Common consent would seem to be that the 2010 Geneva Show has been one of the best for many years, and after spending an entire day walking my legs short(er), I am inclined to agree. Indeed, in one day, of 10 hours from show opening to closing, it was impossible to see everything, let along have a really good look at all the exhibits, but I certainly tried. With a very comprehensive coverage of all the new models already provided in various online sources, this report focuses more on my impressions, and some more photos (561 of them!) of the show.Enjoy!

ABARTH

Three cars on this stand: a Punto, a 500 and an example of the new 500C. The Punto has been treated to the base Evo upgrade, which I am gradually getting used to.

However, it is 500 that I really like. I sat in it, and I just fit the tight bucket seats perfectly. I am optimistic that I will get to sample one in a few weeks time. Watch this space!  ACThe familiar Cobra styling in its latest Mark VI incarnation was the sole car on this stand.

ALFA ROMEOWorld premiere for the new Giulietta, a car that has been declared “make or break” for Alfa. Having only seen it in studio pictures, I was unsure what to think. In the metal, I think it does look good. The front end works better on this than it does on the Mito, and although there are elements of the car that look Bravo-esque, it does look sufficiently different from the Fiat in reality. The inside will still not trouble Audi – with the exception of some gorgeous tan leather seats, and some of the plastics are of an odd texture, but it’s not bad, and certainly that bit different. This is one of 2010’s new cars that I really want to try on the road.

There was an 8C Competizione on the stand, which was being admired as ever. Rumours abound that we might see a 4C version later this year. Fingers crossed.Sole reminder that this is Alfa’s Centenary year came with an early model from the Museo Storico collection.ALPINAThere were examples of the B3 and D3 variants of the 3 series and the B7 on this stand. Lose the admittedly characteristic graphics, and the concept of what Alpina does is quite appealing. In contrast to some of the far less tastefully modified cars, even with the visual changes, these cars are quite discrete!

ARTEGAAnother showing for the German Cayman-rivalling coupe. A recent change of ownership of the company may see them get this rather good looking product to market. Here’s hoping.

ASTON MARTINThere were examples of the familiar range, as you would expect, and these all look good, even though they are now pretty familiar.

The new Rapide was on a turntable, and I heard a mix of reactions from other show-goers, ranging from “gorgeous”, to “gosh, that is very big”, to “it is too big”. I am sure the car will sell well, but time will tell.It will also be interesting to see how the Cygnet performs. Every panel may be different from the iQ, but it still looks just like one with an Aston grille on it.AUDIA huge stand, and one which was still busy as the covers were being put on after the show closed.

Highlight for me was the RS5. It was fenced off, so you could not sit in it, but to all intents and purposes, this looks like a standard S5, which is no bad looker, but with a very interesting sounding engine under the bonnet. It will not be cheap, but I have the feeling it will be rather good.

Of far more significance in sales volume terms, is the new A1. Neatly styled and finished to true Audi-like standards, I suspect that this car will do very well.There was a lone example of the new A8, which I find to be visually a retrograde step from the outgoing model, but it was joined by a concept hybrid version as well.Audi had clearly decided to have another go at persuading us that their version of Toilet Brown is a nice colour, and three stand cars were ruined by being presented in this truly revolting hue. The cars were far from revolting, as they were an RS6 Avant, a TT RS and the new R8 Spider.BENTLEYThe Continental Supersports Convertible, painted in a sort of buttermilk yellow was making its debut here. This car does look far more purposeful than the GTC on which it is based, as does the Coupe version that was alongside.

I am still not entirely convinced by the new Mulsanne, but there was one here to get another look.The car hidden away at the back of the stand was probably there for good reason. Would you really want a car in this colour? It is from the list of options, thankfully!BERTONESpectacular. There is no other word!

BMWAs ever, BMW had a row of white painted cars, high up above the stand, emblazened with the “Efficient Dynamics” message.

