World debuts for three new production cars plus a concept that hints at the future design direction of another – that was the big news from Renault at the Geneva motor show.



The star of the show for the French automaker was undoubtedly the last of these; called the Megane Coupe Concept, with its dramatic two-stage gull-wing doors it gives clues as to what the forthcoming Megane Coupe will look like. Just over 177.2 inches long, one innovation is the use of a Samsung cell phone to lock and unlock the cabin. It reveals a state-of-the-art red and black interior with touch-screen functions and four-zone climate control. The phone is also used to fire up the engine. It’s a 200-hp 2.0-liter gasoline unit linked to a six-speed manual gearbox. Riding on 21-inch Michelin rubber, it will hit 60 mph in 7.2 seconds. Insiders say the prototype is fully drivable.



Renault’s first ever SUV was also at Geneva. Called the Koleos after the two concepts of the same name, it’s a crossover compact 4x4. It’s been developed using technology borrowed from alliance partner Nissan, whose X-Trail off-roader is a similar size and in its second incarnation already. The Koleos goes on sale in Europe this summer, with a 2.0-liter diesel engine likely to be the most popular choice with buyers. Two power variants, with 150 and 175- hp, will be available. A front-wheel drive 4x2 model will also be launched. With Renault among the last volume car makers not to have an SUV of any sort, the Koleos is expected to offer excellent value for money. Insiders say it will be priced to tempt buyers away from the likes of the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4.



Active Drive is the name of Renault’s newest chassis, and it’s called that because it allows all-wheel steering. The car the technology will first appear on is the Laguna GT, and that too was at the Swiss exhibition. Available as a hatchback or tourer, here’s how the system works. At speeds below 60 kph, the rear wheels turn in the opposite direction to the front ones, up to an angle of 3.5 degrees to cut the turning circle by up to 10 percent. At higher speeds, the rear wheels turn in the same direction to enhance cornering stability. The car goes on sale next month, and the technology will also appear on the Laguna Coupe that’s due for launch at September’s Paris Motor Show.




The French car maker’s final offering was its new pocket rocket, the Renaultsport version of the Twingo city car. Under the bonnet is a naturally aspirated 1.6-liter gasoline engine developing 133 hp. The track has been widened by 2.4 inches over the standard Twingo to improve grip, and the springs have been stiffened and the dampers uprated to give a sportier ride. The car can be ordered with a choice of two chassis; either Sport or Cup. The latter rides 0.16 inches lower, creating an improved center of gravity and better handling. The car will go on sale across Europe later in the year.--Richard Yarrow

“Suicide is painless,” goes the theme song from “Mash.” But don’t use that word around General Motors Chairman Rick Wagoner. “We’d rather you don’t use that word,” he explained, during a conversation at the Geneva Motor Show, following the debut of GM subsidiary Opel’s new Metiva Concept.

Why so squeamish? Well, you might understand why an automaker like Opel would rather not use the term, ‘suicide doors,” but would rather call the onospace” Meriva’s rear-hinged portals “FlexDoors.” It just seems like a much friendlier way to connect with potential customers.

Well, whatever you call them, Meriva’s got some interesting ideas to offer up, and we expect to see a number of them showing up on the production version, which is soon to replace the existing Meriva model in GM’s European line-up.

“The Meriva Concept clearly illustrates how our new Opel design language can be adapted to create bold, fresh design solutions for the monocab segment,” explains Mark Adams, Vice President of Design, General Motors Europe.

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Opening a full 90 degrees, the unusual door design is meant to enhance Meriva’s functionality – without borrowing the sort of sliding doors that hallmark a minivan. Opel officials insist the rear-hinged design makes it easier to control access to the back seat, handy when you’re hauling around a car full of kids.

The suicide, er, FlexDoors are just one of the more notable features of the Meriva Concept. One of the other distinctive styling cues is the ‘wave’ in the rear window line, intented to provide a better view for the passengers in the back. It isn’t an entirely new concept, however, first appearing – in admittedly more extreme form on the quirly Citroën C2.

