Small cars is also now the niche of Chevrolet

The France in pole position

Connoisseurs will tell you, Citroën has the wind in its sails. Boosted by the press who acclaimed the chic unexpected of his DS3, the Chevron brand take Geneva presence to illico unveil a sports version of its "Mini". Named "ds3racing", the fireball draped black and orange (for its rims) promises 200 ch containing around 155 g/km CO2 emissions. Lovely feat. But the most spectacular is the birth of the DS4. Second of the "distinctive" line (DS), the model that will address the fall to the BMW series 1 and Audi A3 (from the never-seen) runs here as a coupé concept breathtaking called "high Rider" because of its crossover genes...

Another first world not to be missed, the silhouette of the Concept 5. Designed by Gilles Vidal (the new Director of the design of the mark of the lion), this streamlined full-size reflects (as DS) that a Peugeot may now have as much charisma as an Audi. An A4 in this case since this 508 (not yet officially declared name) means match "the cream of the cream of German sedans. The Germany, which also inspired the concept SR1, a Coupe-cabriolet just for the wonder of the public, but a few details, the lights and the front grille, should a career.

Not less creative, Renault lifts the veil on two... convertibles. A classic invoice, the Megane CC (with still shimmering colors), the other much more stylish, the Wind, Twingo two-seater hinge roof, reminiscent of the spirit of the 1980s Honda micro-coupés. Nice and unexpected on the part of the mark to the diamond. A joy also won Dacia. To the side of the Logan and the Sandero, Genevan public was indeed right in the first 4 X 4 of the branch "low cost" of Renault. Name of the phenomenon Duster. Its price Double the 7,500 euros having the success of her sisters... A Dacia of "luxury" The France is certainly full of surprises.

The German Eagle is always shining

In Switzerland, the Germans are at home, or almost. The BMW booth is part of the largest (the divine silhouette of the new series 5 are listed in the "guest star") as Mercedes which amazes with its majestic cut SLS (to discover more at length in the March issue of "Limited series") or its evanescent concept F800. But German news is before everything... the Audi A1. The first chip of the mark on the rings, beautifully coloured, delightfully finished and rival named the Alfa Mito, the DS3 and uphill Mini.

A Mini for 50 years... growing! Since the subsidiary BMW brand launches on the niche of the 44. Name of the surprise Countryman. All round, while chrome, the object is already announced as a "it because"-like the "it bag" fashion for winter 2011 for brave snowy tar of... the avenue Montaigne. In short, the Germany grown paradoxes. And it is not VW, best known for its cars of size reduced, which would claim the contrary. With its Sharan II (huge family minivan which will make the shadow to the Renault space) and its Touareg II (44 luxury infinite but respectful of the environment with the addition of an electric motor to its 6-cylinder gasoline), the Germanic "popular" brand introduced two larger motor gear of the show.

It verges on amazement, in is providing a detour in Porsche, which on the side of the new Cayenne (more graceful and finally hybrid also) presents a cabriolet of 700 ch to the sweet name of 918 Spyder. Its program Less than four seconds to reach 100 km/h and especially 25 kilometres without an ounce of pollution! A historic feat through a V8 backed by three small engines which power not to account more horsepower but in kilowatts. A Porsche almost completely... "electric" The crisis is definitely move the more conventional mechanical.

The rebound of the United States

Difficult to miss the Ford booth. Occupying a central position which is almost the place of this ephemeral village dedicated to the automobile, the brand exposes the new Focus under its seams (sedan and break). What touch finger a future announced bestseller, sold as what part and sides of the Atlantic Ocean. This first tells mainly about the "smaller" change in spirit of "more economic" American, now ready to taxi drivers, while discovering "fun to drive to the European". In addition to a battery of fuel-efficient engines (in essence), the new Focus indeed promises a handling which "gives instinctively smile" and a technological comfort (computer flight worthy of a desktop computer with an interface on the iPhone) that is already the Geek Idol.

