Geneva: the land of Concepts...

There's nothing quite like a fresh concept study to give you an solid insight into both the styling and technological direction a marque is traveling in.

While only a small minority of concept cars make it to production, and usually in a more subdued form, concept cars are an integral part of any car makers business plan.

They are designed to gauge public reaction towards new trends - most concepts are revealed at motor shows, after all - and often give ample clues as to the marque's mid- to longterm direction.

In the case of these two concepts, both are quite reminiscent of current models - the Audi mirrors the TT somewhat, while the Mazda concept has a 323 edge to it.

At the same time, both concepts show not only in which direction Mazda and Audi are pointed, but also where German and Japanese cars are heading. We check out the latest concepts from the Geneva Motor Show, 2003...

Audi Nuvolari Quattro

Tazio Nuvolari was born in Italy, 1892, and Audi's decision to name a concept study after him is a little surprising.

Not so much for the fact that Nuvolari was one of the most prolific race drivers of the pre-WWII era, winning some 61 races - Grand Prixs included - but more for the fact that he's Italian, and Audi is not.

Perhaps it signals a shift in the way Audi will present itself in future? Taking one look at the new Quattro concept will help cement this arguament.

Most who casually glance at the Audi will suggest: "It's another TT." And while initially this is understandable, the Audi Nuvolari Quattro is more than just a re-styled TT.

Walter de’Silva, the big chief in charge of design for the Audi group, said: "The Nuvolari quattro outlines the direction that Audi’s exterior and interior design will take. We are aware of our brand’s heritage and will continue this success story in evolutionary steps."

One of Audi's trademarks, which can be clearly seen in the Nuvolari Quattro, are the short overhangs and deeply flared wheel arches.

Tail and head lights, plus the new trapezoidal grille (reflecting spy shots seen of the new A6 grille) are quite new however, and give the Nuvolari Quattro a distinctive Italian flavour - a little reminscent of Alfa Romeo, even.

One of the most successful examples of Audi’s current styling is the TT, and the Nuvolari pays homage to this, seen largely in the front end: The rounded shape of the front side panels toward the bumper is a deliberate reference to Audi TT.

The striking single-frame radiator grille, however, has also evolved from the current design motif and has been arrived at by linking together the two double grille segments of the current Audi generation.

Another new feature likely to emerge in coming Audi models are the slightly inclined, low-height main headlight strips. They make use of an entirely new technology – super-bright high-performance light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

The LED headlights allowed the designers more freedom, since they needed less installation space than conventional ones.

The cooled high-end lights - a whopping 18 on each side - are located much nearer the surface of the cover, that has also been reduced in size, the result of which gives the front end a much more seamless appearance.

And if you thought the head lights were techno-chic, the newly-styled brake lights come equipped with IR sensors. The infrared sensors for the rear lights are quite innovative, in they identify dirt on the covers and external factors such as spray or fog.

The electronic control system increases the brightness steplessly in response to sensor impulses if required by outside conditions.

This is an important step towards better visibility and, ultimately, a safer journey in all weather conditions. Furthermore, the lights benefit from the LED’s shorter response time, taking less than one millisecond to reach full brightness.

Inside, the high centre console could eventually become a mainstay in the Audi fleet - and it looks good too. The MMI terminal with the central control knob and surrounding function and control keys are located behind it and extremely easy to reach.

As far as aesthetics go, the new look Audi is pleasing, while still offering that unmistakable 'concept' car look. Underneath it's shiny high-gloss finish resides an impressively tooled hi-po V10, perhaps yet another indication that Audi may add a 10-cylinder engine to its range.

The 5.0-litre ‘bi-turbo’ V10 has ample torque at all engine speeds and a willingness to run up to high speeds, an engine which also may have been influenced by BMW's upcoming F1-dervied 5.5-litre V10.

The engine is a new design, capable of mobilising an impressive 441 kilowatts of power (600 bhp), with FSI petrol direct injection making a decisive contribution to the engine’s performance.

Among the most impressive features of the Audi Nuvolari Quattro’s ten-cylinder dual turbocharged engine, is its willingness to rev freely and the vigorous torque flow available at super-low engine speeds.

It accelerates the Gran Turismo from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.1 seconds and on to a maximum speed that has been governed to 250 km/h. The maximum torque of 750Nm is available at an engine speed as low as 2000rpm and remains constant over a broad engine-speed range.

All this results in powerful, not to say supreme, forward thrust, the ideal precondition for driving long distances in a sporting style and also when storming up winding mountain passes.

Moving right along, and like the current A8’s frame architecture, the Nuvolari Quattro’s 'Audi Space Frame' (ASF) consists of a combination of extruded aluminium profiles and cast parts connected tightly together, for a combination of minimum mass, maximum strength and high torsional rigidity.

