Top Cars To Look Out For At 2019 Geneva Motor Show

The Geneva Motor Show is traditionally, one of the biggest events in the global automotive calendar and its 2019 iteration is going to be no different. Shaping up to be an action packed event, the Swiss show will be a host for the best in the business to showcase some of their most intriguing and highly anticipated cars and concepts. Set to officially open its doors to the world media on March 5, the show will be open for public from March 7 and here is a look of what to expect from the 89th edition.

Tata Altroz, H7X and More

Homegrown Tata Motors is all set to showcase its next wave of products at Geneva and has swarmed social media with teasers and sneak previews of its upcoming cars. The carmaker plans to showcase not one or two, but four all new cars at the motor show, making it the only Indian carmaker to do so. These include the production spec 45X premium hatchback, now called the Altroz, the seven seater version of the Harrier (H7X), a micro SUV concept (Hornbill) and all electric version of the 45X concept. No doubt, with a lineup like this you can expect Tata to hog a lot of limelight at this year’s show, and that in itself speaks volumes about the huge turnaround for the Indian carmaker in the last few years.

Skoda Kamiq

Czech carmaker Skoda will debut the much-awaited compact SUV from its stables called the Kamiq. Unveiled ahead of the show last week, the baby Kodiaq, as it is fondly called, gets a crossover like footprint and premium features. While the model showcased at Geneva will be the Euro-spec one, the Kamiq is all set to come to India next year, and could be launched at the 2020 Auto Expo. Based on the MQB A0-IN platform that Skoda is currently developing for India, the Kamiq will go up against the Hyundai Creta, Tata Harrier and upcoming SUVs from MG and Kia.

Mercedes-Benz GLC Facelift

Speaking of India-bound cars in 2020, Mercedes-Benz has also previewed the facelift of its mid-size luxury SUV, GLC. Armed with cosmetic tweaks, updated tech on the inside as well as new engine options with mild-hybrid systems, the new GLC will go on sale in Europe this year itself, with an India launch in early 2020. The German carmaker will complete 25 years in India this year and has already announced it will launch launch as many as 10 new cars here. It has already started the year by introducing the V-Class luxury MPV in India.

Bugatti Atlantic

One of the rarest and most valuable cars to be ever produced is getting a reincarnation in 2019. Hypercar expert Bugatti is set to showcase a one-off, modern interpretation of the Atlantic at Geneva Motor Show. Likely to feature the eccentric sweeping roof, a long bonnet and aviation-inspired fins from the 1938 original; the Atlantic will be a front engined car. We aren’t sure of what this coupe will pack under the bonnet, but we hope Bugatti puts the 8.0-litre W16 engine from the Chiron in it. Read more about the Atlantic and its rich heritage here.

Ssangyong Korando

Among the most highly anticipated SUVs in terms of the Indian perspective is the Korando from SsangYong. The South Korean partner of Mahindra, will showcase the recently unveiled mid-size SUV for the first time at Geneva. Likely to spawn the next generation of the XUV500 in India, the Korando sits between the Tivoli and the G4 Rexton in Ssangyong’s global lineup. Based on the stretched version of the X100 platform which also underpins the Tivoli and the recently launched Mahindra XUV300, the new Korando borrows design cues from the G4 Rexton and the SIV-2 concept. Likely to be powered by the 1.6-litre turbo-diesel engine and the 1.5-litre turbo petrol motor developed with Mahindra, the Korando is likely to be re-badged as the next-gen XUV500 in the country.

Audi Q4 e-tron

Audi will showcase an all new electric SUV concept based on the Q4 at Geneva. Likely to slot between the Q3 and the Q5 in Audi’s lineup, the production version of the concept will hit markets end 2020 or early 2021. In the shadowy sketches released by Audi earlier, the concept looks to get a crossover-like styling and a wide aggressive stance. Like the e-tron already launched in some markets, expect the concept to be loaded with semi autonomous features and futuristic interiors.

Ferrari F8 Tributo

Ferrari will showcase its 488GTB replacement at the upcoming motor show and it is called the F8 Tributo. It will be the most powerful mid-engined road-legal V8 Ferrari yet, with 720PS of maximum power and 770Nm of peak torque. It does 0-100kmph in just 2.8 seconds and has a top speed of 340kmph. The F8 Tributo will finally give Ferrari a proper competitor to the McLaren 720S, along with the Porsche 911 GT2 RS and Aston Martin Vanquish.

Lamborghini Huracan EVO Spyder

We were the first to break the news that Lamborghini is bringing the convertible version of the Huracan EVO to Geneva. And the Italian carmaker confirmed the news when it dropped the official specs and details of the Huracan EVO Spyder last week. Powered by the same 5.2-litre naturally-aspirated V10 engine, the Huracan EVO Spyder does a 0-100kmph run in just 3.1 seconds and has a top whack of 325kmph. Like the Huracan EVO, we expect the Spyder to also launch in India just after its global reveal at Geneva.

Polestar 2

The all-electric sequel from Volvo’s futuristic sub-brand, which looks to take on the Tesla Model 3 is called Polestar 2 and it will make its global debut at Geneva. Essentially a 4-door sedan with a 78kWh battery, powering two motors (one on each axle) which develop a combined power output of 408PS and 660Nm, the Polestar 2 is the embodiment of future EVs as seen by the Swedish carmaker. While it will enter production in China by early 2020, the Polestar 2 will be initially sold in other markets which include the US, Canada, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the UK.

Kia Electric Concept

Kia is all set to enter India with its first SUV soon. However, at Geneva, the Korean carmaker will showcase an all new electric race-car concept. Being developed by the Korean carmaker keeping the European market in mind, the all-electric concept will help Kia spawn a whole new generation of EVs to take on the likes of Tesla. There aren’t any details available yet apart from the shadowy teaser shared by the carmaker and we for one cannot wait to see it in flesh.

We will be bringing you all the latest developments and launches from the 89th Geneva Motor Show, so stay tuned to Zigwheels for the holistic coverage of one of the biggest automotive shows of the year, straight from Switzerland.