The Geneva Motor Show had many interesting premieres this year that attracted quite a lot of attention. But this year is a “Baby-Boom” year with the real stars of the show being small cars.

The major manufacturers were all in attendance but the smaller, lesser known ones seemed to be noticeable by their absence. In the past the halls seemed full of manufacturers you have never heard of. But this year there were hardly any at all.

Ford showed the “new” or facelift Focus. It has a completely new front end on it, plus lots of other changes that are beneath the skin. The new grille looks so bold and muscular and like the Fiesta is very Aston-ish. It does look good though.

Ford also showed the all new Mustang, still a real muscle-car and looking fantastic. It will be available as a coupe, or a very handsome convertible.

Porsche showed the Macan, that is bound to be a huge success worldwide, and proves again that they can’t really do anything wrong.

Citroen showed the C4 Cactus, in many guises and colours. It has the “AirBump” down the side to protect it from damage.

The Cactus is a strange vehicle and definitely has the “Marmite effect”. When I first saw it, I really could not understand it. I’d go so far as to say I didn’t like it. But after a short while of walking around it and looking at it from every angle it quickly grew on me, but will it have the same desired effect on other people?

Hyundai showed their “posh” large saloon, the Genesis. It is about the same size as an Audi A6 and is their first venture into being upmarket in Europe. It will be launched with very limited numbers in Europe.

It will be powered with a 3.8-litre V6 petrol engine, with the promise of a diesel engine coming later in its life. 

The new born babies are the rear-engined, rear-wheel drive Renault Twingo, the more traditional front-engined and front-wheel drive Peugeot 108, Citroen C1 and Toyota Aygo. All being sisters and all built in the same factory at Kolin in the Czech Republic. 

Renault has gone into partnership with Smart to build this new, cute small five-door hatch. They have chosen to put the engine in the rear, which will no doubt confuse many people and make some resistant to buying one. They are bound to ask questions such as how warm will it get? Will shopping, which is put above the engine compartment, get hot or will you be able to put a takeaway pizza or curry above the engine to keep it hot! These questions will need answering.

The Twingo is certainly a classy looking small car and in the right colour, with the right personalisation, the right stripes down the side it will be appeal to many potential buyers.

The three sisters are not exactly identical in terms of looks. But they are very similar in many respects. All have had different body style treatments, especially at the front. Some are more aggressive than the others and all have very different grilles and headlights. But the length and interior dimensions are virtually identical.

All three are entering a very crowded sector, where the choice is endless. But every car at this end of the market is very price sensitive and style is critical. It is good to see that Citroen, Peugeot and Toyota have chosen different designs, which will cater for all tastes. Which one of them will be the most popular? It remains to be seen. All are very stylish in their own way, giving the buying public a difficult choice to make.

We drove one of these cars a while ago, and although it was a very early pre-production model it did feel solid, safe and held the road amazingly well. The handling was amazing and it felt much larger than it actually is, and was so quiet in the cabin. 

These four small cars will all be very capable and offer the public a new breed of small cars that are all very pretty in their own rights, and each of them will be sold in their thousands, whether that is on price or looks.

There were plenty of Supercars at the show including Ferrari, Lamborghini, Bugatti and McLaren and their stands were surrounded by drooling spectators, all wishing they could drive or own one.

But the true stars were certainly those four small hatches.

Martin Ward, Manufacturer Relationship Manager