German Car Zone

Nope, the new one is actually going to come out.

The first day is barely in the can at the Chicago Auto Show, and already Nissan is trying to get attention for their stand at next month's show in Geneva. While this would make sense if Nissan were announcing the unveiling of something new, unique, and/or special, it just does not appear to be the case.
Last year, Nissan unveiled the second generation of their highly successful X-Trail SUV in Switzerland. This wise move was predicated by the large annual European sales of the X-Trail. Barring any surprises by the Japanese automaker, the automaker will put their three most talked about models over the last year on the stand, but will have no world premiers at the show.
Fanboys will gather around the Nissan GT-R throughout the duration of the show, 20-somethings and families will surround the new Nissan Murano, and curious onlooker will try to figure out what Nissan engineers were smoking when they created the Nissan Pivo II. All three are making there European debuts.
At the show, we will get some more details about the Murano, which goes on sale in Europe this October. And we are excited about the Euro specs and pricing for the GT-R, which will be announced in Geneva. I guess Nissan does have some news after all.
Press Release

Source: Newspress

Three ‘stars’ on display showing Nissan’s commitment to passionate performance, design, innovation and technology: GT-R New Murano Pivo 2 GT-R The hotly anticipated Nissan GT-R represents Nissan’s passion for cars and driving, providing exceptional performance thanks to its all-new 3.8 V6 twin-turbo engine. Producing 353kW (480PS) and 588Nm, which is transmitted to its four wheels through one of the most advanced all-wheel drive systems ever developed, via a transaxle mounted dual-clutch, paddle-shift operated gearbox. Driver adjustable suspension, gearbox and stability control settings tune the GT-R’s dynamic characteristics according to the conditions or preferred style of driving. This adaptability reinforces the central philosophy behind the GT-R; the supercar for anyone, anytime, anywhere. While the GT-R is as happy to drive sedately in an urban environment, its impeccable sporting credentials have been underlined by its lap of 7m38s at the legendary Nordschleife [Nürburgring] circuit in Germany, one of the fastest times ever recorded by a production car.

Sales of the GT-R will start from March 2009 and European prices and specifications will be announced at the show, as will details of the network strategy to support the car’s sales and service.

New Murano The all-new Murano will build on the success of the existing model by offering more style, more refinement, improved performance and greater interior comfort and space.

One of the most distinctive models on the market, the current Murano has carved itself a position as a dynamic and striking crossover which represents a real alternative to road-based SUVs.

The new model continues that trend, thanks to its unique mix of strength, security and all-wheel drive reassurance normally found in an SUV, combined with the dynamic performance and striking appearance of a sporty passenger car.

Externally the second generation Murano shares obvious DNA with the original and the signature upswept rear side window line is retained, but taken altogether the changes are comprehensive; indeed, every body panel is different.

Inside, there is greater comfort and refinement – particularly for rear passengers – as well as more equipment and a greater sense of travelling in “business class”.

Murano continues to be powered by Nissan’s familiar 3.5-litre VQ engine which has been revised to offer improved performance. Now developing 265PS and 325Nm (240Ib ft) of torque, the 24 valve twin cam V6 provides better performance against the stop watch… and at the fuel pumps.

Improvements have also been made to the Murano’s Xtronic CVT transmission, which represents a major evolution of the technology. Extensively re-engineered with a 20 per cent reduction in friction losses, the new CVT improves fuel economy at the same time as improving shift speeds and responsiveness.

And Murano will be the first model in Nissan’s European range to be available with the company’s Scratch Shield Paint which protects the exterior from marks and scratches typically sustained in everyday life. The paint repairs the marks thanks to a newly developed highly elastic resin that helps prevent the scratches from damaging the base layer paint.

Sales of the new Murano will begin in Europe in October.

Pivo 2 Pivo 2 represents the other end of Nissan’s passion for cars, which can be characterised as friendly, innovative and design-led. It represents a commitment to finding new, innovative and bold solutions for future generations of motorists.

Pivo 2 is a zero-emissions vehicle propelled by four small 3D disc motors in each wheel and powered by advanced Super-Thin Lithium Ion (Li-Ion) batteries. The driver can always face the direction of travel as the cabin rotates 360 degrees and each wheel has 90 degrees of movement, meaning parking manoeuvres can be executed easily.

Entrance to the cabin is via a single, front-mounted door which also houses the major controls. Operation is made possible thanks to “X by Wire” technology, meaning that the steering and other mechanical linkages are replaced by electronic signals to operate Pivo 2’s drive systems.


http://www.worldcarfans.com/9080206.023/nissan-lineup-for-geneva-announced

PGO Cévennes gas powered turbo roadster

European companies BRA and PGO Automobiles have revealed plans for the launch of a new roadster that runs purely on natural gas. The tiny car will be on display at next month’s Geneva Motor Show and will only go into production if enough demand is generated at the upcoming show. Its creators are targeting a final price of €48,000 ($70,000), which would get you the basic car complete with a 1.6L turbocharged engine and six-speed manual.

