Utility companies are to carry out road repairs to much higher standards, per the Department of Transport’s new drive to ensure a minimum five-year life on road repairs.
The guarantee would mean that if the surface breaks up or becomes dangerous within a five-year window of the last repair, the company that worked on it must return and repair it to a higher standard. Over the last three years, Britain has been in the grip of what some have called a ‘pothole epidemic’, with the UK’s average potholes per kilometre figure rising year-on-year for three years.
“Potholes are the biggest enemy for road users and this government is looking at all options to keep our roads in the best condition,” said Transport Secretary Chris Grayling.
“Road surfaces can be made worse by utility companies, so imposing higher standards on repairs will help keep roads pothole-free for longer.”
Currently, the minimum guarantee is two years after completion of work, meaning that if the increase goes into effect, there will be a three-year extension on that guarantee. The consultation on the issue will last eight weeks and will include proposals to allow for new high-bitumen surfacing to make road surfaces more resistant to temperature fluctuations.
The Government is going high-tech, too, with plastic roads being tested in Cumbria, geothermal heating tested in Bedfordshire, and kinetic energy recovery tested in Buckinghamshire. These are just some of the £22.9 million-worth of projects across the country.
During the budget last November, the Chancellor earmarked an additional £420 million to be allocated to local authorities to carry out road maintenance, raising the 2015-2020 figure up to £6.6 billion.
Seat’s performance offshoot Cupra has launched a new Special Edition version of the Ateca SUV at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show.
Cupra actually waited until day two of the event to release all the details, possibly fearing that the tweaked Ateca would become lost in a sea of other new announcements.
Given all the cars that filled our extensive Geneva day one coverage, it was perhaps a wise choice.
Cupra’s Special Edition creation is definitely ‘on trend’ with current interior design directions.
This Ateca features special Graphene Grey paintwork, along with Cupra’s trademark copper detailing. If you need a performance SUV to match your brand-new fitted kitchen, this is the one to go for.
Copper carbon fibre is an intriguing trim idea, blending shiny metal highlights through the weave of the lightweight material. Cupra has used it to cover the door mirrors, along with the new rear spoiler which is said to offer increased downforce.
The copper-finish 20-inch alloy wheels are new, and widen the track of the Cupra Ateca. Behind them lurk standard Brembo brakes for increased stopping power, although the Special Edition has the same 300hp as the regular version.
That 2.0-litre TSI engine does at least exhale through a new Akrapovic exhaust system. Not only does this weigh 7kg less than the standard item, Cupra promises that it will offer a ‘unique sound experience’ as well.
Inside, the Ateca Special Edition gains more of that copper carbon fibre trim, being liberally applied to interior mouldings and the centre console.
Also new are sports seats finished in Petrol Blue Alcantara – a look which seems to pay homage to the insides of a Subaru Impreza STI from the early 2000s.
Pricing is yet to be announced for the Cupra Ateca Special Edition, but sales are slated to begin later in 2019. There is also no word on how many units will be available, but Cupra promises numbers will be limited.
With Volkswagen having unveiled a 300hp T-Roc R in Geneva, the Cupra Ateca is soon to have some in-house competition. It might take more than copper trinkets to see off that threat.
Geneva 2019 is shaping up to be one of the best motor shows of recent years, with a veritable feast of fantastic supercars served up alongside a bevvy of electric dreams. But scratch beneath the surface and you’ll find the usual array of modified monsters and wild creations lurking in the background, promising to haunt your dreams and have you begging for mercy. Those of a nervous disposition should look away now.
Mansory Centuria
Last year, our man Bradley assembled a Bugatti Chiron using 3,599 Lego pieces. It took him around 15 hours to complete the kit. We suspect Mansory spent a little longer working on the Centuria. You can make up your own mind on whether this was time well spent.
Mansory Billionaire
When Mansory and luxury label Billionaire jumped into bed to work on a Rolls-Royce Cullinan, the results were never going to be subtle. The Mansory Billionaire is billed as “The Whisper of Ecstasy”, but to us, it looks more like “The Scream of Agony”. Still, at least no more than 13 of these €785,000 (£675,000) OTT SUVs will be built.
Mansory Star Trooper
In 1978, Sarah Brightman lost her heart to a starship trooper. Four decades on, Mansory appears to have lost its mind on a G-Wagen.
Eadon Green Zeclat
While much of the Geneva chatter is focused on supercars and electric vehicles of the future, the Eadon Green Zeclat is a very definite nod to the past. The Art Deco-inspired Zeclat is powered by Corvette-sourced 6.2-litre V8.
Eadon Green Zanturi
We suspect the organisers of the Geneva Motor Show have a wicked sense of humour, because the gloriously OTT Eadon Green stand has been placed across the aisle from the resolutely down-to-earth Skoda. It’s probably the first and only time you’ll see a Zanturi parked alongside a Kamiq.
Eadon Green Black Cuillin
Not many cars have been named after a mountain range on the Isle of Skye, but then there are few cars like the Eadon Green Black Cuillin. In 2000, the chief of Clan MacLeod tried to sell the mountain range for £10 million. An Eadon Green should be cheaper.
Brabus 850 4×4² Final Edition
Brabus knows a thing or two about customising Mercedes products and it was keen to say a fond farewell to the previous-generation G-Class. Only five Brabus 850 4×4² Final Editions will be built, each one based on the Mercedes-AMG G 63. The lady is on hand to highlight the 60cm of ground clearance.
Brabus Ultimate E Shadow Edition
From one huge Brabus to something a little smaller – this is the Ultimate E Shadow Edition. It’s based on the Smart EQ Fortwo Cabrio – as if you hadn’t guessed – but it costs a cool €64,900 (£56,000). Just 28 will be built.
Brabus 800 and 900
Brabus doesn’t do subtle. Feast your eyes on two of the most menacing and aggressive cars in Geneva. It’s like staring at the German equivalent of the Kray Twins.
