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Novices at the Geneva Motor Show

Small and green seems to be this year's theme at the Geneva Auto Show. Green is becoming the new trend with even the big brands like Ferrari and Porsche nodding their heads in approval. The motor show will be focusing on staying eco-friendly. With Audi's A1, the premium small car, getting smaller may be the next rising trend. Read on for a glimpse of the production and concept vehicles making their first worldwide appearance on March 2 and 3.

ALFA ROMEO

The new Giulietta hatchback which will replace the 147 will be the first Fiat car using the company's compact platform. This platform will be used in the new Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge in North America by the year 2013. Fiat, however, will not be exporting the Giulietta to the USA as of now.

AUDI

Audi's fuel-efficient premium small car, the Audi A1, is a hybrid version of its new A8 flagship sedan. For some time, the car may be sold only in Europe. However, in another 10 years, the car may be sold in USA too.

BMW

Unlike the Giulietta and Audi A1, the BMW new non-hybrid 5 series will be sold in Europe next month and also in the U.S. by summer. This BMW car will be flaunting its 5-series hybrid concept, the ActiveHybrid 5, at the Geneva Motor Show. The car is also believed to be launched in other nations by early 2011.

CHRYSLER

Chrysler and Lancia will only hold a press conference in Geneva. No cars from the two brands will be showcased. However, 4 Chrysler models will be imported from the U.S. and rebadged as Lancias. These cars will be sold in Italy next year. Lancia may sell the Sebring sedan and convertible, Town & Country minivan and 300 sedan as Chrysler in European markets outside Italy.

FERRARI

The 599 sports car with a hybrid terrain will make its debut at the motor show. An electric motor which will cut fuel consumption by 35 per cent and lithium ion batteries will make their in the new Ferrari car.

KIA

Kia's new Sportage will be sleeker than its current model. The car will be longer, lower and wider offering more space for people and luggage. The new Sportage will be available in dealerships worldwide in 2010 itself.

LEXUS

The CT200h which will give the Audi A1, BMW 1 series and other entry-premium models in Europe a tough fight, will also make its debut at the Geneva auto show. The compact hybrid hatchback powered by Lexus' second-generation hybrid drive technology will be the first of its kind in the premium-compact segment. This car may not be sold in the U.S.

MAZDA

The Mazda5 with the Nagare design will be more fuel-efficient than the current model. Nagare, in Japanese, means 'flow'. The car would flow for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show. The Mazda5 may be launched in the U.S. by early next year. Europe, however, will see it this fall.

MERCEDES-BENZ

After showing the Rising Car Sculpture at the Detroit auto show in Jan 2010, Mercedes-Benz will show a real CLS concept sedan at the Geneva auto show. The manly wheel haunches and prominent grille had already set the sculpture as a base for the new sedan and also as a brand new design language for Mercedes-Benz.

MINI

The traditional Mini hatchback has been made more rugged to be showcased as an SUV, the Countryman, at the Geneva Motor Show. The car would have optional all-wheel drive. This will be Mini's first four-door car. The Countryman will be equipped with 3 gasoline and 2 diesel engines. The European variant of the car will also have technologies like brake energy regeneration and a stop-start system for lesser fuel consumption. It is not definite if the U.S. is going to receive these technologies.

MITSUBISHI

Mitsubishi would be coming to the show with a European-spec version of the RVR. They call the compact crossover the ASX. The car will be sold in Japan. They plan to launch it in Europe by late spring and the U.S. will get the car this fall.

NISSAN

The athletic hatchback from Nissan will not stay behind at the Geneva auto show. The new Juke crossover's position in the U.S. would be just below the Rogue. The Juke is Nissan's third crossover after the Rogue and the bigger Murano. Summer will see the Juke in Japan and fall will see it in North America. The car will reach Europe in another 7 months.

Not just the crossover, a subcompact car that Nissan plans to sell in the U.S. will also be unveiled. Outside the U.S., this Global Compact Car will be replacing the Micra subcompact.

PORSCHE

The 911 GT3 R Hybrid will be displayed by Porsche. The car is designed to discover the potential of hybrid drivelines in a racing environment. The 911 GT3 R makes use of an advanced new electromechanical flywheel system and provides electrical energy to a pair of 60-kilowatt motors. The motors support the engine in churning out a power of 480bhp.

Like Nissan, Porsche too will showcase two new cars at the auto show. The new Cayenne SUV is lighter and shorter than the present hefty model. The car will come with a gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain.

VOLKSWAGEN

The Touareg SUV will be the new car representing Volkswagen at the Geneva auto show. This will be Volkswagen's first model with a gasoline-electric hybrid driveline. Staying light and sitting low is the Touareg's way of being fuel efficient.

VOLVO

With its S60, Volvo is dreaming of dominating the competition. The Swedish car maker flaunts the S60 as a four-door coupe. The car gives buyers a choice of chassis setups; a softer comfort chassis or a muscular dynamic chassis. Volvo has big dreams for the car. It hopes to sell 90,000 cars a year with a third of the entire sales coming from the U.S.

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