Every year, the Geneva International Motor Show presents technologically advanced cars and concepts from global manufacturers. This year we had the honor of attending the most important automotive event of the season. We were among the first to see the premieres of new models from well-known brands and feast our eyes on numerous remakes and luxury models.
Geneva Motor Show started for journalists already on March 4, while the doors were opened for visitors from March 6 to 16. This year's news 84th car salon at the fairgrounds Palexpo include everything from BMW-'s transition to front-wheel drive Renault's returns to the rear drive as well as the presentation of brands unknown to our market, such as the Chinese one Qoros, which is making its way to Europe. We have also collected some novelties and interesting things from one of the most important automotive fairs.
What do "people's" brands bring...
French brand Peugeot she will remember this year's salon forever, as she is their model 308 received an award for European Car of the Year. They also presented 308 SW, which boasts a 610-liter luggage compartment and an economical 1.6-liter BlueHDI diesel engine that produces only 85 g/km of CO2 emissions. A new model was also launched 108, who will fight for supremacy in the class of urban toddlers.
Renault presented the long-awaited in its playful showroom Twinga, which will be produced in Revoz. New ones city car it will be available in a five-door version and will have rear-wheel drive. Thus, they relieved the front end, gained some space for comfort in the cabin and enabled more agile handling of the vehicle.
German manufacturer Audi premiered the third generation Audi TT with a completely new, sharper mask. We also saw a new one Audi S1, which boasts an incredible acceleration of 0-100 km/h in just 5.8 seconds with a 2.0-liter engine that produces as much as 228 horsepower. According to the characteristics, it is placed next to it Volkswagen Golf GTI respectively Ford Fiesta ST.
Ford is in addition to its electric vehicles and sports cars Mustangs also introduced a new one Focus. It has undergone a Fiesta-style facelift and is wider and lower than before. They have also upgraded the technology of the vehicle inside, where many functions will be controlled via the built-in touch screen.
Spanish Seat proudly unveiled the new version Leona, namely Seat Leon Cupra, which will be available in two engine variants – the standard 260 hp Cupra and the 280 hp Cupra. The sporty model also boasts a front differential lock, dynamic chassis control and progressive steering.
At BMW, almost all versions of their series were on display, but the series was the most crowded 2 Active Tourer, which is BMW's first true family car. An interesting feature is the large luggage compartment with a volume of 1,510 liters and front-wheel drive. A version with seven seats is also expected to follow in the future. A new four-door version of the series was also presented 4 Gran Coupes, which will go on sale in June.
Presentations of new models
There were many expectations surrounding the new product Citroën's model C4 Cactus, whose interesting feature is the special design of the car with "airbump" technology, which prevents injuries in the parking lot. It protects us from hitting the neighboring car with a layer of cushions on the doors and also on the bumpers. It also ranks in the class of environmentally conscious vehicles with CO2 emissions of only 82 g/km.
The company, recognized by the world-famous silver three-pointed star, has introduced a new class S and S Coupe. Mercedes thus also acquired a new luxury member of the family, bearing the designation S65. It impresses with its powerful V12 biturbo engine, which produces as much as 630 horsepower, and with a technologically sophisticated and luxurious interior.
She presented one of the major stylistic transformations Too bad with his concept VisionC, which hints at future directions in the design of new models such as Fabio and Superb. They intend to present the renewed models in the next two years. Considering the appearance of the concept, we can expect quite a high level of interest.
Toyota presented competition to all the small city models with her own Toyota Aygo, based on models Citroën C1 and Peugeot 108. It will be available in several styles and will be quite an interesting model on our market due to its cheap driving and purchase.
It had one of the largest exhibition spaces Volkswagen, where they presented a new version VW Polo with a slightly sharper shape and a renewed mask. They surprised with their three-door T-ROC concept, characterized by large round lights in style Nissan Juke. They also served a new one Golf GTE, which is not yet ready for the road, but represents an interesting basis for further models. It is equipped with a 1.4-liter gasoline engine and a 101-horsepower electric motor, which together create 201 hp and acceleration from 0-100 km/h in 7.6 seconds.
Opel introduced three new vehicles: sports Opel Adam S it has a 1.4-liter gasoline unit with 110 kW, which reaches a speed of over 200 km/h. Opel Adam Rocks but its robust version is for more rugged terrain. It is probably one of the bolder vehicles at the show Opel Astra Extreme, which represents a new level of sportiness from the German giant.
As an interesting point, we should also mention the Chinese brand Qoros, which debuted with its model Qoros 3. The car manufacturer takes care of its reputation with safety, as it achieved five stars in the European Euro NCAP tests and was crowned the safest car in its class.
Supercars and the most interesting concepts
A large part of the car show is also super sports cars such as Lamborghini and McLaren, and interesting concepts. The latter represent an insight into the future of vehicles on our roads, including new technologies and alternative types of fuel. After numerous presentations and discoveries of models of well-known and accessible brands, we rested in the saddle of the mighty kings of car brands.
Lamborghini revealed Huracan, which is the successor of the famous one Gallardo, with softer strokes. It is powered by a 5.2-liter V10 with 610 hp. With the help of a 7-speed automatic transmission, it jumps to 100 km/h in just 3.2 seconds. Its speed stops at 325 km/h.
Maserati he impressed with the concept Alfieri, which represents the best of sports car design. The concept is based on a shortened platform GranTurismo and is powered by a 4.7-liter V8 engine with a 6-speed transmission.
Hondas the designers served us a bold Honda concept Civic Type R. It is equipped with a 2.0-liter turbo engine that produces 280 hp and is placed in the same class as the VW Golf R and Ford Focus RS. Volvo presented itself this year with one of the most beautiful concept cars at the Geneva Motor Show. A beautiful and quite large Volvo Estate Concept unfortunately, it is only a study that will be the basis for the further development of Volvo models. The main guideline of the Swedish designers was simplicity, as there are not many switches and buttons in the aesthetically perfect cabin. The driver should perform most of the functions via the screen on the center console and switches on the steering wheel.
At the McLaren site, they discovered one of the most beautiful and best models of its class - McLaren 650S. It represents the successor of the model MP4-12C with the stylish lines of the model P1 and is available in the version Coupe and Spider. Power comes from a 3.8-liter V8 twin-turbo engine that produces 641 hp and enables acceleration from 0-100 km/h in just three seconds.
Other sports models and breathtaking conversions, such as Brabus and Carlsson, can be seen in the gallery here.
