– Audrey Seguin
Ducati
IAA 2017
Floor Map
– Audrey Seguin
[automotive designer]
www.designourdreams.com
Audi
Here is the Audi exhibit
Tony Richards
GENEVA 2017 | BONUS : Photos
Because we couldn’t write about every single car, a selection of Dream cars…From McLaren to Pininfarina, From Porsche to Bugatti…
GENEVA 2017 | EPISODE 20 : VW
This 5-door coupe is very close to production reality and will soon replace the CC.
Positioned slightly above the Passat in the VW range, the Arteon is almost 10 cm longer, but lower in height … What strikes us first is its relatively high radiator grille. This stands out from the more horizontal designs that we are used to seeing from VW. The bold « clam shell » hood is reminiscent of its Audi cousins which lends a kind of elegance to the vehicle. By the way, Marc Lichte, who supervised this concept, is now the head of Audi design …
The small chrome bar bridging the fender and the front door provides a little bit “déjà vu”, but it may also be just a gimmick in the air for designers…
The roofline extending all the way to the rear spoiler with its frameless rear window give a real coupé feeling to this car. The rear passenger space is big enough, while the trunk is huge (563L) for this type of vehicle.
Inside the dashboard is identical to the Passat. No exclusivity here… this is a pity for the Arteon positioning, but no doubt important for cost containment. A 9-inch screen with gesture control sets them apart … for the time being.
No doubt the Arteon will be an interesting alternative to the Audi A5 Sportback and the BMW 4 Series.
GENEVA 2017 | EPISODE 19 : Volvo
VOLVO is now a full member of the « premium » manufacturers’ club with success on all the different continents providing steady sales growth; + 6.2% in 2016. We know many other manufacturers who would be very happy to achieve such results in this coveted and lucrative market.
In Geneva, VOLVO unveiled the new version of its XC60 model, giving a breath of fresh air to this very successful product. Safety and security is always a major élément of any new Volvo and the safety arsenal offered on the XC60 is fully in tune with the Volvo slogan « no more death or injury in a Volvo by 2020 ». For our part, we are more focussed on the style changes of the new XC60. The exterior styling is quite similar to the big brother XC90. The new XC60 SUV is a little bigger than the old génération, but as always, the Volvo elegance and signature styling will make it stand out in traffic. The new signature taillights are particularly élégant, especially at night. The front lights are very sharp and when combined with a grille that is not too exaggerated, the front end gives this impressive SUV a kind of lightness.
The interior is typically Volvo and we always look for what we could blame. As soon as we settle inside we are under the charm of an instrument panel and central console bathed in lightness: one feels zen. If we could pick on one (rather small) negative point, the XC60, despite its exterior dimensions is intended for just 4 people who will travel in comfort with plenty of room for luggage. For a bigger family, the XC90 is there.
Ultimately, the XC60 with its unique style is well positioned to continue conquesting buyers from Mercedes GLC, AUDI Q5, BMW X3 …
GENEVA 2017 | EPISODE 18 : Tata Motors
Tata has now reached the innovation niche and launched a new brand called Tamo at Geneva.
This entity will be dedicated to proposing and testing new mobility solutions. The Racemo is the first opus and was designed by the Tata Motors Design Studio based in Turin. This small coupe is quite spartan ; the lines are angular ; the fenders marked ; the front end like a big mouth eating the road … everything makes one think of a race car, including the Le Mans prototype-style, A-pillar hinged doors. The interior is very refined and modern. Everything is designed to emphasize motorsport. The Racemo is expected to be available for sale in India by 2018 with just 250 copies available. You can also take the wheel on a console with Forza Horizon 3…
GENEVA 2017 | EPISODE 17 : Renault
At the Geneva Auto Show, Renault decided to focus on its SUVs, the new KOLEOS and the CAPTUR.
