Three unusual new innovations at the 2024 Geneva Motor Show including car that can drive on water & seat for a bonnet
THREE incredible new innovations have been revealed at this year’s hotly anticipated Geneva Motor Show – including a car that can drive on water.
Motor manufacturers flocked from far and wide to use the show to promote their latest models and showcase concept cars, with many offering unique features.
This is the first time the event has been held in Switzerland since the Covid pandemic and it did not disappoint, delighting petrol heads with its quirky modern cars
Standout displays included a car that could drive on water, a vehicle with two seats on the bonnet, and a motor with a rotating touchscreen.
Sam Sheehan, motoring editor at Cinch, noted that one of the coolest cars seen at the show is the Yangwang U8, a Chinese alternative to the Land Rover Defender.
It has the ability to float to help the driver escape if the vehicle lands in water.
He said: “The U8 has arrived as a 1,186bhp plug-in hybrid luxury SUV that takes on the new Land Rover Discovery 130.
“Unlike it’s British rival, the U8 is a massive floatation device.
“This makes it safer in the event of an accident in the water, keeping all passengers upright and dry.
“As soon as it senses you’ve driven into the water, Emergency Floating Mode activates, shutting down the engine, raising the suspension, closing the windows, opening the sunroof and displaying water depth and vehicle position on the central control system.”
Another car on show had a less flashy and more practical feature but was impressive none the less.
This vehicle is the Lucid Gravity, which gives owners the ability to use the front boot as a seat.
As a fully-electric SUV, the Austrian-assembled Gravity has a front end which lifts up with the bonnet, allowing two people to sit comfortably at the front of the car in the open air.
Sam also highlighted that a growing number of vehicles produced by the Chinese BYD brand feature a touchscreen that can be rotated to give different drivers a better view of the sat-nav or radio controls.
He explained: “Coming in to rival the Skoda Kodiaq and Nissan Qashqai, this sleek family SUV offers a luxurious interior, fast charging capabilities, and one distinct feature that sets it apart.
“Sitting at the centre of the dashboard is a large 15.6-inch rotating infotainment screen that offers a different look depending on whether you’re viewing maps or music.
“Very few other cars have this option, with another being BYD’s Atto 3 small SUV.”