MOTOR SHOW: Generation Geneva - The show's most important business cars
Date:
23 April 2013
Top 5 variants
1 VW Golf Estate
What is it? The load-lugging version of the new Golf - recently crowned European car of the year.
Why is it interesting to business? A boot of 605 litres is exactly 100 litres more than the previous Golf Estate, yet the car is styled for more visual appeal than its utilitarian predecessor.
When is it on sale? October 2013.
Any other business? There will be a Bluemotion estate for the first time, offering 87g/km and an official 85.6mpg figure. It joined the new GTI, GTD and low-CO2 Bluemotion versions of the five-door hatchback at the show in a comprehensive expansion of the new Golf's range.
2 Audi A3 Sportback E-Tron
What is it? A plug-in hybrid version of the existing A3 Sportback with a 1.4-litre TFSI petrol engine and an electric motor - similar in its use of technology to the Vauxhall Ampera and Toyota Prius plug-in.
Why is it interesting to business? The five-door A3 Sportback is one of the firm's core fleet models, but more to the point, this version is looking at official figures of 188mpg and just 35g/km of CO2.
When is it on sale? During 2014.
Any other business? It may be clean and frugal but it isn't slow. The 204hp E-Tron is good for 0-62mph in 7.6 seconds and 138mph. It can also travel for up to 31 miles on electricity alone.
3 Toyota Auris Sports Tourer
What is it? An estate version of the lower medium Auris.
Why is it interesting to business? For the first time, Toyota is combining hybrid and estate models, and that leads to emissions as low as 85g/km for an estate.
When is it on sale? Summer 2013.
Any other business? Toyota claims boot space of 530 litres for the Sports Tourer, 30 litres more than a Vauxhall Astra Sport Tourer, as well as "superb" versatility for the load area, which includes a two-way tonneau cover.
4 Seat Leon SC
What is it? The new three-door version of the Seat Leon, as the model expands from a single five-door to a three-model line-up with this sporty three-door and an estate coming by the end of 2013.
Why is it interesting to business? Seat has big plans for the Leon, and although the three-door will be the smallest in terms of volume of the three models, it has the same boot and rear headroom as the five-door.
When is it on sale? July 2013.
Any other business? The price is likely to be around the same point as the five-door, but the SC will get bigger wheels and possibly upgraded seats.
5 Nissan Leaf
What is it? A revised version of Nissan's pioneering electric car.
Why is it interesting to business? Lower cost, increased range, shorter charging time and now built in the UK, the Leaf's revisions should make it appeal further to UK businesses. Though Nissan admits sales haven't been where they were hoping as yet, 700 have so far been registered since the car was launched.
When is it on sale? Late spring 2013
Any other business? All 200 Nissan dealers will be selling the Leaf from the end of this month, up from the 30 that were tasked with selling the EV from launch.
Subscribe