TechArt Automobildesign Interior

Exclusive automobile interiors have gained TechArt Automobildesign worldwide fame and recognition. The Swiss furniture manufacturer de Sede occupies the same lofty position in the area of seating furniture. The idea of combining the unique qualities of both companies in new automotive creations was born in 2006. At the Geneva Motor Show 2007 they present a 600-hp / 442-kW TechArt MAGNUM featuring the new TechArt interior line ‘de Sede of Switzerland.’

de Sede was founded more than 50 years ago, and is run by its two owners, Hans-Peter Fässler and Bernhard Schüler. Privateer Fässler is a passionate art and car enthusiast. The world-renowned manufacturer of exclusive luxury furniture is home in Klingnau, Switzerland. Only cows from Switzerland and southern Germany are used to make the various types of de Sede leathers. de Sede sells its chairs, sofas and tables in 120 countries around the globe.

With the TechArt interior line ‘de Sede of Switzerland’ these exquisite materials now also find their way into the automobile. The exclusive de Sede leathers are specially treated to account for the harsh climate conditions in an automobile.

TechArt Automobildesign’s company-own upholstery shop places utmost importance on perfect workmanship down to the last detail. Highly experienced upholsterers transform the high-quality de Sede leathers into covers for seats, doors, dashboard, roof pillars and headliner.

In addition to choice de Sede leathers the seats also feature a unique soft-touch padding structure with areas of gradual firmness that are custom-tailored to the human body. The result is exceptional seating comfort combined with excellent lateral support.

Maximum comfort is paramount in the rear compartment too: Custom-developed individual seats for the rear mirror the front-seat design, and come with a custom-tailored center console covered with the finest de Sede leather. The integrated compartment for drinks, snacks and storage is lined with elegant Microsede material and features illuminated glass holders for the two Rosenthal® glasses with engraved TechArt MAGNUM logo. A small refrigerated compartment is hidden behind a precious-wood lid between the rear seatbacks.

The TechArt interior line ‘de Sede of Switzerland’ also features a state-of-the-art multimedia system. Two LCD touch screens are integrated into the back of the front headrests. Rear passengers can choose between watching a DVD on the 6-disc DVD changer or programs from the integrated digital TV tuner. They also serve as monitors for playing games on a Playstation2 game console. The sound is carried by wireless RF hi-fi headphones.

New Golf Estate

Volkswagen’s new Golf Estate, combining sharp dynamics with space and versatility, is set to make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show on 6 March. With the largest loadspace of any Golf to date the new estate extends the versatility of the Golf range. As well as a bold new look to the rear of the car the Golf Estate benefits from fresh styling at the front together with several desirable practical and dynamic touches.

A new nose featuring a distinctive chrome grille section framed by a set of deep front air dams lend the new Golf Estate an imposing look. The major changes occur from the B-pillar backwards. The tailgate section is designed to maximise bootspace without compromising style and intersects a set of bold new rear lights. Finishing off the look are a set of roof rails and a subtle aerodynamic spoiler mounted on the trailing edge of the rear window.

The expanded loadspace is accessed through a wide, contoured boot incorporating a low load lip. To aid practicality the rear seats fold flat into the floor to reveal a versatile 1,550-litres of bootspace complete with multiple load hooks. A 12V socket plus stowage beneath the boot floor are useful additions along with heating elements built into the rear windows.While practicality and load lugging are high on the Golf Estate’s agenda the sharp driving dynamics of the hatchback are retained. The new Golf Estate will be powered by a range of advanced engines: The refined and economical diesel variants come in a choice of 1.9-litre TDI 105 PS and 2.0-litre TDI 140 PS engines. Petrol engines comprise of 1.4-litre TSI 140 PS and 1.6-litre FSI 102 PS variants from the Golf hatchback. The new 1.4-litre 140 PS TSI engine combines the virtues of a small capacity engine and its inherent fuel economy with a supercharger and turbocharger to grant a performance edge. The TSI engine is mated to a choice of six-speed manual or quick-shifting DSG gearboxes.

