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The folks at Hennessey Performance have added their touch to a range of cars over the past years, and for a long time, there have been rumors that Hennessey would be creating its very own supercar. We now have some official details and sketches of the car, dubbed Venom GT Concept, which is set to debut at next year's Geneva Motor Show.

The specifications alone are enough to stop your heart for a few seconds. Hennessey is claiming "up to 1200 horsepower," a 0-60 time of 2.4 seconds, 0-100 in 5.3 seconds, and a screeching top speed of 272 miles per hour. On top of that, the car's mid-engine/rear-drive layout and its "sub-2400-pound" curb weight means that the Venom GT will benefit from the magic of lightweight dynamics.

A keen eye will notice that this car looks remarkably like the Lotus Exige, though Hennessey says that it has no association with Lotus Cars. Besides, good luck finding an Exige capable of these outrageous performance figures. But until we actually see the car in person, it's all a rumor -- one we'll gladly spread around. This is hot stuff, folks.

+ Motor Authority: 272-mph 2010 Hennessey Venom GT Coming To Next Geneva Motor Show

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The Hyundai Ix-onic (pronounced “ik-sonic”) concept car debuted in Geneva this week, and it’s an agreeable-looking little crossover, if you’re into that sort of thing. Not only does it have a great new paint color and a remarkably fresh-looking interior, it’s full of small design details that catch the eye. For instance, we can’t help but notice the mesh pattern (which translates well from what we’ve seen on some Mazda concepts) on the grille and covering the speakers. The blue interior accents are a nice touch against the cream leather, and the repeated hexagonal pattern is apparent throughout the design.

The Ix-onic features a 167-horsepower 1.6-liter GDi turbocharged four-cylinder engine with stop-start, and a dual-clutch six-speed transmission. An intelligent four-wheel-drive system transfers the power to the road.

Click through the gallery above to view the almost dreamy Hyundai Ix-onic concept. The press release follows.

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The updated Ford Ranger showed up at the Geneva Motor Show this week, but the U.S. won’t be getting it– at least not this year. The European Ranger features new interior and exterior design details, meant to give the light truck a sportier look and a more comfortable ride. The bodyshell has also been tweaked to minimize road noise.

The new Ranger offers 2.5- and 3.0-liter Duratorq TDCi turbo diesel engines, providing 243 pound-feet and 280 pound-feet of low-end torque, respectively. The 2.5-liter engine is capable of 141 horsepower, while the 3.5-liter gives 154 horsepower.

For now, the U.S. won’t be getting an updated Ranger, but the European version hints at what we’ll get in 2011.

Have a look at the new Ford Ranger in the gallery above, or scroll down for the press release.

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Have you been kept up at night wondering what vehicle to use in the nuclear-arms-deal-gone-bad desert chase scene of your next action blockbuster? The Geneva Motor Show offers the perfect solution: the Brabus G V12 S Biturbo.

For the equivalent of a mere $476,000, this 700-horsepower Mercedes-Benz G-Class, capable of 163 miles per hour (without the limiter), and a 0-62 time of 4.3 seconds, can be yours to use as you please (may we suggest a $476,000 explosion?).

The Brabus G-Wagen also features a 6.3-liter V-12, free-flow exhaust, precision engine mapping, custom suspension, and all-leather interior.

Click through the gallery above to view the Brabus G V12 S Biturbo, or scroll down for the press release.

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In Geneva, Kia is unveiling the No. 3 concept car, a small multi-purpose vehicle with a glass roof. Kia promises that the MPV will be spacious and fun to drive. At 159 inches long with great visibility, it should also be pretty easy to park, too.

More Kia No. 3 information accompanies our spy shots of the vehicle.

View the Kia concept in the gallery above, or scroll down for the press release.

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The Geneva Motor Show is full of concept vehicles, and this year is no exception. So far, we've seen the Ford Iosis Max, the Nissan Qazana, the Magna Steyr Mila EV, the Infiniti Essence, and the Aston Martin Lagonda, among others. Each has its reason for existing, ideas around which the cars were built (for instance, the Fioravanti FL1 was built with the idea that F1 regulations should be changed). Which cars, or which ideas, are worth keeping, and why?

Answer this question, or discuss another topic in our Forums.

+ NextAutos Forums: Which concepts of Geneva 2009 deserve the most attention?

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We already reported that the Alfa Romeo 159 would be at Geneva, and that it wouldn’t be much different from previous models. True to our word, the 159 and the 159 Sportwagon made their debut at the auto show yesterday.

This year’s models feature two new engines. The first is a 1.75-liter TBi engine, which produces 200 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque, which propel the 159 from 0-62 miles per hour in 7.7 seconds. This gives the Alfa a top speed of 146 with this engine.