Topcar Lamborghini Urus
The Lamborghini Urus is to aftermarket tuning houses what catnip is to moggies. But while you can shut your cat in the spare room if things get a little out of hand, there’s nothing to stop the likes of this Urus prowling the streets. Meow.
Ertex Mercedes limo
If you think the outside of this Ertex limousine is a little in-yer-face, just wait until you see the inside. Have a look at the screen to the left of the picture for a televisual treat. The Turkish company has been building stuff like this for a quarter of a century.
ABT Cupra Ateca
ABT has added another 50hp to the Cupra Ateca to give a total output of 350hp. As a result, it’ll sprint to 62mph in 5.0 seconds before reaching a top speed of 255km/h (158mph). “Lowering springs ensure that the SUV keeps to the track as precisely as only the Spanish high-speed trains can,” says ABT. The Ateca handles like it’s on rails, etc, etc.
Klassen Mercedes-Maybach S 650
In the world of limos, size matters. Which is why Klassen has added 360mm to the Mercedes-Maybach S 650 to deliver the best German VIP travel this side of flying first class with Lufthansa.
Mansory Lamborghini Urus
Just as you thought you were safe from Mansory, up pops a Urus to spoil your day. Honestly, we’ve seen fewer angles in a GCSE maths paper. And a GCSE maths paper is a more pleasurable experience.
Ruf CTR Anniversary
With a design inspired by the iconic Yellow Bird of 1987, the CTR Anniversary sits on the Ruf’s first in-house chassis. Thanks to a generous helping of carbon fibre, the car tips the scales at just 1,200kg. This, coupled with the 700hp 3.6-litre flat-six engine, means that it will hit a top speed of 224mph.
Alpina B7
Even legendary tuning house Alpina is seemingly unable to do anything about the new 7 Series grille. Still, we suspect it’s less of an issue when you’re doing 205mph in absolute luxury.
Alpina B4 S Edition 99
In creating the B4 S Edition 99, Alpina has thrown away the 155mph limiter, beefed up the horsepower, added 20-inch forged alloy wheels and fitted an Akrapovic titanium exhaust to create a seriously quick and lightweight performance car. The top speed is 190mph. You can guess how many Alpina is building.
Startech Bentley Continental GT
The Startech Bentley Continental GT sits lower to the ground and rides on 22-inch Monostar M forged alloy wheels to deliver a subtle exterior makeover. Things are a lot more radical on the inside, with the cabin finished to the owner’s desires. The quality will be first-rate, but we can’t say the same about people’s tastes.
Global car and light commercial vehicle sales fell by 0.5 percent in 2018 – the first market slump since 2009. Of the 86 million vehicles sold across 54 key markets, a massive 30 million were SUVs – giving this segment a strong 36 percent market share. Now, using data supplied by JATO, we can reveal the world’s biggest car brands, based on overall registrations in 2018. The results are presented in reverse order.
25. Baojun: 879,077 registrations
Baojun is a Chinese car manufacturer jointly owned by General Motors and SAIC Motor. Founded in 2010, the company produces a range of electric city cars, crossovers and MPVs. Thanks to stalling sales in China, registrations were down 13 percent in 2018.
24. Citroen – 1,000,273 registrations
Citroen is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2019, but sales plateaued in 2018. However, the French company recorded 825,000 registrations in Europe – the highest sales volume since 2011. The Citroen C3 Aircross (pictured) has found 160,000 homes since its launch in October 2017.
23. Opel/Vauxhall – 1,005,340 registrations
The French PSA Group completed the purchase of Opel and Vauxhall in November 2017, but registrations were down eight percent in the first full year. On the plus side, Vauxhall/Opel reported a 4.7 percent profit margin in 2018.
22. Subaru – 1,053,457 registrations
Subaru is a niche player in Europe, but the brand remains incredibly popular in the U.S, where it has just reported 49,081 vehicle sales for February 2019 – the best February in the history of the company. Of the million or so global registrations in 2018, 680,000 were in the U.S.
21. Mitsubishi – 1,060,436 registrations
JATO is reporting a 24 percent increase in registrations for Mitsubishi – the best performance in the top 25. The company recorded double-digit percentage increases in Japan, Europe and North America, aided by the likes of the Eclipse Cross SUV and Outlander PHEV.
20. Skoda – 1,243,494 registrations
It was another good year for Skoda, with registrations up five percent, as the Czech brand delivered more than one million vehicles for the fifth consecutive year. The Kodiaq and Karoq are the current growth drivers, but the pair will soon be joined by the new Kamiq.
19. Buick – 1,291,266 registrations
Buick registered 1,465,823 cars in 2017, but sales were down nearly 175,000 units in 2018. With a heavy reliance on the U.S. and China, the GM brand is exposed to the current market trends.
18. Fiat – 1,377,699 registrations
Fiat is a company in desperate need of a shot in the arm, with registrations down eight percent. Could the Centoventi Concept – one of the surprise stars of the 2019 Geneva Motor Show – deliver a giant Panda-shaped pick-me-up? Here’s hoping.
17. Geely – 1,384,836 registrations
Geely builds a range of saloon cars and SUVs, and is investing heavily in an electrified future. Registrations were up 11 percent in 2018.
16. Peugeot – 1,533,574 registrations
There was no such increase for Peugeot, with registrations down four percent in 2018, but the company will be buoyed by the positive response to the new 208. The supermini is a big seller in Europe and has the potential to reverse the decline in 2019.
15. Jeep – 1,548,333 registrations
Jeep climbs three places to 15th, breaking through the 1.5 million barrier in the process. The off-road brand is in the midst of a major new product offensive, including an all-new Wrangler. Plug-in hybrid versions of the Renegade and Compass were previewed at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show.
14. Mazda – 1,550,131 registrations
Mazda registrations were up a couple of percent in 2018, and we’re expecting more of the same in 2019. The Mazda 3 hatchback and saloon are capable of delivering strong sales, while the CX-30, unveiled in Geneva, will arrive later in the year.
