87TH GENEVA INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW-- Where concepts take wings

Like always international auto shows create a flutter with the showcasing of concept cars. But the 87^th Geneva International Auto Show (March 7 to 19, 2017) saw a concept car that could possibly flutter, I mean actually fly and maybe one day redefine the rules of road transportation. Italdesign and Airbus unveiled the Pop.Up during its world premiere at the show. It is the first modular, fully electric, zero emission concept vehicle system designed to relieve traffic congestion in crowded megacities. Pop.Up envisages a modular system for multi-modal transportation that makes full use of both ground and airspace. The Pop.Up vehicle combines the flexibility of a small two-seater ground vehicle with the freedom and speed of a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) air vehicle, thus bridging the automotive and aerospace domains.

Indian company Tata Motors surprised visitors with their smart unveiling. The company which recently introduced its new sub-brand – TAMO unveiled its start-up innovation – ‘RACEMO.’ The company also showcased the Tigor and the Nexon at the Geneva show. The Tigor is powered by the Revotron 1.2L Petrol engine. The Nexon Geneva Edition is powered by a 1.5L diesel engine capable of modifying its output with three drive modes configuration. The car boasts of a 6-speed manual transmission gearbox for smoother gear shifts, 17” classy alloy wheels, dual path suspension for superior ride comfort, superior NVH characteristics along with ergonomically designed control systems and an electric power assisted steering

Racemo, a two-seater, sports coupe is a perfect blend of Italian sensuality and Indian ingenuity and is India’s first globally developed ‘phygital’ car, merging the physical and digital worlds.

Leading Indian car maker Maruti Suzuki showcased the new Swift car which will come into India by 2018, though sources say it could come to India as early as the last quarter of 2017.

ASTON MARTIN: This British company showcased the new Vanquish S – the most powerful and dynamic iteration of Aston Martin’s Super GT. There was also the European show debut of the AM-RB 001. The revolutionary hypercar being co-developed by Aston Martin and Red Bull Advanced Technologies has now been officially named the Aston Martin Valkyrie. The name continues a fine tradition of Aston Martin ‘V’ cars. Valkyrie name is taken from ancient Norse mythology .

AUDI: Audi presented six new models at the show. Making their world premieres were the Audi Q8 sport concept, which is powered by a 3.0 TFSI V6 engine with a mild hybrid system, and the new RS 5 Coupé – the Gran Turismo of RS models.

BENTLEY: Luxury car maker Bentley Motors plans to define the electric luxury segment with the EXP 12 Speed 6e concept.  A fusion of cutting-edge technology and beautiful materials is evident right throughout EXP 12 Speed 6e’s luxuriously appointed cabin, ensuring that the brand’s use of technology is not cold or emotionless. The entire central console, for example, is hewn from a solid piece of elegantly curved glass encompassing a high-definition OLED screen.There were five exciting new Bentley models on the brand’s stand in Hall 1, including the Continental Supersports Coupe and Convertible which were unveiled to the public for the first time.

FERRARI: Ferrari kicked off its 70th anniversary with the world premiere of its most powerful production car yet, the 812 Superfast. The unveiling of this flagship V12 berlinetta was particularly significant, as Ferrari’s noble V12 heritage has its roots in the founding of the company, 70 years ago this year, and Ferrari remains to this day the only manufacturer to have continuously produced sports cars with 12-cylinder engines throughout that time. Powered by a new 6.5-litre V12, the 812 Superfast is the benchmark in the mid-front-engined sports car segment.

FIAT CHRYSLER AUTOMOBILE (FCA): Jeep, part of the Fiat Chrysler Automobile (FCA) Group, showcased the European premiere of the all-new Jeep Compass. The all-new Jeep compact SUV offers legendary and best-in-class 4x4 off-road capability, a selection of 17 advanced powertrain combinations at a global level, authentic Jeep design, excellent on-road driving dynamics, open-air freedom, and advanced user-friendly connectivity and safety. The Jeep brand also introduced three new special-editions in response to Jeep enthusiasts' continued desire for customisation: Wrangler Rubicon Recon special-edition, Grand Cherokee Night Eagle and Wrangler Night Eagle. For the first time at a motor show in Europe, the brand displayed the full Trailhawk range.

