Update: The Geneva Motor Show 2020 has now been cancelled. Read the statement by the organizer here.
Geneva Motor Show 2020 was due to take place at the city’s Palexpo exhibition center from March 5-15. However, the event – which takes place for the 90th time this year – will run with both short- and long-term darkening clouds looming over its future.
For 2020, the organizers are already watching the COVID-19 Coronavirus outbreak in China with keen eyes. With many visitors expected to travel to Switzerland to attend, Palexpo SA issued a statement requesting that anyone from an at-risk area should ensure they do not show any symptoms of infection in the 14 days prior to their arrival in Geneva.
The show also takes place amid a wider rethink of the true value of the international motor show. Are they still worth the huge investment of time and money required by each exhibitor, especially when a bespoke event or even online launch can lure more eyes than an old-school show?
With the Frankfurt event possibly moving to a new home in Berlin, Beijing’s 2020 show being postponed, and now Geneva under threat – the world’s three major motor shows face an uncertain future.
But for now, let’s see what Geneva Motor Show 2020 has in store for future mobility fans:
Aiways U6ion concept and U5 production EV
Why it is interesting China’s Aiways was due to show its new U6ion electric crossover coupe concept, but that’s been kept back in Shanghai thanks to the Coronavirus outbreak. However, while the showcar will debut on screen, the European version of the U5 electric SUV (pictured) will be taking a real-life bow at the event.
BMW i4 Concept
Why it is interesting BMW’s Geneva showcar is the concept version of its forthcoming i4 EV sedan. Yes, another car that’s likely to be branded a Tesla Model S fighter when it arrives in production form in 2021, but more importantly, the fourth model in BMW’s i range – following the i3, this year’s iX3, and i8 – is long overdue so it better be competitive.
DS Aero Sport Lounge concept
Why it is interesting This luxury EV SUV concept features a 600hp, 400-mile range-capable powertrain that takes some unspecified lessons learned from DS’ participation in Formula E. The interior uses screens with ultrasound haptic feedback, and its fabrics are brightened by fiber optic strands woven within.
Polestar Precept concept
Why it is interesting Volvo’s EV subbrand takes its next step with a new concept that showcases how its design will depart from the mothership. This includes splitting the trademark Thor’s hammer lamps apart, changing the front grille for a sensor array, and even showing how rooftop LiDAR sensors might be integrated in near-future production cars. Sustainable interior materials and a next-generation Google Android-based HMI also feature.
Renault Morphoz concept
Why it is interesting Having done a good job of being ahead of the EV curve, Renault has revealed its new electric-car tech via the medium of the Morphoz concept. The firm calls it its ‘vision of tomorrow’s mobility’. The concept is modular, so is shown here in City configuration with a 2,730mm wheelbase. In this mode, the car uses a 40kWh battery for a 249-mile range. However, the vehicle can extend into Travel mode, taking the wheelbase to 2,930mm, giving space for an extra 50kWh battery to be fitted, taking range to 435 miles.
While the extending wheelbase might not make production, it’s a neat way of showing off the flexibility of Renault’s new CMF-EV platform. This will underpin a range of EVs in the B+ to C+ segments, so those larger than its current Twingo EV and Zoe. Surprise, surprise an EV SUV comes first, later this year.
Rimac C_Two production car
Why it is interesting Croatia’s Rimac has been impressing some heavy industry hitters with its self-developed performance EV hard and software, with Porsche and Hyundai-Kia taking stakes. At Geneva, we get to see the production version of the 1,914hp C_Two EV hypercar, complete with a new name.
Volkswagen ID4
Why it is interesting The second member of VW’s ID family takes a step closer to its production launch later this year, most likely at the new Detroit Motor Show in June. The crossover is built on the MEB platform that also underpins the ID3 compact EV.
As a result, it’ll debut with a single emotor, rear-wheel drive configuration at first, with a twin-motor all-wheel drive model coming in 2021. Whereas the ID3 isn’t likely to be sold in the US, the ID4 is a proper global EV, to be built in Germany, China and the US.
Other debutants of note
The latest Audi A3 arrived, and follows the Volkswagen Golf Mk8 in going down the hybrid route, rather than full electric. A similarly-sized Audi EV is due in 2021, complimenting the VW ID3. The latest Seat Leon follows suit, with an EV previewed by the El Born concept coming soon. Cupra, Seat’s sportier sub-brand, also revealed its first bespoke model. The Cupra Formentor is an SUV, with the option of a 245hp plug-in hybrid powertrain.
Not to be left out, the new Skoda Octavia vRS switched to a PHEV powertrain from the VW Passat GTE for the first time.
PHEV versions of the BMW 3 Series were also announced, as will a plug-in version of the new Kia Sorento SUV. Mercedes also unveiled the revised E-Class, plus plug-in hybrid versions of the CLA, CLA Shooting Brake and GLA crossover.
