Looking out at Geneva

Performance, economy, and individuality, each achieved by technology, were the three overriding motor show themes at the Geneva-Palexpo-all good reasons why auto industry executives closely monitoring competitors needed to be on Swiss watch.

It is always a challenge at any international auto exhibition to decide which cars should be entitled to the accolade of “show star,” but if the main criterion for judgement is the denseness of the crowd around a stand, then the first public showing of Ferrari's new 599 GTB (Gran Turismo Berlinetta) Fiorano, billed as the most powerful production 12-cylinder berlinetta to be developed at Maranello, won handsomely. The car, designed by Pininfarina, replaces the 575 M Maranello. Ferrari made special mention at Geneva of suppliers Alcoa (chassis) and Delphi (suspension).

Motor show information releases about Ferrari are now so exotic (and saleable) that selected journalists have been issued with special plastic cards to prove their legitimacy. Fortunately, this editor has one, so AEI can detail the car, which represents a technology tour de force.