Best of Geneva International Motor Show 2017
The Geneva International Motor Show, taking place in Switzerland’s second most populous city, wrapped up on March 19. Let’s take a look at the headlines from the European auto event.
Volkswagen Arteon
This VW sporting a space-age name is the latest GT-style vehicle conceived by the company out of Wolfsburg, Germany. Expected to replace the existing CC sedan, the Arteon adopts a four-door “coupe” profile with a low-slung roofline, long hood and wheelbase and frameless side windows. Practicality is one of its strong suits as well, possessing 563 liters of space in the luggage compartment.
The car packs a lot of tech, such as full LED headlamps, advanced driver assistance systems and for the first time, optional predictive cornering lights that utilize camera-based information and navigation data to pre-illuminate a bend in the road when making a turn. Exact engine configurations have not yet been released, but a seven-speed DSG transmission and 4MOTION all-wheel drive will be standard equipment.
BMW 5 Series Touring
Europeans love a good wagon, and luckily, so do Canadians. BMW unveiled the next generation 5 Series Touring to the world, which is slightly larger compared to its predecessor and offered in either rear or all-wheel drive. Engineers have managed to shed 100 kilograms of weight while increasing aerodynamics and torsional rigidity so the vehicle should no doubt be a blast behind the wheel.
All trims include a self-levelling air suspension, and Dynamic Damper Control, Adaptive Drive with active body roll stabilisation and Integral Active Steering are available. Inside, the infotainment now incorporates gesture control. Sales start June 2017.
Audi RS 5 Coupé
The RS 5 Coupé is the initial Audi Sport model to benefit from the new RS design language. Inspired by the Audi Quattro IMSA GTO racecar, the two-door’s front bumper features massive connected air ducts and an enlarged central grille. More cooling inlets are positioned next to headlights that can be ordered with Matrix LEDs. The 19-inch wheels can also be factory-upgraded to 20-inch five-spoke blade alloys.
Under the hood, a turbocharged 2.9 TFSI biturbo mill lurks, generating 450 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque. Getting from 0 to 100 km/h takes only 3.9 seconds.
