According to Daimler AG’s technical chief, Thomas Webber, the next generation Mercedes-Benz S-Class will possibly include an all-electric version.

In addition, the new car will likely share no cabin architecture with the current model and will also be offered in hybrid and plug-in hybrid forms, as well as conventional gas and diesel engined versions. In fact, the gas engines are rumored to be the new MoVe V-6 and V-8 motors, while oil burning options are said to include the 201 hp 2.2-liter diesel four, which would be the the smallest engine ever installed in a S-Class.

Other features are said to include a greater emphasis on interior technology, including driver-oriented  visual aids and heads-up display features. As to what the car will look like, the F800 Style Research vehicle, first seen at Geneva back in March, should help provide some visual cues.

[Source: Autocar]

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Known for debuts of high-performance and exotic cars, the 2011 Geneva Auto Show did not disappoint with the world premieres of both the Ferrari FF and Lamborghini Aventador.

While impressive, those two flagship models represent only a small fraction of the overall talent on display in Geneva. Other major debuts included the Mercedes C-Class Coupe, Audi A3 Sedan Concept, Lexus LFA Nurburgring Edition, MINI Rocketman Concept, Nissan ESFLOW, Infiniti Etherea, Mazda Minagi and let’s not forget the Toyota FT-86 II Concept.

See AutoGuide’s video coverage of all these models from the 2011 Geneva Auto Show after the jump:

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Roughly a foot shorter in length than the current A4, the A3 sedan concept foreshadows a possible smaller 4-door for the Audi range. While other automakers are targeting younger buyers with coupes and hatchbacks, this concept is poised to bring to market a proven sports sedan package that does away with much of the size and weight (not to mention the price) that have made increasingly large models both unattractive to the Gen X and Gen Y crowd.

Making it as enticing as possible, Audi has built this show car as more of an RS3 sedan, featuring bold styling, 20-inch wheels (made of carbon fiber no less) and a seriously potent engine.

Under the hood is Audi’s turbocharged 5-cylinder powerplant making 408-hp and delivering a 0-62 mph time of 4.1 seconds.

Helping to deliver that time is a low 3,400 lb curb weight, thanks to a body made of carbon composite. More than just a fancy detail on a concept car, the use of carbon fiber in this way can be seen as a statement by Audi that it is seriously looking at incorporating the high-tech material into future production models – and not just outrageously expensive ones like the R8.

Look for Audi to push ahead with this concept, a particularly enticing vehicle for the North American marketplace where Audi is eager to bolster surging sales.

GALLERY: Audi A3 Sedan Concept

Whether you love or hate the way the Nissan Juke looks, it’s hard to argue that it’s anything but a blast to drive. Renault seems to be taking a few things from corporate partner Nissan, and emulating the Juke with their Captur, a concept that debuted at the Geneva Auto Show.

Powered by a 158-hp 1.6-liter dCi diesel engine, the Captur also uses a dual-clutch gearbox rather than a CVT like the Juke, with a very uncanny torque-vectoring AWD system like its Nissan counterpart. No details were given as to the likelihood of production, but we’d be surprised if the Captur ended up not making it to the streets.

GALLERY: Renault Captur

Maserati convertibles are for the kind of guys who like to wear their shirts open way past their neck and put their arm on the windowsill so everyone can see their rose gold Hublot Big Bang.

If said customer opts for the new Maserati Gran Cabrio, pedestrians may not be able to get a glimpse of the driver’s status symbols, since horsepower is up by 11 to 444, while an improved Skyhook suspension should help drivers negotiate their sweeping driveways a little better.

Most of the other changes, like blacked-out headlights and some color-matched bodywork bits, are cosmetic but apparently the brakes are “upgraded”. Whatever, as long as it looks cool.

GALLERY: Maserati Gran Cabrio Sport

We’re all familiar with the Smart ForTwo, which is a polarizing vehicle to say the least, but initial impressions of their newest concept, the Forspeed EV Roadster, which debuted at the Geneva Auto Show, are all lining up in one direction, and it’s not exactly positive.

Sure, the chopped roof and windshield are kind of cool, but the front end treatment looks like two Lifesaver candies and a sheet of chickenwire, and the three-spoke wheels look to be inspired by mid-1990′s MOMOs you could have purchased from TireRack. The electric powertrain puts out around 40 horsepower, with a 7 horsepower “overboost” function and a top speed of 75 mph. We’ll stick with the standard ForTwo. If we must.

GALLERY: Smart Forspeed EV Roadster

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Mazda has yet to confirm any details on its new Minagi SportCross concept and that’s because you’re not supposed to see it until tomorrow.

Captured on display inside the Geneva Auto Show ahead of its world premiere, the Minagi shares the stage with the Japanese automaker’s new Shinari Concept, which is undeniably the design inspiration for this compact crossover.

