Latest EV models revealed at Geneva Motor Show
There was a strong electric theme to this year’s Geneva Motor Show in which some of Europe’s leading vehicle manufacturers showcased their latest model lines.
However, adding to a slightly disjointed feel this year was the absence of some big names. Ford, Opel, Volvo, Hyundai and Jaguar Land Rover were all non attendees as some of the major manufacturers continued to tighten their belts.
Meanwhile, Brexit continued to cast a cloud over the event with serious implications for the UK motor industry in the light of a no-deal scenario.
BMW warned it could pull further production out of its Cowley Mini plant in Oxford unless a deal on customs and tariffs was reached, while Toyota, with its factory in Derbyshire, said no deal would put an enormous strain on its just-in-time parts operations.
Here, with thanks to Fleet Europe, are a few of the new model highlights from the show.
Peugeot e-208
The most fleet-relevant premiere at the Show was how Fleet Europe described the electric all-new Peugeot 208. When the new model goes on sale this summer, it will be the first ever car from the French brand to be offered with a fully electric powertrain option.
It will also be, says Peugeot, the first vehicle in its segment with more than 300km of WLTP range (450 NEDC). The battery holds 50 kWh and can be fast-charged using a 100-kW CCS plug.
Renault Clio
The fifth generation of Europe’s best-selling car has evolved conservatively on the outside, but underneath things are very much up to date. Renault has confirmed a mild hybrid version in its new engine line-up, due in 2020, called E-TECH.
It matches a 1.6-litre, naturally aspirated petrol engine to an electric motor that’s been integrated into a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. A 1.2kWh battery acts as back-up for the motor. Renault says the system is efficient enough for many urban journeys to be completed on 80% pure-electric running, and that it offers fuel economy gains of up to 40%.
Audi Q5 TFSI-e
Audi is betting big on plug-in hybrids (PHEV) for the future, using the TFSI-e badge. At the Show was the new Q5 TFSI-e, featuring the Volvo XC60 T8 Twin Engine.
BMW 330e
The second-generation 330e still makes use of a 2-litre 4-cylinder unit but sees its battery increased to enable an e-range of 60 km. At 39g/km (NEDC 2.0), its C02 rating is best-in-class. The connected sat nav helps you locate charging stations and indicates availability.
Fiat Centoventi
The name of this prototype means “One Hundred and Twenty” in Italian, and is billed as the market’s most affordable electric mobility solution with a range of 310 miles. The car is designed to sell in basic form and customers can keep adding kit – they can even make their own bits if they have a 3D printer!
Volkswagen Passat
The revamped VW Passat adopts lots of new technology and it is the first VW that will be able to maintain a cruising speed semi-autonomously under certain conditions. The revamped GTE gets a bigger battery for 55 km of range under WLTP conditions.
Polestar 2
Volvo’s electric performance brand Polestar fits 78 kWh in its Tesla Model 3 rivalling ‘2’ for 500 km of WLTP range. It is amongst the first vehicles to feature Android OS for the infotainment system and offers phone-as-key technology for easy sharing.
SEAT el-Born
The SEAT el-Born concept car previewed a future five-door all-electric hatchback which will go on sale in 2020. It's powered by a single 202bhp electric motor, giving a range of 261 miles on the WLTP test cycle. It's also nippy, covering the 0-62mph sprint in 7.5sec. Charging to 80% of capacity takes just 47 minutes using the latest rapid chargers.