Events Coverage
Event Coverage: Geneva Auto Show 2008
By Bryan Joslin
Mar 7, 2008, 07:55

Every year in Geneva, Switzerland, the world's automakers show off their latest ideas. Unlike some of the other major auto shows that focus primarily on upcoming production models, Geneva is more often a designer's show. Where else do so many specialty coachbuilders and boutique design houses share the show floor with the likes of General Motors, Ford, Volkswagen, Toyota and the rest of the world?

The BMW Group unveiled a handful of its own concepts, though most were closer to production that far-flung fantasies. The highlight of the BMW brand's booth was the X5-based BMW Vision EfficientDynamics, the latest development in the company's strategy to maximize efficiency and reduce emissions without sacrificing the athletic driving characteristics its vehicles are known for. The concept vehicle employs a 2.0-liter diesel four-cylinder engine in conjunction with BMW's ActiveHybrid technology to achieve an average fuel economy (on the European test cycle) of over 43 mpg, while only producing 172 grams of CO2 per kilometer and still managing a 0-62 mph time of 8.9 seconds.

Other excitement on the BMW stand included the introduction of the M3 convertible, the announcement of the new M Double Clutch Gearbox, the European debuts of the 1 Series convertible and X6 production models, and the unveiling of the BMW Performance Accessories line.

Over at MINI, the logical extension of performance motoring was unveiled in the form of the new Cooper S John Cooper Works Edition, as well as the announcement of the Cooper S Clubman with the JCW treatment. This factory tuning option bumps the 1.6-liter turbo engine to 207 hp and up to 207 lb-ft, and should be good for a 0-60 time of around 6.2 seconds for the Cooper S, and around 6.5 seconds for the Cooper S Clubman.

Meanwhile, the other British BMW brands, Rolls-Royce, unveiled the production version of the Phantom Coupe. The fixed-roof coupe joins the growing line of new Rollers, including the recently released Phantom Drophead Coupe, otherwise known as the convertible.

We had cameras on the floor at Geneva, and a full show gallery is available through the link below.

BMW Official Geneva Show Press Release

MINI Official Geneva Show Press Release

Rolls-Royce Official Geneva Show Press Release

For more discussion on this story, click on the link to our discussion forums to the left.	For more photos of the car in this story, click on the link to our gallery at the right.

© Copyright 2003 by mwerks.com