• The Lamborghini Centenario. Picture: NEWSPRESS UK

  • The Maserati Levante. Picture: NEWSPRESS UK

  • The Aston Martin DB11. Picture: NEWSPRESS UK

  • The Citroen DS E-Tense concept. Picture: NEWSPRESS UK

  • The Toyota C-HR crossover. Picture: NEWSPRESS UK

  • The Volkswagen Up. Picture: NEWSPRESS UK

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THE 86th Geneva Motor Show has yet again brought in a host of new metal, ranging from the brashest and most exotic to the bread and butter, more attainable models.

Kicking off the highlights from this year’s event is the Aston Martin DB11 which spearheads the British sportscar maker’s new product onslaught. It might not have the timeless, elegant lines of its DB9 predecessor, but it still has the marque’s design elements such as the signature front grille, while under the bonnet nestles a new V12 engine. The new powerplant displaces 5.2l (down from the previous model’s atmospheric 6.0l V12) allied to twin turbochargers and produces 448kW and 700Nm through an eight-speed automatic transmission to achieve a 0-100km/h sprint of 3.9 seconds and go on to a top end of 320km/h.

It is touted by the firm to be the most dynamic and quickest accelerating production Aston to date. First deliveries are expected to reach customers in the fourth quarter of this year, with South African deliveries earmarked for early 2017.

Citroen’s relaunched DS brand, DS Automobiles, which is now a standalone brand in other markets, revealed the DS E-Tense concept, an all-electric GT car said by the company to embody the brand’s future by melding luxury, cutting-edge technology and high-end performance. It looks great and we reckon the firm should just go ahead and build it.

Lamborghini, meanwhile, brought out its most outrageous Aventador yet in the form of the Centenario to commemorate the company founder Ferrucio Lamborghini’s 100th anniversary. Only 40 models will be built — 20 coupes and 20 roadsters — and all have been presold. Apart from the outrageous splitters and aerofoils tacked onto the model, it also comes with an uprated version of the 6.5l normally aspirated V12, now pushing out 566kW with the engine revving to a stratospheric 8,600r/min. Thanks to a kerb weight of 1,250kg, the model is said to accelerate to 100km/h from stationary in a scant 2.8 seconds and on to a 350km/h top end. Unique to the Lambo will be its rear-wheel steer feature.

After years of concepts, including the Kubang, which we saw up close at the Frankfurt Motor Show a few years ago, the production version of the Maserati Levante has finally been unveiled and, to be honest, it looks the part. Thanks to the blistered wheel arches and that prominent Trident grille, the model seems to have taken a lot of design cues from its Ghibli sibling, which is a good thing.

It will also borrow that model’s V6 turbo petrol and diesel engines allied to a Q4 all-wheel drive system and eight-speed gearbox.

The Toyota C-HR crossover looks to have taken a leaf from the Honda HR-V’s design book, blending it with the Rav4-inspired front end. Featuring a swooping roofline and inconspicuous rear doors, the model will be sold with a 1.2l turbo engine in some markets, while a 2.0l, normally aspirated engine will also be on offer. Naturally, there will be a 1.8l hybrid version available, although this will likely command a premium price tag due to the hybrid technology.

Volkswagen looks set to challenge the city car segment with its updated Up that will come replete with the headlining TSI model with a 1.0l, three-cylinder turbocharged unit similar to that found in the Polo Bluemotion. It is good for around 70kW and 160Nm as part of the updated Up range. This should give the little tyke some sprightly performance and exemplary fuel consumption, the latter claimed at 4.4l/100km. The model will likely make it to our shores in the fourth quarter, although the new turbocharged engine has not been confirmed for SA as yet.

While the Up Beat, which comes standard with a 300W audio system from BeatsAudio (manufacturers of Dre Beats headphones) is not confirmed for the local market, we have it on good account that a Polo version with a similar sound system will be offered here around August this year.

While concept models remain a part of motor shows, it is refreshing to see a number of vehicles destined for the showrooms. Even with the tough economic challenges facing vehicle manufacturers around the globe, it good to see car makers carrying on with task at hand to appease the insatiable appetite of car buyers worldwide.