Autoblog

The Show Must Go On: Italy's Bologna salon forges ahead without automakers

Noah Joseph — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 08:01:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Misc. Auto Shows, Earnings/Financials, Fiat

Local auto shows overseas like the one in Bologna don't really make a blip on our radar screens. Manufacturers might, upon occasion, use the venues to unveil a new product variant of generally limited consequence, but aside from the big shows in the United States, the significant foreign debuts for the U.S. market take place at the major shows like Geneva, Frankfurt, Paris and Tokyo. But if you thought the big shows were hit hard by a cost-conscious industry in remission, that's nothing compared to what Bologna's local show organizers are facing.

When we say "local shows," we're not talking about small towns, either: we're talking about the biggest shows in some of the biggest markets. After many major automakers withdrew, the organizers of the British Motor Show had to cancel the event for 2010. Barcelona's show has gone ahead, but only after significant government incentives. Now organizers of the Bologna Motor Show, the largest in Italy, have announced that the show must go on... despite the withdrawal of every major automaker that was expected to display there.

Last year's show in Bologna drew nearly a million spectators, keen to see what the industry had to offer under one roof. But the Fiat group - which comprises the vast majority of the country's carmakers - informed the organizers it wouldn't be participating. An offer was made to provide the space free of charge, but the remaining costs proved too high (vehicle transport, erecting a display, staffing, etc.), and shortly after, the rest of the industry followed suit, leaving the show with nothing to show. That hasn't deterred the organizers, however, who have shortened the run time from nine days to five and loaded it with motorsport displays in the adjacent stadium. Thus, the diehards will have something to flock to, but nobody's expecting the show to come anywhere near previous attendance numbers.

[Source: Bologna Motor Show]

The Show Must Go On: Italy's Bologna salon forges ahead without automakers originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Oct 2009 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EXCLUSIVE: Nissan pulls out of most 2009 auto shows

Chris Paukert — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 09:58:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Marketing/Advertising, Nissan, Misc. Auto Shows

Autoblog has learned that Nissan is withdrawing its presence from the fiscal 2009 show season, with the following exceptions: Geneva, New York, Shanghai, and Tokyo. That means that Nissan will still have a presence at most of the major international shows that generate the lion's share of media coverage this year, but they will not be attending big shows like Melbourne and Frankfurt in 2009, let alone second-tier, locally-focused events like those in Atlanta, Calgary, and Denver. It also means that the company will miss out on Detroit and Los Angeles next year, because Nissan's fiscal year runs through March 31, 2010. As you may recall, the company was already a notable absentee in Detroit earlier this year.

Scott Vazin, Nissan's U.S. director of product public relations has informed us that:

In a short-term move to address the severe economic challenges to the industry and to consumers worldwide, Nissan has decided to streamline the company's participation in auto shows during fiscal year 2009. As a result, the company has selected Geneva, New York, Shanghai and Tokyo as the four major international shows where the company will showcase offerings from the Nissan and Infiniti brands during the fiscal year.

"This decision has been taken to ensure maximum return on marketing investments in the midst of extraordinary market conditions. We are confident it is the right decision from a company committed to prudent management of shareholder resources.

"Meanwhile, we will continue to monitor market conditions and adjust our marketing strategies and tactics accordingly.

Of course, Nissan isn't the only automaker scaling back its auto show aspirations in 2009. Automakers like Ferrari, Land Rover, Mitsubishi, Porsche, and Suzuki have all missed at least one "major" show stop this year, and given the state of the economy and the auto industry in particular, we suspect that Nissan's statement to us is just the tip of the iceberg.

[Image: Koichi Kamoshida/Getty]

EXCLUSIVE: Nissan pulls out of most 2009 auto shows originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Feb 2009 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Sydney Motor Show scrapped, Melbourne to go on

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 09:58:00 EST

Filed under: Trends, Misc. Auto Shows, Australia

Eight automotive brands failed to make the trip to this year's Detroit Auto Show. Compare that to last year's Sydney Auto Show in Australia, where eighteen brands declined the offer to showcase their wares, and you might conclude that things in Cobo Hall really aren't that bad. The shortfall of manufacturers on display contributed to a 40% dip in visitors to the Sydney show last year. Facing that same predicament this year, the options were to put on another dismally attended show or go to a biannual format and let Melbourne handle the 2009 honors.

