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Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupes, Sports/GTs, Geneva Motor Show, Supercars, Alfa Romeo

The saga of whether Bertone will or will not be at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show to debut its Alfa Romeo B.A.T. 11 concept is over. Automotive News Europe is reporting that the Italign design house will display the vehicle you see above in Geneva, just not at the Palexpo where the auto show is taking place. Bertone’s Vice Chairperson Marie-Jeanne Bertone told AN that her mother Lilli, who is also Bertone’s Chairperson, had cancelled the company’s booth at the Geneva show. Unfortunately, it’s not yet known where within the city limits of Geneva the car will debut. We assume it will be a shady part of town and a password might be required to get in. Despite the highly unorthodox unveiling, the B.A.T. 11 looks every bit as dynamic as the original B.A.T. concepts from which it takes inspiration. Being that it’s based on the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione platform, it probably goes like stink, too. We’ll do our best to infiltrate the Swiss underground scene and bring you back some live shots.

[Source: Automotive News Europe, sub. req’d]

Chicago Auto Show

If you’ve been holding off on a brand new Ford Edge because the styling just wasn’t sporty enough, have we got good news for you. Tonight at a press event in Dearborn, Ford took the wraps from it’s latest trim level of the well received crossover, the 2009 Ford Edge Sport. Featuring some nice design details like perforated alcantera seating surfaces, an 8 piece body kit, smoked headlights, dual exhaust tips, stiffened up performance suspension, and… oh okay, big stinky wheels. The Edge Sport gets polished 20″ wheels standard and 22 incher’s optional, both wrapped in fat Pirelli Scorpion Zeros. And just because you were already thinking it, no, there are no additional ponies riding under that hood. Expect to see the sportier looking Edge at dealers by fall. Keep it parked here for our live Chicago Auto Show coverage as we bring you all the reveals that are fit to print, er, publish.

CHICAGO, Feb. 5, 2008 - Ford is providing still more sizzle for America’s best-selling mid-size crossover, introducing a new factory-customized model - the 2009 Edge Sport.
“The new Ford Edge Sport is designed to instantly appeal to crossover customers who want a sportier custom look and feel,” said John Felice, general manager, Ford Division. “This specialty design reflects the growing popularity of personalization and more customers’ interest in industry shows like the annual Hot Import Nights around the country and the Specialty Equipment Market Association Show in Las Vegas.”

The Sport model - which joins the SE, SEL and Limited models in the range - makes the Ford Edge the first vehicle in its segment to offer a customized model. Its modern, athletic design, flexible package and unique features like VistaRoof™ and SYNC helped sell 130,125 Edge units in 2007, making it the nation’s top-selling crossover. The new Edge Sport model will further distinguish it from competitors.