Diesel is dead. No, it’s alive. Geneva reflects crossroads
Meanwhile, race to electric era picks up speed as new models shown
AGAINST a backdrop of Toyota’s announcement that it will cease diesel car production this year and a proliferation of electric vehicles, the Geneva Motor Show mirrors motoring at its new crossroads – or should that be its new departure lounge?
On the one hand, Toyota is saying that diesel is dead and acting accordingly.
On the other hand, Volkswagen chief Matthias Mueller insists: “Diesel will see a renaissance in the nottoo-distant future because people who drove diesels will realise that it was a very comfortable drive concept.”
He stressed this week, in advance of the Geneva show: “Once the knowledge that diesels are eco-friendly firms up in people’s minds, then for me there’s no reason not to buy one.”
Who to believe? Regardless of who is right or wrong, one thing all are agreed on, in some shape or form, is that the future will ultimately be electric. And that concurrence is most heavily echoed in this year’s show, with nearly every marque showing or promising (via concept or near-production) an electric, or electrified (hybrid etc) model for the next few years.
Toyota’s decision, the first by a major manufacturer, effectively means there will be no sales of its passenger cars here next year.
Globally, the company plans to focus even more on hybrids. And a good example of that is the new Auris, which is being shown at Geneva. Due in Ireland early next year, it will have a 1.2-litre 4cyl turbo petrol (116 hp), a 1.8-litre hybrid (1.8-litre 122bhp and a 2-litre, more powerful 180bhp hybrid.
In an interview with Independent Motors, Toyota Ireland chief Steve Tormey said he was confident that diesel car owners would not lose out in the decision to opt out of the fuel for passenger cars.
He expected strong demand and value for second-hand diesels to continue for years.
Mr Tormey said the decision to end diesel passenger car production had been flagged for a while given their success with hybrid.
The mix of diesel is now 20pc against nearly 50pc for hybrid (read the interview in full on page 3).
Even though Volkswagen see diesel having a renaissance, they are planning for electric in a big way. They will have a full electric midsize saloon by 2022 based on the I.D. Vizzion concept shown at Geneva.
And BMW say by end of next year they hope to have half a million electrified cars on the road. The plans stretch ahead for so many manufacturers that the real statement is, electric is the future.
HERE’S a brief snapshot of what’s on at the show.
Audi’s A6 is a major debutant and shares the limelight with the e-tron, the brand’s electric SUV. All versions of the A6 will have fuel-saving mild-hybrid technology. And it will have the same radar, ultrasonic sensors, lidar and camera technology that will eventually enable level three autonomous driving capability on the A8 saloon and A7 fastback.
BMW’s M8 600bhp concept is a 2019 arrival, but they are showing it anyway. We brought you the first pictures of the next X4 recently, with on-the-road prices expected to start at €67,195. It’s here in late summer. A hot M40i variant of the X3 is coming too.
Citroen show their new Berlingo Multispace. It’s heavily practical, with three independent/folding rear seats and 19 driving assistance technologies. Here late 2018 or first quarter of 2019.
Ferrari’s 488 Pista is powered by the most powerful V8 engine in the marque’s history.
Ford’s special edition Mustang Bullitt begins production for Europe in June: 5-litre V8, expected 464PS.
Important facelifts too for the Ka+ with the Ka+ Active (showing a bit of mini-SUV muscle). They’ll be on sale later this year and will be side by side with a Fiesta Active.
Order books for Honda’s retro-styled Urban electric vehicle – shorter than a Jazz – are to open early next year.
The new CR-V will not have a diesel, instead relying on a 1.5 petrol (late summer) and hybrid powerplants (October/November).
Jaguar’s new I-Pace all-electric SUV gets its motor show debut. Its 90kWh lithium ion battery is capable of covering 480km, they claim (new WLTP cycle; 537km on the old NEDC test). They say public charging to 80pc capacity on a 50kW charger should take 1hr 25min. It is also compatible with 100kW public chargers (where available) which give an 80pc charge in 45 minutes. A ‘home’ 7kW wall box will charge to 80pc in 10 hours.
