2020 Geneva Motor Show Preview
Published Date: 29th Jan 2020
The 90th Geneva International Motor Show is fast approaching, from 5th to 15th March 2020 visitors will be able to view the latest cars, industry tech and take a glimpse into the future of the motoring industry.
Highlights of the 2020 Geneva Motor Show:
- A new indoor track will give visitors the opportunity to test drive up to 48 different full electric, hybrid and hydrogen powered cars
- New VW Golf GTI is expected to make a debut along with the new Audi A3 Sportback & Seat Leon
- Skoda Octavia vRS hybrid model will likely make an appearance along with several other models in the Octavia range
- For supercar lovers the stunning Ferrari Roma dubbed the Aston Martin Vantage rival, is expected to be on show
- Porsche expected to show-off the new 718 Cayman GTS & 718 Boxster GTS plus new Porsche 911 Turbo & Turbo S models
- The all-new full electric Fiat 500 EV will be unveiled at the show
- Toyota will show-off a new ultra-sporty GR Yaris model featuring all-wheel drive
- New facelifted Honda Civic Type R will be on show with an emphasis on updates ‘under the hood’ and minor aesthetic changes
- A new, bigger, ‘grown up’ and more spacious Mercedes GLA SUV will be unveiled
New Indoor Test Track
For the first-time at Geneva there will be an indoor test track for visitors to test drive alternative fuelled cars. The 456-metre track features a long straight and various bends; some long sweeping corners and some tighter turns to put vehicles through their tests.
Visitors will be able to test a selection of up to 48 full electric, hybrid and hydrogen powered vehicles from no fewer than 15 manufacturers, taking them for three laps of the track.
The track will be in Hall 7 of the Palexpo convention center with a VIP lounge situated in the centre of the circuit offering food and drink.
For the chance to reserve a test-drive, visitors will need to enter a raffle or book via the official Geneva Motor Show app available on via Apple App and Google Play Stores.
New VW Golf GTI, Audi A3 Sportback and Seat Leon To Debut
The new 8th generation VW Golf will be unveiled in Geneva, VW have kept the new GTI under wraps, what we do know is the new 2.0-litre 242bhp turbo engine should get you from 0-62mph in under 6-second, it has a limited top speed of 155mph, buyers can pay to have speed limiter chip removed and get a top speed 166mph.
The new Audi A3, which shares the same platform as the VW Golf will also be showcased with a range of petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid models available.
There won’t be 3-door model and the new A3 will be focused on new driver/safety aids and new tech updates. The new A3 model should hit UK showrooms in the last quarter of 2020.
The new SEAT Leon will also feature at the show, expect tweaks to the sharp exterior looks and an emphasis on new and updated tech inside including a new digital instrument cluster and a larger touchscreen infotainment system (pictured left).
The new Leon will also feature a hybrid model for the first time and a revised version of the hot hatch Cupra model.
New Skoda Octavia vRS Likely to Debut Alongside Other Models In The Octavia Range
Skoda will be showing-off the new 4th generation Octavia featuring an ungraded interior with more of a premium feel and new tech.
The 4th generation Skoda Octavia features a new 10.25-inch digital instrument display that compliments a new/larger 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system.
There’s also new engine-range featuring mild hybrid technology and two new Octavia plug-in hybrids including a 245bhp option that will be paired with hot hatch vRS model and should match the performance of the existing Octavia vRS petrol models.
Stunning Ferrari Roma Dubbed the Aston Martin Vantage Rival Expected at Geneva
Unconfirmed yet, but likely to make an appearance is the new Ferrari Roma dubbed the Aston Martin Vantage rival.
The front-mounted V8 3.9-litre turbo engine generates 612bhp and it can catapult you from 0-62mph in an exhilarating 3.4 seconds with a top speed around the 200mph mark.
Aesthetically the new Roma is stunning, albeit a departure from what might be considered a traditional Ferrari design, it should be on sale this summer fora cool £175,000 (to be confirmed).
Porsche 718 Cayman, 718 Boxster, Porsche 911 Turbo and 911 Turbo S All Expected at Geneva
Porsche recently unveiled new 718 Cayman and 718 Boxster GTS models, and they are expected to show-off these new models at Geneva. Both models feature a 394bhp 4.0-litre engine which can take you from 0-62mph in a swift 4.5 seconds.
The new Porsche 911 Turbo and Turbo S models could also make an appearance and these are pretty quick indeed, Porsche claim the fastest Turbo S model can take you from 0-62mph in around 3 seconds.
New Full-Electric version of the Iconic Fiat 500 Debuts
Information on the new full-electric Fiat 500 prior to the show is limited, expect it to have a full electric range of around 200 miles and aesthetically it will look very much like the current 500 models, retaining the classic Fiat 500 iconic looks.
The Fiat 500 EV will rival vehicles like the new MINI full electric model and is expected to be in UK showrooms the last quarter of 2020
New Ultra-Sporty Toyota GR Yaris with ALL-Wheel Will Be on Show
Although the Toyota GR Yaris is based on the standard Toyota Yaris platform it bears little similarity, the GR Yaris has been given the full sports treatment.
Re-designed for optimal aerodynamics and built from lightweight materials; the roof for example is made from reinforced lightweight carbon fibre, whilst elsewhere lightweight strengthened aluminium features prominently.
The chassis and performance tuned suspension have also been given special focus, the vehicle features all-wheel drive and drive modes enabling the driver to choose how torque is distributed between the front/rear; front/back axels: 60/40 (Normal mode), 30/70 (Sports mode) and 50/50 (Racetrack mode).
The tuned engine outputs 261 bhp and 360 Nm of torque, it can accelerate from 0 to 62mph in 5.5 seconds and has a top speed of 142mph.
New Honda Civic Type R Will Be Exhibited
The Honda Civic range will be on show, including the new Civic Type R, which looks very much the same as its predecessor from the outside, exterior tweaks are minor.
Under the hood is where a lot of works has been done with the Type R; it gets new/improved dampers, upgraded front suspension and new brake discs and pads.
There’s a familiar 316bhp 2.0-litre turbo engine and the same triple tailpipes.
The interior sees some upgrades and a new infotainment system.
The Latest Mercedes GLA SUV Will Be Unveiled
The new 2020 Mercedes GLA will be in-show, the latest model of Mercedes smallest SUV has evolved from looking like a jacked-up hatchback to a fully-fledged SUV.
The new Mercedes GLA offers more room in the cabin than its predecessor with rear passengers in particular benefiting from a lot of extra legroom, the rear bench slides backwards too, meaning rear passengers can really stretch their legs if the boot is empty.
The GLA features an engine range of petrol and diesel engines shared with the A-Class, with which it also shares the same underpinnings.
There’s also a new hybrid model and a very quick 302bhp AMG model that can do 0-62mph is a tad over 5-seconds, AMG models also feature 4-wheel.