A number of cars were due to launch at this year's Geneva Motor Show.
A number of cars were due to launch at this year's Geneva Motor Show.
For motoring journalists, the first full week in March always includes a helter-skelter, flying visit — often a rather knackering day trip, catching the red-eye out of Heathrow and back on the last flight of the day — to Switzerland, for the Geneva Motor Show Press Day. Not so this year.
With the global spread of the coronavirus, and specifically recent concern due to a spate of Covid-19 cases in northern Italy and other countries outside of China, the organisers took the sensible precaution to cancel the 2020 show.
A logical decision, but one which would not have been taken lightly, given the Geneva Motor Show is arguably the most important of the year. Plus, a number of major reveals had been due to take place in Switzerland.
But while the big doors of Palexpo, the exhibition centre conveniently located within walking distance of Geneva Airport, remain tightly closed, in essence, the show carried on online as the world’s leading carmakers went ahead with their unveilings.
So, while you sip your coffee, and I avoid what’s usually the best part of a 20-hour day visiting the show, here’s a round-up of the best cars which were ‘virtually’ unwrapped…
Packing 533bhp from an updated version of the Giulia Quadrifoglio's 2.9-litre V6, the GTA is not only the hot new range-topper in the Giulia range, but it’s also the most powerful production vehicle to bear an Alfa Romeo badge. Fitted with a new track-focused suspension set-up, it’s also shed 100kg from the ‘standard’ car.
Oh... and there’s also a hardcore GTAm version. In addition to its humungous rear spoiler, it also loses its rear seats, which are replaced with a heavy-duty roll bar. Only 500 Giulia GTA and GTAm models will be available.
This is — in essentially production-ready form — the new i4, the company’s all-electric Gran Coupé. Due on sale next year, and going head-to-head with the Tesla 3, BMW’s latest ‘i’ brand model has a range of 373 miles (on the WLTP cycle), an output of 530bhp, tops out at 124mph, and covers 0-62mph in around 4.0 seconds. The electric motor developed for the BMW i4 generates maximum output of up to 390kW/530hp, which ranks it alongside a current BMW V8 combustion engine.
The Cupra Formentor performance SUV is the first model developed exclusively for the brand. There are two engine choices; a 2.0-litre TSI turbocharged petrol engine with 4Drive (4WD) technology, delivering 307bhp or — more interestingly — a plug-in hybrid.
This combines a 1.4-litre TSI 147bhp (110kW) petrol engine with a 112bhp (85kW) electric motor, powered by a 13kWh lithium-ion battery pack. The eHybrid delivers a total peak power of 242bhp (180kW) and 400Nm of torque with an electric range of 31 miles.
Deliveries of the Cupra Formentor will begin in the last quarter of 2020.
Boasting subtle design tweaks and an interior which has been upgraded, the aggressive looking Type R retains the 316bhp turbocharged 2.0-litre engine as its predecessor. Thankfully, the triple tailpipes also remain. And if you want even more performance, there’s also a new lightweight Limited Edition variant.
Two key models from Hyundai. The latest i20 illustrates the Korean carmaker’s new ‘revolutionary and ambitious’ design language. Due in Arnold Clark dealerships in May, the new i20 gets more interior space plus sportier external styling.
The facelifted i30 now fits in with the styling of the rest of the family line-up, thanks to its new restyled bumpers, more aggressive front end and LED headlights. Inside there’s also now the option of a 10.25in infotainment touchscreen. Oh – and the new model also features mild hybrid tech.
Kia’s new rival to the Skoda Kodiaq, the fourth-generation Sorento sits on an all-new monocoque platform. One of the results of that is a combination of more interior space and shorter exterior overhangs. It’s 10mm more than its predecessor, while the wheelbase is up 35mm to 2815mm.
At the front there’s a new interpretation of Kia’s hallmark ‘tiger nose’ grille, which wraps organically around the integrated headlamps on each side. The headlamps also feature a new ‘tiger eye’ LED daytime running light.
The new Sorento also debuts Kia’s ‘Smartstream’ turbo hybrid powertrain — a 1.6-litre T-GDi (turbocharged gasoline direct injection) engine, 44.2kW electric motor and 1.49kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack collectively delivering 227bhp and 350Nm torque. A powerful new plug-in hybrid will also join the range later.
Plug-in hybrid versions of Mercedes’ CLA and GLA use a 1.3-litre four-cylinder petrol engine mated to a 101bhp electric motor. Together they deliver an output of 215bhp and an electric-only range of around 35 miles. CLA 250 e Coupé and CLA 250 e Shooting Brake go on sale in April, with GLA 250 e on sale in May. First deliveries expected early summer, with pricing and spec still to be confirmed.
The facelifted E-Class adopts the family styling of the CLA, A-Class and GLA; that means a more angular front end, reshaped light clusters and Mercedes’ latest MBUX infotainment software. It’s due on sale in May — prices and spec, again, yet to be confirmed — with first deliveries expected late summer.
Volkswagen’s latest all-electric ID.4 SUV will go on sale later this year; and the company has unveiled this near-production version. With a maximum claimed range of 311 miles, it’ll go head-to-head with the Tesla Model Y, Kia e-Niro and Hyundai Kona Electric. Originally to be offered with rear-wheel drive only, a four-wheel drive model will follow. Volkswagen has yet to confirm full details of the powertrain, and performance specs.
It’s worth highlighting that the ID Crozz concept, on which the ID.4 is based, provided a power output of 302bhp and a top speed of 112mph. And the new image released by Volkswagen shows the ID.4 retains the concept’s rugged black plastic mouldings for the wheel arches and side skirts, blanked-off radiator grille, LED headlights and trademark ‘ID.’ daytime running lights.