Another witness of a return to more reason: Cadillac. American luxury brand presents in Geneva a break (a first) instead of usual monstrous 4 4... Finally, GM via its Opel subsidiary development more than ever on the ecological sensitivity of the planet. Ampera (Opel signed Volt) is once again the star of the stand, following in the roadmap to a phenomenon (first rechargeable hybrid promising 60 kilometres)

(in "all electric" mode) which will be marketed next year. Another curiosity on the Opel stand: the new Meriva MPV and its four doors opening like a saloon. Fun, exhumed of the 1930s and rather practical method for a small family car. "Small cars" is also now the niche of Chevrolet. After the Spark, it is the turn of the Aveo to show that the United States know also to C3, Clio or other Polo... cheaper equivalents.

The Italy concerned

Since the General Director of the Fiat, "Dr. Marchionne", as like to call him admirers and detractors, took over the reins of Chrysler, the criticism (good and bad) are well underway in the aisles of the show... One thing is certain. Nothing spectacular awaits the visitor on the Lancia-Chrysler co-stand, if it is perhaps this setting in the form of pieces of puzzle indicating almost psychoanalytic way that these two brands are beautiful and well dedicated to work now, if it is to merge... There is not more than upsetting booth Fiat if this is a yet another variation of the adorable 500; convertible Abarth declined here. Fortunately, Ferrari and its 458 Italia immediately restore the smile. A dream to touch only of the gaze: stand Ferrari receiving only on invitation, it is as well as to maintain the myths... There is no such concern on the Alfa Romeo stand, where the Giulietta doors are open to all. A name which was the heyday of Alfa in the 1960s and 1980s, and which is rather well to an object succeeds with the same style at 147. Career to follow, such as DR, this unknown Italian constructor which is available as big as the Lancia stand to present a series of small urban and 4 4 (botched) sold priced"sacrificed". The secret Naturally to the search in... China.

The Sweden crosses fingers

Saab finally from the disappearance Volvo finally picked up by the Chinese These issues burn the lips. But as no one, including the protagonists themselves, have answers, focus on the essential work done. And in both cases not disappointment. The new large (nearly 5 meters!) and sculptural Saab 95 remains inexorably very "Saab", both in his (what look!) line as its interior (aviation spirit is present in the drawing of aerators for rear passengers). As the Volvo S60 (new sedan average range of Volvo), it opens to modernity (almost based tapered lines of a Coupe) while remaining faithful to the "safe" commitment to the brand. An example: in the city, the S60 is the unique car to be able to curb authority when it detects an obstacle or a pedestrian its distracted driver did not see. A widespread emergency.

England treated the Crown jewels

MG has disappeared. Mini is German, as Bentley and Rolls. While Jaguar and Land Rover have become Indian... In short, apart from Aston Martin, it is very well which is truly English. No matter, because before Bentley, Rolls and Jaguar - booth experience UI ' is England as it looks. The ancestral woodwork and huge wheels of the new Bentley Mulsanne were indeed no other inspiration than British automotive history. Ditto for the lines timeless new Rolls Ghost or, more eccentric, the new Jaguar XJ. Moments out of time with a single car may eradicate you: the rapid. Even an English. The first Aston to 4 doors!

The Japan grows its hybrid technology

If the technical problems encountered by Toyota still feed the conversations at the stand of the first world constructor wonder resumes its place with the Lexus CT 200 h (first chic compact sedan in history to combine thermal and electric motors) and Coupe Toyota FT86; the "cut the years 2010 Célica", say the connoisseurs; fans of the cult model will include.

Other beautiful attractions sports and techno: Coupe Honda CR - Z hybrid. First vehicle of its kind in the drawing also very futuristic. It must be said that the design is also one of the research assessed Japanese engineers. Nissan Juke, a kind of Micro-4 4 urban body in multiple inflections in giving the best example. A laugh on four wheels! Finally, Geneva requires, luxury Infiniti brand reveals for the first time in Europe its new model Mr. Une large sedan designed to attract fans of Mercedes E-class, Audi A6 and BMW 5 series to a Japanese constructor in addition and finally, under its hood, a power plant diesel to reduce its consumption fuel and CO2 emissions.

The Korea of growing

Last year, the Korea of the South has produced almost three and a half million cars, a million and a half more than in France. There are long that the Korean industry is no longer smile or jealousy or pleasure, always cheap models despite a quality to European standards and a more glamorous design... A visit to the Kia or Hyundai booth will complete to satisfy skeptics, even large (including hybrid) developments, for these two brands, are expected in Paris, then in 2011...