Ambitious upstart Italian automotive brand DR Motor has presented two new models, a crossover and a mini-estate, in Geneva that will join its growing model portfolio in the autumn. Currently codenamed CW20 and SW20 the two new models will be given final names through a competition to be presented to the Italian public this year.

The brand and its cars were introduced at the 80th Geneva Motor Show this week by CEO Massimo di Risio, who originally launched the idea of expanding DR Groupe's activities from dealership franchises into an eponymous carmaker. It is also the second consecutive appearance for DR Motor at the Swiss motor show. "We are a very young company, a very ambitious company," di Risio told the media during the brand's press conference. All the DR's models are sourced from China's Chery and imported into Italy in CKD kit format, with grilles, trim and badging restyled to give the cars a distinct DR Motor feel. The DR5 has now sold more than 6,000 units while the DR1 went on sale last December and said di Risio "is having a great success in terms of orders, with more than 2,000 orders in the first couple of months.

In the halls of the Palexpo di Risio presented the new crossover and mini-estate tones, shown for their world premières as prototypes. The acronyms, CW20 and SW21, identify the two projects ahead of a naming competition that will be addressed to the Italian public.

CW20 pitches itself as a crossover vehicle, ready for the rough trails. With pleasant lines and trendy looks it is however quite robust thanks to front and rear protective moldings and roof rails. The elevated structure and the 16-inch wheels help to cement the appearance of a light crossover.

For those who enjoy more sporty motoring but also have a need for space and mobility in metropolitan traffic, DR Motor introduces the derivative project, SW20. With a distinctively sporty design, accentuated by 18-inch alloy wheels, it has distinguishing features that are wrapped up into the shape of a small station wagon. It's dimensions are: length 386 cm, width 162 cm, height 158 cm and a 233 cm wheelbase, along with reasonable interior space and a 300/550 dm3 boot load area, increased by folding away the rear seats.

Both models are equipped with a choice of two Chery engines, a 1.3 petrol putting out 83 hp and a 1.5 petrol Dual VVT with 105 hp. As with all the other models in the DR Motor's range there will be ecologically conscious LPG and CNG versions. Standard and optional equipment includes special design alloy wheels, colored-coded bumpers, metallic paint, fog lamps, driver and passenger airbag, ABS, rear safety belts with inertia reel, front seatbelts with pretensioners and reels, front and rear adjustable headrests, alarm with remote control opening and closing of the doors, electronic immobiliser, air conditioning, two-speed intermittent windshield wiper, folding rear seat backrest, passenger courtesy mirror, driver sun visor with business card holder, digital instrument panel with speedometer, tachometer, thermometer, water, fuel level indicator and trip computer, center console with dual cup holders, lighter and removable ashtray, tailgate opening with key or from inside the cabin, illuminated glove compartment with lid on the passenger side dashboard, lights in luggage compartment, height adjustable steering wheel, instrument panel brightness adjustment, power steering, electric door mirrors, manual air conditioning, electric front windows, rear child locks, central locking, ceiling lamp with reading lights, rear parking sensors, radio with 4 speakers, CD/MP3 player with USB input in the glove compartment.

DR Motor expects to start marketing the CW20 and SW20 through its innovative retail sales operation in Italy by September and the two models will assist a sales target of around 8,000-9,000 units for 2010 while di Risio also revealed in Geneva that for the first time, this year DR Motor plans to sell its cars outside Italy as it has distributors now in place. The company is also set to start assembling cars in a new factory that has the capacity of 100 units a day.

ItaliaspeedTV: 80th Geneva Motor Show, DR Motor Press Conference