Meanwhile, Fiat celebrated the sixtieth anniversary of 500 in Geneva with an exclusive limited number special series. The S-Design trim level made its début on 500X and on Tipo: the ideal solution for those seeking a combination of style and distinctive, dynamic contents. The Fullback Cross, the version with exclusive look and lifestyle soul, received its world premiere. The 124 Spider made a comeback with the new "Europa" limited edition, designed to celebrate its forerunner of the same name designed by Pininfarina.

GOODYEAR: Goodyear unveiled the Eagle 360 Urban, a concept tyre powered by Artificial Intelligence. The tyre of the future will be able to sense, decide, transform and interact. The company revealed its long-term vision for future smart, connected tyres. Powered by Artificial Intelligence, Goodyear is giving the concept tyre a ‘brain’. Combined with a bionic skin and morphing tread, the Eagle 360 Urban has the ability to put knowledge into practice. The tyre will become part of the vehicle’s ‘nervous system’ and the connected world of the Internet of Things.

The company also presented the Goodyear CityCube concept tyre, designed for the Toyota i-TRIL concept car unveiled at the motor show. Thanks to advanced sensor technology and a unique tread design, the CityCube can identify a variety of road conditions and transmit this data to the vehicle to support the advanced collision prevention systems.

JAGUAR LAND ROVER: The Jaguar I-Pace Concept made its European motor show debut in a new colour - Photon Red. A few days later the Jaguar I-Pace Concept was driven on the streets of London for the first time. (Jaguar Land Rover is owned by Tata Motors) The I-Pace, Jaguar’s first electric vehicle will be launched in 2018 and will be revealed in late 2017. The I-Pace will be a long distance sprinter that accelerates to 60 mph in around 4 seconds, with a range of more than 500km (NEDC cycle) from the 90kWh lithium-ion battery.

JLR also unveiled the Range Rover Velar, the fourth member of the Range Rover family. The luxury SUV was created in 1970 when Land Rover launched the original Range Rover.

LAMBORGHINI: Automobili Lamborghini unveiled the Huracán Perfomante, a car that combines new lightweight technologies, active aerodynamics with aero vectoring and a new set-up of chassis, all-wheel-drive system and further improved powertrain. The enhanced naturally aspirated Huracán engine is the most powerful V10 produced to date by Lamborghini. Outputting 640 hp at 8,000 rpm and producing 600 Nm of torque at 6,500 rpm, it is distinguished by a new bronze manifold that draws on the heritage of previous special edition engines such as the Diablo 30th Anniversary power plant.

LEXUS: It was the world debut of the new Lexus LS 500h. The full hybrid version of the new Lexus flagship sedan, unveiled at the show, is equipped with the new Lexus Multi Stage Hybrid System, combining a 3.5-litre dual VVT-i (intelligent variable valve timing) V6 petrol engine with two electric motors, together delivering a total output of 264kW. A simulated shift control pattern that delivers the feel of driving with a 10-speed gearbox allows for high-speed cruising at lower engine revs. The LS 500h is also capable of running at higher speeds - up to 140km/h - with the petrol engine shut off.

MASERATI: Maserati GranTurismo and GranCabrio celebrated the 60th anniversary of the 3500 GT, the very first GT car that segmented the market in 1957, with a Special Edition; the production run will be limited to 400 units. The SUV Levante Show Car, featuring the new conceptual Ermenegildo Zegna silk fabric, bringing higher levels of luxury to car interiors, was on show. The Maserati stand also displayed the marque's complete range, including the Ghibli and Quattroporte saloons, as well as the best performing car in the SUV family, the Levante S – all in Model Year 2017.

