There's a chance you'll have picked up on this already but, yes, there's a motor show going on in Geneva over the next couple of days. The first big show of the European circuit, easily accessible from the smarter ski resorts and not too far from Monaco it draws a monied crowd; as a result, the show tends to be populated with the more PHey end of manufacturers' model ranges. As in it's probably not the place to try and launch a new MPV or C-segment hatch, given the quantity of supercars, luxury 4x4s and attention-seeking aftermarket fare on display.
Here you'll find a quick update on what each manufacturer is showing and links to related stories both from the showfloor and pre-show build-up - we'll be updating things as we go so keep an eye on @PistonHeads on Twitter for alerts. For up to the minute observations from Matt and Dan at the show keep an eye on the accompanying liveblog and their individual Twitter feeds (@PHMattB and @Trent_Dan), with all Geneva stuff covered by the hashtag #PHGeneva2016.
Last update: Wednesday 0950h
The Scorpion box sits on the Abarth stand with plenty of parts making this
124 Spider
one that got us very excited. There is no additional power, it uses the same 170hp MultiAir 1.4 turbo in the Fiat but big Brembos, Bilstein dampers and a limited-slip diff have been added. Apparently Abarth rallied in the past (who knew?) and the colour schemes reflect that.
Alfa Romeo
Alfa has launched the non-QV Giulia range on their main stand. The diesel is the one British buyers are going to be buying (unfortunately) with a 2.2 engine with 150hp and 180hp with 280lb ft and 332lb ft respectively. Getting a look at the Alfa interior after waiting in a very British queue, it looks magnificent. Alfa will offer the Giulia in three specifications: a Giulia, er, Giulia, a Giulia Super and the Giulia Quadrifoglio. The full breakdown of those and prices will follow at a later date.
BMW is launching its 'not-actually-an-M' M760Li7 Series over on the main stand. The Rolls-Royce derived twin-turbo V12 is a stand-out feature but if a mainstream (relatively) BMW is still too common for you
Alpina's B7
might offer an alternative. OK, it's 'only' a V8 but at 608hp it's got a symbolic advantage over the 600hp M760Li (though the V12 has more torque) and the Alpina flourishes will make it feel that bit more special.
Geneva is THE show for new supercars, be they from the established leaders of the pack or ambitious upstarts, new hopefuls or just the odd crazy. The Arash is a bit of everything in that regard, the name having been around for a bit but never quite hitting the bigtime. The
AF10
aims high with a 2,000hp-plus combined power output from a supercharged Corvette V8 and electric motors on both axles. Enough to worry the establishment?
Aston Martin
A big show for Aston Martin as the covers are formally removed from the long-awaited DB9 successor, the DB11. We've had spy stories, we've had leaked official images but now this is the full unveiling as Aston enters its brave new Daimler-supported world. A new 5.2-litre turbocharged V12 and some bold styling are enough to shine under the show lights but Aston Martin needs to make some real noise in front of the high-rolling Geneva crowd. Crunch time!
At the time of writing we know about the updated
367hp RS Q3 Performance
, boasting a 27hp gain over the regular car and a host of other upgrades. Enough to make you love the looks or, indeed, image? If that's a problem for you don't expect to be overly excited about the Q2 also due to show here.
Bentley
Whether that money tucked away in your Swiss account is new or old there's a freshened up Bentley here to tempt you to spend some of it. The Mulsanne gets an update with new panels forward of the A-pillars and a host of infotainment upgrades while there's a new Flying Spur V8 S for those desiring a more sporty expression of new money Bentley values.
Bugatti
Where else would you launch a new Bugatti? 1,500hp and 260mph-plus have been confirmed - can it match the original impact of the Veyron though?
Headline debut for BMW is the
M760Li xDrive
, the flagship 7 Series getting all the tech luxury trimmings you could possibly need for sitting in Geneva's slow-moving traffic. And 600hp and four-wheel drive to whisk you safely up to that upmarket ski resort once the day is done. BMW will also be showing the
M Performance upgrades
for the M2 - thus 'upgraded' it'll be a chance to play 'hot or not' with the results. Plus, if that's not enough, AC Schnitzer have had a play with the 2 Series; yes, the
ACL2
is not an official BMW, but who isn't interested in a 570hp M235i?
Citroen/DS Automobiles
Yes, DS is officially a separate brand. But for the purposes of this we'll raise the slinky looking DS Automobile E-Tense concept as a representative of the brand. Motor show fantasy perhaps but stylish with it. Meanwhile back at Citroen proper there's another motor show standard - a regular model with some adventure sports accoutrements and lifestyle tie-in, in this case the C4 Cactus Rip Curl. If you're expecting a C4 Cactus with some surfboards strapped to it ... that's exactly what you're getting, the purpose of the exercise to promote the new Grip Control function to ensure that if you do drive your C4 Cactus onto the beach you'll also be able to drive it off again.
Another very Geneva-appropriate vehicle, this time from Ferrari with an update on the FF and rebranding to
GTC4 Lusso
. Four-wheel steering joins the four-wheel drive, begging the question: is there a better vehicle on show for tackling Alpine hairpin bends in the middle of winter?
Fiat
This will be the European show debut for Fiat's retro-themed take on Mazda's MX-5 underpinnings. Shamelessly plundering past glories - the clue is in the name - does the 124 Spider look any better in the metal than it did in the original batch of pics?
