2011 Geneva’s Top 10 new cars

The Geneva Motor Show 2011 has already gone down as one to remember! Given the shear number of new production cars and concepts at the show, it’s fair to say that the automotive industry has shaken off the pain of the past couple of years.

But it seems that the recession has proved to be the mother of reinvention for the car industry, with a host of truly innovative, interesting and exciting new cars making their debut at the Swiss expo.

And you’ve been hooked too, judging from our exception site traffic throughout the show. Here we rank the top 10 new cars.

1. Volkswagen Bulli

Sensational Bulli brings classic van bang up to date, featuring electric drivetrain and seating for six.

2. Alfa Romeo 4C Concept

Alfa’s 4C debuts with 250bhp Giulietta engine and chassis developed by Dallara as evolution of KTM X-Bow.

3. Ford B-MAX

Ford reveals new Fiesta-based MPV at last, featuring unique ‘pillarless’ design.

4. Skoda Vision D

Five-door Vision D concept reveals future design direction for Skoda and offers glimpse of new family car.

5. Lamborghini Aventador

Aventador blasts off to replace Murciélago with hi-tech carbon construction and a 691bhp V12.

6. Saab PhoeniX

Bold new PhoeniX shows brand’s new styling direction and points to look of next 9-3.

7. Toyota FT-86 II

Legendary Celica returns as Toyota debuts close-to-production second FT-86 concept.

8. Fiat 500 Coupe Zagato

Fiat’s 500 gets a coupe makeover from Italian design house Zagato and could preview a production model.

9. Audi A3 saloon

Saloon previews Audi’s next premium family model, joining three-door, Sportback, Avant, Coupe and Cabriolet.

10. Citroen Metropolis

Metropolis revealed in Europe for first time, and production version will top DS range as part of joint venture with Chinese maker.

GM EV-N Concept

General Motors has unveiled its vision of the future. Called the EV-N Concept, the two-seater fully electric concept has been developed by GM alongside its Chinese business partner SAIC, and made its public debut today in Shanghai.

The ‘Electric Networked-Vehicle’ is designed as an ideal solution for urban mobility and seats two passenger side-by-side in an upright position. Propulsion comes from two electric motors, one in each wheel, producing 440Nm of torque for brisk acceleration, although the top speed is just 25mph and the maximum range 25 miles.

GM has worked closely with Segway to give the EV-N the ability to self-stabilise on two wheels, much like the Segway scooter. This means the vehicle can turn within its own footprint, while there’s space for two passengers plus luggage in a vehicle that takes up roughly a third of the road space of a conventional vehicle.

By combining GPS with vehicle-to-vehicle communications and distance-sensing technologies, the EV-N can be driven manually or entirely completely autonomously – leaving you free to get on with work or read the paper while it shuttles you to your destination. It can also communicate with other EV-Ns to get real time traffic information and ensure you’re always on the fastest route.

Using vehicle-based sensor and camera systems, EV-N can “sense” what’s around it, allowing the vehicle to react quickly to obstacles or changes in driving conditions. GM claims this makes it virtually uncrashable – allowing the bodywork to be built from lightweight carbon-fibre and plastic and keeping the weight below 500kg.

Three different versions of the EV-N were unveiled in Shaghai although they share almost identical dimensions – the blue Xiao (Laugh) created at the GM studio in Australia, the red Jiao (Pride) penned at GM’s European studio in Germany and the grey Miao (Magic) born out of the GM Advanced Design Studio in California.

Laferrari First Hybrid Ferrari

Ferrari has taken wraps off their highly anticipated supercar naming it as 'Laferrari'. With just 499 production vehicles to be built, the limited-series automobile combines formula one performance and ustainability with its first ever hybrid powertrain - a HY-KERS system that delivers 963 horsepower from its V12 engine and its two electric motors.

Equipped with a 7-speed dual-clutch gear box EF1-trac F1 electronic traction control system, 'Laferrari' is capable of reaching speeds over 350 km/h - launching 0-100 km/h in less than 3 seconds and 0-200 km/h in under 7 seconds, making it the fastest road car in the company’s long history.

