MAY 2024 AFTERMARKET 33 www.aftermarketonline.net revealed, with new 0.8 kWh MHEV and 1.2 kWh HEV powertrains. As we shall see, many manufacturers have reversed plans for a BEV-only route to 2030, due to combinations of technology costs (meagre profit margins), consumer charging issues and rampant price cutting. BEV remains a consumer choice, not a Government mandate. Renault revealed the 5 e-Tech electric, a vehicle targeted at £25,000 or so. It is the first to use the new Ampere platform (AmpR small). With 40 or 52 kWh batteries and front wheel drive, the platform will be used for the new Renault 4. However, the rear subframe shows a rear drive motor could be installed. There, on the stand was a sectioned battery showing distinctive battery cells made by BYD… Pure electric Over on the BYD stand there was the new pure electric Platform 3.0, as well as the hybrid drive platform. This shows the only vehicle manufacturer from China to declare they would stop selling all internal combustion powered vehicles knows how to survive. BYD is primarily a battery and electrical equipment manufacturer, and in time their ‘day’ will come. Also in attendance was the BYD brand YangWang, with the U8. It has four electric motors powered by a 49 kWh battery fed by a generator powered by a 2l petrol engine. The system produces gd1100 PS, can steer on motor torque alone (see the Mercedes electric G wagon demo at CES2024), weighs 3.6 tonnes empty, can wade in 1 metre of water or 1.4 metres of water with a snorkel. It’s 5.3m long and 1.93m tall. The claim it can float on water for up to 30 minutes is surely going to be the stuff of social media. The YangWang U9 was launched in China a few days before Geneva opened. Lucid launched a low-cost, well, let’s say lower-cost version of Air with rear wheel drive only – for €85,000. In light of the adjacent YangWang U8, Lucid pre-viewed the Gravity which is on sale in early 2025. It is a three row SUV, 5m long, 1.65m tall, 1.99m wide, without door mirrors, with 800 PS BEV with 440 miles range. The length and width are truly shocking – like the U8, it is intimidating simply whilst parked. On the MG Motor stand was the new hybrid drive MG3, a vehicle poised to build on the impact of the first MG3 in the EU market. Alongside that there was the brand IM, of which SAIC, owner of MG Motor and LDV / Maxus, is the majority investor, with two battery electric cars – the L6 and L7 – on show. These were joined by new-to-Europe MG7 and MG9. Just as with BYD, MG Motor is bringing more new model lines to Europe and each one seems to be rather well built. Finally, a company that built hybrid drive systems for F1 has evolved to make the Beeway – an electric truck already configured to accommodate a fuel cell in preparation for when hydrogen becomes more economically viable. LMI Beeway was launched in November 2023 at SOLUTRANS, a specialist transportation vehicle show held in Lyons, but has a proper cast and extruded aluminium roll over hoop for the cab reflecting LMI’s motor sport roots, plastic formed skin panels, unique de-mountable body platform and underslung Li-Ion battery back. Beeway are selling their vehicles to fleets as well as individuals. At the 1984 Geneva show the Ferrari 288 GTO was revealed. Ferrari organised a celebratory road trip. Similarly, Fiat revealed in 2004 the concept that would become the Fiat 500 in 2007. To mark the occasion a special limited edition has been made. These are just two examples of the Geneva magic. The big question – With so many manufacturers celebrating successful models originally launched at Geneva including Fiat and Ferrari – where were they? Maybe next time. Martini Racing rally and race cars line up with Kimera 038 Evo Below: Arguably the star of the show, apart from the Renault 5, is the next generation MG3 with hybrid drive. This is the car most EU27 manufacturers are watching closely
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ0NzM=