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Geneva Auto Show 2014: details of every new production model, part 2

Ferrari California T

Ferrari launched the California back in 2008. 5,5 years after its debut, Ferrari refreshes the California with new sheet metal and replaces the normally aspirated 4.3-liter V8 by a 3.8-liter V8 biturbo engine with 560 hp (up from 490 hp), which was launched initially in the Maserati Quattroporte. The CO2 emissions have dropped by 15% to 250 g/km.

Fiat Panda Cross

The second generation Fiat Panda Cross is based on the Panda Climbing 4X4. Fiat sold approximately 30,000 units of the previous Panda Cross, mostly in Italy and the Alpine countries. Fiat offers two engines: the 0.9 TwinAir Turbo petrol engine with 90 hp (CO2 emissions 114 g/km) and a 1.3 MultiJet II diesel engine with 80 hp (CO2 emissions 125 g/km). The latter one has a ground clearance of 16 cm, while the TwinAir has 15 cm. The approach and departure angles have improved compared to the first generation Panda Cross. The front end features new light clusters, front and rear bumpers, wheel arch extensions, side mouldings, new roof bars and 15-inch alloy wheels with all-season tyres. The interior features a new dashboard finish with copper fascia.

Ford Focus facelift

Ford’s number one debut is the heavily revised Focus, which features the new corporate face, previously seen on for instance the Fiesta facelift, Mondeo and Tourneo Courier. Ford changed the bonnet, front fascia and grille, tailgate arrangement and thinner tail lights. The 1.0 EcoBoost, Engine of the Year in 2012 and 2013, returns while Ford has replaced the 1.6 EcoBoost petrol and TDCi diesel engines by 1.5 liter-versions with lower CO2 emissions, however it continues to offer the 1.6 TDCi in some markets. The 2.0 TDCi with six-speed automatic Powershift-transmission now offers 150 hp. Sales will start towards the end of the year. In the near future, Ford will also launch a diesel-powered ST with a 185 hp 2.0 TDCi engine.

Ford Mustang

The new Ford Mustang makes its European debut in Geneva and is the first Mustang since its launch 50 years ago to be officially sold in the region. The Mustang fastback and convertible will arrive in 2015. There is a choice of two engines: the four-cylinder 2.3 EcoBoost (309 hp) with direct injection, variable cam timing and a turbocharger and the a 5.0-liter V8 (426 hp) in the Mustang GT.

Hyundai Genesis

The next significant Hyundai introduction will be the new i20, which will debut in Paris this year. For now, Hyundai only has a small European debut: the second generation of its large rear-wheel drive Genesis sedan. The Genesis will be introduced to Europe in limited numbers.

Jeep Renegade

One of the best-kept secrets of the show is the Jeep Renegade. The Renegade is a compact SUV, which will rival the Mini Countryman, Opel Mokka and Skoda Yeti. Its length is 4,232 mm, 10 mm longer than the Yeti and 233 mm shorter than the Compass. European buyers are offered a choice of numerous petrol and diesel engines, which are either driving the front wheels or all four wheels. The petrol range starts with a 1.6 (110 hp) engine followed by a 1.4 MultiAir with three different power outputs: a normally aspirated version with 140 hp, turbocharged with 160-170 hp and finally the top-of-the-line 2.4 with 186 hp. Diesel buyers can opt for the 1.6 MultiJet (120 hp) and 2.0 MultiJet II (140/170 hp) engines. Sales will start towards the end of the year. There are two manual offerings: a five-speed manual transmission is exclusive to the 1.6, more powerful versions have a six-speed manual, while a dual-clutch transmission or nine-speed automatic transmission come as an option. The Renegade shares its platform with the Fiat 500X, which will be launched at the Paris Motor Show later this year. Both will be crafted at the Melfi plant in Italy.

Jeep Cherokee

After some years of absence the Cherokee-nameplate returns in Europe with radically different styling and diesel engines from Fiat. In Western Europe, the Cherokee comes with two 2.0 MultiJet II diesel options: either a 140 hp version with a six-speed manual transmission or a more powerful version (170 hp) with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The automatic transmission will also be fitted as standard on the 3.2 V6 petrol engine. Buyers can either opt for front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive models.

Kia Optima Hybrid facelift

At the 2013 IAA Frankfurt car show we have seen the refreshed diesel-powered Optima, in Geneva Kia launched the refreshed Hybrid. Among the exterior changes are new front and rear bumpers, grille and taillights. The CO2 emissions have dropped to 117 g/km.

