The Geneva Motor Show is the most important appointment of each year. The main players in the sector take the opportunity to bet heavily on proposals that adapt, more than anything, to the mobility of the future.Unlike the halls of Paris and Frankfurt, which alternate every year, this event is held every 12 months and still concentrates the presence of the vast majority of the automotive companies, another difference with competitors from the Old Continent, which were losing brands .In 2019, as has been happening for a long time, many innovations related to electric cars were presaged. But, without doubt, the amount of surprises exceeds all expectations.In addition, there is another fact to highlight: all companies, without exception, surprised with their sustainable models, leaving the combustion engine very much in the background.In this context, all the intentions of the firms in common, irrespective of the brand or the type of consumer to whom they point:- The automakers are betting on more ecological models and want to be recognized for the effort of converting their models. In addition, in each of the segments, from the street car to the SUV or cargo, must be more sustainable- The great challenge that lies ahead is autonomy. They want to increase the life of the batteries and thus be able to expand to the whole world. Even the least developed countries were in 2018 the ones that grew the most and in which it is more difficult to enter (due to infrastructure problems)- Another fact in common: they already banished the concept that electric or hybrid cars are not attractive (as happened with the first Nissan Leaf and Toyota Prius)- In general, the majority left as surprise models of the SUV segment, a trend that is taking place all over the world and that displaces cars- Finally, companies take advantage to launch connectivity systems that allow vehicles to connect with each other and a virtual assistant that interacts with the driverFor the mass publicAmong the novelties presented in Geneva, one of the ones that caught the attention was Fiat, which gave the bump and for its 120th anniversary presented the Centoventi concept, a new milestone in the history of the firm.
The Italian company explains that, as a pioneer of democratic mobility throughout its history, today it offers an electric solution accessible to all."Democratize" everything that marks trend is part of the DNA of the firm. "The ABC of the cars. Affordable, but beautiful", indicate their managers.With the Fiat Concept Centoventi, the client can configure the interiors, choose the accessories and adapt the spaces according to their needs to create a car that is unique.Another aspect of personalization is the battery pack, which makes it possible to extend the range from 100 to 500 km simply by buying or renting additional battery units.Volkswagen is another one that caught the attention with its electric proposal of the ID series. This is the BUGGY, which shows the broad spectrum of mobility "zero emissions" that can be achieved with the MEB platform.
It is not the only proposal of the electric brand nor the only novelty for Switzerland, but it is the most striking in the field of new technologies.Renault also resorted to a classic of the past to electrify it: it is the Clio, which is still in force in Europe and will now be more sustainable. She is one of the pioneers in the use of disruptive technologies, with the ZOE, but now she has done it with a traditional model.
- Electric: from here to the end of the plan, the company will propose twelve electric models in its range. The new Clio will be the first of them, with its full hybrid E-TECH engine, based on the technology developed by Renault- Connected: in this same period, all the cars that are launched in the main markets of the company will be connected vehicles- Autonomous: from here to the end of the plan, the automaker will market fifteen models equipped with autonomous driving technologiesIn Honda, the big star was the "e Prototype", which anticipates the first electric series production batteries of the Japanese. It promises a range of more than 200 km and a fast charging function of 80% in just 30 minutes.
His compatriot Mitsubishi, premiered the Engelberg Tourer. In line with its global slogan, "Drive your Ambition", it incorporates developments such as integral traction and advanced electric propulsion that elevate the qualities of an SUV.
Kia did not want to be left behind and took advantage of the event to present the improvements in the Niro, its electrified crossover, which proposes a new exterior design and a quality interior. He also premiered the new e-Soul, a small electric that went through Argentina.
For its part, Nissan, which has long been working on new features, presented the new IMQ concept, a sample of advanced technology and design that reflects the direction of the next generation of crossovers.
The IMQ incorporates the latest innovations that are part of Nissan Intelligent Mobility, the vision of the company focused on the future of transport.His style reflects the role of Nissan as a pioneer firm and leader in crossovers. It is equipped with the next generation of e-POWER, a 100% electric motor drive system that offers instant linear acceleration. Returns a total power of 250 kilowatts.Also on the path of the SUV, the Geneva news arrived from the hands of Jeep, with the presentation of Renegade and Compass in hybrid plug-in versions, which will be available next year.Premium betsAmong the high-end brands, BMW is moving forward with electrification and presented its plug-in hybrid models with the launch of an additional SUV with electric drive: the BMW X3, which will be available from December.This makes it the first model of the brand that will be offered both with a conventional combustion engine and with a plug-in hybrid system and an all-electric version by 2020.
Alfa Romeo premiered the concept car of the first medium-sized hybrid plug-in SUV called Tonale. In accordance with the automotive manifest, every detail is designed according to the needs of the driver.This fact is very important for the brand, which debuts in the off-road category with new technologies.
According to the German manufacturer, it is the first premium minivan powered exclusively by electricity. The production version of this EQV will be presented at the next Frankfurt Motor Show, in September, and will offer an interior of up to eight seats.
It is the Q4 e-tron concept, a compact all-wheel-drive SUV with "zero emissions", with four seats and 301 HP of power, which is positioned as the younger brother of the already developed Audi e-tron.In addition, from now on the company will not be a mere car manufacturer, but its plan is to become, also, a provider of mobility solutions.
In this sense, it presented an electric car recharging service called Audi e-tron charging service, which provides access to a wide supply network in 16 European countries, to which another eight will be added throughout the year.The objective is to satisfy the needs of a growing demand and, above all, to facilitate and standardize the loading processes, something that is still complex today.Through this agreement, the user will have a card that will allow him to make use of more than 72,000 charging points operated by 220 suppliers. This helps to eliminate the fear of not finding these stations when the energy begins to be scarce.Finally, the great novelty within the high range came from the hands of Aston Martin, a firm that does not tread on Argentine soil.The company resurrected Lagonda as an independent firm within the company, which will deal with the most luxurious models, such as the SUV that opens in Geneva.
Aston Martin took control of the brand almost a century ago and only used it for one of the most extravagant saloons in history.In this way, the British will focus on Aston Martin in luxury sports and high performance, while booking Lagonda for sedans and SUVs more luxurious, but without neglecting their equipment.An example of this is the Lagonda All Terrain Concept, a green car with 100% electric propulsion and zero emissions.Its design is inspired by the nautical world, especially in the rear, with a stern shape and a strange cantilever. This formidable concept is one of the vehicles exhibited in the Geneva Motor Show that most attracts the attention of the curious spectators.The main players in the sector showed their cards in the Swiss event and advanced their game: those who do not bet on the "green" car lose. It only remains to see who will have the winning hand and will better adjust to the demands of the digital economy.