Click the image above for a gallery of live shots from the Geneva Motor Show.
After our Geneva-induced jetlag subsided, we were able to take stock of what vehicles struck us as the showstoppers. Some were obvious, while others were more unlikely; the Artega GT remains one of them.
However, when we discovered that the Henrik Fisker-designed podium princess was strictly a shell, lacking a functional drivetrain and interior bits, the wind quickly left our sails. Even worse, according to an article in AutomobilWoche when the GT goes on sale, the Germans will be the only ones able to pick up one of the 500 models produced.
There is a light at the end of the tunnel though. The article states that Artega's coupe will come equipped with a 3.6-liter VW VR6, complete with a DSG gearbox, and will tip the scales at a paltry 2,400 pounds. Even better: with the backing of Karl-Heinz Kalbfell, formerly of BMW, Maserati and Rolls-Royce, Artega plans on offering a roadster model that will be sold in Asia, the Middle-East and even here in the States.
There's no word on when we'll see the next model from the niche manufacturer, but if we had to put money on it, we'd plunk down a twenty-spot for Geneva '08.
[Source: AutomobilWoche via Motor Authority]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
menice @ Aug 9th 2007 10:53AM
wow, that is a beautiful ride in my opinion.
hope it makes it here to the US... and that i can afford it.
Mike @ Aug 9th 2007 11:11AM
Wow, that's a great looking car. VR6 though huh? Hope it's not underpowered...even with the low curb weight that's a small engine. I know the 3.2L VR6 makes about 250HP...anyone know where they got the 3.6L (bored out?) or what the HP/torque numbers look like?
Tsunami Racer @ Aug 9th 2007 11:31AM
not a bad looking car at all. these micro manufacturers usually make fugly designs for some reason but this actually looks like a regular, stylish production car. It's got a Carrera GT meets V8 Vantage meets Elise kinda thing going on. i like it.
Mirko @ Aug 9th 2007 11:52AM
The 3.6 is not a bored out 3.2, it's a completely different design with a narrower 10.5 degree cylinder angle. In the Passat R36 it makes 300 hp. For a 2400 lbs car, that's not underpowered.
Paragon (who makes the Artega) is not a tiny manufacturer. They are a huge supplier of all kinds of parts for major car manufacturers.
Carrera GT meets V8 Vantage... that's exactly what I thought. Not that there is anything bad about that, must be the reason they hired Fisker to do the styling.
RickCA @ Aug 9th 2007 1:35PM
I mean WOW..this thing is GORGEOUS! If they brought this bad boy to the Sates you'd see it cruisin the streets of LA in no time! Talk about a sexy car that would (in the cabrio form) give BMW 6 and Tired outdated SL500 drop top a run for their money! I'm glad they're using a 6 cyl. versus something more powerful, when do these people with 150k plus sports cars ever used them for what they're designed for other than crusing Rodeo Drive?? I just hope they can make the interior as stunning as the exterior. DON'T Fudge it up like Chrysler and Caddy did with their models!! I only hope I can afford one when they get here..I'd expect 60-80k ?...