Swiss Sensibility

Switzerland may be home to the cuckoo clock, but there's nothing crazy about this year's 2007 Geneva Motor Show.

The event has a decidedly sensible tone with the unveilings of several family haulers and some breakthrough powertrain announcements.

Renault SA pulls the sheet off the Scenic Conquest. Based on the auto maker's storied Scenic people-mover, the Conquest is raised and features a strengthened suspension and chassis to enable reliable performance on rugged terrain.

Ford Motor Co. reprises last year's Paris debut of the Mondeo wagon with the unveiling of a 4-door sedan and 5-door hatchback. Also on the Ford stage will be a refreshed C-Max cross/utility vehicle, which shares a platform with the European-market's Focus nameplate.

Like the Mondeo, the C-Max incorporates Ford of Europe's kinetic design language, notably in the restyled front end, which Ford says combines hard lines with muscular, flowing forms. The C-Max goes on sale across Europe beginning in April.

Mazda Motor Corp. shows a new Mazda2, called the Demio in Japan. It is the first Mazda to be redesigned since the auto maker adopted its “zoom-zoom” philosophy in 2002.

Honda Motor Co. Ltd. debuts a fully drivable version of its FCX fuel-cell concept vehicle scheduled for sale in the U.S. and Japan next year.

General Motors Corp.'s Saab brand showcases its E100-capable engine technology in a 9-5 SportCombi. The car features a 2.0L turbocharged engine capable of generating 300 hp and peak torque of 295 lb.-ft. (400 Nm). And from a standing start, Saab claims it can hit 62 mph (100 km/h) in 6.6 seconds.

An equally intriguing powertrain is unveiled by Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd., maker of Subaru cars. The auto maker shows an all-wheel-drive car powered by the world's first horizontally-opposed 4-cyl. turbodiesel engine.

And since no auto show is devoid of fun, Chrysler Group's Dodge brand displays the Demon concept roadster.

The front-engine, rear-wheel-drive car features a 172-hp 2.4L I-4 from Chrysler's World Engine family. Mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox, it generates peak torque of 165 lb.-ft. (224 Nm) at 4,400 rpm. It is designed to retail in the $15,000 range.

And the march of China-based auto makers continues with China's Shenyang Brilliance Jinbei Automobile Co. Ltd., which makes its Geneva debut.

For complete coverage of the 2007 Geneva Auto Show, please visit: WARDSAUTO.COM