2011 Geneva: Seat IBX Concept

Story and photos by John LeBlanc

GENEVA – Like its Czech Skoda brand stable mate, the VW Group’s Spanish Seat (say “say-at”) doesn’t sell any cars here in Canada. Too bad. The new Seat IBX concept—that previews a production compact SUV— is a slick little machine.

Based on the same platform as the VW Tiguan and forthcoming Audi Q3 and Porsche Cajun, the concepts sports only two doors and is a follow-up to 2010’s IBE concept that is establishing a new design language for Seat.

Underneath, the IBX possess a Chevy Volt-like extended-range gas-electric hybrid system, with claims of electric-only driving for 45 km before either a gas or diesel engine kicks in.

2011 Geneva: Volkswagen Amorak & Ford Ranger Wildtrak

Story and photos by John LeBlanc

GENEVA – One would think that with gas prices on the rise yet again, the idea of a compact pickup truck would sell like Stetsons at the Calgary Stampede. But these two new small trucks from Volkswagen and Ford, respectively, have not been awarded their Canadian passports—yet.

The new Ford Ranger Wildtrak, above, is due to go on sale around the world later in 2011. But not in Canada. Ford in North America has essentially given up on the compact truck market. Later this year, production of the Ford Ranger compact truck will end after 29 years. And the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon compact twins are expected to also end production by June 2012.

The VW Amorak, left, was introduced for 2010. It’s built in Argentina for South America, Mexico, Russian, South African, Australian and European markets. The small VW truck is powered by a family of turbo-diesels, some scoring as low as 8.1 L/100 km.

2011 Geneva: 2012 Hyundai i40 Wagon

Story and photos by John LeBlanc

GENEVA – How do you like the look of this Hyundai wagon? It’s the mid-size i40, or what we get as the Sonata. Other automakers like Acura (TSX), Mercedes-Benz (C Class), BMW (5 Touring) Subaru (Legacy), Mazda (6) and even Volvo (V70 and V60) have either stopped making or importing their anti-SUV models. For now, the i40 wagon isn’t Canada-bound. So what will it take to get Hyundai to bring this wagon over here to Canada? (We’d even settle for a Kia Optima version, hint, hint…)

2011 Geneva: Volkswagen Tex & Go! Concepts by ItalDesign Giugiaro

Story and photos by John LeBlanc

GENEVA -Those in the know will see the circle being closed with this pair of VW-badged concepts. The subcompact Tex and compact Go! come from the same designer who penned the original 1974 Golf: Italian Giorgetto Giugiaro, whose ItalDesign studio was recently swallowed up by the Volkswagen Group mothership.

The smaller Tex hatchback, left, is powered by VW’s Blue-e-motion EV technology. The Go!, above, is more interesting, with parallel sliding rear doors, lots of glass and a high-in-the-saddle seating position. While both concepts ride on VW’s new modular platform technology, they are pure styling exercises. Don’t expect either to end up at your local VW dealer any time soon.

2011 Geneva: Skoda Vision D Concept

Story and photos by John LeBlanc

GENEVA -Unlike any North American auto show, here in Geneva the massive VW Group gets to show off all of its brands, including the ones we Canadians don’t get, like Seat and Skoda. So while some may pine for such forbidden fruit, the Skoda Vision D concept won’t create much demand for the brand to ever return to Canada.

The Vision D four-door hatchback looks terribly generic, with a decidedly 1980s chiseled look. You’d have to be a fan of the Czech automaker’s products to recognize a newly shaped grille and headlamps, a new corporate logo and what its press department is calling an “even more striking arrangement of the C-shaped rear lamps.”

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