13. Audi – 1,812,411 registrations
In contrast to Mazda, Audi registrations went down by a couple of percent in 2018. Of the ‘big three’ German brands, Audi was the only company to see a decline in sales.
12. BMW – 2,077,314 registrations
BMW sales were up two percent, with the Bavarian company the first one on the list to break through the two million barrier. New products for 2019 include an all-new 3 Series, X7 luxury SUV and a facelifted 7 Series.
11. Renault – 2,288,406 registrations
Renault remains the biggest French brand in terms of registrations, with the Captur and Clio two of its product heroes. Sales were down three percent in 2018, but the launch of a new Clio should provide a welcome boost in 2019.
10. Mercedes-Benz – 2,551,806 registrations
Mercedes-Benz offers more SUVs than any other manufacturer, which might explain why the company recorded a small increase in registrations in 2018. The SUV range includes the GLS (pictured) and GLA, with an all-new GLE about to hit the market.
9. Kia – 2,638,782 registrations
After a slump in 2017, Kia registrations were up four percent in 2018, as the Korean company leapfrogs Mercedes-Benz. Kia sales hit the one million mark in January 2019 – less than 30 years after the first Kia was introduced to British motorists.
8. Suzuki – 3,046,585 registrations
Into the top eight, where we find the first company to register more than three million cars in 2018. The Vitara and Swift are strong sellers for Suzuki, but the company will struggle to keep up with demand for the new Jimny.
7. Chevrolet – 3,881,747 registrations
Chevrolet sales were down a single percent, but the company will take some solace from the fact that the Silverado was the second most popular pick-up and the ninth best-selling car in the world. Chevrolet shifted 650,000 units of the large pick-up.
6. Hyundai – 4,076,913 registrations
In common with its Korean counterpart, Hyundai recorded an increase in the number of registrations, up four percent in 2018. The Elantra and Tucson were two of the brand’s top performers.
5. Nissan – 4,750,863 registrations
The Nissan cements its position as the fifth biggest automotive brand in terms of registrations, although sales were down a couple of percent. Meanwhile, the Nissan Qashqai was the fifth most popular model, with 771,145 units shifted in 2018.
4. Honda – 4,966,037 registrations
Honda registrations were down 1,652 in 2018, as the Japanese company came agonisingly close to matching its performance in 2017.
3. Ford – 5,329,290 registrations
In 2017, Ford registered just shy of six million vehicles. A year on, that figure has dropped to 5.3 million – an 11 percent slump in fortunes.
2. Volkswagen – 6,746,204 registrations
Sales of the Golf, Passat, Tiguan and Jetta were down in 2018, with only the Polo providing some light relief for Volkswagen. That said, overall registrations were up a single percent on 2017.
1. Toyota – 8,091,277 registrations
By a sizeable margin, Toyota retains its crown as the biggest car manufacturer in terms of overall registrations, with the Japanese giant breaking through the eight million barrier. The Corolla, RAV4 and Camry are its product heroes.
If you’ve heard of Investindustrial before, that’s because this won’t be the first time it has kicked in a bit with a specialist British car manufacturer. It also has a reasonable stake in Aston Martin, having invested £150 million in the company for a 37.5 percent stake in 2012.
“The past two years have been the most successful in our company’s 110-year history,” said Dominic Riley, chairman of Morgan Motor Company.
“However, to really fulfil Morgan’s full potential and secure our long-term future, both the family and management team felt it was essential to bring in a strategic partner. A partner that shares our vision for Morgan and has the expertise, financial resources and track record of success in the automotive world, to make it happen. That partner is Investindustrial.”
The future is bright for Morgan
The Plus Six is just the beginning of a new model offensive, which the partnership with Investindustrial is hoped to accelerate. The CX platform, first used in the new Plus Six, ought to help speed up manufacturing and development and open doors to new markets the world over.
Morgan wasn’t exactly in a bad place before Investindustrial bought in. Last year it scored a net profit of £3.2million from revenues of £33.8m, in spite of 2018 being a wind-down year in terms of production. Nevertheless, the Investindustrial partnership will shore up Morgan’s financial standing and bolster its efforts to future-proof itself.
As long as that most unique spirit that makes a Morgan a Morgan remains, we’re all for it.
“Morgan is one of the most famous names in the automotive world,” said Andrea C. Bonomi, chairman of the Industrial Advisory Board.
“Morgan’s handmade British sports cars are true icons of the industry. We have followed the company and seen its progress for some time and see significant potential for Morgan to develop internationally whilst retaining its hand-built heritage, which is at the heart of the Morgan Motor Company.”
Fiat CEO Olivier Francois has confirmed an all-new electric-only Fiat 500 will launch at the 2020 Geneva Motor Show. And the new city car will be inspired by Tesla.
“We should think of the new 500 EV as an urban Tesla,” he said. “The beautiful style, coolness of concept, the statement it makes that the driver is cool, refined, sophisticated and cultivated.”
Although this means the entry-level price of the electric 500 may increase, Francois is not concerned. Half of customers already pay between £19,000 and £21,000 to buy a high-spec 500.
Fiat sold almost 200,000 500s last year. Taking a theoretical £26,000 entry-level price for a supermini-sized electric car, Francois argued that, once government incentives are factored in, Fiat already has evidence 100,000 people are prepared to pay what an electric 500 may cost.
The current model, he added, will remain on sale, as a ‘classic 500’, with a range of small petrol engines. “We will keep on updating it to keep it fresh.”
Shifting the new 500 to an electric-only model is only possible because of the strength of the 500 brand. “People love the 500. Some will take it as an electric car even if they don’t need it. We will not lose customers by going only EV.”
Fiat will use sales of the zero-emission electric 500, along with a potential electric replacement for the Panda, to keep its European FCA fleet CO2 emissions within 2021 targets.