2007 Fiat Bravo

On 29 January 2007, the new Fiat Bravo will be presented to the international media in Rome, going on sale throughout mainland Europe during the following weeks. It will become available in the UK next summer. The new Bravo is built in Fiat Auto’s Piedimonte S. Germano plant (Frosinone), and is aimed at becoming a benchmark in the most important segment of the European market. To achieve this goal, the Fiat Bravo has been designed and developed to embody both beauty and substance.

Developed by the Fiat Style Centre, the exterior design of the model is unmistakably Italian, all of which is part of the development of the brand’s visual identity.

The new Bravo arouses emotions at first glance, and it welcomes occupants with a passenger compartment in which they will appreciate the quality of materials used and the care dedicated to the smallest details.
he new Fiat Bravo combines a compact five-door body with a remarkable amount of interior space: it is 434 centimetres long, 179 cm wide and 149 cm high, with a wheelbase of 2.6 metres, and a loading capacity of 400 litres that tops its class.

The Fiat Bravo also aims to be a car of substance, thanks to a wide range of technological features, and quality standards worthy of a higher class where safety, comfort and driving enjoyment are concerned.

The Fiat Bravo is an agile car that is entertaining to drive in every situation, thanks in part to the wide choice of engines, which include the popular turbo diesel 1.9 MultiJets (120 and 150 bhp), the 90 bhp 1.4, and a new family of turbocharged T-JET petrol engines (120 and 150 bhp 1.4 Turbo) that will be making their debut, combining low fuel consumption with outstanding performance.

Kia Drops Lid on Geneva Concept

Rumors of Kia's first convertible have being circulating for years, and here's the proof there's no smoke without fire. The Korean firm has taken the wraps of the ex_cee'd concept at the Geneva Motor Show. It's the first vehicle to be styled under the guidance of Peter Schreyer, the design boss who recently defected from Volkswagen.


The car is based on the three-door Cee'd hatchback, due to go into production at the end of the year. The five-door variant has just been launched in Europe and a station wagon is expected in the summer. The cabrio will arrive in 2008.


Schreyer has opted for a canvas hood rather than a folding metal hardtop, and explained he had a special reason for that. "I'm convinced the fabric roof will have a renaissance. We've all lived with the romantic idea of open-air driving for a long time and for me, it's the quintessential element of a truly rewarding cabrio."


Riding on 19-inch alloys, the ex_cee'd is finished in "meringue white" with a 'bitter chocolate' top. The two colors are repeated in the leather interior.

2008 Renault Twingo II

Well it doesn’t look like we'll have to wait for Renault’s media gathering tomorrow to see the all-new 2008 Twingo II as a full press-gallery has already spilled the net. Unlike its trend-setting predecessor that came out in the early 90’s, the new Twingo is a down-top-earth proposition from Renault who looks like it has locked up its quirky but innovative ideas for the time being.

Measuring about the same size as the outgoing mini (1.6m long, 1.7m wide and 1.4m tall) the Twingo’s exterior design is based on Renault’s homonymous Paris Show concept, though obviously significantly toned down (or rather a let-down...). Surprisingly enough, the French mini’s interior will certainty raise a few eyebrows as this is something you’d not normally expect from a car of this category.

According to our initial info, the Twingo will be offered in two versions, a basic and the GT. If you scroll down and check out the pictures the GT is the one with the chrome colored details. No official word out on the technical specs, but we’ve heard that the concept’s 100Hp strong 1.2-litre Turbo (petrol) will be on the check list. Sales of the 2008 Renault Twingo are expected to start in Europe during this spring.
-Renault launches New Twingo at the Geneva Motor Show
-New Twingo will reach UK shores in right-hand drive for the first time
-On sale in the UK in September 2007
-Two trim levels and engines available in the UK, Dynamique 1.2 16V 75hp and the GT with the new TCE -(Turbo Control Efficiency) 1.2 100 hp petrol engine
-UK Prices and specification announced nearer launch

A longstanding player in the small car segment, Renault has sold more than 2.4 million Twingos since the model's launch in April 1993. Now for the first time UK drivers will be able to get behind the wheel of the ever-popular city car when New Twingo goes on sale in the UK in September 2007.

The launch of New Twingo forms part of Renault Commitment 2009 and the introduction of 26 new cars, including 13 aimed at conquering new markets. New Twingo boosts Renault's presence in the small car segment alongside Clio Campus, Clio III and Modus.

