Swiss Style

The Swiss city of Geneva is hardly thought of as an epicentre of automotive creativity, but once a year the global motor industry descends upon it with all its might to showcase its wares and attempt to get one over on key rivals.

Due to it being one of the smaller shows in terms of physical size there’s a greater emphasis on choosing wisely; what you see on the stands tends to be the cream of the crop. It also means making an impact is crucial, and arguably no car did that more than Bentley’s EXP 9F concept. Whether you think it is pretty is a matter of personal opinion, but with that trademark nose, huge 23-inch wheels and a cabin that required several forests and a herd of cows to complete, there’s no doubting it will be a no-brainer for some wealthy buyers.

Over on the Volkswagen stand the Cross Coupé diesel-electric hybrid was almost constantly surrounded by crowds of people. Although Volkswagen is adamant it won’t be built, it was one of very few cars that it was impossible to get close to. There’s huge interest in it from all quarters and Volkswagen might change their minds if sales of Peugeot and Citroen’s similar Hybrid4 system take off.

Land Rover’s Evoque Convertible concept was one of those rare show cars - one that’s managed to prompt genuine surprise from the assembled media. The UK firm is on a roll with a steady stream of new products, and the drop-top Evoque is a bold statement of intent from the maker of the smash hit Evoque SUV. Tentatively described as a concept car by Land Rover bosses, it can’t be long before the only modification will be a tax disc holder.

Any motor show that has a new Ferrari within its halls is going to go down in the history books. The F12 Berlinetta is the replacement for the 599 GTB Fiorano, and is certainly a fitting crown to the Ferrari range. Using a development of the V12 engine already seen in the FF, it has 730 bhp to make it the most powerful production Ferrari ever. It combines jaw-dropping looks with electric performance – top speed is uncomfirmed but is reputed to be over 211 mph, with 0-62 mph taking only 3.1 seconds. Ferrari claims to have already taken over 350 orders with a price tag in excess of £250,000.

There was huge promise on show at the Mitsubishi stand as the Japanese firm revealed the latest generation Outlander. A smart redesign inside and out has moved it several notches up the quality scale and a stack of new safety systems are a real boost to its showroom appeal. But the planned 2013 plug-in hybrid version is the real news; with the potential for under 50g/km CO2 emissions it could be the first SUV that’s better for the environment than even the cleanest city car.

It is this that is one of the joys of Geneva. With a relatively confined space there’s enough room for the little guys to shine and take centre stage, and you can go from Alfa Romeo to Zagato in just a few hundred yards. The Swiss motor industry may be limited, but while the Geneva show is still running it will be the annual pilgrimage of choice.

Key changes under the skin for new Audi A3

A new A3 has been unveiled as Audi’s headline act for the 2012 Geneva show, although at first glance it’s hard to spot the difference.

The new car duplicates the silhouette of the outgoing model very closely, and even sharper light clusters can’t disguise the obvious similarities – although from some angles it looks more like a larger A1. The interior fit and finish has been improved though, setting new standards in the segment.

There are other areas of success to report with the new car. Aluminium wings and bonnet construction as part of an ‘Audi ultra’ lightweight tech package contributes to an overall weight saving of 80 kg, allowing the most economical version to escape road tax altogether at 99g/km of CO2.

The 1.4 TFSI petrol model weighs only 1,175 kg, making it astonishingly lightweight for the class and size of car.

Three four-cylinder engines will be available at launch, thoroughly revised from existing platforms. Two turbocharged petrols, a 120 bhp 1.4 and a 178bhp 1.8, join a 2.0-litre diesel with 141bhp. The 1.8 will be linked to the S Tronic dual-clutch transmission as standard while the other two will use six-speed manuals.

The tax-evading 99g/km 1.6 diesel model will become available further into the model’s life.

The latest online infotainment package is installed, including Audi’s most advanced MMI user interface, with internet access and live traffic updates possible.

The A3 has been a huge success for Audi and the developments don’t stop here. Later in the year another 1.4 petrol version will arrive, with a cylinder-deactivation system like that recently seen on the Bentley Continental V8 . It will help boost fuel economy even further.

Citroen C4 Aircross breaks cover

French car maker Citroen chose the Geneva Motor Show to debut its new C4 Aircross compact SUV. Positioned to compete in a rapidly expanding market of ‘soft-roader’ SUVs, the C4 Aircross is a five-seater car with a noticeable focus on details such as the car’s LED lights.

The range will be biased towards front-wheel drive, with only select models offered with all-wheel drive. Power will come from 1.6 and 1.8-litre motors, while there will be a range of transmissions depending on fuel choice.

Alongside the Aircross, Citroen also unveiled refreshed C1 and Berlingo models, plus wheeled out a full compliment of DS variants.

Grand entrance for BMW’S Gran Coupe

Alongside various M-badged cars, BMW’s 6 Series Gran Coupe took pride of place on its maker’s Geneva Motor Show stand. The car, as its name implies, is a new model that’s been spun off BMW’s existing 6 Series coupe platform.

