Five fab cars from Geneva 2016

IT’S that time of the year again when manufacturers decamp to the home of cuckoo clocks and chocolate and wheel out the hottest new metal they think is going to be big in 2016 and beyond.

Anyway, I’ve saved you the shoe leather of wandering around the Palexpo site and picked out what I think are the five most important cars.

Do you agree? Let me know what you think…

Audi Q2

Audi’s Q off-roading range grows to four, with the launch of the smallest model – the Q2. Designed to take on compact crossover rivals including the popular Nissan Juke, styling features such as the floating C-pillar and a choice of colourful trims and finishes will attract youthful buyers. The Q2 arrives in the UK this autumn with room for four and a 405-litre boot.

Bugatti Chiron

How do you replace a car with 1,200 bhp? Well, that was what Bugatti had to do with the Veyron Super Sport and the result is the even more insanely powerful Chiron that made its world debut at Geneva. On top of the scarcely believable 1,479bhp from the 8.0-litre quad-turbo W16 engine, there’s 1600Nm of torque from just 2,000rpm, equalling an expected top speed of 261mph. The price is equally eye-watering, as it’s expected to cost nearly £2m and requires a 200,000 Euro deposit. Better empty my piggy bank and start saving quickly – despite the price almost all the planned production of just 500 cars is apparently sold!

Renault Scenic

Latest Renault model in line for a make-over is the Scenic five-seat MPV. Renault are hoping to pep up this flagging sector, with a curvier more crossover look, the choice of four-cylinder diesel and petrol engines first seen in the new Megane and the usual focus on safety. The new Scenic will go on sale at the end of this year. Sure to be popular with fleet.

SEAT Ateca

I reckon the first SUV from the Spanish arm of the Volkswagen Group can’t fail to be a success. Not only does it looks sharp, SEAT is promising a keen drive, and competitive pricing – starting around £18,000 when launched later this year.

Skoda Vision S

Yeah I know what you’re thinking, the Vision S is just another SUV concept from Volkswagen for the 2016 Geneva Motor Show. OK, you’re partly right: this is a concept, but we’ve got it on good authority from Skoda insiders that the production version of the Yeti’s big brother will look like this and boast seven-seater practicality when it goes on sale next year.  Can’t wait!