Geneva '06 – the mainstream cars
March 2006

The perceived wisdom is that motor manufacturers are struggling right now, but a wander around the halls of the Geneva Motor Show paints a different picture. There really is something for all, a huge variety of new models demonstrating a great deal of ingenuity, practicality and style emerging from design studios across the world. The following pictures show some of the highlights, all cars that we will see on our roads very soon.

The Alfa Romeo stand was as ever a haven for enthusiasts. The Spider drop-top was centre of attention but the hard-top that created it, the Brera pictured here, also had plenty of admirers. Already on sale in Europe, the Brera arrives in UK showrooms in 2006. Alfa also showed the Sportwagon (estate) version of its new 159 saloon.

 Debuts by Audi included this, the new A6 allroad, a pumped-up estate effectively for those who want more flexibility than a standard four-wheel-drive car but don't want to go the full SUV route. Engine choices comprise 2.7 and 3-litre diesels and a 4.2 V8 petrol, and it will head for showrooms this summer. 

The new Chevrolet era starts here. The GM-owned manufacturer with the classic American name finally dumps its Daewoo roots with this, the Captiva SUV. It's the first vehicle specifically designed under a European Chevrolet badge and will go on sale in the summer, followed soon after by the Epica large family car.
Quirky little Japanese manufacturer Daihatsu, which of course is actually owned by Toyota, had plenty to show at Geneva. The Terios is the all-new incarnation of its small SUV, only outsold in Europe by Suzuki's Jimmy, while the Trevis, which your correspondent snatched a quick shot of before it was covered up again, is a supermini designed with a retro-look. The Terios will be on sale first, some time next month. Two new MPVs dominated the big Ford stand. The Galaxy is an all-new incarnation of an established favourite but this is the S-MAX, boasting seven seats like the Galaxy but a lower, more sporty profile. Sales start in July.
Co-operation is another big theme of car manufacturing today, clearly demonstrated at Geneva by Fiat and Suzuki. The Fiat Sedici and Suzuki SX4 are effectively the same vehicle. It's built by the Japanese firm, marketed by Suzuki as a two-wheel-drive 'crossover', while Fiat sells its version as a four-wheel-drive SUV, something the Italian manufacturer has so far lacked in its range. Both will be on sale within months. My Frankfurt report last September revealed a new Jeep concept, the Compass a crossover combining the best bits of an SUV in a more car-like package. Reaction must have been positive as this is the production model. 
The blue tint shade on the Mercedes Bluetech models, applied here to the CLS coupe, highlights new clean diesel technology that Mercedes says gives its oil burners the best combination of environmental friendliness and pace. They will be in on sale within two years. This is Skoda's fourth model line, and coming to a showroom near you in October. Called the Roomster, it's basically a rival to Renault's Modus, a big-roofed supermini, and as with all Skodas will be sold on a platform of value for money. Lexus has produced some superb new cars recently and this is the next one, the range-topping LS460. It targets the Mercedes S-Class, BMW 7 Series and Audi A8, and features the first production eight-speed auto gearbox. Want one? It's out in the Autumn. 

Peugeot chose Geneva to publicly unveil its new 207 supermini, which I brought you first pictures of back in January. UK sales start in the summer .

Peugeot also showed its take on hybrid power. The difference in this version, applied to the 307CC, is that the electric motor is combined with a diesel instead of a petrol engine. While boasting more modest aims than Lexus, Volvo is also launching a new saloon in the S80. Pitched at BMW's 5 Series and the Mercedes E-class, it goes on sale in late April.