A host of core fleet models were unveiled at Geneva, with Ford’s striking Fiesta supermini leading the way, along with the new Honda Accord, Volkswagen Scirocco and Citroën C5.

Two major new models were given their public debuts by Ford, in the form of the impressive new Fiesta supermini and Kuga SUV.

“Such is the rate of product development, the S-MAX, which was only launched in 2006, is now the second-oldest vehicle in our range after the Fusion,” said Ford of Britain chairman and managing director Roelant de Waard.

And Mr de Waard was bullish for the firm’s prospects with the launch of the two new cars, with the Fiesta’s striking design closely allied to the Verve concept car which made such an impact at the Frankfurt show last year.

Launched in the autumn, Mr de Waard confirmed the Fiesta would come with a sub-100g/km CO2 ECOnetic model, saying that low emission models were increasingly important to the manufacturer.

Further details will be revealed later in the year.

He was confident that the Kuga would continue Ford’s success in attracting buyers of more expensive cars, a trend started with the S-MAX and which has continued with the Mondeo and Galaxy.

He said: “We are seeing that we are selling a richer mix of vehicles, and are comfortable selling cars priced above £20,000, thanks to excellent products.

“It’s something that started with the S-MAX and shows the positive development of our range.”

With prices starting from £20,495, Mr de Waard said the Kuga would prove a hit with fleets and user-choosers, combining performance, handling and strong residual values.

It is launched in April with a 2.0-litre TDCi 136bhp engine, and CO2 emissions of 169g/km.

Reflecting the firm’s new–found confidence in selling cars at premium brand prices, the Kuga will be offered with luxury items such as a rear-facing camera, panoramic roof, USB connectivity and DAB radio.

 

Pictures: Manufacturers (A-F)
Pictures: Manufacturers (G-L)
Pictures: Manufacturers (M-R)
Pictures: Manufacturers (S-Z)
Pictures: Glamour

 

Volkswagen

Volkswagen gave four models debuts at Geneva – with two key user-chooser models, a greener people carrier and the marque’s first hybrid.

Receiving most interest were the two all-new models – the Scirocco and Passat CC.

The Scirocco coupe will go on sale in the UK in September with a guide price of £20,000 for the 2.0 T FSI petrol model with 200bhp.

Further engines, including diesels, will be added to the line up in 2009.

The Passat CC is being marketed as a more upmarket cousin to the regular Passat, featuring more coupe-like styling influenced by the Mercedes-Benz CLS.

It goes on sale in the UK this summer with a choice of three petrol and two diesel engines.

Elsewhere on the stand, Volkswagen rolled out the Golf TDI Hybrid.

Although officially just a concept car, expect the model to make production later this year.

At its heart is a 1.2-litre diesel engine delivering 75bhp linked to a seven-speed semi-automatic gearbox.

This is linked to an electric motor which produces an additional 27bhp.

The end result with both units combined is a Golf which returns 83mpg on the combined cycle and CO2 emissions of just 89g/km.

Continuing the green theme is the new Sharan BlueMotion, with the seven-seat people carrier being given gearing and aerodynamic tweaks to drop CO2 emissions from its 2.0 TDI engine from 177g/km to 159. Volkswagen claims average fuel economy of 45.6mpg.

Volvo

The new XC60 sport utility vehicle will be the safest car Volvo has ever produced when it launches later this year thanks to technology that reduces the chances of collisions.

Called City Safety, the XC60 features technology that helps the driver avoid or reduce the effects of low-speed impacts.

Using lasers built into the windscreen, the XC60 senses if it is about to drive into the vehicle in front and the driver is not reacting, and brakes itself.

Claimed to be more of a driver’s car than the larger XC90, the XC60 will initially be available with the six-cylinder turbocharged T6 engine producing 285bhp and two five-cylinder turbodiesels: the 185bhp D5 and 163bhp 2.4D.

Four-wheel drive is standard, although the firm announced a front-wheel drive 2.4D will be launched in 2009 with CO2 emissions around 170g/km. Prices are yet to be announced, but should start around £28,000.

Ford

Two major new models were given their public debuts by Ford, in the form of the impressive new Fiesta supermini and Kuga SUV.

