|
From YourSITE.com Events Coverage Geneva, Switzerland may be known better for jewels, watches or chocolate, but anyone into cars may suggest a different mode of indulgence. Each March, the Geneva Auto Show marks one of Europe’s biggest and most important shows, one that plays an important role on Audi’s own schedule.
Audi At the heart of Audi’s focus this year was the simply brutal V12 TDI. This brute of diesel engine sees production first under the hood of the hottest Q7 model to date – something bound for Europe and other markets, but not yet confirmed for America. The Q7 V12 TDI gets its own unique LED bedecked front fascia inspired by the original Q7 V12 TDI design study from a year ago. Other production changes can be seen on this uber Q, including the same satin silver MMI button cluster and wheel design first seen on the RS6 Avant. This particular Q7 also showcased a new in-headrest rear-seat DVD/entertainment system that’s a considerable improvement over previously external versions offered through Audi Accessories.
In addition to this production-ready Q, Audi also showed a design study based on the same model. The ‘Q7 coastline’ design study with nautical theme allowed Audi’s in-house tailor quattro GmbH to flex their automotive couture muscles through an extravagantly crafted, almost-white leather interior with satin-finish wood accenting that bestowed the SUV with a yacht-like ambience. Outside, modest nautic flag badging with the fender “V12” nomenclature and chrome wheels identical to last year’s Q7 V12 TDI design study were fitted.
Near the two Q7s, Audi also shared an updated R8 concept fitted with the very same V12 TDI and now with the designation “Le Mans”. Sources at Audi tell us this is the very same car as the matte silver version shown in Detroit earlier this year, though it’s had a few changes. For one, the R8’s gotten a full re-spray in eye-catching red, with elements like the car’s grille now in accenting satin silver. Under the wheels, the once anodized-looking brake calipers are now in color-matched non-metallic red, while the duct in the roof is a subtle black.
The newly-scarlet R8 may have technically been seen before in Detroit, though it certainly grabbed attention as it rolled across the stage at a pre-show party held by the Volkswagen Group. It was displayed at the Geneva PalExpo for the show’s two media days then packed onto a plane bound for the USA. We’re told the car will be on display at the American Le Mans Series’ 12 Hours of Sebring next weekend, then do a one-night only showing next Wednesday at the Audi Forum in New York City for a closed event with unfortunately no public viewing before the car returns to Germany. New Yorkers may catch glimpses of the car through the Audi Forum’s plate glass windows, but those dedicated to getting a closer look on American soil should place Sebring on their calendars.
The R8 V12 TDI may still be just a design study, but Audi began their diesel sportscar offering in earnest in Geneva with their launch of the TT 2.0-liter TDI. Adding the frugal diesel 4-cylinder to the already light aluminum TT makes Audi a leader in the sure-to-grow diesel sportscar segment and certainly helps corporate fleet fuel consumption numbers with an impressive average 44 miles per gallon.
Even more significant to Audi’s bottom line is the Avant variant of the best-selling A4. This 5-door version will come to America later this year, making use of the B8-generation’s increased size to create package both more utilitarian and better-looking at the same time. The car also follows Audi’s trickle-down equipment model, implementing features like MMI and aluminum luggage control tracks that had previously only been seen in higher-priced models like the A6 Avant.
Audi also used Geneva to pull the wraps off of another A4 variant – the Audi A4 DTM racecar also known internally as “R14”. Audi boss Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich was joined by DTM championship driver Mattias Ekström to pull the cover off of a car painted with the livery of the Swede’s sponsor Red Bull. Ekström and his peers on the Audi Sport squad will take to the track with a mix of the B8-based R14 and older B7-bodied versions when the series kicks off the 2008 season on April 13 in Hockenheim.
Lamborghini At Audi-owned Lamborghini, news was of the latest and hottest version of the Gallardo – the LP560-4. The baby Lambo featured revised front and rear fascias and a new wheel design, though the real news was its new V10 – bumped from 5.0 to 5.2-liters, with FSI V10 and an output of 560hp through all four wheels. If that engine configuration sounds familiar, it should. The 5.2-liter displacement with FSI is quite similar in spec to engines found in Audi’s S6 and S8 models, though 560hp is the most aggressive tune of this mill seen to date. Volkswagen Over the years, Audi has minimized the amount of shared platforms with sister brand Volkswagen, but one Golf-based design study at VW definitely grabbed our attention given the potential it represents for Audi. Outwardly, the car was little different than a standard 5-door Golf/Rabbit offered by Wolfsburg, though underneath the hood was an experimental hybrid diesel drivetrain boasting fuel economy of 69 mpg. Given the same drivetrain could bolt into the Audi A3 or lighter aluminum TT certainly raises the interesting idea of a diesel hybrid Audi. Given the VW design study and other similar diesel hybrid design studies from BMW and Mercedes, we posed the question of such an offering to Audi AG boss Rupert Stadler. The German executive’s response was candid, but vague. “Diesel technology is expensive, as is hybrid technology.” Build a car that’s too expensive or too ahead of its time for the market, and Audi would be in “deep shit”. In all seriousness, there’s a reason why the VW, BMW and Mercedes diesel hybrids have, thus far, all been design studies. Manufacturers aren’t yet sure the market is ready for such expensive models even if they are so entirely frugal to operate, though knowing that the company’s hardware like the Golf’s transverse diesel hybrid setup or even Audi’s longitudinal hybrid technology that could easily be paired with diesel certainly makes for interesting possibilities.