Rumored to eventually come to market at the CX-5, slotting in under the CX-7 in Mazda’s current lineup, power could come from the same 2.0-liter direct-injection SkyActiv 4-cylinder engine found under the hood of the 2012 Mazda3. Set to get as much as 40-mpg in the Mazda3 compact, the CX-5 sport cross should deliver nearly as much with a solid 163-hp under the hood.

We’ll wait official word from Mazda, with the reveal set to take place tomorrow (Tuesday, March 1st) at the Geneva Auto Show.

GALLERY: Mazda Minagi Concept

Described by Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelman as “a jump of two generations in terms of design and technology,” the new Aventador LP700-4 has now officially been revealed as the successor to the famed Murcielago.

Rising from the level of an exotic to a true supercar, the LP makes 700-hp from a V12 engine, powering a machine built almost entirely of carbon fiber, while using a racecar-style pushrod suspension, the company’s impressive AWD system, as well as a compact and emotional ISR single-clutch gearbox.

The monstrously large machine is now 6-inches longer than the car it replaces while being just fractions of an inch less wide. Yet for all its amazing attributes, the carbon fiber monocoque chassis is perhaps the most astounding, allowing the Aventador to weigh just under 3,500 lbs in its dry weight form.

While the chassis is revolutionary, the design itself is somewhat evolutionary, a development of the fighter-jet looks we first saw with the Reventon. The Aventador takes cues from that car as well as from the Estoque sedan concept, and retains the scissor doors that Lambos have become famous for. Another stylistic item, that’s also very functional, is the exterior vents on the car that open and close depending on when (and how much) cooling is needed.

As mentioned, power comes from a 6.5-liter V12 engine, with a total of 700-hp on tap, as well as 509 lb-ft, and when combined with AWD propels the new Lambo flagship to 62-mph in a mere 2.9 seconds.

Part of that speed it also attributable to what Lambo calls its Independent Shifting Rod (ISR) transmission, which can swap gears in just 50 ms in a special Corsa mode, delivering a more impressive shift feel than a double-clutch unit while also weighing significantly less.

Inside it’s pure luxury with a new TFT-LCD screen for the dash instead of analog instruments. It even features what Lamborghini terms a “Drive Select Mode System” that allows the driver to adjust vehicle settings (including engine, transmission, differential, steering and stability control) to one of three pre-determined setups: Strada, Sport and Corsa.

With the first deliveries set to occur late this Summer, the Aventador has an understandably exotic price tag: $379,700.

Check back for live photos of the Aventador LP700-4 Tuesday, March 1st and see all of AutoGuide’s 2011 Geneva Auto Show coverage here.

GALLERY: Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4

See after the jump for video of the Aventador unveiling:

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Subaru has given us a first glimpse at its version of the FT-86/Toyobaru with one major surprise – the proclaimed rear-drive sports car is actually all-wheel drive.

Sharing a chassis with Toyota’s FT-86, the car was repeatedly rumored to use only a rear-drive system; strange indeed considering it has been adapted from the AWD Legacy.

On display at the Geneva Auto Show a day ahead of it’s official debut, we were disappointed that the architecture was not filled out with some stunning sheetmetal, but this revelation is far more important and certain to appease Suby fans around the globe.

As though the driveshaft weren’t enough, on a display plaque next to a scale model of the architecture it goes so far as to call the vehicle a “rear-wheel drive sports car” and then in the very next sentence states that it features “Subaru’s signature Symmetrical AWD system.” No wonder we were confused.

UPDATE: Upon inspection the vehicle, it most certainly does not have front driveshafts and is a RWD platform, leaving only the question as to why Subaru’s plaque says it does. Sorry to get your hopes up, you fans of Symmetrical AWD.

GALLERY: Subaru Boxer Sports Car Architecture

Ferrari has already shown its new FF model, releasing press photos, some incredible video, and more recently debuting the car at a private event in Maranello. Set to make it’s more public world premiere tomorrow at the Geneva Auto Show, we’ve managed to gather a few teaser snap shots of the Prancing Horse’s first-ever AWD car on the show floor.

Complete details are not yet available, but we do know the important bits, like the 6.3-liter V12 engine that makes 651-hp and 504 ft lbs of torque. Combined with Ferrari’s 7-speed dual-clutch transmission and that new AWD system, the FF can hit 62 mph in just 3.7 seconds.

The FF also get’s Ferrari’s HELE (High Emotion, Low Emission) setup, which is designed to cut emissions and includes a start-stop system for the big V12 engine.

Look for more details and plenty more photos from the reveal Tuesday, March 1st.

GALLERY: Ferrari FF Teased