“Such is the rate of product development, the S-MAX, which was only launched in 2006, is now the second-oldest vehicle in our range after the Fusion,” said Ford of Britain chairman and managing director Roelant de Waard.

And Mr de Waard was bullish for the firm’s prospects with the launch of the two new cars, with the Fiesta’s striking design closely allied to the Verve concept car which made such an impact at the Frankfurt show last year.

Launched in the autumn, Mr de Waard confirmed the Fiesta would come with a sub-100g/km CO2 ECOnetic model, saying that low emission models were increasingly important to the manufacturer.

Further details will be revealed later in the year.

He was confident that the Kuga would continue Ford’s success in attracting buyers of more expensive cars, a trend started with the S-MAX and which has continued with the Mondeo and Galaxy.

He said: “We are seeing that we are selling a richer mix of vehicles, and are comfortable selling cars priced above £20,000, thanks to excellent products.

“It’s something that started with the S-MAX and shows the positive development of our range.”

With prices starting from £20,495, Mr de Waard said the Kuga would prove a hit with fleets and user-choosers, combining performance, handling and strong residual values.

It is launched in April with a 2.0-litre TDCi 136bhp engine, and CO2 emissions of 169g/km.

Reflecting the firm’s new–found confidence in selling cars at premium brand prices, the Kuga will be offered with luxury items such as a rear-facing camera, panoramic roof, USB connectivity and DAB radio.

Honda

The new Accord range took centre stage on Honda’s stand at Geneva, with both the saloon and Tourer estate models unveiled.

Due to go on sale in the UK on June 1 (the Tourer arrives in September), Honda is aiming to follow the success of the Civic and CR-V models in pushing further upwards into the premium market territory.

Honda has benchmarked the Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series in the development of the Accord, with the Audi’s quality levels and the BMW’s driving experience both targeted as being key to success in the market.

When sales begin there will be a choice of 2.0 and 2.4-litre petrol engines and the new Euro V-compliant 2.2 i-DTEC diesel.

The latter will take the majority of sales, with fleet customers in particular driving demand for the diesel.

Bernard Bradley, general manager – cars, at Honda UK, said: “Fleets account for around 60% of current Accord sales and our expectation is that this will grow to just over 70% with the new model.

"This is at odds with our image as we have been seen traditionally as a retail brand.

"However, we have grown our fleet share in the last three years and were the fastest growing fleet manufacturer in 2007.”

Honda will continue to offer GT sports versions with the new model to appeal to the many drivers who opt for an Audi S line or BMW M Sport.

This decision is backed by the fact that the Sport GT version of the old Accord, launched part-way through 2007, accounted for 50% of the model’s sales in the UK last year.

Mr Bradley said: “Drivers in this sector want something that looks sporty but does not have a huge engine.

“They need something to be competitive in company car tax terms.”

He also revealed that early indications from the price guides indicate an uplift on the 42% retained value figure of the old model after three years/ 60,000 miles.

Renault

Renault’s fleet director reckons the firm has two key messages to get across to the industry this year: that its new Laguna is more dependable and that the firm’s low emission Eco2 range is as wide an offering as there is in the industry.

Keith Hawes said: “People in the industry are reacting well to the improved quality of the Laguna, and we are getting back on to choice lists that we had previously dropped off, which is a great start.”

Mr Hawes is also keen to get the message across about how many cars the firm has in its Eco2 sub-140g/km CO2 range, believing that brands such as Volkswagen’s BlueMotion are taking the green spotlight.

“Perhaps because we’ve had so many cars at low CO2 levels for so long, people have got used to it, but we really need to be promoting the Eco2 brand to fleets and raising its profile to show just what we offer.”

The firm had a busy stand with the new Koleos 4x4 crossover unveiled, as well as a stunning Megane Coupe concept, which insiders say closely resembles the new Megane, due to be unveiled in Paris in September.

Koleos will be available with 2.0 dCi diesel engines in a choice of two power outputs, 150bhp or 175bhp, and two and four-wheel drive models.

Vauxhall

All the talk at the Vauxhall stand surrounded the sleek new Meriva concept, which – bar a few glitzy trinkets – is what the next Meriva compact MPV will look like.

The unique selling point to the Meriva concept is the FlexDoor system, which features a suicide-style set of rear doors designed to allow easier access to the back seats for children, shopping or luggage.

