GENEVA MOTOR SHOW: 2017 preview

If the motor show landscape has been dictated by green technology and self-driving cars in recent times, Geneva’s 2017 instalment is set to deal a massive shake-up.

The first European motor show of the year is fast becoming shaped by a return to performance models and big-name volume-sellers, with manufacturers preparing plenty of special new metal.

Follow motoring.com.au’s full coverage next week for more. In the meantime, here's our rundown:

Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint
Alfa Romeo will unveil a coupe version of its new Giulia sedan at the Geneva motor show, motoring.com.au has learned.

Likely to be called the Giulia Sprint, the two-door Italian mid-sizer will be Alfa’s first direct rival for the BMW 4 Series Coupe, Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe and Audi A5 Coupe.

It will be the second member of the Giulia model family, and the third model to emerge from the Turin car-maker’s new Giorgio platform, including the Giulia sedan and upcoming Stelvio SUV, which is expected to become Alfa’s stop-seller in Australia.

Alpine A110
Renault’s Alpine brand is back. Bringing an end to a 12-month-long teaser campaign that began with the unveiling of the original Alpine Vision concept last year, the performance offshoot will use the Geneva show to present  the ‘A110’.

Alpine has already  released two images of the born-again mid-engined, rear-wheel drive sports car, with many commentators already drawing comparisons between it and Porsche’s highly-successful Cayman.

Audi RS3 Sportback
Audi will reveal an upgraded RS 3 Sportback in Geneva ahead of the car’s Australian release in the third quarter of this year.

The more powerful RS 3 hatch now matches the performance of Audi’s first RS 3 sedan, which debuted at last October’s Paris show and arrives here before the uprated hatch in the second quarter.

Like the RS 3 sedan, the Sportback packs Audi’s new-generation 2.5 TFSI turbo engine, which is billed as the world’s most powerful five-cylinder engine and debuted in last year’s new TT RS.

That means it matches the stellar outputs of both the TT RS and RS 3 sedan, with 294kW of power (400hp) and a beefy 480Nm of torque between 1700 and 5850rpm.

Audi RS Q5
Audi’s RS tuning division boss Stephan Winkelmann has already hinted at big things in the SUV space, promising no less than 10 new RS models.

The first of those is set to be the RSQ5, going off Winkelmann’s recent sentiments to motoring.com.au: “We’ll have a launch [at Geneva] which is going to be very important for us because it’ll set a new era of the B-segment [Q5 size] of Audi Sport for us.”

It’s not clear which engine the RS Q5 will get under the bonnet, but it’s likely to be a scorching version of the company’s new 3.0-litre turbo V6 currently seen in the new Audi S4, and also the upcoming Audi SQ5 (pictured). In those vehicles the blown bent six pumps out 260kW and 500Nm.

The RS Q5 is expected to eclipse 300kW and will eclipse the new SQ5’s performance, which has a 250km/h top speed and 5.4 second 0-100km/h sprint.

BMW 5 Series Touring
BMW’s biggest low-rise load-lugger will lose weight, gain power and carry more than ever before when it debuts in Geneva.

Developed and designed in conjunction with last year’s all-new 5 Series sedan, the redesigned 5 Series Touring will be up to 100kg lighter than the car it replaces, despite growing in almost every other significant area.

Long a mainstay of European business fleets while adding bonus versatility to the mid-sized 5 Series, the Touring will launch with four engines in Europe, ranging from a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel aimed at fleets to the 250kW 540i and the 620Nm 530d.

In Australia, it will likely be a more selective proposition, as the X5 SUV increasingly finds favour with local BMW customers.

BMW 4 Series facelift
The Bavarian car maker will also debut a minor nip and tuck for the 4 Series.

Due on sale in Australia in July, the 4 Series facelift applies to the four-door Gran Coupe and the two-door Convertible and Coupe – including the top-shelf M4.

