Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Preview Top 10 Geneva Motor Show Cars

Volvo C30

Volvo will want to make much of its new S80 saloon at Geneva, but the real buzz will be around its C30 concept. It’s aimed firmly at Audi’s A3 and the BMW 1-Series and why not? Volvo has quietly built its reputation and desirability to enable to stand alongside the prestige German brands, so the C30 makes a lot of sense.



The trouble is, the designers couldn’t resist a nod at Volvo’s past, hence the weird rear end. It may have looked OK decades ago, but to our eye it’s rather sad in 2006.


Volkswagen Concept A

There will be plenty of concept cars to drool over at Geneva, many of which will go no further than being mere dreams. VW’s Concept A is a sure thing, even though the detail will alter before the final car is launched. This is a Golf-based SUV, with VW’s renowned 4MOTION all-wheel-drive chassis, 20-inch wheels and 150bhp provided by both a supercharger and turbocharger! Concept A is a hatchback without a central pillar; like the Mazda RX-8, it uses ‘suicide doors’. The production car is likely to debut in 2008 – can you wait?

Volkswagen Concept A


Ford Focus CC

Everyone’s getting in on the Coupe Cabriolet act, but the Focus CC is sure to be at the top of the popularity tree when it’s launched later this year. Developed and designed in collaboration with Pininfarina, it gains some Italian style and will also be built in Italy. The Focus CC is the first European Ford with a folding hardtop, and second generation cars like the Focus certainly look a whole lot more coordinated than earlier attempts by the French car companies. Ford claims it will be a full four-seater, but judge that for yourself. Other say the same but it only applies if those in the rear have legs cut off below the knee.

Ford Focus CC

Peugeot 207

Motor shows are about excitement but you can’t ignore the new Peugeot 207. The 206 was big favourite amongst private buyers in the UK and the 207 is set to step into its shoes. Decide before anyone else whether it’s beautiful or ugly – we’re not sure ourselves yet. To add some fun, Peugeot is also bringing along a sports concept model, the 207 RCup, which takes 207 to a new level. With its 280bhp engine, 6-speed sequential gearbox and 18" alloy wheels the 207 RCup could be the design blueprint for a future Peugeot Sport competition programme.

Peugeot 207

Porsche 911 Turbo

Yes, you knew already that the Turbo would look like a regular 911 on steroids but it still makes compulsive viewing. It has a whopping 60bhp more than the outgoing model, its 480bhp on a par with that of the Ferrari F430 and good for 0-62mph in an astonishing 3.9 seconds. Four-wheel drive helps get all that power down on the road. The modified front end gets distinctive, tautly drawn cooling air inlets, while the rear view, which is what most will see on the road, is much more aggressive. Take a look too at the new 911 GT3 Cup, a road racer.

Porsche 911 Turbo

Vauxhall/Opel G

The VX220 has slipped quietly away and it will be another year before we get our hands on its replacement. But what a replacement! The new Opel GT will be shown for the first time at Geneva, the only difference to the Vauxhall being the badges. It’s a full convertible with front engine, rear-wheel drive, which should make it more civilised than the VX220. But it won’t be any slower; the 260bhp turbocharged two-litre engine will make sure of that. The GT will be built in the States and shipped over here; Geneva will be your first chance to see it – and to get you order in.

Vauxhall/Opel G

Lotus Europa

Lotus has played around with the Elise theme a continuously over the past few years but the new Europa is the one that makes most sense. Lotus claims this is more of a Grand Tourer, and when compared to the Elise, the Europa S has a larger boot and easier cabin access. You even get luxuries like a full leather interior, driver and passenger airbags and carpets. None of this is likely to make the Europa anything less than an exhilarating drive, though. The 200bhp Vauxhall turbo engine will make sure of that.

Lotus Europa

Jaguar XK

It will be all over British roads by the summer, but Jaguar’s XK is definitely worth crawling over at the show. The lines look more impressive in the flesh, and you can make you mind up whether the XK really does make the Aston Martin DB9 seem rather pointless. The 4.2-litre V8 isn’t really powerful enough to do that but the XKR version, which just may make an appearance at Geneva, certainly will. Coupe or convertible? Only you can decide.

Jaguar XK

Ferrari 599 GTB

This will be your fist chance to eyeball Ferrari’s stunning new replacement for the 575 Maranello. The Italian supercar manufacturer has learnt its lesson and this time launched its two-seater with a Pininfarina design that brokers controversy but lacks no passion. The Ferrari 599 GTB boasts class-leading power thanks to its 5,999cc V12 - derived directly from the Enzo Ferrari supercar – which produces no less than 620hp. Ferrari has adopted the latest evolution in its tried and tested all-aluminium construction technology for the body and chassis.

Ferrari 599 GTB

Alfa Romeo Brera Spider

The Brera coupe has already been shown and driven, so the new Brera Spider is no big surprise. Except that it is impossible to ignore this stunning Ital Design modelled roadster, with its beautiful flowing lines and a real sense of character. The 2.2 is, of course, front wheel drive, which is hardly the perfect recipe for a sports car, but the engine is feisty enough to promise some fun. More exciting is the 3.2-litre V6, which gains Alfa’s charismatic V6 plus four-wheel drive.

Alfa Romeo Brera Spider