SUV, electric vehicles, also in combination, and super sports cars: At the Geneva Salon is paddled. But there are also normal vehicles and even small cars are there - some with electric motor.
Bigger, faster, farther. Even if many exhibitors are once again following this motto at this year's Geneva Motor Show (until 17 in March), this time it's often easy: smaller, brisker and not quite so far. New small car models and studies show that this genus does not die out despite all the SUVization.
Two French manufacturers are catching the attention of the fair and putting their new compact cars in the limelight. Now in its fifth generation, the Renault Clio arrives. The French bestseller, which will hit the market in Germany in the autumn, attempts the balancing act between tradition and innovation. The exterior design has been carefully developed, Clio customers should not be scared. Instead of a fussing plastic ambience, there is now a chic interior. Many driver assistance systems, connectivity, digital cockpit and plenty of space, as well as a large trunk, are designed to convince customers of the benefits of the 4,05 meter-long compact car. Farewell take it against the combination variant and diesel engines. First, there are therefore only four gasoline; the performance range goes from 65 to 130 PS. 2020 follows a hybrid version. A battery electric version will not exist. When it comes to electric propulsion in this class, the French continue to rely on their model Zoe.
At Peugeot you go another way. The next generation of the 208 builds on a new platform, which can be combined with gasoline, diesel and electric motors. Three-cylinder gasoline engines from 55 kW / 75 PS to 96 kW / 130 PS are available for the conventional drive. The top engine is fitted as standard with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Peugeot still offers a diesel that makes 74 kW / 100 horsepower. The e-version, which will follow shortly after the 208 debut in the fall, comes on 100 kW / 136 PS and has a battery with 50 kWh capacity. As a range for the e-208 Peugeot 340 indicates kilometers. Since the battery is placed in the vehicle floor, there is no restriction on the trunk volume. It is 270 liters for all variants. Of course, the little lion comes up with many assistants. Connectivity is also provided. Visually, the 208 adapts to the design specifications of the larger 508 with clear lines both outside and inside.
Not at all great makes the still unnamed Honda-Tinzling. The only 3,85 meter long battery-electric mini will come on the market next year and visually puts on the cuteness card. The round headlights and the square basic shape make the four-seater immediately likeable. The interior is colorful and happy. Four doors facilitate entry and exit. Designed as a city car rear-wheel drive Japanese should have a range of 200 kilometers. Too expensive for mass production are likely to be the still existing side cameras in the study, which are mounted instead of mirrors. The elimination of a higher battery capacity, which allow longer distances, should allow a comparatively low entry price for the electric dwarf. Sweet and attractively priced: That could boost sales.
The description of the Fiat 500 was sweet for a long time. Before the Knuddel 2020 celebrated its premiere in Geneva on a modified platform as a battery-electric version, the traditional Italian company showed that it still had the will to live. Instead of the umpteenth version of the Cinquecento, the Italians give the Centoventi study a view of a successor to the Panda. This is one of the first stones in the portfolio and, like the 500, urgently needs a successor. And as the panda thrilled with its unconventional nature when it debuted in 1980, the Centoventi wants to build on these old Fiat virtues. The Fiat creatives can therefore be a little crazy at least at the beginning. The modular concept car should be inexpensive, funny and full of ideas. So the owners can design their vehicle individually using stickers, bumper types and roof modules. On request, there is even a soft top that turns the small car into a convertible. The 3,70 meter long city car is powered electrically. The range can be extended from 100 kilometers to up to 500 kilometers at any time with up to four additional battery modules. One can only hope that Fiat will once again focus on its core competence and build classic "Volkswagen" with smart ideas.
The ID is unlikely to be a major implementation problem. Junior Concept stand. It looks smart, picks up on design elements from the large ID.-studies and sheds light on the slide car for the little ones. Electric drive is rather not provided, it remains with the proven two-wheel drive with the environmentally friendly Abstoßernergieumwandlung. Maybe there are still whisper tires for the environment.