Exciting Debuts From The 2018 New York Auto Show + Geneva Motor Show
Our highlights on design, sustainable materials, zero-emissions and more
Just weeks apart, the globally-focused Geneva Motor Show and USA-focused New York Auto Show deliver some of the most exciting news in the rapidly changing auto industry. From new ownership programs to developing technologies and, of course, new designs for cars you can buy and concepts you can dream about, the two shows were packed with announcements. Here are our favorites, and why you should be excited about the future of cars.
Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupé
The first four door from Mercedes-AMG beautifully marries its performance on the track with a touch of practicality that most owners will appreciate. The Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupé, AMG’s third homegrown car, brings new blood to the high performance segment dominated by the four door Porsche Panamara and Aston Martin Rapide S. With nearly all of the fun of the two door Mercedes-AMG GT and the practicality of a rear seat and hatch it brings a fresh look to the luxury performance category. It will also feature the new Mercedes-Benz MBUX, which has been customized with additional features for AMG vehicles.
Audi RS5 Sportback
The Audi RS5 Sportback is the high performance version of the four door A5 Sportback. From the fender flares to its bold, rich green color, it’s a visual feast and an appropriate smaller sibling to the iconic RS7. Inside, there’s 444-hp from its twin-turbo 2.9-liter V-6 engine. The vehicle will be released in the latter half of 2018 as a 2019 model, and surprisingly will arrive in the USA first.
Lexus UX Concept
The striking Lexus UX Concept has an all-new 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder inside of their compact Global Architecture modular platform. An optional hybrid version will be available, as well. Perhaps most fascinating, the car will initiate a new Lexus subscription service where buyers pay a monthly fee and access other Lexus vehicles too.
Cadillac XT4 Crossover
Another strong compact crossover debut in New York, the Cadillac XT4 hones the familiar Caddy design language while maintaining interior spaciousness. The first new car announced by the brand in two years, it’s a welcome addition to their lineup and a further step taken by their design team to hone in on Cadillac’s unique point of view and the continually growing crossover category. It’s also quite well priced, starting at $35,790.
Lincoln Aviator Concept
A three-row luxury SUV, the Lincoln Aviator is proportionally the best looking Lincoln SUV we’ve seen to date. When the very similar looking production car arrives in 2019 it will be constructed on an all-new platform between mid- and full-size. Powering it, there will be a twin-turbocharged engine and a plug-in hybrid option. Lincoln’s newest models feature premium interiors that impress, and the Aviator will feature some exciting new features like using your “phone as a key.”
Volkswagen Atlas Tanoak Concept
Most, like us, are probably a bit surprised at the design of the super fresh Volkswagen Atlas Tanoak, a dramatic pickup concept with its strong lines, impactful lights and futuristic point of view.
Genesis Essentia Concept
A showstopper in New York, the Genesis Essentia Concept is a sleek all-electric, high-performance beast of a performance coupe. Featuring an elegant, minimalist style and a bold stance, it’s a concept that generates plenty of excitement for the future of Genesis.
Aston Martin Lagonda Vision Concept
An unexpected announcement at Geneva, Aston Martin is once again making two bold statements. First, that the Lagonda badge will represent an even more elevated range of vehicles, and that all of those vehicles will be zero emission and offer level four autonomous driving as early as 2021. And then there’s the car’s design, a true concept with less concern for current production standards, its enormous size, and its Saville Row-tailored salon of an an interior. You’ve caught our attention, Lagonda.
Bentley Bentayga Hybrid and Philippe Starck Designed Charging Station
Bentley’s first hybrid, the new Bentayga Hybrid SUV draws from two power supplies: an electric motor and a 3.0-liter V6 combustion engine. Bentley hired Philippe Starck
(a Bentley owner) to design the vehicle’s charging station. It’s composed of resin-coated linen and aluminum and like the designers other work doesn’t look much like any others in the category; it’s an interesting take on luxury in the electric space.
Porsche Mission E Cross Turismo Concept
A potential extension to Porsche’s electric vehicle line, the Mission E Cross Turismo grabbed attention in Geneva for the power and seduction behind its SUV crossover look, with most viewers issuing an enthusiastic nod accompanied by an “I would definitely drive this” statement. A two motor drivetrain will deliver approximately 590 horsepower to accompany its athletic stance.
Ferrari 488 Pista
Featuring the most powerful V8 engine in the Maranello marque’s history, the Ferrari 488 Pista‘s Geneva debut demonstrated the utmost in motorsport technology and iconic design. It sports a 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8 delivering 711bhp and an aerodynamic design alluding to its speed, which can take you from 0 to 124 mph in a mere 7.6 seconds.
Land Rover Range Rover SV Coupe
We love Land Rover for delivering on its expected vehicles, and adore it for its eccentric ones, like the Evoque Convertible. Few need a two door version of the brand’s iconic Range Rover, but we all want one. When asked who the vehicle’s target audience is, design director and chief brand officer Gerry McGovern said “me” without hesitation and a giant smirk on his face. Limited to only 999 units worldwide and a $295,000 starting price, each will be created expressly for owners through the brand’s Special Vehicle Operations unit and dripping with luxury trimmings and exceptionally good taste, the SV Coupe will attract icons, moguls, celebrities, athletes, ballers and wankers, and a bit of envy from the rest of us.
Polestar 1 Coupe
Polestar has been Volvo’s performance division for a long time, receiving less attention than the M, AMG, RS and similarly badged cars from other manufacturers. That’s all about to change with the Polestar 1, an exciting debut of the stand-alone Polestar brand, which will exclusively feature hybrid or electric vehicles, and the debut of the Polestar 1, the first of three announced vehicles (a sedan and SUV are rumored over the next two years). The 1 is a 600-horsepower carbon fiber muscle car with sophistication and restraint. To achieve all that horsepower, however, means using more than the two electric motors at the vehicle’s back—drivers must also tap the 2-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine. Limited to 500 vehicles per year and available next year as a 2019 model, head on over to Polestar to design your own today.
Jaquar I-PACE
Nearly identical to the Jaguar I-PACE Concept that debuted last year, the production 2019 I-PACE is the brand’s first all-electric vehicle and directional of the brand’s future. Design Director Ian Callum noted that he’d just finishing designing the brand’s last gasoline-powered car, meaning that it won’t be long before all Jaguars will be electric, hybrids or feature alternative zero emission powertrains. The I-PACE is a great first step, and we had the opportunity to briefly get behind the wheel on a closed lot to test its tight handling and quick acceleration. Well sized and well priced, the I-PACE will certainly provide new options for those seeking electric vehicles. It arrives at dealers later this year.
Images courtesy of respective brands, additional reporting by Josh Rubin and David Graver
