Real-world car news from the 2019 Geneva motor show
Major new reveals from Europe's premier motor show
Important new car launches you need to know about
All the exciting new cars coming soon
Written by Tom GoodladPublished: 5 March 2019Updated: 5 March 2019
The 2019 Geneva Motor Show is an important one. From superminis to supercars, this year’s show is the forum for several new car debuts from a range of important manufacturers.
What’s clear from the show floor is that the charge towards electrification is well and truly underway – the majority of the cars on display feature all-electric or plug-in hybrid powertrains, with very few featuring traditional petrol or diesel powerplants under the bonnet.
Here’s what’s on show:
Alfa Romeo Tonale
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Alfa Romeo will be expanding its SUV line-up with the Tonale. Previewed in concept form at the show, the production version will sit below the Stelvio SUV and is expected to feature a plug-in hybrid powertrain, and will take aim at the Audi Q3, BMW X1 and Mercedes-Benz GLA.
Another SUV concept, the Q4 E-Tron concept is an all-electric SUV. Expected to arrive in production form late in 2020, the Q4 E-Tron takes several design cues from the larger E-Tron SUV, and is expected to offer more than 280 miles of range when it arrives. The interior features several concept-only features, but it’s clear it lifts many parts from the current Q3.
Honda’s all-electric city car is close to production form with 124-mile range and rear-wheel drive, plus a tech-fest interior. We’ve got more details here.
Jeep PHEV range
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Jeep has announced its first plug-in hybrid models as part of its E-Volution plans. The PHEV powertrain features a 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol engine in combination with an electric motor, offering an all-electric range of around 31 miles in the Renegade and Compass models. For the Renegade, power is 190hp while the Compass offers 240hp, while delivering less than 50g/km of CO2 in both cars.
With sales starting late in 2019, the Mazda CX-30 is the latest SUV to join the Mazda range, and is the first one to arrive following the new Mazda 3 Hatchback and its new design language. Finer details about engines and specs are yet to be revealed, but the firm’s new SkyActiv-X technology will feature, while the interior looks to be lifted straight from the 3 hatchback. It’ll sit between the CX-3 and the CX-5 in the line-up.
Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake
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The more practical version of the CLA four-door coupe, the Shooting Brake model offers a sleek body and what promises to be a surprisingly practical interior. The dashboard is lifted straight from the A-Class, and offers a sleek alternative to Merc’s growing SUV range, too. More details here.
Mercedes-Benz GLC facelift
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One of the firm’s most popular models, the GLC has received a mid-life update for the Geneva motor show with tweaks to the exterior styling to keep it up to date with the firm’s latest models, as well as small changes to the interior. These include a larger infotainment screen, a new set of digital dials and Merc’s new MBUX media system. Read our full review.
Mercedes-Benz EQV
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The EQV is an all-electric version of the V-Class MPV. With a claimed range of 248 miles, the EQV offers 204hp and a top speed of 99mph, all while retaining its practical-yet-luxurious interior, but with added futuristic styling at the front of the car. More details here.
Peugeot 208
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Very much the mini-508, Peugeot’s latest 208 is a real head-turning supermini with sharp design at the front, a modern interior with a host of technology and the option of an all-electric e-208 model with up to 211 miles of EV range. A range of petrol and diesel models will be available first, while this time around the 208 comes in five-door form only. More details here.
Peugeot 508 Sport Engineered Concept
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Still technically a concept car for now, this is a 508 that’s likely to make production with a plug-in hybrid powertrain offering over 300hp, a 0-62mph sprint time of 4.3 seconds and a 31-mile all-electric range. There will also be some performance highlights to the styling, interior and the way it drives.
The second car in Volvo’s performance/electric spin-off, the Polestar 2 is a slightly higher-riding saloon/coupe/crossover mashup with the Tesla Model 3 in its sights. With a 408hp electric motor, performance will be very strong indeed, but it should be able to travel around 300 miles on a full charge. Read more here.
Porsche 911 Cabriolet
Already on sale, the latest version of the 911 Cabriolet – codenamed 992 – will have a full range available towards the end of the year. It has launched with Carrera S and Carrera 4S models.
Look closely and it really is an all-new Clio. Now in its fifth generation, the French company’s popular supermini may look similar to the old car, but it comes with a far higher quality interior, some sharper new design features and a new portrait touchscreen that dominates the bright and airy interior. Read more here.
SEAT el-Born
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This is SEAT’s first all-electric car based on the VW Group’s MEB platform – shared with the upcoming Volkswagen I.D. Neo. While in concept form for now, the el-Born should retain many of its exterior and interior design features, and should be able to travel up to 260 miles on a charge, courtesy of a 200hp electric motor and 62kWh battery pack.
The smallest of Skoda’s growing SUV line-up, the Kamiq shares parts with the Volkswagen T-Cross and SEAT Arona, and features an interior that looks to be largely lifted from the new Scala hatchback. Engines available will include familiar TSI petrols and TDI diesels. Learn more about the Kamiq here.
Skoda Vision iV
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Continuing the theme for electrification in trendy high-riding crossovers that look sleeker coupes, the iV concept car previews an all-electric Skoda model arriving in the next few years. Production numbers are yet to be confirmed, but the concept features an electric powertrain producing over 300hp, but is still capable of a claimed 310 miles on a single charge.
SsangYong has updated its Korando mid-size SUV for Geneva with an all-new model. Powered by a choice of 1.5-litre petrol or 1.6-litre diesel engines (with an all-electric version coming later), this new Korando is focused more on comfort, refinement and passenger space than previous models, and should offer much more technology, too. Read more about the new Korando here.
Volkswagen Passat
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Receiving its mid-life facelift at the Geneva show, the Volkswagen Passat has been updated with some neat styling tweaks, a more luxurious interior with a wide range of advanced technology inside. Under the bonnet will be a selection of TSI petrols and TDI diesels, and there will be an updated GTE plug-in hybrid version, too. More info and review here.
Volkswagen T-Roc R
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One of the few mainstream cars on show without some kind of plug-in technology, the Volkswagen T-Roc R is a hardcore performance version of VW’s popular T-Roc crossover. Sharing an engine and other mechanical parts with the VW Golf R hot hatchback, it offers 300hp, all-wheel drive and suitably aggressive styling and a 0-62mph time of just 4.9 seconds. Read more about the T-Roc here.
Volkswagen Caravelle
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Volkswagen’s updated version of the Caravelle is on the Geneva show floor, with an upmarket look, far more luxurious interior and lots more tech. Read more here.
