We've waited long enough for this: the production version of the
Ford Focus ST as seen in Geneva. Ford's keeping mum on a Focus RS, though. On a more practical people-carrying theme, we expect to see both the
D-MAX and the new
Galaxy on show, both Mondeo-based, plus a concept called
Iosis, which hints at the next-generation Mondeo itself. China's
Geely Motors, which has signed a deal to import its cars into Spain and Portugal, is looking for partners to distribute them elsewhere in Europe: it will show off a small saloon called
Free Cruiser, two larger saloons, a small family-sized hatch called
Haoqing and the charmingly-named
Chinese Dragon small sports car.
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| Honda Civic |
Honda's big news is not (sadly) the new NSX, but its eighth-generation
Civic family range. This will also include the Japanese-built new-generation
Civic IMA hybrid, with improved petrol-electric powertrain and a sportier character than its predecessor. There'll also be mildly-madeover
Accord models with new high-tech equipment, including a clever
adaptive cruise control/lane departure warning system, and a
Legend 'concept' to gauge enthusiasm and demand for Honda's latest top-end saloon in Europe.
Hyundai is to launch mildly-revised versions of its Getz supermini, and a sporty three-door Accent SR, with a turbocharged 2.0-litre turbo engine. Sister company Kia will have an MPV concept called Multi S.
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| Jaguar XK |
And now for two very different large saloons. From
Jaguar, the supercharged
Daimler Super Eight - no relation to the shaky old pre-video film cameras of the same name - is essentially an even posher XJR. The
Kia Magentis is a conservative-looking version of fellow Korean company Hyundai's Sonata. As they say, you pays yer money and you makes yer choice. Don't be distracted by the Daimler, though: Jaguar is also going to show us the new-generation
XK, the production version of the
ALC (Advanced Lightweight Coupe) concept unveiled in Detroit, and perhaps the
XKR and
convertible models as well.
