Geneva Automobile Dealership-2014: brands new of KMC “Astana Motors”

We compare our notes with brands new of 84th international Automobile Dealership in Geneva.

When I passed through the hall of the lead automobile exhibition the day before opening, and, I thought that this year there are not enough interesting brands new. However, the day after, when all exhibition areas were opened for journalists and premier models were clothed off, it was more interesting. The majority of brands new may be divided on two types: models strengthening and developing success of the previous ones, and breakthrough models, using which manufacturers try to occupy new market places, or provide innovative technologies, which may effect on forces correlation in the whole industry The most interesting models are shown below.

MINI Clubman Concept

The second generation prototype of famous British brand model may be renamed MAXI – as it is larger than previous model. Brand new is 262mm longer (length is 4223mm), 161mm wider and 24mm higher. It is complete car of golf class! While the design accurately identifies mark MINI. What is new? The main difference is four symmetrical side doors (current Clubman has only one door from the driver side and clubdoor for passengers). Hinged rear vertical doors are remained. Rear lights become horizontal. As if traditional extended rear optics of MINI was settled on one side. It looks like unusual.
Passenger compartment interior is more or less traditional for this mark, if large sensor display in the front panel center will be not considered. It become wider due to increased dimensions.
New generation of Clubman will be in Kazakhstan not earlier than 2015.

Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II

Representative of this famous English brand, recently got to Kazakhstan market. Therefore, modernization of “low” Ghost model includes new optics and some changes in interior, such as controller of multimedia system with touchpad, developed seats and new audio system Bespoke with 18 dynamics. There are several changes inside car: suspension was modernized, and 8-speed automatic transmission is connected to navigation system. Why? To adjust its operation for road conditions. For example, to maintain more low transmission narrow curves for driver convenience.
Both base and enlarged variants of modernized Ghost were shown at Automobile Dealership.

BMW X3

European premier of modernized mid-size crossover BMW X3 was in Geneva. At the front, it looks like X5 of the last generation. As well as, large kidney grill, which visually combined with lights. There is modernized system iDrive with sensor panel at the controller joystick and new finishing materials in passenger compartment. Changes inside the car were only in diesel modifications of sDrive 18d with from drive and AWD xDrive 20d. They were equipped with 2.0 liters turbo diesel. The first version moves at speed 150 h.p. and the second one – 190 h.p. Moreover, modernized X3 has “stop-start” system, which automatically shutdown engine at short term stops, for example, in congestions. The brand new sales will be started in Kazakhstan in autumn.

Hyundai Genesis

New generation of business-class sedan from Hyundai, which replaced the first successful model, maintained the Koreans authority in segment of premium automobiles of E class, was advanced and modernized. It is “finishing shot” towards famous European competitors say nothing of Japan manufacturers. Genesis inspires with respect by serious and bright exterior. Model is available with engines V6, volume 3.8 liters (311 h.p.) and 5 liters V8 (420 h.p.). Both of them are combined with 8-speed automatic transmission. AWD will be provided for additional payment along with rear drive. In July, we will find new Hyundai Genesis at the RoK market.

Subaru WRX STI

European premier of long-expected “loaded” Subaru of new generation was in Geneva. If previous models WRX and WRX STI were modifications of Impreza, recently, they divided as separate models. What brand new may provide for Subaru enthusiasts? Firstly, is has new more rigid body with “skeleton” of current generation Impreza, developed AWD transmission with new possibilities and chassis. WRX STI exterior is not design masterpiece, but very forward. Practical interior is also without frills, but it has plastic with good quality and new multimedia system. Engine is the same as in the previous model – 300 h.p. turbo engine with opposed cylinder and volume 2.5 liters. We will check this advantages when brand new will be supplied to Kazakhstan. It will happen in April of this year.

