Pininfarina Ferrari Sergio production model bows

The first of six custom-built Pininfarina Ferrari Sergio models made its debut at Geneva, kicking off a year-long celebration of the legendary Italian design house's 85th birthday. This special, introduced as a concept two years ago at Geneva to honor of Sergio Pininfarina, son of company founder Batista "Pinin" Farina, is based on the Ferrari 458

Originally shown as an open barchetta without a windscreen, the production Sergio has a conventional windshield while having an open roof design and yellow paint scheme that recall the original Ferrari Dino Berlinetta. Each of the six limited production models will be painted a different color and have unique interiors. The Sergio, with its open top, is meant primarily for track use

Emphasis custom coachbuilding

The launch of the car emphasizes Pininfarina's heritage of building limited run cars, a tradition extending back to the company's earliest days. The latest limited run cars produced by Pininfarina include the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti K, the Ferrari P4/5, the Rolls-Royce Hyperion and the New Stratos

In taking the wraps off its latest model, Chairman Paolo Pininfarina said "I am proud to celebrate the milestone of 85 years presenting the Ferrari Sergio. It's an exclusive car that embodies the excellence of Pininfarina in designing and manufacturing high quality cars and it's a further exercise on the Ferrari brand, to which we are related by a history that has helped define the most beautiful cars of all time

All six of the cars are spoken for and besides the bold exterior looks, the buyers will get the same running gear as a standard Ferrari 458, which features a 562-horsepower mid-mounted V8 engine driving the rear wheels through a 7-speed sequential shift dual-clutch transmission.  Weighing just over 2,800 pounds, the Ferrari Sergio is said to accelerate to 62 mph in less than 3.4 seconds and have a top speed of nearly 200 mph

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Nissan Sway Concept: Stylish subcompact strikes

With the Nissan Sway subcompact, the Japanese automaker is making a statement that small cars need not be boring cars. Positioned as a possible successor to the Micra, a small hatch primarily sold in Europe, the Sway adapts the design language that has been featured on larger Nissan products like the newly redesigned Murano crossover and Maxima sedan

In introducing the Sway, Nissan's chief of design, Shiro Nakamura, said that the vehicle incorporates the V-motion grille theme, floating roof, kicked-up C-pillar treatment and flowing fender lines that have come to characterize the company's styling philosophy. The 4-door hatch uses rear-hinged back doors and no B-pillar to ease cabin access. The coach-style doors give the car the look of a sporty 2-door

A study of contrasts

By using an orange metallic paint on the roof rails and rocker extensions as well as inside the front air intakes to contrast with the bluish gray interior, the contrast highlights the floating roof design and adds a muscular, planted look to the lower body. Another design signature developed for the car was the boomerang shape to the front and rear LED lighting elements

The Sway also features a glass roof, and an interior with a floating wing-design dash inspired by the IDx concept car. The wing shape was adopted for its elegant simplicity. The result is an interior where function takes a priority, and where nothing is used for purely decorative purposes. Structural elements, for example, are shown as structural elements. The door pulls are designed to be integrated as a part of exposed aluminum struts. Even the three-spoke steering wheel has a 'back-to-basics' simplicity, with a squared off bottom section and aluminum spokes

Back to basics

Just two basic instruments face the driver, with all other functions captured on a large trapezoidal tablet in the center of the dashboard visible - and usable - by both driver and front seat passenger. The lightweight seats have an aluminum structure - once again exposed - and are covered in a premium suede-like fabric partially accentuated with pearl-effect material, featuring stitching techniques more usually found on luxury handbags. Color coordination sees the use of strong blue and orange themes inside, complementing the exterior perfectly

"With this new concept car for Geneva, we are experimenting to see how Nissan might be able to bring fresh ideas to the compact hatchback segment," Nakamura said. While this may or may not be the shape of the next Micra, the car's upscale looks in a small package would be a welcome addition to Nissan's U.S. lineup

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Morgan Aero 8 returns with a new look and better performance 2016

British boutique sports car maker Morgan used Geneva to reveal a reinvented version of the Aero 8 model, which last graced the lineup in 2010. Due to start production this fall and carrying a nameplate introduced 15 years ago, the 2016 Aero 8 will replace the existing Aero Coupe and Aero Supersports models that end their runs in April. Although the 362-horsepower/4.8-liter BMW V8 engine and 6-speed manual or paddle-shift automatic from those two will carry over, the new Aero 8 boasts a makeover that enhances both form and function compared to the cars it supplants -- upgrades that lead Morgan to deem it the most refined Morgan Aero product to date

