Geneva Motor Show 2014 Preview
Rinspeed converted a Tesla electric car with reclining airplane-style seats and a massive flat-screen TV.
A drone car to see what's causing traffic problems ahead, another that takes delivery while you're at work, and a self-driving car with rear-facing seats.
Welcome to the 2014 Geneva Motor Show, where on Tuesday (March 4) the doors of the world's media will open with a spotlight on strange cars on wheels.
Sure, these crazy concepts rarely make it to the showroom floor, but they give the automotive world a chance to showcase what's possible, if not smart.
As tech giant Apple gears up to unveil its next generation of in-car integrations ahead of the show, there will be crowds of onlookers, diverting attention.
Swiss tuning firm Rinspeed is known for expanding the imagination of its designers (last year it unveiled a tiny box-shaped hatchback that, like a bus, had only standing room).
This year he transformed Tesla an electric car with reclining airplane-style seats and a massive flat-screen TV so you can turn into a coach while driving.
This is a little premature, because the introduction of a self-driving car will be a long and drawn-out process, during which there will be a lot of debate about the definition of “self-driving”.
Some cars sold today already have automated features such as radar cruise control (which maintains distance with the vehicle in front) and automatic braking (Volvo, Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz etc.) in conditions of low-speed movement.
But there is still a large part of two decades left before the full transfer of control to cars and traffic lights connected by wireless communication. “How soon can we handle all city traffic without any human intervention? I would say 2030 or 2040,” says Audi autonomous driving expert Dr. Bjorn Giesler.
“Urban traffic is so, so complex that there will always be a situation where the driver needs to return to the task of driving.
“I don't think (technology) can handle everything the city has to offer you right now. It will take a lot of time".
futuristic look Renault The Kwid will make its European debut after being unveiled at the Delhi Motor Show last month. The drone, about the size of a remote-controlled toy, has tiny on-board cameras that send images back to the vehicle. Even the company admits that this is a fantasy, but at least it is shared by most people in their daily routine.
Meanwhile, the Swedish automaker Volvo should introduce a new station wagon which can take deliveries even if you are far from it. The car doors will be unlocked remotely using a mobile phone and locked again after the parcel is delivered.
One of the weirdest cars to hit showrooms is this unique style and strange name Citroen Cactus. This is based on Citroena new compact car designed to grab attention and redefine compact SUVs. This has yet to be confirmed for Australia, but if it does, the company may consider changing the name.
Of course, it wouldn't be a car dealership without supercars. Lamborghini will present its new Huracan supercar for the first time — and there is no hybrid icon next to it. Indeed, the only electric motors in this V10 Lamborghini are the electric seat adjustments.
Ferrari there is a new convertible: California T means "targa roof" but can also mean turbo as it marks the Italian manufacturer's return to turbo power with a twin-turbo V8 engine to comply with stricter European emissions laws.
And finally, another limited edition Bugatti Veyron. The world's fastest car, with a top speed of 431 km/h in the Guinness Book of Records, is nearing completion of a €2.2 million special edition.
The company is struggling to sell its last 40 vehicles, totaling around $85 million before taxes. Bugatti reportedly lost every Veyron built. Bugatti has sold out of 300 coupes produced since 2005, and only 43 of the 150 roadsters introduced in 2012 are due to be built before the end of 2015.
This reporter on Twitter: @JoshuaDowling
