Swiss bang

The important cars from Geneva '06, before they get there!

SPOOL IT UP
YOU MEAN THIS IS A...

Yes! Yes!Yes! It's the new 911 Turbo. The boys from Zuffenhausen have finally thrown a turbine at that boxer engine and the trademark spoiler is back too. Take that, F430.

THEY'D MAKE SOMETHING LIKE THAT?

Duh! This is Porsche we are talking about here. How can they not have a 911 without that trademark spoiler? Anyway, Porsche hasn't revealed any figures yet, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't speculate, right?

We say it will have about 500 bhp and should come with Porsche's version of a DSG gearbox ,and it will get 4-wheel drive too. 0 to 100? We think somewhere in the late 3s. Top speed? Somewhere in the early 300s.

IT'S HARD TO EXPLAIN, BUT WE THINK...

It's nice in a 'Q' car kinda way that the 997 Turbo won't look too different from the Carrera. However, those widened fenders might just be sporting the widest tyres ever fitted to a 911.

The front bumper gets high-intensity LED indicators and parking lights, there are enough air scoops to swallow surrounding wildlife and it rides on 19-inch, ultra-low-profile, steam roller rubber.

We are pretty certain that this will be the 911, while the fact that it has AWD means power-sliding will be a near-orgasmic experience. What's the best part? It'll definitely come to India. Yee ha!

STREET URCHIN
YOU MEAN THIS IS A...

...Toyota? But of course. The Urban Cruiser will add more pizzazz and firepower to the brand's already extensive 4x4 portfolio.

THEY'D MAKE SOMETHING LIKE THAT?

If we told you Toyota had a design studio in France, would the rest of the raison d'être come to you automatique? Toyota will also reveal the facelifted Prius. Which is practical, but at a show, you need sass as well, right?

IT'S HARD TO EXPLAIN, BUT WE THINK...

Conceived in Nice, the tiny Urban Cruiser looks bigger than it is thanks to the huge wheel arches. The interior, however, it too trendy furniture for us. Waitaminnit, those are the exact words Toyota used to describe them. Oh shoot.

MINOR ALTICATION
YOU MEAN THIS IS A...

...no, we never said that. The Altica, to set the record straight, is Renault's latest concept in the mould set by the 1988 Megane. It's all shooting brake-ish, with the standard coupe-estate intermarriage. With the new themes that happened with the '04 Fluence concept, of course.

THEY'D MAKE SOMETHING LIKE THAT?

Renault thinks way out of the box, boy. Always have and, we suspect, always will. The long hood and deep haunches look smart as do the 21-inch tyres. The interior is smart too, with four seats, an interestingly mounted dash, and XXL scissor doors.

IT'S HARD TO EXPLAIN, BUT WE THINK...

The 177 bhp 2000cc diesel engine, low drag coeff and all add up to a relatively sleek, frugal MPV-SUV-Car thing. We say it will make production soon. Expect that version to be toned down somewhat, though.

EPICA ADVENTURE
YOU MEAN THIS IS A...

... chocolate bar? Oh no, you're mistaken. The Epica is the most anticipated new Chevrolet. The Epica (what's with the name, dudes?) will replace the preceding Epica (what's with the name, dudes?) and push in the D1 segment.

THEY'D MAKE SOMETHING LIKE THAT?

Money makes the world go round, baby. The GM Design & Tech centre in Incheon, South Korea came up with it, a fairly safe, middle-path car.

IT'S HARD TO EXPLAIN, BUT WE THINK...

...the Epica has its work cut out. The car will battle the superb Sonata, the Kia Magentis and the Nissan Teana. There will be 144 bhp 2000cc and 157 bhp 2500cc petrol engines... (Deja vu? See GM-Daewoo Tosca)

TOSCA BRAVA
YOU MEAN THIS IS A...

... chocolate bar? No, the Tosca (what's with the name, dudes?) is the latest from GM-DAT which will replace the Magnus (aka Evanda; what's with the name, dudes?) and will push sales in the D1 segment.

THEY'D MAKE SOMETHING LIKE THAT?

Money makes the world go round, baby. The GM Design & Tech centre in Incheon, South Korea came up with the Tosca (TOmorrow's Standard CAr), a fairly safe, middle-path car.

IT'S HARD TO EXPLAIN, BUT WE THINK...

...the Tosca has its work cut out. It will battle the superb Sonata, the Kia Magentis and the Nissan Teana. There will be 144 bhp 2000cc and 157 bhp 2500cc petrol engines... (Deja vu? See Chevrolet Epica)

TOFF ROADER
YOU MEAN THIS IS A...

... car that's coming to India? No, we doubt it. The new RAV4 is smart and compact SUV template. With nine standard air bags!

THEY'D MAKE SOMETHING LIKE THAT?

Well, you can't just let a car grow old, right? The third-gen RAV4 stars a longer and wider five-door body, more room and Toyota's (branded, in capital) Easy Flat folding rear seat. There is the automatic four-wheel drive system with hill start assist. And a new dynamics management system that has stability control, power steering, 4WD, all integrated.

IT'S HARD TO EXPLAIN, BUT WE THINK...

...another sales success. There will be three engines , from the 150 bhp 2000cc VVT-i petrol to the new 2200cc D-4D diesels in 134 and 175 bhp tunes. The flagship RAV4 will blow past 100 kph in a respectable 9.3 seconds. The diesels get six-speed manuals, while the petrols will get either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic.

ESTIMA IRON
YOU MEAN THIS IS A...

...this format gets boring, eh? The Toyota Estima has always been luxurious and stylish. The latest one strays not far.

THEY'D MAKE SOMETHING LIKE THAT?

The production Estima features a new grille and intakes, subtle surfaces and sleek interiors. There's hard disc equipped navigation, 2000-song MP3 player and a music system that'll blow the wheels clean off. And engines, of course...

IT'S HARD TO EXPLAIN, BUT WE THINK...

...the Estima will be the Previa in Europe. And that isn't hard to explain, it says so in the release. There will be 2400cc and 3500cc V6 motors at launch next year. Okay, buy!