Britain’s poshest motor show gets under way next week, with eight new cars making their debut at the three-day event.
That includes the sleek GV60 coupé crossover utility vehicle, which makes its UK and European debut at Salon Privé London taking place at the Royal Hospital Chelsea from Thursday to Saturday, April 21 to 23.
The GV60 is the first electric car from Genesis, the luxury marque from South Korea. Pricing for the model ranges from £47,005 to £65,405, and pre-order books have opened for the brand’s first dedicated electric platform-based vehicle.
Sleek: The first electric car from Genesis, the GV60 coupe crossover
Three options of the GV60 will be available at launch:
- Premium (168kW rear-wheel drive single motor) priced from £47,005, with a range of up to 321 miles.
- Sport (160kW + 74kW all-wheel drive dual motor) priced from £53,605, with a range of up to 292 miles.
- Sport Plus (160Kw+160kW all-wheel drive dual motor), priced from £65,405 with a range of up to 289 miles. The GV60 can be charged up to 80 per cent in 18 minutes on a rapid charger.
The GV60 will come as standard with advanced driver safety systems, a dual 12.3 in infotainment screen and wireless phone charging. Its electronic transmission control, dubbed a ‘crystal sphere’, lets you select driving modes.
Genesis launched five premium luxury vehicles in 2021 and this year will introduce three electric vehicles.
By 2025, all new models will be electric and it aims to be net carbon zero by 2035.
Other highlights at Salon Privé London include the first chance for British motorists to see up close the new flagship Range Rover SV, available as standard and long-wheelbase; Aston Martin’s powerful new 193mph DBX 707; the all-new Morgan Super 3 three-wheeler; the Ferrari 296 GTB rear-wheel drive plug-in hybrid); and the Alfa Romeo 12C prototype.
Also attending are: Alpine, Lamborghini, Pininfarina, Porsche, Rolls-Royce, Harley-Davidson; Indian Motorcycles and the Pal-V fling car, British specialists Charge Cars, Envisage, Everrati, Jensen Automotive and Overfinch.
There are also cocktail bars, fine dining and a shopping village hosting luxury brands including British jeweller Boodles.
Dominique Boesch, managing director of Genesis Motor Europe said: ‘Salon Privé is the perfect event for our all-electric GV60 to be making its European debut.’
Andrew Pilkington, managing Director for Genesis Motor UK added: ‘GV60 marks a new electrifying era for Genesis in the UK, and we are thrilled to add our first all-electric car to our line-up for customers with pre-orders now open.
‘As part of our overall global push for electrification we want to redefine what premium-luxury means to a new generation of electric vehicle customers. GV60 embodies the very essence of the Genesis brand – providing next generation technology without compromising on luxury.’
Event director David Bagley said: ‘Salon Privé London promises to be London’s most exclusive automotive party, with plenty to see and do in addition to the motoring attractions. It’s a privilege to open the first day with the European debut of the Genesis GV60.’
- Salon Privé London is donating 20 per cent of all entry ticket sales to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), via Work for Good for Ukraine. Tickets at salonprivelondon.com.
Road users admit inappropriate use of horn
You hear it all the time — that toot toot on the horn.
Yet an estimated eight million UK motorists run the risk of fines of up to £1,000 each for sounding their vehicle’s horn ‘inappropriately’.
Road safety charity IAM RoadSmart reveals that a quarter of the 1,000 drivers surveyed admitted they are likely to honk their horn at motorists driving ‘too slowly’ in front.
Warning: An estimated eight million UK motorists run the risk of fines of up to £1,000 each for sounding their vehicle’s horn ‘inappropriately’
One in five has sounded their horn at learner drivers.
The Highway Code states that drivers should use the horn only to warn other road users of their presence.
It is also illegal to sound your horn in a built-up area between 11.30pm and 7am.
Police have powers to issue non-endorsable fixed penalty notices (FPN) of £30 for these offences.
Drivers can challenge the decision in court. But if magistrates agree with the police, they can increase the fine to up to £1,000.
The IAM report says: ‘In the eyes of the law, motorists also mustn’t blast their horn aggressively because it is not a device to draw attention of other road users without viable and reasonable intention.’
IAM RoadSmart’s director of policy and research Neil Greig also stressed road safety issues: ‘Sounding your car’s horn aggressively or at an inappropriate time can seriously panic other road users, leading them to make rushed and risky decisions.’
Watch out for airport ‘kiss and fly’ spaces
Motorists dropping off family and friends at the airport as they head off on holiday are being advised to watch out for the latest wheeze to squeeze even more money out of drivers.
British airports are charging up to £1 a minute in so-called ‘kiss and fly’ drop-off spaces close to the terminals. Taxis must pay the fees, too, and it’s per visit, not per day.
Latest wheeze: British airports are charging up to £1 a minute in so-called ‘kiss and fly’ drop-off spaces close to the terminals
Travel insurer Start Travel reports Manchester Airport as ‘the worst offender’, charging £5 for five minutes — and £25 if drivers exceed its ten-minute limit.
It is followed by London Stansted, charging £7 for 15 minutes and £25 for more than 15 minutes; Gatwick, charging £5 for ten minutes and an additional £1 per minute up to 20 minutes; and Luton, at £5 for ten minutes, plus £1 per minute after ten minutes.
Britain’s busiest airport, Heathrow, charges £5 for ten minutes per drop-off.
By contrast, Jersey and Inverness airports are free for quick set-downs and collections, while Edinburgh Airport offers a 50% discount for electric vehicles.
Lee Puffett, managing director of Start Travel, said: ‘Some airports are profiting from poor travel planning, so don’t be caught out with costly drop-off and pick-up fees. Research your airport carefully before you set off.’
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