Electromobility is normal. At least at the Geneva Motor Show, electrification is part of the good tone - across all price ranges and segments. Only a few manufacturers still dare to burn only Lac Léman.
Just hot air instead of new fireworks? Many auto shows suffer from a decline in the number of exhibitors and can often only offer the public a few highlights. The Geneva Motor Show, however, has not lost its appeal even 114 years after its debut: Although there are no well-known car manufacturers with Ford, Hyundai, Opel or Jaguar, there is no end-of-the-day mood in the exhibition halls. The vacated areas were cleverly redistributed or claimed by new brands.
For example, the Russian state body manufacturer Aurus is exhibiting at Lake Geneva for the first time. In general, it is the traditionally high density of exotic species that attracts visitors year after year. After all, the motor show is probably the only opportunity to see Pininfarina's 1.926-hp Battista sports car, Hispano Suiza Carmen, an electric car that is about half as powerful, or the Tesla Model S converted into a station wagon by Niels van Roij Design. Despite the big plans, many of the nerds shown here either never make it past the study status or are manufactured in such homeopathic doses that sighting in the wild is virtually impossible.
It remains to be seen whether this is also the case with the Piëch. What is meant is not the VW-Grande Ferdinand Piëch, but the new Piëch Automotive brand, with which son Anton wants to get started. An entire model family is planned, with the Mark Zero the first litter to be seen - purely electrically, of course, and with a wonder battery that should be almost full in just under five minutes. The feasibility of such high-tech visions is currently more than questionable.
The Polestar 2, on the other hand, is much more than just a finger exercise. While Volvo shines with absence and at the same time with the announcement that it will limit its cars to a top speed of 180 km / h in the future, the young daughter shows a compact electric sedan that can do 500 kilometers and is available for around 40.000 euros should be - by the way, only online.
In general, the following applies in Geneva: the V12 is heading towards retirement, electrification is now normal. Above all, it is no longer just the unusual lighthouse models or high-priced sports cars that are energized, but the entire range of everyday cars. BMW and Audi, for example, are showing numerous new socket models, from the X3 to the A8. The Ingolstadt residents - like Kia with e-Soul and the lifted Niro - even completely dispense with classic combustion engines at their booth. At Audi, the focus is on the Q4 E-Tron: the compact, close-to-production E-SUV is expected to stand up to the Tesla Model Y, which will probably be presented in mid-March. With the El Born, Seat gives a glimpse of the first Stromer from Spain, which also hints at the interior of the VW ID Neo with its airy cockpit, and Wolfsburg itself shows another E-Vision with the ID buggy - and of course the lifted Bulli T6, which will also be available with an electric drive in the future. With the Vision iV study, Skoda is also exhibiting an electric crossover that could almost go through as a shrunk Tesla Model X. The Skoda Kamiq, on the other hand, is the classic SUV for the Czechs after Kodiaq and Karoq, which for the time being has to do without e-support.
Peugeot sets a good example in the generally strongly represented small car class: the new 208 not only makes its debut with combustion engines under the hood, but also naturally as an e-208 with a range of 340 kilometers. Honda is also green and even wants to bring the "e" only as a Stromer: the small four-door is the further development of the iconic retro study Urban EV from the 2017 IAA and should go into series production at the end of the year. Renault does not show that much courage: the French carmaker is also following in the VW Polo class and is launching a new generation of the Clio, which is quite modern with gadgets like a digital cockpit. However, the Frenchman will initially only come with conventional engines; In 2020 at least a hybrid version will follow. Mild hybrid technology is also available on the petrol side in the Mazda CX-30, with which the Japanese are entering the SUV coupe market in this country.
Mercedes also has at least some electricity with it: the revised mid-range SUV GLC has rolled from Stuttgart to Geneva, which aims to score with a smooth look, fresh assistants and new engines; the new four-cylinder petrol engines rely on 48-volt support. However, they are not intended for the lifestyle combination CLA Shooting Brake, which is also celebrating its premiere.
And indeed, there are also manufacturers who pretend that they have never heard of electrification: The Ferrari 488 GTB successor F8 Tributo can still run out of gasoline with a 3,9-liter V8 under the hood draw, the 530 kW / 720 hp unit marks even the most powerful eighth from Modena. The Italians are supported by Porsche: The new 911 Cabrio is initially only available as an S model with 331 kW / 450 hp, which is produced exclusively from burnt gasoline.
