Well, the Geneva Motor Show is going hot and heavy, with a lot of new models, upgrades, and a new optimism,
writes Brian Byrne. Not everything is reported here, but we'll catch up later with what's left out. Meanwhile, it's the most comprehensive coverage on any Irish motoring website.
Renault's new Kadjar is aimed at capturing a share of the compact crossover market, following on from the success of the Captur in the small SUV area. Based on the Nissan Qashqai, it comes to Ireland in the autumn.
The powertrains will be familiar, medium output versions of the 1.2 turbocharged petrol and 1.5 diesels from the Renault-Nissan Alliance, and well proven they are too.
The DS premium brand by Citroen has its very own stand for the first time at this Geneva show, and in addition to showcasing a new logo, offers a new DS5, a show car called Moon Dust, and a homage to where the DS name comes from in a 2015 expression of the 1955 DS21 Pallas — still one of the classiest classics ever.
The new signature of DS is 'The Spirit of Avant-Garde', which seems pretty apt to us.
Citroen's off-roading concept based on the Berlingo Multispace was the Mountain Vibe, a name we could get fond of.
The car was tricked out in map terrain contours in pink against white, a pink anti scuff protection on the roof rail, and snow/mud chains with pink cross-links. Not sure who they were aiming it, but was eyecatching, and linked to the revised Multispace itself. The Grip Control traction management has already proved itself useful in other models from the PSA group.
Probably not to take the limelight from the DS brand liftoff, the company otherwise showed the upgraded C4 range, alongside the C4 Cactus, C1 and C4 Picassos.
A 2-seat sports car concept from Bentley could preview a fifth model in the brand's range. A production version of the EXP 10 Speed 6 would target 2-seat sports cars from Ferrari and Aston Martin.
No details of the powertrain have been released. Previous 'EXP' designated Bentley concepts have resulted in production vehicles. An SUV previously concepted will become the Benlay SUV next year.
Bentley currently sells the Continental Flying Spur four-door sedan, Continental GT coupe and the flagship Mulsanne sedan.
The production version of the Honda NSX supercar has made its European debut at the Geneva Motor Show, following its global debut as an Acura in the US in January. Deliveries of the mid-engined hybrid won't reach Europe until early next year, but Honda says the owners will be getting a car that 'puts the driver first in every aspect of its design'.
The twin turbocharged V6 engine is linked to three electric motors and has a 9-speed dual clutch transmission, and the overall powertrain is AWD. The body is a mix of modern advanced materials, including aluminium and composite on an aluminium space-frame.
The rear direct-drive electric motor, housed between the engine and transmission, supports acceleration, braking and transmission shifting performance. The NSX's front wheels are driven by twin independent high-output electric motors which deliver instantaneous torque response and dynamic left-to-right torque distribution.
The new Jazz also finally got rolled out in production form, and this is where Honda hope to really make an impact in sales in Europe. Call it a supermini with more, perhaps, more flexibility, more room, and more capable in a very competitive arena.
And then there is the much-anticipated Civic Type R, with a 310hp 2.0 turbocharged petrol engine, it has more power, torque and dynamic response than any previous production Honda car. A 0-100km/h performance of 5.7secs has been achieved.
Honda's City-Brake Active system will be fitted as standard on the Civic Type R, which goes on sale in its first European markets this summer.
Volkswagen's piece de resistance or whatever is the equivalent in German is the Sport Coupe Concept GTE, which not only proposes the successor to the Passat-based CC, but promises to lift the core Volkswagen Group brand into power and glory.
The style designs might well have the people at their Audi branch looking a little worried, while the inclusion of a PHEV powertrain with over 370hp across the 3.0 V6/two electric motors system suggests supercar ambition way beyond Golf GTI. With the equivalent of a claimed 118mpg equivalent in fuel consumption.
VW also showed the production version of the new Passat Alltrack estate, with up to 236hp available in its diesel engines, and looking very good in strong chrome/aluminium details.
The new Touran has that model catching up with its Golf cousin by being built on the MBQ platform. It will be available in 5- and 7-seat variants with lots to choose from in petrol and diesel power, and fuel economy up to 19 percent better than the car it replaces.
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