Early Highlights of the Geneva Auto Show

The Geneva Motor Show has always been a time for Europe’s auto manufactures to show off some of the more ambitious ideas they’ve come up with over the year, and 2011’s show is no different. From family friendly sports cars to reinvented versions of old classics, the vehicles at the 2011 Geneva Motor show have ranged from innovative to just plain weird. Check out some of the early highlights from this year’s show below:

 

Ferrari FF:

Well it’s a step in a direction for the Italian automaker, we just aren’t sure it’s the right one. Ferrari’s new four-wheel drive, hatchback-inspired super car was described by Wired as the company’s attempt to build a “family friendly” super car. While touring cars are fine, the FF seems to be going against everything the Italian car company is known for. But Ferrai isn’t making any apologies, and the company has indicated the FF is only the beginning. “With the FF, we open a new book in Ferrari’s history,” Ferrari Chairman Luca Cordero di Montezemolo said. “This is something we have never done before.” That’s an understatement.

 

Volkswagen Microbus:

There have been scores of cars debuted at this year’s show, but the one with the most buzz is the Volkswagen Bulli. This homage to Volkswagen’s iconic VW Bus has quickly become the star of the Geneva Auto Show, and everybody, from car geeks to average drivers, are pining to test drive it. The German concept has a 113-horsepower electric motor and a range life of over 180 miles – and its  21st century take on the classic VW bus’ body design has already earned the German company a ton of style points in Switzerland. Volkswagen tried to reinvent the Microbus back in 2001, but the car never made it to production. Volkswagen hasn’t said if this one will ever hit the road, either.

 

Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4:

Unlike the FF, the Aventador LP 700-4 is everything you’d expect from Lamborghini. Named after the bull that won the Trofeo de la Peña La Madroñera in 1993, this car is fast – like really fast. Featuring a lightweight design, the Aventador has 700 hp, 509 pound-feet of torque, and a top speed of 217 mph. The price tag? $379,000.

Click here to see them all and be sure to stop by again on Thursday to see the rest of the concepts at this year’s show.