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We apologize for the paucity of Geneva Motor Show news. The Chrysler Crisis, the Aston Martin pending adieu, and arguments on who gets to test drive first the new Chevy Camaro when it's released in a couple of years (yeah, we have a long waiting line) has driven the blogging staff to distraction.
 Thus, we pulled some strings and got a little help from some of our associates out in the field. James Bell, publisher of Intellichoice, and Michelle Krebs of AutoObserver, had a chance to check out six new vehicles that debuted at the show: Dodge Demon, Ford Mondeo, Toyota Hybrid X, Opel GTC, Honda Small Hybrid Sports, and the Audi A5. Some of their comments on CNN (and our comments to their comments) include:
Dodge Demon: 'aimed directly at the Mazda MX-5 Miata, the Saturn Sky and the Pontiac Solstice, as well as the upcoming Opel GT, based on the Sky and Solstice, in Europe.' What's the scoop on the interior? Is it still classic Dodge (i.e., too much plastic)? Is it a 'Go' to build or we still have to wait for the Chrysler fiasco to be finally over?
 Ford Mondeo: 'Their U.S. cousins must be jealous.' You better believe it. We just fume every time a Ford Fusion passes by when we could have had the Mondeo. Don’t get us wrong: the Fusion—and its siblings, the Mercury Milan and the Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ—are fine cars (anything based off a Mazda is always a good thing), but it’s not even a pale shadow next to the Mondeo, which looks like it could give BMW a run for the money.
Toyota Hybrid X: 'No plug-in hybrid announcement, no lithium ion batteries to match the futuristic new look. In fact, the press guide hardly mentions the technology at all and keeps the focus the design.' James, baby, we love you but you obviously are not an enthusiast. Design is 90 percent importance, then followed by the engine (i.e., torque!). Other features, such as batteries, airbags, fuel efficiency, and 'saving the planet' enter one ear and go out the other.
Opel GTC Concept: 'Imagine a Saturn badge on the Opel GTC concept car and you've got a pretty good idea of what the next-generation Saturn Aura looks like.' Wow. GM, ditch the current model and build this Audi-twin beauty now.
Honda Small Hybrid Sports Concept: 'But stop to think for a moment - the electric motors in a hybrid system is all about torque. And instant torque at that.' Uh, how much, James? 100 lb-ft? 200 lb-ft? Don't tease, especially with any car claiming it’s sporty. We've been more than once disappointed by so-called 'sports car for the masses' who turned out to be 'cruisers for the highway'. (Here’s looking at you, Toyota, Pontiac.)
Audi A5: 'But not as special as when I first came face to face with her this morning.' We hate you.
Both writers full commentary can be found at the CNN link above. A gallery of the above vehicles and others debuting at the Geneva Motor Show can be found here.
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