Everyone likes Geneva. At least, that’s the impression given by the industry’s beleaguered PRs and product managers, who spend their lives trekking from one motor show to another, with scarcely a break in between. Geneva is compact, friendly and low key, slap bang in the middle of Europe in a country that has no major home-grown manufacturers to overshadow the efforts of everyone else. Admittedly, some of the romance has evaporated - gone are the days when Nuccio Bertone could drive his latest prototype across the Alps for the show’s opening day, the paint barely dry – but this 77th show still accommodated a welcome smattering of the small and the unusual, as well as a host of major launches. As well as elegance and innovation, there were plenty of potential horrors, including EDAG’s utterly superfluous LUV (Luxury Utility Vehicle) and a parade of unusual concepts from Sbarro and Rinspeed. There was also enough of ostrich-skin, mock-croc and chrome to keep the taste police busy. Ultimately, though, everyone was talking hot air, as EU CO2 quotas loomed and demand for alternative fuel vehicles is starting to outstrip supply. The market is wide open.
01 Bentley Brooklands
Bentley’s new Brooklands coupé is, according to CEO Dr Franz-Josef Paefgen, ‘the ultimate machine for the customer I like to call the ‘gentleman driver’. Essentially a hard-top version of the sumptuous Azure convertible, just 550 of these V8-powered expresses will be hand-made for the marque’s most discerning customers, with a Dunhill-crafted luggage set amongst the many extras. ‘The car should say effortless performance,’ says Bentley’s head of design, Dirk van Brackel, adding that each one will take a mere 600 hours to build.
www.bentleymotors.co.uk
02 Maserati GranTurismo
Pininfarina’s Maserati GranTurismo continues the marque’s revival. Bulkier than its predecessor, the 3200GT, but a full four-seater as a result, the new car is built on the Quattroporte platform to create what the company hopes is the ultimate grand tourer. The styling contains more than a hint of aggression – no perfect proportions here – but the rear-end treatment is especially graceful. V8 power lurks under the long bonnet.
www.maserati.com
03 Zagato Diatto
The motor industry is in the midst of a mad scramble to revive long-lost brands, plundering the archives in search of a notable names that will tempt the more discerning end of the market. Diatto built cars in pre-war Italy, often collaborating with Maserati and Bugatti, before vanishing into the ether. For their 21st century revival of the name, the celebrated Zagato studio has created a flawless GT shape, smooth and polished and rather delectable.
www.zagato.it
04 Audi A5/S5
Keen to keep with the ongoing deluge of big coupés, Audi opened the show by taking the wraps off their long-awaited A5 coupé, together with its high-performance S5 sibling. Designer Walter de Silva spoke proudly of new coupé’s elegant proportions; a soft-top is in the works. Their expansive stand was testament to the huge number of new models on the way in the next year – expect a brace of new small cars to compliment the recent arrival of the range-topping Q7, R8 and now A5.
www.audi.com
05 Toyota Hybrid X
The world’s leading purveyor of hybrid technology took another leap forward with the debut of the Hybrid X, a concept that’s expected to form the basis of the next-generation Prius. Styled in Europe, the car features large expanses of glass, an airy interior and a winning blend of cute and capable detailing, including high-tech instrument clusters, all wrapped around the company’s tried and tested Hybrid Synergy Drive system.
www.hybridsynergydrive.com
06 Honda SHS
Realising that real auto enthusiasts are never going to embrace low-emissions technology if the cars themselves are dull to drive, Honda presented its Small Hybrid Sports Concept to quell the doubters. A notch-backed two-seater sports car, dominated by vast wheels and a large glass area, Honda claim the concept gives a good indication of tomorrow’s hybrid design language.
www.honda.co.uk
07 Opel GTC Concept
With the emphasis firmly on environmental matters, it was surprising that the coupé should still be such a draw; Maserati, Bentley, Audi, even the Chinese manufacturer Brilliance, all brought a new one to the show. Opel’s new GTC concept was a sleek way of displaying the future design direction of General Motors’ European arm. Strip away the excess chrome and you have next year’s mass-market high street cruiser.
www.opel.com
08 Jaguar XJ
A major facelift for Jaguar’s flagship gives it far more presence on the road and a host of new technology. With just three years to run before an all-new – and potentially revolutionary – XK leaves the gates, this hugely underrated car also gets new interior tweaks to make the most of its excellent ride. There’s also an all new XKR Portfolio special edition, with improved levels of trim and a high-performance braking system.
www.jaguar.com
09 Renault Twingo
Almost crushed by the weight of luxury and performance cars, the global debut of Renault’s little Twingo microcar was bright, cheery and soon to be everywhere; the original sold a tidy 2.4 million units. While the first generation car was a bug-eyed novelty that spent its life confined to mainland Europe, the new model has global aspirations. A triumph of compact packaging – although admittedly rather flimsy feeling inside – the new Slovenian-built Twingo is pitched at hip urbanites with high-tech connectivity, customisable accessories and dimensions that shame most manufacturers. All models squeeze under the crucial 140g C02/km limit.
www.renault.com
10 Mercedes C-Class
The big news for the three-pointed star was the arrival of an all-new C-Class, the volume saloon that is the brand’s bread and butter. Taking visual cues from last year’s S-Class – that means a wedgier stance and crisper folds – the new model represents Mercedes’ ongoing attempt to turn itself into a more dynamic, edgier brand.
www.mercedes-benz.com
11 Volvo XC70
Raised up and rugged, the new XC70 is Volvo’s half-way house between all-out SUV and estate car. Now a firmly established segment, the all-new model sports family-friendly features like integrated child booster seats and a configurable loading bay with automatic tailgate. Tank-like construction comes as standard.
www.volvocars.com
12 Lexus LF-A
After showing several versions of this concept around the world, luxury specialists Lexus are finally inching towards production of the LF-A supercar. The big news is that – in common with all Lexus models – this two-seater, 200mph super-coupé will also be available as a hybrid, turning accepted high performance wisdom on its head.
www.lexus.com
Catch up with part two next week...
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