'05 Geneva motor show.(News)

Byline: AutoWeek staff

Cadillac BLS

Designed for Europe, the Cadillac BLS will not be sold in the States because of the expense, and that's a shame. Based on the front-wheel-drive Opel Epsilon platform used for the Saab 9-3, it was shown as a concept; we'll see the production car at Frankfurt this fall. The BLS is about the same size as a BMW 3 Series or Audi A4. GM wouldn't get specific about power outputs for the four gas and two diesel engines that will be available at launch in 2006. GM hopes to sell 10,000 a year.

Bentley Flying Spur

Bentley boss Franz-Josef Paefgen calls the Flying Spur a paradox: an ultra-luxury sedan with supercar performance. The same 6.0-liter, twin-turbo W12 in the Continental coupe powers the Flying Spur, developing 552 hp, enough to propel the car from 0 to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. Top speed is 195 mph-Paefgen says that makes the Flying Spur the fastest production sedan on the market. Wood and leather all over the interior? Of course, and beautifully done, too. The all-wheel-drive car goes on sale in the United States this fall.

Opel OPC

GM's financially embattled German subsidiary Opel threw its hat into the toughly fought European hot hatchback ring with this new sporty three-door Astra. Developed by Opel's Performance Centre, the front-driver has progressed from a similar-looking concept shown at last September's Paris show, and is aimed at the Volkswagen Golf GTi. Power comes from a 2.0-liter turbo four pushing out 240 hp-40 hp more than its Volkswagen rival. The new engine is being considered for future Saturn models, including the Aura revealed in Detroit.