BETTER PARTSCoupes at the Geneva Motor Show The 20 most important premieres
The 20 most important premieres
You grant glamor for everyday or grandeur at the Concours d' Elegance. Coupe embody the automobile at its finest and most spectacular form. Perfect platform for the premiere party of all coupes is traditionally the Geneva Motor Show. In anticipation of the 84th Salon on Lac Léman, we present the top 20 debutant of all time.
Impractical, irrational and overpriced, actually are coupes automobiles senseless Art Were it not for the sculptural, fast or flashy forms, can ennoble coupes to timeless works of art, just like she loves every connoisseur. A talent to dominate the coupes in all size classes and particularly like to introduce the car manufacturers on neutral ground in Geneva - in the City of diplomacy, but also the precious watch manufacturers and wealthy private banks. Here are the 20 most important coupe model launches of all time:
20th place: Hyundai Coupe, 1996
A headstrong drawn Koreans Concours large coupe premieres? But of course. After all, Hyundai had already in 1974 the first independently designed vehicle shown as a coupe. Referred to the Tiburon coupe two-door or simply sent the Asians now a 200 km / h four-cylinder into the race, the import amazing sales success worldwide. Maybe also because the most inexpensive coupes European origin to the chagrin of her fans the mid-1990s just splurged a break. By the way, the Hyundai Coupe revealed, also, that the Koreans have been active in all segments of a serious size.
No. 19: Rolls-Royce Camargue, 1975
Regarding the superlatives to Rolls-Royce has surpassed the Camargue coupe itself. The two-door cost 210,000 marks and with it almost as much as two state-supporting Mercedes-Benz 600 Even in its dimensions exceeded the 5.17 meter long and loaded nearly three-ton giant cruiser all other European coupe. Although Starcouturier Pininfarina could let the mighty dress for the designated Corniche successor by usual masterful lines appear somewhat delicate, yet the Camargue dominated the Rolls-Royce stand at the Geneva show so much that the royal Phantom VI had almost dainty. Too much weight for many Emily fans, so only 531 were sold in Camargue eleven years of construction. Striking trends continued the heavyweight two-door with 6.8-liter V8 still: By lightweight materials and superior crash safety.
No. 18: Volvo 262 C, 1977
He should be the poster child of the social into the premium segment aspiring Sweden. In fact, the first Volvo coupe caught with a V6 engine global sensation - even though the C 262 was sold only a few markets. For heated discussions provided in this form unique flat and therefore polarizing roof structure. Thus, the design reviews from the press and audience moving between oblique and beautiful. Perhaps no wonder three designers were still in the development of this coupe involved: The Italian coachbuilder Bertone developed and built the Zweitürern according to the specifications of the Volvo - house designer January Wilsgaard, but also for concepts of couturiers Sergio Coggiola. In keeping with the high prices of the Viking produced in Italy was the elegant interior decor of the spacious four-seater - the base gave the sedan 264 - by abundant use of fine woods and leather high demands. At least 6,600 buyers were enthusiastic about the eccentric two-door, which was almost 50 percent more expensive than the comparable four-door.
17th place: Lancia Beta HPE 1975
With the Lancia Beta awoke to new life. The middle class series struck for lying on the ground and taken over by Fiat brand brilliantly a bridge to a better future. At least temporarily filled the coffers of the beta. This is thanks to six separate bodies of four different design centers. Avant-garde image carrier was under the exclusive Shooting Brake by HPE Lancia Couturier Pietro Castagnero. Successfully with the HPE (High Performance Estate ) Lancia revitalized the idea of combining coupe ( once justified by Volvo 1800 ES and Reliant Scimitar ) and carried the concept well into the 1980s. As elegant yet practical three-door was the HPE many fans and many imitators. Propulsion is ensured Four-cylinder petrol engine, in the end even supercharged.
