**Executive Cars 2006 Show (pics & review) - (56k: you have been warned)**

[Giannis]

Executive cars 2006
So what is it? Well, it is an event, a automotive event, a car show that is held in Athens every two years. It is not an international one, but it is definitely special and, of course, worth going, like any international and famous car event. This show is special because only premium car makers participate and all the cars there cost above 45 - 50.000€.



I went there last Sunday (12 November) and as a real car fan i spent a lot of time looking at the cars, talking about them with salesmen and other visitors and, yes, i took pics.

The show

The show is held at Helexpo Palace, a great place/ building that many shows and exhibitions are held. Anyway, i was there at 11.30 am and after paying 15€ i got into paradise.

Now i am going to comment and post pics of all car brand represented, starting from the first one i saw.

So, let's get into topic!

Part I
Vovlo: the first brand you see when you pass the ticket office and the brand new S80 that just hit the showrooms here was the first car to see. It was a black one with beige leather and dark wood trim. I sat in it and is a very very comfortable seat, a typical volvo. One of the very best (seats) of the market! Then come the materials. most of them, eveything that is iv nommon view and the first things you see when entering the car are great. They have a soft feeling, nice smell and not hard when touching. There are some plastic parts that could be better though, like some lower door panel part and the buttons on the roof near the rear-view mirror. The design is very nice, both interior and exterior. I like the new lights, that "raised shoulder" clue remains and the new console works great for me. It looks fresh and i would love to change my S60 for this if it wasn't so big. Oh, i forgot. It has a classy look that i love in upscale Volvos!


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Then there was the new C70. I had seen it again so i didn't spend much time. I only want to say that i could use a better front. I mean that the front lights - grill combination should be better designed. It's just like the designer spent only five minutes for it. But it had good enough plastics and the doors had a nice feeling when closing. Very good, but like all cabrios, reinforced doors... My view on it: It would make a great cabrio if it was a bit cheaper. Otherwise, not my cup of tea, sadly. I didn't see it with the roof up, so noone can still blame me for my vote in the 3er vs C70 poll


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And the last model that they had was rhe mighty XC90. They had two of them, the one was a V8 sport, black with black tint and black leather. It has a great desing inside out, very swedish and also great plastics. i only spent 1,5 minute in it since dad recently got himslef on (not the V8). Great SUV, my choise even if i had to choose between it, the X5, the ML and the Q7!

BMW: I didn’t spend much time with Volvo, because i saw something that looked very familiar, yet, very exotic. Yes, i am talking about the new Z4 M coupe that was the first of the new M models to see IRL. Oh, i had seen the E60 M5 the year before. Anyway, it was a Sepang Bronze one, and i have to say that i don’t like the colour. I don’t know if it’s because of the car (small) or because of the lights (too many of them), but i just didn’t like it. Even though i didn’t like the colour, i was amazed by that cute little rocket. Simply amazing! It has a similar design with the Z3 coupe, but still remains unique in its segment as well as the whole automotive world. As said, a little rocket.

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Next to the Z4 M was the new 335i coupe which was so f*cking great that i was starring at it for 10 minutes, even though there was a small crowd around it. It was a silver one with black interior (not a fan of it), and with some 5-spoke 17’ rims that reminded me of the Schnitzer ones! Very nice design, typical BMW (thanks Mr Bangle) that will stay fresh for many years and will probably become a classic. I don’t need to say more, since i have no words to describe the car.

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Then there were the rest of the M models, the M5 and the M6, both black on black and simply great! As a true M5 fan I spent much time looking at the M5, talking with the BMW guys (who lacked some BMW knowledge!) and other visitors. I don’t feel like saying much things, since its GermanCarZone here

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Last but not least, there was a blue 740i in display which, I will say for once again, is my favorite car of this segment.

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Speaking of BMW, I have to say that BMW Hellas acted like a spoiled rich kid that doesn’t want to share his toys, and had all the cars locked so that no one could see the interior first hand. In my opinion there should be a base 5er and 7er as well as an entry 3er coupe so we could experience the interiors! Despite the difficulties I finally made my opinion on the full BMW line-up. And it is great. I am only waiting for the X5 (thank God they didn’t have an X5 or X3 in displays) and I hope that it looks as good in real life. Good job BMW!

