Highlights From the 2019 Geneva International Motor Show
From all-electric to truly dazzling, some of the best vehicles from this year’s event
Supercars, hypercars, accessible cars and concept cars from the world’s best-known and emerging brands made their debuts at this year’s Geneva International Motor Show. Whether small and playful, wildly fast or glorious and sprawling, the cars reflect the industry’s exploration of electric vehicles. Some are opting for more accessible iterations while others want to buck the traditional connotations of eco-friendly vehicles. Here are some that caught our eye and got us excited for the future of driving.
Fiat Concept Centoventi
The all-electric and fully customizable concept garners attention for its playful silhouette and functionality. With over 120 interior accessories to choose from—as well as endless color combinations for both the interior and exterior and a removable roof—the Concept Centoventi is an evolution of the Panda, and a big step forward for the brand and for accessibility.
Honda e Prototype
Compact to the point of forgoing side mirrors in favor of cameras, the Honda e Prototype (a concept right now, with production plans for the end of 2019 and deliveries in 2020) is an electric vehicle scaled to the needs of city commuters. Its range tops out at about 130 miles, but it can charge up to 80% in 30 minutes. Though it sacrifices a bit to keep its size down, its practicality outweighs any perceived shortcomings. The e Prototype will initially only be available in the UK, with the possibility of expanding to Japan, but it will not make it to the US market.
Hispano-Suiza Carmen
The Hispano-Suiza Carmen hypercar concept would be the Spanish brand’s first new car since 1943, and it stands out for plenty of reasons. Its accentuated wheel wells and seemingly invisible doors are just two of the dozens of intricate design decisions at play here, but the exterior is just the beginning. The Carmen (inspired by the 1938 Hispano Suiza Dubonnet Xenia) boasts 1,000hp and a top speed of 155mph. Its interior is similarly full of nods to the brand’s heritage, as well as a firm perspective on the future.
Piëch Mark Zero
Piëch, founded by Anton Piëtch (the great-grandson of Ferdinand Porsche and son of longtime VW Group exec Ferdid Piëch), brings new energy to the family name. The electric Mark Zero, a sporty and ultra-luxe GT, features flexible architecture and a new battery technology that, according to the company, can charge up to 80% in under five minutes. If true, this would make the Mark Zero the fastest charging EV on the market. At 100% charge, the vehicle boasts a range of just over 300 miles.
Volkswagen ID. BUGGY
The VW ID. BUGGY concept reimagines the classic California-inspired dune buggy. Based on the Beetle platform as well as a modular electric toolkit platform, the new electric version brings fun in the sun to a new, accessible level.
Alfa Romeo Tonale Concept
The Alfa Romeo Tonale Concept brings a sleeker, athletic, smaller and all-electric SUV to the market—appealing to Alfa enthusiasts and those who want the convenience of an SUV wrapped in a sportier, performance-oriented package. This pre-production concept will likely look very similar when it hits dealers in the next year or two.
Polestar 2
The Polestar 2 was shown for the first time after its online debut a few weeks earlier. Full of refined and practical details (and a few fun ones, like a projected Polestar logo on the headliner) the $40k electric four-door car from parent company Volvo is certain to find a following.
Nobe 100 GT
The two-door, three-seater, targa top Nobe 100 GT represents a nostalgic three-wheeled vehicle with a playful personality and electric power. Its mission to make cars “upgradeable, recyclable and sustainable” allows owners to swap panels to change its color. Reservations are currently being taken for the €47k 100 GT and the €37k 100.
PAL-V
For those frustrated with traffic on the road, the PAL-V flying car introduces its Pioneer edition—limited to just 90 units. Those 90 customers will be the first “fly drivers” in the world, ensconced in a full-leather cabin and surrounded by a suite of tech company claims anyone can master in 30 hours. Available for pre-order now for $599k, this is a car on another level—literally.
Koenigsegg Jesko
Earning superlatives for its design, technology, engine and performance, the $2.8 million Koenigsegg Jesko hypercar replaces the Agera RS, and its 1600hp are intended to propel it to a record-breaking 300mph. Speeds and appearance might lead many to believe otherwise, but it’s also street legal.
La Voiture Noire
Bugatti’s beautiful, sleek, €16.7 million one-off La Voiture Noire pays homage to the brand’s iconic 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic Coupé—which was last seen around 1941. The unique supercar was sold prior to its debut in Geneva, with CEO Stephan Winkelmann saying, “There will never be another.” For many, this Bugatti represents a new benchmark for the highest end of the automotive world.
Images courtesy of respective brands