16th place: Seat 1200/1430 Sport 1976
The media were indeed shown in December 1975 fully met the bull's eye the seat coupe with a distinctive matt black " Bocanegra " plastic nose but only on Lake Geneva. With the racy athletes in 1200 and 1430 Seat sent serious signals of emotional emancipation from the former Italian Fiat over Mother. In fact, the independently developed seat coupes were still the same time launched Fiat Berlinetta License 128 Seat 3P inferior in numbers, nevertheless meant the " Bocanegra " types of product-based independence. Reminded Seat in Geneva in 2008 with a study called Boca Negra, two years later quoted an eponymous equipment package for Ibiza FR and Cupra the big names. With the schwarzschnäuzigen and up to 57 kW (77 hp) small athletes also launched the Seat sales under its own logo in several European countries, while from 1977 also in Germany. Until then, most destined for export had to camouflage seat in a Fiat characters.
# 15: Jaguar XK 120 coupe 1951
For an export-oriented luxury brand like Jaguar of cosmopolitan Geneva Motor Show offered a better stage than the then already slightly dusty-looking London Motor Show. Finally, the XK 120 Fixed Head Coupe should inspire the rich and famous around the globe. This style, speed ( the open XK 120 was already wearing the title of the fastest sports car in the world) and exorbitant prices. 19,000 Mark cost of the two-door model, comparable to the state-supporting " Adenauer Mercedes" Type 300 Nevertheless enthusiastic in three years, around 2,700 buyers for the ancestors of all modern Jaguar coupe, which was nicknamed Businessman Express. Rich businessmen should the 210-km / h in-line six cylinder get to your destination faster than by train or flight - at least the claim.
14th place: Toyota 2000 GT Liftback, 1976
He wore a big name, which he made at least in terms of sales success honor. The Toyota 2000 GT was reminiscent of the legendary eponymous first Japanese supercar, but based on the large series Coupe Celica. With seven inches wider wheelbase for more rear legroom and practical tailgate in the style of a combi coupe, the Liftback was not only a lot of family-friendly, the elongated hatchback also had a much more dynamic. These reminded the distinctive three-chamber tail lights legendary American Pony Cars the Hot Hatch Group with lots of muscle under the hood. In this respect, the Liftback had more to offer than the basic Celica. With 89 kW/120 hp of the sporty car could at least show almost all four-cylinder competitors on road and track, the tail lights.
# 13: Alfa Romeo Montreal, 1970
Dream dress by Marcello Gandini and technology from the legendary motor sport prototypes Tipo 33 So made the Alfa Romeo Montreal sensation as a spectacular front-engine super sports car in the mid-engine design. The name Montreal recalled the first appearance of the coupe prototype at the World Exhibition in Canada. But even in Geneva was the Alfa in series version as a small wonder of the world. Finally, the Milanese brand with the Montreal reported back to the club of super athlete . The 147 kW/200 hp from its 2.6-liter V8 made the sports car for a challenger to Ferrari Dino and Maserati Merak, where he also offered in pricing Paroli. It was not until two years after the end of production in 1975 made the last Montreal took a lover. A fate that is the mid-engine sports Alfa Romeo 4C shown in Geneva in 2013 one day hopefully not share.
Course 12: BMW 6 Series 1976
He is the prototype of the perfect BMW coupe. A timeless, elegant, two-door Hardtoplimousine, drawn by the brilliant Paul Bracq, who had previously been brought Mercedes coupe in the form. Front and rear of 6ers took the lines of the first 7ers anticipated, the cockpit was BMW typically focused on the driver and the " Check Control " already informed electronically of all the important technical functions. What was daily life at BMW in 1976, was rated by other brands as Futurism and not introduced until much later. In fact, it managed the BMW 6 Series Coupé racy travel with in-line six cylinder to the automobile Methusalemalter of 13 years of production before the 8 took over the changing of the guard.