Aiming to steal sales away from the likes of Mercedes’ successful CLS, the 6 Series Gran Coupe is another in a growing number of streamlined four-door coupe-like cars that offers the best of both worlds: coupe styling and saloon versatility. Powering the Gran Coupe is a range of advanced petrol and diesel engines, while an eight-speed auto gearbox will be standard fit across the range.

Also on the BMW stand was the firm’s hot new M6 coupe and a selection of vehicles boasting the firm’s new range of high performance diesel engines. Available for 5 Series, X5 and X6, these new triple-turbocharged diesel engines are said to offer M Power-like performance but with more sensible running costs.

Show-stopping Evoque drops its top

Clearly on a roll since the launch of its Evoque SUV, Land Rover chose the Geneva Motor Show to unveil a convertible version of its popular 4x4. Company bosses were keen to stress that the Evoque Convertible was just a design and engineering study, but it’s clear that it wouldn’t take much to put this car on the road.

Boasting that the drop-top Evoque was the only genuine convertible SUV with production potential, Land Rover executives appeared bullish at the motor show press conference and said they were keen to gauge public opinion before making any more progress with the concept.

Industry experts have observed that there is potential for such a car with the right badge, and there’s obviously no question that the Evoque in regular tin-top guise has done much in its short life to boost sales and raise the profile of the Range Rover brand amongst younger buyers.

We’ll just have to wait and see if Land Rover can make a business case for such a car, which, judging by the mood at the show, shouldn’t be too long.

Bugatti unveils record-busting Veyron

Already well-known as the world’s fastest production car, Bugatti has raised the bar even higher by unveiling the Grand Sport Vitesse version of the Veyron. By adding enlarged turbochargers and intercoolers the power output has been increased by almost 200 bhp to take it to a vast 1,184 bhp, alongside the mammoth torque output of 1,106 lb.ft. Reduced back pressure in the exhaust system has not only liberated more power but also reduced fuel consumption. Remarkably this super-powerful Veyron still has a convertible roof which will undoubtedly make it the world’s fastest convertible by some margin.

A top speed of 255 mph and a 0-62 mph time of only 2.6 seconds is quoted, although achieving those kind of speeds with the roof down will be impossible. Unsurprisingly Bugatti have also made changes to the chassis in order to cope with the extra performance. The dampers have been retuned, there are lighter 20-inch alloy wheels and the brakes have larger cooling ducts.

Prices are as yet unconfirmed but the Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse will certainly cost in excess of £1 million when it goes on sale later this year.

Hot Fiesta breaks cover

Hot on the heels of the recent debut of Ford’s Focus ST, the Blue Oval unveiled its little brother at the Geneva Motor Show. The displayed production ready Fiesta ST is the latest piece in Ford’s performance jigsaw, and promises an affordable entry into the world of hot hatch motoring.

In a departure from the previous Fiesta ST, this latest models packs not 2.0-litres but 1.6-litres of petrol power. This is due to Ford’s new downsized Ecoboost range of turbo petrol motors. However, keen drivers won’t be shortchanged as this Fiesta produces a healthy 180 bhp.

Complete with a tasteful bodykit and developed by Ford’s in-house Team RS performance outfit, much is expected of the Fiesta ST. All the right features appear to be present though, with the car boasting a lower stance than the regular model plus the usual sports seats and ST-themed design cues in the cabin.

Kia showcases new concepts

Kia has used the Geneva show to flex its technological muscles and turn on the style, displaying four concept cars alongside its brand new European-targeted Cee’d.

The Cee’d, which as ever is designed, built and sold in Europe, is Kia’s rival to cars like the Ford Focus and Toyota Auris.

At 4.3 metres it’s longer than before but also lower and sleeker. It was designed partially with the help of wind tunnel testing, to aid aerodynamics as well as the looks. Kia is also citing high-tech equipment, higher-quality materials and more efficient engines across the range. Petrol and diesel engines, in both 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre guises, will make it to the UK offering between 89bhp and 133bhp.

The star of Kia’s concepts is the Track’ster, a souped-up and rather fantastic version of the Soul. Lowered, with chunky wheels, big Brembo brakes and smoothed bodywork, it’s also fitted with a new engine for Geneva.

84g/km Hyundai i20 revealed

Hyundai’s next assault on the supermini segment has been uncovered on the company’s stand at Geneva, claiming to have the lowest CO2 emissions of any conventional-engined car on sale. The i20 hatchback features a slightly more conservative version of Hyundai’s ‘fluidic sculpture’ design language when compared to the existing ix20 that uses the same chassis, but it makes very bold claims regarding efficiency.

Of four engine options that will be available at the car’s launch, a 1.1-litre three-cylinder diesel designated ‘U-II’ will emit just 84g/km of CO2, not just escaping road tax now but almost certainly future-proofing it against road tax pricing boundary changes for years to come.

The other diesel, a 1.4-litre unit, also dips under the free road tax barrier at 96g/km. The i20 looks like a very cheap car to run at this stage.

