Hyundai VelosterThe 2011 Geneva Motor Show is the most exciting new car extravaganza of the year, as each major manufacturer reveals its future cars and plans.

We bring you the 20 most exciting and important launches.

Geneva Motor Show 2011 gallery:

Geneva Motor Show 2011

1. Ford B-MAX
The Ford B-MAX has gone into battle with Vauxhall Meriva in the small car space race. While the Meriva has rear-hinged back doors, the B-MAX has side doors with no metal pillar in the middle, making getting in and out much easier.

2. Toyota Prius+
The Prius+ is Toyota’s answer to the multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), with seven seats and a big 950-litre boot, able to swallow a family and all of their luggage. Thanks to its advanced Hybrid Synergy Drive Toyota, promises it will be the cleanest, and cheapest to run seven-seater on sale.

3. Hyundai i40
Each new Hyundai gets better and better, so big things are expected of the i40 estate. It’s undoubtedly the most handsome Hyundai yet, with a thoroughly modern and European-influenced design.

4. Ferrari FF
There is so much to say about the FF, if you can pick your jaw off the floor. It’s the first ever Ferrari with four-wheel drive and has a 6.2-litre V12 with 660bhp. It seats four people, has a 450-litre boot and can hit 208mph thanks to its ‘shooting brake’ body style, with an elongated roof and rear hatchback.

5. Kia Picanto
The “cute” Picanto has been replaced by a car which is now “handsome” according to Kia. It has grown in size, but its running costs should still be petite thanks to efficient new engines.

6. Aston Martin Virage
Aston’s latest coupe and convertible is called the Virage. It’s based on the DB9 and has re-designed bodywork and an enhanced interior, as well as improved performance. It’s a more discreet alternative to the DBS supercar.

7. MINI Hatch Cooper SD
The economical MINI Hatch diesel has never shared the high performance of the petrol models, until now. MINI’s engineers have had to perform minor miracles to get a 2-litre diesel motor to fit in the MINI, but with 143bhp we’re sure it will have been worth it.

8. Audi RS 3 Sportback
When we drove the Audi TT RS it was the 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine which stood out. Now it has been used to create the fastest version of Audi’s humble A3 ever, using quattro four-wheel drive to hit 62mph in 4.6 seconds.

9. Hyundai Veloster
There hasn’t been a sporty Hyundai since the Coupe disappeared from showrooms in 2009. The Veloster aims to change that, with a sleek design and three side doors to make getting in the passenger side of the car easier.

10. Volkswagen Bulli Concept
The Bulli offers a tantalising glimpse into a futuristic take on the iconic 1950s two-tone Volkswagen Samba Bus. Will Volkswagen build it? We think there will be thousands of fans pleading with them to do just that. The concept has six seats and a 114bhp electric motor powered by batteries built into its floor.

11. Toyota FT-86 II Concept
Like Hyundai, Toyota has been without a sports car for some time. The Supra, MR2 and Celica are long gone, soon to be replaced by a model with the working title of FT-86 II. It’s a compact rear-wheel drive coupe with a 2-litre turbo engine, which promises thrills and an affordable price tag.

12. Porsche Cayman R
On sale now, the Cayman R weighs less than a standard Cayman and has more power, a certain recipe for an even better driving experience. With a semi-automatic PDK gearbox fitted it will nail 62mph in 4.7 seconds.

13. Jaguar XKR-S
It’s hard to miss the bright blue XKR-S, fitted with a tuned version of its 5-litre supercharged V8, now rated at 542bhp and a massive rear wing. The suspension has been stiffened to exploit the extra performance and wider tyres have been fitted for extra grip.

14. SEAT IBX
SEAT has unveiled a rival to the Volkswagen Tiguan and forthcoming Audi Q3. It’s a small 4×4 which is aimed at younger buyers and should have excellent on-road manners and could prove to be a cut-price alternative to the Range Rover Evoque for some buyers.

15. Audi A3 Saloon Concept
The A3 saloon should be a huge success in the US and China, but may also interest some fans of the four-ringed badge in Europe. Especially if Audi fit the 400bhp 2.5-litre turbo engine seen in the show car.

16. Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet
Joining the ranks of premium convertibles like the BMW 1 Series Convertible and Audi A3 Cabriolet, the Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet will go on sale this summer. The four-seat convertible has a fabric roof that can be raised and lowered electrically in under 10 seconds.

17. Peugeot 308
Peugeot has revealed a new-look, more efficient 308. On the outside there’s a new nose and LED daytime running lights, while under the bonnet there’s a clever hybrid engine that’s capable of emitting just 98g/km of CO2, making it free to tax. It goes on sale in May, with prices starting from £15,245.

18. Lamborghini Aventador
The Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 is a range-topping supercar that’s hailed as the successor to the Murciélago. Its 6.5-litre V12 engine produces 691bhp, can hit 0-62mph in 2.9 seconds and has a top speed of 217mph. Named after a bull that fought in Spain during the nineties, it goes on sale this summer and will cost £242,280.

19. Vauxhall Zafira
Although the Vauxhall Zafira Tourer Concept revealed at Geneva is just a concept, it’s said to share 95 to 99 per cent of its design with the model arriving in the UK later this year. The current Zafira is the best-selling compact-MPV and the new version will be more upmarket, going head-to-head with the Ford S-MAX.

20. Alfa Romeo 4C
The Alfa Romeo 4C concept car was one of the stars of the Geneva show. The mid-engined, ultra-lightweight two-seater is likely to be the first of a range of sports cars produced by the Fiat group over the next few years. It’s already been confirmed for production next year.