Straightline

Maybe you remember the name Geely? It was the first Chinese car company to show a car at the Detroit auto show in 2006. The display vehicle was a pathetic attempt at a sedan that left many wondering if it was a serious car company.

Now take a look at this Geely concept. It's called the Tiger GT and it's the one car at the show that always has a crowd around it. Sure, the models hanging on it help, but most of the credit goes to the Italian-looking bodywork that makes it look like a misshapen Maserati.

According to the brief spec sheet, the Geely GT has a 3.5-liter V6 up front that produces 225 horsepower and 340 pound-feet of torque. It sends power to the rear wheels that measure 19 inches in diameter and wear 255/40ZR tires. The suspension is only described as "multilink" front and rear.

It will be a long time before a car like the Geely Tiger GT ever hits the road. The fact that it even exists in concept form is probably a triumph for Geely's designers and accountants. The company is moving fast, though, so don't be surprised if Geely's next Detroit concept gets more claps than laughs. -- Ed Hellwig, Lead Senior Editor, Inside Line