By Dan Trent
03 March 2009 11:40:07

Hybrid Vauxhall Ampera at Geneva

GM’s troubled Stateside brands have circled the wagons here in Switzerland, occupying adjacent stands in a show of unity.
The biggest buzz for GM is over on the Opel stand with the hybrid Ampera but even Cadillac is getting with the eco theme.

GALLERY: GM at Geneva in pictures

Video: watch our film of the new Ampera
Petrol engines dominate
Opel Ampera (Image © Microsoft/Magiccarpics)
Click images to enlarge
OK, compared with some of the other green cars on show the idea of a two-mode hybrid version of the 6-litre V8-powered Escalade might seem a token gesture. And even direct-injection for its 262hp 3-litre V6 can’t help but put the all-new SRX – making its European debut – appear anything approaching eco conscious.
 
Indeed, relatively large capacity petrol engines seem to dominate on the Cadillac stand. A theme no better personified than the ludicrous, yet very appealing, 564hp CTS-V, due on sale this year. An all-American AMG and BMW M rival, the Cadillac has been nonetheless honed at the Nurburgring and set some very impressive lap times in the process.
 
Opel Ampera (Image © Microsoft/Magiccarpics)
OK, compared with some of the other green cars on show the idea of a two-mode hybrid version of the 6-litre V8-powered Escalade might seem a token gesture. And even direct-injection for its 262hp 3-litre V6 can’t help but put the all-new SRX – making its European debut – appear anything approaching eco conscious.
 
Indeed, relatively large capacity petrol engines seem to dominate on the Cadillac stand. A theme no better personified than the ludicrous, yet very appealing, 564hp CTS-V, due on sale this year. An all-American AMG and BMW M rival, the Cadillac has been nonetheless honed at the Nurburgring and set some very impressive lap times in the process.

Video: watch our film of the new Ampera
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Geneva Motor Show 2009 - your vote

  1. Which car unveiled at Geneva would you most like to see on your driveway?

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  1. Which car unveiled at Geneva would you most like to see on your driveway?
    1. Aston Martin One-77
      33%
    2. Audi TT RS
      6%
    3. Bentley Supersports
      5%
    4. BMW 5 Series GT
      4%
    5. Ferrari 599XX
      10%
    6. Fiat 500 Cabriolet
      2%
    7. Lamborghini LP670-4SV
      18%
    8. Lexus RX450h
      2%
    9. Mazda 3 MPS
      1%
    10. New Mercedes-Benz E-Class
      4%
    11. Porsche 911 GT3
      5%
    12. Rolls-Royce 200EX
      4%
    13. Saab 93X
      1%
    14. Skoda Yeti
      2%
    15. Volkswagen Polo
      3%
30521 responses, results updated every minute.
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