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The first major European motor show in two years brought plenty of new production and concept cars to look at. Here are the Drive team’s favourites.
Social media commentary suggests this is an opinion-splitter, but I just don’t see how. To my eyes, the Renault Megane E-Tech is about as good looking as new cars come, with its big wheels and low roof looking more concept than reality. Of course, there’d be no harm in it eschewing its SUV ride height for something a little lower, but I can forgive it. It’s certainly better looking (though perhaps not as attention-grabbing) than the Nissan Ariya it shares its platform with.
The Mercedes-Maybach EQS looks a little promising, but it had its limelight stolen by the Concept EQG. If you’re actually at the show in person, you’ll also get to see the AMG GT63 S E Performance and C-Class All Terrain, but by that stage, would you even care? Mercedes-Benz needs to do two things: First, learn that more is less when it comes to making an impact. Second, go back to the drawing board with the EQ styling, and let us know when you have an EQE and EQS punters can tell apart.
Setting aside that the nameplate is borrowed from another, altogether more iconic Renault, the Renault Megane E-Tech 100% Electric hits a lot of right notes. It’s an SUV, which is, whether we like it or not, what the majority of people want. It’s electric, which whether we like it or not, is the future of automotive.
Whilst I find the Mercedes-Benz Concept EQG rather kitsch and looking like something new-money Tron would drive, the actual concept at heart is a great one.
The off-roader’s mere premise of being simple and functional is threatened by complexities like electrification. Mercedes-Benz has over 40 years of form navigating the issue however, but still offering something authentic.
I reckon the electrified Geländewagen will continue to be just that.
Biggest miss: Mercedes-Benz EQE
Not to mention the styling itself, with that ‘one-bow’ roof, which doesn’t really scream $120,000 electric luxury car (or over $200,000, in the EQS’s case) to me. The BMW i5 and Audi A6 E-Tron seem like far more attractive propositions, in my view.
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