2008 Geneva Motor Show - Day Two
To find out which vehicle is the most popular at any of the top international auto shows, simply follow the crowd of journalists. Like the Pied Piper leading a procession through the streets of Hamelin, they are sure to point you in the right direction. Then again, you may find yourself standing in a long food line, jostling for lunch or cappuccino. Either way, the result is certain to be something delicious and a little out of the ordinary.
Suzuki A-Star Concept
What does it take to be an A-list celebrity? The answer may surprise you. One of the brightest stars at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show was the Suzuki A-Star Concept. Getting close enough to take pictures was a challenge worthy of the most skilled paparazzi. The company’s next world car, it is designed to embrace the changing needs of automotive consumers around the globe.
At the core, the A-Star Concept is an urban transporter on a small scale. Having recently spent time driving city streets in places such as Seville, Spain and Munich, Germany, a vehicle this size would be perfect. Production will fall under the umbrella of Maruti Suzuki India, a growing powerhouse in automobile manufacturing.
Performance for the A-Star Concept comes in the form of a new 1.0L gasoline powered engine featuring super-low CO2 emissions of just 109 grams per kilometer. Euro 5 compliant, fuel economy is expected to be excellent. North America sales were not announced in Geneva, but it will be interesting to watch the success of other tiny cars such as the Smart fortwo to gauge their potential.
Additional Suzuki cars on display at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show included the all-new Splash, set to go on sale in Europe over the next few months and the well traveled, but always popular Kizashi Concepts.
Volkswagen Scirocco
For me, the most heart wrenching discussion overheard in Geneva was that bringing the Scirocco to North America would ultimately prove unsuccessful due to overlap with the Volkswagen GTI. While I understand both cars share the same mechanicals, one look at the new Scirocco and it is obvious VW has a winner on their hands.
Of course, the concern by Volkswagen is genuine, especially in today’s uncertain automotive market. Will U.S. buyers accept a two-door coupe with a price likely to exceed $30,000, (starting at $21,750 euros)? The answer to this question is unknown and for that reason VW executives have decided to pass for now.
With “go fast” good looks, an impressive driving environment and first- class build quality, the new Scirocco will feature a 197-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter engine. Mated to either a six-speed manual or DSG dual -clutch gearbox, it offers impressive performance credentials. Safety features include ABS, ESP and a total of six airbags. Maybe someday soon we will have the chance to experience the new Scirocco for ourselves on the winding asphalt of Highway #1 in California.
