2011 Geneva Leftovers: Not Coming to Canada

Story and photos John LeBlanc

GENEVA – With over 60 world debuts, automakers from around the world packed the halls of this year’s Geneva auto show and gave car fans plenty to see. Unfortunately, many of the debuts and unveilings could be considered forbidden fruit, models that will never make it to Canadian new car showrooms. Read more

2011 Geneva Leftovers: Worst in Show

Story and photos by John LeBlanc

GENEVA – If you’ve had a chance to take a look at the highlights from this year’s Geneva auto show, you more than likely already have an idea that this was one of the more diverse and interesting shows since the recent economic crisis rocked the automotive industry a few years back.

But amongst the 60-plus world debuts of new concepts, show cars and production vehicles, not all were gems. Here are just some of the biggest design duds from this year’s Swiss show: Read more

2011 Geneva: 2012 Peugeot 308

Story and photos by John LeBlanc

GENEVA – Like Hyundai is to Kia, Peugeot is a sister brand to France’s Citroen. But based on what I’ve been seeing at various auto shows over the past few years, the Citroen designers seem to be scoring more wins than their Peugeot creative counterparts.

Take a look at this newly facelifted 308. It’s a platform mate of the much more attractive Citroen C4 compact. It goes on sale in Europe this spring, but it already looks about four years old. Apparently, Peugeot is trying to be the Toyota of Europe, betting heavily on hybrids—but with diesels. So there is a new 308 micro-hybrid e-HDi model. Whoo-pee…

2011 Geneva: Citroen Metropolis Concept

Story and photos by John LeBlanc

GENEVA – The French have never gotten the hang of the executive car thing in Europe. Except for the occasional sighting of a French government official (whom must drive a French car) the French themselves don’t even bother with big cars from Citroen, Renault or Peugeot, preferring the German brands.

But if the audacious (it almost looks, well, Americun!) and huge (about three 2CVs in length) Citroen Metropolis concept ever makes it to production, the French may have a car to take on the Teutonic trio of BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi.

2011 Geneva: Renault R-Space & Captur Concepts

Story and photos by John LeBlanc

GENEVA – The first of the three French automakers making debuts this year in Geneva was Renault. And the French biased crowd (France is just a croissant’s throw away) loved the new pair of compact concepts.

The R-Space, left, and Captur, above, are the second and third concepts under the direction of Laurens van der Acker, the former Mazda head pen. Renault says, the R-Space MPV would complement the Nissan Quashqui (our Rogue) and previews a new range of modular engines. A 110 hp 900cc three-banger, with a claimed fuel consumption of 3.7 litres/100km, was powering the concept.

The Captur is van der Acker’s idea of what a Renault version of our Nissan Juke could look like, without the flashy scissor doors of course, with have zero chance of making it to the production model.

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