At people level, there were plenty of cars to see, many of them making their show debut. Most important in sales volume terms was the new 5 Series. I had a good look at this, and it certainly impresses with its quality interior and decent roominess (though the boot is smaller than on the A6/S6).There was a concept Active Hybrid 5 Series on show, along with X6 and 7 series models.A representative sample of the full range populated a large stand. The X6M did not seem to be generating as much interest as the facelifted X5. The X1 starred in that rather unfortunate toilet brown colour that it also sported at Frankfurt.   BUFORIGulp! Twice. Different, for sure, but I don’t think anyone seemed to like these, and whenever I was in the vicinity at least, no-one had ventured on to the stand to discuss a possible purchase.

BUGATTIThere were 2 of the Grand Sport versions of the Veyron on this stand.

BYDBuild Your Dreams, a Chinese manufacturer, whose principal offering is a derivative of the old US/Asian model Toyota Corolla were here again. Sadly, the build quality does not look to have improved, with some particularly nasty sharp lumps of metal in the inner boot skin, with no protection for you, your fingers or your luggage.

They are exploring the hybrid technology route, and the new E6 concept was an example of their thinking. Hmm……….. but there was far worse from China!CADILLACRepresentatives of all the different CTS models were on the stand.

There was also a new SRX.CHEVROLETThe new Spark has just gone on sale.

There were concept car showings for what should emerge as the next generation Aveo and the Orlando.Several examples of the Corvette were at the show. This is a ZR-1 version.CITROENThree concept cars on this stand. Two of them shared a turntable. These are the Survolte and the Revolte.

Tucked away at the back, in an area where the lights changed so fast that photos were a challenged, is a concept version of what we are likely to see as the DS4 later this year. Looked almost production ready.The DS3 is with us now, and it was getting lots of attention. I am not in its Fan Club!. The DS3 Racing was also there and I really don’t care for this at all.The new C3, by contrast, looks quite neat, though the interior is still rather cheap looking.The CZero is slated for sale later this year. It is a rebadged version of the Mitsubishi iMIEV.No evidence of the current C4 production cars, but this WRC car was on show.DACIATop billing went to the new Duster, which dominated the stand. Taking the concept that made the Logan and Sandero such as success to the SUV market could find a ready market indeed.

DAIHATSUNothing new on this stand, but a full array of the current cars were there to look at:

DRIf I had to hand out a prize for comedy value, it would go to the DR range. Truly truly dreadful.

FERRARI

The biggest crowds of the show surrounded this stand. There were several cars on it, but there were also lots of people and when I went back at 7:45pm, they had put covers on everything. So, only pictures of a couple of the cars, but including the Hybrid version of the 599.FIATNew car was the 2 cylinder version of the much-loved 500, with some impressive gains in performance and emissions.

Plenty of other familiar cars completed the stand.FISKERThe elegant Karma saloon was making an appearance both on Fisker’s own stand and also on Valnet’s stand which had a variety of different eco-cars.

FORDMost important new car showing here, clearly, is the new Focus. A 5 door hatch and the Estate were both on turntables. The door of the hatch was open so you could see inside, and it is clear that the interior is a massive step forward from the current car. I am less convinced by the external styling which just looks that bit bland.

The estate really does look like a scaled down Mondeo.The new  C-Max and Grand C-Max were also on show. There were clear notices in every window saying the cars were locked, but just about everyone seemed to tuck at the handles in the hope that they could get into them.Facelifted S-Max and Galaxy cars were also on the stand. The interiors of these cars have also been upgraded more than somewhat.  There were plenty of current production cars on show, too.FONASARIEvery year, at Geneva, these rather odd devices appear, and that’s it. I’ve never seen one on the roads, and on the evidence of these, that’s the way it should stay!.

GUIGIAROThese three EMAS cars were labelled as developed with input from Lotus. There was a massive amount of interior room in the five door version.

GUMPERTAnother show appearance for this brutally ugly and incredibly fast Apollo model.