# 11: Aston Martin DB7 1994
The premiere location for the new sports coupe seemed perfectly chosen. Finally, the DB7 was for a new beginning in the history of aristocratic sports car maker, who had just slipped under the roof of Ford. Besides the big V8 Aston Martin wanted to market a more affordable six-cylinder for the first time globally, and therefore presented this not in London, but on the international stage of Geneva. The DB7 packed dynamic driving pleasure on the fine English style in a design draft of the Scot Ian Callum. For befitting tunneling in the 2 +2-seater was provided by a 250 kW/340 hp 3.2-liter Machine with Eaton supercharger. In total, the package of power and style was so seductive that the DB7 a total production of over 7,000 units reached and advanced to the hitherto most built Aston Martin.
# 10: Citroen SM 1970
Surprised faces in the boardrooms of the established prestige brands: The press response to the Geneva Motor Show 1970 was not to their liking. Ironically, Citroen, manufacturer of affordable two-and four-cylinder, the coup had succeeded with a six-cylinder Maserati to present the absolute star of the salons and conquer the front pages of the media. Against the extravagant Citroen SM - his initials stood unofficially for " Sa majesté " - were even some super athlete a chance. The first upper-class Citroen joined the opulent comfort of a luxury sedan with the sporty chic of a coupe. With a Vmax of 220 km / h, it was the fastest production car with front wheel drive. These presented the SM technical innovations such as hydraulic cornering lights and speed-sensitive power steering.
9th place: Volkswagen Scirocco 1974
Coupes as crisis killer. This talent featured in the year of the oil crisis two beautiful two-door from Ford and Volkswagen on Lac Léman to the test. With a transversely mounted engine with a surprisingly compact bonnet, front-wheel drive hatchback with a big mouth and the Scirocco swept the standards of competing, but technically antiquated family coupes aside and prepared the way for a new car era: the era of golf. In fact, this Beetle successor was introduced shortly after the Scirocco. Named after a hot desert wind, and subscribed by the renowned designer Giorgio Giugiaro sports coupe was, however, until 1981, more than 500,000 copies sold, then celebrated the world premiere successor. Back in Geneva. A beautiful tradition that continues the current Scirocco next month with a facelift.
8th place: Ford Capri II 1974
He was the first athlete in the family style of American muscle cars. Infinitely long hood for potentially much horsepower, to a short, high-speed tail-all at an affordable cost. Should perfecting this package of Capri II with practical tailgate. Nearly 1.9 million units of the cult coupe Ford could sell up to 1987 - so did not even have the makers of the Mustang expected. For propulsion in the most successful European coupe ever made a uniquely broad Motorband: From underpowered 1.3 - liter four-cylinder with a sporty 2.8-liter Turbo to cultured 3.0 - liter six-cylinder anything could be bought. Alternatively, enough power for first place in racing inserts and chases in TV series or as a cost killer with a small household budget. So the Ford Capri made again to number two in Germany.
7th place: Porsche 924 from 1976
Long this Porsche is a cult sports car of the classic scene. A culture shock he was against it during his presentation 30 years ago. Water cooling, front engine from Audi, transmission in a transaxle design rear, rather feminine rotund design from the pen of former Corvette designer Anatole Lapin and all car originally developed as a Volkswagen in one, so could the nine-eleven fans start little. On the other hand, brought the 924 so much money in the till that he even survival of the 911 secured in crisis years. The production figure reached 100,000, the Porsche 924 a record in just over five years, for a sports coupe in the segment. Together with its advancements 944 and 968 there were a total of 325,000 copies even more than to go from any other Porsche. Finally, the 924 was even perfect harbinger of the eight-cylinder type 928, with the Porsche stunned the world two years later.
6th place: Lancia Fulvia Coupé 1965
If the Lancia brand die, there will be cars like the imperishable nice Fulvia Coupé, which hold the carmaker with sensitivity for large shapes with enthusiasts in everlasting remembrance. The compact coupe is considered a masterpiece of the Lancia stylist Pietro Castagnero. For twelve years this Fulvia embodied everything that mattered Lancia: aesthetics, exclusivity. Sportiness and modernity, which is why he put the new masters of the Fiat group with an exciting and subscribed the same 2003 study, a late monument. In fact, the Fulvia was also the most produced until then Lancia ever. The advanced front-wheel drive and sophisticated suspension technology allowed the small coupe countless victories in motorsport, including a victory in the Rally Monte Carlo.
