2008 Geneva Motor Show - Day One
The Geneva Motor Show is unlike anything we experience in North America. While we prefer glitz and glamour as the platform for launching new vehicles, Europeans favor a “let’s get down to business” approach. Adding a flashy tie to a navy blue suit and punctuating the stage with a bevy of beauties is another sure sign the spotlights are on and the show has begun.
Nissan Starts the Show
Nissan kicked started Geneva with European introductions. First on their list was the Nissan GT-R. Priced to start at $74,990 Euro, it will arrive in dealer showrooms with a bang in 2008. A select group of dealers will be chosen to market this super sports car. As Carlos Tavares, Executive Vice President, Nissan Motor Limited stated, you can purchase a Nissan GT-R, Nissan Murano and have enough left over to buy the loveable Nissan QASHQAI for the same price as one of those “other” expensive sports cars.
The new Nissan Murano was also introduced to the European media, as well as the strange, but incredibly fun, PIVO 2 Concept. Designed as an electric urban commuter, the environmentally friendly concept car represents what Nissan suggests as an entirely new relationship between driver and automobile.
Capable of rotating 360 degrees, it showcases large tires, a bubble style 3-person cabin and drive- by-wire technology. It also featured the happiest model of the day, as she smiled and seemed to have a wonderful time rotating and driving around the stage while cameras clicked and flashed.
Honda Accord
The all-new Honda Accord made its European debut at the 2008 Salon international de l’automobile Geneve. Revealed in both sedan and wagon form, it has the looks and functionality to do well in a crowded market.
The Tourer, (a term preferred by Europeans) shows the sleek styling of the new Accord to its full advantage. In some ways it looks better than the sedan, making me wish it was available in the U.S. and Canada. Featuring several different motors, including 2.0 and 2.4 liter gasoline engines plus the new 2.2 liter i-DTEC diesel, each is designed to meet impending Euro 5 emissions standards.