HAMANNA reminder – not that it is needed – that taste and money are not always that closely related!

HISPANO SUIZAA rebody of the Audi R8 produced this.

A classic Hispano-Suiza H6B from 1928 joined it on the stand.HONDAEuropean debut for the CR-Z. A two seater with joke back seats, it looks better than I was expecting. Will be interesting how well it sells, with its hybrid drive train.

Among all the familiar cars on the stand, Honda had several of the production Insight models, and a couple of concepts:  the EV-N is based on the styling theme of the old N360/600 cars. It is really tiny.HYUNDAIThe i-Flow was the most spectacular car on this stand. Looks quite a long way from production in many details, but we will have to wait for the i40 to see just how far away it is.

INFINITIEuropean debut for the 5-series rivalling M cars, with a petrol M37 and a hybrid M35 on show.

The EX and FX cars were badged 30d, but as the bonnets stayed resolutely shut, they looked identical to the more familiar petrol powered cars.JAGUAR

Three examples of the new XJ on show. Stunning.

I also like the XF-R and this white car looks very similar to the Cooking diesels, which appeals to me, but, of course it has rather more urge under the bonnet.JEEPNothing new on the Jeep stand, which look rather lonely, with lots of space, and few cars. There was, however, an early Jeep on the AutoClub Schweiz stand. Marvellous!

KIABelieve it or not, the car I had to wait longest to get some clear photos was the new Sportage. I still think the huge rear pillar results in bulky external looks and poor rear visibility, but the car was certainly attracting a lot of attention. and most of the comments seemed very positive.

The Kia Ray is a concept car at present, but indicative of the sort of hybrid development work underway at Kia.On the main stand there was plenty of other evidence of technology research, with both regular cars on sale now, and this Lithium Ion battery powered Venga. In Hall 3, the recently revealed Forte Hybrid was also on show.KING SAUD UNIVERSITYWhat can I say?

KOENIGSEGGThe new Agera was the star of this 2 car stand.

LAMBORGHINIA three car stand, with the newly revealed Gallardo LP560-4 Superleggera the centrepiece, complete with its striking green paint.

LANCIA/CHRYSLERA combined stand for Lancia and Chrysler, with nothing new to see.

LAND-ROVER

An example of each of the different models in the range comprised the exhibits on this stand. Very nice.

LEXUSThe LF-A made another appearance here. Splendid.

Production reality now is the CT200h, which seemed to be being ignored by everyone. It certainly holds little appeal to me, but it would seem I was not alone in thinking this.LOTUSFour cars on the stand: 2 x Elise and 2 x Evora

LUMENEOBizarre!

MANSORYMore from the department of Different Taste. Words fail me, and the pictures might act as a reminder that I could do without, but here goes.

MASERATIRepresentatives of the three production models were all on the stand.

MAZDAI looked long and hard for the new 5, and failed to spot it. The old model was featured, though, including this Concept Hybrid version.

Making its debut was the subtly facelifted 6.Celebrating 20 years since its European debut was this example of the original MX5.MERCEDES-BENZA massive stand, which is needed when you have as large a range as Mercedes now enjoys. Special treatment was reserved for the F800 Concept. I have to say that in the metal, I really liked this. It is smaller than I was expecting, and really is only C Class sized. The doors clearly will not make production like that. but if the rest of is close to a car we will be able to buy in a couple of years time, I would applaud that.

My favourite current Mercedes is the SLS, and there were lots of people crowded around the white car on the stand. I was worried to see that everyone who got out of it (lucky buggers getting in it in the first place!) managed to bang their head on the gull wing door, but I am sure you quickly learn the technique!The new E Class cabrio was making its debut. Beautifully finished inside, but I still don’t get on with the looks, sadly.Plenty of more familiar cars were on the stand, too.  MINIAnticipating a crush on this stand, it was actually the first place I visited. I wanted to see the new Mini Countryman. I have to say I was surprised. Firstly because the exterior looks rather less gawky when you see in the metal than it did in the pictures, and secondly because the interior quality is far worse than I was expecting. The door casings and the dash are made of a particularly hard and nasty plastic that looks cheap even before you touch it. There is notably more space for people, but the boot remains small in absolute terms, and for the external size of the car, woeful. A real let down, then.