Citroen DS7
Citroen’s premium offshoot, DS, will pull the drapes off its rival to premium small SUVs like the Audi Q5 and BMW X3 in Geneva.

Called the DS 7 Crossback, the new French SUV will be on sale in Europe late this year and is set to arrive Down Under early 2018.

Elextra EV
Tesla is set to face fresh European competition with the launch of an all-new German-built pure-electric sedan at the Geneva motor show.

Called the Elextra, the new four-door, four-seat, all-wheel drive sedan is said to have been created to “redefine the supercar”. That’s why, despite only being a concept, its makers claim that when it reaches production it will reach 100km/h in less than 2.3 seconds.

Ferrari 812 Superfast
Ferrari will reveal its fastest, most powerful supercar in its 70-year history.

Called the 812 Superfast, the Italian car maker has released pics and full specification of the powerful two-door coupe that’s set to rival the recently revised Lamborghini Aventador S.

Like the Lambo, despite its name, the 812 Superfast isn’t all-new. Instead it is a thoroughly reworked version of the current F12 Berlinetta.

Ford Fiesta ST
Ford will release a three-cylinder, third-generation Fiesta ST.

Available as either a three- or five-door hatch, the biggest change over the outgoing Renaultsport Clio-rival is the new ST drops its old 134kW/240Nm 1.6-litre turbo for a downsized 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol.

Despite the reduction in cylinder count and swept capacity, the new Fiesta ST produces 147kW. A six-speed manual transmission will be standard.

This plus an expected boost in torque sees the latest Fiesta ST sprint to 100km/h, from rest, in just 6.7 seconds – 0.2sec quicker than the old car.

Honda Civic Type R
We’ve seen countless prototypes and concepts, this is purportedly the real deal.

Honda has confirmed it will show the road-going version at the 2017 Geneva motor show.

Unlike the last one we never got, Australians will have access to the new-generation 250kW Civic Type R by the end of this year – within months of its European launch.

Hyundai i30 wagon
The i30 wagon is the latest confirmed derivative of the i30 family, and will build on the incoming 2017 i30 hatch, due in Australian showrooms in April.

While Hyundai in Australia is yet to commit to releasing the new variant, what we already know is that the next-generation wagon will be longer and roomier than the predecessor, which was quietly pulled from local showrooms last year.

Italdesign supercar
Italdesign has released pictures of the new limited-run supercar it will launch at the Geneva motor show on March 7.

Based on the current R8, the Audi-owned design studio hasn’t given it a name but has announced that it will make just five and sell each for more than $2 million.

Kia Picanto
Kia will show off its new Picanto city car in Geneva.

Due on sale in Australia by early May, little more than 12 months after its long-awaited local launch last April, the second-generation Kia micro was revealed range-topping GT Line form in January.

Designed by both the firm’s Namyang, Korean and Frankfurt, Germany’s design studios, the new model measures the same 3595mm long as the old Picanto but rides on a 15mm-longer (2400mm) wheelbase.

Lamboghini Huracan Performante
Lamborghini’s new record-setting Huracan Performante will be whisked to Geneva for official debut.

Days after confirming a new Nurburgring record in the new model, the Italian marque will present the new models incredible performance specficiations and equipment.

Lexus LS500h
Lexus will use the Geneva stands to present the LS500h coupe to the world.

The Japanese prestige car maker has already confirmed its low polluting Mercedes-Benz S-Class rival will come with a development of the Multi Stage Hybrid System the LC 500h coupe comes equipped with.

Lexus hasn’t confirmed numbers, but it’s almost certain the hybrid LS will combine a 220kW 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol with a four-speed automatic gearbox and two electric motors that drive a CVT transmission.

McLaren 720S
There has been countless leaks and umpteen teaser shots, but expect this car to be one of the real show-stoppers in Geneva.

The successor to McLarens 650S, the all-new 720S is set to raise the performance bar at the Swiss show.

