Government nannies in the U.S. say that people want smaller, more efficient cars. We’ll test that theory in 2011 when the Spark goes on sale as a 2012 model. It will first get a shakedown run in Europe, where the people’s desire for small cars has been proven—and forced by fuel prices two to three times as high as ours. It will be one of the smallest Chevrolets ever sold in the U.S.—and one of the most expressive small cars on the market.
Ford Losis Max Concept
Europe historically gets all the fun blue oval stuff, but the funky Iosis Max has global implications as a harbinger of what the next worldly Focus might look like when it comes to the U.S. in a couple of years. And with Ford’s next EcoBoost engine—a turbocharged, direct-injected 1.6-liter four making 180 hp—tucked under the glitzy concept-car wrapper, the little hatch gives us hope that some of the smaller, efficient vehicles we’ll soon be driving won’t hurt our eyes or bore us to drive.
Infiniti Essense Concept
No, it’s not a gussied up Nissan GT-R with an Infiniti badge. But the Essence does sport a twin-turbocharged V-6 like Godzilla and hints—quite favorably, we think—at the future design ethos of Nissan’s luxury arm. More important, the hybrid-electric element of the concept’s combined 592-hp powertrain is nearly identical in concept to—although more powerful than—the production system that will appear on future Infiniti models, such as the redesigned M35/45 sedan expected later this year. We like it. Cheers, Infiniti, to another 20 years in the biz.
Kia No. 3 Concept
This little Kia continues the styling metamorphosis the Korean brand is experiencing under new design chief Peter Schreyer. A production version will go on sale early next year in Europe, where it will battle the Toyota Yaris, the Honda Fit, and the Ford Fiesta. If it were to come to the U.S., this attractive five-door would likely replace the relatively dowdy Rio at the bottom of Kia’s U.S. lineup, a model swap we’d certainly endorse.
2010 Mazdaspeed 3
A repeat 10Best Cars champion, the current Mazdaspeed 3 is one of our favorite hot hatches and has won every comparison test it’s ever participated in. The new model debuting in Geneva gives us another reason to celebrate this micro-monster but leaves the basic formula largely untouched. Once again only available as a five-door hatch, the 2010 Mazdaspeed 3 will be powered by the same 264-hp turbo four that motivates the current car.
2010 Mercedez-Benz E- class
Mixing styling elements from the S-class and C-class, Mercedes’ new E sedan drops the ovoid front for one that’s more rectangular. We’re not yet sold on it, as the new creased look is a significant departure from the elegant, swoopy appearance of the current model. This ninth-gen car will serve as the debut of new Mercedes lane-departure warning, drowsy-driver detection, and adaptive high-beam systems. Powertrains will carry over.
2010 Mercedez Benz E-Class coupe
The E sedan wasn’t the only important three-pointed-star debut in Geneva this year. Mercedes also brought its E-class coupe, which will replace the CLK in the company’s lineup. It’s mostly an E in name and styling, though, since the mid-size coupe is still largely based on C-class underpinnings. We think the new lines work better here than on the sedan, resembling the brand’s big CL two-door from more than one angle. Expect the same gaggle of safety systems as offered on the sedan.
2011 Opel Ampera
Developing the Chevrolet Volt’s extended-range Voltec architecture has been expensive for General Motors, so it’s no surprise the company would seek to more quickly recover its costs by building other models using the technology. First came the Cadillac Converj concept, and now this Opel. Although the Ampera looks similar to the Volt elsewhere, the Opel wears a more cutting-edge—and more attractive—front end. It goes on sale in Europe in 2011 and hits the U.K. as a right-hand-drive Vauxhall a year later.
Rolls-Royce 200ex Concept
It’s not often the ultra-luxury builder even makes tweaks to its flagship Phantom (although it just did), let alone introduces an all-new model. Hardly a concept, the 200EX previews the upcoming “baby” Roller that will go on sale in 2010. At 212.6 inches long and powered by an all-new V-12, the 200EX only counts as a baby compared with the gargantuan Phantom. Set to do battle with the forthcoming Bentley Arnage update, it should sticker between $250,000 and $280,000.
Volkswagen is sure to grow the GTI badge’s worldwide cult following with this sixth-generation version. Retaining the current direct-injected turbo 2.0-liter four, the new GTI will get an extra 10 hp for a total of 210. Even with the power bump, the GTI lags behind most of its competitors, but a smooth power delivery and a well-tuned overall package have earned the current GTI three consecutive 10Best Cars appearances. We expect to be similarly pleased when the latest one hits our shores in late 2009.
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