The doors have double locks on them to ensure that they cannot be opened while the car is moving.

Expect the new Meriva to arrive in showrooms in 2010, hot on the heels of the new Astra, which is due next year.

Vauxhall staff were also dropping heavy hints that the new Zafira, due in 2011, will take significant design cues from the Flexstream concept, first seen at the Frankfurt Motor Show last year and on show again at Geneva.

Citroen

Fresh from launching its stylish new C5 saloon model, Citroën gave the Tourer estate its first public showing at Geneva.

The Tourer will go on sale a couple of months after the saloon which arrives in showrooms in April.

It will feature the same six engines as the saloon, with
1.8-litre and 2.0-litre petrols and 1.6-litre, 2.0-litre, 2.2-litre and 2.7-litre V6 HDi diesels.

The Tourer is 5cm longer than the saloon and boasts 533 litres of luggage space, or 1,490 litres with the rear seats down. It comes with a panoramic glass roof along with an electric sunblind, as well as the option of an electric tailgate.

The boot area also features shopping bag hooks, side storage nets and ceiling hooks.

Xavier Duchemin, managing director of Citroën UK, said: “Our customers want and deserve the highest standards in comfort, reliability, performance and style and with the new C5 we have dedicated ourselves to deliver those qualities at unprecedented levels.”

Also making its debut on the Citroën stand was the new Berlingo van.

BMW/MINI

BMW’s stand at Geneva was dominated by Efficient-Dynamics, with a spokesman claiming it has to work even harder to get the message about its emissions-reducing technology across to fleets.

Surrounded on all sides by examples of the Efficient-Dynamics-equipped cars from the 1 Series to 6 Series was the new X6 sports activity coupe, which it is claimed offers drivers unmatched levels of handling in the SUV sector.

But emissions was the key theme, with a spokesman for the firm saying it will be promoting the technology more widely than ever to fleet managers to ensure the benefits are clearly known and understood.

Worldwide, BMW will sell 700,000 cars in 2008 equipped with EfficientDynamics, with 21 models now emitting 140g/km of CO2 or less.

Alongside the X6, which will go on sale in the spring costing around £1,500 to £2,000 more than the equivalent-engined X5, was a concept X5 which delivers 43.5mpg on the combined cycle and CO2 emissions of 172g/km, yet produces 204bhp.

Showcasing the next steps in EfficientDynamics, the Vision EfficientDynamics X5 has mild ActiveHybrid technology combined with a twin-turbocharged four-cylinder
2.0-litre diesel engine, mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox with roof-mounted solar panels which produce energy and also pre-heats the diesel, allowing for more efficient running from start-up.

•  MINI unveiled its new tuned John Cooper Works model, which will be factory-built and on sale in the summer.

With engine modifications that deliver 211bhp and 0-62mph in 6.5 seconds, and engine, brakes, suspension settings and transmission adapted from the MINI Challenge racing car, the John Cooper Works model will cost £20,500 for the hatchback and £21,700 for the Clubman. 

There is also a full range of bodystyling pieces available, as well as Dynamic Traction Control for the first time on a MINI.

Toyota

Geneva was very much the calm before the storm for Toyota.

Although it revealed the new iQ city car and Urban Cruiser small SUV, both cars do not go on sale until 2009, when the firm will launch 18 new products in 12 months, including the new Prius hybrid and Avensis.

The firm also claimed it expects to be selling 100,000 hybrids a year by 2010 across both Lexus and Toyota – doubling 2007’s tally of 49,000 units, in itself up 36% on 2006.

Less than four metres long, the Urban Cruiser is expected to take over from the discontinued three door RAV4 in offering compact dimensions and a high seating position.

Toyota is confident that it will be able to offer models with emissions of less than 140g/km of CO2, while still fitting five adults plus luggage in comfort.

The iQ is designed to take on the Smart fortwo, but offers three rather than two seats.

With low weight and a choice of two petrol and one diesel engines, the firm expects CO2 emissions to start at around 100g/km.

Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi was celebrating the announcement of strong residual values for its new Lancer saloon, with CAP predicted three-year/60,000-mile RVs of around 37%.

Jim Tyrrell, Mitsubishi UK managing director, said: “For a four-door saloon in the UK market to be so close behind a key competitor such as the Honda Civic five-door is a very pleasing result for us.