“Small cars do not make lots of profits, but the contribution they can make to our group emissions will allow us to sell greater numbers of higher-margin Jeeps, Maseratis and Alfa Romeos.”
Motoring Research will be live from the floor of the 2019 Geneva Motor Show, bringing you all the news and announcements as they happen. Join us for the biggest reveals, major debuts, and everything else Geneva can throw up. All times listed are GMT.
Last year, Geneva was preoccupied with autonomy, writes Richard Aucock. Most show-goers puzzled over the relevance, and it seems this year, the automakers have agreed. Self-driving cars are for the future: there are more pressing concerns for now, such as reducing their average fleet emissions below the 2021 level at which hefty EU fines kick in for every single car sold.
So it’s back to electrification. Rather than being far-sighted visions, electric cars are getting real. Honda’s pretty E Prototype appears virtually in the guise it will go on sale later this year. Skoda has an electric concept that isn’t far off showroom-ready either. Same for Seat. And Peugeot’s gorgeous new 208 is here, including the e-208 EV that will go on sale from its imminent launch. Just a few pounds more on monthly finance and you could trade the little petrol engine for electric.
There’s more. A radical Kia EV concept. A surprise electric Fiat that previews how the next Panda will democratise electrification. Aston Martin’s radical Lagonda EV SUV. The Audi Q4 e-tron. And more plug-in hybrids than you can shake an expensive Geneva baguette at, including the Alfa Romeo Tonale, Mitsubishi Engelberg and Nissan IMQ (secretly the next Qashqai).
However, an electric hypercar was one of the show-stealers. Automobili Pininfarina launched with a bang at Geneva 2019, and a 1,900 horsepower work of art called the Battista. Beautifully crafted to justify its multi-million price tag, this is Pininfarina showing off its artistry, and electric drivetrain partner Rimac showing just how electricity is going to clobber explosively-tuned petrol engines before we know it.
This hasn’t stopped the traditional makers rolling out gas-powered exotica. Aston Martin went all-out by showing the latest development in its McLaren Senna rival, now called the AM-RB 003. It also surprised everyone by presenting an early look at its new mid-engined supercar – confirming the Vanquish will soon become a McLaren 720S rival.
Lamborghini sprayed bright paint on a facelifted Huracan called the Evo, and took the roof off the Aventador SVJ. Mercedes-AMG also took the roof off the GT R. Ferrari refreshed its own mid-engined monster, now called the F8 Tributo. McLaren showed off its recent launches, the 720S Spider and 600LT, in bespoke MSO trim – and gave us a look at the Speedtail.
Geneva, see, is all about pleasing the mega-rich who will start pouring through the doors once the press has departed. Its boutique nature, carefully-capped show hall size and location in one of the richest regions in the world is ideal for those with seven-figure statements to sell. The umpteen specialists and tuners showcasing their wares is evidence of that.
On one stand, Yorkshire Tea was brewing for the first time, as Ginetta joined them to launch its new supercar, the Akula. On another, bottles of Grand Cru were being racked up, as Bugatti showed the Chiron 110 Ans and La Voiture Noire: a one-off, and the most expensive new car ever. A snip at £12 million.
There were a few disappointments. The new Renault Clio isn’t much different to the old one; given how lovely the new 208 looks, the Regie may be a little worried. Mercedes’ recent mild facelifts of the GLC and GLE were forgettable. In contrast, BMW’s facelift of the 7 Series remains staggeringly gratuitous. The massive X7 walks a similar tightrope of causing offence.
And, of course, some weren’t there at all. No Ford. No Vauxhall-Opel. No Volvo. And no Jaguar Land Rover – which has to be marked up as a fail, given how the Jaguar I-Pace both won European Car of the Year and was named a World Car of the Year finalist at the show. Land Rover has the lovely new Evoque to show, Jaguar has the revised XE range to showcase: if little old Morgan can be there with its all-new Plus Six, why not JLR?
Although there are omissions at Geneva this year, most makers say it’s an event they’ll never miss. Auto shows may be under threat, but some are safer than others. Geneva is one of those, because of its size, its location and its long reputation as being a barometer of the industry.
This year, the car industry is getting serious. Yes, all the supercars and hypercars are serious stuff, because that’s one of the few areas of the business that’s still growing. The rich, after all, keep on getting richer.
But the normalisation of electric and electrified technology is the bigger story. No more wasting time trying to convince us self-driving cars will be here soon. They won’t: zero-emissions motors are a far more pressing concern. And they were out in force at Geneva this year. How long before they start staking a similarly strong claim to showroom space back home?
Geneva 2019: As it happened
5th March
17:50
So after an incredible day in Geneva, it’s time to bring things to a close on the live blog for day one of the 2019 Motor Show. You can check out all the galleries and articles above, or journey through all the big reveals and important debuts below.
Even by Geneva standards, the Koenigsegg Jesko is rather special. Ethan has dived deep into the technical detail of the latest Swedish supercar in this article.
Supercars and electric power have been two of the big themes running through the first day of the 2019 Geneva Motor Show. We’ve covered much of the performance machinery already, but we now also have a full rundown of the newest electric vehicles on display, too.
Geneva sees the return of another historic brand, with the Hispanso Suiza name reappearing on a car for the first time since the 1950s. Set to cost more than €1.5 million, and with a 1,019hp electric drivetrain, only 19 examples of the Carmen are planned for production. They’ll certainly stand out on the road.
In case you’re wondering, Akula is the Russian word for shark, and also refers to a class of nuclear submarines! Just 20 of these Ginettas will be made, each costing £340,000. Weighing less than 950kg, and with 575hp, performance should be extreme.
Yes, it’s another performance SUV. But it does have a turbocharged V8 engine, built in Maranello by Ferrari! Capable of 0-62mph in 4.1 seconds, and a top speed of 186mph. Also available in red or yellow, with stitching for leather interior to match.