Thanks to its chassis derived from the B-segment and a powertrain range featuring the new TCE (Turbo Control Efficiency) 100hp petrol engine, which offers class-leading performance and fuel consumption, New Twingo's superior dynamics set it apart from its predecessor. New Twingo also targets a broader, more international clientele thanks to the distinctly dynamic styling of the GT version and the robust lines of the other versions, plus the availability for the first time of right-hand drive models for the British market.

New Twingo stands out as a further illustration of Renault's know-how in the domain of optimising cabin space and interior versatility, by making full use of the car’s compact dimensions (length: 3.60m). The interior is extremely modular thanks to its four independent sliding seats. Meanwhile, New Twingo's boot volume is the biggest in its segment, ranging from 165 to 285 litres (VDA) with all four seats in place and is extendable to a full 959 litres with a two-seater layout.

Communicative and occupant-friendly, New Twingo features a ‘TunePoint’ Audio Connection Box which enables personal music collections stored on USB keys, portable MP3 players or iPods® to be played through the car's audio system and operated via the steering wheel-mounted controls. Twingo is also available with hands-free Bluetooth telephone controls complete with 'hold' function for safer motoring.

In keeping with the "my Twingo" philosophy, buyers can customise their new car thanks to a range of decorative decals for the exterior.

LR2: Land Rover for the Masses

Part of Ford Motor Co.’s Premier Automotive Group, Land Rover is a luxury marque with an off-road pedigree.While the Freelander 2/LR2 technically is a cross/utility vehicle, borrowing components from Ford’s global EUCD midsize car platform (Ford Mondeo, Volvo S80), the car-based Land Rover is surprisingly capable. It also looks the part. The new LR2, which carries over nothing from the original Freelander, takes some styling cues from the larger LR3 (Discovery 3) and shows clear Land Rover genes with the clamshell hood from the Range Rover.
The front and back perhaps err on the side of caution. The CUV does not copy the asymmetrical rear window lines of the striking LR3.And the front may be too reminiscent of the original Freelander that was available in North America from 2002 to May 2005, when it was discontinued because Land Rover lost its engine supplier with the collapse of MG Rover.
Land Rover LR2 returns to U.S. almost two years after Freelander exited.


The modern LR2 returns with a narrow A-pillar for better visibility, short overhangs to tilt off-road and a wide track for on-road handling – as pavement and congestion are the hallmarks of the terrain it is most likely to traverse.

This dose of reality appears lost on Land Rover, which invested the LR2 with much more capability than most competitors in the middle-luxury CUV segment.

The LR2 attempts to follow the path of the larger LR3, which is downright goat-like in its ability to crawl over or climb up any terrain with Land Rover’s Terrain Response system that dials in the appropriate measure of traction.

The auto maker tweaked the Terrain Response system for use in the LR2, as well. The smaller CUV has four settings – the rock-crawl option is omitted as the LR2 lacks low-range gears and has less ground clearance with 8.3 ins. (21.0 cm) under the front axle and 10.5 ins. (26.5 cm) under the rear axle.

The grass/gravel/snow setting is the most aggressive of the four options (the others being mud and ruts, sand and general driving), and the LR2 eats its way through each of them on a test course here. Related Stories
LR2 Tested, Ready for Launch
Recreating Land Rover

BMW's M3 Concept

A peek at what BMW's next performance icon may look like is available at Geneva with the introduction of the M3 Concept Car. Around the car's high-revving V8 heart is entirely new and purposely-built bodywork, sharing only doors and trunk lid with the 3 Series coupe it is based on. The front fascia sports three large air intakes for greater engine cooling, while the aluminum hood features two additional intakes and a Powerdome bulge hinting at the performance that lies beneath.Other exclusive styling elements include pronounced wheel arches, side gill vents, aerodynamic exterior mirrors, side skirts and a rear spoiler to help convey a muscular stance. Most notable is the car's carbon fiber roof structure - which both shaves weight and lowers the car's center of gravity - a feature also found on the M6. A layer of clear finish exposes the carbon fiber to help show off the technologically advanced nature of the next M3.