Volkswagen has introduced the all-new 2015 Caddy at the Geneva Motor Show.
Aimed at the heart of the compact van segment, the fourth-gen Caddy gets evolutionary design updates that are visibly inspired by the seventh-gen Golf and the smaller Polo. The smallest member of Volkswagen’s commercial vehicle lineup is again offered as a cargo-hauling panel van and as a more family-oriented model called Kombi that is capable of comfortably carrying up to five adults and a trunk-full of gear.

The changes are more comprehensive inside, where the Caddy is fitted with a noticeably more modern-looking dashboard that is built with improved materials. Kombi models gain a strip of body-colored trim on the dashboard, and nearly all versions can be ordered with Volkswagen’s touch screen-based Discover Media infotainment system. Additionally, the van is available long list of electronic driving aids including a Park Assist function that allows it to park itself in parallel spots, a 360-degree camera and Adaptive Cruise Control.

Caddy buyers have no less than eight engines to choose from including four TDI turbodiesel four-cylinder units whose outputs range from 73 to 147 horsepower. A trio of three- and four-cylinder gasoline-burning engines that generate between 83 and 123 ponies are available, and a 1.4-liter natural gas-burning turbo four rounds out the lineup.

A manual transmission comes standard on most models and a dual-clutch automatic is available at an extra cost. Volkswagen’s 4Motion all-wheel drive system can be paired exclusively with the 120-horsepower TDI mill.

The 2015 Volkswagen Caddy will go on sale across Europe in the coming months and, interestingly, it could land on U.S. shores in the not-too-distant future. Volkswagen of America CEO Michael Horn recently suggested that a new commercial vehicle could soon join the company’s North American lineup but he did not specify if it’s the new Caddy, the next-gen Transporter or the full-size Crafter.

Generation Four Edition
In Germany, Volkswagen will celebrate the launch of the 2015 Caddy with a special edition model called “Generation Four.” The Generation Four panel van gains body-colored bumpers and mirrors, smoked tail lamps, 16-inch alloy wheels and body-colored trim sprinkled throughout the cockpit.

The Generation Four Kombi benefits from a silver roof rack, tinted windows, 17-inch alloys with a burnished black finish, A/C and partial leather upholstery with contrast stitching.

Live images by Ronan Glon.

Volkswagen has introduced the 2015 Golf GTD Variant at the Geneva Motor Show.
Aimed directly at the Peugeot 308 SW GT, the GTD Variant stands out from the stock Golf Variant with styling cues like GTD-specific bumpers, honeycomb inserts in the radiator grille, smoked tail lamps, two chromed exhaust tips and 17-inch alloy wheels. The GTD sits nearly half an inch lower than the Variant thanks to a sport-tuned suspension.

Interior pictures are not available but Volkswagen promises the cockpit has been upgraded with sport seats upholstered with Clark tartan, stainless steel pedal caps, Checkered Black trim on the dashboard and the door panels and a golf ball-shaped shift knob. The wagon offers 21.4 cubic feet of trunk space with five passengers on board and 57.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded flat.

Power comes from a GTD-sourced 2.0-liter four-cylinder TDI turbodiesel engine that makes 181 horsepower at 3,500 rpm and 280 lb-ft. of torque between 1,750 and 3,250 rpm. Linked to either a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed dual-clutch DSG, the oil-burner sends the GTD Variant from zero to 62 mph in 7.9 seconds, roughly half a second slower than the GTD hatchback. Fuel economy checks in at over 53 mpg in a mixed European cycle.

The 2015 Volkswagen Golf GTD Variant is on sale now in Germany with a base price of €31,975 (roughly $36,000). The list of options includes a €965 (about $1,000) Sports and Design Package that adds tinted windows, red brake calipers, 18-inch Nogaro alloy wheels and a driving mode selector.

At the time of writing Volkswagen is not planning on offering the Golf GTD Variant in the United States.

Live images by Ronan Glon.

Nissan has formally unveiled its Sway concept at the Geneva Motor Show.
Nissan’s European arm explains the Sway was designed to preview what the next generation of the tiny Ford Fiesta-fighting Micra could look like. The hatchback’s front end falls in line with the Japanese automaker’s latest design language thanks to styling cues like sharp LED headlights, a bold ‘V-motion’ radiator grille and V-shaped quarter bumpers.

Pronounced wheel arches and oversized alloys increase the Sway’s road presence. Overall, the concept looks considerably more muscular than any Micra built over the course of the nameplate’s 33-year history.