To boost efficiency, sports active aerodynamic devices front (diffusers and guide vane on the underbody) and rear (diffusers and rear spoiler) generate down force when needed without compromising the car’s overall drag coefficient - deploying automatically on the basis of a number of different performance parameters which are monitored in real time by the car’s dynamic vehicle controls.

Developed by Flavio Manzoni's design team, 'Laferrari’s' styling works in close collaboration with the engineers to emphasize and retain close links to the marque’s tradition - and to that of the Ferrari Enzo predecessor.

Its side profile sees a sharp, downward-sloping nose and a low hood highlighting its muscular wheel arches, a clear reflection to the forms found in the late-1960s Ferrari sports prototypes.

Lamborghini Veneno

Lamborghini to reveal £2.6 million supercar at the 2013 Geneva motor show – and only three will be sold.

Lamborghini is showing what it calls a street-legal supercar, the Veneno – of which only three will be sold, each costing £2.6 million plus tax – at the 2013 Geneva motor show.

According to Lamborghini, its design is focused on maximum aerodynamic efficiency. The Veneno is based on the Aventador supercar, and shares its 6.5-litre V12 engine although in the Veneno it develops 50bhp more, at 750bhp. That, combined with a wind-cheating shape, should mean a top speed of 221mph.

The car's front has been laid out for optimum airflow and downforce. It's recognisably Lamborghini, although the overall look is reminiscent of sports-prototype racing cars. It shares the Aventador's scissor doors.

At the rear, too, sophisticated aerodynamics ensure perfect airflow to the large openings for cooling the V12 as well as supplying intake air.

The smooth underbody terminates in a diffuser framing the four exhaust outlets, while most of the rear of the car – featuring a fin and an adjustable wing – is open.

The complete chassis as well as the outer skin are formed from carbon-fibre-reinforced composite materials, while the interior is a further demonstration of Lamborghini's skill with carbon composites, featuring a couple of patented lightweight materials for the seats and all interior surfaces. The monocoque is based on that of the Aventador, as are the alloy subframes front and rear.

Like the Aventador, the Veneno has a fast-shifting ISR transmission with seven forward ratios and five modes, with drive to all four wheels. It also shares the Aventador's racing-style pushrod suspension with horizontally mounted spring/damper units.

Continuing the Lamborghini tradition, the Veneno name is derived from a particularly aggressive fighting bull.

The Veneno shown at Geneva is Lamborghini's development car, featuring red, white and green accents on the flanks to symbolise the Italian flag. The three customer cars will only have highlights in one of these colours.

How to build your own Lamborghini

(Malay translation needed) Kisah ni berlaku di Ukraine di mana seorang pemuda sudah bosan dengan kereta yang dimilikinya sekarang.  Kereta beliau ialah Mitsubishi Eclipse keluaran tahun 2003. Kereta yang berumur hampir 10 tahun ini sudah tidak mampu menarik perhatian ramai terutama wanita.

Kereta asal beliau, Mitsubishi Eclipse 2003.

Memandangkan beliau tidak memiliki wang yang cukup untuk memiliki sebuah Lamborghini Reventon, beliau  nekad untuk mengubahsuai kereta Mitsubishinya tadi sehingga menyerupai Reventon. Berjayakah beliau?

Lamborghini Reventon.

Kalau beliau masuk pertandingan AUTOSHOW mesti boleh menang besar jika ECLIPSEnya berjaya menjadi REVENTON. Apa kata kaki ubahsuai kereta di MALAYSIA? Berani buat macam ini?

Saksikanlah deretan gambar di bawah ini!

Beliau boleh berbangga kerana berjaya membina sebuah kereta baru dari badan kereta lama. Nak panggil apa? Mitsubishi Reventon? Jika di Malaysia kereta ini kemungkinan akan menjadi sasaran pihak berkuasa jika digunakan di jalanraya!

Tak kisahlah, ini Ukraine bukan Malaysia. Dan akhirnya beliau berjaya juga memenangi sebuah piala di AUTOSHOW tempatan! Syabas! Kaki ubahsuai kereta di Malaysia apa lagi, tak terasa tercabar ke?