2016 Geneva Motor Showcase news and exposes
As the Geneva Motor Display gets under way, here is everything we know so far and what we expect to learn more about over the next few days.
Manufacturers have been run in rivulets feeding details about fresh models and significant concept cars in the lead up to the Geneva Motor Demonstrate. With the doors opening in the next few hours, here are the models we can’t wait to get up close to and a few we’re anxious to know more about.
We all know the legend of the Bugatti Veyron. The world’s most insane hypercar has had a decade-long run with numerous special editions released over that time. Today, Veyron is no more, substituted by the Bugatti Chiron which we’re expecting to see for the very first time at Geneva. It’s expected to look a bit like the Vision Gran Turismo concept, pictured below. Given the enormous footwear it has to pack, we expect the Chiron will reset the benchmark for what a car can do.
We’ve been able to catch a peek of the Toyota C-HR SUV just hours before its official debut at Geneva and are glad to see lots of the concept car’s quirky details have carried over to this production version. Utter details are being kept under wraps until the display which we will be sure to update you on as soon as we can.
Maserati’s very first SUV promises to carry the same spectacle and luxury credentials the brand has become famous for. There’s potential for the Levante to become Maserati’s most popular model.
RENAULT MEGANE ESTATE GT
Renault’s Megane platform has grown a thicker boot and become the Megane Estate. A GT version has been shown in photos already but there’s a entire range set arrive in dealerships and we want to see more at Geneva.
Skoda taunted us with pictures of its Vision S concept car recently. It previews the Czech brand’s forthcoming mid-size production SUV and we like what we’re watching so far! The concept car built for the showcase features a hybrid powertrain with an electrical motor driving the rear wheels.
MITSUBISHI ASX & TRITON GEOSEEK
Mitsubishi has revised its Triton and ASX models with a handful of eye-catching upgrades and called them the Geoseek concepts. The added equipment is designed to appeal to off-road enthusiasts. Mitsubishi hasn’t released pics of the interior yet, so Geneva will permit us to leap inwards and take a look.
Volvo has updated its V40 hatchback and it’s coming to Geneva. Styling updates bring the V40 up to date with its fatter Swedish siblings and fresh tech inwards adds to the appeal.
Kia is big on practicality which is what its Optima Sportswagon is all about. It has way more cargo space than the sedan, all within the same footprint. Clever packaging extends to the clever seats and interior design.
This beautiful coupe is the hybrid version of the Lexus LC500 exposed late last year at the Detroit Motor Showcase. We love the way it looks, but we don’t know much about what powers it. We’ll find out pretty soon.
The Opel GT concept grabbed headlines thanks to its futuristic interior. Most interesting to us is the fact the concept car was built here in Australia. We can’t wait to check it out in the metal.
The Alpine brand comebacks with another concept, this one closer than ever to genuine production potential. The mid-engine coupe is aimed at the Alfa Romeo 4C and Porsche Cayman, and is could be landing in European showrooms as early as next year. We love the way it looks and despairingly want to drive one!
Electrified cars and hybrids are the name of the concept car game these days. Hyundai knows this and is bringing its Ioniq electrified car to Geneva. Previous concepts under the Ioniq name looked and sounded a bit fanciful, but the technology is ready to go into a typically accessible Hyundai production car, and that’s what we’re ready to see.
We still don’t know much (or anything, truly) about Volkswagen’s fresh petite SUV. A duo of teaser pics that keep most of the details a secret are all we have to go on. If it is what it seems to be, this will be a big development in a hotly contested market segment.
A fresh Subaru XV is set to be previewed at Geneva, but at this stage that is all we know! Gratefully the wait is almost over.
Spied while testing ahead of its concept car expose at Geneva, the Honda Civic hatchback is an significant one and we’re keen to take a look with all that camo taken off!
A fresh McLaren coming to Geneva is something to get excited about. The McLaren 570GT is likely to be the marque’s most effortless to live with model. That is if you can say that of a two seater supercar. It’s much less race car, much more on-road luxury, but no doubt it will still be fiercely rapid.
Citroen has caused a stir with leaked pictures of its DS E-Tense concept car ahead of the Geneva demonstrate. It’s a beautifully extravagant electrified super car with nods to the brand’s heritage, tho’ sadly Citroen says there are no plans to produce it. Still, we want a closer look.
Could this be an official photo? It sure looks like it. Aston Martin is scheduled to expose the fresh DB11 at Geneva but with mere hours to go, it looks like the thunder has been stolen by a handful of photos that appeared on the web. We’re yet to see the interior which featured digital dials in earlier concepts and prototypes. Will they still be there in the production version?
A fresh baby SUV from Audi sounds like a good idea to us, and the Audi Q2 is just that. We’ll get our very first good look at it when the Geneva demonstrate gets going. Details are skinny on the ground with Audi continuing to build suspense right up until its official expose.
The C43 Coupe is the 2nd AMG model in the Mercedes C-Class range and a car that we reckon Aussies will have a big appetite for. We’ll have ourselves a decent look at Geneva then wait patiently for it to arrive Down Under.