Unsurprisingly, Sydney has voted for the latter. Carmakers have been pushing for just one show major show in Australia for some time now, which makes some sense given that Sydney and Melbourne combined don't even have the population of Los Angeles County. The Melbourne Motor Show will still run from February 27 to March 9 this year, and Sydney will return in October of 2010.

[Source: WA Today | Photo by Greg Wood/Getty]]

REPORT: Sydney Motor Show scrapped, Melbourne to go on originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Feb 2009 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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�Muy Triste! Barcelona Motor Show scrapped for 2009*

Noah Joseph — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 10:58:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Misc. Auto Shows

With every major city and its suburbs hosting their own auto shows, we can't be everywhere. Most major news occurs at the major auto shows, but this year, our absence will be missed at one less auto show than last year, because organizers have announced the cancellation the Barcelona Motor Show.

Following reduced participation in the Detroit Auto Show, several automakers - including General Motors, Peugeot, Citroen, and Nissan - announced they would not be participating. The decision came as a result of plummeting new car sales in Spain, which dropped a staggering 28.1% last year, and could fall as much as 23% again this year. With major automakers dropping out of the show like flies, Spain's national auto manufacturers association, ANFAC, decided to cancel. Since the country's only annual show alternates between Barcelona and Madrid, that means there will be no major show at all in Spain this year. This year the show was to celebrate its 90th anniversary.

[Source: Automotive News Europe - subs. req'd]

*UPDATE: Our man in Spain, AB Español contributor Guille Alfonsin has chimed in to let us know that he believes the Barcelona show may not be dead yet. He has just phoned their press department and was told that the show will "open its doors with or without the ANFAC brands (SEAT, Renault, Nissan, PSA, and others)."Further, Alfonsin notes that the governor of Catalunya has just gone on record saying that he plans to "meet with ANFAC members to persuade/convince/threaten them to take part on the show."

�Muy Triste! Barcelona Motor Show scrapped for 2009* originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Jan 2009 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #89

Dan Roth — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 17:48:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, New York Auto Show, Podcasts, Geneva Motor Show, Europe

It's time for Autoblog Podcast #89. Of course we run over what's been in the garage lately - you'll know what reviews to anticipate. Our big item this week is recapping what we saw in Geneva and what might actually wind up in the US. Talk of Geneva moves us to anticipatory chatter about New York, mere days away. Thanks for your 49 minutes!

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Autoblog Podcast #89 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Mar 2008 17:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva '08 Preview: Kia SOUL Burner comes early

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 15:28:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Geneva Motor Show, Kia

The product leakage continues as we're packing our bags for Geneva. This time, Autoweek.nl has released images of the Kia SOUL Burner Concept, one of three concepts that the Korean automaker will be unveiling in southern Switzerland.

The SOUL is obviously taking aim at the Scion xB, which took the two-box design to literal levels. This new image gives us the full-frontal treatment of the new Kia people-mover, with a fascia that mixes sportiness with an upright demeanor. It's not bad, although the pseudo-tribal graphics are so 1996. But the raked windshield and shortened D-pillar make it stand out a bit more than the xB from which it finds inspiration.

[Source: Autoweek.nl via WCF]

Geneva '08 Preview: Kia SOUL Burner comes early originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Feb 2008 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva '08 Preview: Spyker to unveil long-wheelbase C8

Noah Joseph — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 15:43:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Supercars, Spyker

The current standard-wheelbase Spyker C8 Laviolette

Spyker may be down, but it's not out. The Dutch exotic automaker has fallen on some hard times, but that's not going to stop it from moving forward with at least some of its plans. The C12 Zagato has been postponed indefinitely, but at the upcoming Geneva auto show in March, Spyker is expected to unveil an improved version of its existing C8 Laviolette.

As wonderfully quirky as the current C8 is, owners complain of constricted space. In response Spyker has stretched the wheelbase, giving more space in the cabin while improving the vehicles proportions. The C8 Laviolette LWB will feature an elongated version of the current model's glass roofline. A long wheelbase Spyder version is expected to follow sometime thereafter, benefiting from a proper motorized convertible roof instead of the largely useless folding rag on the current short-wheelbase model. It's a small step forward for the ailing company, but a step forward nonetheless.

