GENEVA 2015 : Springtime, Showtime – PART IV

Part IV | Renault, surfing on its Captur mini-crossover success, revealed its new Kadjar. After missing the beginning of the SUV market, Renault wants to make a come back after its lack of success with the Koleos in Europe. Based on the same Qashqai architecture, Kadjar wears a strong new “corporate” grille from Renault Design. The body is more dynamic than the interior, which offers just a simple, classic dashboard. Quality materials are used throughout. The middle market SUV war will be fierce during the next few years and we can only hope that the market will always be this competitive.
Seat seems to be showing a stronger presence these days. With its concept 20V20 presentation, the Spanish cousin of the VW Group wanted to send some rather different messages. First, this nice concept likely gives us a good indication of the evolution we should see from the mark moving towards 2020. Lines are sharp, like it was designed and shaped with a scalpel, making accurate lines, angles and triangles. The overall shape is very dynamic, perhaps a little aggressive at first sight, so the future direction is likely to be a bit more sober and elegant. The second message is that Seat will soon be arriving on the SUV market.  This concept is close to the Audi Q5 in size and it seems that the first production model will be a compact SUV in competition with Kaptur5 (Renault) and Juke (Nissan). After that, we should see some bigger versions.
As you can see, Geneva left us only a little hungry. The world market is heading in a strong upward direction, even if Europe seems to be a bit late in following… No doubt there will be a plethora of concept cars, model introductions and new features presented during the Frankfort show from September 17 to 27.  We can’t wait!

SkodaSuperb-001-2

In order to wait, and to end this report, a little gallery of cars we did not talk about…

 

 

 

 

 

GENEVA 2014 | TWINGO III

The new mini-citycar is the star of the Renault stand during press-days. We can see it from every angle and a wide range of color combinations.
Let’s stop the wrong comment right away. While looking at the New Twingo, most people were making reference to the Fiat 500. Let’s say…why not if you are looking at the vinyl “side stripes » arrangement only. But certainly not if you remember the volume and design language of the Renault 5…The shape of the headlights, the pronounced shoulders on the back part and the design of the tailgate are an echo to the R5 Turbo, the most iconic sports version with a rear engine. The design accentuates that feeling, pushing out the tail lamps to the sides.
For the first time the Twingo has four doors…This new vehicle shares its platform with the next generation Smart with an engine placed to the rear. Because of that technical choice, the gar has a very interesting and recognizable silhouette. With only 3.59m width and wheels rejected to the four corners, the wheelbase is 2.49m, allowing a generous interior space for such a small car.
The interior looks dynamic and playful with many customization options. No doubt that the interior will become iconic as the first opus was. The dashboard is very simple and is surrounded by a wide plastic part giving all its character to the IP.
Some optional storage products are possible which makes the interior very customizable…
No doubt that this Twingo III will be a new reference in its category. It is not retro design as the Mini or the Fiat 500 and to us it is much more interesting in term of design…

Renault Clio IV

The new Renault Clio (4th Gen.) is the first production car to feature the design language initiated by Laurens van den Acker.

Clio is clearly born with the dna of the Dezir and Captur. This vehicle looks like a voluptuous sculptur and is certainly going to be a turn for Renault. The new design direction is clearly demonstrated here. Inside the IP is inspired (like many other cars…) by an airplane wing. you can personalize the interior as well as the exterior. No doubt : it is going to be a hit !

 

Renault Zoe

The coming Zoe is clearly a good way for the future of electric cars…
Right now, you can drive around 150kms on batteries…which is what many people do on a weekly basis.
The car cost around 14k€. You have to rent batteries. It will cost you 80€ per month…same as fuel for 600kms…
But you will drive in silence and participate into the effort for ecology…
Let’s think about it…