Infiniti has introduced its new mid-engined sports car concept, the Emerg-E. Photo / Supplied
Geneva extravaganza highlights taste of the future
From exclusive sports cars to cosmetic changes and a Bentley SUV, this week's Geneva motor show revealed a fleet of new vehicles about to hit our roads.
While Europe dominates the show, expect to see some of the featured cars hitting New Zealand shores by the end of the year, including Maserati's GT Sports.
INFINITI
Infiniti, the luxury performance automotive brand from Nissan, revealed its first ever mid-engined sports car concept called the Emerg-E.
In addition, Infiniti confirmed the limited production of 200 units of the 420PS FX Sebastian Vettel version for Europe and Middle East markets, as well as the reduction of emissions of its world record-holding Infiniti M Hybrid model to 159g/km.
The Emerg-E is an advanced mid-ship sports car that provides an exciting glimpse into Infiniti's future. The 402bhp (300kW) mid-engined, twin motor electric sports car is capable of accelerating from 0-100km/h in four seconds. Yet it also operates as a zero-emission urban transport over a 50km range. And when the range-extender petrol engine functions in concert with its twin electric motors, it produces a CO2 output of only 55g/km (NEDC cycle).
Within its compact 4.464m length, the two-seater Emerg-E contains a pair of electric motors, a lithium-ion battery pack, four inverters, a three-cylinder range-extending internal combustion engine and a petrol tank. All this is efficiently wrapped within highly aerodynamic, light bodywork.
BENTLEY
The new Bentley 4x4 will out-punch a Porsche Cayenne, be more luxurious than a Range Rover and "mark a new pinnacle of SUVs in several dimensions", according to Bentley chairman and CEO Wolfgang Durheimer.
As well as a new Bentley-developed version of the W12 engine - expected to produce around 600bhp and feature eco technology such as cylinder deactivation - the new car will eventually feature a V8 diesel model and a plug-in hybrid with a six-cylinder engine. Officially, project EXP 9 F is on display at Geneva as a concept to gauge reaction from potential customers. But Bentley is well on the way to confirming production of the new car, which should be ready in 2015, slotting in neatly between the Continental and Mulsanne model cycles and priced around $270,000.
Bentley's 4x4 sits somewhere between the Porsche Cayenne and Range Rover in terms of size, dynamics and ride comfort, and is set to out-perform both. The only fly in the ointment comes from in-house rival Lamborghini, which is also planning a high-performance SUV, possibly using a version of Bentley's W12.
Bentley has lavished as much attention on the rear quarters, with the boot featuring a powered split tailgate, beautifully trimmed for two people to sit or stand on.
Two hampers swing out from panels above the wheelarches to boost picnic appeal.
Rear passengers in two or three contoured seats sit further back than in rivals to boost leg and headroom - there's 200mm more legroom than in the current Range Rover. Upright side windows add to the feeling of space and make it easier for the driver to gauge the car's substantial size.
The Bentley is taller and wider than a Cayenne, but lower and narrower than a Range Rover. It's longer than both, with a longer wheelbase, too.
After Geneva the car will go to China for the Beijing Motor Show, then to the Middle East, mainland Europe and back to Britain. Durheimer says the US will be the main market, followed by China, but there would be strong interest in the UK. He also says he could see the 4x4 in the Royal garage, alongside the other Bentleys.
AUDI
Speaking at the preview evening, Audi's chairman Rupert Stadler said the three-door A3 "is just the starting point for the A3 family", hinting that five-door hatch, sedan and cabriolet versions are on the way, while a plug-in hybrid version will go on sale in 2014.
The third-generation A3 three-door has a wheelbase 23mm longer and 12mm wider than its predecessor and, while there's more room inside, the new A3 is actually 80kg lighter. That's thanks in part to aluminium body panels and the VW Group's new lightweight MQB platform.
The new A3 has sharper lines and a higher waistline, while the design of the front and rear bumpers is similar to that on the updated Audi A4.
The most dramatic changes are inside, where there's a wafer-thin pop-up display. Tech highlights include wi-fi, adaptive cruise control and a trackpad on the centre console that boasts handwriting recognition.
The launch versions include 1.4-litre and 1.8-litre TFSI engines and the 2.0-litre TDI - and expect to see the A3 in New Zealand in the middle of next year.
MASERATI
Maserati's new GranTurismo Sport has been revealed at the Geneva motor show, as it bids to fill the gap between the GranTurismo S and the extreme MC Stradale.
Visually, the Sport bears a close resemblance to the range-topping Stradale thanks to its new front bumper, which incorporates two swooping intakes either side of the traditional Maserati oval grille.
Elsewhere, revised headlamps incorporate LED daytime running lights and the tail-lamps get darker lenses than the standard GranTurismo.
Tweaks to the 4.7-litre V8 engine have increased power from 444bhp to 454bhp.
The GranTurismo Sport will arrive in New Zealand at the end of the year; no price has been announced as yet.
MERCEDES-BENZ
Aiming to attract younger buyers, the new Mercedes A-class is focused on the driving experience - unlike its predecessor.
The five-door hatch aims to take on its rivals, the Audi A3 and BMW 1-Series, on the road. At Geneva, Mercedes previewed a lower, sportier and more stylish car than previous models.
Inside the AMG Sports model on show, the driver focus continued with figure-hugging racing seats, a steeply raked rear screen and a cosy cabin swathed in soft plastics and leather.
