Mercedes-Benz Ocean Drive concept

The first question always asked an automaker about a concept like this is "Will you build it?" Mercedes-Benz is calling its S600-based Ocean Drive convertible a "one-off special." But following the appearance of the ASC-developed Chrysler 300C Helios at the Detroit show two years back and the Peugeot 407 Macarena with folding steel roof by Heuliez shown at Geneva, it's surely only a question of time before someone builds a four-door convertible that recalls the grand phaetons of the 1920s or 1930s, or even the iconic 1961 to 1967 Lincoln Continental.
Chrysler's plans to market a four-door hardtop convertible based on the next-generation 300, circa 2010, have reportedly been scrubbed, and the Macarena was basically a showcase for Heuliez's engineering skills. But the Ocean Drive could be the car that kickstarts the emerging four-door convertible trend into a production reality, for the simple reason that it'd be easier to absorb the considerable engineering costs in a vehicle with an already high price tag.
Besides, with rivals BMW and VW showing new ultra-high-end two-door convertibles-the new Rolls-Royce Drophead Coupe and the Bentley Continental GTC-corporate egos in Stuttgart, already bruised by the relative failure of Maybach, would demand that Germany's premier automaker go one better and build a four-door soft-top.

Nissan Bevel Concept

At first blush, the Bevel looks like a next-generation Cube concept. But Nissan describes the Bevel as a "dynamic, multipurpose vehicle" designed for "male empty-nesters actively engaged in hobbies, recreation, and community service." Talk about your market niche.
If the Rouge is a smaller, RAV4-fighting Murano, the Bevel looks like a smaller, sub-Xterra, albeit more a crossover than hard-core SUV. Nissan North America in La Jolla, California, designed the Bevel with asymmetric styling (coincidentally, like the Japanese-market Cube), high-utility three-zone interior and glass roof-mounted solar panels and drive-by-wire steering, throttle, and brakes. The Bevel is substantially larger than the Cube (which Nissan/Renault chief Carlos Ghosn promised would be built for left-hand-drive markets in its next iteration and is expected to launch in the U.S. for the 2009 model year). The Bevel's engine compartment is designed for a V-6/electric hybrid drivetrain, Nissan says. To sum up, Nissan has an intriguing design for a potential future product.

Mazda3 MPS

Known in North America as the Mazdaspeed3, this performance version of Mazda's already sporty compact is powered by a 250 horsepower (Euro-spec), 280 pound-foot direct-injection gas 2.3-liter turbo four. The engine also powers the Mazdaspeed6, but the 3 is front-wheel-drive versus the 6's all-wheel-drive. That means less weight but more potential torque steer. The body shell of the 2007 Mazda3 MPS making its debut here at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show is stiffened, with a 60-percent roll stiffness improvement, transmission is a six-speed manual and the front fenders are 0.79-inches wider to accommodate wider tires.

Mitsubishi Concept-EZ MIEV

Mitsubishi's Concept-EZ MIEV (stands for Mitsubishi In-wheel motor Electric Vehicle) is indicative of the company's future design direction, then it seems as if the sleeping giant may have well turned the corner. Building on innovation in propulsion as well as packaging, the Concept-EZ MIEV breaks new ground in both categories. It features four in-wheel 20 kW motors producing the equivalent of 110-horsepower. Part pure electric vehicle, part fuel-cell vehicle, the Concept-EV MIEV shown here at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show is a hybrid without a gasoline engine component. Packaging is equally creative as the seats can be configured in a variety of ways with 4+1 seating possible when driving, or with full lay-down lounge configuration available when the Concept-EZ MIEV is stationary.

Saab Aero-X Concept

Saab has been further absorbed into the GM family, with Saabs being built outside Sweden and non-Saabs being built in its factory (Cadillac BLS). To stem the criticism that the company is losing its character, GM has opened a Saab Brand Center in Sweden. This is the first design from that center, the Saab Aero-X concept. Like traditional Saabs, including the Sonnets I, II and III, it's a front-wheel-drive-based sports car, but it's got all-wheel-drive to handle a 400-horsepower twin-turbo V-6. And to be eco-friendly, it operates on 100-percent bio-ethanol fuel. Its body has a cockpit canopy in place of conventional doors (shades of early '60s American "dream cars"). The rear stowage features a "twin floor" for better-than-sports car cargo space. The Aero-X is a surprise, unquestionably the best car of the 2006 Geneva Motor Show. If Saab can translate this general design into production cars, it could save itself from GM anonymity.