Follow the jump for a video rendering of the upcoming C8 Spyder LWB doin' the turntable thing.

[Source: Spyker Owner Forum]

Continue reading Geneva '08 Preview: Spyker to unveil long-wheelbase C8

Geneva '08 Preview: Spyker to unveil long-wheelbase C8 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Jan 2008 15:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tokyo Motor Show: Suzuki Palette vs. Daihatsu Tanto

Justin Gardiner — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 16:03:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Japan, Tokyo Motor Show, Suzuki

The 2007 Tokyo Motor Show ended last week, but today we're cleaning out our closet of yet-to-be published posts from this biggest of biannual Japanese auto shows.
click above image to view just how much legroom this truly mini vans have

Pity poor Suzuki. Japan's vast market for mini vehicles has been dominated by the company since the creation of kei cars in the '50s, but ever since the turn of the millennium, Toyota subsidiary Daihatsu has been taking some serious chunks out of Suzuki's market share. The final straw came at the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show when Daihatsu premiered the Tanto -- a kei with minivan-style sliding rear doors and simply astounding amounts of leg room and interior space. Suzuki had to react, so at this year's Tokyo Motor Show it unveiled the Palette (shown above), a car strikingly similar to the Tanto in profile, but with a smidge more legroom.

So balance has been restored to the kei car market then? Nope. Daihatsu has upped the ante by removing the B-pillar from the Tanto (shown at right), creating a mammoth hole through which struggling toddlers can be passed. The ball is back in your court Suzuki.

Gallery: 2007 Tokyo Motor Show: Suzuki Palette

Tokyo Motor Show: Suzuki Palette vs. Daihatsu Tanto originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Nov 2007 16:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tokyo Motor Show: Daihatsu HSC is one slippery little sucker

Justin Gardiner — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 14:38:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Green, Japan, Tokyo Motor Show

The 2007 Tokyo Motor Show ended last week, but today we're cleaning out our closet of yet-to-be published posts from this biggest of biannual Japanese auto shows.
click above image for more live pics of the Daihatsu HSC Concept

We missed the Daihatsu HSC at Frankfurt somehow, but stumbled across the little concept in Tokyo. Its "catamaran-like underbody", a CD value of 0.28, and idling stop function coupled to an advanced CVT all adds up to 60 mpg. Check out those mirrors and the funky interior, too. Looking around the stand here in Tokyo, it strikes us that a lack of B pillars and A pillars that flow into the headlights may well become Daihatsu trademarks over the coming years.

Gallery: Daihatsu HSC Concept

Continue reading Tokyo Motor Show: Daihatsu HSC is one slippery little sucker

Tokyo Motor Show: Daihatsu HSC is one slippery little sucker originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Nov 2007 14:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tokyo Motor Show: Suzuki Pixy & SSC

Justin Gardiner — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 13:03:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Japan, Tokyo Motor Show, Suzuki

The 2007 Tokyo Motor Show ended last week, but today we're cleaning out our closet of yet-to-be published posts from this biggest of biannual Japanese auto shows.

There's more than a hint of Toyota's PM, i-Swing and i-REAL series about this concept. But where Toyota admits that the driver may occasionally want to get out of the pod, Suzuki sees no reason for such extravagant use of your legs when operating the PIXY. Leaving the city for a blast down the highway? Just drive your PIXY in to your SSC mothership. Want to go for a thrash though the mountains? Park up in your SSF sports-car unit. There's even a speed boat (SSJ) on the cards, not that you'd be able to smell the sea breeze. Both the PIXY and SSC appear to be hermatically sealed and were unbearably hot under the stage lights. Ideal transportation for a post nuclear war world perhaps?

Gallery: Suzuki Sustainable Mobility (PIXY + SSC)

Continue reading Tokyo Motor Show: Suzuki Pixy & SSC

Tokyo Motor Show: Suzuki Pixy & SSC originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Nov 2007 13:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tokyo Motor Show: Nissan Pivo2

Justin Gardiner — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Japan, Tokyo Motor Show, Nissan

The 2007 Tokyo Motor Show ended last week, but today we're cleaning out our closet of yet-to-be published posts from this biggest of biannual Japanese auto shows.
Click above image to view more live pics of the crab-like Pivo2 from Nissan

After a few days of regurgitating the same old story to the world's press, company PR men are apt to let little gems slip as fatigue and boredom set in. This year's classic comes from a Nissan PR man, who for the sake of his career, shall remain nameless.

