March 2, 2006), the new Alfa Spider instantly captured the interest of a panel of leading motoring writers across Europe, making them decide to choose the new cabriolet as the “Cabrio of the Year 2006″.

The “Cabrio of the Year” award is only given to convertibles making their world debut in the Geneva Auto Show. The vehicle must also have a selling price of nothing more than 60,000 Swiss Francs to be a contender for the award. Well, the new Alfa Romeo Spider passed all these requirements and turned out to be the best among the passers. And early today (Geneva time), Alfa Romeo Brand Manager Antonio Baravalle accepted the award at the Alfa Romeo stand from Luc Grand, the Chairman of the Geneva International Motor Show.

The Alfa Romeo Spider is one of the two vehicles from the Fiat Group that made their much anticipated debut in the Geneva Motor Show last Thursday, the other one being the Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon. Based on the Alfa Romeo Brera Coupe, which also received a lot of praises when it debuted on the same auto show last year, the new Spider captured the elegance and sporty styling of its elder sibling. The vehicle also inherited the excellence of the Brera’s mechanicals and engineering.

Two versions of the new Alfa Romeo Spider will be available for public viewing for the entire duration of the Geneva Auto Show. One is equipped with a 2.2-liter JTS engine that outputs 185 bhp while the other is equipped with a 3.2-liter V6 engine that delivers 260 bhp. Other features of the new Alfa Spider includes the improved ‘Alfa Q4′ four-wheel drive system (for the 3.2-liter version), and various interior amenities like the automatic dual-zone climate control, Wind-stop and the Blue Tobacco natural leather upholstery. On the area of safety, the vehicles are equipped with 7 safety airbags and various electronic devices that aids in controlling the vehicles’ dynamic behaviors.

It has been a long time since we’ve last heard about a convertible coming from Ford. This year, however, the company is finally breaking its long silence. When the Geneva Motor Show opens on Thursday, Ford will be showcasing their latest entry in the open-topped motoring industry. The new vehicle would be called the Ford Focus Coupe-Cabriolet, and production units of the said vehicle would be available starting late summer this year.

The Ford Focus Coupe-Cabriolet is the latest off-shoot from Ford’s popular sedan, the Ford Focus, and it will be joining the Ford Focus ST at the top of the Focus range. The new vehicle is a product of a collaborative effort from Ford of Europe and Italy’s Pininfarina, a world-renowned company famous for designing some of the world’s most stylish vehicles. According to Ford, the new cabriolet was closely based on the Focus Vignale Concept that they showcased in the 2004 Paris Motor Show. Many critics, however, believe that the two vehicles are quite different.

Among many other things, Ford and Pininfarina focused on refinement, elegance and agility in designing the new Ford Focus Coupe-Cabriolet. There’s nothing too flashy about the style of the new convertible but it radiates elegance and quality in almost all aspects. The two piece retractable hard top, for example, is very simple yet it can transform the vehicle from a roomy coupe to a much roomier and more enjoyable cabriolet in just a matter of seconds. The interiors are neither too complicated, but everything in it looks refined, elegant and high quality.

When the vehicle hits the showroom this summer, it will be available in three engine choices: the 100 PS 1.6-liter Duratec engine, the 145 PS 2.0-liter Duratec engine, and the 136 PS 2.0-liter Duratorq TDCi diesel engine. Ford won’t disclose any other technical information about the vehicle, though. According to the company, full technical details about the vehicle will be announced near its market launch.

General Motors Inc. goes on overdrive at the 2006 Geneva Auto Show with seven World and European premieres. One of the most anticipated attractions in GM’s Geneva exhibit would be the futuristic Saab Aero X Sport-Coupe concept. The Aero-X is purely a design concept but it has already generated considerable buzz with its style and design which is said to be inspired by the Sonett, as well as Saab’s origins in aviation. The Aero X is meant to give focus to Saab’s future design direction. Saab is one of GM’s brands in Europe including Chevrolet, Opel and Vauxhall.

Meanwhile, two vehicles from Chevrolet will be introduced at the show: the Epica and the Captiva. The Epica is Chevy Europe’s newest midsize car and the first with a six-cylinder engine, featuring sporty and stylish contours. Meanwhile, the Captiva is the first all-new product to be designed and developed by Chevrolet for the European market. This is the latest SUV in Chevy’s lineup offering not just good lucks but practicality as well. We wonder if these new models will also be introduced into the American market.

Other world premieres in the GM exhibit include the Opel GT, a convertible sports car offering excellent dynamics and plenty of open-air driving fun. The Opel GT is dubbed as the European equivalent of the highly popular Solstice. General Motors will also unveil three new European premiers including the new Cadillac Escalade, the two-mode hybrid Chevrolet Tahoe, and the 310-hp Saab 9-5 Aero BioPower Concept which can run on E85 (bio-ethanol) fuel. All in all, there will be 13 new model variants on display this year representing six GM models.

“This impressive product initiative clearly shows that our powers of innovation are not affected by current economic challenges. On the contrary, intensive global development cooperation within GM is yielding more and more tangible results. Our position in Europe is stronger than it has been for a long time” says, Carl-Peter Foster, president of GM Europe.