The four-cylinder engine features a compression ratio of 11:1 and delivers peak output of 150hp (110kW) at 5,600rpm and 210Nm (155lb-ft) of torque at 2,300rpm. This is enough to see the Cévennes reach a top speed of 130mph and accelerate from 0-60mph in a brisk 6.5 seconds.
The car’s compressed natural gas storage tank holds 22kg or 132L of fuel, which is enough to take the roadster over 280 miles. Combined cycle fuel consumption is 35mpg and its CO2 emissions are a low 118g/km. The car can also run on biogas, which means it will be CO2-neutral.
http://www.motorauthority.com/news/concept-cars/pgo-cevennes-gas-powered-turbo-roadster/

I have no idea about all the details, but there are some sites out there saying it will be all new. And it's actually about time considering the face-lift was a few years ago.

Geneva '08 Preview: JCW MINI Cooper S speeds into focus

Following the relaunch of John Cooper Works as MINI's in-house performance division, the little carmaker that could is preparing to unveil the new JCW MINI Cooper S at Geneva auto show, which is now approaching as rapidly as the hot hatch itself. Meanwhile details are emerging over what the first factory JCW will include, and it looks good.
In brief, JCW has reworked, upgraded and optimized the turbocharger, the pistons, the air intake, the transmission, the clutch, the brakes, the wheels, the exhaust and the ECU. The crew at MotoringFile, those intrepid gurus of everything MINI, says that while the bigger turbo, upgraded induction, cat-back exhaust and electronics do their part, the pistons are where it's at, revving higher and smoother than those in the conventional Cooper S.
Output is expected to be around 210-220 hp (versus the stock 172 hp), with torque skipping up to 206 lb-ft. To handle the extra juice, MINI fits a heftier six-speed with a chunkier clutch, putting the power down with lightweight rims and keeping it in check with JCW logo-shaped calipers, which will join an array of the new-look emblems placed around the car. We don't yet know what the extra spec will amount to in discrenable performance numbers, but MINI has reportedly upped the top notch on the speedometer to 260 km/h (~160mph) instead of the 240km/h (~150mph) on the stock Cooper S.
All in all, the JCW Cooper S promises to amount to more than the sum of its parts, offering a complete factory performance vehicle. When the car launches next month, MINI is expected to highlight the close relation between the new JCW MINI, which will eventually be available in hatchback, Clubman and convertible forms, to the Challenge racer it prepared for the track.

Gallery: MINI John Cooper Works

Facelift Mercedes-Benz SL
Official press release and pictures @ WCF.
GCZ thread started by Alwing. (Mercedes SL Facelift: Official Pictures)



Facelift Ford Focus CC
Official press release and pictures @ WCF.
GCZ thread started by Bartek Sikorski.



Facelift Ford Focus CC
Official press release and pictures @ WCF.
GCZ thread started by Tycoon.

Wow, just noticed this. Didn't think it was time, but yes the calendar says it is. This opens the door for the V10 R8.

M

Bertone to present Alfa Romeo B.A.T. 11 at Geneva

Italian coachbuilder and design house Stile Bertone has announced today it will be presenting a new concept car at next month’s Geneva Motor Show despite its current finantial turmoil. Bertone is on the verge of bankruptcy but it promises that at Geneva it will unveil the new Alfa Romeo B.A.T. 11 concept car.

“We will be at the show,” Bertone Vice-Chair Marie-Jeanne Bertone revealed to reporters from Automotive News Europe. However, soon after the initial statement Bertone Chairman Lilli Bertone (Marie-Jeanne’s mother) said the styling division of the Bertone group would skip the show because it’s “currently undergoing a deep industrial restructuring.”
The new Bertone is said to be based on the stunning Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione supercar but is designed as a pure styling exercise and thus has no interior. The initials B.A.T. stands for Berlinetta Aerodinamica Tecnica or aerodynamic technical Berlinetta in English. If it eventually makes an appearance, this will be the first major design work since Bertone’s previous Barchetta Concept (pictured) designed for Fiat last year.
http://www.motorauthority.com/news/concept-cars/bertone-to-present-alfa-romeo-bat-11-at-geneva/

The build begins: Geneva Motor Show webcams live

We love webcams. We're particularly partial to the ones that give us a glimpse of what's going on at our favorite (and not-so-favorite) auto shows around the world. The folks that organize the Geneva Motor Show have place two cameras high above the floor to chronicle the build up of one of the largest automotive extravaganzas on that side of the Atlantic. Hopefully, they'll keep them streaming for the duration and we'll keep an eye out for anything that slips past the censors.
http://www.salon-auto.ch/en/