Ethan has studied all the information on the new Fiat Centoventi Concept. Find out what it means, and how strongly it will influence the next Panda, right here.
Ferrari opted to announce the details of the new F8 Tributo ahead of the Geneva show. It has made the journey to Switzerland though, and you can get all the information you need on it here.
15:40
With all the attention on Aston Martin today – see everything from 10:09 to 11:05 – this isn’t the first time the brand has used the Geneva Motor Show to shocking effect. Cast your mind back a whole decade, and the 2009 Geneva show saw the full debut of the One-77. Compared to the AM-RBR 003 and Vanquish Vision concepts unveiled today, it now looks almost ordinary.
If you’re looking for all the best new cars in one easy to find place, we have that for you! Take a look at our MR team effort, with everything important to see in Geneva.
Ruf is celebrating its eightieth anniversary in 2019. The company first began in 1939, with Alois Ruf Sr. running a service station in Pfaffhausen, Germany. It was until 1977 that Ruf launched its first actual car, with a tuned version of the Porsche 930 Turbo.
Amidst all the excitement, Jeep’s Wrangler Rubicon 1941 has sailed slightly below the radar today. A demonstration in the options available from fitting Mopar accessories to the new Wrangler, it certainly looks the part. But it isn’t a Gladiator pickup though is it, Jeep?
You can’t question the determination of the Volkswagen Group in attempting to spin-off Cupra into a separate sub-brand from Seat. Rather than simply sticking new badges on existing products, the Formentor previews an entirely fresh design for the Cupra name. Even our Gav doesn’t necessarily hate the idea, either.
Amongst all the other electric SUV concepts making a debut in Geneva, the Alfa Romeo Tonale is certainly one of the prettiest. Contrast it against the Mitsubishi Engelberg Tourer at 12:10 if in doubt. Hints of the original Brera concept, which was launched at the Geneva show in 2002, in the design.
13:40
This Blu Iconica #Battista is closest to the traditional #Pininfarina blue. More electric in tone, reflecting the technological innovation within, multiple layers of paint make it a deep blue representing the ambition to deliver electric performance in a luxurious package. pic.twitter.com/iyGjgxv4GN
— Automobili Pininfarina (@AutomobiliPinin) March 4, 2019
Whatever your thoughts on electric cars, it’s hard not to get at least a little excited about the Pininfarina Battista. No, it’s hardly affordable at £2 million, but the performance promises to be shocking (sorry).
Although Fiat’s press conference at Geneva was several hours ago, details of the Centoventi concept are now filtering through. But, when it’s a birthday present to yourself, you can dictate the rules. Previewing the next Panda is an innovative electric powertrain, and the ability for customers to have the car wrapped to a colour of their choice.
13:05
Muonionalusta meteorite and accents of gold, arctic white and midnight black embellish #Phantom Tranquillity. Inspired by the heavenly realms of space, this motoring rarity, one of just 25, will appear for the first time this year at the #GimsSwiss 2019. pic.twitter.com/fTswBWpuLy
— Rolls-Royce Motor Cars (@rollsroycecars) March 5, 2019
Here is something which got lost amongst the early morning Geneva madness. Rolls-Royce has launched a special model from the Bespoke collection, with the Phantom Tranquility taking cues from space exploration. Space-grade aluminium trim features inside, whilst the volume controller includes pieces of an actual meteorite! Truly out of this world.
Proving that the Volkswagen Group will leave no brand without the new MEB platform, Seat’s taken on the electric car is also in Geneva. The el-Born is named after an area of Barcelona, and features a 200hp electric powertrain. A 2020 launch date matches offerings from Skoda and Audi.
12:23
Say hello to the Mazda CX-30 – Mazda’s all new compact crossover SUV. @GimsSwiss pic.twitter.com/OKDz4Ge0h9
Mazda has a brand-new compact crossover in Geneva. However, the CX-30 doesn’t feature an electric powertrain, so Mazda isn’t ticking all the trending boxes. It will at least be on sale later this year and is, arguably, rather attractive for an SUV.
12:10
Fancy a glimpse at the future?: #EngelbergTourer makes its Global Premiere @GimsSwiss!!!
Just like Nissan’s IMQ concept – see 11:28 – Mitsubishi has a new SUV offering with an electrified powetrain. Given the crushing success of the Outlander, who would beat against another major win with a production version of the Engelberg Tourer?
The E Prototype may have us totally charmed with its style, but for Honda it represents a much bigger concept. The brand has committed to total electrification of European models by 2025, although that will be scant consolation to workers at the Swindon factory.
Electrification is key to the future of the Jeep brand, and the Fiat Chrysler company as a whole. Just last week FCA announced an impressive $4.5 billion investment plan to build battery and plug-in hybrid Jeeps in Detroit.
if you’ve had just about enough of Aston Martin supercars for one morning, fear not. There’s a brand-new SsangYong Korando making a debut at Geneva, too!
All the details on Aston’s new supercar can be found here.
10:48
A tantalising preview of Aston Martin’s first series production mid-engined supercar, the Vanquish Vision Concept showcases the design language of the marque’s most ambitious model, taking centre stage alongside the newly revealed AM-RB 003, Valkyrie and Valkyrie AMR Pro. pic.twitter.com/uEyMFi9pms
Everybody recovered from the intense Aston Martin announcement experience? No? Well here is a video to try to pull all the mid-engined craziness into one place.
Oh, and there’s another major announcement from Aston Martin – the Lagonda All-Terrain luxury SUV! We already have all the information on this one. Phew, an intense few moments from Aston there!
10:17
Vanquish Vision Concept provides a preview of Aston Martin’s first series production mid-engined supercar, showcasing the design language of our most ambitious model.#AstonMartin#GIMSSwisspic.twitter.com/RsXpp9G8PS
There’s also a new mid-engined Vanquish concept from Aston.
