Opel Karl: Slick subcompact previews 2016 Chevy Spark

Making its global debut in Geneva, the new Opel Karl offers an early look at the design -- and likely many of the features  -- expected in the fully remade 2016 Chevrolet Spark that will be officially unveiled next month at the New York Auto Show. Opel's entry-level subcompact 5-door hatchback hopes to impress the European buyers with its contemporary style and operating efficiency coupled with an impressive roster of standard and available features not often offered on vehicles in this segment

Available in three trim grades - Essentia, Enjoy and Cosmo - all versions of the new Karl share the same new GM Ecotec 1.0-liter/3-cylinder turbocharged gasoline unit that makes 74 horsepower. Opel Karl will offer a 5-speed automatic transmission along with the standard manual gearbox as well as an ecoFlex Package that raises its Euro fuel economy numbers to the U.S. equivalent of 55 mpg. Measuring just over 12 feet nose to tail and riding on a 93.9-inch wheelbase, the Karl's user-friendly cabin is relatively roomy by class standards. And lowering the backs on its 60/40 split-folding rear seat can up total cargo capacity to 33.2 cu ft

As for cool tech touches, the new Opel Karl complements its basic stability/traction controls and anti-lock brakes with Hill Start Assist, cruise control and available adjustable steering effort while offering Lane Departure Warning and Park Assist. On the comfort/convenience front, standard/optional items include heated front seats/steering wheel, a power sunroof, Bluetooth phone/audio streaming capability, USB ports and several sound systems. It's hard to imagine that all or at least most of that kit won't make its way over to America as well

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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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