Geneva Motor Show 2018 Report: The Show's Stars, Concept Models Pointing to the Future
Geneva Motor Show 2018
Geneva Show 2018 Report Part 2
The Show's Stars: Concept Models Pointing to the Future
The Geneva Motor Show, a historic event, is always a vibrant international showcase, partly because it's held in a location without major domestic manufacturers. In this second report from the 2018 show, we focus on the concept models that were the stars of the event and offer a glimpse into the brands' futures.
Text & Photographs by Fumio Ogawa
The Volkswagen Group's Electrification
The 2018 Geneva Motor Show was a dazzling display of hypercars and SUVs. Among them, concept models captured particular attention.
Concept models, as you likely know, are vehicles that embody a manufacturer's future direction. They can range from being close to production-ready to quite radical.
Volkswagen I.D. Vizzion
A key characteristic of 2018 was the abundance of eco-friendly vehicle proposals. A prime example is Porsche, which unveiled the "Mission E Cross Turismo," an evolution of its "Mission E" EV concept first shown at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show.Mission E"The original Mission E was a concept for a new generation sedan, perhaps a successor to the Panamera, featuring electric all-wheel drive. Porsche highlights its compatibility with an 800-volt fast-charging system as a key selling point.Mission E Cross Turismo
The original Mission E was a concept for a new generation sedan, perhaps a successor to the Panamera, featuring electric all-wheel drive. Porsche highlights its compatibility with an 800-volt fast-charging system as a key selling point.
Volkswagen, also part of the group, presented a lineup of EV concept models. Making its debut in Geneva was the "I.D. Vizzion" sedan.I.D. Vizzion
This model joins the "ID" series, which showcases EV and autonomous driving technology. Its styling, reminiscent of the classic "Ro80," is elegant, though the car itself exceeds five meters in length.
A common theme across the ID series is the cockpit design, which anticipates autonomous driving (VW envisions this around 2025). Particularly interesting is the concept of a retractable steering wheel.
Geneva Motor Show 2018
Geneva Show 2018 Report Part 2
The Show's Stars: Concept Models Pointing to the Future (Part 2)
Audi's Flying Car Proposal
Among the eco-friendly vehicles, the striking hybrid coupe "Polestar 1" from Volvo Group's Polestar also garnered significant attention. It was announced that an EV, the "Polestar 2," will follow soon.Polestar 1
BMW exhibited the "Concept M8 Gran Coupe," rumored for a 2019 release. The "8 Series" is intended to succeed the previous "6 Series," for which a coupe concept has already been unveiled.8 Series6 Series
BMW's plan for the 8 Series appears to be to create a rival to the large, personal luxury "7 Series."7 SeriesThe show model in Geneva was distinguished by its yellow lamps.
BMW Concept M8 Gran Coupe
Italdesign, under the Audi umbrella, presented the "Zerouno Duerta" racing sports concept, powered by the same 5.2-liter V10 engine found in the Audi "R8."R8
"Duerta means 'open' in the Piedmontese dialect," explains Italdesign, highlighting the roadster concept's aerodynamic body with its distinctive Y-shaped crease line.
Concurrently, Italdesign, in collaboration with Audi and Airbus, also showcased "Pop. Up Next," a concept for future mobility.
ITALDESIGN Zerouno
Pop. Up Next
Described as "a vision of the automobile's future, considering the next 50 years," this is a proposal for a flying car, first unveiled at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show as a potential solution for future traffic congestion.
It is touted for its vertical takeoff and landing capabilities through integration with a drone-like propeller. The collaboration with Audi, which has been exploring mobility solutions for increasingly dense urban environments through its "Urban Future Initiative," makes this project particularly interesting.