#2010GenevaAutoShow

The E300 BlueTEC Hybrid is set to be Europe’s first diesel hybrid when it goes on sale at the end of next year as a 2011. Powered by the E250 CDI’s 2.2-liter diesel with 204-hp, it gets an additional 15 kW (20-hp) electric motor and lithium-ion battery that assist in powering the car, charging up through a regenerative braking process. As a full-hybrid, the E300 BlueTEC Hybrid can also operate on just electric power  for short distances at speeds of up to 35 km/h (22 mph). The diesel engine also shuts off when slowing down at speeds below 80 km/h (50 mph) to reduce consumption.

Mazda unveiled the second generation Mazda5 at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show.

Hyundai unveiled its i-Flow concept vehicle, calling it a preview for a future D-Segment contender. According to Hyundai, we may see the i-Flow’s styling and technology in a 2011 production model. Would it be too much to expect it in the 2011 Euro-spec Sonata?

Volvo unveiled its new S60 at the Geneva Auto Show, trumpeting one of its biggest features: a pedestrian detection system.

Debuting alongside its Polo counterpart, Volkswagen has unveiled the CrossGolf at the Geneva Auto Show. The sixth model to be based on the Golf platform, the CrossGolf is infused with the style of a crossover. The specific CrossGolf model is based on the GolfPlus, but it gets a rugged exterior with new front and rear bumpers, side skirts, roof rails, fender flares and special 17-inch wheels. The car’s ground ground clearance has also been raised by 20mm to help in any off-road adventures. Volkswagen claims the car is a mix of SUV and MPV styling – although it’s really just a 5-door hatch with a higher center of gravity.

Audi really went all out to promote its new A1 at the Geneva Auto Show. Newly-signed brand ambassador Justin Timberlake gave Audi’s press conference star power, drawing one of the largest crowds on media day.

Sitting next to the sporty Polo GTI model at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show is a crossover-styled CrossPolo. With new front and rear bumpers, side skirts and fender flares, all in a black plastic, the sporty hatch gets a rugged off-road look. To complete the look it also gets some roof rails, as well as some 17-inch wheels.

Hot on the tailpipes of the new A8 comes Audi’s A8 Hybrid, which has just made its world debut at the Geneva Auto Show. Rated at 38-mpg (average) using the European test cycle, it should be slightly lower with the less-generous U.S. cycle. Audi claims a fuel economy improvement of 20 percent in city driving.

Nissan introduced the fourth generation of its Micra small car at the Geneva Auto Show, with hopes the compact car will help the company branch out into emerging markets.

Volkswagen kicked off the launch of the all-new second-generation Touareg SUV at the Geneva Auto Show with the introduction of a new hybrid model. The new Touareg Hybrid comes complete with a supercharged and direct-injection 3.0-liter V6, electric motor, battery pack and eight-speed automatic transmission. The result is a combined fuel economy rating of 28.6 mpg in the EU cycle, which is likely to be more like 24-mpg combined for the U.S. That’s good, but not as impressive as you might think, when compared to the current TDI model with a rating of almost 32 mpg. Other engines offered include a 3.6-liter V6, as well as a 335-hp 4.2-liter TDI V8 (which won’t be available in North America).

With Infiniti having just joined the European marketplace in recent years, the luxury arm of Nissan is looking to make a big impression by introducing fuel efficient diesel models, as well as the brand’s first ever hybrid.

Along with the launch of the new Audi A1 at the Geneva Auto Show, the automaker unveiled an E-Tron electric vehicle concept.

Easily one of our to picks at this year’s Geneva Auto Show is Audi’s RS5 sports coupe. Based on the already stunning A5/S5, it is powered by the same 4.2-liter V8 found in the RS4 or R8, but output has been upped to a total of 450-hp at 8250 rpm, while maximum torque of 317 ft-lbs is available from 4000 to 6000 rpm. Combined with Audi’s S-tronic dual-clutch 7-speed transmission, quattro all-wheel drive and a 3,803 lb curb weight the RS5 can accelerate to 62 mph in 4.6 seconds – which isn’t quite as exciting as we might expect for a 450-hp car.

With the matte-green 599 hybrid concept on display at the Ferrari booth at the Geneva Auto Show, the Italian exotic automaker didn’t have a lot to say about it, but the company’s CEO did make an important remark about the future of Ferrari hybrids. Luca di Montezemolo commented that the automaker is looking to reduce emissions by up to 35 percent in the next three years and one way it intends to do that is to offer hybrid versions of all of its models in the next three or four years.

The 599 hybrid concept (Vettura Laboratorio HY Kers) is the start of what di Montezemolo called a long project, which is sure to include several updates before it becomes a full production model. The matte-green Ferrari uses a Kinetic Energy Recovery System to give the model an extra boost of electric power – making it an even higher performer. The lithium-ion battery pack for the hybrid system is located low in the car, improving its center of gravity, while not intruding on the passenger compartment. It is hooked up to a dual-clutch 7-speed transmission and adds at least 100 extra hp (as Ferrari insisted every added pound was offset by at least one horsepower).

The electric energy generated under braking also powers the car’s batter and its accessories, and allows the car to run on pure electric power at times (although Ferrari doesn’t say how far or for how long).

See more on the 599 Hybrid Concept after the jump:

Lamborghini has just officially unveiled its most powerful and impressive Gallardo to date, taking the Superleggera name to new extremes. Titled the Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera, it takes after the original Super-G by offering a light-weight package, while adding even more horsepower.