Lifestyle: Motoring – Geneva Motor Show Special
AS the European automotive industry emerges blinking and sleepy-eyed from its winter hibernation so the world’s major manufacturers have prepared their normal spring assault on the senses – and what better platform than the annual Geneva Motor Show.
This year’s event is no different, with its usual array of glittering new model launches, eye-catching concepts and promises of things to come.
Jaguar Land Rover has already stolen a march on the opposition by announcing the convertible version of its best-selling Range Rover Evoque. The announcement had been expected but what’s interesting is that the original concept version was first displayed at the Swiss show in 2012 – therefore keep an eye on some of this year’s concept offerings because we could be driving them in four year’s time (the topless Evoque won’t be on sale until 2016).
Continuing the theme of looking back to look forward, Bentley provided one of the major talking points at the 2012 show with its mighty 4×4 Falcon. The concept received a mixed reaction and while the German-owned company continues to flirt with an off-roader for its model line-up nothing has ever been confirmed – although that may be resolved at a later date.
For the present, Bentley is continuing to do what it does best by offering up a series of graceful super saloons and high performance GTs.
While the company’s name has been somewhat tainted of late because of its Premier League image, there is no doubt that it continues to produce some of the most beautiful and awe-inspiring cars ever to take to the roads.
However, its latest concept takes this to a new plane and the EXP 10 Speed 6 is surely destined to be one of the stars of this year’s show.
The concept is a British interpretation of a high performance two-seater sports car using modern automotive design, highly-skilled handcrafting, the finest materials and advanced performance technology.
Taking inspiration from its motorsport heritage, the EXP 10 Speed 6 is said to fuse Bentley’s design cues with progressive craftsmanship and modern technologies.
Copper elements are used as accents to both exterior and interior features to highlight the performance hybrid potential of the concept’s advanced new powertrain. Performance goals – including top speed – are intended to challenge competitors and Bentley believes it will define a new benchmark for its segment.
Wolfgang Dürheimer, chairman and chief executive of Bentley Motors, said: “EXP 10 Speed 6 is one vision for Bentley’s future – a powerful, exquisite and individual concept. The showcar has the potential to be the new pinnacle luxury two-seat sports car. It offers thrilling, driver-oriented performance, complete with trademark modern Bentley luxury and effortlessness.
“It could be a future model line, alongside the Continental GT and redefining the pinnacle of another market sector, and the styling of the EXP 10 Speed 6 could influence the expansion of the Bentley family. This is not just a new sports car concept – but the potential Bentley sports car – a bold vision for a brand with a bold future.”
The company said the car’s exterior design is “an expression of muscular, athletic surfaces” inspired by the aerodynamic shapes of aircraft fuselages and wings.
It adds: “The ethos of the design was to develop contemporary interpretations of Bentley styling cues, which have been brought together with beauty and precision. The result is a coupe of clean, modern surfaces whilst remaining unmistakably Bentley.”
Whatever! In profile it’s not quite an E-Type, but to be even mentioned in the same breath as that iconic shape is praise enough.
Trying to find something to rival the new Bentley was difficult but how about this – the McLaren 675LT.
The supercar, complete with its F1 technologies is certainly imposing but whether it’s as good looking as the Bentley is open to interpretation. Which is as it should be – beauty is always in the eye of the beholder.
What is not open to debate is the car’s stunning if not to say, brutal performance.
McLaren says the 675LT re-establishes the marque’s ‘Longtail’ heritage, focusing on light weight, optimised aerodynamics, increased power, track-focused dynamics and driver engagement.
What that means is that the car will accelerate from 0-62 mph (100 km/h) in 2.9 seconds and from zero to 124 mph (200 km/h) in 7.9 seconds.
In addition, a 100kg weight saving makes the 675LT the lightest in its class, and gives a power-to-weight ratio of 549PS per tonne, on to a top speed of 205 mph.
A third of the parts have been changed compared to the 650S – which it sits alongside in the McLaren Super Series, while the significantly enhanced M838TL engine used in the 675LT features more than 50% new components.
And, as if the car isn’t exclusive enough – five unique ‘By McLaren’ hero specifications are being offered to customers not burdened by salary restrictions.
Offered as a coupé only, the 675LT is the most track-focused, yet road legal, model in the McLaren Super Series.
Mercedes-Benz has some high performance models of its own to boast of – including the new AMG-GT and a certain F1 constructor’s championship. However, it may derive more pleasure from the fact that its C-Class saloon has been announced as Executive Car of the Year at the UK Car of the Year Awards, 2015.
With the BMW 3 Series the undisputed market leader in this tough segment and the Geneva show heralding the arrival of the much anticipated Jaguar XE, the award will be an important weapon as the entry-level executive war gears up over the remainder of 2015 and beyond.
The award was decided by a diverse panel of UK automotive broadcast, print, newspaper, magazine and online journalists – with the C-Class emerging as a clear favourite.
In selecting the C-Class as the winner of the Executive Car of the Year category, one judge commented: “With a class-leading interior and handsome-but-not-showy styling, the Mercedes C-Class literally leads, well, its class. An executive machine isn’t about carving a corner or being flash – it’s about being comfortable, grown-up and confident. All of which the C-class is, in spades.”
The current C-Class – which first arrived in the UK as a saloon in June last year – has since expanded to become a diverse model range.
The C-Class range now includes an estate, a diesel-electric powertrain in the C 300 BlueTEC Hybrid and petrol-electric Plug-in Hybrid – the C 350e. Two performance variants have also arrived, with the rapid C 450 AMG Sport and the mighty Mercedes-AMG C 63 and the C 63 S – the latter being the fastest C-Class yet created.
