2007 Geneva Auto Show

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With all due respect to the Chicago auto show, when your biggest debut is the Pontiac G8, you're struggling.

We expect no such weakness at the 2007 Geneva Auto Show, which always draws a strong European presence and promises plenty of noteworthy debuts this year.

In fact, a few Geneva-bound vehicles were so important the manufacturers just couldn't wait and have already released info about them. Or maybe the embargos were broken. Either way, we'll have all the photos and specs you need along with on-location videos once the 2007 Geneva Auto Show press days get underway on March 6.

Two very different vehicles already out of the bag include the Dodge Demon concept and the 2008 Volvo V70 wagon.

As you might expect, the Volvo V70 looks much like the S80 sedan that shares its platform. Nothing radical on the outside, plenty of safety packed into the inside — it's all typical Volvo.

It's a very different story with the Dodge Demon. Up until this point, the only topless Dodge in the lineup has been the big-dollar Viper and its big-bore V10. Although the Demon is also a two-seat roadster, it's considerably smaller than the Viper and uses a simple four-cylinder engine. Signature Dodge styling cues should help separate the Demon from similarly sized roadsters like the Mazda MX-5 Miata and Pontiac Solstice.

Another concept to look for at this year's Geneva auto show will be the Mazda Hakaze. The third vehicle in Mazda's slowly evolving design evolution, the Hakaze is a four-seat, two-door crossover with a removable roof section. It's not headed for production, but certain elements of its design could find their way into future production models.

Meanwhile, Honda's Small Hybrid Sports Concept has a better chance of seeing a showroom floor. Designed to slot above the Civic Hybrid in Honda's growing gas-electric fleet, the two-seat coupe looks promising for anybody looking for a hybrid that doesn't necessarily look like a hybrid.

If it's actual production cars in which you're interested, Audi and Mercedes-Benz will introduce two new vehicles in Geneva. Audi's new midsize A5 coupe isn't as exotic as the new R8 sports car, but a standard V8 and all-wheel drive should keep it entertaining enough. Mercedes-Benz has already revealed its 2008 C-Class sedan to us, but the Geneva show could be the first time we'll see the AMG-tuned C63.

In addition, the 2008 Smart Fortwo will also make its first auto show appearance in Geneva before it goes on sale early next year. With additional press conferences scheduled for Bentley, Jaguar and Rolls-Royce, expect to see a few more production cars making their world debuts.

Coverage of the 2007 Geneva Auto Show starts right here March 6.