Bentley: Yes, they had every single model. Continental GT (Miss Hilton?), Flying Spur and the rest. All great looking and with great interiors. Even though people were allowed to take a closer look, we didn’t have access to the inside of the cars, which is pretty logical if you think of their price. I was impressed of the quality of the interior of the CGT Cabrio! One thing: the front design (the grill and the lights) could be slightly better.

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*Merc1, after seeing the car IRL I have to say one thing. It is not a Flying Brick!

Audi: And here we are, Audi boys! All the premium Audi line-up open to the public, even though they forgot to bring the R8. The S6 is great. Both inside out, and the same thing applies for the A8. A true leader with original gothic design! Those 20’ inch rims are a bit too much, though. 18’ or 19’ would mean less bling bling.

The Q7 is very big. I mean huge, as it should though. It has a nice interior and I would pick it over the ML and the X5 (not the new one since I have not seen it yet) anytime. The XC90 is something different. Here driving a Volvo, even if it costs more than 60.000€ doesn’t automatically name you a rich guy, like most Audi, BMW and MB models (that’s why dad picked it over the germans).

As about the TT, as said from its debut I don’t like it. I didn’t like the first one, and neither this one. It’s just a matter of taste. BTW, those rear lights are a cool feature. Oh, it was red, which doesn’t look good on this car. I think black would look better. There was no RS4 as it should.

Here, I want to say something after having a detailed look at the A6 and 5er. If I was asked to choose one of those, this would be the most difficult question I have been asked! If it was an upscale model, from 3.5 – 4l engine and up I would take the bimmer. But if it was for the base model or the second in line engine, I would go for the A6 all the way.

Volkswagen: There was a Passat V6 that I didn’t spend any time in, because next to it they had a long wheelbase Phaethon. It is great. The best materials of all the cars in this segment. Pure luxury and very executive style. I wish I could stay forever in its back seats. I have not seen such a car in my life. I would love to take it and leave! After that there was the EOS. I am not satisfied with the car. It should/ could be a lot better. I would take a C70 over it anytime.

Brabus: MB was represented by Brabus and they only had a base CLK with Brabus body kit, an old SL with 700 something hp, a SLK with 435 hp and an ML with the Brabus kit. Nice SUV but I prefer the Q7.

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Nissan: I didn’t bother to look. They had the Pathfinder and a 350Z that I strongly dislike. I already had spent a lot of time and I started getting hungry.

Part II

On the second floor there were many non-german brands.

Masserati – Lamborghini – Lotus: They had an Elise, cute car but very small. Then there was a Murcielago and two Gallardos. I have seen the cars many times before and I am still not impressed. Just not my cup of tea. If it came to choose an exotic car, I would take an Aston Martin without second thought. Then there was a Masserati GT (nice one!) and a Quattroporte which is also a very nice car nicely designed like a true Italian car.

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Jaguar – Morgan: I spent much time there. One of dad’s friends is thinking of buying an X-Type which is very cheap here (starting from 38.000€). Very nice car. I like its design a lot, both interior and exterior. Only the plastics should be a little better. About the XJ, very nice car. I like its design very much, very classic and true English. Only the plastics could be a little better. Then there was the new XK. After seeing it IRL I have to say that I don’t like it. The design reminds me a lot of a Ford. I don’t know why, but it doesn’t have that classy look of all Jaguars like the previous XK. It should be more original.

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Ferrari: All the new models were there, but you couldn’t get any closer than 2 meters. Even though at first I didn’t like the new models after seeing the pics, now that I saw the cars IRL I have to say that they look great. Very nice.

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Land Rover: There were all the new models. I saw the new Range Rover sport, which is very big and sporty looking but the plastics are far behind. The plastics of the console look very cheap. About the new Discovery, I don’t like it either. It doesn’t look original now. It should look more like a real Land Rover and not like a prestigious SUV. The same applies to the interior. Not good looking and cheap.

