In the run-up to world’s biggest motor shows the internet gets littered with stories announcing exactly what cars, what technologies and what concepts will be on display at the event.The run-up to Geneva has been no different and there’s still well over one month until the show begins.You could spend a lot of time trawling through the articles yourself; hand-picking the most exciting showcases to take place in Switzerland or you could read this top five list of debutants at the most frequent motor show the world has ever seen.Chances are you may not agree with our choices but we certainly believe that this five will make for an enjoyable starting point for your Geneva journey.
Mazda MinagiUnless you’re talking concepts, then Mazda probably isn’t on your list of most exciting manufacturers however the Minagi is a ground breaking model for the Japanese marque.It’s the first time that Mazda has entered the crossover segment and as such it will compete against the likes of the
Nissan Qashqai,
Nissan Juke and
Kia Sportage which have all proved immensely popular since they arrived on the market place.The Minagi is also the first production model to receive the brand’s new Kodo design language having dropped the awkward Nagare and its fluid lines.Kodo was first seen on the Shinari concept car which will also be on show at Geneva and received rave reviews when it was first seen at last year’s LA motor show.The Minagi draws many similarities to the new Range Rover Evoque with its low-slung profile and coupe-like rear – an exciting development by Mazda set for production in 2012 under the CX-5 moniker.
Rinspeed BambooThe Rinspeed Bamboo – if it ever makes it into production – won’t take the international market by storm, it probably won’t even make a ripple but it will certainly get a few people talking when the doors to the Geneva Motor Show open.The Bamboo looks like a cross between Del-Boy’s three-wheeler and the Pope-mobile and as the name suggests it will utilise bamboo.There’s not a lot of information on the Bamboo but Rinspeed has confirmed that bamboo will be used, or at least its fibres will, on the major components of the cars interior.It is being promoted as a ‘grown-up golf cart’ and something that evokes ‘the desire to be at the beach’ but to us the open topped model looks more like a rickshaw that will probably be powered by an electric motor – in-keeping with the beach bum theme.
Mercedes-Benz SLK roadsterThe SLK is one of Mercedes flagship models and it will make a long-awaited return at Geneva complete with an innovative new roof option.The SLK needs no introduction having been part of Mercedes’ line-up for nearly 15 years however its ‘Magic Sky Control’ probably does.As well as offering standard metal and dark-tinted panoramic roof arrangements, the German manufacturer is also providing a vario-colour set-up that allows driver’s to change the colour of their glass roof from clear to dark – all at the push of a button.Elsewhere the body of the SLK has been redesigned with muscular lines and flares running from back-to-front along the roadster while the front-end draws similarities to the SLS ‘gullwing’ model recently released.The
Mercedes-Benz SLK is also refreshingly efficient as it benefits from BlueEFFICIENCY technology engines that are up to 25 per cent more economic than the last generation.
Jaguar XERumours have long been circulating about Jaguar’s new X-type model range and the Tata Motors-owned manufacturer is expected to reveal its XE sports roadster at Geneva.Chief Executive for Jaguar, Ralph Speth confirmed that the spiritual successor to the XKE will be unveiled exactly 50 years after the original hit the market.It is expected to be released come 2013 and should feature an all-new lightweight aluminium platform. It promises to be a slippery roadster, being powered by a potent 385bhp V8 petrol engine or 510bhp in the supercharged version.Jaguar has also hinted at a plug-in version of the XE meaning as well as being the smallest car in the Gaydon-based company’s range it could also be the first hybrid-electric as well.
Ferrari F151Recent speculation suggests that Ferrari will launch the new F151 at this year’s Geneva Motor Show however nothing as yet has been confirmed.If it is unveiled it is expected to feature a number of innovations that establish the new GT as the flagship in the Ferrari range.Sources suggest it will be lighter, stiffer and draw on a lot of the good work started on the
Ferrari 458 Italia and develop the 612 Scaglietti into a shooting brake concept.An all-wheel-drive system has also been muted which will require a second clutch to engage the front wheels of the GT while a 6.3-litre V12 mated to a seven-speed DCT transmission should drive the F151.