In a separate display in Hall 3, there was an example of the Mini E.The Beachcomber concept was on the Steyr stand, in recognition of the Graz-based firm who built it for Mini.MITSUBISHINew production car is the ASX, a small-ish SUV. It does look sufficiently different to the Outlander when you see it, and it is smaller, thus providing a competitor to the new Kia Sportage and Hyundai ix35/Tucson.

The concept car that likely does presage the next Outlander was making another appearance.MORGANI sense a real confidence at Morgan these days, and this was evidenced by a fairly sizeable stand with 7 cars on it, and a couple of examples of the replica of the early Morgans that are yours for your children in exchange for a four figure sum.

NISSANThere was an even bigger let down on the Nissan stand: the new Micra. Visually rather dull to look at, this one has an indescribably cheap and nasty feel to the interior. If you did not know it was made in India, you would guess that would be its provenance. With a vague feeling wand-like gearshift, I have the feeling this one will sink to pretty much the bottom of the class.

Surprisingly, I managed to keep control of the insides of my stomach when I saw the much derided Juke in the metal. It is certainly different, but it may just get away with its bold styling, which did actually look rather more like a scaled down Murano than I was expecting. Whilst that is not a compliment, and i would not want one, I can imagine there are people who might. It also has a far nicer quality ambience inside.The Leaf, Nissan’s electric car, was on a turntable, and looks like it could be an interesting proposition for this market segment when it goes on sale next year.The big-selling Qashai recently had a subtle facelift, though you might not notice!The Cube has certainly taken off in America, but I have yet to see them on the roads of the UK. Again, a more interesting option than that disappointing new Micra.Most interesting Nissan, of course, is the GT-R. Thronged with people until after the show had closed, this has probably taken over the position that the Impreza and Evo had as a “bargain” priced performance car. It’s not cheap, but for what it does, I guess you could say that it is.  All the other cars from the current range were there, too, including the Pixo.OPELThe new Meriva made its debut. This really is a big car, and as I had already discovered that it is longer than a Scenic, perhaps I should not be surprised. Looks very Vauxhall=Opel esque with clear links externally and internally to the new Astra. Worthy but dull.

The Flextreme GT-E was more interesting. It was presented alongside what looks like a production ready Ampera.PAGANITwo cars here, including the one-off Tricolore Zonda

PEUGEOTAfter years of writing nothing but negative about Peugeot, how refreshing to find not one, but two good looking cars.

The 5 by Peugeot is alleged to be very close to the production 508. I hope it is.

The SR-1 would be a worthy halo model for the range, too.There were several concept Hybrid cars on the stand, including the 308 RC-Z, and the Ion as well as the 3008.Peugeot’s Le Mans winning 908 was on the stand.As a reminder of Pegueot’s heritage, a 172 model from the excellent Aventure Peugeot collection was tucked away at the back of the stand.Sadly, not all was good, as this dreadful thing, the BBN,  proved!PININFARINAStar here is the lovely Duettotanta.

There were also examples of a couple of Pininfarina’s other recent production efforts.PORSCHEVery disappointed. The car I really wanted to see – indeed, everyone wanted to see – was the stunning 918RS Concept. It was tucked away in the middle of the stand, roped off with ropes so close to it, that even from afar, you could not see it properly.I was actually rather disappointed in the new Cayenne, too. It still managed to look rather bulky, and I think a bit gawky.The Boxster Spider is on sale now – I see one in the Porsche showroom at the base of the Chiswick flyover every day I am in London these days.QUANTAn all electric car. Intriguing.

RENAULTTwo completely new cars on the stand.

