GENEVA MOTOR SHOW PRE-EVENT ROUND-UP
26 February 2006 - Geneva Motor Show

Family motoring in Europe will take off in a new direction at this year’s Geneva motor show that starts Tuesday 28 February.

Sitting at the crossroads of Europe, Switzerland is a fitting place to host the first major European show of the year*.

For the 76th show there will be a distinctly family feel to the event and among the 140 new models making their world or European debuts are many which continue to blur the margins between multi-purpose and 4x4s.

These so-called crossover type models are not new in themselves, but this year we will see more of them reaching showrooms.

Some are aimed squarely at the mass market, which is struggling to be profitable with its traditional models, while others are more up-market, and aimed at buyers who must have the very latest in fashionable cars.

They will also be competing against models which already have a head start in crossover sales but which are now not the latest in the line-up.

With sales in the UK expected to fall this year, and again in 2007, it is going to be a very tough fight to put bums on seats even before buyers are persuaded to part with their money.

As UK market leader, Ford is pinning a lot on its forthcoming new Galaxy and S-Max models and while they look similar to the casual eye, they are very different under the skin. Replacing the familiar Galaxy, built as part of a joint venture with Volkswagen Group which produced the Sharan and Alhambra, the new Galaxy is a stand-alone model which is first and foremost a people mover. Side by side is the S-Max, which is not quite as roomy but has a distinctly more sporting edge to its handling, and is smaller.

It will be up against the new Chevrolet Captiva SUV, which reaches British showrooms this summer and which is being shown in its final production form. This new Chevi will be up against the new Suzuki SX-4 and 4x4 Fiat Panda.

Another American model name appearing in the price lists this year will be the Dodge Caliber while the top end of the market will be teased at Geneva with the Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG and a hot version of its new R Class SUV.

The Swiss show is also the debut of the Nissan Terranaut, a big 4x4 which is destined to be the flagship of the brand and probably the replacement for the long-lived Patrol and the big brother to the Murano and Pathfinder.

After its flirtations with MGRover, Tata is very keen to get into the UK market and says it has learned a lot of lessons, particularly with regard to pricing, so Geneva will see the appearance of its multi-use lifestyle vehicle which it will build with a range of three petrol and diesel engines.

At the other end of the market we will see the production version of the Skoda Roomster, the company’s take on a compact multi-activity vehicle. After Skoda’s UK successes this really could make a big impact in Britain.

One of the most interesting models with enormous potential will be the Volkswagen Concept A, which is the German giant’s take on a future SUV and the Mazda Kabura interpretation of a future coupe from Japan.

Apart from the crossover models which will be shown, we will see the latest developments from most manufacturers.

Building on the fact that the Fiat Grande Punto is now the best selling model in Europe, the Italian car giant will use Geneva to show us its idea of what the next generation Panda could look like and this will be a very significant model for them over the next few years.

The Alfa Romeo Station Wagon and Spider will get crowds on its Swiss stand and Audi will be promoting its RS series very heavily while it will be the debut of the new Volvo S80 with its latest SI 6 engine.

A limited edition of the exclusive Bentley Continental GT and Arnage model series will mark the maker’s 60 years at Crewe with Diamond versions, highlighted by special upholstery and trim at Geneva.

Apart from its Mercedes-Benz makeovers and the introduction of Dodge, DaimlerChrysler will also be vying for attention with its Jeep Commander and Patriot 4x4s which will be seen for the first time in Europe at Geneva.

A new small 4x4 is also appearing with the Daihatsu Terios name, which disappeared from the UK about three years ago and this will be shown alongside the latest Sirion super-mini.

Still with all wheel drive, a facelifted Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento are destined to appear and there will be a special edition Land Rover Defender Black.

In the performance league, and possibly the highlight of the show, will be the latest model to carry the name Lotus Europa, and that will share stand space with the hottest Exige S.

Also, we will see the iconic Honda Civic Type R being unveiled by F1 driver Jenson Button, while there will be the latest generation Maserati Quattroporte Sport and Spyder models, a more affordable Opel (Vauxhall) GT roadster, the Porsche 911 Turbo world debut, the Cayman roadster and Cayenne 4x4.

Shortly before it goes on UK sale this summer we will see the full range of Peugeot 207 models, and sporty addition to the Mazda3 range, Suzuki Swift 1.5, revised Smart ForTwo and ForFour and a design concept for a new small Volvo C30.

*76th Geneva Motor Show, 2-12 March 2006 www.salon-auto.ch

Miles Better News Agency

www.salon-auto.ch

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