Geneva 2010: Dan’s random highlights

Dan Trent writes:

So, we’ve just landed from Geneva and I thought I’d just share some random highlights I spotted on my last lap of the show before heading for the airport – conveniently right next door as it happens. Anyway, first up – predictably – is a Porsche. None of that hybrid nonsense, a proper, lightweight driver’s Porsche, namely the Boxster Spyder.

Check out the red fabric door releases – Richard and I getting very excited at this geeky reference to cars like my all time favourite 911, the 964 RS.

Moving swiftly on, this carbon-look G-Wagen on the Mansory stand was so spectacularly over the top I couldn’t help snapping it. I’m not sure I approve but if you’re going for the aggro SUV look you may as well do it properly. And it wasn’t quite as offensive as their Rolls-Royce Ghost!

Here’s the new F1 Safety Car too, as presented by Messers Schumacher and Rosberg at the Merc press conference. I understand now why its driver Bernd Maylander is so excited about it – way cool!

Slightly more real world is this, the facelifted Elise with the new 1.6-litre engine. I love Elises anyway but the idea of one that capitalises on that famous Lotus minimalism and does 155g/km and 45mpg by virtue of nothing other than being light and powered by a smallish, high revving naturally aspirated engine is very appealing. All power to ‘em and not an electric motor in sight! (Although the electric Evora was pretty cool too)

Kind of related, in that the original MX-5 carries many an influence from the Lotus Elan, Mazda put a mint, original Mark 1 beside the new anniversary limited edition to celebrate 20 years of the car in Europe.CJ greedily eyeing up parts he could strip from it and transplant to his own Mark 1 MX-5 just out of shot. Step away from the Mazda CJ, step away from the Mazda…

I hadn’t actually made it to the Honda stand before today but on the scout for two Geneva essentials – coffee and Wifi – I stumbled across this mean looking Mugen Accord. Nice!

Over at VW I found myself strangely attracted to the Amarok pickup too. Kinda handsome, in a burly way.

Hang on, what’s this? Another white sports car? Yup, this time a Wiesmann, the super cool German brand that finds creative uses for various BMW M engines, including the M3’s V8 and the M5’s V10. Yes, in that…

No engine at all in my next choice – this is the Morgan pedal car. Perfect for pedalling round the show perhaps, in search of my next coffee/Wifi hit. If it’s got boot space for a laptop I’m getting one for next year.

In these troubled times you can’t blame Toyota for reminiscing about happier times, when reliability was never in question. Never thought I’d be stopping to gaze lovingly at a beige Toyota either but this original Land Cruiser was way cool!

And finally the Alfa Romeo Giulietta, this one – predictably – in white with black wheels and in 235hp Quadro Fogiolio spec complete with evocative 1750 displacement. The headlights do look a little gawky but overall it’s a stunner. CJ seems non-plussed but as far as I’m concerned it blows the Focus out of the water when it comes to style and glamour. The big question, of course, is whether it can challenge the Ford when it comes to dynamics. I really, really want this car to drive as well as it looks like it should. Please Alfa, don’t drop the ball now…