Though Ford has stated that it will only sell the new Fiesta in the U.S. as a sedan, the debut of two hatchback versions at the Geneva Motor Show this week, a three-door and a five-door model, apparently has the Blue Oval boys and girls reconsidering. Ford’s new marketing chief Jim Farley told Automotive News that a decision about whether to sell the hatchbacks in the U.S. as well will come in 12 months. The company will be watching consumer reaction to the Verve hatchback concepts at second-tier U.S. auto shows this year to see if they resonate with young buyers (It may also show the production Fiesta hatchbacks in the U.S., as well). Hatchbacks have traditionally been a tough sell in the U.S., which is what prompted Ford’s initial decision not to sell them here, as well as, we presume, the decision cancel the Focus three- and five-door hatchback models when that car was redesigned this past year.

Of course, we think the new Fiesta looks like a winner based on what we’ve seen this week in Geneva of the production models. But whether or not the hatchbacks will sell in the heartland of America depends more on what they will cost than anything else. And there’s the rub. Since the Fiesta was designed to satisfy European tastes that demand quality small cars, they will likely be more expensive than the economy car fare we’re used to in the U.S. Would you pay a few bills more for a Fiesta hatchback knowing it was a direct port from Europe?

[Source: AutoBlog]

What started as an innocent crush last year in Geneva and blossomed into a budding romance in Frankfurt, has finally turned into a full-blown obsession. Our first introduction to the Artega GT proved love isn’t blind, particular when Henrik Fisker pens it. The sensuous curves of the initial prototype had us drooling from across the room, and after seeing the production version late last year in Frankfurt, it quickly found a slot in our dream garage.

One year later, we’re still smitten. The combination of the Artega’s small footprint, 300-hp rear-mounted DI V6, and carbon fiber bodywork has us on pins and needles. And for the 99 lucky souls that got their orders in early, they’ll be receiving a limited edition “Intro 2008″ model swathed in either Vanillegelb or Tiefseeblau, a bespoke interior and lightweight, five-spoke alloy wheels wrapped in Pilot Sport PS2 Michelins. The cost of entry is just under 80,000 euros and if you’ve got the coin to purchase one of the 170 models Artega is expected to produce annually.

Covering a show like Geneva has its ups and downs for a journalist. Most of the time you are trying to follow a very tight schedule of press conferences that has you shifting 50 feet every fifteen minutes for about 12 hours a day. The upside is that the cars (and sometimes people) around you are quite often breathtaking and, besides the travel expenses, the whole party is free. As much as you’d like to linger, it can be extremely difficult because of the itinerary. Automakers generally have personnel on hand to answer questions, but if you linger you risk missing out on the next big thing across the aisle. But then there are those serendipitous moments when you just happen to be in the right place at the right time.

When we went back into the hall a few minutes ago to get a few more interior shots of the Koenigsegg CCXR Edition, we happened to spot Christian von Koenigsegg himself. We reached out a hand, introduced ourselves and mentioned that we had the chance to drive one of his supercars last fall in Las Vegas. We chatted a bit about the fact that we were expecting a black/red Edition here in Geneva and he said that this was a one-of-a-kind special order, “a Picasso” he joked. What he said next just about floored us. According to Koenigsegg, it took his team about 3,000 hours to hand lay the carbon fiber for this naked knockout. Then he mentioned that the beauty is far more than skin deep. The car produces so much more downforce that he thinks it is one of the easiest supercars to drive. We know we never had any trouble with the old one, but some others have. Then he talked about the fact that he wants to get the car out for more testing. He mentioned the ‘RIng and another assault on the Top Gear track. He also shared that six of these Editions have already been sold and that more orders are in process since the show started yesterday. And just like that we remembered that we had to be elsewhere and said goodbye. Oh wow, is that Sir Jackie Stewart over there?!

[Source: AutoBlog]

Scion has further fueled rumors that it will debut a replacement for the tC coupe later this month at the 2008 New York Auto by releasing a teaser shot today of what it’s calling the Hako Coupe Concept. Being a teaser, it doesn’t reveal much of anything about the coupe except that it’s orange and appears to have a blocky front end design. Scion has been known to make big news at the New York Auto Show, having unveiled the well regarded Fuse concept there two years ago. What we’re likely to see is a concept that takes cues from the Fuse and incorporates them into a more production feasible body shape. We’ll no for sure is a couple of weeks when we hit the Big Apple.

[Source: Toyota]

This is another in a long line of European cars we just can’t buy in the States, but that we’d give our left lug nuts to drive on a daily basis. The recently unveiled Twingo Renault Sport joins a group of euro cars that combine economy and fun, with an emphasis on sporty looks and handling to match. If this sounds like your kind of thing, you’ll be upset to know that it still isn’t coming here. For masochists, you can read more about the Twingo Sport in the press release after the jump, but the short version is that this third Renault Sport model is based on the new Twingo that was unveiled here in Geneva last year. Checking the Renault Sport box on the order form adds a 133-hp 1.6L motor to the tiny hatch. Add in Renault’s expert chassis tuning and the whole package should guarantee an exciting ride… for Europeans.

[Source: AutoBlog]

OK, we’ve seen some of their previous work so we probably shouldn’t have expected much more this time around, but when we heard that Mansory had gotten its hands on an SLR and a Ferrari 599 GTB, we certainly hoped that it would figure out a way to enhance their gotta-have-it quotients. Alas, our prayers went unanswered. Done up in a matte gold and black combo, the SLR looks a bit toy-like, but it should manage to sell in the single digits at least. Which digit you choose to count the sales is up to you. The Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano had actually been criticized in some camps for being a bit too evocative of the Chevrolet Corvette when it was first shown. The Mansory edition done up in white and carbon fiber looks even more Vette-like to our eyes. Thoughts of a ZR1 or the recent 427 special edition Z06 leapt to mind. There was also a Phantom in the booth, but quite honestly, doing something outrageous to a Roller just doesn’t offend us as badly. Take a look at the gallery and let us know if you agree. We’ve already heard from at least one other journo who happened to be winding his way down the road towards us that the 599 looks seriously racy and that we are dead wrong about it. We’ll let you decide for yourselves.

[Source: AutoBlog]

Geneva has been good to Maserati. Last year the company unveiled the GranTurismo to thunderous applause, and followed up this year with the more powerful GranTurismo S. Meanwhile, the students of the Instituto Europeo di Design unveiled their Maserati Chicane concept, which won out over rival designs to win sponsorship and a spot under the bright lights of the Geneva Motor Show to show their talent to the world.

We caught up with the IED graduate design students and found our cameras snapping away at the striking concept. Although certain details aren’t likely to find their way onto a production Trident, with the design chiefs from Maserati and Fiat AG on the selecting jury, we wouldn’t be all that surprised to see some similarities when Maserati eventually unleashes its anticipated new sportscar.

[Source: AutoBlog]