Outside Britain, General Motors badges Vauxhalls as Opels, and though there are unlikely to be any Vauxhall logos in Geneva, all of the new Opels on display point to Vauxhall models due in the UK in the near future.

Vauxhall's sharply styled Astra Sport Hatch has only just gone one sale in the UK, but enthusiasts will be keen to hear news of the high-performance VXR version. Initial pictures indicate that the showroom model stays true to the High Performance Concept shown at the 2004 Paris Motor Show. The Astra VXR does a good job of hiding its hatchback roots, looking more like a true coupe. The large alloys and lowered suspension aid the meaty stance, which is emphasised by an aggressive, but not at all over the top body kit. The rear end signals its intent too with a central exhaust and neat spoiler. We'll have more details after the show, but expect at least as much power as the 217bhp Ford Focus ST from a turbocharged four-cylinder engine.

Elsewhere on the Opel/Vauxhall stand, the best-selling Zafira mid-size MPV receives a complete overhaul. The new car makes its debut in Geneva and we know that it will be larger than the current car in most directions. The versatile seven-seat layout is retained in the new car, with some neat new additional features, such as a roof-mounted storage system. Fans of the 'Daddy Cool' Zafira Turbo may be in for a surprise too. Vauxhall has not said anything about it, but there will be an Opel Zafira OPC in Geneva - OPC is to Opel what VXR is to Vauxhall. It remains to be seen whether the sporty VXR badge will make it onto the upright rear of the Zafira, but it is likely that at least one performance variant will be offered.