Designers have simplified the interior and removed the B-pillar to make the space seem larger than expected. Lightweight seats extend the architectural theme with an exposed aluminum structure, covered in a pearlescent suede-like fabric.

Drivers face just two gauges in front of the steering wheel, placing the rest of the virtual controls and infotainment features on a large trapezoidal tablet in the center of the “gliding wing” dashboard.

Nissan has not revealed what the Sway is powered by. In Europe, the current Micra is powered by a 1.2-liter three-cylinder gasoline-burning engine that sends 80 horsepower to the front wheels via either a standard five-speed manual transmission or an optional CVT. Buyers after more grunt can order a supercharged version of the triple that makes 98 horsepower.

“With this new concept car for Geneva, we are experimenting to see how Nissan might be able to bring fresh ideas to the compact hatchback segment,” said Nissan design chief Shiro Nakamura.

Live images by Ronan Glon.

Aston Martin has introduced a new segment-blurring concept car at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show.
Described as a luxury GT car for the 21st Century, the concept car, known as the DBX, combines the sleek lines of a typical Aston Martin sports car with the high-ride of a utility vehicle. Though not a traditional SUV, the DBX Concept could be our first indication that Aston Martin is considering a new model for the high-growth utility segment.

In addition to its elevated stance, the DBX also boast all-wheel drive thanks to in-wheel electric motors at all four corners. Performance figures weren’t released, but the DBX also features a kinetic energy recovery system for an added dose of power. Carbon ceramic disc brakes haul the DBX down from speed.

The DBX is easily identifiable as an Aston Martin design, but there are some forward-looking cues, including thinner headlights, cameras in place of side mirrors, floating roof and unique lower bumper treatments. The DBX is finished in a Black Pear Chromium paint that was specially designed to replicate the look of genuine black pearl.

Inside the DBX offers seating for four and uses rich Nubuck leather to contrast the car’s high-tech elements. And because the DBX uses in-wheel motors, both the trunk and under-hood are can be used for cargo, ensuring there is enough luggage space for four passengers.

“A concept car such as this should, in my view, challenge conventional thinking and explore the art of the possible,” said Dr. Andy Palmer, CEO of Aston Martin. “In the DBX Concept, I believe we have created a new type of luxury car that can not only broaden the appeal of Aston Martin to a whole new generation of customers, but sit with pride alongside the rest of our range.”

Palmer added that the DBX isn’t production ready, but noted that Aston Martin “will, in due course, be entering a car into the new DBX space.” What exact form that car will take remains a mystery at this time.

Live images by Ronan Glon.

Renault has introduced a compact crossover called Kadjar at the Geneva Motor Show. The Kadjar was designed to slot between the popular Juke-fighting Captur and the aging Koleos.
Stretching 175 inches long, the Kadjar rides on the same modular Common Module Family (CMF) platform as the new second-generation Nissan Qashqai. It stands out from its Japanese sibling thanks to a muscular front end that is characterized by elongated headlights and an oversized Renault emblem. The back end is fitted with small horizontal tail lamps that are inspired by the units found on the aforementioned Captur and the fourth-gen Clio hatchback.

Inside, the Kadjar reflects Renault’s premium ambitions with upscale features like contrast stitching and soft-touch materials on the dashboard. An electronic parking brake comes standard and buyers can order the second generation of Renault’s touch screen-based R-Link infotainment system at an extra cost.

Technical details are being kept under wraps for the time being, though sources close to Renault have hinted that the Kadjar will be offered with a host of turbocharged three- and four-cylinder engines including a 1.5-liter dCi turbodiesel mill. Front-wheel drive comes standard and all-wheel drive is available at an extra cost on select models.

The Kadjar can hold its own off the beaten path thanks to generous approach and departure angles of 18 and 25 degrees, respectively. Ground clearance checks in at 7.4 inches and all-wheel drive models come standard with skid plates on both ends.

The 2015 Renault Kadjar will go on sale across Europe next summer and in China later this year. The Chinese-spec model will mark a milestone in Renault’s history because it will be the company’s first locally-built model.

Live images by Ronan Glon.

Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the G500 4x4², a close-to-production concept that previews a more extreme version of the seemingly eternal G-Class.
Stretching 88 inches tall and 82 inches wide, the G500 4x4² concept is essentially a four-wheeled version of the monstrous G63 6×6 that was introduced in 2013. Based on the G500, the 4x4² gains portal axles, a significantly increased ground clearance, appropriately huge 22-inch beadlock wheels and a sprinkling of carbon fiber trim. A deep front bumper with three large air dams complements the muscular look.

