Geneva Motor Show Debuts
Despite the physical Geneva Motor Show being cancelled due to concerns over the Coronavirus outbreak, the virtual showcase of world debut vehicles rolled on, as numerous manufacturers unveiled new models to a worldwide audience online.
The new Audi A3 Sportback features compact proportions and a sporty design. The wide Singleframe and large air inlets at the front end accentuate the dynamic character of the premium compact car. The shoulder of the body extends in a smooth line from the headlights to the rear lights. The surface below is curved inward – a new element of Audi’s design that puts a stronger emphasis on the wheel arches. The digital daytime running lights of the Matrix LED headlights are a further innovation. They consist of a pixel array made up of LED segments in a three by five arrangement that create special light signatures and make the A3 immediately recognizable. The sporty and sophisticated design is continued in the interior with the new shifter, aluminum or carbon inlays, striking door openers and an instrument panel with a black-panel look. Seat upholstery made of recycled PET bottles and adorned with stylish contrasting stitching are being used for the first time.
Audi is systematically moving forward with its e-offensive, and revealed a protoype S model to augment the e-tron and e=tron Sportback: The Audi e-tron and the Audi e-tron Sportback are becoming more agile, sharper and more dynamic as S models. The three electric motors, two of which are located on the rear axle, together provide 370 kW of boost power and 973 Nm (717.6 lb-ft) of torque. This allows the two purely electrically driven models to accelerate to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in 4.5 seconds. The intelligent drive control raises vehicle safety, and dynamic handling in particular, to a new level: In addition to the electric all-wheel drive, there is the electric torque vectoring with active and fully variable torque distribution on the rear axle.
Volkswagen has announced that the production model to be based on the ID.CROZZ concept will be called the ID.4. The ID.4 is Volkswagen’s first fully electrically driven SUV. The ID.4 will be the first vehicle in the world’s largest market segment, the compact SUV category, to offer climate-neutral production and operation. Just like the compact ID.3, it is based on the Group’s scalable, modular electric drive matrix (MEB), boasting all the strong properties of the ID. family: compact dimensions, spacious interior, sporty character, intuitive operation and full connectivity.
The 8th-generation Volkswagen Golf GTI debuted today, alongside new GTE and GTD variants. For 44 years, Volkswagen has been reinventing this sporty, compact-car icon while retaining the original concept. GTI is an agile, raw, efficient and high-tech compact sports car for the digital age, with 245 horsepower. With an identical output of 245 hp, the new Golf GTE is just as powerful as the Golf GTI. The hybrid drivetrain is designed for sporting performance and combines electrical sustainability and zero-emissions range of around 37 miles with great dynamic performance. The new Golf GTD is a real endurance athlete. In this variant, an output of 200 hp has been coupled with very long fuel range. The design of the new, sporty Golf models is charismatic. The standard LED headlights are positioned low down and form a striking crossbar in conjunction with the radiator grille. Towards the top of the hood, a narrow line spans the front end—red in the case of the GTI, blue for the GTE and silver for the GTD. The new Golf has a powerful shoulder section and striking rear end design, with LED taillight clusters as standard. The GTI, GTE or GTD lettering is now positioned centrally under the Volkswagen emblem rather than on the driver side as it was previously. At the bottom, the sporty diffuser also distinguishes the new cars from the other Golfs. They are also differentiated by the exhaust tailpipes—the GTI has one tailpipe on the left and one on the right, the GTD has a double tailpipe on the left, and there is no tailpipe in sight on the GTE.
The BMW Concept i4 represents a look ahead to the BMW i4, slated to enter production in 2021 as the BMW Group’s first all-electric model in the premium midsize class. It provides a whole new take on the dynamic excellence for which BMW is renowned and blends a modern, elegantly sporty design with the spaciousness and functionality of a four-door Gran Coupe – all while generating zero local emissions.
Mercedes-Benz has announced a refresh for the E-Class sedan and wagon, including redesigned front headlamps with full-LEDs as standard, and optionally available MULTIBEAM LED headlamps. The grille, front bumper and rear tail lamps are also new. Also part of the model update is a suite of next-generation driving assistance systems and a full slate of new electrified powertrain options, including some for the U.S. market.