So now for a few we didn't get to show you yesterday.
Straight from its world debut at the Detroit Auto Show, Lexus rolled in its latest sporty car concept, the LF-LC. The very futuristic front end of this 2+2 could easily be toned down a little for production car acceptance, and if they considered the hybrid powertrain from the latest GS450h it would be a real cool lift to a brand that’s gone a bit on the stuffy side. We like the touch-screen type controls on the doors to operate windows, mirrors, and the seat adjustment. The same screens give each occupant their preferences for personal entertainment.
Suzuki had two ’reference model’ concepts on view, both looking at different ways of achieving greater fuel economy. The Swift Range Extender has an electric motor as primary motive power, able to run for around 30km before a generator petrol engine kicks in. The generator is a 658cc unit.
The smaller G70 in much cooler metal and plasticwork is powered by an 800cc turbocharged motor, and promises CO2 of ’not more than' 70g/km.
This is Honda's 'Prototype' for the next CR-V, which is code for as close to production as you can get. We kind of like the rear pillar treatment, which improves what is the aesthetic weakness in the current style. By the way, it is already on sale in this form in the US.
Mazda's CX-5 in production form was the main interest on a rather subdued presentation here. But its position is important as the first car from the brand to bring out the 'SkyActiv' technologies in weight-saving, stop-start, and engines development that will be the focus of Mazda's economy strategy for its next generation.
Lexus launched their revised RX450h crossover, with sharpened exterior looks and a load of interior changes to bring it into line with the styles in the new GS series. A new F Sport version, and a Sport driving mode are key elements in the changes.
Opel's Ampera and its Chevy cousin started the motor show well by winning the European Car of the Year 2012. The extended range EV has been well documented, but we still don't like those headlights 'boomerang' shapes.
It has been coming so long in visuals and concepts that when Subaru's BRZ sports car rolled out at the show we weren't sure for a moment if it was new. But of course, as a joint venture with Toyota, it is. Powered by a 197hp version of Subaru's boxer engine.
The Toyota version, as the GT 86, differs cosmetically only in the front end detail and badging, but has suspension and steering differences too. The company showed where it was at by putting it with a 2000GT from the 60s, the first true sports car from a Japanese maker, which was developed with Yamaha help.
The last 'concept' before the real SEAT new Toledo arrives made its appearance here. Think reskinned Jetta and you'll have an idea of the dimensions and the engines, which haven't been announced yet. We like the sharpish edge on the new face of the brand.
Look at this open top version of Lamborghini's Aventador, because you'll never see another. It's a one-off produced for the show, called the Aventador J, and even if it looks like a Batmobile, the showcar has already been sold. For a cool £1.76m. There's 700hp, which makes all of them thoroughbred indeed, at least in price.
Fans of Audi's high performance RS cars will be keen to see the RS4 Avant which made its debut here yesterday. That very unadorned front end has a lean and menacing look. Power is from a 4.2 V8 with 450hp available. A 4.7 seconds sprint is the real attraction.
Hyundai's I-oniq concept is unlikely to reach production, but it does show that the company is looking at extended range EVs. The I-oniq has an electric motor that will drive it for around 100km, and the battery can be recharged either from plug-in or from an onboard 3-cylinder petrol engine.
The company also rolled out the wagon version of the new i30 just launched in Ireland a week or so ago. It will probably have the same high level of sales ratio against the hatchback as did the previous one.
These are an interesting pair from the Chevrolet stand, although whether they'll ever come to production is another story. Basically, Chevy in the US found to their alarm that young people didn't know that iconic models like the Camaro and Corvette were from their brand. Moreover, they didn't care. So these are Chevrolet Youth Concepts, the red one named CODE 130R and the white TRU 140S.
Both are powered by a 1.4 Ecotec turbocharged petrol engine outputting 150hp, and betraying European input.
There will always be a crowd around a Ferrari, but when there's a new one it doubles the interest. And that's the case with the new F12 Berlinetta rolled out to the public for the first time. Not a car for aour time, you would think, with a V12 engine horsing out 740ps. And with CO2 emissions up around the 350g/km mark, our Irish rating system just looks silly here. But the new coupe's fuel consumption is some 30 percent better than its predecessor, thanks in large measure to better aerodynamics and lighter construction.
Next door is the Maserati GranTurismo Sport, a new model with a little less power than the Ferrari at 454hp and a mere 4.7 V8 engine. A 4.7 seconds to the ton is also thump in the back stuff, even if slower than the 3.1 seconds of the Ferrari.
Away from exotic and to a car that we simply couldn't get a clear shot of yesterday, the new Mercedes-Benz A-Class. Gone is the dumpy box of the previous versions of the nameplate and in is an unusually sexy hatchback which might well prise euros from a younger buyer base.
The Sport grade one I sat in had a zingy interior too. Coming to a dealership near you soon.
Neighbouring BMW lead their Geneva offerings with the first 4-door variant on their 6 Series, the Gran Coupe. The extra access certainly hasn't marred the lines of the series, and the car has been keeping the shutterbugs here busy.
To something completely different, VW snuck out a crossover concept here that is built on its Audi middle premium platform and which could do very well indeed if thrown into production. Originally shown at Tokyo last year, the European debut gives the Cross Coupe Concept extra power to its electro-petrol hybrid powertrain, offering 130mpg and emissions of 44g/km. In practical terms, if they stuck one of their good diesels in it they could have customers driving it in droves.
Ford has changed its compact Kuga crossover too, and it looks a lot less funky but more presentable to the broad buyer audience it seeks. They're saving money too by making a global car, and it now replaces the company's Liberty nameplate in the US.
More later.
