I first started to attend the Geneva Motor Show when I was working in Switzerland, as it was simply a case of booking a day off work and taking the train from Zurich across the country to the Palexpo. located a couple of minutes walk from the station at Geneva Airport. Although I ceased working there a few years ago, this has not deterred me from attending, as its airport location means that it is easy, and relatively affordable to access from the UK, and indeed I have only missed one show in the past several years, and that was thanks to a diary clash with vacation on the other side of the world. Experience has taught me that the show does get crowded at the weekend., but that a weekday is a much better prospect it you want to see the cars up close. As the build up commenced, the wisdom of this decision became ever more apparent, as all the omens indicated that the 83rd show was going to be a particularly memorable one, not least because it would feature the world premiere of Hypercars from Ferrari, Lamborghini and McLaren. With plenty of other new metal on show, spread out over the 7 connected halls, there was indeed an awful lot to see. Leaving home at 5am on a Friday morning, for an early flight, and spending two solid days on my feet, with only brief respite when sitting in the cars may sound like an ordeal, and indeed I was tired at the end of it, but what a show……… and with the company of three friends, what a great way to spend those 2 days. Here then are the highlights as captured by camera:
ABARTH
A four car display, featuring the latest Punto Supersport and examples of the popular 500 model in 695 FuoriSerie guise.
ABT
AC SCHNITZER
ALFA-ROMEO
Big news here was the launch of the 4C. I loved the concept version of this when it was shown a couple of years ago, and was delighted to see that it appeared to have changed little in the transition to a production model, though I have to say that the headlight treatment is fussy to the point of awful. Everything else, though is just fabulous. Alfa are still drip feeding the details, but it would seem that despite having “only” 1750cc, it should be rapid, thanks to the light weight from the carbon fibre chassis.
The two current production cars, MiTo and Giulietta were both present on the stand.
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ALPINA
Four examples of Alpina’s art here, with the latest X3 based XD3 model being perhaps the most surprising and the B3 the expected one based on the latest F30 model 3 series.
ASTON-MARTIN
Aston Martin celebrates its centenary this year, and so we can expect to see a lot of these cars during the year. They have also promised us a constant stream of “new” models, though as they seem to be on a strategy of constant evolution rather than radical transformation, you may struggle to notice. Latest offering is the Rapide S, and you will notice this from its new and rather prominent grille. Whether you think it is an improvement will be a matter of personal taste. I don’t like it.
The Vanquish still counts as pretty new, having only recently gone on sale, and there was one of these, with some rather questionable blue finishes to the wheels and grille.
Other cars on show represented the rest of the range from the baby Cygnet through the V8/V12 Vantage to the DB9
AUDI
This was a large stand, and it was always crowded, as is always the case with Audi at European shows. The easiest three cars to appreciate were the three on turntables at the back of the stand, which represented three of their latest models, the storming RS6 Avant, the A3 etron and the RS Q3.
My favourite car on show was the RS7, though sadly the pricing of this means that it is unlikely ever to grace my drive.
The R8 is still a crowd puller and the LMS Ultra was doing that even more than the regular models.
There were plenty of other familiar cars from the vast range on show.
Audi’s Le Mans winner was on a stand in one of the connecting corridors.
BENTLEY
Premiere for the latest Continental Flying Spur, and accordingly a couple of examples were on the stand. This car is more obviously different in its second generation than the GT and GTC models. I am still not convinced by the new back end, but guess it will grow on me with familiarity.
Other models on show included a Mulsanne and representatives of the GT and GTC range, with both the W12 and the Speed versions on display.
BERTONE
Two Aston based models here, one more successful than the other. The Rapide based one was the disappointment, with the styling looking awkward, whereas the Jet 2+2, I thought was rather more successful.
BMW
This was the first chance for most people to see the new 3 Series GT. Less ungainly than the larger 5 Series for sure, it is still a bit awkward at the back end, and the fussy faux vent on the front wings does it not favours. No disputing that it is roomy inside, though, with the benefit of a longer wheelbase than the F30 saloon and F31 Touring models, and the boot is at least as capacious as in its most obvious rival, the A5 Sportback.
