Geneva Motor Show 2010 preview

First European show of the year promises to be hotter than ever

This may one of the coldest European winters in memory, and the Geneva motor show may well be held at the foot of the Swiss Alps, but the world's car makers appear set to finally come out of hibernation.

After scurrying back to their bunkers in the wake of the global financial crisis a little over a year ago, it looks as if strong sales in Europe and signs of recovery in the USA (in both cases largely thanks to cash for clunkers schemes) as well as an unexpected rate of growth in China, have given new hope to the world's biggest car brands.

Some analysts thought the Detroit motor show in January showed positive signs, but to be frank it was less eventful than last year.

Geneva is usually a slower paced show, and it is customary for car company executives to wander the floor on the second day of the media preview and chat cordially to one another.

The car makers might be at war when they're in their boardrooms, but they seem to hold a brief reprieve and are more at peace in Geneva. Well, it is Switzerland after all.

But this year, the 80th anniversary of the show, the mood might be different.

If the deliberate leaks of information and pictures in recent weeks are a guide, Geneva is poised to be the best European show in years.

Geneva is normally the place where alternative concepts or modest model updates get revealed. But this year it looks set to blow our woolly socks off.

There are more than two dozen genuine new releases, not to mention the half-a-dozen or so concepts we know about -- and the others that no doubt will remain a press day surprise.

Mercedes-Benz is unveiling a concept called the F800 Style. It's a thinly disguised version of what we can expect the new CLS coupe-like sedan to look like.

It's powered by a choice of plug-in electricity or hydrogen. Significantly, though, it's a five seater. The CLS has until now been a four-seater. Is Mercedes trying to tell us something?

Cashing in on the green theme that tends to dominate the Geneva show, BMW is unveiling a hybrid version of its all-new 5 Series sedan (it looks the same as a regular 5 Series but with big stickers on it).

Meanwhile, Japan's answer to Europe's diesel hatchbacks, the Lexus CT 200H hybrid (pictured), will be on display. This is the production version of the concept car that appeared at last year's Frankfurt motor show and will be coming to Australia some time in 2011.

Even the Koreans are getting in on the action, unveiling the iFlow concept, a mid-size sedan powered by diesel hybrid technology. The maker says it can return fuel consumption figures of just 3L/100km. It's only a concept for now, but this concept should not be ignored as it shows how serious the Koreans are at claiming a slice of the action in Europe.

Using more conventional fuel saving technology, the gorgeous Alfa Romeo Giulietta (first leaked a few months ago by an over-enthusiastic production line worker who snapped a pic of it using his camera phone) will make its debut as the long awaited successor to the 147 hatch.

Rev heads who like to top up their tan will be pleased to see the Fiat 500 Abarth convertible has broken cover.

Volkswagen will unveil a taller version of the Golf Mk 6 called the Cross Golf. It is similar to the Golf Plus (more room for families), a model that was never sold in Australia. But the Cross Golf may just make it given Australia's appetite for soft-roaders.

The production version of the Mini Countryman will also break cover (after images and info were leaked early last week).

And the baby Mitsubishi softroader, known as ASX at the show, will finally be revealed after its unveiling was postponed from last year's Tokyo motor show.

There's a chance the ASX may have a different name in Australia, given that this is the acronym for the Australian Stock Exchange. Then again, it might be appropriate. Given the demand for compact SUVs, Mitsubishi's new entrant (due later in the year) could be a licence to print money.

On the larger scale of things (metaphorically and physically) the second generation Porsche Cayenne range will be unveiled, highlighted by a hybrid version. This green technology plus a 200kg weight saving in the new Cayenne's construction, is certain to reduce or eliminate criticism of the all-new car. The reduced weight should also help it drive better, too. But we'll have to wait until mid year before we find that out.

Volkswagen has released images of the Cayenne's twin under the skin, the Touareg 4WD. But it is unclear whether the car will be at Geneva. There are reports that VW is leaving Porsche to take the limelight on this occasion.

And of course, as always, there will be plenty of wild and whacky concept cars by tuners all across Europe that we don't yet know about that will be sure to surprise if not delight.

The Carsales Network has reporters on the ground there for the media days on Tuesday and Wednesday, so be sure to stay tuned for regular updates on what looks set to be a really big show.

Geneva Motor Show 2010 preview

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