Geneva Motor Show 2012


stars of geneva motor show
The 82nd Geneva motor show played host to an array of vibrant concepts & production models, from evolutions of electric & hybrid drive, to a radical Bentley SUV, a one off road ready Lambo, & the rebirth of an icon in Peugeot's 208 GTi concept.

Here is a list of the rest of the Geneva show stars:

Aston Martin Vantage

The biggest raft of changes to hit the Vantage since 2008 includes cosmetic tweaks, engineering revisions, & an entirely new body in the form of the V12 Vantage Zagato. The Vantage V8 gets upgrades from the Vantage S to boost agility, while 150 Zagatos are slated for production.

Audi A3

The all new, lighter Audi A3 sports more aggressive styling than the current car, & promises greater luxury & efficiency, too. It's based on a new VW Group platform that will yield a wide range of future models. A saloon will be built for select markets (which includes India), & five door & cabrio variants will join the three door shown at Geneva.

Bentley EXP 9 F concept

As long as a Range Rover, but lower & much more powerful, the Bentley EXP 9 F concept shows off the marque's tentative plans to built a super luxury SUV. In production W12 form, it can reach 290kph, though a diesel V8 & petrol V6 based plug in hybrid are also touted.

Bentley Mulsanne Driving Specification

For those seeking additional agility from their 2.5 tonne saloon, the Bentley Mulsanne Driving Specification pack adds a Sport button to the existing Drive Dynamics control system, yielding more focused responses from the steering & air suspension. New 21in wheels & exterior & interior styling tweaks complete the pack.

BMW M550d

More M Performance fayre, this time in pioneering diesel form. The BMW M550d & M550d Touring are expected to appear in October, following the X5 M50d & X6 M50d's June launch. All use a triple turbo six cylinder diesel engine that'll boast more torque than the M5, mated to an eight speed automatic transmission.

BMW M6

The BMW M6 has been unveiled in coupe & convertible forms. BMW claims supercar levels of performance for their fastest ever two door cars: with a twin turbocharged 4.4 litre V8 producing 552bhp, they have a top speed of 304kph.

BMW X6

The facelifted BMW X6 includes exterior & interior changes, plus a choice of new paintwork shades & leather options. Three petrol & two diesel variants will be available when the refreshed model is released alongside the M Performance diesel X6.

Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport

The most powerful roadster of all time, the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse, will be based on the existing open topped Grand Sport model, but with the significant hikes in power & torque seen on the closed topped Super Sport version. Power increases 197bhp over the Grand Sport to 184bhp.

Dacia Lodgy

Available as a five  or seven seat MPV, the new Dacia Lodgy MPV is the latest addition to the growing model range from the Renault owned Romanian brand.

Ferrari California

A lighter, more powerful version of the Ferrari California has been revealed. New exhaust manifolds & engine mapping have helped Maranello to increase the potency of the California's 4.3 litre V8 to 483bhp, an increase of 30bhp. There's also a 30kg weight reduction & an optional new 'Handling Speciale' package.

Ferrari F12 Berlinetta

360 deposits were taken for the new Ferrari F12 Berlinetta before the car's official unveiling at the Geneva show. It's the fastest & most powerful road car in the prancing horse�s illustrious history, & can crack 0 100kph in just 3.1sec & 0 200kph in just 8.5sec thanks to a 730bhp 6.3 litre V12.

Fiat 500L

The Fiat 500L (the 'L' stands for 'large') will go on sale in early 2013. At 4140mm long, 1780mm wide & 1660mm high, the new five seater is 594mm longer, 153mm wider & 172mm taller than the standard Fiat 500 hatchback. At launch, the Fiat 500L will be available with the choice of two petrol engines & one diesel.

Ford B Max

Rear sliding doors on the new Fiesta based Ford B Max are made possible in a car of its size by incorporating the B pillars into the doors themselves. This creates an opening as wide as 1.5 metres. This is the first time we've seen the baby MPV's interior.

Ford Kuga

Slated for release at the beginning of next year, the new Ford Kuga is larger then the current model & claims to offer more tech, practicality & dynamic ability, too. Ford�s latest all wheel drive system will also be available. It adjusts the power split front to back more than a 100 times a second.

Honda Civic 1.6 diesel

Honda officially unveiled its new 1.6 litre diesel engine at Geneva. The lightweight unit is expected to emit 95g/km of CO2 & produces 118bhp at 4000rpm & 30.55kgm at 2000rpm. Honda claims it will set new class standards for performance & economy in the Civic by the end of 2012.

Honda CR V concept

The Honda CR V concept is close to production spec, having already been launched in very similar visual form in the USA. While Honda remains tight lipped on the details, it is expected that the new CR V, to be built at the company's Swindon plant, will be fitted with company�s long awaited 118bhp 1.6 litre diesel engine.

Hyundai i onic concept

An electric sports hatchback with a range extending petrol engine, the Hyundai i onic concept uses a 1.0 litre, 3 cylinder petrol engine mated via a generator to a lithium ion electric motor which produces 108bhp. The 4.4 metre long i oniq evolves Hyundai�s fluidic sculpture form language, including a 'penthouse roof' design.

Hyundai i20

The facelifted Hyundai i20 has set a new standard for CO2 emissions from a car with a conventional powertrain. When powered by the 74bhp, 1.1 litre, three cylinder diesel engine & equipped with the Korean firm�s Blue Drive tech, the i20 emits just 84g/km   1g/km less than the previous benchmark. It remains to be seen if the new engine will make it to India this year.