Despite the styling changes the i20 has exactly the same width and height as the older model. Some people might be disappointed not to see more adventurous styling in the i20, but its low running costs and sheer efficiency are sure to win customers when it reaches the UK later this year.

Show-stopping Ferrari raises the game

Of all the manufacturers at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show it is the Ferrari stand that has a queue of people waiting to be let through, and the star of its display is the brand-new F12 Berlinetta.

Replacing the 599 GTO Fiorano, the F12 is both the flagship of the current Ferrari range and also the most powerful road car it has ever produced. Following the template set by the previous model, the F12 is a 2+2 coupe with a front-mid mounted V12 engine, driving the rear wheels through an F1-inspired dual-clutch seven-speed transmission.

The vast 6.3-litre power unit is a development of that seen in the FF, but with extra power and torque it delivers a remarkable 730 bhp and 509lb.ft of torque, with 80% of that torque available from just 2,000rpm. Unsurprisingly the performance figures are sensational: 0-62mph is completed in 3.1 seconds, 0-124 mph in only 8.5 seconds and the top speed is quoted as ‘over 211 mph’ – 220 mph is not out of the question.

It is also a more visually arresting design, with F1-inspired aerodynamics including brake vents that close when not needed to improve the drag coefficient and a so-called ‘Aero Bridge’ along the bonnet which diverts air from the wheels and along the curves in the doors. It combines this efficient aero performance with the drama and presence that a top-drawer Ferrari needs; judging by the response the assembled crowds the legendary Italian firm has another winner on its hands. Expect to pay over £250,000 and have a long wait, with UK sales not expected before 2013.

Lamborghini goes roofless with Aventador J

Grabbing the headlines and attention on the Lamborghini stand was the Aventador J, an even more extreme version of its remarkable supercar.

Not just dispensing with a roof, the Aventador J has only small wind deflectors in place of the windscreen, meaning that the driver and passenger will need protective headgear. The incredible 691 bhp 6.5-litre V12 is carried over from the coupe but with less weight (now down to 1,575 kg) thanks to no sat-nav or air conditioning the performance should be even more spectacular.

Inside the open cockpit the Aventador J has a new type of patented carbonfibre fabric called Carbonskin. Combining traditional carbonfibre weave with an expoxy resin results in a bold pattern that will be comfortable and extremely hard wearing.

Lamborghini confirmed that the J is a one-off and has already been sold to a lucky customer for 2.1 million Euros, but it does point towards an eventual production Aventador Roadster.

Public debut for Mercedes A-Class

Like a Golf but not a Golf – that’s the short version explaining the new A-Class from Mercedes. The Geneva show was the venue for the car’s public debut, and a lot is riding on its future success.

Keen to be part of the mainstream hatch market, Mercedes has opted for a more conventional approach to five-door motoring. More streamlined than the recently launched B-Class, the entry-level car in range could be viewed as the least Mercedes-like car it’s produced in years.

This is, however, a time of evolution for the car maker, and the A-Class is evidence of the marque seeking out new sectors outside of its traditional comfort zone in a bid to remain top dog in the premium market.

And make no mistake, you won’t be slumming it in A-Class. From the car’s advanced, frugal and refined engines to a wealth of safety and comfort kit – including full integration of Apple’s latest devices – the A-Class experience promises to be a cut above the rest.

Volkswagen’s 157 mpg SUV ‘concept’

One of Volkswagen’s star Geneva attractions has come in the Cross Coupé concept, a 157 mpg, 46g/km SUV – but Volkswagen is refusing to say whether it will go mainstream. It uses a complex hybrid system combining a powerful TDI diesel engine with two electric motors and a battery pack allowing running on electric power for up to 28 miles.

The TDI diesel now makes 187 bhp and 295lb.ft of torque. The Cross Coupé is good for a total output of 301 bhp and a huge maximum of 516lb.ft, which shifts its 1,858 kg weight to 62mph in 6.5 seconds.

The driver can choose to use the engine to charge the batteries, for example when approaching a built-up area. There’s also an off-road setting that ensures all four wheels are driven.

On top of those two engine modes there is the obligatory Sport mode, which gives the driver full power from every part of the drivetrain.

In size the Cross Coupe sits between the Golf and the Tiguan.The boot is 380 litres, or 1,280 with the rear seats folded down.

Hotter Mini Countryman on the way

Most attention has lately been focused on Mini’s new Coupe and Roadster pairing, but at the Geneva Motor Show the firm unveiled a new, more powerful addition to its Countryman range.

Until now a hot John Cooper Works edition of the Countryman has been missing from the five-door car’s line-up, but that has now changed. Packing a 215 bhp turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol motor, the Countryman ‘JCW’ can sprint to 60mph in 7.0 seconds and the engine includes an over boost function for enhanced overtaking.

Unlike other JCW cars, executives say the Countryman’s sports suspension offers a softer ride than the usual hard-core settings of the regular Mini hatch.