Top nine would-be Geneva reveals
Wednesday, 4 March 2020
The Geneva Motor Show was cancelled this week as Swiss authorities attempt to stifle local cases of coronavirus. As a result, carmakers attending this year's event have been scrambling to reschedule various announcements and reveals, with many resorting to social media to show their wares. We thought we would took a look at some of the big reveals that the Geneva Motor Show didn't get to host.
Alfa Romeo Giulia GTA
Alfa Romeo gave its legions of fans wobbly knees a while ago when it revealed it was working on new versions of the fabled GTV and 8C sports cars. Then it disappointed them all by ditching them to focus on SUVs instead. Now, it has reignited those fires with the new Giulia GTA and GTAm. Featuring a worked version of the Quadrifoglio's 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6, power is now rated at 398kW. Weight has been dropped to 1520kg for the GTA while the GTAm ditches the rear seats and adds more carbon fibre for even less mass. Sadly, New Zealand won't be getting either GTA model.
BMW i4 Concept
BMW, like many automakers today, is hard at work on electrifying its line-up. That means hybrids, plug-ins and fully electric models, the latter being set to receive a new member in its ranks. The i4 Concept was scheduled to debut at Geneva as a high-performance sedan intended for production, sending just shy of 400kW a single electric motor. Thanks to an 80kWh battery, range should be around 600km. Despite the lack of a combustion engine, BMW has still included its kidney grille, now quite sizeable. It doesn't feed air anywhere on the i4 though, instead housing a bevy of sensors.
Porsche 992 Turbo S
A million and one leaks couldn't stop the automotive world from tuning into the reveal of Porsche's new 911 Turbo S. Yes, it looks largely the same as the 992-series 911 with a large, static rear wing and wider hips but it's also a proper rocketship. Thrust comes from an updated version of the twin-turbo 3.8-litre flat-six, now rated at 447kW/800Nm. All four wheels receive power, fed through an eight-speed dual-clutch PDK gearbox.The flagship 992 can how hit 100kmh in just 2.6 seconds as a coupe, while the cabriolet takes 0.1 seconds longer. We're waiting on New Zealand details but we'd expect the Turbo S to come in around the $300k mark.
Cupra Formentor
The Cupra Formentor is the first model to be developed exclusively for Seat's performance sub-brand and was scheduled to be revealed in full at Geneva. The production version looks largely the same as the concept which debuted last year. It will come with a 180kW plug-in hybrid powertrain similar to the just-revealed Golf GTE, with a more conventional 228kW 2.0-litre petrol engine coming as well. All Formentors will get an all-wheel drive system, fed by a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Seat New Zealand confirmed to us that we'll be getting the plug-in Formentor in 'early 2021.'
Morgan Plus 4
Morgan has undergone a bit of a renaissance recently, ditching its traditional V8 engine in favour of a turbocharged inline-six sourced from BMW. Yes, the same inline-six of Supra infamy. Alongside the engine swap is a new aluminium platform and Geneva would have seen the introduction of a new turbocharged four-cylinder model, badged Plus Four. It is set to make 190kW and have a manual transmission as standard. Being a Morgan, everything from the wooden frame to the leather interior is crafted by hand. Unfortunately, we probably won't ever see it here.
Koenigsegg Gemera
Koenigsegg has a penchant for the extreme and it's latest model is no different. How does 1268kW and 3500Nm sound? What if we told you it was generated by a twin-turbocharged three 2.0-litre triple combined with three electric motors? It's basically the i8 on an obscene amount of steroids and we love it. Called Gemera, there's even space for four passengers and Koenigsegg says acceleration to 100kmh takes a mere 1.9 seconds. There's 50km of electric range while the volty bits have enough grunt to propel the Gemera to 300kmh without combustion assistance. It also looks astonishingly good.
Hyundai Prophecy
Hyundai was set to show off its latest concept at Geneva, instead revealing the Prophecy online. It sort of looks like a Tesla Model 3/Audi TT love child, featuring four doors and four seats along with a fully electric powertrain. The lights are similar to the 45 concept from last year, being what Hyundai calls 'pixel lights' and feature prominently at each end. Look inside and you'll notice a distinct lack of traditional driving controls. Instead, you'll pilot the Prophecy as if it were a fighter jet with two joysticks. Of course, being an electric concept, the Prophecy is capable of fully autonomous driving.
Bentley Bacalar
Bentley has created a chunky new roadster called Bacalar that you can't buy. Bentley has said it will build just 12 units and all are sold out, despite the £1.5 million price tag. It's not really a convertible either, as there's no roof to convert. Thankfully, Bentley has retained the windscreen. Four people will be able to ride in the Bacalar, which sits on large 22-inch wheels. Styling has been aped from the EXP 100 GT concept and brings a square nose, lots of vents and new-look headlights to the car. Power comes from VAG's twin-turbo 6.0-litre W12, now making 484kW/900Nm, or enough to rip your toupee right off.
McLaren 765LT
McLaren was ready to unveil the latest member of the LT family at Geneva, coming in the form of the 765LT. Based on the 720S, the LT version ups power to 563kW and a rigorous diet has dropped 80kg from the existing coupe. The savings come from more carbon fibre, thinner glass and a lightweight titanium exhaust. You'll notice the extra aero too, which contributes to a 25 per cent increase in downforce. McLaren will build 765 units and, in a refreshing change of pace, some are still available. Price is yet to be confirmed while deliveries will kick off in September.