Hyundai Veloster Turbo

The Hyundai Veloster Turbo sees the company�s first application of its new 1.6 litre T GDI engine. In European specification, the 1.6 litre engine with twin scroll turbo will produce 183bhp, good for a 0 100kph time of 8.4sec. Changes are also made to the steering, suspension & exhaust for increased sportiness.

Jaguar XF Sportbrake

The rear drive Jaguar XF Sportbrake will be launched in the European markets with volume selling diesel engines by November. It's entirely new from the B pillars back & is said to be just as torsionally stiff as the XF saloon. With the seats up, boot volume is a roomy 550 litres, & maximum load space is 1675 litres.

Lamborghini Aventador J

A one off, road legal roadster, the Lamborghini Aventador J uses the standard car's 690bhp 6.5 litre V12 & four wheel drive, but the pushrod suspension has been modified & deep running structural changes allow roofless configuration, weight reduction, & aerodynamic tweaks to increase downforce.

Maserati GranTurismo Sport

Replacing the GranTurismo S, the Maserati GrandTurismo Sport gets a revised 454bhp 4.7 litre V8 engine, which gives a 300kph top speed & a 0 100kph time of 4.7sec. Two transmissions choices will be offered: a six speed torque converter automatic & optional six speed sequential manual transaxle �box.

Mercedes A class

The launch range of the new Mercedes A class will be 107bhp & 136bhp turbocharged 1.8 litre common rail diesels & a turbocharged 1.6 litre direct injection petrol unit in two states of tune, producing either 154bhp or 120bhp. Later hot versions will include a 250bhp front driver & the four wheel drive, 300bhp A25 AMG.

Mercedes SL63 AMG

A 'Performance Package' option was announced at the launch of the new Mercedes SL63 AMG, which will boost the twin turbo 5.5 litre V8's output from 530bhp to 557bhp. Kerb weight drops significantly from the previous car, & the new SL63 is differentiated from lesser sixth generation SLs by an extensive body kit.

Mini Clubvan concept

The two seat Mini Clubvan concept loses the Clubman's side windows & boasts a larger cargo space, yielding 1200 litres compared to the Clubman's 920 litres (with seats folded). It's described by BMW as a �compact lifestyle van for business & leisure � the first of its kind in the premium segment�.

Mitsubishi Outlander

The all new Mitsubishi Outlander's exterior looks little changed from the PX MiEV II concept seen at the Tokyo show. Cabin materials & sound insulation are improved over the current car, & a host of driver aids are introduced. A 2.0 litre petrol & 2.2 litre clean diesel will be joined by a plug in hybrid later.

Nissan Invitation concept

The B segment Nissan Invitation concept combines, compactness & agility of a supermini with the generous cabin space of a baby SUV, & is rumoured to preview a more dynamic replacement for the Note. The most frugal engine choice is likely to be a supercharged 1.0 litre unit emitting less than 100g/km of CO2.

Peugeot 208 GTi concept

The Peugeot 208 GTi Concept is proof that Peugeot is serious about augmenting its hatchback range with a performance model that harks back to the 205 GTi. Based on the three door version of Peugeot�s new hatchback, the concept is powered by the four cylinder, 1.6 litre twin cam turbocharged engine from the RCZ THP 200.

Range Rover Evoque Cabriolet concept

Land Rover says the Range Rover Evoque convertible concept will �explore the potential for the world's first premium convertible SUV', & a decision on production could be made as soon as four to six weeks after Geneva. Engineers say about 75kg of strengthening would be needed compared to the tin top.

Rolls Royce Phantom

The Rolls Royce Phantom Series II is only distinguishable from before by a series of subtle styling tweaks, but packs a new eight speed automatic gearbox in place of the existing six speeder, new rear differential & features revised cabin electronics. Power is unchanged but there are improvements in economy & emissions.

Skoda Citigo five door

Like the three door version, the new five door Skoda Citigo will initially be powered by a 1.0 litre three cylinder petrol engine in two power guises. The five door car should account for the majority of sales when both body styles go on sale.

SsangYong XIV 2 concept

The SsangYong XIV 2 concept is a successor to the similar concept that was on display at the Frankfurt show late last year. It's a crossover SUV convertible & features a one touch automatic opening soft top, pram style roof. It has been designed for a global audience & targeted at the younger generation.

Suzuki G70 concept

Said to return 26.5kpl & emit less than 70g/km of CO2 from its 800cc turbo petrol engine, the Suzuki G70 is the Japanese manufacturer's sketch of a global small car. Economy is aided by direct injection, a tiny kerb weight of 730kg, regenerative brakes, a new CVT transmission & stop start.

Tata Megapixel concept

A range extended EV that could achieve emissions of 22g/km of CO2 & return 90kpl has been revealed in the form of the Tata Megapixel concept. Tata chiefs revealed last year that a production version of the Pixel would make it to Europe instead of the proposed European version of the Nano.

Volkswagen Up concepts

The Volkswagen Up concepts revealed in Geneva   Swiss Up, Winter Up, X Up & Cargo Up   demonstrate potential avenues for the development of the new city car. Cosmetic & functional changes include new paintwork shades, electronic differential locks for snowy conditions, & up to 1400 litres of cargo space.

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