The Pivo 2, replete with an R2D2 like co-pilot and wheels that can twist 90 degrees to the car's axis, was "designed with urban females in mind, as they have bad senses of direction and are not so good at driving." His words, not ours.

Click through to find more pictures of Nissan's answer to this urban malaise.

Gallery: Nissan PIVO2

Tokyo Motor Show: Nissan Pivo2 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Nov 2007 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tokyo Motor Show: Suzuki Kizashi 2

Justin Gardiner — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 10:27:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Japan, Tokyo Motor Show, Suzuki

The 2007 Tokyo Motor Show ended last week, but today we're cleaning out our closet of yet-to-be published posts from this biggest of biannual Japanese auto shows.

click above image for more live shots of the Suzuki Kizashi 2 concept

Following the debut of the first Kizashi concept in Frankfurt, the folks at Suzuki's design studios have butched up the concept even more. Check out the Ben Hur/James Bond tire-chewing alloys. Though there may be plans afoot for the Kizashi to see production, those wheels are not included among them.

Gallery: Suzuki Kizashi 2 Concept

Tokyo Motor Show: Suzuki Kizashi 2 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Nov 2007 10:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tokyo Motor Show: Suzuki X-Head

Justin Gardiner — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 08:57:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, SUV, Japan, Tokyo Motor Show, Suzuki

Remember the Suzuki Samurai, the lightweight 4x4 much maligned for being just as likely to topple over as any other Jeep of its day? Well, it's alive and well and being sold throughout the world as the Jimny. The X-Head just might be its future and we can only hope that Suzuki's notoriously tight bean counters do not savage the functional yet oh so cool interior too badly. Who knows, they may even bring it Stateside. Yeah, right.

Check out our original post on the Suzuki X-Head here and view live pics from last week's Tokyo Motor Show in the gallery below.

Gallery: Suzuki X-HEAD Concept

Tokyo Motor Show: Suzuki X-Head originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Nov 2007 08:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tokyo Motor Show: Daihatsu Mud Master-C

Justin Gardiner — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 10:56:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, SUV, Japan, Tokyo Motor Show

click above image to view more live shots of the Mud Master-C

Didn't Space 1999's Moon Base Alpha have a couple of these in the garage?

Looking like a Mitsubishi Delica that's spent too much time in the boil wash, Daihatsu's Mud Master-C is a kei car, but with lofty ambitions. This is far from Daihatsu's first foray into the off road world - they've made jeeps and even jacked up kei vans in the past - albeit all shod with far smaller wheels than these cool 16-inch alloys. Who knows, this could even make production. Click here to read our original post with more details on Mud Master Concept and check out the gallery of live shots below.

Gallery: Daihatsu Mud Master-C

Tokyo Motor Show: Daihatsu Mud Master-C originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Oct 2007 10:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #79

Dan Roth — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 14:31:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Podcasts, Europe, Japan, Tokyo Motor Show, Chrysler, Ford, Pontiac, Subaru, Volkswagen, Misc. Auto Shows, UAW/Unions, Australia, FPV

We lead off Autoblog Podcast #79 with the most important news of the week. Seriously, this rocked the car world. Vin Diesel and Paul Walker are returning to the Fast and Furious franchise for F+F IV. w00t! Moving on to more important news (like anything at all), we touch on the then impending and since finished Chrysler strike. See who was right, since the 'cast was recorded Tuesday, and the strike didn't launch until Wednesday. There's been lots of auto show action, and Tokyo caught our attention this week. The Impreza STi debuted, along with a bunch of other weird concepts from Subaru, Toyota, and Honda. One that caught our eye was the Honda CR-Z. Is it an Insight replacement, a new CRX, or both? Sydney's also having an auto show, and the VW Touareg R50 showed up there, packing a house-pulling 600+ foot pounds of torque. There was also a bunch of Ford wares in Sydney, but no Falcon Orion, apparently. Dang. Wrapping up, we touch on On Star's new service for perp-operated cars, which leaves John unsettled (something to hide?). Speaking of unsettled, our final item is the official pic of the 2009 Pontiac Vibe GT. We like it, but we're sure that it will stir debate, and it doesn't get an alphanumeric designator like G3 5/8. Weird. It's a value packed 53 minutes. See you next week!