10:15
Powered by an all-new Aston Martin-designed V6 engine, AM-RB 003 follows Aston Martin Valkyrie and Valkyrie AMR Pro as the third mid-engined Aston Martin hypercar#AstonMartin#GIMSSwisspic.twitter.com/AzfMqp7hkY
This is the one we’ve spent all morning waiting for. No Mercedes-AMG or Cosworth engines here, this one is the work of Aston Martin itself. Think McLaren Senna, but with development work by Red Bull. Maybe this should be the AM-RB ‘Vettel’ then?
Audi might be talking about plans to roll out huge numbers of electric cars over the coming years, but it is still willing to celebrate the internal combustion engine. The Decennium (it is a real word, honest) marks the 10th anniversary of the V10-powered R8.
09:50
Lots of buzz around the ID. Buggy, and excitement at the prospect of the MEB platform available for other manufacturers – just like the Beetle’s chassis with buggy builders pic.twitter.com/eTa0igchyn
— Volkswagen UK Press Office (@VWUKPress) March 5, 2019
It’s that Volkswagen MEB electric platform again – see 09:21 and 07:20 – but this time under a concept dune buggy. Unlike the Audi and Skoda, don’t expect a production version of this in the near future. Sorry.
Honda absolutely stole the show when it revealed the Urban EV concept car at Geneva. This year it is back with a prototype version that is edging closer to production reality.
Performance AND lifestyle all in one package? Get all your fast compact crossover needs sorted with the new Volkswagen T-Roc R. Coming to a new-build housing estate near you soon.
09:32
With most announcements made well in advance of actual motor shows, there are typically very few ‘bombshell’ moments at the event itself. However, McLaren Automotive CEO Mike Flewitt caused real surprise with news that the brand will launch it’s “own interpretation of the Grand Tourer” later this year.
Volkswagen has now produced an astonishing 30 million units of the Passat, with a new updated version launched at Geneva. This also includes a special limited edition R-Line version. Power will come from a 265hp 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine, and just 2,000 cars will be built.
Another electric Skoda concept in Geneva, the Vision iV, was revealed to the world at the Volkswagen Group Night. Using the new MEB modular platform – just like that Audi Q4 e-tron from 07:20 – the production version is not far away.
09:12
"This is the #KLEMENT: Our unique smart mobility device for the modern city life. Our “crossover” unites all advantages of an e-scooter, an e-bike and an e-motorbike – a true world first." ŠKODA CEO Bernhard Maier#SKODAinGeneva2019#micromobilitypic.twitter.com/R4kOkCIJdN
Along with the debut of the new Kamiq small SUV – which you can read about in our preview, here – Skoda is also showing off a concept electric bike. LED lights and ABS braking make this sound quite cool, but would you rather wait for an inevitable Audi version?
08:59
In terms of electric Kia models you can buy very soon, Geneva also sees the launch of the new e-Soul. There is the potential for a range of up to 280 miles once fully charged. All the details, prices, and more right here.
08:55
NEWS | Kia has electrified the Geneva Motor Show with a display made up solely of hybrid and electric cars. The new e-Soul, and stunning 'Imagine by Kia' concept take centre stage. #Kia#KiaMotors#GIMS2019#GimsSwisspic.twitter.com/5FlVmsLFAz
Kia has gone big on electrification at this year’s Geneva Motor Show. Taking centre stage is the dramatic ‘Imagine by Kia’ concept car. If you think the outside is impressive, the inside features a dashboard made of 21 individual screens, intended as a humorous nod to the ever-growing size of displays in new cars.
You can read about all the impressive details on the ‘Imagine by Kia’ concept with our handy guide.
08:45
20 years since my first #GIMS with #AstonMartin when we launched DB7 Vantage, and I could never have imagined then what we are about to reveal today… pic.twitter.com/StK3ywLkPP
Here it is in action – the new Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake hunting down prey with its special ‘predator nose’ (see 08:05). Or, more likely, heading to Waitrose to hunt down some artisan sourdough. Yellow paint a bold choice, too.
The Porsche press conference is underway, featuring the latest 911. But actually just how new is the most recent rear-engined addition to the Porsche family?
Previously interested in a New Stratos from Manifattura Automobili Torino, but wanted a manual gearbox for full retro thrills? Panic no more.
08:15
Say hello to the most expensive new car ever sold. This is the Bugatti ‘La Voiture Noire’ and it has cost one enthusiastic owner €11 million (£9.45 million) plus taxes. It is a genuine one-off, and has been inspired by the classic Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic. Power comes from the Chiron-sourced 1,500hp W16 engine.
08:05
Here is one of the big debuts from Mercedes-Benz – the brand-new CLA Shooting Brake. Apparently it features a ‘predator nose’ which is inspired by the way a predator looks at prey. Hmm, just maybe don’t tell Arnold Schwarzenegger that the Predator is back.
The Fiat hiding beneath this cover has probably generated the most speculation and intrigue so far in Geneva. Intended to celebrate Fiat’s 120th anniversary, most rumours point to a new Panda. Not a new 500 though – the current version will probably outlive us all…
The new Renault Clio has now made an official debut at the Geneva show. All the details were released before the show, and you get the full lowdown on the newest French supermini right here.
Next up on the press conference rollercoaster is Bentley, although the brand used Monday’s ‘Volkswagen Group Night’ to reveal the special GT Number 9 Edition of the Continental GT. Just 100 examples will be built, with the number 9 paying tribute to the historic Birkin ‘Blower’ Bentley.
One of the first major reveals of the day is Audi’s new electric Q4 e-tron concept. Although badged as a prototype, a production version of this compact SUV is not far off, with Audi promising it will hit showrooms by the end of 2020.
Our press conference takes place at 11:00 CET this morning and for those who can’t make it here in person, we will be live-streaming from 10:55 CET from https://t.co/lBHomtZCEOpic.twitter.com/r0ml6pc4b3
Our man Richard is already on the ground in Geneva!
