Previewed as the Iroc concept back in 2006, the production Scirocco gives VW Group a new Golf-based coupé that sits below the Audi TT in the line-up. The long-roof ‘shooting wagon' profile has few direct rivals in the marketplace - the Volvo C30 is the most obvious, the new Saab concept a possible future competitor - and provides the Scirocco with a comfortable four-seater package.

The side view is characterized by the elongated DLO shape and a pronounced light-catcher in the lower door, complete with a neat black bodyside protector strip at the base of the door. The doors feature frameless glass and a B-pillar hidden behind the rear glass surface. Compared to the Iroc, the front end is quite different, with the 'Wappengrille' ditched in favor of a horizontal dark headlamp and grille graphic, sitting above a deep lower grille with big diamond pattern mesh. Notice too, the VW badge that is located up on the hood rather than within the grille, as on most current VW models. Significantly, according to Walter de'Silva, this new front end face will be used on other VW models in future.

Sitting in the car, we were impressed by the comfortable seats and generous space for two rear passengers, although the integrated headrests and shallow glass area all restrict visibility somewhat in the rear. The trunk has a high loading sill but a useful deep volume of 292 liters and can be extended with fold-down rear seats.

The IP keeps the basic hardpoints from the Golf, but with a revised upper surface that is lower to suit the faster screen angle of the Scirocco and a new shape to the vents. While the console and center stack will be familiar to Golf owners, the new door panels are particularly nice, with large triangular door grips separated from the main armrest surface.

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Volkswagen Iroc concept - Paris 2006

We've seen the Verve concept in Frankfurt when Martin Smith told us that this was very close to what we should expect for the new Fiesta. And he was right. This new production design is 25mm taller and differs only in detail to the Verve. And, just as the Verve was presented in a strident violet hue, the two Fiestas displayed in Geneva were in equally big statement colors: 'Squeeze' acid green, and 'Hot Magenta'!

Smith took us around the car, highlighting the 'linen' finish to the slush molded IP, and also its expressive form. He is clearly particularly proud of the way the whole design evidently combines high perceived quality with a relatively extrovert design identity from the Kinetic Design language he introduced with the Iosis concept.

The exterior, by Chris Hamilton, starts at the front with the inverted trapezoidal grille shape, lipped in chrome and set low down, as on a sports car. The lamps sweep back and roll over the side edges of the hood, which in turn becomes a clamshell design as it reaches the windshield. At the sides there is the expected prominent undercut feature line and dynamic 'son of original Focus' DLO, plus a vestigial lower side line that sweeps up much as it does in the Mazda 2 (with which the Fiesta shares its platform). All of this is consistently executed, but slightly let down by the rear three-quarter aspect, which is reminiscent of the Mercedes A-class in theme but awkwardly resolved at the intersection between the rear light, tailgate, upper tailgate spoiler and rear window.

'Sassy' is a word that sums up the overall identity of this Fiesta well, and it was universally regarded as a very good bit of design by the designers we spoke to. We also think that the new Fiesta is very well judged for the market.

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Ford Verve concept - Frankfurt 2007
Design Review: Ford Iosis concept 

Previewed last year as a concept, the iQ debuts here as a new entry model for Toyota that incorporates a 3+1 seating layout with a new compact size of just 3 meters - 410mm less than an Aygo and similar in length to the Smart ForTwo. Compared to the concept, the styling is more orthodox: gone are the sharp triangular lamps but the character lines at front and rear still exist, albeit in diluted form. One line from the A-pillar sweeps inwards across the lamp onto the short, stubby hood, while a complimentary line feeds from the headlamp down to the lower corner. Dubbed 'cubic super stance', this wheel-at-each-corner look is actually quite a good way of understanding the design of this new premium baby car, and is repeated at the rear end too.

The side view is changed little from the concept, with the big doors forming almost the entire bodyside between the wheelarches. The S-shaped graphic of the rear window through the taillamps down into the bumper remains, although we still feel there's a mismatch of the character of the wrap-around window and the door side glass, both in terms of the top edges and overall radii. The deep, flat sides are relieved by a subtle crease line in the lower door and sculpting around the door handle, together with generous 16-inch 5-spoke wheels to fill the wheelarches.

Entry to the interior was restricted on first press day, but the impression was extremely positive. The interior is finished in a rich chocolate-plum color, with plum-colored accents on steering wheel, gearshift and doors. The striking V-shaped center console continues the ‘Manta Ray' theme of the concept, with matching matt silver door grabhandles. Overall, this is a significant new car from Toyota, with a wealth of new packaging and ideas. Life just got a lot tougher for the Smart ForTwo.

Dimensions: Length 2985mm, Height 1500mm, Wheelbase 2000mm

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Toyota iQ concept - Frankfurt 2007