The Aero 8's remake starts with a new hand-formed aluminum body that retains the classic Morgan design cues but offers a cleaner and more aggressive profile. It can be crowned with a foldaway fabric soft top that tucks neatly behind its two seats and beneath a new rear-opening decklid - a first for Morgan -- or by an optional bolt-on hard shell. Both the front and rear treatments of the Aero 8 are tidier and more aero-friendly. Trimmed in leather and wood, the recast interior incorporates a new dash and climate control system and can be further upgraded with a touchscreen infotainment system and carbon fiber seats as well bespoke detailing packs

Changes that you can't see promise to be even more impressive in shaping the dynamic character of the new Aero 8. Focused chassis reinforcements add significant torsional stiffness to the aluminum-intensive architecture. That gain is leveraged by an all-new double-wishbone suspension with retuned dampers and anti-roll bars as well as a new BMW-sourced limited-slip rear differential. Beyond its substantially improved ride and handling, the new Aero 8 will offer more extensive personalization. Morgan anticipates turning out about 300-350 of these new Aero 8 models over the course of a two-year period, and some of them will be heading to America

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Mitsubishi XR-PHEV II Concept previews a new model

Teased here last month, the Mitsubishi XR-PHEV II Concept debuts at the Geneva Auto Show

Sources indicate it will likely launch in the U.S. alongside the next-gen Outlander Sport, making it a 2017 or 2018 model

Although this further evolution dispenses with some of the original's show-car-only styling cues in favor of real-world touches, the new XR-PHEV still makes a bold statement punctuating edgy body contours with shield-like look in the front fascia set off by aggressive LED headlamps. To finish the look, the XR-PHEV Concept rolls on bespoke Falken tires wrapped around custom alloy wheels that feature carbon-fiber inserts. The cabin of this trick 4-passenger Mitsu also displays a decidedly next-gen flavor. Finished in red, black and brushed aluminum, its clean, minimalistic approach has key controls located on the center and overhead consoles as well as the steering wheel to provide quick, easy driver access. In addition,  the navigation screen is logically positioned atop the dash

Mitsubishi confirmed that the XR-PHEV II is powered by a new plug-in hybrid system specifically designed for front-engine/front-drive applications. It consists of a MIVEC gasoline engine - the original XR-PHEV used a turbocharged 1.1-liter inline-4 -- a 163-horsepower motor/generator and power drive unit all located underhood. Configured to operate primarily on electric power supplied by a 12kWh lithium-ion battery pack located beneath its floor, the XR-PHEV II Concept can also function in series or parallel hybrid modes as driving conditions dictate and features Battery Save and Battery Charge capabilities. Mitsubishi claims its new plug-in will be as sporty as it is eco-friendly

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Mini Cooper Countryman Park Lane edition unveiled 2016

Boasting a host of unique styling touches, the 2016 Mini Cooper Countryman Park Lane made its debut in Geneva. To be offered in Cooper, Cooper S and Cooper S All4 models, this latest variation on the theme takes its name from a high-end district in the London borough of Mayfair. The Countryman will be the third Mini model to carry this distinctive badging, which was first used by the automaker in 1987

The basic changes on the Park Lane Mini start with unique exterior colors that match an Earl Grey Metallic primary finish with Oak Red accents on various body bits. That tony look is set off with bespoke badging and side scuttle trim, white directional signal indicators and lightweight 18-inch Dark Grey Turbo Fan alloy wheels. The Mini All4 nets its own exterior trim that's optional on the Cooper/Cooper S, while supplemental Oak Red sport stripes on the hood, deck and lower body are optional across the board. Inside, the Park Lane has Oxide Silver door-bezel and cockpit trim, with Cross Stripe Grey for the center console surrounds paired with Carbon Black inlays that also appear on the door panels to add a more upscale character. Lest one forget, the dash and door-sill plates also carry Park Lane badging

Like any other Mini, the new Park Lane will offer plenty of personalization potential that includes the nifty roof rack seen here. Arriving at dealers in July, pricing for all members of the 2016 Mini Park Lane lineup will be announced closer to their actual on-sale date

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