Kia Soul EV

The most noteworthy Kia launch is the new electric Soul EV, which uses a 27 kWh lithium-ion polymer power pack with a battery cell energy density of 200 Wh/kg and should offer the Soul EV a drive range of around 200 km on a single charger. A battery heating system warms-up the battery while the car is into the grid. The battery cells have a power output of 110 hp. The weight is 1,470 kg. The Soul EV is due to go on sale in Europe at the end of the year.

Kia Sportage update

Another small Kia launch is the updated Sportage, Kia’s bestseller in Europe. Kia changed the grille design and taillights. Kia replaced the 2.0 CVVT petrol engine (163 hp) by the 2.0 GDI (166 hp) with direct injection.

Lamborghini Huracán

The Gallardo was a huge success for the Italian sports car manufacturer, with 14,022 cars produced. The Huracán LP 610-4 is the successor to the Gallardo and, like many other Lamborghini models, it derives its name from the world of bullfighting. The interior features a 12.3-inch TFT instrument panel, which delivers the car’s information to the driver. The new 5.2-liter V10 engine delivers a maximum power of 610 hp, the top speed is 325 km/h and the acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes about 3.2 seconds. The power of the V10 is brought to the road via a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. The overall length is 4,300 mm, the width 1,900 mm, the height 1,165 mm and the kerb weight is 1,422 kg.

Lexus RC

The RC coupe is based on the platform of the GS, but is much closer to the IS in size with its length of 4,695 mm, width of 1,840 mm, height of 1,395 mm and wheelbase of 2,730 mm. From year-end Western European buyers can choose for efficiency or raw power: the 2.5-liter hybrid 300h with its combined power output of 220 hp will be the most economic coupe in its class, whereas the RC F will rival the BMW M4 and Audi RS5 with its 5.0-liter V8 engine with at least 450 hp. Buyers in other markets can choose the 3.5-liter V6 RC 350 (318 hp) as well.

Mercedes-Benz GLA 45 AMG

After the launch of the A 45 AMG and CLA 45 AMG, the GLA 45 AMG is the third Mercedes to be powered by the 360 hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine. The GLA 45 AMG accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds and its electronically limited top speed is 250 km/h. It is fitted with the 4Matic all-wheel drive and a Speedshift DCT 7-speed transmission. The fuel consumption is 7.5 l/100 km and the equivalent CO2 emissions are just 175 g/km.

Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupé

Based on the new S-Class, Mercedes-Benz launches the new S-Class Coupé, which succeeds the CL. The S-Class Coupé can optionally be equipped with the Magic Body Control suspension system features, which is capable of leaning the car into corners. Headlights with 47 Swarovski crystals are optionally available. For now, Mercedes-Benz has only announced the 4.7-liter V8 Biturbo S 500 Coupé (455 hp), but additional S 600, S 63 AMG and S 65 AMG versions will surely be launched in the future. Compared to the CL, the overall length has decreased by 38 mm to 5,027 mm, the width increased by 28 mm to 1,899 mm, the height is 1,411 mm (- 7 mm) and the wheelbase 2,945 mm (- 10 mm).

Mercedes-Benz V-Class

The V-Class is the successor to the Viano, the luxury van based on the Vito. The 2.1-liter four-cylinder diesel engine is available in three different output ratings: the 200 CDI (136 hp), 220 CDI (163 hp) and the frugal 250 BlueTec (190 hp) with a 7G-Tronic Plus automatic transmission that consumes only 5.7 l/100 km. Mercedes-Benz offers three different versions with a length varying between 4.90 and 5.37 meters. The market launch will take place at the end of Spring.

Nissan Juke facelift

Nissan launched the reworked Juke with a new turbocharged 1.2-liter engine. Nissan sold 420,000 units in 40 months. Nissan increased the luggage capacity by 40% to 354 liters. From the outside, Nissan changed the front, upper headlights and rear bumpers and added new colors and new alloy wheels. Nissan replaced the 1.6 liter engine by a turbocharged 1.2 DIG-T (115 hp) with CO2 emissions of 126 g/km. The existing 190 hp 1.6 DIG-T became more efficient, now emitting just 139 g/km of CO2. The most powerful Juke is the Nismo RS (218 hp). The 1.5 dCi (110 hp) continues to be offered.

Geneva Auto Show 2014: details of every new production model, part 1: Alfa Romeo – Citroën

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