The CCX is the latest iteration of the Koenigsegg CC family: CCX stands for Competition Coupe X, and commemorates the 10th anniversary of the completion and test drive of the first CC maiden prototype, which rolled out from the R&D Department in 1996.

Even though the CCX is an Americanized version of the company's Euro-spec CCR exotic car, Koenigsegg touts the CCX as a new car since it has been re-engineered to comply with the U.S. regulation and market demands. Still, it has been a key issue for the Koenigsegg Team to keep the distinctive and record breaking CC shape, as they believe it is important to avoid trends and hone the aerodynamic shape of the CC range for the future, so as to enhance its unique look and appearance with tighter lines and a more aggressive stance. The new Koenigsegg shows a clear lineage from its predecessor with modifications meant only to enhance its already proven concept and shape.

The two-door, two seat, 2200-pound supercar features a removable hardtop that is stowable under the front hood lid. Its body is made of pre-impregnated carbon fiber, Kevlar, and lightweight sandwich reinforcements. Underhood, it is powered by a new, wholly in-house-produced 4.7-liter/800-horsepower V-8 cast-aluminum supercharged and intercooled engine Koenigsegg claims is capable of pushing the supercar from 0-62 mph in just 3.2 seconds. It also promises a top speed of faster than 245 mph, all while running on 91 octane fuel and meeeting California emission requirements.

American buyers can place their order for the 2007 Koenigsegg CCX at "Exotic Cars" in the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas. Prices start at $650,000.

Mercedes-Benz CLK 63 Cabriolet

AMG will build both coupe and cabrio versions of the 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLK 63, but the coupe will not be imported to the U.S. Horsepower is 481 and torque is 465 pound-feet. The CLK shown here at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show also comes with the AMG Speedshift 7G-Tronic trans and a new AMG sport suspension. Wheels are 18-inch AMG light alloys, and the front wheels have a new high-performance composite brake system. Appointments include an AMG ergonomic sports steering wheel, multi-contour AMG sport seats and exclusive Nappa leather.

Skoda Roomster

Volkswagen's Czech division has been promising a little TARDIS-like space vehicle for years. The production 2007 Skoda Roomster shown at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show is pretty cool. Just 165.5-inches long and available with four- or five-place seating, the Roomster has what Skoda calls a "vario flex" system. The rear seats fold flat or can be removed completely, and when upright, they're taller than the front seats, stadium-style. They can move back and forth laterally, and recline. The Roomster offers tailor-made holders for sports equipment, and Skoda says it's the first car in its class to come with curve/corner lighting. The Skoda Roomster will be on sale in Europe with a choice of three diesel and three gas engines, ranging from 64 to 104 horsepower.

Lotus Europa S

Alas, the two-seat, rear-engine 2006 Lotus Europa S coupe, with its GM-sourced 2.0-liter turbo four, is not slated for U.S. import. No, this is not a case of Chapmanphiles having to beg for it for several years before it finally happens, which worked for the Elise. Problem is, the Europa, which targets Audi TT and Nissan Z among others, is based on the Elise platform. And Lotus has already received U.S.-spec exemptions on bumper and headlamp standards. If it imported the Europa, it would lose certain U.S. component exemptions on the Elise.

Volkswagen Concept

Roughly a decade ago, Volkswagen unveiled its Concept 1, which became the New Beetle. Now, after teasing us with the New Beetle Dune Concept at the Detroit show in 2004, VW presents the Concept A, a realistic look at the 2009 Golf-based sport/utility vehicle. Will the crossover SUV, likely to be named either Marrakech or Bedouin, have the four-door coupe body of this concept? Well, the connection between Concept 1 to New Beetle wasn't that literal, so there could be some changes in store. But note that the A shown here at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show does have real sideview mirrors (not cameras) and a front fascia reflecting its Passat-based design direction. Its "3D" crest radiator grille is made of brushed aluminum, and VW describes it as looking "like the mirror image of a cheetah." Power is from a 150-horsepower "Twincharger" 1.4-liter twin-turbo gas-direct injection, but it's designed to also take a transverse-mounted turbodiesel with particulate filter, a 2.0-liter/200-horsepower FSI four, or any of a number of powerplants, including V-6s. It puts that power through a six-speed manual gearbox to 4MOTION all-wheel-drive. Wheelbase is 102.4 inches, overall length is 171.3 inches, width is 72.8 inches and "step-in" height is 61 inches, with long hood and short overhangs. Wheels are 20 inch, 295-aspect-ratio tires. Note the Hoffmeister kink in c-pillar and Bangle-esque "flame surfacing," a bow to BMW design. It has a two-part hatchback; lid and backlight flips up, the lower part under the taillamps swings open like a pickup-truck loading surface.