Gary Savage, CEO, Mercedes-Benz UK, said: “We are delighted that the C-Class has been recognised as Executive Car of the Year by the UK Car of the Year judging panel in one of the most competitive segments of the market. The C-Class boasts a great new interior, a host of new technology and engines that are more efficient and refined than ever before, making it a great choice for company car drivers and fleets.”
In the UK, the C-Class range continues its sustained popularity – with over 31,500 examples being registered in 2014.
BMW might be off licking its wounds but it has the compensation of knowing that its multi-award winning plug-in hybrid sports car, the i8, has a new crown to add to its collection – UK Car of the Year for 2015. 
Having fought off stiff competition to the title of Performance Car of the Year, the four-seat technological tour de force also won the overall vote. The win heralds back to back wins for BMW and its ‘I’ car programme as the BMW i3 was awarded UK Car of the Year in 2014. The BMW i8 was also recently named as Top Gear Car of the year.
The UK has quickly become Europe’s biggest market for i8 sales with 450 registrations so far. There is currently a nine- month waiting list for car. The sister BMW i3 is also a sales success with the 1,860 car sold in the UK since its November 2013 launch.
Craig Thomas, UK COTY judge, said of the BMW i8: “Just as the i3 helped redefine electric vehicles, so the i8 is helping to redefine what a sports car is, in a world attempting to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels. The pairing of a three-cylinder engine and electric motor gives mind-boggling headline economy and emissions figures, while it makes few compromises in the driving department.”
Graeme Grieve, BMW UK CEO, commented: “The BMW i8 is the culmination of many years of investment, hard work and commitment to creating the world’s most progressive sports car. With our first two BMW i vehicles – the i3 and i8 – being named consecutive UK Car of the Year winners, our technology strategy is being recognised as truly game changing for the car industry.”
So what else can visitors to the Geneva show expect to see?
After a year of commercial success, which included reaching the objective of selling one million vehicles world-wide, Jeep has returned to Switzerland with a series of product updates designed to challenge the supremacy of the European off-roaders.
It will première the new 170 HP 1.4 MultiAir engine with an automatic nine-speed transmission and all-wheel drive ‘Jeep Active Drive’ that expands the range of the new Renegade sold in Europe, the Middle East and Asia (EMEA).The Trailhawk version is on the company’s stand at the show.
Visitors to the show will also be able to sample the new infotainment systems which it is making available for the first time in its Renegade range.
The spotlights will also on two show cars equipped with exclusive Mopar accessories: the Hard Steel Renegade and the Rocks Star Wrangler (pictured).
The Jeep Cherokee rounds out the show with its off-road Trailhawk and Limited versions.
Abarth returns to the Geneva show with its latest line-up and is ready to build on a strong sales year during 2014 when 6,869 Abarth 500s were sold in the EMEA regions, representing an increase of 12.2% over 2013.
The Abarth 500 2015 range features the new Scorpion, which is enhanced by the new 595 ‘Competizione’ with a 180 HP engine.
The Scorpion range spans from the 140 HP of the Custom, continuing to the 160 HP of the Turismo and on to the Competizione. It peaks with the 695 Biposto and its 190 HP, which combined with a dry weight of just 997 kg, is able to guarantee the best weight/power ratio in its class (5.2 kg/HP).
Elsewhere, Audi’s V10 supercar, the R8, has been reborn with advanced new quattro all-wheel-drive and up to 610 PS; all of which propels the car to a top speed of 205mph.
The R8 has been newly developed from the ground up – it is more taut, more striking and more focused both on the race track and on the road. Key contributions to the marked improvements over its critically acclaimed predecessor are made by the high-revving mid-mounted engine with its significantly enhanced performance.
The focus is squarely on the lightweight construction principles and the advanced chassis with its quattro drive system and fully variable torque control.
The car will be available to order in the UK from May, with the first deliveries expected in Q4. Pricing is expected to be confirmed soon after Geneva.
Infiniti is a manufacturer which would like to see its profile raised in the UK. It has a reputation for stylish executive saloons and adventurous off-roaders but in truth, the Japanese brand has found it difficult to dislodge buyers from their European favourites.
It marches into Geneva with its new QX30 premium compact crossover concept.
The company says the vehicle cements Infiniti’s ambitions to expand into the global premium compact segment, which is forecast for significant growth over the next few years with the entry of younger affluent customers.
“QX30 Concept foreshadows an entry in the premium compact segment that provides a stylish alternative to the existing offer in this segment,” said Roland Krueger, Infiniti President and CEO.
“The vehicle embodies our conviction to give customers the freedom to go wherever they want, whenever they want – in a style that turns heads and makes a statement, in a way that expresses their individualized character.”
Twenty-five years after the debut of the original NSX, Honda will be hoping for an equally favourable response to the 21st century version of its iconic supercar, which is making its European debut at Geneva.
European customer deliveries of the new mid-engine sports hybrid NSX are due to begin in early 2016. Specifically created to bring a “New Sports eXperience” to the supercar segment, Honda claims the NSX challenges “prevailing beliefs about supercars as much as the first generation did a quarter of a century ago”.
Let us finish with a British, albeit German-owned, icon – the Mini.
BMW is using Geneva to showcase a raft of new variants to its perennial best-seller.
The show is the world premiere of the new Countryman Park Lane (left), which is said to embody the strengths of the marque more impressively than ever with its four doors, large tailgate and optional all-wheel drive system, ALL4.
There will also be a new high performance John Cooper Works variant, which is the latest and fastest version of the range’s flagship.
So, lots to look forward to then.
