The Geneva Motor Show 2011 - What's hot?

The 2011 Geneva Motor Show starts tomorrow (1st March) and runs until 13th. And this year’s event looks set to be a bit of a cracker.

It seems that the automotive manufacturers have decided to spend their way out of this recession thingy with plenty of new models and concepts to enjoy. 

Everything from supercars to super-frugal hybrids and EVs will be on show in Geneva, some old favourites and all-new blood, too. 

Probably the most important European motor show of the year; smack bang in the middle of the Euro-car-market and heading the September-showing Frankfurt off at the early pass; there will be plenty of column inches devoted to the stars of the Geneva show.

So, just in case you can’t make it Switzerland in the next couple of weeks, here is a round-up of what’s hot for the show, and we’ll bring you live pictures from the event as soon our electronic postman drops them on our digital doormat. 

Aston Martin Virage. Comes in either convertible or couple, but both cars come with a 6-litre V12 engine making 490bhp. Which is nice


AC MkVI. Or Cobra to those over a certain age. Modern-day updates centre around a huge Chevy V8 motor pumping 430bhp and oodles of torque


Chevrolet Cruze hatchback. A crucial car for Chevrolet’s break-Europe-plans. We love a hatchback in these parts but can Cruze steal sales from the beloved Focus and Astra?


Hyundai i40. A much more modern new design from Hyundai and aimed squarely at Mondeo buyers. Comes as an estate first with more bodies later


Infiniti M35h GT Premium. For just shy of £47k you get 40.4mpg on a combined cycle and 359bhp


Infiniti Etherea concept. Could this be a sign of Infiniti’s new design language? Well, if the punters love it then yes!


Jaguar XKR-S. Jags new halo car gets 542bhp and can hit 62mph in just 4.2secs. A 5-litre, supercharged V8 purrs under the big cat’s vented bonnet


Lexus LFA Nurburgring Package. One of the world’s most exclusive cars just got more exclusive. Only 50 of these Far Eastern fliers will be made in this mega-spec which includes more carbon, faster gear shifts and an extra 10bhp to 562bhp


Maserati GranCabrio Sport. An even quicker GranCabrio with a 450bhp, 4.7-litre V8, quicker shifts and aggressive styling details


MINI Rocketman concept. Back to the original Mini’s ethos here with this concept coming in smaller and lighter than any other modern MINI. Based on a carbonfibre frame and using the latest hybrid tech to achieve nearly 100mpg


MINI Cooper SD. Diesel fun for your Cooper with the added frugality of the dark oil. A 2-litre, turbo-diesel engine pulls this Cooper with 143bhp, 65.7mpg and 114g/km CO2


MINI Clubman Hampton. A little MINI showpiece to tell buyers all about the new ‘MINI Yours’ customer personalisation options


Nissan Micra DIG-S. An ultra-frugal petrol-powered Micra that brings 68.9mpg and 95g/km to the economy table using a 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder supercharged motor that makes nearly 100bhp


ra Peugeot 308. A fresh facelift for the 308 at Geneva with Peugeot hoping the new face will help build on the 900,000 units already sold


Peugeot 508. The 407’s replacement looks to garner some fans at the show. Built for comfort and not speed – Peugeot are looking after our licences... and bottoms!


Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4. Say hello to the new diesel MPV from the eco-focused French brand. Plenty of space for the family and just 99g/km of CO2


Range Rover Evoque. No doubt one of the stars of the 2011 Geneva Motor Show; the baby Range will be shown as both a coupe and 5-door, with a first look at customer personalisation options


Saab 9-5 SportWagon. A first look in the metal at Saab’s new estate car. Just picture it with a dog in the back, somewhere in Surrey


Subaru Boxer Sports Car Architecture Concept. To give it its full title! The hot-news-collaboration between Subaru and Toyota on this rear-drving, front-mounted-boxer-engine’d chassis is really starting to take shape. Toyota will base their new ‘Celica’ on this platform


Vauxhall Zafira Tourer Concept. It’s still a concept design but Vauxhall have stated that their new for 2012 Zafira will look very much like the Tourer. Cunning seating for up to 7 people keep the familiar Zafira trademarks


VW Golf Cabriolet. Set to go on sale in the UK in the summer, VW’s latest Golf gets a tan-topping roof-chop. Looks a bit like a slipper from this angle?


VW Tiguan. The new Tiguan gets a sharper all-round look in-keeping with VW’s current design language. So popular is this SUV in Germany that they’ve had to meet demand for the new car early, as the out-going model has entirely sold out


More 2011 Geneva Motor Show to come. Keep it here...


By Daniel Anslow

Follow us @totallymotor