Hopes were raised with pre-show rumours of a Fiesta 'ST Plus', since confirmed as the
Fiesta ST200
. It's a mean looking thing and has some welcome additions, including a power increase to match that of the sanctioned Mountune upgrade kit.
Honda
Last year at Geneva we finally got to see the new Civic Type R. This year we get ... the new Civic. Let's hope they aren't going to stop building the existing Type R any time soon.
Had you realised there are now 18 different F-Types in the range? This roster has been swelled with the addition of the first SVR Jaguar in the shape of the
575hp F-Type SVR
. Active aero and all-wheel drive aim to convince the world the F-Type can do sophisticated as well as fast; we'll be hoping the bad boy vibe hasn't been entirely toned down.
Lamborghini
Going by the number of tanned gentlemen with slicked back shoulder length hair, fancy watches and expensive blazer/chino combos it's little wonder the supercar brands go on a serious charm offensive at Geneva. Ferrari, McLaren et al like to present themselves as the mature establishment; Lamborghini loves to subvert this by drowning them out with something suitably wild and attention seeking. Having just been confirmed as Stephan Winkelmann's replacement the limited run Centenario will give new boss and ex-Ferrari man Stefano Domenicali something to shout about at his first public appearance as Lamborghini's frontman.
Literally surrounded by the industry's big spenders Lotus's position as plucky underdog is always under a harsh spotlight at Geneva. That's not holding boss Jean-Marc Gales back though, the show hosting four new Lotus models including the
Elise Cup 250
uprated Evora 410
Maserati
A big year beckons for Maserati and Geneva seems the natural place to formally confirm its arrival in the premium SUV sector with its all-new Levante. Much talked about on first sight of the official pictures don't expect the chatter to die down as the covers are finally lifted off.
Star attraction at Mazda's Geneva stand will be the European debut of the
RX-Vision Concept
, the gorgeous looking coupe possibly (hopefully) set to put a rotary-engined sports car back at the heart of the Mazda product line-up. Are they going to build it though? We'll be pestering them for sure!
McLaren
McLaren's 570GT is the second of a promised three-car Sports Series line-up and hopes to expand on the already convincing charms of the 570S with a - relatively - more all-round brief. As such it's got a bigger boot, more luxurious feel and reshaped rear clam; expect plenty of crowds surrounding the car and also enjoying the fruits of McLaren's Special Operations handiwork on the P1 and 675LT Spider. It's the latter's formal debut too despite it, like the P1, being a sell-out.
An important show for Mercedes-Benz, with a freshly updated SL just shown to the press (and
driven by us
) and launch events for the new E-Class bookending the show. The stand will be focusing on new C-Class variants though, including the global unveiling for the
C-Class Cabriolet
and confirmation of a new sub-AMG performance range branded C43 and using the firm's punchy 367hp twin-turbo V6. First of these will be
the C43 4Matic Coupe
Pagani
Lamborghini Centenario simply a bit mainstream for your tastes? Fear not, you can seek refuge at the Pagani stand and soak up some proper supercar madness with the Huayra BC. More money, more aero, less weight - this is Pagani preaching to the converted in suitably spectacular style.
This being a European show Vauxhall is showing under the Opel brand and - shock horror - has something worth seeing at the show. Sure, it's a concept. But the idea of a lightweight,
Corsa-engined coupe
maximising on power to (not much) weight is one that appeals, especially if it can hit the 145hp/sub-tonne promise and looks anything like the show car. With Renault reviving Alpine with a lightweight, back to basics coupe, is this a sign the mainstream manufacturers are embracing a more realistic vision of affordable, fun and minimalist sports cars?
What Porsche taketh with one hand it giveth with the other... Yes, Geneva will be our chance to look at the outside of the
new 718 Boxster
; arguably its least significant bit. Yes, the much-discussed
four-cylinder boxer engine
and its place in the Boxster (and Cayman before long) is a big deal but Porsche's other big launch seems designed purely as red meat for the enthusiasts. Yes, that's
the 911 R
, a GT3 without a wing and - seemingly - a manual gearbox. And stripes. Well, it wouldn't be a proper GT product if it didn't have daft decals.
Alpine Vision concept
will apparently not be shown at Geneva, which will be disappointing for those unable to make the Monaco unveiling the other week. Expect further appearances through the summer towards the end of year reveal for the final production car though. Slightly less excitingly Renault has confirmed a Sport Tourer version of the Megane will be there, the four-wheel steer GT version promising a whiff of Renaultsport. But not too much if our drive in
the hatch
SEAT
About the only brand in the group not with a crossover product of some sort it's finally SEAT's turn to join the party. If not as glamorous as some other debuts the Ateca will be an important product and, likely, a big seller.
Toyota
Brace yourselves - in a show bristling with glamour and luxury Toyota is launching ... a C-HR C-segment crossover concept (death match with SEAT Ateca already scheduled, promise!), a European debut for the new Hilux and the Proace Verso nine-seater MPV. Which is basically a van with windows.
Thought the SUV had hammered home the final nail into the coffin of the boxy family estate car? Think again says Volvo, its new
V90 estate
proving the Swedes' commitment to a format they once defined back in the day. It's a smart looking thing and one that has already been a hit with PHers. Plus, if it's not quite opulent enough, Geneva sees the European debut of the
XC90 Excellence