We may have got used to a handful of Chinese manufacturers heading to Geneva and to put it more politely, ‘drawing inspiration’ from a few European designs. But is Mercedes-Benz stooping to this level? Check out the wheels on this new SL63 AMG and you tell me. I think they look a bit too similar to the rims on a Porsche 911 Turbo for it to be just pure coincidence. 

If you thought the Geneva show was just a bit of a jolly for journalists, then think again. Because behind the glamour of the show stands lurk some very frantic scenes in the Geneva press room. It’s a hive of sweaty hacked activity where every motoring title is trying to find the goss and upload the latest content as it happens.

Myself and video producer Darryl have so far survived the first two days on a diet of bottled water and Toblerone. It's day three now and not only am I starting to feel a bit sick but this room is so eerily quiet, it’s creeping me out. It feels like I’m about to sit my finals all over again.

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Want to understand where the mass market is going? Then you have to check out the Tata stand. It felt like every hack in Switzerland attended the European unveil of the Nano, Tata’s infamous ‘one-lark car’. Though on reflection, I’m pretty sure its popularity here in Geneva had more to do with an impending announcement over the future of Jaguar-Land Rover than any budget four-seater.  

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Take a bow the Fiat 500 Abarth - the hottest hatch to be unveiled this year.

And it looks so cool, much cooler than the previously freezer-like icon Mini Cooper that it rivals. It actually makes the Mini look a tad staid in comparison.

The 500 Abarth gets a big front bumper, a bulge on the bonnet and increased air intakes to aid its aerodynamics and smart red go-faster stripes.

Other racy touches include LED shift lights in the cabin and Abarth scorpion logos embossed on the twin exhaust. It arrives later this year in the UK and will cost around £14,000.

Read the full Fiat 500 Abarth Story

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Mitsubishi has a strange way of calling things a concept when everyone knows that it’s a production reality. This Concept S is the five-door version of the new Lancer, which will be in British showrooms by September. The most interesting version is the Ralliart, which uses a detuned, 240bhp version of the 2.0-litre turbo found in the new Evo. And it’ll have the same 4x4 hardware as the old Evo IX, so it should be a hoot to drive.

This son-of-Evo should cost around £22k, and there are even rumours of a 300bhp FQ-300 version. Can’t wait for a twin-test between the Ralliart and the upcoming Focus RS.

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Next year will see a brand new car brand in Europe - Infiniti. They are they luxury wing of Nissan, as Lexus are to Toyota. They've been around a while in America but will go into the UK market with a new range in 2009.

One of those cars will be an excellent new EX37 compact 4x4 which will come loaded with kit and top quality trim along with intelligent four-wheel drive and 3.7-litre V6 engine - not forgetting it will have all the technology from Nissan who are proven off-road experts.

They also revealed G37 coupe and sedan - and for me all the range is way too close to Lexus in look and style.

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Volvo’s Design Director is a genial Brit, Steve Mattin. He made his name designing the original Mercedes A-class and the SL, before leaving Germany for Sweden. The XC60 is the first real fruit of his labour and he’s determined to take the design themes established by another Brit, Peter Horbury (now in charge of Ford’s US design), and give them a bolder presence.

Mattin reckons the XC60 should be recognisable as a Volvo from 600 feet away. This is a tricky test to undertake on a press day at a motor show, where it’s often difficult to see 6ft in front of your nose, but there can be no denying that the XC60 does look more dynamic than Volvos of old, even if it’s a fussier design than the bigger XC90. Don’t be surprised if the XC60 replicates the success of the XC90 by appealing to trendy urban types with families.

Read full Volvo XC60 story

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I know the Phantom Coupe is utterly absurd and that nobody really needs a two-door car that’s 5.6m long, but part of me can’t help wanting one. It’s such a glorious, two-fingered salute to the world. Even more than the saloon, it says, “I’m rich, I’m successful and I really don’t care what you think.”

This car exists because the super-rich will always need a new toy and it shows what can be done when you don’t have to worry about building half-a-million each year. It might be brand new, but for me it’s a throwback to a time of indulgence, when people didn’t have to worry about the contents of their aerosol or the polar icecap. It’s shameless, and all the better for it.

Full Rolls Royce Phantom Coupe story

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A lot of lessons in supercar craft can be taken from Italian car maker Lamborghini. The latest Gallardo LP-560-4x27+76=2 many monikers, isn't so much a lesson in numerical designation but one in how to make the best even better. For any petrol-blooded male, this car presented here in pearlescent white looks so good, it's semi-inducing.  And that’s before you look at the girls on the stand. It's as if the designers have some innate understanding about what lines make men tick. All it needs in the next facelift will be a pair of scissor doors. Think I might start playing the lottery again....

Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 full story

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Take a bow the Alfa 8C Spider convertible. This is car porn at its most explicit and it will be just as exclusive and even more desirable than its coupe brother.

It also has the same 4.7-litre V8 engine as the coupe, delivering 450bhp unleashed with a sophisticated six-speed F1-style paddle shift gearbox.

For added individuality the roof can also be personalised in various colours. Not that you'll need much to stand out from the crowd - only 500 Spiders will be built - with less than a tenth of them making it to the UK. It will be priced around £120,000.

Alfa Romeo 8C Spider full story

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