The Wind, with its very simple flipover roof.

The Megane CC.Renault’s electric vehicles were making another appearance, with the Zoe and the Twizzy shown here.Among other newcomers were the Gordini-badged Renault Sport cars.RINSPEEDOh!

ROLLS-ROYCEFour graceful cars on this stand. Supremely elegant, and everything you expect from a Royce, I think. I particularly like the Ghost.

SAABTwo examples of the new 9.5 were on this stand. It looks good, so here’s hoping we all get to find out soon.

SBARROIt would not be a true Geneva Show without some weird devices on the Sbarro stand, and 2010 did not disappoint.

There were also a series of Sbarro-badged recreations of some iconic Sports/GT cars which were rather nicer to look at.SEATShow debut for the Ibiza ST. Looks better than most of its competitors.

Also on the stand was the concept AE-1. Looks a bit Audi A3-esque, but I liked this potential new design direction for the Spanish marque.SKODAA subtle facelift to the Fabia and Roomster models, though had it not been announced, I am not sure I would have noticed.

There are vRS models in the Fabia range again now.Plenty of other cars to see, too.SMARTNothing new to see here. The electric smart was making another appearance.

SPYKERThree examples of these distinctive supercars.

SUBARUThe Hybrid Tourer was making another appearance. Looks better than any production model!

The Japanese market RE1 was here.There were representatives of all the production cars, none of which appeal to me at all now they have been savaged by the Ugly Stick.SUZUKIA comprehensive display of all the different cars in the Suzuki range, including the new Kizashi saloon which is destined for sale in Switzerland.

TATAThere are plans to relaunch this brand in Europe this year, so we are likely to get more familiar with these cars.

The Manza is a small saloon.

The Aria is surprisingly large. At least as big as a Grand Vitara, and doubtless a lot cheaper.The Nano was there, of course, in EV version.TESLAWith a stand that looked like an after-thought added to a corridor at the top of a flight of stairs, there was a lone example of the Tesla.

TOURINGTwo lovely cars here:

TOYOTAMost interesting car here, by some measure, was the FT-86 Concept car. Looks good.

Production car news was focused on the facelifted and Hybrid version of the Auris.There was a new grille on the RAV4, but no-one seemed very interested.I found this old LandCruiser tucked away along side the latest monster sized 5 door model.

VOLKSWAGENAfter a 15 year run, the new Sharan has finally appeared. Very obviously a VW, both from the outside and in it, this looked like a significant advance on the old model, and will doubtless do will in the market for super-sized MPVs.

Even more super-sized is the Amarok pickup, which is VW’s answer to a market dominated for a long time by the Japanese.Third completely new model was the new Touareg, which successfully looks rather less bulky and brash than its predecessor, as indeed it is. To my mind, this one has managed this trick better than its close relative, the new Cayenne.On a huge and rather busy stand, there were examples of the recently released Polo GTi and Cross Polo to inspect.VOLVOFirst opportunity to see the production version of the new S60. Statically, it passes all the tests, with a typical Volvo-style quality interior. The acid test will be what it is like to drive. Here’s hoping it is as good as it looks.

All the other cars on the stand were rather more familiar.WIESMANNLots of different variants of this BMW-powered German sports car.

ZAGATOOTHERSThese customised Ferraris,were, in comparison with the desecration others had performed, not too bad, I suppose, though certainly not to my taste.

There were plenty of other oddities that represent a view of future urban cars that are environmentally efficient.
.As I am no longer working in Switzerland, this was a day trip, and although it is a long day, it can be done. EasyJet’s timetabling of a flight from Bristol to arrive in Geneva just before the show opens and to leave not long after it closes were particularly helpful. Next year, by booking earlier, it would probably be even cheaper, but even allowing for 1 days UK car parking and a couple of sandwiches as well as the Show admission ticket, the whole trip cost approx £100. You can spend that going to something at the NEC these days!2010-03-13 12:59:28