The second engine, which is displayed in the Sportwagon in Geneva, is a 2.0-liter JTDM engine, capable of 170 horsepower, giving the vehicle a 0-62 time of 9 seconds, and a top speed of 134 miles per hour.

Click through the gallery above, or read the press release from Alfa Romeo below.

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We’ve seen spy shot after spy shot and heard rumor after rumor of the Fiat 500C convertible over the past months. Well, here it is.

Blam!

Gallery above, press release below.

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Not long after Mercedes-Benz revealed the all-new 2010 E-Class Sedan, the two-door CLK E-Class Coupe finally shows its face. Obviously, the big story here is the extensive exterior overhaul showing Mercedes-Benz's new angular design language -- a welcomed change from the dated design of the current E and CLK cars.

A wide variety of powertrains will be offered on a global scale, but the American market can expect to see the E500 Coupe first, with a 5.0-liter V-8 under the hood. There's no official word if we'll get the E250 or E350 CDI BlueEfficiency models, but we know that Mercedes is hard at work to bring their latest diesel technology to our market. Even so, we'd be happy to have the 3.0-liter Bluetec diesel make its way onto our shores.

Mercedes-Benz spills the full details in their press release, which you can read by clicking through the post. Additionally, be sure to flip through our image gallery to see the E-Class Coupe from a variety of views.

Italian design company Fioravanti came to Geneva this year with its concept Formula One car, the FL1. With this year’s vehicle, Fioravanti wanted to build a car that not only adheres to current F1 regulations, but also presupposes future regulations, such as limiting turbulence, that would make for more overtaking in the sport. The idea is that if F1 was full of cars like the FL1, the race would be more exciting, and, therefore, more marketable.

The compact, aerodynamic FL1 was designed to house a 1.8-liter turbocharged engine. The Kinetic Energy Recovery System would also help to reduce fuel consumption. The front and rear wings are integrated into the body to provide down force and lessen aerodynamic drag at the wheels.

In keeping with the concept of the vehicle, Fioravanti suggests the return of active suspension use, and enacting a regulation that minimizes turbulence ten meters behind a vehicle.

Scroll down for the official press release.

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Up until this point, Koenigsegg has solely been known for producing high-horsepower supercars with Bugatti Veyron-like top speeds. That all changed on the Geneva Show floor, though, when Christian von Koenigsegg unveiled his latest creation, the Quant, which runs only on electric power.

Developed in part by NLV Solar AG, the Quant uses individual electric motors that power each rear wheel, and additional energy comes from solar panels which have been slotted into the hood and roof. These batteries won't really be used for any sort of powertrain charging, but will provide enough juice to power interior electronics, etc. This four-passenger coupe is expected to produce an astonishing 512 horsepower and 527 pound-feet of torque -- impressive from just two electric motors.

So, it looks like the future of Koenigsegg might not just be about go-fast sports cars, after all. But the question is, if an EV were to come from the Koenigsegg folks, would it sell in the same sort of volumes as their famed CCX-series of supercars?

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Job one for engineering firm Magna Steyr is to realize and meet the needs of different OEMs and create products that can be utilized in a variety of different configurations for future vehicle creations. At the Geneva Motor Show, Magna Steyr unveiled their latest Mila EV concept, a five-door small car, and we're told that every part of this car's design and engineering has been entirely focused around alternative, forward-thinking drive technology.

The Mila EV is powered by an electric motor which produces 67 horsepower from its Magna Steyr-sourced lithium-ion battery. After charging for only 2.5 hours, we're told that this car can travel up to 150 kilometers (93 miles). Additionally, solar cells are integrated into the EV's glass roof, providing extra energy generation for interior features (audio, HVAC, etc.). More significantly, the Mila EV does away with side mirrors, in favor or sleeker camera housings with corresponding displays inside the car.

We'll be interested to see if Magna Steyr can get any OEMs on board with their Mila EV concept, as it could prove to be a very useful product for manufacturers looking to electrify their small car offerings. Click through the post to read Magna's official words, and click the images above for a few images of the Mila EV.

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Aston Martin Brings back the Lagonda (hooray!). It’s a crossover (awkward silence).

In an attempt to reach a broader market, Aston Martin’s “luxury car of the future” is a four-wheel-drive four-seat crossover vehicle meant to provide the customer with a combination of luxury and utility. The automaker expects that a larger vehicle bearing the name, status, and reputation of the Aston Martin brand will be successful worldwide, with plans to sell in Russia, the Middle East, North and
South America, India, China, Europe, and the Far East.

Aston Martin hasn’t yet selected a powertrain for the Lagonda revival, and they say they are exploring several options, including alternative solutions such as flexfuel, diesel, and hybrid technology.

