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Geneva Motor Show 2017: The best concept cars on display
From twin-engined electric hatchbacks to hybrid supercars, here are the top ideas from Europe's first major car show this year
The Geneva Motor Show is famous for hosting the latest and most desirable production cars. Every year manufacturers at the show also bring a range of new concepts that offer a glimpse into future models.
While Porsche and McLaren may have stolen the limelight with their new supercars, there are several new prototypes with innovative electric powertrains that boast double the battery range of a Tesla Model S.
Here are some of the show's best concepts:
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Peugeot was among many manufacturers debuting autonomous concepts at Geneva. Its new Instinct shooting-brake, a plug-in hybrid, features a PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) powertrain that produces 300bhp and can be controlled manually by the driver or switched over to an autonomous mode.
In manual mode, users can change the car's characteristics for either comfort or a more engaging driving experience. This can also be applied to the driverless modes, allowing users to set up the car for either a fast or comfortable journey.
Not only does the Instinct hint at the French carmaker's electric future, AutoExpress claims it could indicate what design direction Peugeot might take and how it approaches the connected car.
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Its on-board computer can sync with the driver's smartphone to learn their driving preferences, changing elements in the cabin, such as the interior lighting and audio settings, to tailor the driving environment.
Matthias Hossann, who designed the Instinct, told Autocar the shooting-brake concept "won't make production", although it has been penned to be "genuinely usable" for families.
Volkswagen Sedric
Volkswagen has revealed a new concept car at most of the motoring and technology shows its attends and Geneva is no exception.
This year, it unveiled its new Sedric concept, a fully autonomous vehicle badged as a Volkswagen Group car and not a VW.
It's a concept the German carmaker hopes will act as a launchpad for future production cars to reach level five autonomy, says ArsTechnica, effectively removing the driver from the experience. Functions such as steering, braking and parking are all done by the on-board computer, allowing the driver to relax.
The Sedric doesn't even need occupants to function, adds the website, as the driverless concept can "look independently for a parking space" or drop the owner's children off at school. There's "no steering wheel" and "no conventional cockpit controls" and the car is controlled using a mobile app.
No word has been mentioned on whether VW Group will put the Sedric into production, but it could spawn a driverless vehicle for its all-electric, ride-hailing Moia sub-brand, which the firm says will become a "substantial share" of its business by 2025.
Mercedes-AMG four-door GT
Mercedes-AMG's current two-door sports car has only been on sale for a couple of years, but the German car giant is already planning the future of its front-engined sports car.
Mercedes-AMG has unveiled a four-door version of its GT sports car featuring a hybrid EQ Power+ V8 engine. The company claims that the concept can go from zero to 62mph in "less than three seconds" and has an "impressive range" thanks to its lightweight electric motor. It's the cars first public appearance at Geneva.
There's no word on when a production version will hit the market, but the current generation AMG GT should be available for at least another year.
Renault Zoe E-Sport
Renault is renowned for packing its racing technology into some of its less sporty cars, a trend the French manufacturer has continued at Geneva with the Zoe E-Sport.
Using the all-electric Zoe hatchback as a base car, Renault has fitted the E-Sport with carbon fibre body panelling and a 460bhp twin-electric motor drivetrain derived from the company's Formula E single-seater racing car.
It's lower and wider than the regular Zoe, with a double wishbone suspension layout and Ohlins four-way adjustable dampers. Renault has also designed the front and rear bumpers to generate downforce at higher speeds, while its upper bodywork has been styled to minimise drag.
While the Zoe E-Sport has production model influences, says AutoExpress, there are no plans for the hyper hatchback to hit the market.
Techrules Ren
The Chinese start-up company Techrules is debuting its all-electric Ren supercar at Geneva. The firm claims it's the world's first turbine engine in a production car.
It's based on a modular design that has been styled by Fabrizio and Giorgetto Giugiaro, who are known for penning the Maserati MC12 and Alfa Romeo Brera, allowing buyers to spec their car to be anything from an SUV to a supercar.
Under the bonnet sits a turbine rechargeable electric vehicle (TREV) system that's paired with an electric motor. Techrules says that the hybrid unit produces 1,269bhp and boasts a range of 727 miles, which is double the battery life of a Tesla Model S P100D.
Techrules has yet to release any pricing details of its electric supercar, says Evo, but expect the final cost to be "astronomical".