07:00 – Welcome to Geneva 2019
Good morning, and welcome to our coverage of the 2019 Geneva Motor Show. We’ll be here throughout the day so stick the kettle on, grab a Toblerone (other clichéd Swiss snacks are available), and stick with us for all the news
Monday 4th March
14:45 – Jaguar wins Car of the Year award!
After a genuinely tense and nail-biting vote, which saw the top two cars tied, the Jaguar I-Pace emerged victorious as the 2019 European Car of the Year.
You can read the full story of how Jag’s electric SUV emerged on top in our special feature. We’re wondering if Jaguar are now questioning the decision to skip this year’s Geneva show.
13:05
It might be one of the biggest events on the annual motor show circuit, but 2019 has seen a number of manufacturers choosing to miss Geneva. Find out who will be staying at home with our guide.
11:10
With the clock ticking down to the start of the 2019 Geneva Motor Show, we’re already excited about the new cars we expect to see.
We have a packed preview article to whet your appetite, although Honda may have already stolen the show (again) with the E Prototype.
Morgan, that most traditional of British car companies, has launched a revolutionary all-new car at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show, called the Plus Six. It replaces the Aero 8 at the top of Morgan’s car range.
Don’t be fooled by the traditional styling. This is a brand new car from the ground up, built on an advanced bonded aluminium platform called the Morgan CX Generation. Far stronger and safer than earlier models, it’s also extremely light, with a dry weight of barely more than one tonne.
Morgan isn’t just teasing the Plus Six, either: it opened ordering at the Geneva 2019 show, with prices starting from £77,995.
“It gives us immense pleasure to finally reveal the long-awaited Morgan Plus Six to the world,” said Morgan MD Steve Morris. The programme has been more than four years in the making and has created an architecture that “will underpin our highest performance models throughout the next decade.
“We have listened to our global customer base and not only have we introduced all of the technical advancements highlighted, we have done so whilst continuing to stay true to our roots and championing the craftsmanship and iconic design that is synonymous with Morgan.”
Morgan Plus Six: in detail
It may seem familiar – intentionally so – but look closely and the changes to the classic Morgan silhouette become clear. Dating back to the 1930s, the Plus Six modernises the iconic shape with better attention to detail and carefully crafted features, from the vents on the bonnet to the brand new headlights, to the beautifully sculpted doors that include side impact bars and, for the first time, speakers.
Other tech firsts include remote central locking, automatic lights and ‘puddle lights’ which illuminate the ground either side of the car as you approach.
The interior features subtle tech alongside pretty new instruments that are modelled on 1950s aircraft dials. The centre console now stretches through the spine of the car and the seats are far more comfortable and now actually have a full range of adjustment.
Most Plus Six will be driven with the roof down, but for when it does rain, a lightweight composite hard top is included. It’s modelled to echo the 1960s ‘road racer’ style.
Morgans have always been hand-crafted collector’s cars, but the Plus Six brings a new level of personalisation, which it calls ‘21st-century coachbuilding’. No Morgan has ever offered this level of customisation.
Oh, and although it’s now largely made from aluminium, wood is still used in construction. The hand-made wooden frame is built of English ash and is stiffer than ever to support the wide-body design.
BMW power
Under the louvred hood is BMW’s 3.0-litre six-cylinder twin-turbo petrol engine, as also seen in the new Toyota Supra and BMW Z4. The first turbo engine in a Morgan produces 340 horsepower, which is good for 0-62mph in 4.2 seconds and a top speed of 165mph. BMW drivers might recognise the gearshifter too: yes, it’s the familiar ZF eight-speed automatic – which can also be mated to steering wheel paddles.
The Plus Six isn’t just quick, it’s also green. Combined fuel economy of 38.2mpg is almost unheard of for a sports car that can reach 60mph in around four seconds; CO2 emissions of 170g/km are also environmentally friendly – and, of course, the new Morgan is homologated to new Euro 6 emissions standards.
Handling will transcend anything that’s gone before, thanks to a MacPherson strut setup at the front, and a four-bar linkage at the rear. A front anti-roll bar, stiffened suspension bushes and tailored dampers, coilover springs and wishbones. 19-inch multispoke alloys are standard.
A core team of 30 development engineers have developed the new Plus Six. The team grew from just 10 engineers in 2014, which shows the legislative and regulatory demands, as well as the technological step on. They’ve certainly been busy: of the 4,000 parts used to make the Plus Six, more than 99 percent of them are all-new.
Incredibly, the Plus Six is the first-ever ‘metric Morgan’ – up to now, vehicles have used a mixture of metric and imperial, reflecting how far back their core engineering dated. It is also a staggering 100 percent more rigid than the car it replaces.
The new Plus Six will be sold in three versions at launch: standard, Plus Six Touring and Plus Six First Edition. The latter costs £89,995 and will be the first models to be produced. They will be sold in two versions: Moonstone and Emerald.
The Alfa Romeo Tonale Concept has been revealed at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show and by heck, have they done it again. Alfa Romeo, in its second attempt at an SUV, has made another looker. If any marque was going to manage it, it was Alfa.
Yes, it’s a hybrid, but let’s go through the looks first, because the Tonale owes quite a bit of its handsomeness to its ancestors, Alfas of old.
A new-era hybrid SUV inspired by the Brera
First, you look it dead in the snout. We’re in very familiar territory at the front of the Tonale, with the “three plus three” light design evoking the Brera and the SZ before it. The teledial wheels run deep through Alfa’s heritage.
The body is muscular but not excessive, with a strong belt line and distinctive arches. The surfaces down the side are very smooth and clean, as the window line flourishes upwards at the back.
At the rear, we’re back on the Brera, with the centrally tapering window and “three plus three” design continuing in the lights.
‘Alfa Romeo Lifestyle and Social communities’
The interior is dominated by the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 10.25-inch touch screen. It is via these that you can access the ‘Alfa Romeo Lifestyle and Social communities’…
‘Alfista’ gives you access to marque-specific clubs, events, gatherings, drives and meets. In between RSVPing to these, you can read up on all the latest Alfa Romeo news.