Although interior pictures have not been published, earlier spy shots reveal that the 4x4²′s cockpit will be largely carried over from the regular-production G500.

The G500 4x4² is powered by an all-new 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine that makes 422 horsepower, 40 more than the stock G500. Power is sent to all four wheels via an automatic transmission.

Mercedes’ latest off-roader features approach and departure angles of 52 and 54 degrees, respectively, and it is capable of driving through 39 inches of water. Two-piece stainless steel skid plates protect the underbody from impacts.

The production version of the insane off-roader will likely be introduced at a major auto show later this year, though whether or not it will be sold in the United States – where the G500 is not available – is up in the air. In Europe, the 4x4²′s new V8 is expected to find its way to the standard G500 before the end of the year.

Live images by Ronan Glon.

Ford has revealed the long-awaited 2016 Focus RS at the Geneva Motor Show.
The Volkswagen Golf R-fighting RS looks considerably more aggressive than the run-of-the-mill Focus hatchback thanks to a new front bumper that incorporates a large air dam, a splitter and a bigger radiator grille, side skirts, a sizable roof-mounted spoiler and an air diffuser integrated into the rear bumper. Two large round exhaust tips and multi-spoke 19-inch alloy wheels wrapped by Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires round out the aesthetic upgrades.

Inside, the RS gets a flat-bottomed leather-upholstered steering wheel, alloy pedals, Recaro bucket seats for the front passengers and three extra gauges grouped in a driver-oriented cluster that is located on top of a dashboard. The RS can be ordered with the latest generation of Ford’s touch screen-based SYNC infotainment system.

Power for the Focus RS comes from an evolution of the turbocharged 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine that is found under the hood of the new Mustang. Ford promises that the turbo four has been tuned to produce well over 315 horsepower, though the final output is being kept under wraps for the time being. The hot hatch should be able to reach 60 mph from a stop in about 4.5 seconds.

The EcoBoost mill is linked to a six-speed manual transmission, and the third-gen RS comes standard with a torque-vectoring all-wheel drive system for the first time in the nameplate’s history. The all-wheel drive system can send up to 70 percent of the engine’s torque to the rear axle and up to 100 percent of the available torque to each rear wheel.

A lowered and stiffened sport suspension with two-mode shock absorbers and upgraded brakes on all four corners help the driver make the most of the EcoBoost’s power both on and off the track.

The 2016 Ford Focus RS is expected to go on sale across the nation before the end of the year. Pricing information and full specifications will be announced in the weeks leading up to its on-sale date.

Live images by Ronan Glon.

Lamborghini has finally released official images and some details of its new Aventador LP 750-4 Superveloce, a lightweight, 750-horsepower, track-dominating supermachine.
The LP 750-4 SV features a 6.5 liter, naturally aspirated V12 engine, boasting the aforementioned 750hp at 8,400 RPM (just 100 RPM shy of redline) and more than 500lb-ft of torque. Lamborghini claims this is good enough for a zero-to-62 mph run in 2.8 seconds on the way to a top speed just north of 217 mph (350 km/h).

Power modifications include optimized variable valve timing and a performance-tuned, lightweight exhaust resulting in lower back pressure. The engine is mated to Lamborghini’s ISR transmission, which it claims is the quickest automated manual gearbox in the world.

At 3,362lbs, the SV is 110lbs lighter than the Aventador on which it is based, owing to lightweight body components and accessories, including all-new doors, rocker panels and fenders. Inside, trim has been removed to save weight, and the seat shells are made from carbon fiber. The seats are upholstered in alcantara with leather inserts, and the instrument cluster is all-new.

The body has been aerodynamically tuned for maximum downforce and minimum excess drag. The rear wing can provide a 15% variation in the aero balance of the car, allowing the driver to fine-tune its profile whether on the road or track. The front end has been redesigned to maximize grip at turn-in, and the larger air intakes provide additional air to the V12 under the hood.

The SV’s pushrod suspension system incorporates Lamborghini’s adaptive Magneto Rheological Suspension (MRS), giving it the ability to respond instantly to road conditions and driver inputs. Paired with LDS (Lamborgini Dynamic Steering), it should provide drivers with impeccable control.

“The new Aventador Superveloce continues the Lamborghini tradition of SV models, pushing the boundaries in terms of performance and pure driving emotion,” says Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini.

Lamborghini’s previous teaser video is below. Stay tuned for live images of the LP 740-4 SV from the floor in Geneva.