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Cadillac – Hummer – Chevrolet: They were all at the same display. There was the whole Cadillac line-up, a Hummer H3 and the Chevrolet Corvette. Thank God all the cars were locked, and I say thank God because they all had cheap, very cheap plastics that you could easy see from outside. If they let people inside the car they would all complain about them. And the design, typical American. Designed like muscle cars and big, very very big. They should have a more youth appealing design.

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I was negative impressed by the Corvette. VERY CHEAP BUILT. I watched a review of the car in YouTube by Top Gear, and the tester put some force in the rear bumper near the Corvetter emblem (right word?) between the tail lights. If you do it, you will see that the plastic can be easily deformed. Oh, and someone much tell its designers that putting chrome rims on a car is considered a crime in Europe.

Part III: third floor

Jeep – Dodge: Same here. Cheap built and very American. Not my cup of tea. Oh, I liked the Commander.

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Honda: They had an S2000 that I didn’t stop to see. It was already late. Oh, they had another Honda, which costs 70.000€. It was very nice. A nice alternative for the german cars.

Ssang Yong: The last one. There was a Rexton. Very cheap built. I still wonder why it was there.

Near the exit there were some cars in display from FILPA, the greek part of FIVA. There was a 1965 VW with the hood open. It had a great engine. I was very impressed. There was another one, can’t remember the name, and a BMW Isetta. Very funny car. Reminded me of a Smart.

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After three hours I was finally out of the building, after 17 phonecalls by dad who was waiting for me to pick him up. I spotted that Corvette and Ferrari at the parking. Very classic cars.

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Speaking in general, I have to say that I was impressed by most car makers, including all germans and Honda. On the other hand, all American brands failed to meet my expectations. They luck quality and that’s why they are loosing sales. Better quality is the only solution.

I wish Porsche and Lexus were represented in this car show. It seems that Porsche and Lexus Hellas don’t want to advertise their products…


Before and after the show – Having great time

When I have to attend car shows, I usually go alone because I don’t want anyone to put pressure on me to leave or move on. But this time a brought a friend with me, mostly because of his camera
I left for Athens on Saturday afternoon, after picking up my parents who wanted to meet some friends there. The funny thing was that dad wanted to drive instead of me, and I let him, since I was already tired and wanted to sleep. I have to say that a Volvo seat is almost as comfortable as my bed.

On Sunday morning, I left dad and mum at some family friends, picked up another friend and his camera. Spotted some nice cars on our way to the show and after it. After the show, my friend took his car and his gf and we went for lunch. I managed to take some pics of my S60 and his Citroen Xantia.

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Thanks for the time you spent reading my review. Feel free to comment!



NOTE: all photographs are also available in very high format and with out the border for those interested - ok, i know that my pics suck

[Bruce]

Just read the whole thing, superb writing and write up

Originally Posted by Giannis

*Merc1, after seeing the car IRL I have to say one thing. It is not a Flying Brick!

Good to hear I wasn't to fond of the Continental GT until i saw one in the flesh, it's a beautiful vehicle

Originally Posted by Giannis

Then there was a Murcielago and two Gallardos. I have seen the cars many times before and I am still not impressed. Just not my cup of tea. If it came to choose an exotic car, I would take an Aston Martin without second thought.

Sad to hear the Murcielago and Gallardo don't really "do it" for you, i really love those vehicles, they always get my heart pumping.

Can't wait for the pictures

[Mr. M]

Thank you for your very very long writeup Giannis, I'm glad you like the Phaeton.

You certainly have much more to see than my Motorshow.

[CAR-NNOSSEUR]

Great read, take your time with the pics just hurry up!

[Giannis]

updated: pics added!

ok, i know that they are crappy. i didn't know that the camera had an autofocus feuture

[Giannis]

Originally Posted by 7.3 AMG

Just read the whole thing, superb writing and write up

thanks Bruce, did you find it good?

I wasn't to fond of the Continental GT until i saw one in the flesh, it's a beautiful vehicle

yes, it trully is, and even though i didn't expect that, i was impressed. and it is very big too!

[Bruce]

Originally Posted by Giannis

thanks Bruce, did you find it good?

Yeah, i really liked it

[audi_rudy]

great review and pics. You seem to share many of my views on cars as well

[Centurion]

Nice review.