I have just arrived from Geneva and find myself writing these lines on a plane to Athens, where I will test the new Range Rover Evoque in the next few days.
Interestingly, the Jaguar Land Rover was one of the absences from the 2019 Geneva Motor Show, having no regrets for missing the Swiss show with the SUV that has to sell like hot buns, to liven up the accounts. After two presentations, one of them with a brief contact with Guilherme Costa in London, it's time to get everything clear about Evoque.
More than the absences, which when looking closely, were few, this edition of the Geneva Motor Show was one of the most important in recent years.
A full week in which we achieved all of Razão Automóvel' audience records. We did an intense coverage of the Geneva Motor Show, with photos and videos that fed into more than 60 articles published on our website. A work that brought results and in the end, it is the results that count.
the french invasion
Peugeot and Renault, the big and the French, debuted two heavyweights: 208 and clio . On the one hand, the 208 surprised with an interior above what everyone expected and an exterior to go with it. The Renault Clio is more grown in almost every way (less in length, something very unusual these days).
In a vote on our Instagram, our followers voted the new 208 as the favorite against Clio . A heavy defeat: 75% in favor of the 208, out of more than 2100 voters. Are we going to have a surprise in sales? It seems that now it's on the price side and then it's not easy to beat Renault…
The Volkswagen group took a handful of concepts and plug-in versions of existing models to Geneva. But also some news, like the Volkswagen T-ROC R , with 300 hp, leaving the factory in Palmela warm. THE ID buggy it also got to be talked about, nostalgia fits well and is a successful modern interpretation.
At SEAT we saw a step towards electrification with the el-Born , which uses the group's MEB platform and is not far from the production version, as far as style is concerned.
Right next door, at CUPRA, I sat down with the brand's CEO, Wayne Griffiths, and we spoke for 15 minutes in an interview that is available on video on our YouTube channel. Celebrating one year, CUPRA celebrated with the Formentor in Geneva, the near-final version of the first 100% CUPRA model.
Audi took the Q4 e-tron concept, e-tron sportback and new plugin for all tastes to the salon. Porsche's neighbors took the top off on 911 in Geneva, and around here we'll do it this week, with Francisco Mota at the wheel.
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The FCA was also the party, taking a heavyweight trio. FIAT showed that at least ideas are not lacking and that the next Panda can also be a new business model. Alfa Romeo presented the Tonale , a hybrid SUV, the preview of the first electrified model of the Italian brand.
Jeep also bet heavily on electrification, showing that the Renegade and Compass can now be plugged into the outlet. At Ferrari, we saw a glorious tribute to the V8 engine.
Mazda took the CX-30 , an SUV to stay in the range between the CX-3 and the CX-5. Uses the same platform as Mazda3 , will be successful? The price after tax will be decisive…
Still in the Japanese, we finally got to see the Toyota GR Supra , without camouflage, at the Geneva Motor Show. I sat inside and I can only tell you one thing: I can't wait to drive it.
Mercedes-Benz and BMW, which are side by side in the show, could not have taken more distinct proposals. The star brand introduced the CLA Shooting Brake , the Salon likes hunt after the Peugeot 208, which broke all records…
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BMW already proved in Geneva that the double kidney is here to stay, having presented the BMW 7 Series with the biggest grill ever… yeah, it's really big. Along the way, he took off the top of the Série 8. Both will be presented in Portugal, in the Algarve.
Geneva and performance… always
In sports cars and hypercars, the Geneva Motor Show remains unbeatable. Bugatti took the La Voiture Noire , which translated into euros means: 11 million plus taxes, or if you prefer, the most expensive new car in history. Rumors say that whoever bought it was right next door, giving the family name to a new brand: Piëch.
The Piëch Mark Zero, a 100% electric 2-seater GT capable of charging in less than 5 minutes, made its debut at the Salon. The final version, according to the brand, arrives in 2021.
Koenigsegg, on the other hand, took to Geneva the hypercar that wants to dominate everything and everyone, the Jesko . He has a speed record to beat and bears the name of Christian Von Koenigsegg's father. Who showed us the corners of the house was Christian himself, on an exclusive tour by Jesko to see next weekend on our YouTube channel, at 11am.
It was a special moment, not for Christian a reference figure in the industry, but also because it will be the last car produced by the Koenigsegg Swedes not electrified, with an all-powerful V8 under the bonnet and 1600 hp.
Aston Martin's Brits took two featherweights to the Geneva Motor Show, the concept that anticipates the next vanquish , built mostly in aluminium, and the 003 , which bets on carbon to be a visceral proposal. What unites them? An unprecedented mid-range rear engine, as in the Valkyrie . Yes, with McLaren dealing, Aston Martin had to innovate…
electric in force
I cannot finish without mentioning three 100% electric cars that are causing a stir. The first is the Pininfarina Baptist , the most powerful Italian road car ever, with 1900 hp and also the first product of the new Italian brand.
Pininfarina Baptist
After the Honda And Prototype , the first 100% electric battery of the Japanese brand and a very important step for this one in Europe. The appealing style inside and out could be the boost the Japanese brand needs to launch itself into new flights in Europe. Orders open this summer in selected markets, so keep your eyes peeled.
And finally the Polestar 2 , which arrived with all the strength to face the Tesla Model 3. From what I've seen, Tesla's life is not easy.
But once again, likes and unlikes aside, we have to wait for the results. That's where the math is done.
For next week we have an appointment here.
Until then, João Delfim Tomé is still going to test the new Volkswagen T-Cross in neighboring Spain and I'll finish with a trip to Monaco, to see the new DS 3 Crossback. Promise, don't leave there.
Good week.