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Motorshows homepage -> 76th Geneva International Motor Show
2006 Geneva Motor Show report - Shane O' Donoghue
The 2006 Geneva Motor Show runs from March 2nd to March 12th, and is certain to be the largest and most important motor show in Europe in 2006. We spent a few days at the show and will now start bringing you all the new car news and image galleries.
Alfa Romeo
The Italians continue their stylish onslaught with the world debut of the new Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon and equally gorgeous Alfa Brera Spider.
Aston Martin
The four-door Aston Martin Rapide concept shown in Detroit was wheeled out in Geneva.
Audi
We half expected a new TT and S3 in Geneva, but instead witnessed the unveiling of the Audi RS4 Avant and Cabriolet, sharing the same V8 and four-wheel drive as the super saloon. Also making its debut was the new Audi A6 Allroad quattro - an Audi A6 on stilts with muscular body cladding.
BMW
Of major interest in Geneva was the production-ready BMW Z4 Coupe, and its mouth-watering Z4M counterpart. A new twin-turbo petrol straight-six engine was also shown, to be used in the BMW 335i.
Chevrolet
Finally this American name plate starts to distance itself from the Daewoo models with the world debut of the Chevrolet Captiva SUV, made for Europe with diesel engines and Britain, with right hand drive. It shares its underpinnings with a new Vauxhall/Opel SUV that should surface at the Paris Show in September. A large family saloon, called Epica, also made its world debut.
Chrysler
The large DaimlerChrysler area played host to a few new cars, though the only new Chrysler displayed was the estate version (Touring) of the high-performance Chrysler 300C SRT8. The ugly Chrysler Imperial concept revealed in Detroit was also on hand.
Dodge
The most sporting of the American DaimlerChrysler brands put on a good show revealing a production ready mid-size SUV called the Dodge Nitro, alongside a mad 300bhp, front-wheel drive version of the new Dodge Caliber. It is to be called the Caliber SRT4. Centre stage went to the Dodge Hornet, a new concept car from the company, with a clear signal for future production and sale Europe. It looks great and could win young buyers over to the brand as it continues its assault on the European market.
Ferrari
The awesome new Ferrari 599 GTB got its first public outing in Geneva.
Fiat
Sharing its crossover-SUV underpinnings with Suzuki, the Fiat Sedici was shown following its first public outing at the Winter Olympics in Turin. A facelifted Stilo was also be on display alongside multi-fuel versions of the Panda and Multipla. Both Bertone and Fioravanti showed concept cars based on the new Fiat Grande Punto, hinting at a possible folding hardtop coupe cabriolet version in the future.
Ford
The new Ford Galaxy was on the Ford stand in final production format, alongside the new SAV (Sport Activity Vehicle), named Ford S-MAX. The new Ford Focus Coupe-Cabriolet was also revealed.
Honda
The Honda stand featured a preview of the new Honda Civic Type-R in the form of a 'concept'. Don't forget the first outing for the European Honda Legend either, with its Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system.
Hyundai
The smooth new Hyundai Santa Fe made its European debut in Geneva, though media attention was focussed on the sporty estate concept called Genus, supposedly previewing a new Hyundai of the future.
Jeep
Following on from Detroit, Jeep showed the Compass and new Wrangler.
Kia
On Kia's stand was a facelifted Sorento and an all-new Sedona MPV. Of more interest to the show goer was a very stylish concept family car called the Kia Cee'd.
Koenigsegg
Mad-cap supercar manufacturer, Konigsegg, revealed the new CCX in Geneva.
Lamborghini
In battleship grey, Lamborghini's incredible new Murcielago LP640 looked menacing in all the right ways.
Lexus
The new Lexus LS super-luxury barge got its first European airing.
Lotus
The little British company caused waves in Geneva with the new Lotus Europa S sports car, as well as an application of Lotus Engineering's Versatile Vehicle Architecture in the form of the APX concept. Also on the stand was an example of the new Lotus Exige S alongside the GT3 race version of the Exige.
Maserati
A special edition Maserati GranSport MC Victory took centre stage on the Maserati stand, alongside the MC12 supercar.
Mazda
The Mazda3 MPS hot hatch debuted in Geneva, where Mazda also displayed the Kabura and Sassou concept cars.
Mercedes-Benz
Geneva was the first European outing for the GL-class, incredible S65 AMG and the recently updated SL. The '63 AMG' tag also gets slapped on the cool CLS coupe and CLK coupe and convertible. The new BLUETEC diesel strategy was also shown, as well as a new high-performance direct injection petrol engine in the for of the CLS 350 CGI.
MINI
We've already had three variations on the Concept Traveller theme in Frankfurt, Tokyo and Detroit, so what next? Do we finally get to see a facelifted Mini and its Travelling companion? No, we get the Concept Geneva, in the spirit of the Monte Carlo Rallye winning Mini Cooper.
Mitsubishi
Continuing its line of MIEV concept cars was the Concept-EZ MIEV. Alongside was the final production version of the folding hardtop Mitsubishi Colt, christened the CZC.
Nissan
The Nissan Terranaut concept is for explorers (and presumably soccer mums) the world over. It was revealed in Geneva.
Peugeot
The Peugeot 207 got its show debut in Geneva; an important car for Peugeot. A rally concept version called Peugeot 207 RCup was also shown either showing a future rally car, or a future hot hatch; or both! Peugeot also showed its new diesel-hybrid technology, to be called Hybride, developed in conjunction with Citroen.
Porsche
Swelling the supercar ranks will be the new 997 Porsche 911 Turbo, as well as the fantastic new Porsche 911 GT3.
Rinspeed
Wacky Swiss design house revealed the Buddha-inspired zaZen concept car complete with transparent glasshouse and diamond detailing.
Skoda
Despite protesting otherwise, it turns out that the Skoda Roomster is going into production, and itwas revealed in showroom ready format in Geneva.
Suzuki
A tie-up with Fiat has lead to the creation of the Suzuki SX-4, a kind of small crossover SUV thingy. Suzuki also showed a WRC concept version of the SX4, previewing a foray into the World Rally Championship in 2007.
Toyota
Toyota's stand was be a busy one for concepts, though we've seen some of them before. The Urban Cruiser is new, exploring the possibility of a small SUV. Also in Geneva was a Yaris T Sport 'concept', with the most powerful engine yet to feature in a Yaris, and an 'Aygo for Sports' concept.
Volkswagen
Alongside the new Polo GTi and Bluemotion will be a new concept car; the Volkswagen Concept A previews a new VW SUV to sit below the Touareg.
Volvo
The all-new Volvo S80 took pride of place on the Volvo stand.
The official show website is www.salon-auto.ch.
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