Fun and Function

Form and function are the cornerstones of vehicle development, but the 76th International Geneva auto show was a variation on that theme.

Fun and function were the undercurrents of this year's exhibition, which was led by DaimlerChrysler AG's Mercedes-Benz brand with five world debuts. Two — the G500 Grand Style and ML 420 CDI — offered more function than fun.

Other tri-star unveilings were the CLK 63 AMG, CLS 350 CGI and the decidedly fun 612-hp SL. Mercedes claims it is the world's most powerful production roadster.

Ford Motor Co. and Audi AG tied for second in the world debut rankings. Each had three.

Ford mixed business with pleasure by pulling the sheets off a pair of people-movers and a cabriolet.

The S-Max represents the latest evolution of Ford's C1 platform. Positioned between the Galaxy and Ford's Mondeo sedan, it is intended to appeal to those who need space for hauling people and their stuff, but don't want to sacrifice flair.

The new Galaxy offers 30% more luggage space than its predecessor by virtue of its increased dimensions. And like S-Max, its rear seats fold flat — thanks to Ford's Fold Flat System — enabling some 32 different seating configurations.

The Focus Coupe-Cabriolet expands Ford's Focus lineup to seven models, but among open-air offerings, its debut was outshone by the Alfa Romeo Spider. Named Cabrio of the Year by a panel of 23 journalists, the Alfa is based on the new Brera. It was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro. Rival design house Bertone SpA used another Italian product — the Fiat Grande Punto — as the foundation for a cabrio concept.

Other production-model cabriolets making their debuts included the Mitsubishi Colt and Audi RS4. The Audi Allroad (functional) and the RS4 Avant (functional and fun) were the other offerings from Volkswagen AG's luxury brand.

Arguably, no car attracted more attention than the long-awaited Opel GT. Derived from General Motors Corp.'s new Kappa platform, which it shares with the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky, the GT will be built in Wilmington, DE.

Agog by the GT's aggressive stance, journalists crowded around the GT display well after GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz revealed the new roadster.

The Opel GT program began in Europe, was executed first in the U.S. with the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky debuts, and then returned to Europe. Such proficiency leaves no doubt GM engineers, no matter where they are based, are as talented as any in the world, Lutz proclaims.

The No.1 auto maker also used the show to unveil the Chevy Captiva SUV, which is being assembled in South Korea for the European and Asian markets.

PSA Peugeot Citroen turned heads with its Peugeot 207 compact car. Brand Manager Frederic Saint-Geours forecasts sales of 500,000 207s next year.

Host-country Switzerland was well-represented by Rinspeed, which unveiled its zaZen concept car. Powered by a 355-hp 6-cyl. boxer engine from Porsche AG, Rinspeed promises limited production “some time in the future.”

Meanwhile, Toyota Motor Mfg. Europe says it expects to exceed 1 million sales this year. On the heels of 2005, when it sold 964,000 vehicles to claim a 5.1% share of the European market, a 1 million-unit year would mark Toyota Europe's 10th-consecutive annual sales surge.

Exceeding 1 million sales “is our mission,” says Thierry Dombreval, executive vice president and chief operating officer. “This is our challenge.”

If successful, the auto maker likely will credit its Yaris compact car with the sales hike.

Since a redesigned version was launched last year, Toyota Europe has chalked up 60,000 sales and expects to move a total of 258,000 vehicles in 2006, Dombreval says.

Toyota used the Geneva show to unveil a concept-version Yaris — the Yaris T Sport. But Toyota also teased with surprise unveilings of a pair of concept vehicles for active consumers: the RAV4 Sports and the Aygo for Sports.

Powered by a high-output diesel engine, the RAV4 cross/utility derivative features bold exterior treatments such as air intakes, integrated fog lamps, low-profile tires and 21-in. wheels.

Featuring an open top, teak interior trim and 17-in. rims, the Aygo for Sports is derived from the Aygo compact car that Toyota Motor Corp. assembles in the Czech Republic in cooperation with PSA, whose version of the car is called the Peugeot 107.