‘Virtual’ Geneva Motor Show Round-Up

Despite the cancellation of the 2020 Geneva Motor Show, car manufacturers have still been busy unveiling their latest creations and sharing them online. Read on for Petrolhead’s round-up of the newest models from Aston Martin, BMW, Honda and more.

CUPRA Formentor

The first stand-alone model from CUPRA is a four-wheel drive coupe-crossover. It is available with either a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine putting out 306bhp, or a plug-in hybrid powertrain producing 242bhp.

Morgan Plus Four

In a first for Morgan, the Plus Four is powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The old model’s steel ladder chassis has been replaced by the bonded aluminium platform first used on the Plus Six, but the new car retains the narrower body associated with four-cylinder Morgans.

Skoda Octavia vRS iV

The Octavia vRS iV is Skoda’s first plug-in hybrid performance car. With a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine and an 85kW electric motor, the Octavia is capable of accelerating from 0-62mph in 7.3 seconds. When being driven at a more leisurely pace, it emits just 30g/km of CO2.

Audi A3 Sportback

Priced from £24,900, the fourth generation Audi A3 will initially be available with turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol and 2.0-litre diesel engines, both producing 148bhp. Audi’s configurable digital instrument cluster, or ‘virtual cockpit,’ is fitted as standard, as is a 10.1-inch touchscreen display.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

The facelifted E-Class is available with a new 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine equipped with 48-volt ‘mild hybrid’ technology. An integrated starter-generator provides an additional 20bhp and 132lb ft of torque.

BMW Concept i4

The Concept i4 gives an insight into the production version of the BMW i4 due to be launched in 2021. The four-door Gran Coupe produces 523bhp from its electric motor and has a range of 373 miles.

Honda Jazz

The new Honda Jazz will be offered in Europe solely with a hybrid powertrain, consisting of two electric motors and a 1.5-litre petrol engine. A new ‘Crosstar’ variant brings SUV styling to Honda’s B segment hatchback.

Bentley Bacalar

The Bacalar represents a return to coachbuilding for Bentley’s Mulliner division. The two-seat, open top ‘Barchetta’ uses sustainable materials in its construction, including a wraparound dashboard made from Riverwood that has been naturally preserved for over 5000 years.

Pininfarina Battista Anniversario

As birthday presents go, a special edition of a 1874bhp electric hyper GT isn’t a bad one. Built to celebrate 90 years since Pininfarina was founded, the Anniversario has a new livery, more downforce and a higher 217mph top speed compared to the ‘regular’ Battista.

Lexus UX 300e

The UX 300e is Lexus’s first fully electric car. The compact SUV is expected to have a range of more than 186 miles when it goes on sale in January 2021.

Hyundai Prophecy

It wouldn’t be a motor show, even a ‘virtual’ one, without a futuristic concept car with some unusual technology. As well as demonstrating Hyundai’s latest design language, the Prophecy is controlled with two joysticks located on the centre console and door trim.

Aston Martin V12 Speedster

Despite being developed in just over 12 months, the V12 Speedster has its own platform and a unique body that goes without a roof or windscreen. What it does borrow is the 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12 engine from the DBS and DB11, here with an estimated 690bhp.

DS 9

A large saloon with a 2.9 metre wheelbase, plug-in hybrid powertrains and an active suspension system that responds to the road ahead, the DS 9 is the French brand’s new flagship model. It offers up to 31 miles of all-electric range.

Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport

The latest version of the Chiron has been designed to optimise the car’s handling. With a 50kg weight reduction, increased downforce, closer gear ratios, revised suspension setup and grippier tyres, on a winding road or racetrack the Pur Sport is likely to be the fastest Chiron yet.

BAC Mono

The second generation of BAC’s single-seater road car features a turbocharged engine for the first time. Producing 332bhp in a car that weighs just 570kg, this gives the Mono a power-to-weight ratio of 582bhp-per-tonne.