While it will take us a while to get used to the looks and, honestly, the whole idea of the Aston Martin Lagonda crossover, we think it will give Porsche Cayenne owners a run for their money.

Behold the new Lagonda in the gallery above, or scroll down to read Aston Martin’s rationale (their word, not ours) behind it.

Earlier, we reported that the Ford Iosis Max concept car, which debuted in Geneva today, hints at the future of the Ford Focus. Tell us what you think, or discuss other topics in our forums.

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Nissan debuted its newest concept vehicle, the Qazana, today at the Geneva Motor Show. The small crossover was inspired by dune buggies and four-wheelers, and is meant to challenge design tradition while being an intelligent, fun car to drive.

Though Nissan admits the Qazana “might seem a radical solution,” the automaker also calls the shapely crossover “a baby brother to the Qashqai,” pointing out that it contains elements that hint at a future production vehicle.

If the exterior styling, complete with boomerang tail lights, daylight running strips, and rear suicide doors, doesn’t satisfy one’s urge to depart from convention, the interior design should do the trick. Motorcycles were the inspiration for the inside of the Qazana, as is especially apparent in the center console. The large, central touch screen display almost appears to be growing from the red dash. The seats are cantilevered from the center of the vehicle to create a sense of openness.

View the Qazana above, or scroll down for the full press release.

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Swiss tuning house Rinspeed has brought and interesting little take on the Abarth Fiat 500 to this year’s show in Geneva—a dual power mode version of the car called simply, E2. In addition to a unique appearance package, the E2 concept features two electronically controlled power levels from its engine management system. In “Commuting” mode, the engine develops a miserly 60 horsepower and is able to return around 59 mpg. However, with just the push of a button the E2 can be prompted into “Highway” mode, creating a more sporting 160 horsepower, and a much more lively driving experience.

We can certainly follow along with Rinspeed’s logic for the creation of the E2 (who wouldn’t like to be able to command situationally appropriate horsepower from their engine?), but we’ve had a bit more difficulty in deciphering the need for the cheerful model included in the E2 press photos. She sure is happy, in any case. Have a closer look at car and model in the gallery above or scroll down to read the Rinspeed press release.

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Today in Geneva, Rolls-Royce unveiled the 200EX sedan, which the automaker says will inspire the RR4 production model line scheduled for next year. Besides being slightly smaller and having LED headlamps and a V-12, the 200EX looks like the Phantom. It also has rear suicide doors that provide, according to Rolls-Royce, “the warmest of welcomes to those about to step inside.” Though the car can apparently hug passengers with its coach doors, it is still very much a Rolls from any angle.

The RR4 will be built on the same platform as the BMW 7-series, and will most likely be priced to compete with the Bentley Continental.

View photos in the gallery above, or read the press release below.

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Audi is ready to unleash the baddest ever TT out into the world, a 340 brake horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque beast of a TT RS that comes within spitting distance of big brother R8. The problem is that the RS won’t be anywhere near our part of the world, any time in the near future, as Audi has no plans to bring the car to North America. Pity.

The German automaker is proud to continue its tradition of powerful, five-cylinder engines—as seen in the 2.1-liter version of Audi’s 1980 Quattro—this time with a 2.5-liter blown motor. The Quattro system is, of course, part of that package as well, as is Audi’s magnetic ride damping system, and a really huge wing.

Get a closer look at the TT RS with the gallery above or scroll down to read the official press release.

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Today, Volkswagen introduced the new 2010 Polo at the Geneva Motor Show. The 2010 model is 7.5 percent lighter than previous models, increasing fuel economy. The Polo BlueMotion package, which can be combined with any of the trimlines, provides 61.9 miles per gallon.

Along with being lighter and more fuel efficient, the new Polo is also safer. It now includes a standard electronic stability program, an airbag system including head-thorax airbags, and more structural rigidity in the bodyshell.

Seven engines are being used in the new Polo, three of which are diesel. Depending on the engine, the Polo puts out 59 to 103 horsepower.

According to Volkswagen, the new Polo will eventually be sold worldwide after hitting the European market this summer.

View the Volkswagen Polo in the gallery above, or scroll down for the press release.

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The excitement behind the impending launch of the Chevrolet Volt won’t have to be limited to North America anymore—it’ll just have to be put off for one year. General Motors has shown off the European-flavored Volt, a restyled Opel version known as the Ampera.

The Euro versions (there will also be a right-hand-drive Vauxhall Ampera for Blighty) have all the same underpinnings as the revolutionary Chevy version, though some tweaks will have to be made to make the car compliant with Euro power grids. Have a closer look at the Ampera in our gallery above or scroll down to read the official press release.