The Koleos, which until now did not meet the success that Renault had hoped for, must in its second iteration provide Renault with a high-end SUV that is a clear choice for buyers in this segment. It offers a beautiful interior space that seems much better quality than the first Koleos. It feels good inside with a clean, clear dashboard in the tradition of récent new Renault models. The « Rlink » vertical multimedia screen, is a bit late in arriving compared with the Audi or Peugeot offerings, but welcome anyway. The rear area is large with well-designed seating. The exterior styling is not particularly advanced, but the vehicle has a good stance on the road and it is not too massive. The lights use the same signature as the Talisman or Megane. The good-sized tailgate provides easy access to a large load compartment reinforcing the positioning of this SUV which will have to earn its place in the very competitive European market.
The restyled Captur does not offer much évolution, but Renault believes that the first version is still well accepted and this is certainly true. With its two-tone colours the Captur is one of the most endearing among the small SUVs. The new grille with its LED lights and massive Renault badge is well designed. Renault needed to improve the interior quality (compared with version 1), so they gave up on the glossy plastics which were easily scratched and added leather to the high-end versions. Renault hopes that its small urban SUV will remain the reference for other manufacturers in Europe.
In Geneva, Renault also chose to « surf » the electric vehicle market by exhibiting a concept version of its Zoe. The Zoe e-Sport concept is all about a vehicle showing off its muscles. The car is fast like a Tesla and has agressive styling to match. In the interior there is no question: this Zoe is no city car. The racing bucket seats, roll bar, and stark dashboard tell us this car is all about being sporty!
Under the leadership of Stéphane Jeanin, Renault wanted to demonstrate its strong interest in this technology and display its high-tech know-how.
GENEVA 2017 | EPISODE 16 : Range Rover
Debuted in Geneva, the Range Rover Velar is positioned between the Evoque and Sport and is based on its cousin the Jaguar F-Pace platform. The two SUV’s are similar in overall size.
Land Rover has finally realized that it needed a more affordable model than the Range Rover Sport, which very elitist. With its 4.80m length, the Velar has almost the same footprint as the Sport, so it comes close to it in size and, surprisingly, its dynamic lines also command the « sport » positioning used in the above-mentioned model … The family relationship with the Evoque is equally clear. The Velar is clearly aimed more at “comfort” than “off-road” but, like all Range Rovers, it has the necessary capabilities should some owners consider leaving the black stuff. Its fluid lines and coupe look directly position this vehicle in competition with the BMW X6 and the Mercedes GLE…
The Velar is extremely modern both inside and out. It has no control buttons or switches except the two rotary knobs controlling the air conditioning. Everything is smooth. Everything is invisible until all is revealed by activating the keyless ignition. Touch keys replace mechanical keys … even on the steering wheel. Only with hands on experience will we be able to judge how well this works. The trunk is huge (673 L).
Outside, the style is fluid and sporty. The Velar is clearly the most modern member of the Range Rover family, although its silhouette is immediately identifiable and conforms to the Range Rover style. A long hood , a floating roof , all the genes are there. However, the lines are more taught than usual and the use of Matrix Laser-LED headlights contributes to this feeling. Small details include the door handles which are integrated and flush with the bodywork.
The Velar is definitely in keeping with the traditional Range Rover style and at first glance has strong similarities with the style evoked by the Evoque. It also gives us a good indication of where the brand styling direction is heading in the near future.
GENEVA 2017 | EPISODE 15 : Porsche
5 years … it took five years, since the first presentation of the Panamera Sport Turismo concept until Porsche finally unveiled the production vehicle.
Slightly higher and longer than the concept car, this vehicle, which can accommodate up to 5 people (with 3 across rear seating) nevertheless retains its dynamism and the sports car DNA of the Stuttgart brand. The silhouette is characterized by short front and rear overhangs with, of course, large wheels to highlight the proportions. The Sport Turismo and the sedan are different from the B pillar rearwards. Above the pronounced shoulder, the window line extends in continuity with the roof. At the back, the roof line drives an imposing D-pillar which blends with the shoulder and gives the impression of a coupe. This design, however, still allows easy access to the rear seats.
The interior architecture does not really differ from the sedan, and here we find all the usual luxury treatment, large displays (including a touch screen) and air conditioning controlled by tactile zones. The vehicle comes with seat belts allowing three rear passengers, but can be specified with an optional configuration that has only two individual electric seats for the rear.
There is no doubt that this Sport Turismo will find its audience, especially in its hybrid version …
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