2008 Geneva Motor Show - Day Two
Morgan LIFECar
Nearly 100 years ago, Morgan introduced the revolutionary Threewheeler as a fresh approach to personal transportation. Today, hydrogen powered vehicles are all the rage as environmental concerns remain at the vanguard of automotive engine design. The fact a small company such as Morgan designed their newest concept vehicle with this technology is impressive to say the least.
Employing a 4 stack hydrogen PEM fuel cell, the resulting electrical energy allows the LIFECar to emit nothing more than pure water from the tailpipe. Regenerative braking adds to the available power, capturing kinetic energy for those times when additional acceleration is required.
An exercise in what is possible with “clean sheet” thinking; the Morgan LIFECar demonstrates this specialty carmaker has a vision for the 21st Century automobile.
Toyota iQ
Toyota presented what appeared to be the “smallest” big surprise of the 2008 Geneva Motor Show. The production version of the new Toyota iQ, first introduced in concept form at last years Frankfurt show, received rave reviews by all.
Glistening on stage in white, with models adorned in similar attire, the iQ has the smarts to be a winner in the tiny car market. According to Toyota, “i” stands for individuality and “Q” stands for quality. A quick look inside demonstrates Toyota’s commitment to forward-thinking, functional design.
No power or performance figures were released during the show, but details are sure to immerge as we get closer to a European launch in late 2008.
More at the Show
Additional introductions of note included the world premier of the Infiniti FX50. Taking the current FX design up a notch, Infiniti plans to expand into new markets with this their flagship CUV.
The Lamborghini Gallardo LP560 and Jaguar XKR-S represented the next level in performance for both exclusive brands. At the opposite end of the scale, the Tata Nano showed why it has garnered so much attention as a low-priced, 4-door sedan suitable for production on a grand scale.
The 2008 Geneva Motor Show is everything we expected it would be and more. Fast paced press days were filled with bright lights and equally bright automotive stars. Whatever your preference, be it a supercar or tiny coupes and sedans, there is something for everyone. As one of the premier motor shows each year, it is a must-see event on the calendar.
Next for us is the 2008 New York International Auto Show starting in a mere two weeks time. We look forward to covering the show for you and guarantee even more surprises will be revealed at The Javits Center. Start spreading the news!
