Geneva motor show attracts Euro-focused concept cars
By Russell Williamson
Chrysler's display of the Pronto Cruizer concept car at the Geneva motor show last week said a lot about where the innovative American carmaker is heading.
The Pronto Cruizer is the first concept Chrysler has unveiled in Europe for 10 years and marks the company's intention to become a much bigger player in the world's second-largest regional market.
Following a reacquisition of six of its eastern European distributors, and a significant rejuvenation of its product lineup, Chrysler hopes to be selling between 300,000 and 400,000 cars a year by 2005.
But probably more telling about the company's future direction is the design and construction of the Pronto Cruizer itself.
The car is a conscious effort by the U.S. carmaker to internationalize its designs and sourcing of components to make its cars more appealing to a wider audience.
The lines of the Pronto Cruizer are reminiscent of American hot rods and the car is built on a Neon platform but it is significantly shorter overall while offering more interior space than the donor car -- catering to European tastes.
More significantly, the Pronto Cruizer houses a new efficient 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that is the first product from the Chrysler/BMW joint-venture engine plant in Brazil.
The engine generates 86kW at 5600rpm and 153Nm at 4400rpm and is destined to go into the new Mini which is due to go on sale here about 2001.
The aggressive stance of the car is further helped by the massive 18-inch front and 19-inch rear wheels which adds to the retrodeco style.
Inside, the theme continues with a three-spoke steering wheel and polished aluminum surrounds for the instrument panel, center stack, gear shift and door handles.
Although the Pronto Cruizer is simply a concept at the moment, Chrysler's executive vice president of product strategy, design and external affairs, Tom Gale, said the company was open on the question of production.
But he said given the company's track record on delivering radical concepts to real vehicles -- with cars like Viper and Prowler -- production of the Pronto Cruizer was a distinct possibility.
Also headed for the production line and previewed as a concept at Geneva was Peugeot's two-oh-heart coupe/cabriolet.
The production version of the new small car, expected to be called the 207, will be launched at the Paris motor show later this year.
The 207 is expected to be offered in three-door and five-door body configurations with a range of engines of 1.4-liter and 1.6- liter capacities, including a hot GTi model.
The small front drive car, which at 3820mm long, 1650mm wide sitting on a 2440mm wheelbase is about the same size as a Bimantara Cakra, will be offered with both manual and automatic transmissions.
Peugeot is also expected to build a production version of the coupe/cabriolet Geneva concept car which would go on sale in Europe about 2000.
The concept car on the Geneva show stand was notable for its steel folding roof, which retracts into the boot -- in a similar fashion to Mercedes' SLK -- in about 20 seconds to transform the hardtop into a cabriolet.
Seat -- part of the Volkswagen group -- showed a stunningly styled super sedan which may also make it into production as the Spanish carmaker seeks a presence in the prestige market.
The Bolero 330BT is powered by a 30-valve V6 2.8-liter biturbo producing 242kW (330 horsepower). With torque rated at 500Nm between 1800rpm and 3600rpm, extreme caution would be the order of the day in heavy traffic.
It uses a version of Audi's quattro all-wheel drive linked to a Tiptronic-style gearbox. Top speed is quoted at 273km/h, with 100km/h reached in a supercar taming five seconds.
Not quite on the maybe list of concepts was Hyundai's Euro 1 sports concept.
Developed at the company's new Frankfurt-based European styling and technical studio -- hence the name -- the team was led by ex-McLaren material expert Antony Dodworth and design chief David Cutliffe.
As a result, the outlandish model features Formula One levels of technology. The roofless machine is built around a rigid and strong carbon-fiber monocoque tub which supports the rest of the structure, and features other racing pedigree items such as double wishbone suspension.
The concept has a four-cylinder 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that develops a massive 283kW and 500Nm.
This is mated to a hi-tech, six-speed clutchless gearbox controlled by a twist-grip integrated into the steering wheel. There are also uprated brakes, wheels and tires.