BMW 2-Series Active Tourer

Is this front drive compact vehicle with three-cylinder engine? Yes, now such unusual product will be produced under famous Bavarian trademark. Active Tourer attracted peoples interest at the Automobile Dealership.
While, new competitor of B-class “Mercedes” may show sufficiently wide five-seater passengers compartment with design and quality standard for BMW, plus a lot of possibilities to transform and ample boot with volume from 468 to 1510 liters (at folded rear seats). Brand new exterior is interesting: corporate design of BMW was applied to one-box body. While, it is unknown, if the first BMW compact vehicle will have excellent dynamic and handling, which are traditional for this brand. However, there are backgrounds for this. The brand new was construed on the new MINI basis. At the first, 218i versions will be offered with 3-cylinder petrol turbine motor, volume 1.5 liters (136h.p.) and 218d with 4-cylinder turbo diesel, volume 2.0 liters (150 h.p.). The latter consumed totally 4.1 liters of diesel oil per 100km, in combination with 8-speed automatic gearbox! Both modifications are available with mechanical and automatic gearboxes. 225i variant will be the top one with 2.0 liters petrol 4-cylinder turbo engine (231h.p.). And later, AWD Active Tourer may be ordered.

BMW 4-Series Gran Coupe

Why did BMW produce one more niche hatchback based on 3-Series, which is 4-Series Gran Coupe, if BMW already has 3-Series Gran Turismo? Because they have different trends. If 3-Series Gran Turismo is “semi-crossover” with raised fit, raised ground clearance and extended wheelbase, than 4-Series Gran Coupe is closer to light coupe – it is lower and more stylish. It has side doors without frames and there is no “windscreen wiper” at rear window. Engines are petrol units with capacity from 184 to 306h.p. and diesels with output from 143 to 323h.p. Gearboxes are 6-speed mechanical and 8-speed automatic. Drive is rear or all-wheel. Suspension is optionally available and adaptive with electrically controlled absorbers.
Sales of 4-Series Gran Coupe will start in August-September in Kazakhstan.

Subaru Viziv-2 Concept

Recently, Subaru shows concept cars, but not all of them come to serial production and keep initial design conception. We hope that Viziv-2 will get to conveyor saving its essence and current attraction. There are chances, if manufacturer already shows the second option of such compact crossover. Three-door four-seater Viziv-2 with length 4.4 meters looks complete. It is interesting brand new from engineering side. It is rechargeable hybrid where new opposed turbo diesel 1.6 liters with direct injection is combined with three electric motors. One motor actuates front wheels, and two other actuates each rear wheel. As a result, there is AWD with branded option Lineartronic, which can vary thrust at right and left rear wheels, depending on situation and improving holding and stability. Electric drives are supplied from lithium-ion battery.

Hyundai Intrado Concept

Korea Auto Giant also shows excellent concept, which is new technologies, weight economy and using growth. Style and aerodynamic Intrado is without superfluous details both outside and inside. If crossover exterior is progressive version of branded style Fluidic sculpture, which we can see in serial brand models in recent years, than functional interior attraction looks like design of high-end class mountain bikes. Advanced materials were used both in four-seater passenger compartment and in the whole automobile. Intrado is based on space frame from CFRP performed per registered technology. It is light and ultrastrong that allows to make external body panels from any materials. In this case, exterior is performed from superlight steel of Hyundai domestic production. It was used in body safety zones that along with features of used CFRP, increases structure maintainability in case of accident. In addition, manufacturers say that it is cheap to use CFRP, that offers mass production challenges to their technology. Intrado power unit is also progressive – on hydrogen fuel cells of new generation.
In near future, these innovations will be widely used in automobile production that will make individual transport easy, economy and harmless. This compact crossover forecasts new model occurring in Hyundai range. Look out, Nissan Juke!

Toyota Aygo

Too bad, that there are a little number of A segment compact models at the Kazakhstan market – our operation facts put off a lot of automobilists from such small cars. We hope, that situation will change for better, and, for example, there will be many nice and economy mini cars in Almaty, as in Geneva or Montreux.
It is not surprising that, Toyota chosen Geneva Automobile Dealership for world premiere of Aygo second generation. It has effective X-shaped front, as well as offers wide set of bright colors and individualization program including different applications, color combinations and accessories. Interior is also style, while used materials are cheap. In addition, general level of automobile structure becomes serious in comparison with the previous model. There is developed 3-cylinder motor with volume 1.0 liter (69h.p.).

Diaz Abylkasov, author’s photo
Almaty - Geneva - Almaty