The Geneva Motor show is one of the most important dates in the automotive calendar. While any increasing number of manufacturers pull out of motor shows around the world Geneva continues to attract some of the biggest names around.
This year will be no different with the likes of Audi, Skoda and Honda all showcasing world debuts at the event in March. There will also be a host of new brands such as Polestar and Pininfarina debuting new metal, too.
Audi
Audi bosses confirmed to Auto Express that a new Q3-sized all-electric crossover is on the way. It will be built on VW Group’s dedicated pure-electric MEB platform (the same underpinnings as VW’s I.D. line-up) and is likely go on sale in 2021.
BMW
BMW’s latest flagship saloon will be debut at the Geneva Auto Show. Recent images show a few styling updates, chief of which being the grossly enlarged kidney grilles, slimmer headlights and a flatter bonnet. In terms of powertrains, we’re expecting a range of diesel engines, a petrol/electric plug-in hybrid and a range-topping petrol-powered V12, with a choice of either rear- or four-wheel-drive.
Honda
Late last year we spied a road-going prototype of the Urban EV and were disappointed to see that Honda had drastically toned down its styling from the concept. The three-door layout has been ditched in favour of a more practical five-door design, while the sharp lines and upright windscreen were axed for more rounded, pedestrian-friendly proportions. The covers will come off the ‘close to production’ model in March.
Mercedes
Mercedes will debut its latest CLA Shooting Brake at the 2019 Geneva Auto Show. Like the previous model it will prioritise sporty styling over outright practicality. The engine range will be identical to the current generation A-Class hatch, with a 1.5-litre diesel, a pair of 1.3-litre turbos and a 221bhp turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol forming the lower end of the range. A hot AMG CLA 35 will potentially follow, borrowing the A 35’s 302bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder motor.
Mercedes will also give its BMW X4 rival a mild facelift, with a new LED headlight design, fresh tail-lights, efficiency updates for its conventionally-powered engines and a potential plug-in hybrid powertrain. Inside, expect a fresh set of digital dial, a new infotainment system and support for Apple CarPlay.
Pininfarina
Named to honour the company’s founder, Battista Farina, it’s an all-electric hypercar with a claimed 1,900bhp, 2,300Nm of torque, a 0-62mph time of under two seconds and a top speed in excess of 250mph. It’ll go on sale in 2020 with no more than 150 units being built, each costing between £1.5 and £2 million.
Polestar
Polestar will bring an all-electric Tesla Model 3 rival to the Geneva Motor Show. Joining the company’s plug-in hybrid Polestar 1, the pure-electric saloon will hit showrooms in 2020 with a claimed range of 310 miles and a price-tag of £35,000.
Renault
Renault looks set to debut its latest Ford Fiesta rival. The newest model will feature updates such as a new 48V hybrid powertrain, reduced kerb weight, basic semi-autonomous driving systems and evolutionary styling update.
Based on the existing car’s CMF-B platform, a revised edition of the 0.9-litre three-cylinder turbo will also be available, along with a new 1.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder. Due to the current movement away from diesel engines, we’re still unsure whether Renault will offer the Clio with any dCi engines.
Skoda
Skoda will unveil a compact SUV tasked with rivalling the Nissan Juke in the ever-expanding crossover market. Based on an extended version of Volkswagen’s MQB A0 platform, it will follow the brief of the company’s Vision X concept from last year’s Geneva Motor Show and will launch the company’s new 20-model-strong SUV offensive.
It’ll be offered with the VW Group’s latest batch of engines, including a range of 1.0-litre three cylinder petrols, a 148bhp 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol from the latest Golf and a 1.6-litre diesel. A plug-in hybrid remains highly unlikely, at least initially.
Toyota
The new Toyota Supra will make its European debut at the Geneva Motor Show. Quite possibly the worst-kept secret on this year’s automotive calendar, the new Supra is built in tandem with the new BMW Z4, sharing its engine and interior components.
It’s 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six produces 335bhp and, thanks to its eight-speed ZF gearbox, it will cover the 0-62mph sprint in 4.3 seconds. Toyota also recently confirmed that the top speed would be electronically limited to 155mph. Prices will start at £52,695 when it goes on sale in summer this year.
Let us know which car you are most looking forward too in the comments below...