Porsche 911 GT3

This is Porsche's most powerful naturally aspirated 911 ever. Horsepower is 415, or 115.3 horses per liter, the world's best specific output for a non-turbo/supercharged engine, according to its maker. The 3.6-liter flat six revs to 8400 rpm, 200 more than the previous Porsche 911 GT3, with the peak horsepower coming in at 7600 rpm. The 2006 GT3 also features an active suspension setup for the track and a mechanical limited-slip differential. How did Porsche manage this kind of power? The engine's throttle valve has been enlarged from 76 millimeters to 82; there are optimized cylinder heads and a low-backpressure exhaust system. The six-speed manual gearbox has been revised, with lower gear ratios for second through sixth, and shorter throws. A new change-up display illuminates the tach before the driver reaches the relevant engine speed, for optimal shift timing. Porsche's claimed 0-60 mph time is 4.1 seconds and the zip-to-100-mph sprint takes 8.7 seconds. Top test track speed is 193 mph. Running on 19-inch wheels and tires, the GT3 has a new electronic traction control system handed down from the Carrera GT. It's on sale in August for $106,000.

Ferrari 559 GTB Fiorano

Ferrari released its much-anticipated replacement for the long-running 550/575 Maranello at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show. It's been called a lot of things - the Imola, the 600 - but has been officially named neither, being named instead the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano

"GTB" stands for gran turismo berlinetta - grand touring coupe - and 599 represents the engine's displacement, 5999 ccs. The 599 GTB was designed by Pininfarina, and is built on a shortened, two-seat version of the aluminum chassis-body structure first developed for the 612 Scaglietti. The powerplant is a front/mid-mounted V-12 rated at 620 horsepower at 7600 rpm - over 100 horsepower per liter. It's a more powerful version of the 612's engine; the additional punch, when combined with what is projected to be less curb weight than the Maranello, should make for seriously impressive performance.
As with any Ferrari, there will be a lot of discussion regarding design, but there's no mistaking the 599 GTB's lineage. The hood and front fender scoops are exhaust vents for the engine bay; the slits in the rear fenders cool the brakes. The car retains the familiar egg crate grille and glinting, multi-element light clusters, but its most unique design elements are found out back. Instead of the dual taillight theme seen on most recent Ferraris, there's just one large rear light unit on each side. The rear window touchdown point is recessed, creating an attractive buttress on each side. Overall, an emotional, attractive, and exciting look.

Backing the big V-12 will be the latest generation of Ferrari's F1-A six-speed autoclutch gearbox; it is not clear if a conventional manual gearbox will still be offered. Expect lots of electronics in the leather-lined cabin - including a version of the F430's steering wheel-mounted "manettino" which allows integrated management of the traction control, damping, transmission shift speed, and other system parameters. We also expect that Ferrari will offer carbon/ceramic brake rotors as an option, not unlike those found on the Enzo and F430.

The 550 and 575M Maranello close out a great career, having sold more than 5600 units since its 1996 introduction - impressive for a car that's had a $200,000+ sticker its entire life. The 2007 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano will go on sale some time this summer; pricing has not yet been announced, but expect well optioned examples to go for around $275,000. Our first drive can't come soon enough.

Ford S-Max

Think of the 2007 Ford S-Max as the European counterpart to our upcoming 2007 Ford Edge crossover. In Europe, where the rugged 4x4 look isn't so highly regarded, space-efficient MPVs sell well and are replacing c- and d-segment sedans in popularity. Built in five- or seven-passenger versions (2+3+2 seating, with the third row for children and masochists) the 2007 S-Max is said to have sporty, dynamic chassis characteristics - making it a family car for the sports car lover. The S-Max shown at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show features both a high-level of safety, including driver-side knee-level airbags, and performance, including an optional 220-horsepower inline five turbo from the Focus ST.

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