The ‘Paddock’ is the Alfa Romeo market for upgrades for your Tonale and merchandise, all available at your fingertips. Hmm…
Under the skin
Under that delightful Brera-inspired skin is a hybrid powertrain that can be deployed in different ways via different driving modes. The ‘DNA’ system we see in current Alfa Romeos has been adapted for this hybrid application.
’Dual power’ mode replaces ‘Dynamic’ for maximum shove, while ‘Natural’ mode continues, managing both electric and internal combustion powertrains automatically for optimised performance. ‘Advance E’ takes the place of ‘Advance Efficiency, in this case prioritising electric power. The interior fully lights up to correspond with your driving mode, the above being ‘Dual Power’.
Wait… Tonale..?
Yes, it’s an intriguing name. They haven’t plucked it out of thin air, though. Tonale comes from the name of an Alpine pass, not far from the Stelvio, incidentally. Alfa’s future SUV naming strategy ought to become clear at this point…
We’ll forgive the cheesy social media waffle and the strange name on one condition, Alfa. Make the production version look like this. If the world must be flooded with SUVs, they might as well be as pretty as this.
Koenigsegg has revealed the long-awaited successor to its Agera RS hypercar. You know, the one that smashed the record for highest top speed for a road car, with a cumulative average of 276mph, and a 284mph V-max…
Naturally, the Jesko, as it’s called, is an orgy of engineering, incredible figures and smile-raising stories. Let’s break down the Jesko one megafact at a time.
It can produce up to 1,600hp
On E85, the subtly reworked 5.0-litre twin-turbocharged engine can produce a faintly ridiculous 1,600hp. This, thanks to new larger turbochargers that have their own blown air feed via a compressor and a 20-litre carbon tank, to fight lag.
Also new are the reworked cylinder heads, a 5kg lighter flat-plane crankshaft and individual combustion chamber management. Thanks to catalytic converter heaters and various other tech, it’ll be globally emissions compliant until 2026…
Light Speed Transmission: The cleverest gearbox fitted to any car
What’s putting all that power to the wheels, then? Well, Koenigsegg is known for its clever transmissions. The Regera gets no gears (direct drive) and the Jesko gets nine. Yes, nine gears.
It has a highly compact lightweight design with a lot of internalised components, immediately giving it an advantage over dual-clutch systems. It can shift between any of the gears instantly, sort of like on a bicycle.
How? Well, like on a bike, there are multiple clutches managing six cogs for a total of nine ratios combined. Seventh to fourth? Fine, just nudge a lever two notches and the Ultimate Power on Demand (UPoD) system will select the best gear for acceleration within the Lightspeed Transmission. Yes, that is what it’s called…
Suspension-crushing downforce
The Jesko’s sculpted and evolved bodywork can produce over 800kg of downforce at 155mph, 1,000kg at 171mph and, allegedly, as much as 1,400kg at an as yet undisclosed (and we suspect, untested) top speed.
That’s like sitting a BMW 1 Series on the top of it at a standstill. To cope with the immense forces, the car has a triplex damper at each end to manage the load. The entire suspension system has been beefed up, too.
It’ll do 300mph
There’s a lot of debate around what is the first 300mph car. Could a Bugatti Chiron do it if it was let off its lead? Possibly. Is Hennessy very openly gunning for it, almost building a car specifically to take the title? Absolutely.
The problem is that until any of them do it, none are 300mph cars. The Jesko, as purported by Christian von Koenigsegg, will crack the triple-tonne. With 1,600hp and a low-drag set-up, we’re not here to doubt that it can and based on the marque’s prior track record, we reckon they’ll give it a shot.
That low-drag version is, per Christian’s presentation at Geneva, going under the working title ‘Jesko 300’. Yeah, he’s confident…
It’s a tribute to Christian von Koenigsegg’s father.
Jesko isn’t quite Ragnarok, is it? The latter is a Norse mythological word for the end of the world, the former is the name of Christian’s dad. Jesko it is…
Way back when a wide-eyed and ambitious 22-year-old was setting up his hypercar company, Jesko, his dad, instead of poo-pooing the idea, invested his own hard-earned cash. Through bad times and good, Koenigsegg has emerged triumphant.
The Jesko will be built to 125 units – the longest run of Koenigsegg’s yet – and it carries Jesko’s name by way of a tribute and a thank you. They even kept the name from him until the show stand reveal at Geneva.
Supercars are supposed to have heart and soul and we’re damned if that tear-jerker of a story doesn’t have it in spades. Not that Koenigseggs are particularly cold and emotionless as they are…
Cupra’s Special Edition creation is 
That 2.0-litre TSI engine does at least exhale through a new Akrapovic exhaust system. Not only does this weigh 7kg less than the standard item, Cupra promises that it will offer a ‘unique sound experience’ as well.
Pricing is yet to be announced for the Cupra Ateca Special Edition, but sales are slated to begin later in 2019. There is also no word on how many units will be available, but Cupra promises numbers will be limited.
Geneva 2019 is shaping up to be one of the best motor shows of recent years, with a veritable feast of fantastic supercars served up alongside a bevvy of electric dreams. But scratch beneath the surface and you’ll find the usual array of modified monsters and wild creations lurking in the background, promising to haunt your dreams and have you begging for mercy. Those of a nervous disposition should look away now.
Fiat CEO Olivier Francois has confirmed an all-new electric-only Fiat 500 will launch at the 2020 Geneva Motor Show. And the new city car will be inspired by Tesla.
It might be one of the biggest events on the annual motor show circuit, but 2019 has seen a number of manufacturers choosing to miss Geneva. Find out who will be staying at home 
Morgan, that most traditional of British car companies, has launched a revolutionary all-new car at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show, called the Plus Six. It replaces the Aero 8 at the top of Morgan’s car range.
