The European automotive industry is in rude health; sales are strong, OEM results have been good, and the mood in the industry is positive. The Geneva show promises to be a celebration of all things auto.
But there are dark clouds overhead, and the fact that the first European motor show of the year takes place on neutral territory will at least provide some shelter from the storm.
Donald Trump’s posturing on steel tariffs looks set to spark a trade war that would inevitably draw in the automotive industry. The US is a major market for EU vehicle exports, and European OEMs, many with investments in Mexico and already concerned about the impact of NAFTA renegotiations, now need to consider export tariffs. Add to that the inevitable barrage of questions about diesel emissions, European political stability and the ongoing Brexit saga, and OEM executives have a busy few days ahead of them.
Here, Automotive World runs through the major motor show debuts at the 2018 Geneva motor show. This page will be updated during the event’s press days.
THE 2018 GENEVA MOTOR SHOW
BMW GROUP
BMW X4: Motor show debut for production version of the BMW X4. LINK TO THE PRESS RELEASE
DAIMLER
Mercedes-Benz A-Class: The fourth-generation A-Class is unveiled at Geneva 2018. LINK TO THE PRESS RELEASE
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Ford Edge: First seen at the 2018 Detroit auto show, this is the debut of the European Edge. The powertrain offering might raise some eyebrows – Ford says the Edge will debut in Europe with “a new powerful and fuel-efficient bi-turbo variant of Ford’s 2.0‑litre EcoBlue diesel engine” LINK TO THE PRESS RELEASE
GEELY
Polestar 1: The first model from the former Volvo sub-brand. Often touted as a Tesla competitor, but its gasoline-electric powertrain places the model firmly in ‘performance hybrid’ territory, alongside the BMW i8. LINK TO THE PRESS RELEASE
Volvo V60: Officially launched in Stockholm earlier in 2018, Geneva will mark the first public appearance for Volvo’s latest mid-size premium estate. The S60 saloon version will follow later in 2018 – and both rest on Volvo’s SPA architecture. Two gasoline plug-in hybrid engines, two diesels and a gasoline engine make up the powertrain options. LINK TO THE PRESS RELEASE
HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
Hyundai Kona: Electric SUV Hyundai invents another new sub-category: the fully electric, subcompact SUV, the first of its kind in Europe. Its unveiling coincides with the launch of Jaguar’s fully electric I-PACE SUV. LINK TO THE PRESS RELEASE
Hyundai Sante Fe: The fourth-generation Santa Fe makes its public debut at the 2018 Geneva show. LINK TO THE PRESS RELEASE
KIA MOTOR COMPANY
Kia Ceed: The third-generation Ceed loses that apostrophe as part of a new cryptic naming format: Community of Europe with European Design, pointing to the model’s European heritage; designed and developed in Frankfurt, the Ceed continues to be built in Žilina, Slovakia. LINK TO THE PRESS RELEASE
MCLAREN AUTOMOTIVE
McLaren Senna: McLaren’s US$1bn hypercar borrows the name of F1 legend Ayrton Senna, and with a power-to-weight ratio of 659bhp per tonne can crush 0-124mph in less than seven seconds.
PSA GROUP
Citroen Berlingo Multispace: A world premiere, the third-generation of Citroen’s second best-selling model is built on PSA’s EMP2 platform. Ideal for MPV offerings, the platform also underpins the Peugeot Rifter and the Opel/Vauxhall Combo Tour. The new Berlingo Multispace stays true to the original’s simple, functional design, says the OEM. Removable seats in row three and a flat floor throughout aim to make the MPV experience as trouble-free as possible. LINK TO THE PRESS RELEASE
Peugeot 508: The all-new 508 has surprised some with a distinctly sporty look, replete with frameless doors and sharp design not normally associated with a five-door saloon. The OEM claims a new night vision system, which uses an infrared camera to detect pedestrians, is a first for the D-segment. LINK TO THE PRESS RELEASE
Peugeot Rifter: Sharing PSA’s EMP2 platform, the Peugeot Rifter joins the Citroen Berlingo Multispace and the Opel/Vauxhal Combo Tour; for Peugeot, the Rifter is a spiritual successor to the Tepee. The vehicle takes cues from the SUV sector with a higher ground clearance and stronger styling. LINK TO THE PRESS RELEASE
TATA MOTORS
Jaguar I-Pace: Jaguar’s first foray into the all-electric segment comes in the form of the I-Pace. An aluminum architecture sheds the pounds, helping the SUV to achieve a 298-mile range. JLR claims 45 minutes on a 100KWh charger will provide an 80% charge. LINK TO THE PRESS RELEASE
Range Rover SV coupé: A world premiere, the limited edition high-end two-door will be restricted to 999 models worldwide, and promises to show JLR at its most decadent, with bespoke interior trimming and obligatory wooden paneling. Whether this is a sign that JLR is preparing a four-door to compete directly with the likes of the Bentley Bentayga is unclear.
TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION
Lexus UX: This Lexus urban compact crossover makes its global debut at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show. LINK TO THE PRESS RELEASE
VOLKSWAGEN GROUP
Audi A6: Eighth-generation A6 comes with Level 3 autonomous drive functionality and, like the A7, an all-hybrid powertrain range; a plug-in hybrid will follow – and the chassis has been designed specifically for plug-in tech. LINK TO THE PRESS RELEASE
Audi E-tron: A world premiere, Audi’s first all-electric vehicle is, in some sense, already on the streets – over 200 prototypes are currently driving around Geneva ahead of the unveil. A reported 310-mile range means it inches the rival Jaguar I-Pace, but it remains to be seen whether this will hold up in real life. A sportback variant is expected in future.
Cupra Ateca: As part of the remarkable revival of the SEAT brand following the dire health-warnings of the ealry part of this decade, SEAT’s newly launched Cupra sub-brand was unveiled a few weeks ahead of the Geneva show. Here it makes it motorshow debut in guise of the 296bhp Cupra Ateca. For now, Cupra models will be sporty variants of SEAT cars, but there are indications that the future could see Cupra-only models. LINK TO THE PRESS RELEASE