"The designers and engineers have worked really hard on this vehicle, and it is good to see that effort rewarded by the UK’s experts.”

The firm also unveiled the Prototype-S, a hatchback Lancer that will go on sale later in the year in both standard and 240bhp Ralliart forms.

Sitting alongside the saloon, the hatch has been designed specifically for the tastes of European buyers and is intended to compete the Volkswagen Golf GTI.

Peugeot

Peugeot once again showed off its 308 RCZ coupe concept at Geneva, making it more likely that a production version of the Audi TT rival will follow.

However, with a launch at least a year away Peugeot revealed two new additions to the 308 family – the SW estate and GT hot hatch.

The performance 308 GT THP 175 will be the first to arrive in April, powered by a turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol engine which also finds a home in the smaller 207 GT model.

This engine produces 175bhp, which gives the GT a 0-62mph time of 8.3 seconds and a top speed of 140mph.

Claimed combined fuel economy is 37.1mpg and CO2 emissions are 180g/km.

The other new arrival is the 308 SW estate which goes on sale in June.

Billed as a more practical member of the 308 range, the SW offers up to 2,149 litres of load space with the seats folded down, and 674 litres when they are in place.

There is also a panoramic glass roof and the option of two extra seats which can be folded down into the boot space.

Subaru

Subaru unveiled the next generation of its trusty Forester at Geneva, which will be available with its new boxer diesel engine in the autumn.

Sales of the petrol variant start in April, with the new car boasting more passenger and luggage space plus a smoother ride and more agile handling thanks to a new multi-link double-wishbone rear suspension.

Based on the platform of the new Impreza, Subaru believes the new Forester’s extra internal dimensions and 2.0-litre diesel engine will help it compete more closely in the SUV sector with the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4.

Also on show was the G4e – a supermini electric concept.

SEAT

SEAT’s new Ibiza supermini appeared at Geneva, albeit in thinly-disguised concept form.

The Bocanegra (which means black mouth) shows the direction the firm is taking with its new challenger, which is due to go on sale later this year.

A production version should make its debut at September’s Paris Motor Show.

The car has been designed by Luc Donkerwolke, the former chief stylist at Lamborghini, and features a more aggressive look than before.

The Bocanegra name refers to the large black front grille area.

Under the bonnet is the latest Volkswagen Group technology, including the seven-speed DSG gearbox and a 1.4-litre TSI twin-turbocharged petrol engine.

It seems that SEAT has learned from its previous model launches, with very similarly-styled models – Leon, Toledo and Altea.

The styling of the Bocanegra shows a sportier slant being taken by the company, which will also launch a rival to the Ford Mondeo next year.

Jaguar/Land Rover

New models were not the key focus for Jaguar and Land Rover at Geneva – instead the two brands were preparing for a new start under the ownership of Indian company Tata.

Tata Motors is in the final stages of negotiation with Ford about buying the two British premium brands for an estimated £1billion.

The company’s chairman, Ratan Tata, was at Geneva to allay fears that the companies could be moved away from their traditional West Midlands manufacturing base.

He said that his company’s aim was to retain the ‘Britishness’ of Jaguar and Land Rover, adding “these brands belong to Britain and they will continue to belong to Britain”.

After the hectic XF launch schedule of the past few months, Jaguar had a low-key Geneva, preferring to display its much-vaunted new saloon rather than unveil the supercharged R version.

However, it did reveal a limited edition version of the XKR coupe – the XKR-S.

Extensive changes to the suspension, brakes and steering, a noisier exhaust and a recalibrated engine management system makes this the fastest production XK to date.

The supercharged 4.2-litre V8 produces 420bhp.

At Land Rover, the striking LRX small SUV concept made another appearance, this time sporting a new paint scheme.
A production model is due next year, possibly using the firm’s diesel hybrid technology which is claimed to reduce carbon dioxide emissions to 120g/km.

Mercedes-Benz

While the rest of the world is going green, Mercedes-Benz is going blue.

Not to be confused with Volkswagen’s BlueMotion – used on the greenest variant of each model – BlueEfficiency is the name used to describe the innovations put into the C-Class range, which could then be rolled out across all Mercedes-Benz products.