5th place: 1980 Audi quattro
He was not the first Audi coupe and he was not the first coupe with all-wheel drive and yet succeeded the Audi quattro in Geneva to make history. Because here in the all-wheel-affinity Switzerland Audi started with the quattro to the summit in the automotive luxury house. First coupe with permanent four-wheel drive the Audi went into mass production, and so gave the slogan used internationally at that time "Vorsprung durch Technik " credibility. But the soberly drawn two-door still cared for another set of emotions with a strong turbo-and early four-valve technology. The Zenit was formed from the 1984 Sport quattro with 224 kW/304 hp or roadworthy then incredible 441 kW/600 hp for the storming of the legendary Pikes Peak hill climb.
Seat 4: Peugeot 504 Coupé 1969
This Peugeot Coupé Pininfarina could even realize his dreams more. Clean lines in Mediterranean ease and everlasting elegance characterize the built at the Italian Carrozzeria in large-scale French two-door. The Peugeot was a potential winner of all Grand Prix d ' Elegance, whether. Automobile showroom on Paris boulevards or In its home market of the Peugeot made after five years of production once again for national attention, as only the technology symbols Concorde and TGV. Optionally, the 504 coupe was now available with a V6 engine, the first newly constructed six-cylinder made in France since the end of World War II. Now the Peugeot could also compete against the German prestige coupe, first as a V6 - sucker, even later than injection.
3rd place: Mercedes CLS 2004
Announced was the spectacular four-door car with a flat roof line already at the preceding IAA, series star was the most elegant German upper class but only on Lake Geneva. The success of the CLS exceeded all expectations in the German registration charts the four-door Coupé was even able to keep the classic S-Class clearly at a distance. The sloping roofline, the narrow windows, and the silhouette of a coupe owed the new Stuttgart star American designer Michael Fink. More, Fink managed to revive a forgotten segment. Finally, the niche was once justified by the Rover P5 and later filled mainly by Japanese hardtop four-door car like the Nissan Cefiro last. Now it was the Mercedes CLS, which set a new trend and cars like the Audi A5 and A7, but also VW Passat CC and Aston Martin Rapide could follow. What possessed sporting potential of the CLS, Brabus showed impressive. His Rocket V12 accelerated in the Italian Nardo on pace 365 - a world record for a four-door.
2nd place: Maserati Mistral ( series type) of 1964
Today, the Mistral stands in the shadow of his successor Ghibli. Half a century ago but shook designed by Pietro Frua coupe sports car the entire world as a massive earthquake. This is because the mistral was not brought as a last Maserati from a six-cylinder in Vmax and not because he was the first model of Modena brand with the sonorous name of a strong wind. Rather, the first still simply called Mistral 3500 GT 2posti showed in a revolutionary design with irresistible long Fastback line and large glass tailgate. A perfect design that far exceeded the tailgate of the rival Jaguar E-Type to grace according to many critics. So Pietro Frua was his design concept exploit several times, such as when AC 428 or Monteverdi High Speed. A huge success but was only the Mistral.
1st place: Opel Diplomat V8 Coupé from 1965
A representative from Rüsselsheim is the winner! What may surprise today was 50 years ago, the rule: Opel drove at the front of the upper class. Against the model trio Kapitän, Admiral and Diplomat seemed even the southern German prestige models often have a chance. Especially the first diplomat was his slogan "fair star of the powerful car " as. The coronation followed the Geneva Motor Show with an exclusive hardtop coupe. The coachbuilder Karmann presented an elegant two-door with almost endlessly long bonnet and a huge trunk. With 169 kW/230 hp V8 engine developing of the Chevrolet coupe offered almost as much power as the state-supporting Mercedes-Benz 600 The Opel was quickly on top of that: 206 km / h Vmax reached no other luxury coupe and apart from the Maserati Quattroporte sedan no. Above all, the Diplomat Coupé was the beginning of a continuing series to date faster and nicer Opel coupe.