Exposed: Fresh car models that amazed at the Geneva Motor Showcase 2017
March seven 2017 1:26 PM
They are taking the wraps off fresh cars like you’d eliminate paper from sweets here in Geneva.
There are flamy Ferraris, stunning Mercedes concepts, shockingly quick McLarens, electrified Jaguars and Alfa Romeo SUVs.
But there are fault-lines of concern. All the talk is of electrical and hybrids. I don’t think I heard the word ‘diesel’ proclaimed at any of the unveilings I managed to get to. And there is good reason for that. Diesel is a marked man. The legislators are hunting it down. They claim it is contributing to health and environmental problems.
As well as that they are imposing ever more limitary emissions boundaries on manufacturers. Which is why there is concern; because diesel has been our staple diet for so long that the wrench, to whatever the fuel of the future will be, is going to hurt a bit.
Right now, everyone’s betting on electrified. Only electrical doesn’t go as far – right now. But it will, it will. At least they say it will. And everyone is on board. I mean we’re looking at a Jaguar I-Pace concept electrified SUV for heaven’s sake.
Hybrids – electrical sparing petrol (which is all of a sudden viewed as an alternative to diesel again) – are growing in numbers too.
You know, this demonstrate feels like we’re at the apex of a long arch. We just need to drive out of it and not lose the nerve.
Here’s to an electrical future. Meantime the cars of today and ‘early’ tomorrow are emerging into the limelight and most will wend their way to your dealership this year or next.
Here’s a quick guide to them:
Alfa Romeo’s Stelvio SUV is expected in Ireland from September.
Renault’s Alpine A120 mid-engined model sports car looks fabulous. Not coming to Ireland.
Audi shows its 400bhp RS3 Sportback. And RS5 Coupe. And Q8 Sport Concept with 600bhp-plus.
BMW’s fresh 5-series Touring is here too.
Citroen’s C-Aircross Concept will substitute the C3 Picasso.
Dacia’s Logan MCV Stepway off-road styled estate awaits Irish drivers in the summer.
There is the DS seven Crossback to rival the Audi Q5.
Ferrari’s replacement for the F12 Berlinetta, the eight hundred twelve Superfast (789bhp V12 2dr) is the most powerful series production the famous company has made. Wow factor high.
Ford are all excited about their fresh Fiesta ST hot hatch. They’re excited with the basic fresh Fiesta too. July/August arrival.
The Fresh Ford Fiesta ST
Honda’s Civic Type R hot hatch arrives early 2018.
Hyundai unveiled their i30 estate. Their plug-in hybrid IONIQ is planned for October.
Jaguar’s electrified I-Pace concept is expected in 2018.
The fresh Jeep Compass is expected from November.
I like KIA’s fresh Picanto city car but the big news is the spectacle 5dr hatch, the Stinger. Look forward to driving that.
Lamborghini’s lightweight Huracán Performante has obliterated the Nürburgring lap record. It looks stunning.
Lamborghini Huracan Performante
There’s massive interest in the fresh Range Rover Velar SUV which slots inbetween the Evoque and Range Rover Sport. It’s expected in Irish showrooms around August.
If there is a more dramatic front/grille than that on the fresh Lexus LS on any other car at the showcase I haven’t seen it. December arrival.
I like the front of the fresh Mazda crossover CX-5.
Mercedes have a lot of cars but the pick of the bunch is the AMG GT Concept 4dr and 4-seater. Stunning. It is due in 2019.
McLaren’s 720S – the striking 650S successor – gets a fresh look and 710bhp.
The Eclipse Cross SUV from Mitsubishi arrives in January.
Nissan’s fresh Micra will be in Ireland next month. Switches to the Qashqai too.
Opel – taken over by PSA yesterday – will have its fresh Insignia by summer with the Sports Tourer estate due around then too. The fresh Crossland X puny SUV is also planned for the summer.
The fresh Crossland X from Opel
Peugeot’s three thousand eight SUV was voted European Car of the Year. It’s just gone on sale in Ireland.
The Porsche nine hundred eleven GT3 gets a facelift.
Renault’s revised Captur is a late summer arrival.
SEAT’s fifth generation Ibiza is coming in June.
Skoda are taking the wraps off the most potent Octavia yet, the RS 245.
Skoda Octavia RS 245
SsangYong are displaying the fresh XAVL concept. Another dramatic front. Is this becoming a trend?
Subaru debuts their fresh XV on a fresh platform.
And Suzuki’s fresh Swift will go on sale in Ireland in June.
The latest Toyota Yaris arrives in May.
Volkswagen’s Tiguan LWB All-Space has the option of seven seats. Due in October. High hopes for the fresh 4dr fastback Arteon (CC successor).
Volkswagen Arteon R line car
And Volvo are demonstrating us the fresh XC60 – it will be in Ireland for 172-reg.
Yes, there’s a good-time feel around alright tho’ it is tempered with a realism that automakers and buyers are facing some difficult choices/challenges on the road ahead.
But in the meantime, there is the prospect of getting into some fine cars in the not too distant future.
