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6th March 2003:  New Ypsilon dominates Lancia stand on world debut
 
The new Lancia Ypsilon has been unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, to immediate public interest. A very neat and well designed car, initial impressions of the Ypsilon, which is expected to sell at a premium price to the current Y, have been positive.

Three of the new models as here. A yellow one is mounted on a large revolving turntable, while one blue and one maroon example are available for detailed public examination. Two are fitted with the compact new 1.3 Multijet 16v, while a cutaway model of this second generation common-rail diesel is presented on the stand. Two are fitted with the new 'Skydome' roof, although it is unlikely that an option as expensive as this will be other than a rairity in a car of this segment.

click here to see the new Lancia Ypsilon at the Geneva Motor Show click here to see the new Lancia Ypsilon at the Geneva Motor Show click here to see the new Lancia Ypsilon at the Geneva Motor Show

4th March 2003:  One of the Geneva Motor Show's stars, the new Lamborghini Gallardo
 
click here to see the Lamborghini Gallardo at the Geneva Motor Show todayEagerly awaited has been the launch of the Gallardo, Lamborghini's first venture under Audi ownership into the mid-size sportscar market. Aiming to go head to head with the Ferrari 360 Modena, the 500bhp V10 engined Gallardo drew mixed reactions as the covers came off. While in a real case of shooting themselves in the foot, it has been revealed that the V10 will gain turbo power and more horses when it is fitted into an Audi, leaving the Gallardo looking like a poor cousin.

Very much looking like a "baby" Murcielago, some of the styling looked awkward and ill fitting, while the agressive, chunky tail left journalists undecided. The interior did however win praise for its styling and layout.


4th March 2003:  Geneva Show opens with array of new Italian production models and concepts
 
The 73rd Geneva Motor Show opened this morning to the press with a wide range of new production models and concepts. The show, which opens to the public on Thursday, runs daily until the 16th March.

Fiat kicked off with two vital new models, the Gingo, long awaited replacement for the Panda and Seicento, and the Punto based B-MPV, revealed with the badly thought out name, Idea. The Marrakesh, a Gingo-based "dune buggy" joined the already unveiled Simba "mini off-roader". Alfa Romeo launched the stylish Kamal SUV concept, a dressed-up Sportwagon GTA with more than a hint of Maserati's Kubang GT Wagon, while the new Coupe GT, is another 156-based project. The sportscar manufacturers had much to should about. Lamborghini took the wraps of the Gallardo to mixed acclaim, Ferrari offered the Challenge Stradale, a lightweight 360 Modena, and Pagani revealed a stunning yellow Roadster.

click here for details of the opening day of the 73rd Geneva Motor Show click here for details of the opening day of the 73rd Geneva Motor Show click here for details of the opening day of the 73rd Geneva Motor Show

4th March 2003:  New Fiat "mini" becomes Gingo as Punto-based MPV is revealed as Idea
 
Fiat Gingo and Fiat Idea. Those are the names of the two new Fiat models being given their world preview at the 73rd Geneva International Motor Show. This information came from Gianni Coda, President of the Fiat Lancia and Light Commercial Vehicle Business Unit at an international press conference on the Fiat stand this morning. 

Known until now as the "mini" or 169 Project, the Fiat Gingo is a super compact 'city' car that goes on sale in September, replacing the aged Panda and Seicento. The Punto-based B-MPV known as Project 350, is now revealed as the Fiat Idea, the second Fiat model to get a world preview today. The Fiat Idea will go on sale in all the main European countries at some time between this autumn and early 2004. 
 

the new Fiat Idea, click here for full details the new Fiat Gingo, click here for full details

4th March 2003:  Alfa Romeo reveal details of the Kamal SUV concept as the covers come off in Geneva
 
The Kamal concept is Alfa Romeo's first foray into the lucrative and rapidly growing 'Sports Off-Road' segment. With prestige manufacturers now churning out SUV's to market acceptance, Alfa Romeo are playing catch-up to rivals with will include the Porsche Cayenne and BMW X5. Based around the Sportwagon GTA, the Kamal offers the 250bhp 3.2-litre V6 through four wheel drive coupled to a chassis with double wishbone suspension all-round, electonically adjustable ride-height and driver aids including VDC and ASR.

Alfa Romeo describe the Kamal as a "Mix of style and design that represents a distinctive crossover of cultures. The model is a fusion of different vehicle types. It combines the off-road performance of an SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) with the driving satisfaction and handling characteristics of a compact Alfa Romeo. At the same time, it offers a versatile, functional passenger compartment typical of a Multi Purpose Vehicle due above all to clever use of space and a wide range of seat configurations. Everything comes packed into an unmistakable Alfa shape designed by the Arese Style Centre. The car would be just as at home on the intricate streets of a European city as it would on a desert track of frontier landscape."

click here for details of the Alfa Romeo Kamal SUV concept click here for details of the Alfa Romeo Kamal SUV concept
> introduction
> driving pleasure
> all the versatility of an MPV
> an agressive'All-Terrain' appearance
> styling: a new format
> design sketches

4th March 2003:  The long awaited Gallardo is revealed ahead of Geneva Premiere
 
click for images of the new Lamborghini GallardoLamborghini revealed these official images of its eagerly awaited mid-size Gallardo sportscar ahead of its Geneva Motor Show public debut. Drawing some styling cues from its larger sister the Murcielargo, the Gallardo has received very mixed initial feedback, parent company Audi's German design ideas appearing to be stamped on the Ferrari 360 Modena rival.

The front styling is very Murcielago, although the headlamps, in Ferrari Enzo-style, are set back much further than was predicted and look slighly to large for its clean, sweeping bonnet lines. The side swage and large air intake forward of the rear wheels sit awkwardly together and lead back into the Gallardo's most controversial area, it rear end.

Designed to look squat and agressive, it has strong similarities to the Bugatti-based 'Edonis' while offering hints of the marque's classic Countach. The tail lights unusually wrap around over the top of the rear bodywork, while a low spoiler finishes the sweeping engine cover. Two large single bore exhausts protrude through the rear lower bodywork allowing a diffuser to run the width of the bodywork.

click for images of the new Lamborghini Gallardo click for images of the new Lamborghini Gallardo click for images of the new Lamborghini Gallardo click for images of the new Lamborghini Gallardo

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