Chevrolet Sonic at the 2011 Detroit auto show

One of GM's numerous debuts at the 2011 Detroit auto show was this: the Chevrolet Sonic. Shown as a hatchback and four-door notchback, it's one of The General's weapons to tackle the now-globalised Ford Fiesta and its ilk. Good spot. That's because this is the US-spec Aveo - albeit shown in US-only notchback form as well as the more Euro-flavoured hatchback.

Volvo V40 (2012) first official pictures

This is the all-new Volvo V40, the Swedish car company’s latest rival to the Ford Focus, VW Golf et al. It will be officially unveiled at the 2012 Geneva motor show next month. Volvo is being particularly bullish about the prospects of its new V40, with Volvo president and CEO Stefan Jacoby claiming the new model ‘will give our toughest competitors a headache’.

Alfa Romeo 4C Launch Edition: Geneva Motor Show 2013

Alfa Romeo has revealed the Alfa 4C at the Geneva Motor Show and the Alfa 4C Launch Edition which will cost €60,000. The Alfa Romeo 4C Launch Edition – just 1,000 are being built with only 400 staying in Europe – will cost a fairly strong €60k (around £52,000) and comes in either Carrara White of Alfa Red with a carbon fibre bodykit that adds carbon fibre for the spoiler at the back, to the door mirrors and round the headlights with dark alloys and front air intakes. The suspension also gets a tweak.