This March 3rd to 13th signifies the return of the Geneva Motor Show, which is arguably one of the biggest and most anticipated events on the automotive calendar every year. Known for its exclusives and product launches, the Geneva Motor Show has plenty of product to support the claims that this is an excellent event.
This year is no different with new offerings and teasers being filtered through the news wires about models from Lexus, BMW and many others. We’ve had a look through and have picked the top five that we like the look of in terms of performance, intrigue and aesthetics.
Tesla
It’s no secret that electric and hybrid models have been infiltrating the luxury end of the automotive market, which some say has been spearheaded by the innovators at Tesla. As such, the brand will be revealing its new all-electric model at Geneva, the Tesla Model 3, and yes, that’s revealing – not unveiling, according to Auto Express. Tesla is being extra coy this year and will be offering sneak peeks of information at the Geneva Motor Show and using it to build interest around the model ahead of its actual debut on 31st March this year.
Even then, the Model 3 will only begin market production in 2017, so there is much anticipation for this new offering from Tesla. One thing we do know however, is that the model is set to rival the BMW 3 Series and the Mercedes C-Class, according to an official report from Auto Express.
Infiniti
Infiniti will be bringing both versions of its new Q60 Coupe to Geneva; the brand showcased the four-seat option earlier this year at the Detroit Motor Show, but attendees in Switzerland can also expect to see the two-door variant of the model. The German car manufacturer hopes that this model will be enough to tackle the BMW 4-series and the Lexus RC in terms of the small premium coupe market. This new Q60 variant replaces the previous model of the same name that came off the UK market last year.
The new Q60 has touches of the Infiniti Q50 saloon, but it is altogether more athletic-looking in its build. Infiniti will also be bringing an updated version of the previously mentioned Q50 saloon to the show that has new LED headlights and an active grille shutter for aerodynamic purposes.
In terms of performance, the flagship model for the Infiniti Q60 gets a 400bhp twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 engine that not only boasts 475Nm of torque but also impressive efficiency figures of 26.4mpg and 206g/km of CO2 emissions.
Aston Martin
We’re heading into the top of the luxury market now with the new Aston Martin DB11, the name of which the brand announced in September of last year. At the time Aston Martin said that the new model was going to sit at the heart of its range and it also represents the first major product of the company’s bold Second Century Plan.
In the worlds of Car Magazine, this is a major world debut for the car show, as the DB11 is being heralded as the replacement for the DB9 model. Specific details about the model’s design and performance are being kept well hidden, but it’s expected that the model will have a DB10-inspired grille and V-12 and AMG biturbo 4.0-litre V8 engines.
SEAT
The SUV market looks set to receive an exciting new model in the form of the SEAT Ateca, which will be on the market from September of this year. It’s slightly smaller than the Renault Tiguan, as it has a short rear overhang, and its lights are reminiscent of the SEAT Leon range.
Powering the new SUV are a range of petrol and diesel engines, the entry-level iteration is a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbocharged unit with an output of 114bhp.
Audi
The last on our list is the Audi Q2, although it’s not the most beautiful looker in the range of car launches for Geneva, it has a quirky quality that harks back to the look of the MINI Countryman. Audi plans for the model to be part of a whole range of SUVs with the Q-badge, reports Autocar.co.uk, with this model as its leader.
Powering the model is expected to be three and four-cylinder versions of VW’s most recent petrol and diesel engine offerings. It has been rumoured that Audi might also launch a hybrid e-tron variant for the Q2 later down the line; however, the brand’s quattro all-wheel-drive option will be available on each variant of the Q2.
Images: AutoExpress
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