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Autoblog Podcast #79 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Oct 2007 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #77

Dan Roth — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 16:32:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Frankfurt Motor Show, Podcasts, Coupe, Performance, Crossover, Aston Martin, Bentley, BMW, Bugatti, Dodge, Ford, GM, Jaguar, Lamborghini, Mercedes-Benz, Mini, PSA, Volkswagen, Volvo, Renault, Brabus

We're back with Autoblog Podcast #77, and it's a Frankfurt-recap extravaganza. We discuss our favorite picks, as well as touching on some of the numerous highlights from the monster-sized show. We got a glimpse of the Jaguar XF in person, and it's better in person, but can it save Jaguar? BMW unveiled the X6, it's own AMC Spirit ripoff, not to be left behind by the Audi Cross Coupe Quattro from Shanghai. We continue on about exotic sheetmetal from Brabus, Schnitzer, Bentley, and Aston Martin, to name a few. On the more mundane tip, the Mazda 6 rocked, the Aveo was ugly, the Journey landed on its face, and could we please, please knock it off with the front quarter panel vents? After Alex's speed-round wrapup, we discuss a solitary piece of non-Frankfurt news, the Jeep J8. Yes, it's awesome, no, you can't buy one. Damn, that's stupid, Chrysler. Onward!

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Autoblog Podcast #77 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Sep 2007 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GALLERY: Girls of Bologna Motor Show

John Neff — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 18:16:00 EST

Filed under: Misc. Auto Shows

We've noticed that you all seem to like pictures of ladies leaning against concept cars, so we thought that even though we didn't attend the Bologna Motor Show ourselves you might enjoy a gallery of the girls of Bologna on this lazy Friday. The gallery comes courtesy of Motorionline.com, and for some good coverage of the show you can check out Yahoo! Cars UK here.

[Source: Motorionline]

Related posts:

GALLERY: Girls of Bologna Motor Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Dec 2006 18:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: the dramatic Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione

Noah Joseph — Thu, 05 Oct 2006 10:36:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Europe, Videos, Paris Motor Show

The production version of Alfa Romeo's sensuous 8C Competizione coupe made its debut at the Paris Motor Show. While our excitement continues to grow for Alfa's planned re-emergence into the North American market, the celebrated Italian marque has graced us with yet another video of its unspeakably beautiful sports car.

This two-minute video is even more dramatic than the last one, and features artistic shots of the 8C and Alfas past that inspired its lines. See the 8C from every angle, inside and out, each minute detail a work of art unto itself. As if we needed to fall in love with the 8C any more than we already have. Bellisimo!

VIDEO: the dramatic Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Oct 2006 10:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris Motor Show: Audi R8 cutaways

Eric Bryant — Mon, 02 Oct 2006 12:02:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Technology, Paris Motor Show, Audi

Normally, anyone guilty of cutting up a beautiful supercar such as the Audi R8 would have us looking to perform the same treatment on the perpetrator. In this case, however, we'll let the crime go unpunished, since this peak under the skin of Ingolstadt's new Autobahn burner gives us a chance to admire it for more that just its looks.

Continue reading Paris Motor Show: Audi R8 cutaways

Paris Motor Show: Audi R8 cutaways originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Oct 2006 12:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Renault Nepta concept

Noah Joseph — Mon, 25 Sep 2006 20:41:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Convertible, Videos, Paris Motor Show

Among the interesting concepts we'll be seeing this week at the Paris Motor Show is the Renault Nepta, an innovative four-seat gull-wing cabrio, images and details of which we brought you earlier this month.

Renault has been kind enough to give us this additional glimpse of the Nepta smoothly cruising around a closed track. Don't try turning up your speakers - there's no volume, which is a shame given the car's 420-hp twin-turbo V6.

[Source: Auto Motor Portal]

VIDEO: Renault Nepta concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Sep 2006 20:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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