While both the wave window and FlexDoors seem bound for production, the unusual, U-shaped windshield, which stretches up and back over the rear passengers, is less likely to make it onto the assembly line.

Meanwhile, Meriva gives a good hint at how Opel is shaping a consistent look for its line-up, with its rear lights echoing the design of those on the upcoming Insignia, which will become Opel’s new upper midsize model, after its Summer 2008 debut.

The Meriva Concept is powered by a new 1.4-liter turbocharged engine with Variable Valve Timing.

While a number of new Opel designs are destined to be shared with GM’s U.S. brand, Saturn, insiders say Meriva is likely not to make the trans-Atlantic leap. --By Paul A. Eisenstein and Henny Hemmes

The word "showstopper" is used too frequently by lazy journalists, but in some cases it is genuinely true. A case in point is the new Spider version of Alfa Romeo’s stunning 8C Competizione, which had its world debut at the Geneva motor show.

Despite the fact that production will be limited to just 500 units, and the first customer car won’t roll off the line for the better part of two years, the unveiling of this new model truly was a show-stopping moment.

Under the hood is the same 4.7-liter 450-hp V-8 that’s in the coupe. Power is channelled through a six-speed paddleshift gearbox to the rear wheels. The Brembo brakes are carbon-ceramic, measuring 15 inches in diameter at the front wheels and 14.2 inches at the rear. The whole package rides on 20-inch alloy wheels.

The Gran Turismo machine has been created by the Centro Stile Alfa Romeo. The convertible roof is made from two layers of fabric, and folds back at the touch of a dashboard-mounted button. The outer layer is designed to protect the occupants from the elements, the inner layer is key to sound-proofing. The top can be personalized in various colors to suit the finish of the vehicle.

Inside, composite materials have been used to create the hi-tech performance-oriented cabin, while the sports seats are made from carbon fiber.
Prices have yet to be announced, but will be slightly higher than the coupe.--Richard Yarrow

The original was a hit in the Seventies, its successor was popular in the Eighties, and now, 34 years after its debut, one of VW’s most famous badges has returned.

Finished in a vibrant red paint, the Scirocco coupe was one of the big attractions at this year’s Geneva Motor Show. At 167.7 inches long, it’s roughly the same length as the Golf compact hatchback. But its wider bodyshell gives it a more imposing stance, and it’s also significantly lower to the ground.

One of the most interesting elements of the exterior styling is the nose, which showcases a new VW design language. Besides the Beetle, it’s the only car in the German firm’s whole range to feature the VW badge on the hood.

A four-seater, the backs of the two rear chairs fold flat to boost the load space from 10.3 to 26.6 cubic feet.

Four engines will be available from launch. The three gasoline units turn in 122, 160 and 200 hp. The sole diesel delivers 140 hp. A six-speed manual gearbox is standard, though six and seven-speed DSG transmissions are also available.

Standard gear includes 17-inch alloys, height adjustable front seats, electric windows, stability control with brake assist, and an MP3 compatible audio system with a choice of two navigation units.

The new Scirocco will go on sale in late summer in Europe, arriving in other markets during 2009--but not in the U.S., where the weak dollar and overlap with the GTI have nixed the coupe from the VW product plan. Nevertheless, we're going to tease you more with high-res photos available here.-- Richard Yarrow

Late last year, an unnamed Rolls-Royce source told the media about the possibility of the development of a fourth model. Then the first spy shots of the smaller Rolls appeared in British magazines.

So it's no surprise there were plenty of questions about the small Rolls-Royce at the Geneva Motor Show. There were, however, fewer answers regarding the new car, as executives remained tight-lipped about the new project.

Instead, Rolls-Royce used its Geneva show stage to introduce the new Phantom Coupe, the production version of the 101EX concept shown in 2006. Ian Robinson, Chairman of the board of directors of Rolls-Royce, said that the new coupe is bringing in many early orders, two-thirds of them new to the brand.

The new Coupe has the stiffest chassis ever done in a Rolls-Royce, the company says. There's no word on U.S. pricing or availability yet, but the new Coupe is expected to arrive in U.S. showrooms by the end of the year.