The combined technologies reduce fuel consumption by as much as 12%.

A demonstration C200 CDI boasted reductions to drag coefficient, weight and rolling resistance and a lightweight windscreen.

A gearshift display tells the driver when to shift, and the power steering requires less energy to operate.

Simon Oldfield, sales director at Mercedes-Benz UK, said: “This will be a broad approach to all our cars in the future.

“We don’t want a standalone model that’s green while the rest of the range isn’t. If it makes sense we will bring it in and it will be on everything.”

Also on display was the new CLC sports coupé, out in the UK in the summer. Events in the north of England and the Midlands are planned to let fleet managers and company car drivers try the CLC as the launch approaches.
 

• With no new products imminent, Smart is concentrating on refining its existing offering. From September this year, all new Smarts will come with Mild Hybrid stop-and-start technology.

Simon Oldfield, who is also Smart’s UK sales director, said: “The new fortwo has sold very well in fleet as well as retail. There will be an 8% fuel saving with the Mild Hybrid, which is good news for businesses.”

Meanwhile, decisions are being made over the possibility of introducing the diesel version of the fortwo sold in mainland Europe to the UK.

If the go-ahead is given, a trial sale of left-hand-drive versions could begin later this year.

Although all fortwos emit less than 120g/km of CO2 – the magic figure that puts vehicles in the lowest band of benefit-in-kind tax – the diesel version emits just 88g/km.

Cadillac

The American carmaker’s latest assault on the UK market continues in July, when the right-hand drive CTS will arrive.

Cadillac hopes the car will provide an alternative to those looking at the likes of BMW and Mercedes-Benz for their next company car.

“This is a major statement for Cadillac,” a company spokesman said.

“This is new generation stuff. We call it our sea-change car.”
A CTS Coupé concept was also on show, which will form the basis of a production model due in 2010.

The Cadillac spokesman said the numbers coming to the UK would be small, but promises driving dynamics to rival BMW.

The Provoq concept car unveiled in Detroit also made an appearance in Switzerland, and will eventually become the new BRX, which will also come in right-hand-drive form to the UK.

Fiat/Alfa Romeo

A house-sized 500 dominated the Fiat stand, but it wasn’t just the MINI rival that grabbed visitors’ attention.

The Fiorino will hit UK shores at the end of this year, and continues the growing trend among manufacturers of bringing out vans that can double as passenger vehicles.

Slightly cheaper than the Doblo, the Fiorino was displayed in MPV form but will also be available without rear seats as a van.

There was a substantial green presence at Fiat, with two concept cars bearing the Aria name – a 500 and a Panda.

The Stop & Start technology contained in the concept will be available on the production 500 from October.

A new Bravo engine, the 1.6 Multijet with either 105 or 120bhp and capable of 60mpg was on display, and will be available in the UK from April.

• Alfa Romeo’s flagship 8C Spider stole the limelight.

The 159 and Brera both have styling and performance tweaks for 2008, and the firm was also showing its Electronic Q2 system, a differential designed to help with traction and stability that will become standard across the range.

Audi

The estate version of Audi’s new A4 range was the key model for fleets on the firm’s Geneva stand, alongside a host of new versions of the TT sportscar range.

Available to order now, the A4 Avant will go on sale in the UK in June with a predicted £1,200 price premium over the saloon.

This means prices should start from around the £23,900 mark.

At launch, there will be five engines from the saloon –
1.8-litre turbo and 3.2-litre V6 petrols and 2.0-litre, 2.7-litre and 3.0-litre TDI diesels.

Available in SE or S line trim, the Avant has a boot capacity similar to its rivals, offering 490 litres of luggage space, or 1,430 with the rear seats folded down.

Elsewhere, Audi has announced that a diesel-engined TT will join the line up in the summer, boasting CO2 emissions of 140g/km and combined economy of up to 53.3mpg from its 2.0-litre TDI 170bhp engine. It will be available in coupé and Roadster forms.

Also due to go on sale in the summer are the TTS models, with a power upgrade from 200 to 272bhp. Prices start at £33,380 for the range-topping model.

Finally, the 2.0 TFSI is now available with Quattro four-wheel drive.

Mazda

Mazda has enjoyed strong demand for its new 2 supermini in the UK since its launch last year and has now announced details of a three-door version.

