Suzuki Swift S-CONCEPT

Suzuki has unveiled their Swift S-CONCEPT model at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show this week. The new design offers a more sporty and exciting appearance, with bold bodywork design and a rear roof spoiler. The Swift S CONCEPT is lower than the standard Swift by 30mm and 60mm wider, with the dynamic look being finished off with large 18-inch wheels and exclusive designs for the headlamps and rear lights.

Suzuki Swift S-CONCEPT

The colour of the model at the show was Lightening Pearl Yellow, with the yellow, black and dark-grey metallic colour scheme featuring on the inside of the car as well. The steering wheel and instrument cluster also featured exclusive designs plus the car has Recaro Sport styled seats in the front.

Toyota iQ EV

Toyota has unveiled their iQ based EV Prototype at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show which offers zero emissions from its all-electric 47kW motor (driving the front wheels) and 270V lithium-ion battery (located beneath the seats). The new EV prototype will accelerate from 0-62mph in 14 seconds, has a top speed of 78mph, and offers a range of 65 miles on a full charge.

The new car is based on their popular iQ city car and a full charge on AC power takes four hours and an 80% charge on DC takes just 15 minutes. Toyota expects European trials to start this year and they have also announced the second generation RAVE4 is on course for a US market launch in 2012.

SEAT's IBX concept

SEAT is unveiling their new, stunning IBX concept car, which is an urban sports utility vehicle combining the Spanish brand’s sporty design language with SUV proportions. The SEAT IBX has been conceived with an advanced hybrid powertrain in mind, that would offer zero-emissions in the city and cross-country credentials from an internal combustion engine.

SEAT IBX concept car

The new SUV concept has the full capability and versatility of an SUV, is 4.26 metres long,  1.80 metres wide and has a height of 1.62 metres. It has a stretched roofline and distinctive rear roof pillar, providing the perfect crossover between a sports utility vehicle and a classic sports coupe.

The length of the roofline is further emphasised by a rear spoiler and at the front, LED technology headlamps give the concept further sophistication.

The possible combustion engine candidates are the latest TSI and direct-injection TDI engines and although the IBX is set up for front wheel drive, a 4WD system might be an option for the future.

Toyota FT-86 II

Toyota has always had a passion for producing exciting sports cars, starting with the legendary 2000 GT in the 1960s and they have now unveiled a stunning new Toyota sports model, called the FT-86 II Concept. This new model has been jointly developed with Subaru and is set to make its world debut at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show this week.

Toyota FT-86 II concept sports car

The rear-wheel drive sports concept has a low bonnet, high wings and rear-set cabin and gives the clearest indication of how the new Toyota sports model, due for launch in 2012, might look.

The car has a free-revving boxer petrol engine with a lightweight six-speed transmission and has the lowest centre of gravity possible to achieve the best possible power to weight ratio.

Hyundai i40 estate

The new Hyundai i40 looks set to be one of the stars of the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, as Hyundai releases the first images before its official launch. This new model launches in conjunction with Hyundai’s new brand slogan, New Thinking, New Possibilities and sets out their bold new designs of the future.

At Geneva, Hyundai intends to showcase the estate version, with a saloon model expected to follow later this year. The car features a 1.7-litre diesel engine, codenamed UII, which emits only 113g/km of Co2 and coupled with Hyundai’s unrivalled customer care package, Five Triple Care, looks set to be a popular car in the fleet market. Five Year Care offers you a a five year unlimited-mileage warranty, five year’s roadside assistance and five years of vehicle health checks.

Hyundai i40 estate

The new design language features Hyundai’s “fluidic sculpture” and its signature hexagonal grille, plus the two jewel-like headlamps add a confident look to this sophisticated new car.  New technologies added to the car include heated and reclining front and rear sets, a heated steering wheel and an active de-mist system that clears windscreen mist automatically.

In addition to the new i40, Hyundai will also be showcasing their ground breaking 1+2 Veloster coupe, which is due to be launched in Europe in late 2011, plus their Curb concept.

Range-e

Land Rover intends to use this year’s 2011 Geneva Motor Show to showcase hybrid technology as well as their new model line-ups. The Range_e is Land Rover’s diesel hybrid plug-in prototype, based on the Range Rover Sport, that features a 3.0-litre TDV6, eight-speed ZF automatic transmission with a plug-in diesel hybrid system.