It gets the same gullwing doors as the iconic McLaren F1, and is expected to belt out an unholy 530kW (720hp, hence the name), accelerating to 200km/h in 7.8 seconds and completing the quarter mile in 10.3 seconds.

Braking will be via carbon-ceramic disc brakes, fitted as standard, stopping the car from 200km/h in just 4.6 seconds, spelling enough deceleration to bring up breakfast.

The 720S will tip the scales at around 1280kg and although McLaren has big plans to add hybrid modules to its supercars, it’s unlike we’ll see it on this model.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet
A full range of petrol and diesel engines, a host of semi-autonomous driving tech and more spacious seating for four adults will be the headline acts of Mercedes-Benz’s new E-Class Cabriolet.

Due to be officially shown for the first time in Geneva, the convertible E-Class has grown larger in every significant dimension over its predecessor, with Benz focused on delivering greater cabin comfort.

Mercedes-Benz G650 Landaulet
The G-Wagen came into the world as a tough all-round, off-roader and it goes out as a pinnacle of ostentation in the Mercedes-Maybach G650 Landaulet.

Based around the architecture of the G63 6X6 AMG, the long-wheelbase Maybach turns the 1979 G-Wagen into a hard-core, high-rise limousine with an open-topped cargo area. It will be on full show in Switzerland.

MINI Countryman JCW and PHEV
MINI is rolling out a high-performance John Cooper Works (JCW) version of the new Countryman SUV in Geneva.

Producing 170kW and consuming fuel at the rate of just 7.4L/100km, the JCW model is the other bookend to the plug-in hybrid variant sitting at the greener end of the range.

The plug-in hybrid employs the same three-cylinder engine as the base-grade Countryman, supplemented by a 65kW electric motor. Combined power and torque figures are 165kW and 385Nm, respectively. Fuel consumption is rated at 2.1L/100km, versus 4.3L/100km for the MINI Cooper D Countryman.

Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
Mitsubishi will formally reveal the Eclipse Cross – an all-new compact SUV that will be positioned between the ASX and Outlander in its range, including in Australia – at the Geneva motor show.

Following a drawn-out teaser campaign, the Eclipse Cross will go on sale in Europe around October before hitting Japan, North America, Australia and other regions.

Opel Insignia
Opel will show off its next-generation Insignia in Switzerland – the car we will see be-badged as the next Holden Commodore.

Both liftback and wagon versions of the Insignia will be unveiled in Opel form, sporting “class-leading driving dynamics” thanks to a world-first Twinster adaptive all-wheel drive system with torque vectoring.

As has been heavily reported, there will be no V8 offering.

Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo
Porsche has plenty going on in Geneva.

First and foremost, we will see a seemingly prettier version of the Panamera.

The new Sport Turismo  variant boasts a new “four-plus-one” seating concept along with increased luggage space and a low-loading height. Porsche claims it will bring “the perfect combination of everyday usability and maximum flexibility”.

Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid
Porsche has also revealed details of a new flagship variant in its polarising Panamera line-up. Perhaps fittingly, the new Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid employs a plug-in hybrid drivetrain in order to achieve superlative performance and equally baffling fuel economy.

It combines a 404kW 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol with a 100kW electric motor powered by a 14.1kWh liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery that is rear-mounted.

The flagship will arrive in Australian showrooms around September 2017 priced from an eye-watering $460,100.

Porsche 911 GT3
Porsche is preparing to up the ante for its legendary 911 GT3 in 2017 while staying true to the star model’s naturally-aspirated roots.

At least, that’s the word from English publication Autocar, which claims the German manufacturer will offer the updated GT3 with an evolution of the existing 368kW 4.0-litre atmo flat six used in the GT3 RS and 911R.

Citing a “well-informed source” close to Porsche’s factory, the report claims the improved flat-six will produce “at least” 370kW, and will be on show in Geneva.

