Highlights from the Geneva Motorshow 2018

After years of seemingly photocopier-based design work, the A6 breaks from tradition. Honestly, it does. At first glance it’s a development of the existing A6, but there are pleasingly sharp creases over the wheels, a wide and very bold grille, and a boot lid that houses new lights and chrome strips. It sounds like little’s changed, but the end result is something that looks far more sophisticated.

Inside it’s clearly a new model, with an almost entirely digital dashboard. There’s a 10.1-inch screen for all the usual infotainment purposes, and another 8.6-inch screen for the heating and ventilation controls, similar to that found in the new A8. The driver also gets a 12.3-inch screen to replace the traditional dials.

To add to the teutonic tech, there’s an array of sensors to keep you safe and make a start towards autonomous driving. Five radar sensors, five cameras, 12 ultrasonic sensors and a laser scanner work together to allow the A6 to park itself, even into a garage without anyone behind the wheel. The A6 arrives in the UK, possibly by itself, in the summer.

BMW took the opportunity to showcase its new X4, a medium sized SUV that’s bang on trend and set to rival the likes of the Audi Q5 and Mercedes GLC. The car certainly attracted a lot of attention, but all eyes swiftly switched to the M8 concept once that was unveiled.
 

Finally, after months of previews and reveals, the final production version of the I-PACE was on show. An all-electric car to rival the likes of the forthcoming Tesla Model 3, the I-Pace sits atop a 90kWh lithium ion battery that promises to power the car for up to 298 miles. That’s not quite as far as Tesla says its car will manage, but the Jaguar is likely to offer a more engaging drive, and will certainly more than match the American in terms of build quality.

Jaguar also promises a network of 100kW rapid charging points around the country, offering a 0-80% charge in 45 minutes. At home, with a professionally installed charger, it’ll take 10 hours, so that’s a job best left overnight.

If there’s a niche that I didn’t know needed filling, it’s the super-luxury SUV coupe market. Range Rover feel it’s a market that needs exploiting, so have created the SV Coupe, a behemoth of a car that stretches the definition of ‘coupe’ to its limits. Priced at £240,000, only 999 will be built to ensure exclusivity.

It’s built on the same platform as the Range Rover, but only shares the bonnet and half of the tailgate, with the two-door body being a nod to the original Range Rover of the 1970s. Designer Gerry McGovern described the SV Coupe as having “compelling proportions and real presence. This isn’t a vehicle for the shy. It is a very sophisticated design.”

It might be designed as a fashion accessory, but there’s a beast behind the beauty - powered by a 5.0-litre supercharged V8 petrol engine, it’ll sprint to 62mph in just 5.3 seconds thanks to the 557bhp on offer. 

A four-door family saloon from Peugeot in the Top Ten? Yes as, despite the fact that they’ll sell virtually none at all in the UK, it’s a glorious looking machine that deserves to do well on style alone.

It’s a big car, but the 508’s sleek coupe-like profile contains four frameless doors, lending the car a grand tourer elegance, while dramatic LED lighting front and rear adds a sporting touch, It’s all destined for production, with no special details developed just for the show.

Step inside and there’s a development of Peugeot’s i-cockpit, with a tiny steering wheel and an all-digital dashboard ahead. It’s follows on from the new 3008 in that it’s both beautifully resolved and seems easy to use. To add to the appeal, there’s also acres of space. It’s a shame the UK market just isn’t ready for it, as it’s not a SUV.

Visitors to the Toyota stand were distracted by the new Supra, revealed in race car form, as well as the Yaris WRC rally car. However, occupying one corner was the new Auris, Toyota’s thoroughly sensible family hatchback and estate that will be available with a petrol engine and a choice of two hybrid options.

One system, borrowed from the Prius, will be tuned for economy, as is the case now, with a smooth, quiet and relaxing drive being par for the course. However, those wanting a little more excitement cna opt for another hybrid system that’s designed to extract a little more go from the battery pack and pairs it all with a larger, 2.0-litre petrol engine.

Designed to be the “most bold and dynamic hatchback on the market”, there’s a sportier bent to the front end, but gets more conservative the further back you go. Despite the electric motor and battery pack that’s in place, the British-built Auris rides on a new platform that’s light, agile and, importantly, tuned for European tastes.

Fresh from winning European Car of the Year, Volvo had a sole XC40 on display. Already in dealerships, it’s a masterpiece of design and engineering, combining the best of minimalist Swedish design with the practical demands of modern family motoring being met in spades.

Arguably more exciting was the new V60, fresh from its reveal in Sweden. This follows the design direction started with the XC90 SUV, but in family estate form. First drives are coming up but, if it’s got any of the DNA of the current Volvo range, it’ll be spectacular.

Futuristic concept cars are the mainstay of a motor show, but Volkswagen promises that the Vizzion will, in one form or another, enter production. Giving themselves plenty of time to get things right, “by 2022” was the official line for this all-electric autonomous car.
 

The electric car side of things is pretty conventional, and rivals the Tesla Model S. There’ll be a 111kWh battery and two electric motors, promising 300bhp and all-wheel drive performance. That’s the version of this five-metre or so long car Volkswagen will sell first, before introducing self-driving technology at a later date.

So keen is Volkswagen to get there that the concept on display has no steering wheel or pedals. Or dashboard, for that matter. It’s a minimalist design to the nth degree, suggesting the driver will be entirely superfluous. Using it will require nothing more than facial recognition and your voice.

However, the shape of the Vizzion and interior remains resolutely car-like, which is a little bit of a shame. If we’re to embrace a future where we are relegated to mere passengers, then there’s ample opportunity to redesign what a car is, and how we’ll interact with one. But before that happens, we’ll get a more traditional Vizzion, a vision of what the future could be.

Yes, it’s been seen countless times before thanks to a reveal process that felt like it lasted years, before finally being launched at the London Design Museum. It’s also out on the road now, although there’s not quite as many around as some might like, but every time I see one I have to stop and stare.I’m obviously not alone, as the Velar has made it to the final three in the World car Design of the Year awards.Designated a mid-size SUV, the Velar name harks back to the first pre-production versions of the Range Rover. The new car takes the simple, unfussy styling of that prototype and brings it bang up to date. It’s not all show and no go though, with everything from a frugal 2.0-litre diesel engine to a fire-breathing 5.0-litre supercharged V8 petrol engine available.The Velar also retains the off-road capabilities that make a Range Rover a Range Rover, so there’s function underneath that form.

To give it its full title, the BMW Concept M8 Gran Coupe. It’s a hint at what the forthcoming 8 Series coupe will look like, a luxury four-door coupe-like machine that’s set to move the top end of BMWs range even further upmarket - think Mercedes S-Class Coupe rival rather than a replacement to the BMW 6 Series.

There’ll be an unnecessarily powerful and smooth V12 engine under the bonnet, with lesser options available, with all-wheel drive, four wheel steering and air suspension all round. This, however, is as close to the fire-breathing M8 as we’ll see before launch. Borrowing its powertrain from the new M5, expect a 4.4-litre V8 engine with two turbos, over 600bhp, and enough performance to affect the rotation of the earth.