The Range_e is the first 4WD model from Land Rover that achieves 89g/km of CO2, has a range of 690 miles (20 miles in EV mode) and has a top speed of around 120mph.

The new Range Rover Evoque will also be on show with both coupe and 5-door derivatives and comes in three design themes, “Pure”, “Prestige” and “Dynamic”. There are also a variety of different designer interiors and and option packs giving the opportunity to really personalise the car.

In addition, two Limited Edition models will also be on show. The Range Rover Autobiography Ultimate Edition is the most luxurious Range Rover ever built with super-premium soft feel leathers and a yacht inspired teak finish. The 2011 Discovery 4 Landmark Limited Edition with Black and White themes will also be launched.

Toyota EV leasing programme

Toyota has announced its plans to introduce a production electric vehicle in Europe by 2012 through a leasing programme. This new model will be based on the EV prototype which is set to make its debut at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show in March.

Electric Vehicle leasing

The EV car is based on the successful iQ and will undergo road testing in Europe during 2011 and is also going to be marketed in the USA as well.

This new EV prototype integrates an all-electric powertrain within the iQ package while maintaining the agility of the popular city car, yet with zero tailpipe emissions and silent electric running.

The four-seater EV prototype has a new, flat lithium-ion battery pack, is expected to have a range of around 65 miles and is yet another example of Toyota’s innovative Hybrid Synergy Drive technology. Electric Vehicle leasing is also available right now on other cars if you are interested.

Infiniti ETHEREA

Infiniti, the luxury Japanese car manufacturer, has released the first images of their ETHEREA concept car which makes its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

The ETHEREA is 4.4m long and is compact, space efficient and practical thanks to an innovative access arrangement and mechanical layout. The new ETHEREA is being targeted at younger buyers who are looking for a luxury car that combines the blend elements of a coupe, saloon, hatchback and crossover in one near-mono volume form.

Infiniti ETHEREA

Captur concept

The new Renault Captur is a sporty crossover that Renault will officially unveil at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2011. This muscular looking concept has an athletic design and is powered by the Energy dCi 160 twin-turbo engine paired to a dual clutch EDC gearbox plus the new, novel, RX2 system that improves traction at low speeds.

Butterfly doors

The car is fitted with a hard convertible top, which can easily removed, transforming itself from a four-seater coupe to a convertible. It has reinforced butterfly doors and big tyres fitted to 22-inch black and white rims with its orange bodywork completing the sporty look.

The Captur will also debut the new Visio-System, an innovation that uses a camera mounted at the top of the windscreen, to provide driver assistance functions. The new technology embeds synthesised images into real-time images of the road ahead and displays them on a central screen. Performance is pretty good with a 0-62mph time of only 8.0 seconds and CO2 emissions at just 98g/km.

Ultimate luxury

Range Rover will be unveiling the Range Rover Autobiography Ultimate Edition which will be launched to the public at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show in March. This is the most luxurious Range Rover ever built and only 500 models will be made and sold worldwide in over 20 countries.

Luxury interior

This new Range Rover takes levels of luxury for both driver and passengers to a new level with even the load space kitted out with a super yacht inspired teak floor, with metal and leather detailing.

The cabin of the vehicle uses handcrafted soft feel natural leathers and even the rear seats are electrically adjusted. The rear console offers a machined aluminium laptop table and drinks chiller and you get two Apple iPad as standard.

This car is offered in two unique colours, Roussillon Red or Otago Stone and both are available with body coloured door handles, dark atlas radiator grille and side vents. The Ultimate Edition is kitted out with new 20-inch multi-spoke diamond-turned alloy wheels plus you also have the option of an Exterior Pack.

The V8 Engine line-up consists of a superb new 4.4-litre LR-TDV8 Diesel with eight-speed transmission incorporating Drive Select and Paddle Shift as standard, which offers you 30.1 combined mpg and a 0-60 time of 7.5 seconds. Or there is the LR-V8 5.0-litre supercharged engine which takes you from 0-60 in only 5.9 seconds, which is pretty quick for a vehicle of this size. Finally, both models come with Land Rover’s award-winning Terrain Response system, with five different settings to suit different terrains, including new Hill Start Assist and Gradient Acceleration Control.