Peugeot Instinct
Peugeot has taken the digital covers off its upcoming Instinct Concept, days before the Geneva show..

The prototype is described as an autonomous shooting brake, one that employs a 224kW plug-in hybrid engine to cement its futuristic standing.

Range Rover Velar
We’ve already seen and heard plenty about this new mode following a roll-out in London.

But it will again be a centrepiece in Geneva.

Set to sit below the Range Rover Sport and above Evoque in price if not size, the new Velar will arrive in Australia before year’s end in five-door form only. It will be priced from $70,300 (plus on-road costs).

Renault Captur facelift
Showing off a fresh new look in a bid to retain its position as Europe’s best-selling urban crossover, the French car-maker has added several dramatic new colours and subtle design tweaks to maintain its sales momentum, at least in Europe.

The new model will be unveiled in Switzerland alongside the Renault Alaskan ute – which like the Mercedes-Benz X-Class is based on Nissan Navara underpinnings – and a new EV is also tipped to debut.

Skoda Octavia RS facelift
Skoda will launch its fastest ever Octavia at March’s Geneva motor show.

Sharing the same 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder that powers the Octavia RS 230, the new RS 245 produces 180kW/370Nm.

With an additional 11kW/20Nm over the RS 230, the new Skoda performance flagship sprints to 100km/h in just 6.6 seconds – 0.1sec quicker than before.

Skoda Rapid facelift
The revised small car features new headlight internals with bi-xenon main beams and LED running lights, plus a new front bumper with full-width chrome strip for premium variants and fresh fog lights.

Skoda says the Rapid Sportback – the only version of the Czech small-car available in Australia – now sports an extended rear window, while tinted tail-lights with optional LED elements are also new.

Subaru XV
Suburu has given one, subtle hint at its new XV SUV due to be unveiled in Geneva: a teaser image showing a side profile of the car.

The XV is set to share DNA with the latest Impreza, including a modular platform named SGP, the Subaru Global Platform. It’s this modular platform that paves the way for hybrid models, including a hybrid XV that’s already understood to be headed our way.

Toyota Yaris hot hatch
Toyota will launch a new high-performance version of its Yaris supermini in Geneva, paralleling the marque’s return to the world rally stage.

Set to be the firm’s first small hot hatchback in more than a decade, the potent new Yaris will produce more than 155kW, allowing the Japanese car-maker to outgun all of its rivals.

Toyota hasn’t revealed what engine will power the sporty Yaris but it’s likely it will be a new 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine.

Toyota i-TRIL autonomous concept
Toyota has released a single teaser image of the i-TRIL Concept, an all-electric autonomous vehicle now confirmed to make its world debut at the Geneva motor show on March 7.

The i-TRIL, which features a one-plus-two-seat cabin layout, is claimed to offer “an alternative to city cars, other electric vehicles and motorcycles”.

Volkswagen Arteon
Volkswagen has released two teasing images of a new flagship four-door coupe that will sit above the Passat in its line-up.

Called the Arteon, the new fastback sedan isn’t a direct replacement for the old Passat CC, VW claims, suggesting its flagship model will be positioned (and priced) against more premium models like BMW’s 4 Series Gran Coupe. Volkswagen Australia officials recently confirmed this sentiment.

Volvo XC60
Volvo says it will officially unveil the smartest SUV in the mid-size class, in the form of the new XC60.

Due to be unveiled in Geneva, the Swedish car-maker’s new rival for the BMW X3 will also come with its bigger XC90 sibling’s unmistakable ‘Thor’s Hammer’ LED light signature.

Zenvo TS1 GT
Zenvo has announced it plans to reveal a monstrous 858kW version of its TS1 supercar (pictured) at Geneva.

Created by the Danish supercar maker to celebrate a decade in business, the new TS1 GT 10th Anniversary comes with a mid-engine twin-supercharged 5.8-litre V8 that’s been specially developed by Zenvo.