A German supplier takes a walk on the design side: Paragon built the Artega GT to demonstrate its ability to innovate. It's a showcase that will actually go on sale several months from now, in limited quantities.


Paragon Artega GT is notable especially for its dashboard layout, not surprisingly from a company known for its instrumentation and A/C systems.

GENEVA — German automotive supplier Paragon unveiled a new rolling showcase of its capabilities at the Geneva auto show. Its Artega GT coupe was engineered entirely in-house and is backed by industry heavyweights.

Klaus-Dieter Frers, CEO of Paragon, looked very pleased at the Geneva show. His Artega was penned by former Aston designer-turned coachbuilder and industrial stylist Henrik Fisker, and it attracted the serious attention of a few carmakers at the show who were particularly attracted to the new dashboard layout. Paragon supplies air-conditioning systems, instrumentation and other components to the auto industry, and it incorporated all its knowledge in the Artega.

The Artega is powered by a 300-horsepower 3.6-liter Volkswagen engine that propels the sleek coupe to a claimed 167-plus mph. Apart from the engine, all components were built in-house, including the aluminum space frame and the six-speed direct-shift gearbox.

Paragon hired Karl-Heinz Kalbfell, who has previously worked for BMW, Rolls-Royce, Fiat and other carmakers. His presence highlighted Artega's debut and provided even more publicity opportunities for the company.

There'll be just a limited run of Artegas produced. Deliveries will start next summer, and final specifications will be revealed closer to the on-sale date.

What this means to you: A supplier goes for the glamour side of the industry, apparently with good results.

Source: http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...cleId=119919#1

 

For a very good looking exterior.

For a nav/stereo unit that angles down to the floor.

 

Everything looks pretty cool, except the front. It has a really large mouth. Oh, and yeah, I'm not feelin' the interior either.

@ the Geneva Motor show

 

On the fence with this one. From the side view, it looks very unproportional.

 

It looks like someone inbreeded a porsche and a ferrarri.

 

+1

which is a sacrilegious thing

 

It's got a little Lotus to it, too.

 

Car looks great IMO.

 

Can't believe they stated that the dash layout was notable!!!

Yeah, notable as in it dates back to 1974!!