Autoblog UK

Mitsubishi plan to fill a gap in their current portfolio with a new compact SUV. The vehicle will have name by the time of its European debut at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. Visually, the newcomer will have a lot in common with the Concept CX first exhibited in 2007. The first drawings show a sporty sloping roof line and a gaping shark's jaw grille. The front view is very much in keeping with the new brand visage now familiar from the mid-range Mitsubishi Lancer.

At the 59th Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, the planet's most prestigious classic car competition, Japanese premium segment manufacturer Infiniti has taken the wraps off its new Infiniti M, the sixth reincarnation of this luxury limousine, in a world-exclusive virtual 3D video debut. This is the first time that such a technologically innovative form of presentation has been used in the context of a vehicle launch.

The M model has been equipped with technically advanced V6 and V8 engines that are more powerful in terms of performance and capacity. To reflect these changes, this generation will be referred to as the Infiniti M37 and the Infiniti M56. For the West European market, the new M56 comes equipped with a powerful V6 Performance turbo diesel engine. Despite the hike in engine power, fuel consumption figures for the 2009 Infiniti M range are even lower than for last year's model. The latest Infiniti is striking for its completely redesigned bodywork. It is a sporty, dynamic limousine format with a much lower-slung bonnet and muscular wheel arches, pretty much in line with the Essence concept that made its debut at the 79th Geneva Motor Show. The Japanese developers of the Infiniti successfully convey their aspirations as a high-end quality marque via the modern interior design incorporating innovative materials and underscore this further with advanced climate control and an ultra-modern audio system.

The Dacia Duster has already made its debut as a concept car at the Geneva Autosalon. Next year, this diminutive SUV will be retailing in the European market at around 15,000 euros. There will be two petrol as well as two diesel versions delivering between 110 and 140 horsepower. The original configuration of opposed front- and rear-hinged ('suicide') passenger doors has been abandoned in the final version. The Duster is a collaborative project between the Renault Design Centre in the Romanian capital of Bucharest and the Renault Technocenter at Guyancourt back in France.

Honda will be presenting a special series of the Civic Type R with white bodywork. This "Championship White Edition" first took its bow at the Geneva Motor Show and as a contrast to the white bodywork, the door handles, tank filler cap, radiator grille and exclusive four-digit type badge are finished in a dark chrome design. This new top model of the Type-R series has 18-inch tyres and the well-known two-litre engine with 201bhp and a maximum revving limit of 3,000rpm, and costs 28,990 euros.

From 1899 until 1964, Lagonda traded as an independent marque before being swallowed up by Aston Martin. The rumour that the parent company intended to revive the Lagonda legend was not taken very seriously. But at the Geneva Motor Show, the speculation was vindicated as the new Aston Martin Lagonda concept was unveiled by company boss Ulrich Bez in person. The vehicle is a bulky colossus equipped with gleaming LED headlights. It's not the first time that a Lagonda has attracted bemused attention. The last Aston Martin Lagonda was rolled out into the spotlight in 1976. Likewise elongated and angular in shape, it raised a few eyebrows amongst the sports car fraternity.

First impressions of the new Lagonda are also mixed. Despite numerous sophisticated design touches, it still comes across as lumbering and shapeless. Somehow, we might have hoped for an elegant sports car like the Vantage or DBS. Instead, they've given us a tank. The decision of the British manufacturer to attempt a crossover between a limousine and an SUV in such difficult times is bold indeed. The technical platform for this upmarket SUV is the Mercedes GL. The huge grille is enough to scare the living daylights out of anyone looking in their rear mirror. Curious? Then take a look at the gallery.

A year ago, the Spyker C8 Aileron was presented for the first time and now the series version was seen at the Geneva motor show. This successor of the C8 Laviolette and Spyder has better roadholding and more room inside, thanks to the vehicle's length having been stretched by 15cm to 4.62 metres. The real eye catchers of the Aileron are of course the scissor doors and a glass roof lets a lot of light into the inside of the vehicle. The aviation-based tradition of the Spyker company is reflected by turbine shapes in many parts of the bodywork.

Luxury materials such as leather and aluminium bring the interior of the vehicle to life and the dashboard is reminiscent of an aircraft cockpit, while the 405bhp of power are provided by courtesy of Audi. The 'Flying Dutchman' races from 0-60 in 4.5 seconds This new model is available with manual or automatic transmission and you can count on having to shell out at least 225,000 euros. The Spyder version is due to be presented at Pebble Beach in California in August.

The Nissan GT-R SpecV is so far being distributed via a mere seven dealerships in Japan. Nissan are gauging the response at the Geneva Motor Show before deciding on a European launch. The new top-of-the-range SpecV of the 485bhp Nissan GT-R supercar has even more of a motor racing look and feel than the series version. Many of its components such as the rear spoiler, grille and brake cooling vents are manufactured from carbon fibre. The special paint job has likewise been chosen for its visual similarity to the material. Even the cabin is fitted out with carbon. Under the bulging bonnet of the supercar, there are some nice touches : bigger brakes, lower weight, and the gentle bulge in the bonnet conceals the turbocharger with overboost.

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Skoda are using the international stage of the Geneva Motor Show to premier their vision of the future: the Yeti is Skoda's interpretation of a compact SUV. This model bears some characteristic features that we have already seen on the Roomster concept. Design accents are the wide wrap-around windscreen and concealed A-pillars. The roof panel also reflects the new direction that design at Skoda is taking and which the Roomster has already hinted at.

The styling is entirely devoid of any aggressive traits and the Yeti has a positive and friendly appearance, in stark contrast to most SUV and off-roaders on the market. But this concept vehicle will not only shine off the beaten track: with its compact dimensions and generous interior, it is also eminently suitable for urban use. The Yeti is well equipped for transport duties as befits a vehicle of its class; once the back seats are removed, the boot offers up to 1,760 litres of luggage space.

Last year, one item of news in particular rocked the automotive establishment around the world: the new Tata Nano was to go on sale in its native India for roughly 1,700 euros. Fairly quickly, word got around that this version contained only the barest essentials – no trace of modern safety technology. But now, Tata are showing off an improved model of the Nano that has been specifically designed for the European market.

Its idiosyncratic basic shape remains unaltered: a high build combined with small wheels allowing for maximum use of space. The Nano Europa is 3.29 metres long and 1.58 metres wide, and the only visual differences are the newly designed headlights and taillights. Under the bonnet, the previous two-cylinder engine has been replaced with a three-cylinder petrol engine, producing CO2 emissions of less than 100g/km. According to Tata, the Nano Europa meets all safety requirements, with ABS, ESP and airbags on board. So far, no launch date or prices have been released, but in India, the production model will be unveiled on 23rd March 2009 and go on general sale from April.

The new supermini, the Chevrolet Spark, which will go on sale in 2010 with a snazzy new design and small economical engines, had its premier at the Geneva Motor Show. The most striking visual features of this five-door vehicle are its high roof and almost vertical tailgate. The front end is dominated by long slanting headlights framing the large radiator grille which is adorned with the traditional golden logo. This supermini is 3.64 metres long and has a wheelbase of 2.38 metres. The boot has a 170-litre capacity which can be expanded to 994 litres once the rear seats are folded away.

There is a choice of two petrol engines for the Spark, the 1.0-litre version delivering 66bhp and the 1.2-litre 78bhp. Either of these will return over 56.5mpg and they are both coupled to a manual five-speed gearbox.