At 4,682mm long it is similar to the XE saloon. And there is a 656-litre boot compared with 500 litres in a Macan.
The I-Pace is the first Jaguar to get over-the-air updates. They not only update infotainment and vehicle systems but also keep track of battery usage. There is an eight-year battery warranty.
Hyundai say their electric Kona SUV can cover 300km to 467km on a single charge, depending on model. It is expected here for the 182-reg period.
Their new Santa Fe will be a 191-reg motor for Irish buyers. Two engines are new to the car: The current 200PS 2.2-litre diesel may be accompanied by a new 2-litre diesel as well as a 2-litre turbocharged petrol.
Kia’s Ceed (no longer cee’d) hatchback and estate are shown, with shooting brake and SUV models due to arrive later. Here by July. The estate’s claimed 600 litres of luggage room is more than the BMW 5 Series Touring or Ford Mondeo Estate, according to reports. The underrated and revised Optima is shown too.
From Mercedes there are (at least): the new A-Class, facelifted C-Class, 4dr GT Coupé, G63, C43 saloon/estate facelift, plug-in hybrid C300de, E350e, G-Class, and Maybach S-Class.
Peugeot’s family/fleet 508 saloon has been dramatically styled. This is a super looking car. Can it beat off the SUV mania?
The nicely styled Polestar 1, the brand’s first model, is on show.
Lexus unveil their first compact SUV the UX – a rival for the likes of the Jaguar E-PACE. It looks stunning and is due here in the first quarter of next year.
Also a European premiere for the new RX L (three rows of seats, accommodation for up to seven).
Opel’s new Combo Life passenger car – described as a key vehicle in its product offensive – goes on sale here from Q3 this year.
Renault say their EZ-Go concept aims to “reinvent the taxi”. The new six-seater pod is hugely futuristic and fully autonomous but is a 2030 aspiration.
SEAT’S first fast SUV, the Cupra Ateca, is the initial step towards Cupra becoming a fully-fledged sub-brand.
Next year’s Skoda e-Citigo has been confirmed as the brand’s first all-electric model. A hybrid Superb will follow. Skoda’s facelifted Fabia is at the show while their Vision X small SUV is previewed. The Kodiaq gets the L&K luxury treatment.
SsangYong showcases its e-SIV electric concept (a Qashqai rival). Also there is a European debut for its new Musso pick-up.
Subaru pushes on with its Viziv concept campaign – this time it’s the Tourer concept. It’s more or less an estate version of the Performance concept many regard as the forerunner for the next-generation WRX.
The next-generation Toyota Auris is also shown. As reported elsewhere, it is a 191-reg car for Irish buyers and will have three powertrains (no diesel): a 1.2-litre 4cyl turbo petrol (116 hp), a 1.8-litre hybrid, 1.8-litre 122bhp and a 2-litre, 180bhp hybrid.
Volkswagen’s ID Vizzion saloon concept is unveiled. This concept follows the ID hatchback, ID Crozz SUV and the fun ID Buzz Microbus concepts.
As such it reveals another line into the future – very much electric.
With a claimed 297bhp on tap, its 111kWh lithium-ion battery pack is good for up to 660km. It’s a 4WD in the sense that motors power all four wheels.
The important thing to note, however, it is the only current ID model member to have no driver controls.
That means it would be the first autonomous vehicle the carmaker has revealed. There are four seats, no pedals, steering wheel or infotainment.
Again that suggests fully autonomous or level five autonomy, where no driver input is ever required. Also looking forward to seeing the Cabrio version of Volkswagen’s T-Roc when it arrives in 2020.
And Volvo, fresh from the XC40 being voted European Car of the Year, roll out their new V60 estate, with an S60 saloon to follow. Expect both early next year.