Exposed: Fresh car models that amazed at the Geneva Motor Display two thousand seventeen
Exposed: Fresh car models that struck at the Geneva Motor Demonstrate 2017
March seven 2017 1:26 PM
They are taking the wraps off fresh cars like you’d liquidate paper from sweets here in Geneva.
There are flamy Ferraris, stunning Mercedes concepts, shockingly swift McLarens, electrical Jaguars and Alfa Romeo SUVs.
But there are fault-lines of concern. All the talk is of electrical and hybrids. I don’t think I heard the word ‘diesel’ proclaimed at any of the unveilings I managed to get to. And there is good reason for that. Diesel is a marked man. The legislators are hunting it down. They claim it is contributing to health and environmental problems.
As well as that they are imposing ever more limitary emissions thresholds on manufacturers. Which is why there is concern; because diesel has been our staple diet for so long that the wrench, to whatever the fuel of the future will be, is going to hurt a bit.
Right now, everyone’s betting on electrified. Only electrical doesn’t go as far – right now. But it will, it will. At least they say it will. And everyone is on board. I mean we’re looking at a Jaguar I-Pace concept electrified SUV for heaven’s sake.
Hybrids – electrical sparing petrol (which is all of a sudden viewed as an alternative to diesel again) – are growing in numbers too.
You know, this display feels like we’re at the apex of a long arch. We just need to drive out of it and not lose the nerve.
Here’s to an electrified future. Meantime the cars of today and ‘early’ tomorrow are emerging into the limelight and most will wend their way to your dealership this year or next.
Here’s a quick guide to them:
Alfa Romeo’s Stelvio SUV is expected in Ireland from September.
Renault’s Alpine A120 mid-engined model sports car looks fabulous. Not coming to Ireland.
Audi shows its 400bhp RS3 Sportback. And RS5 Coupe. And Q8 Sport Concept with 600bhp-plus.
BMW’s fresh 5-series Touring is here too.
Citroen’s C-Aircross Concept will substitute the C3 Picasso.
Dacia’s Logan MCV Stepway off-road styled estate awaits Irish drivers in the summer.
There is the DS seven Crossback to rival the Audi Q5.
Ferrari’s replacement for the F12 Berlinetta, the eight hundred twelve Superfast (789bhp V12 2dr) is the most powerful series production the famous company has made. Wow factor high.
Ford are all excited about their fresh Fiesta ST hot hatch. They’re excited with the basic fresh Fiesta too. July/August arrival.
The Fresh Ford Fiesta ST
Honda’s Civic Type R hot hatch arrives early 2018.
Hyundai unveiled their i30 estate. Their plug-in hybrid IONIQ is planned for October.
Jaguar’s electrified I-Pace concept is expected in 2018.
The fresh Jeep Compass is expected from November.
I like KIA’s fresh Picanto city car but the big news is the spectacle 5dr hatch, the Stinger. Look forward to driving that.
Lamborghini’s lightweight Huracán Performante has obliterated the Nürburgring lap record. It looks stunning.
Lamborghini Huracan Performante
There’s massive interest in the fresh Range Rover Velar SUV which slots inbetween the Evoque and Range Rover Sport. It’s expected in Irish showrooms around August.
If there is a more dramatic front/grille than that on the fresh Lexus LS on any other car at the demonstrate I haven’t seen it. December arrival.
I like the front of the fresh Mazda crossover CX-5.
Mercedes have a lot of cars but the pick of the bunch is the AMG GT Concept 4dr and 4-seater. Stunning. It is due in 2019.
McLaren’s 720S – the striking 650S successor – gets a fresh look and 710bhp.
The Eclipse Cross SUV from Mitsubishi arrives in January.
Nissan’s fresh Micra will be in Ireland next month. Switches to the Qashqai too.
Opel – taken over by PSA yesterday – will have its fresh Insignia by summer with the Sports Tourer estate due around then too. The fresh Crossland X puny SUV is also planned for the summer.
The fresh Crossland X from Opel
Peugeot’s three thousand eight SUV was voted European Car of the Year. It’s just gone on sale in Ireland.
The Porsche nine hundred eleven GT3 gets a facelift.
Renault’s revised Captur is a late summer arrival.
SEAT’s fifth generation Ibiza is coming in June.
Skoda are taking the wraps off the most potent Octavia yet, the RS 245.
Skoda Octavia RS 245
SsangYong are displaying the fresh XAVL concept. Another dramatic front. Is this becoming a trend?
Subaru debuts their fresh XV on a fresh platform.
And Suzuki’s fresh Swift will go on sale in Ireland in June.
The latest Toyota Yaris arrives in May.
Volkswagen’s Tiguan LWB All-Space has the option of seven seats. Due in October. High hopes for the fresh 4dr fastback Arteon (CC successor).
Volkswagen Arteon R line car
And Volvo are showcasing us the fresh XC60 – it will be in Ireland for 172-reg.
Yes, there’s a good-time feel around alright tho’ it is tempered with a realism that automakers and buyers are facing some difficult choices/challenges on the road ahead.
But in the meantime, there is the prospect of getting into some fine cars in the not too distant future.