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Geneva Motor Show - first day pictures
06 March 2007 Stuart Milne will be at the show all day, telling you what's going on as it happens. Fiat First call was Fiat unveiling the new Bravo hatchback. After the disappointment when its predecessor was launched a few years ago, I'm pleased to report the new model looks great. Flanked by women in white and a strange bloke - also in white - sneaking around the show cars, looking like he was about to steal it, it was difficult to get you these shots. Still, it was worth the effort. From the back, the Bravo looks a little like the new Golf, while the rakish, sloping front bears a family resemblance to its Grand Punto supermini. Kia After a quick peek at Lancia it's always good to see its still making some of Europe's weirdest motors, it was off to Kia, which has a few interesting machines at this year's show. First up is the estate version of the excellent Cee'd Focus rival. The Cee'd SW, as it is known has more than a hint of Volvo and Skoda about it, and should sell like hot cakes; particularly with the unique seven year warranty. A coupe-cabriolet version of the Cee'd will be launched later today, so stay tuned. Elsewhere on Kia's bigger-than-usual stand is a hybrid version of the Rio saloon. It's currently being trialled by the South Korean government, so expect to see them on these shores soon.
One of the cars I was most looking forward to seeing in Geneva was the Lexus IS-F; the hot version of the IS 'compact executive'. Despite the stonking 400bhp powerplant under the bonnet, I couldn't help feeling the F looked a little too Max Power, with its funky side skirts and big bumpers. It looks sensational in the metal, and is guaranteed to make BMW M3 or Audi RS4 buyers think twice before handing over a wad of hard-earned. Next to the IS-F is the Lexus LF-A. The supercar which is likely to be the long-awaited replacement for the Toyota Supra looks even better than the pictures we've seen before. Crossing the line onto Toyota's stand, and the three-door Auris took pride of place. The highly-polished chromed model on a revolving platform was a nightmare to photograph due to meerkat-like photographers desperate to get that winning photo without seeing themselves in it. The car looks great, though; all it needs is a hot engine. Come on Toyota, finally give us a replacement for the old Corolla Twin Cam from the 1980s. But Toyota was saving the best until last (that's if you walked across the stand in the same direction as me). The FT-HS might have an awful name, but it looks the business, and with its hybrid powerplant could be the first supercar to keep the environmentalists happy.
The first really big launch of the day is Renault. With a phalanx of footsoldiers pulling the covers off its new cars, the assembled rabble knew it was going to be an important launch. And it was the new Twingo supermini. The round-town kickabout never came to the UK officially, but our continental cousins couldn't get enough of them. The new model looks great, and should appease those who think the Clio has become too big for their needs. Another premiere is the Clio Grand Tour Concept, which looks a bit like a two-door Peugeot 207 SW. Looking good for a launch sometime in the next few years, if you ask me.
Next its the turn of Renault's sister company, Nissan and the launch of its all-new X-Trail. Nissan's bosses say the current model has been a huge success story, so they've taken an 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' stance on the outside, at least. It keeps its boxy looks, which sits perfectly between the curvy Qashqai and no-nonsense rugged Pathfinder. It has a fancy new 4x4 system, which Nissan say makes it perform well off-road, and a range of new engines, including a couple of grunty diesels developed with Renault. It's getting on now, and I've not eaten anything since an easySandwich aboard one of Stelios' finest jets, so they'll be more from Geneva in a bit.
The craziest concepts
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Toyota/Lexus
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