MERCEDES: Mercedes-Benz used the show as a stage for an array of elegant and sporty new models. The highlights were the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet, the Mercedes-AMG GT Concept, Mercedes-AMG E 63 S 4MATIC+ Estate and the Mercedes-AMG GT C Roadster Edition 50.  Appearing for the first time in Europe were the E-Class Coupé and the new GLA. The Mercedes-Benz "Concept X-CLASS" study, on display provided an outlook on the brand's forthcoming new pickup, the X-Class.

PININFARINA: Italina design house Pininfarina (owned by Mahindra Group of India) saw F1 racing legend and Indy 500 champion, Emerson Fittipaldi, unveiling his dream track car, the much-anticipated Fittipaldi EF7 Vision Gran Turismo by Pininfarina, at the show. The ultra-light, all carbon fiber supercar fuses the vision of F1 and Indy Car racing champion Fittipaldi, iconic Italian design company Pininfarina and race-bred German engineering firm HWA AG, and fulfills Fittipaldi’s dream to produce a car with fierce track-racing capabilities, for drivers of all skill levels. This is the first car to be released under the Fittipaldi Motors marque.

PORSCHE: Porsche displayed the new Porsche 911 GT3, a car that delivers motorsport-like performance. At the heart of the latest enhancement beats a four-litre flat engine. The extremely high-revving naturally aspirated engine with 500 hp remains virtually unchanged from the thoroughbred 911 GT3 Cup racing car. The car can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds. Its boasts a top speed of 318 km/h. For proponents of pure unadulterated driving, Porsche also offers the 911 GT3 with a six-speed sports manual gearbox. This allows the high-performance 911 to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 320 km/h.

RENAULT:  Groupe Renault continued its product offensive with exciting new products under brands Renault, Alpine and Dacia at the show. Renault presented two world premieres. Fun and powerful, the ZOE e-Sport Concept boasts a standstill-to-100kph acceleration time worthy of a supercar. Renault’s new vision of electric motoring channels both its EV expertise and its winning record in the FIA Formula E Championship. Meanwhile, Renault’s product offensive in Europe continues as it enters new market segments with the Alaskan, a one-tonne pick-up, and strengthens its comprehensive line-up of crossovers with the already-popular New Captur, and the upper range New Koleos.

TOYOTA: Toyota unveiled a daring concept designed to show that future electric vehicles can be fun to drive as well as being environmentally friendly. The i-TRIL Concept that made its world debut at the show, is a viable alternative to city cars, other electric vehicles, public transport and motorcycles.

At just three metres long, 1,510mm high and featuring 1,200mm front and 600mm rear tracks, the compact i-TRIL offers spacious seating for three adults in a one-plus-two layout. It is driven by electric-motor power and weighs a mere 600kg (about half the weight of a conventional small car) with Toyota aiming at a range of more than 200km between charges.

VOLVO AUTO:  Volvo Cars, the premium car maker, revealed the long-awaited new XC60 premium SUV at the show. The new car replaces Volvo’s highly-successful original XC60, which in the nine years since its launch became the bestselling premium mid-sized SUV in Europe with nearly a million units sold globally. The XC60 today represents around 30 per cent of Volvo’s total global sales. The new XC60, one of the safest cars ever made, is fully-loaded with new technology. Steer Assist has been added to the ground-breaking City Safety system. A new safety system called Oncoming Lane Mitigation uses steer assist to help mitigate head-on collisions, while Volvo’s Blind Spot Indication. Volvo Cars’ new XC60 is set to go into production in mid-April at the Torslanda Plant in Sweden.

VOLKSWAGEN: For Volkswagen it was the world premiere of the new Volkswagen Arteon at the Geneva motor show. Both elegant and dynamic, it offers a remarkable amount of space and comfort with its coupé-like lines. The newly developed fastback model has the latest generation driver assistance systems, which in the past have been reserved for higher car classes.