The car industry and the pursuing pack of motoring press will descend on Geneva next week for the city’s prestigious annual motor show.
A host of new cars will be unveiled to the general public this year. Concepts will feature prominently on the stands, testing public reaction before the green light is given for production.
Among the new cars due at the show are several long-awaited facelifts and new models. Included in the list are:
– Alfa Romeo: the Brera, a coupé replacement for the GTV and the 159, the long-awaited replacement for the 156.
– Aston Martin: the new V8 Vanquish, the "baby" version of the DB9
– BMW: the facelifted 7-Series
– Chevrolet: the new Matiz and the 3-door Kalos
– Citroën: the C1 minicar and the new C6 executive saloon
– Dodge: a European debut with the Caliber
– Fiat: the new Croma and several concepts
– Ford: the Focus ST powered by a 2.5-litre turbo engine offering 200bhp
– Kia: the new European-styled Rio
– Lexus: the new much-hyped IS200, including the marque’s first diesel derivative – Mazda: the third generation of the MX5 roadster
– Mercedes: the new B-Class minivan, the new M-Class and the CLK facelift
– Nissan: the Navara pick-up makes a European debut
– Opel: the new Zafira makes its world debut
– Peugeot: the 107 minicar, not to be mistaken with 1007 model with sliding doors – Saab: the 9-3 Sportswagon
– Toyota: the Aygo, the third of the trio of minicars to come from co-operation between PSA Peugeot Citroën and Toyota
– Volkswagen: the new Passat, pictured right at its unveiling in Hamburg;
Europe’s largest car maker will launch the car at the show.
The show officially runs from March 3rd to 13th. We will have full reports in MOTORS next week.