Geneva Motor Show: New Mini and Baby Jag

The 71st Geneva Motor Show is the car industry's most important European event and typically acts as a fashion show to whet the appetites of dealers and journalists.

At this year's show there were record number of exhibitors and new model launches during the two media days.

The Geneva show is neutral ground for car makers, as Switzerland has no car manufacturers, and sets the tone for the industry in Europe every year.

British buyers will be the first to get their hands on the new BMW Mini when it goes on sale on 7 July. The Oxford-built car will come in an entry level and the Cooper, or premium, version.

At the top end of the market, Aston Martin lifted the veil on its 200mph V12 Vanquish. The 6-litre car can accelerate from 0-60mph in under five seconds and reach 100mph in less than 10 seconds.

The MG Rover ZT (MG X10) sports sedan delivers 200 horsepower and marks the return of the MG "Z" marque.

Jaguar has unveiled what it describes as the "make or break" model. The "Baby Jag" will be the smallest and cheapest entry-level luxury car on the market. Known as the X-Type, it will compete head-to-head with BMW's 3-series, Audi's A4s and the Mercedes-Benz C-class.

The Honda Civic three door is one of the firm's four new cars at the show.

Peugeot's 307 is its most important new model since the 206. It will be available in a 3 and 5-door versions with diesel or petrol engines. Peugeot are looking to move in on the market for Ford's Focus and Vauxhall/Opel's Astra.

MG Rover put on display the estate version of its 75 executive saloon. The MG badge is taking over and the covers came of three new saloons developed under the X100, X20 and X30 codes.

Mercedes-Benz, in its centenary year, shows off the reworking of the A-class, the A170 and A190, with a longer wheel base that analysts are already saying could set the standard for small cars.

Renault wants to push into the luxury car market with an executive hatch-back. The Vel Satis will go on sale in the first quarter of 2002 and fight for market share against the Audi A6, Peugeot 607 and BMW 5-series.