The Best and Worst from Geneva 2012

This year's Geneva Motor Show was an amazing show. It seems like every major automaker had something interesting to debut no matter how you define an interesting car. Unfortunately, there were some big misses as well – one that starts with a 'B' comes to mind first. 

The Good:

1. Ford Fiesta ST

As someone living in North America, I feel compelled to make my first pick a car that I could realistically own both regionally and monetarily. With about 180hp on tap and trick Recaro seats, its only real competition will be the Mini Cooper S in the US. While the Fiesta ST is not definitely coming to the US, Ford is strongly hinting at it. If the car came in at around $21,000 , it could be a real success. While the new Peugeot 208 GTI, Polo BlueGT and Astra OPC seem like great cars, I wanted to choose a car that I could have one day. 

2. Lotus Exige S Roadster

Hear my out first. I know that if an Exige does not have a top, it should be called an Elise. Ignore that for a second, and just look at it. In my opinion, this is the best looking version of the Elise ever. It has clean, minimal design backed up by a supercharged V6 that gets to 60mph in 4 seconds. The car is aggressive in all the right places with the need front air dam and rear diffuser but minimal where it needs to be. I dig everything about this car. 

3. Gumpert Apollo R and Enraged

Talk about a face only a mother could love. The only way Gumpert could make the Apollo uglier is to make it bigger, but somehow it works. If the Exige S Roadster is a scalpel, then the Apollo R and Enraged are jackhammers. I can not imagine driving either one of these cars. Especially when the "slower" one has a mere 780hp and gets to 60mph in 3.1 seconds. In a way I have more respect for Gumpert than I do for the Bugatti Veyron. Because where the Veyron is an engineering marvel that cost billions of dollars to build, the Apollo reminds me of the Shelby Cobra where some dedicated guys in a barn build a world beater. 

4. Renault Zoe

It really seems like this could be the car that brings electric vehicles to the main stream. Cars like the Volt or Ampera and Leaf are fantastic, but what makes the Zoe different is that anyone who wants it can afford it. It starts at €15,700 in France, and that might be enough to bring the car to the mainstream, which means that it is not much more expensive than other cars in its class. The Zoe is not going to be sliding around on racetracks any time soon, but I think Renault will have a success here, if it manages it right. 

5. Lamborghini Avantador J

This car will be on everyone auto enthusiast's top list. A one-off Lamborghini with no top and barely even a windshield. It is also the first Lamborghini to use the company's new, patented carbon fiber fabric. It could add weight to the car and no one would car because you could say, I have the only car in the world with carbon fiber fabric seats. Plus, CFRP fan blades in the wheels to pull cool air to the brakes. This car is a technological tour de force, and I hope it signals the direction of future Lamborghinis. 

The Bad:

1. Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse

I know this is controversial, but I just can not care about the Veyron any more. It is an extremely special car, but Bugatti has milked the idea for all it is worth. Bring us something new guys – a concept, anything. Show us that you are not a one trick pony. 

2. GTA Spano

Sorry for all the supecar hate, but it is hard to believe that fast cars can be boring. I am sure this Spanish company invested a lot of money to build this carbon fiber and titanium supercar, but the design cribs from so many supercars of the past and present. Meh. 

3. Fiat 500L

Gee, a big Fiat 500, isn't that a good idea? No, no it is not. Fiat makes good cars in this size already. It looks like a Fiat Panda that someone beat with an ugly stick. The 500 line is supposed to be made up of very small cars, while a four-door 500 could have been made to work. This is not the way to do it. 

The Ugly:

I am not including the Land Rover Evoque Convertible or Bentley EXP 9 F for a reason. We all know that they are hideously, monstrously ugly cars, but if they go into production, they will sell. Anywhere there is a high density of nouveau riche people like Southern California or Miami, Flordia, dealers will have to beat buyers off with a pole. These are not enthusiast cars, but if Land Rover and Bentley can line their pockets with quick cash by selling to people with no taste, then they will take every opportunity. 

The Other:

Finally, I think a very important car was on display at Geneva that has been mostly ignored. I think the Toyota FT-Bh, if it can keep its promises, could be a revolutionary small car. Look past its doughy styling for a moment, and realize that Toyota built an 800kg, four passenger car that it claims gets uses 1.7l/100km of fuel. Above all, Toyota did not have to use any experimental materials to get it done, everything on the car is available right now. Assuming the car can meet safety requirements, Toyota might have its next Prius.