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Geneva Motor Show 2019 - Pt.1

The Geneva Motor Show has come to an end, it feels like it has been a long time coming this year. There were so many cars on offer at Geneva this year and a lot of focus on the future of brands turning to electric models. 

There was too much to cover in one post so here is part 1 / 3 ...

Audi

Audi previewed their E-Tron Sportback with a black and orange camouflage. Audi have confirmed that this car uses their “next-generation digital lighting technology” for the headlights and daytime lights that project onto light reflective sections of the car’s own body rather than outwards. The car also projects turn signals onto the floor. The E-Tron Sportback also features cameras in place of traditional rear view and wing mirrors. With Audi choosing to show the car still semi-camouflaged safe to say we’ll keep guessing and waiting to see what the final car will look like!

Audi revealed their Q4 E-tron SUV as well as Sportback ahead of the car going on sale in 2020. Audi said that this car is “in the upper third of the compact class” when describing its size despite having a more spacious interior than previous models. The particular model used at Geneva had a ‘Solar Sky’ paint scheme which is designed to help reduce the overall temperature of the car from the sun helping to keep the inside cooler during summer months.

Audi showed off their new R8 V10 Decennium of which only 222 models will be made in Germany to mark 10 years of production. As standard this car will be sold with a coupe design with Daytona Grey matt paint but further colours will be available. No UK release or price has been confirmed yet but Audi explained that this car will be available in Germany from April for €220,000.

Lamborghini

Lamborghini revealed their open top Aventador SVJ Roadstar which will only have 800 units made with prices starting from £385,000. The Aventador SVJ Roadstar will also have the most powerful engine in Lamborghini history with a top speed of 217mph. On top of the engine, it will also feature the latest ALA active aerodynamic system to help with downforce and drag.

We’ve heard a lot about the convertible supercar that is the Lamborghini Huracan Evo Spyder and it’s finally had its debut at Geneva. 0-62mph in 3.1 seconds which sounds impressive but is actually 0.2 seconds slower than the hard-top model but does have a top speed of 201mph. Lamborghini have confirmed that this model will be available for pre-order shortly with prices starting from £218,000.

Skoda

Skoda showed us their plan for full electric models going forward with their concept for the Vision iV. The interior of the Vision iV has changed from current Skoda interiors with a ‘multi-level’ dashboard including a free standing screen. The interior also boasts a high level of storage space with wireless charging for 2 mobile phones.

The new Skoda Kamiq is an SUV aimed at ‘urban families’. This car is a follow up to the Vision X concept that was shown at last year’s Geneva Motor Show. The Kamiq will be available in front-wheel drive only but promises ‘sporty’ handling. For the interior, the Kamiq features a 9.2inch infotainment touchscreen as standard and optional heated front and rear seats. Set to go on sale in the third quarter of 2019 in the UK with prices rumoured to start from £16,000.

Polestar

The Polestar 2 is gaining the title of “Tesla Model 3 Rival” in the car community. The Polestar 2 is a five-door fastback building on the design of the Polestar 1 and can do 0 – 62mph in under 5 seconds. The Polestar 2 is also totally Google compatible with Google Assistant, Google Maps and the Google Play Store. Additional technology for this car also allows you to use your smartphone as the car key! Production will begin early 2020 on both left and right hand drive vehicles.

Peugeot

The Peugeot 508 was shown off at Geneva for the Peugeot Sport Engineering concept. The 508 has a 1.6-litre PureTech 200 petrol engine with a 110bhp electric motor for the front with a 200bhp electric motor for the rear. This car can go 0-62mph in 4.3 seconds with a top speed of 155mph.

Peugeot also showed off their 208 with petrol, diesel and EV variants available. Smaller and lighter than the car it is replacing in the Peugeot line up aiming for a ‘futurist and young’ five door look with front wheel drive. The all electric model will have a range of 211 miles and the battery can be charged up to 80% within half an hour.

Mercedes 

The Mercedes AMG GLE 53 4Matic+ has been unveiled. Going 0-62mph in 5.3 seconds which is 0.4 seconds faster than the last model in this line and featuring 7 different driving modes for the driver to choose from including Sport and Comfort. Additional upgrades included are to the breaks and also to the interior which now features a red accent trim.

Mercedes AMG GT R Roadster was also on show. Going 0 – 62mph in 3.6 seconds and with a top speed of 197mph, a limited run of this model will only feature 750 units; prices will start from £158,000.

Mercedes previewed their first electric MPV with the Concept EQV which is based on the V Class. This vehicle continues with Mercedes’ range of fully electric vehicles. An underfloor battery gives the car a 249-mile range and a top speed of 99mph. For the interior there is a touchscreen infotainment system and the same seating layout as the V Class.

Mercedes have given the GLC a set of upgrades after it joined the SUV line up 3 years ago when it launched. The 2019 GLC has received various styling tweaks including reshaped bumpers, reshaped headlights and a choice of 19 inch or 20 inch wheels.

Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake is due to come to the UK market in Autumn 2019. The interior features two 10 inch screens and a voice controlled operating system. Prices will start from £30,000 with 3 petrol variants available at launch with a diesel option available as well.

Seat

Seat gave us the Seat el-Born which is the brand’s first bespoke EV which is already 95% production ready despite still having the ‘concept’ tagged onto the end of the name. The el-Born has a range of 261 miles and Seat are hoping that it will give the driver a ‘sporty’ driving experience. Named after a neighbourhood in Barcelona, it can go from 0 – 62mph in 7.5 seconds and is able to charge 80% of the battery in 47 minutes. The interior features a 10-inch infotainment touchscreen with a dashboard design that is focused on the driver’s need and interaction.

Pininfarina

Pininfarina unveiled it’s electric-powered hyper car the Battista which will be the most powerful road legal car to come out of Italy to date. Each wheel will have its own motor and the car itself has a top speed of 217mph. It can go 0-186 in under 12 seconds but only 150 units will be made but they are already receiving down payments and pre-orders.

Renualt

Renault showed off their new Clio which is said to be the companies most advanced supermini yet. The fifth generation in the Clio line, it has received a huge overall to the interior’s technology and space despite being a shorter vehicle that its predecessor and is going to be the first in the line to try out a variety of new features and technology going forward including hybrid functionality.

McLaren

McLaren made a surprise announcement regarding their all new Grand Tourer model which will be launched later this year. This new model will combine “competition levels of performance with continent-crossing capability” although a definite name for the new model is yet to be confirmed.

McLaren also showed us the 720S Spider by MSO which is a one off model of the 720S Spider. This model is completely bespoke and has a ‘tri-tone finish’ – the paint scheme alone is report to have taken them 260 hours. The interior is also MSO bespoke with customised trims and carbonfibre components.

McLaren previewed their new Senna GTR in its current production form – despite only being in production, this car has already sold out of all 75 units. The original concept for this car was showcased at the Geneva Motor Show in 2018 and is now priced at £1.1 million excluding taxes with deliveries due to start in September 2019.

Ssangyong

SsangYong showed us the Korando SUV and confirmed a full electric version of this model will be available in 2020. The interior will feature a 10.25-inch LCD display and will come with a choice of 1.5 litre turbo petrol and 1.6 litre diesel engines.

All images used are copywright to the respective manufacturers