Geneva Motor Show: Concept Car Preview
The 82nd Geneva Motor Show this week and, while some major new cars are making their debut, it's the concept cars that always draw the most attention.
International Business Times UK brings you a rundown of the most exciting concepts to break cover in Geneva, from the striking Range Rover Evoque convertible, to the Peugeot 208 GTi and the Mini Clubvan.
The Range Rover Evoque convertible must be one of the most unexpected concepts to be developed in recent years and the idea of a convertible Land Rover will no doubt anger the off-roading purists.
But the concept does make sense, following not only the huge initial success of the tin-topped Evoque, but also the success of Land Rover as a whole in the American and Far Eastern markets, where a warmer climate lends itself to a convertible model.
While still a concept, Land Rover has claimed that the decision to mass-produce the convertible Evoque could be made within two months of it going on show in Geneva - but the car would not go on sale until 2014 at the earliest.
Recently Mini seem to be releasing a new model every month, and March is proving no exception with the Clubvan concept, which claims to be the first premium small car-based van sector.
With just two seats but - bizarrely - five doors, the Clubvan is claimed to offer "endless usage potential" and is aimed at small businesses who want to add a small and stylish van to their fleet.
Mini claims that the Clubvan concept "opens the door [or all five of them] to a completely new market for MINI, premium small businesses who want to combine sharp driving dynamics with low cost of ownership, while also making a style statement with their company van."
The Clubvan's DNA can be traced back to the original 1960s Mini, which was soon adapted to offer a larger bootspace and was renamed the Morris Mini Van - offering increased load space, a longer wheelbase, two fewer seats and a split rear door.
Mini has not said if the Clubvan will make it to production, but the company has clearly put plenty of thought into its design - featuring straps in the boot to secure cargo and hard-wearing cloth trimming.
Peugeot will be using the Geneva motor show to announce the return of the legendary GTi badge, and it'll be adorning the 208 GTi Coupe Concept. The French company will also be unveiling the XY Concept, a small city car.
The 208 GTi is a tuned up version of the standard 208, and it's wearing a smarter suit thanks to double chrome exhaust pipes, aerodynamic enhancements to the bumpers and door sills, and the GTi badges.
Inside, the GTi gets full leather upholstery with Alcantara and aluminium highlights, and contrasting stitching.
The 208 GTi is powered by a 1.6-litre engine mated to a six-speed manual gearbox, but Peugeot is keeping quiet about performance figures for now. Meanwhile, the car has a 36mm wider track than the standard model and a roof spoiler to aide high-speed stability.
The Geneva motor show opens on 6 March and International Business Times UK will be bringing updates throughout the week from all of the biggest car launches and announcements.
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