The proportions of the GT concept study necessitated considerable structural changes compared with the ASF used in the A8 luxury sedan. The best example is the wheelbase of the 2+2-seater Nuvolari, which is more than six centimetres shorter.

Adaptive air suspension is by no means new, but combined with Audi's Quattro AWD transmission, it adds another real-world feature to the 2+2 coupe.

The adaptive air suspension – 4-corner air springs with continuous damping control – is the first system of its kind in a GT that resolves the traditionally conflicting goals of excellent handling and comfortable shock absorption on long journeys.

The lowered ride height at high speeds improves the Nuvolari quattro’s aerodynamics. Three pre-defined ground clearance levels are available: normal, with a ground clearance of 100 mm; the “autobahn” level (from 160 km/h upwards) with a ground clearance of 90 mm and the raised level with a ground clearance of 110 mm, which is ideal for driving on bumpy roads up to a maximum speed of 40 km/h.

On the other hand, you can also let the car do the thinking for you, setting the suspension on Automatic. This way it adjusts ride height and damping characteristics based on driving inputs.

Body acceleration, vertical movement of all four wheels, steering angle, plus accelerator and brake pedal positions all influence the degree of damping that is computed for every driving situation. In theory it's a great idea, though how well it would work on the road is debatable...

Finally, the new Audi also makes use of radar-based cruise control. Nothing new here - Mercedes has been using the system for some months now, but at least it's an indication that Audi will be adopting the technology for future models.

Mazda MX Sportif

Like Nissan, Mazda is really starting to kick some arse in both styling and engineering departments after what can only be described as a decade filled with boring product.

Take the new RX-8 for instance: Amazing styling, packed with killer technology and those oh-so-cool suicide doors are a gamble that has seemingly payed off -- expect them to be cloned in some form by every major car manufacturer in the next half decade.

So, Mazda has a new concept out, and like the RX-Evolv that transmogrified into the 2003 RX-8, there's a good chance that it's new small-car concept, the MX Sportif, will underpin the impending Mazda3.

While not as radical as the Nuvolari, it still makes quite a visual impact.

Mazda has taken the basic elements of the 323 and gently massaged them to form a more striking profile, one that's still very true to the Mazda design DNA.

The new look is more agressive than the 323/Astina; in Mazda's words it creates a sense of "exhilarating dynamism." Sitting on 18-inch five spoke alloy wheels, the concept wears fairly potent (for a small car) 225/45R18 rubber.

The tail lights are very much Mazda6-inspired - chrome-edged bulbs on a contrasting background, covered by a clear lens - though the twin exhaust system flanking a mini-diffuser hints at the car's - and indeed the company's - sporting intentions.

While the new styling is perhaps the biggest indication of where Mazda's small cars are headed, adhering to the Mazda design ethos, the future of its powerplants is also extremely intriguing.

While it's safe to say that Mazda will use its rotary engines exclusively for its top-shelf sportsters, it's the four cyliner range that looks to be heating up.

The Mazda2 already has the most potent 1.5-litre engine in the compact car segment, and the 2.0-litre mill in the MX Sportif is no slouch either.

Likely to be a crucial part of the upcoming Mazda3, the MZR 2.0-litre inline four cylinder mill is part of the marque's next-generation of engines.

The 2.3-litre job found in the Mazda6 has already been hailed as one of the best four-bangers on the market: Expect the 2.0-litre mill to follow suit.

Featuring a reversed intake-exhaust layout (with the exhaust system fitted at the rear), a variable intake system (VIS), tumble swirl control valve (TSCV) and a high-flow port head, the nat-atmo MZR 2.0-litre engine delivers 110kW @ 6000rpm and 187Nm @ 4500rpm.

Mated to a short-throw, close-ratio five-speed manual, the MX Sportif concept would be quite the goer, but even so, if the techno-boffins can keep the weight of the impending Mazda3 to a minimum, the latter car could be looking at bold 0-100km/h times, not to mention top speed values.

Mazda's new concept gives a clear indication of the company's direction, particularly in relation to the small car segment, and like many concepts of the past three years, this one looks headed for factory.

Even the MX Sportif's interior looks almost production ready, and the rate at which the company is churning out new vehicles is quite surprising.

"Just over two years ago, when we started down the path to rebuild the Mazda brand, we promised a core group of four all-new vehicles that would embody the Zoom-Zoom spirit of Mazda," said Lewis Booth, President and CEO of Mazda Motor Corporation.

"This newest vehicle, the MX Sportif, clearly shows the direction our fourth all-new product will take – the fourth all-new Mazda in less than 18 months. Our pace of product introductions since last year has been relentless and quick, and we have no intention of slowing down."