A monochrome colour scheme included charcoal grey hide and red stitching inside the doors and on the seats and armrests, while air vents were finished in chrome.
The A-class is the first Mercedes to emit less than 100g/km of CO2 - because of a diesel range that kicks off with the 99g/km A180 CDI, using a 107bhp 1.8-litre engine.
It's one of six engines on offer once the newcomer goes on sale in December. Petrol choices include two 1.6-litre turbos - the 113bhp A180 and 154bhp A200 - plus the 208bhp 2.0-litre turbo A250.
MITSUBISHI
While the new Outlander has similar overall dimensions to the outgoing model, its styling is almost identical to the Concept PX-MiEV II, shown at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show.
The look of Mitsubishi's new Outlander is more curvaceous than the outgoing model, with a rounded front-end, integrated headlights and a grille that emphasises the car's width.
It's built on Mitsubishi's new global platform and it has similar dimensions to the current model, yet the new version offers improved quality and practicality thanks to a redesigned interior.
The seats fold flat into the floor, the tilt- and height-adjustable steering column has more ergonomic controls and the dashboard displays are easier to read. Luxury options include an electrically powered tailgate and dual-zone climate control.
The third-generation Outlander will come with 2.0-litre petrol or 2.2 diesel power, and will be offered with a new six-speed automatic gearbox.
NISSAN
The new Nissan X-Trail has made its debut in concept form at Geneva, called the Hi-Cross, and it is easy to see that it will be sleeker than the old model.
As the name suggests, it has a high-riding crossover concept, offering a more efficient use of space - three rows of seats and room for seven passengers - plus a greater emphasis on car-like driving dynamics and ride comfort. However, it will still be able to cut it in the rough stuff, thanks to full-time four-wheel-drive.
Bold styling also includes larger wheelarches, a pronounced swoop to the front wings and narrower windows with a distinctive angular C-pillar.
The Hi-Cross features a hybrid powertrain that borrows battery technology from the Leaf, and couples a fast-charging electric motor with a 2.0-litre direct-injection petrol unit, which executive vice-president Andy Palmer claims will "offer the performance of a 2.5-litre engine but with the fuel consumption and emissions figures of a much smaller unit".
A production version of the Hi-Cross will be revealed early next year, with sales set to start in late 2013.
PORSCHE
The entry-point Boxster revealed at Geneva is now 35kg lighter, more efficient and has more power than ever.
At the pre-show event, Porsche chief executive Matthias Muller said: "This new Boxster is capable of lapping the Nurburgring in seven minutes and 58 seconds - that's 12 seconds faster than the previous model. With the roof up it's also 50 per cent quieter."
The styling has been refreshed but a longer wheelbase, widened track and bigger wheels (45mm on the Boxster, 48mm on the Boxster S) will be the biggest clues if you park the new model next to its predecessor.
Shorter front and rear overhangs and a more steeply raked windscreen create a streamlined profile. As before, the roof is made from fabric, but it now sits exposed behind the cockpit when lowered.
It's all change in the engine department, with the entry-level 2.9-litre flat-six replaced by a slightly smaller 2.7-litre unit. Despite downsizing, power has climbed by 10bhp to 261bhp. The Boxster S sticks with its 3.4-litre flat-six, but gains an extra 5bhp, taking its total to 311bhp. Both engines are fitted with stop-start.
A six-speed manual is fitted as standard, but if you want to extract maximum performance and the best possible fuel economy, the optional seven-speed PDK gearbox is required. Go for the PDK and fuel consumption is improved by up to 15 per cent, with the Boxster returning 36.7mpg and the Boxster S managing 35.3mpg.
See photos of the new Boxster here.
TOYOTA
The FT-Bh, standing for Future Toyota B-segment Hybrid, gave the best look yet at small Toyotas of the future.
It debuted at Geneva featuring a plug-in hybrid drivetrain with CO2 emissions as low as 19g/km.
With an emphasis on its efficiency and environmental credentials, the FT-Bh uses existing technology to create a car that is realistically achievable in the short term. That means the styling and technology will influence the next Aygo and iQ.
Toyota focused on five key areas. Weight of the five-door supermini is less than 800kg so the second area under the microscope, "the hybrid drivetrain's efficiency", could be honed.
The third area was thermal energy management, which also benefited from electricity saving (the fourth) and Toyota's "total vehicle" approach meant the fifth aspect - aerodynamic efficiency - improved by 30 per cent.
VOLVO
The all-new V40 is set to shake up the small-premium segment with its high-tech features and "big car" thinking in a stunning compact package.
According to Volvo president and chief executive Stefan Jacoby, the V40 is "the car to make our competitors sit up and take notice".
The company had a host of premium hatches in its sights - the VW Golf, Audi A3 and BMW 1-Series - but it also had to fend off premium wannabes from the likes of Ford, Hyundai and Kia.
In a conservative class, the five-door V40 is one seriously good-looking car. It uses a clever blend of creases and curves that includes some smart sculpturing on the nose, smooth shoulders with a kink towards the rear and a hexagonal tailgate similar to that on the C30 coupe. Most of all, the low, wide bonnet gives the car its sporty stance.
The dimensions are pretty much on a par with those of the A3 and 1-Series, but because the car sits low, it looks longer and not unlike a shrunken V60.
The back seats sit higher than the front ones for a good forward view and there is decent shoulder room, too.
The V40 is expected in New Zealand later this year with a price to be announced then.
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