It will join the existing five-door hatchback in the summer in 1.3-litre petrol guise, with a 1.5-litre version arriving later in the year.

Initial demand for the 2 has mainly come from the retail sector and Mazda is not actively pushing the car into fleet, although it has highlighted public sector and driving school fleets as a target market for the car.

Mazda has also just released further versions of its 6 upper-medium model, with a 2.0-litre turbodiesel and spacious estate bodystyle joining the range.

Skoda

Skoda’s new flagship car, the Superb, was unveiled at Geneva.

Designed to take on the likes of Renault’s Laguna and Ford’s Mondeo, the Superb features class-leading rear legroom and an innovative boot known as the Twindoor.

The boot can be opened like a traditional saloon, or with the rear windscreen like a hatchback.

A range of engines will be available, including a 170bhp
2.0-litre diesel which is expected to be a fleet favourite.

Skoda’s David Ovended, the UK head of operations, said the new model should ensure a 50% growth in sales of the Superb compared to the outgoing version, which sold almost 3,000 a year.

“It’s a very attractive car for the fleet sector and it’s a key market, particularly in leasing and contract hire,” he said.

“Superb will be an important addition to the fleet mix. It says something about the brand overall. It’s our halo product.”

Kia

Two concepts took pride of place on the Kia stand, the most obvious being a trio of cars known as Soul.

A Kia spokesman said the car was designed to be a different vehicle for different people that want different things.

It takes the concept of customisation seen in the MINI and the Fiat 500 and aims to take it further, with huge amounts of different paint, trim and accessory combinations available.

“We don’t want to pigeonhole it until it’s in the marketplace,” the spokesman said.

“Although it’s a B-segment car, modern lifestyles give all sorts of possibilities. It will be a car that will fit into your lifestyle rather than making some kind of lifestyle statement itself.”

A production version of the Soul will be on sale at the beginning of next year.

The eco_cee’d is, as the name suggests, a more economical version of Kia’s current hatchback, and the technology within the concept will make it into production.

The innovations include a stop and go system, low rolling resistance and underfloor aerodynamic improvements, as well as high ratio gears.

When used on the three-door pro_cee’d, the technology reduces CO2 emissions to just 104g/km.

Nissan

The big news at Geneva for Nissan was the GT-R supercar.
But of more interest to fleets – eventually – will be the new-look Murano.

Currently the petrol-only SUV sells in very small numbers in the UK, but a diesel-powered version will hit the UK in the next 12 to 18 months.

“That will be so important to us when it comes out,” said a spokesman for Nissan UK.

“Then the crossover family will really be able to push on. Qashqai is starting to make inroads in the fleet market now and we think it will be the fastest selling Nissan vehicle globally, ever.

“We will be concentrating on crossover as a major part of the corporate strategy over the next two years.”

Saab

Although no one will officially confirm it, Saab’s 9-X BioHybrid concept is a very strong hint to the look of a new vehicle for the Swedish – the 9-1.

Taking its design cues from Saab’s aircraft heritage and the AeroX Concept of 2006, the 9-X BioHybrid is powered by a 1.4-litre turbocharged engine with 200bhp, and an electric motor.

Able to run on E85 bioethanol, the concept emits just 105g/km of CO2.

Chevrolet

A three-door version of the Aveo was the highlight of Chevrolet’s stand.

Making its first public appearance, the car will go on sale later this year with a petrol engine with 84bhp. No prices or specifications are available.

Hyundai

Taking centre stage at the Hyundai stand was the i-mode concept car, an MPV that forms the basis of a forthcoming production car in 2010, possibly under the name of i35M.

The six-seater concept features a brand new twin-turbo 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine with 215bhp. The same engine, with a single turbo, will be seen in future large Hyundais such as the Tucson and Santa Fe.

The i-mode also features self-healing paint, developed with 3M and designed to magically repair minor scratches.

A Hyundai spokesman said the production i-mode would have considerable fleet appeal.

Also on show was the facelifted Sonata, which boasts an all-new interior. It’s replacement, the i40, is due in 2011 or 2012.

There was also a facelift for the Matrix, and a raft of economical refinements known collectively as i-blue. An i30 Blue with CO2 emissions of

113g/km will be launched in the UK in April.