Spyker Questions about ownership of the Dutch Spyker brand may have made the most press as of late, though a second-generation of the brand’s mid-engine C chassis sportscar is more significant to those who care less about the business and more about the cars. The mid-engine Spyker is still powered by Audi’s 4.2-liter V8 as standard, though its aluminum space frame now 40% stiffer. A new model was also added to Spyker’s C8 range – the so-called ‘Aileron’. This new C8 boasts a long wheelbase and “less bling” according to PR materials from Spyker, though we’ve always found Spyker’s design to be over-the-top. Elements like Lamborghini-style scissor doors and jet engine-inspired inlets certainly won’t contribute to the car’s getting lost in a crowd. In the meantime, Spyker’s interiors remain works of art in the form of polished metal and fine-stitched leather.
Artega Lines by ex-Aston designer Henrik Fisker and a 300 hp version of the Audi Q7’s 3.6 V6 paired to the TT’s DSG transmission and mounted amidships should win most over without even a photo. Tipping the scales at little more than 2400 lbs, this low-slung coupe will do 62 mph in under five seconds. German-made Artega remains one of the latest in the growing field of “microbrew” manufacturers of exotic sportscars utilizing Audi internals. At Geneva, Artega announced a limited run of 99 introductory models planned for this year at the price of 79,780 Euros.
Gumpert Apollo Sport Named after an ex-Audi Sport boss who started the company and powered by an Audi 4.2-liter tuned by Roland Mayer’s firm MTM, the Gumpert Apollo has credentials in spades. In Geneva, the fledgling brand emphasized their Apollo Sport – an 800 horsepower twin turbo setup that’s good for 223 mph if you can find a Trabant-free stretch of Autobahn long enough to test the claim. All of that power doesn’t come cheap though, as the Apollo Sport checks in at 299,500 Euros – basically the equivalent of two R8s and an RS 4 for day trips.
KTM X-Bow The German motorcycle manufacturer KTM pulled the wraps off of a production-ready version of their 2.0T-powered automobile. You might remember this project, originally envisioned to spawn an Audi-badged variant. But, the idea was dropped when it was determined that too much equipment would have to be added in order to pass Audi’s road-going safety requirements. Even still, KTM soldiers on with this unique offering in the spirit of the Ariel Atom – chassis by Dallara, engine and DSG transmission by Audi. At Geneva, KTM announced a limited 100-model run of this special ‘Dallara Edition’ to celebrate the car’s start of production later this summer. Carbon-fiber (instead of plastic) body panels, quick-release wheels, mechanical slip differential and more will be standard on this limited run. KTM says the cars are already sold out, though all equipment offered on the ‘Dallara’ will be available on the options list for the standard X-Bow.
Aftermarket Geneva is an auto show known more for quirky concepts and extravagant displays by Italian design houses than it is for aftermarket manufacturers who tend to place more emphasis on events like Germany’s Frankfurt IAA or enthusiast events like Worthersee in Austria. Nevertheless, the Swiss tuning market is a strong one and a number of tuner offerings can be found if you’re willing to walk the more obscure halls of Geneva’s PalExpo center.
Upstairs on the main show floor, we did find a TT by Caractere in the Goodyear stand, while a Caractere-bodied A5 could be found down in Hall 7. The Caractere kits are impressive, mimicking Audi design cues with a more animated spin while including molded plastic components such as grille inserts for an OE appearance. Even the A5’s trunk spoiler, while more flamboyant than the factory, carried the lines of the A5’s rounded tail without being obnoxious.
Elsewhere in the tuner-focused Hall 7, we ran across even more body-kitted Audis – an amber-hued JE Design Q7 and a pair of TT roadsters from Rieger and Oettinger. Hofele single-frame grille conversion kits were also on display. Used to display new wheel designs, we also found an A5 and S3, along with two Lamborghini Gallardos in the relatively small mix of tuners and aftermarket suppliers.
© Copyright 2004 by YourSITE.com |
