The 2009 Geneva Motor Show marks the 79th year the Swiss super rich getaway and United Nations capital has hosted an automotive exhibition, and while a pall will no doubt be hanging over the halls of the Geneva Palexpo center due to the dire state of the industry, thankfully the usual assortment of world debuts and exotic creations will be on hand to distract our attention.
Geneva's a show where the Italians usually shine, and this year the spotlight will burn a little brighter on Fiat, who has been attempting to forge an alliance with ailing Chrysler in an effort to establish a beachhead on U.S. soil. An assortment of crossovers and hybrid models are rumored to be on the table for America and several will be at Geneva, flanked by the usual assortment of beautiful women. Ah, Italia...
As automakers rush to green their lineups, Geneva will also see more than its share of vehicles with various technologies on board designed to emit lower emissions, save gas and otherwise push the envelope of the future of propulsion. Some tech is close, some not so much, but auto shows are as much about the future of transportation as the present -- and the future has a green sheen to it.
Stay tuned for our complete coverage from the floor of the 2009 Geneva Show, March 3-4.
Featured Vehicles: |
 Ford Ranger
The redesigned, wind-tunnel tested Ford Ranger pickup receives a complete revamping both inside and out, and safe to say, it looks pretty well done. |
 Ford Tourneo Connect BEV
The people carrier demonstrates that Smith's electric vehicle technology in vans and trucks can easily translate into passenger vehicles. |
 Hyundai ix-onic Concept
The Hyundai ix-onic concept is being billed by Hyundai as having a 'dramatic new look for compact SUVs'. |
 Kia No. 3 Concept
The No. 3 concept is an MPV vehicle that Kia promises is "fun to drive." |
 Lexus RX 450h Hybrid - European Debut
The advanced Lexus RX 450h will make its European debut at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show, and UK sales are expected to start in the summer. |
 Nissan NV200 Workvan
Little brother to the recently debuted NV2500 commercial van, the NV200 boasts some impressive capabilities of its own. |
 Nissan Qazana Concept
The Qazana will be a crossover that slots beneath the European-market Nissan Quashqai, a close cousin of the U.S.-market Rogue.. |
 Nissan X-TRAIL Platinum
Nissan will feature the X-TRAIL, similar to the Nissan Xterra in the U.S., with a new package called the Platinum. |
 Peugeot 3008
The Peugeot 3008 is essentially a production version of the Peugeot Prologue HYmotion4 Concept -- touted as the French automaker's first hybrid and first crossove |
 Porsche Cayenne Diesel
The Porsche Cayenne Diesel uses a 3.0-liter V-6 -- sourced from the upcoming Audi Q7 TDI -- that produces 240 hp and over 405 lb-ft of torque. |
 TechArt Porsche Cayenne Diesel
TechArt has already dressed up a Porsche Cayenne Diesel |
 Skoda Yeti
Forget the get-rich-quick schemes, this Yeti isn't furry. Rather, it's the latest compact SUV from Skoda and made its world debut in Geneva. |
 Toyota Verso
One of Toyota's Geneva debuts is the redesigned Verso, Europe's bigger version of the Matrix. |