The i3 Coupe and i8 concept cars were making another appearance, in advance of production models being launched later in the year.
With such a vast range, BMW could only select a few examples of their other cars, and these ranged from the ActiveHybrid 3 and 6 Gran Coupe to the more familiar 1 series hatches.
The Concept Active Tourer was also on show.
BRABUS
BUGATTI
Despite the fact that it has been around for a few years and the competition from rival hyper car makers, the Veyron can still pull a crowd, and indeed the edges of the stand were always busy, as people struggled to get a good look at the three examples on show.
CADILLAC
First European sighting of the ELR. This striking coupe shares much with the technologically impressive Chevrolet Volt, but clothed in a a far sharper suit of clothes. Like the CTS Coupe, I suspect that rear vision is a challenge with that almost horizontal rear window, but I think it looks quite good.
Also looking sharp is Cadillac’s latest attempt to crack the German dominated compact executive saloon market, the ATS. American press reports all praised the car, and reckoned it got awfully close, but whether Europeans will see it that way is something that only time will tell. My prediction is that it will continue to struggle, even though the car doubtless has far more strengths than the CTS.
I do like the look of the CTS Wagon, though it has not sold well and is unlikely to feature in the replacement car’s range. This is the appealing CTS-V version.
CARLSSON
CHEVROLET
There were both Coupe and Convertible Corvette Stingray on show. Really quite different from the C6 (and C5) cars, this is very striking, and the interior looks like it has leapt much closer to what is required in a car of this price. I look forward to seeing these on the road (and in the Hertz fleet)
The popular Camaro was also on show, with the HotWheels version making its European debut.
At the other end of the spectrum was the Spark, shown in EV guise, where the batteries are well located so as not to take away space for people or luggage.
The Trax will launch soon and there were several on show, though quite what the connection to Manchester United Football Club is, I was not sure.
Other cars included the Malibu, which is headed to Europe. With a 2.4 litre petrol engine, it surely will struggle, even if it is any good, And American reports suggest it is so disappointing that an emergency facelift us in the works for later this year.
The Volt is now becoming a common-ish sight on US roads but still really to take off in Europe.
The stand also included Aveo, Cruze, Captiva and Orlando models.
CITROEN
Launch of a facelifted C3 was the highlight here. Useful improvements for sure, but hardly like to alter the fact that this is not a class leader.
There were lots of familiar models on show, ranging from the now rather elderly C1, through the C4, to the DS3, DS4 and DS5.
The concept Technospace is a very close relative of the new C4 Picasso we can expect to see later this year.
Citroen’s rally activities were celebrated on one corner of the stand with the DS3 WRC car.
DACIA
With the marque now launched in the UK, it was time to see what else is in the range and heading our way. Next up will be the Logan MCV, which was making its debut in second generation guise. This is a particularly commodious small estate car.
The Lodgy and the Dokker are also probably coming to our shores sometime soon. Again, great utility for low prices.
DELOREAN
Tucked away in Hall 7 among the tool and after market stuff was this.
DODGE
With the Viper in the centre of the stand, it was clear that this was the star attraction, but there was also interest in the huge Durango, the Charger and the truly ginormous Ram pickup.
EDAG
EXAGON
The Furtive e-GT. Is this one of those cars which promises much but we will only ever see on show stands?
FAB DESIGN
FERRARI
Huge crowds around the Ferrari stand, and with the LaFerrari in the centre of it, who can be surprised. This car is smaller than I had imagined, both shorter and narrower than the pictures led me to believe.
The F12 Berlinetta is still an unfamiliar sight and it was joined by the FF and 458 models.
FIAT
The 500L has just gone on sale in the UK and it will be interesting to see how well it does. I still cannot really get on with the looks, but allegedly it drives quite nicely.
The Panda I do like, and there were new 4×4 and Trekking cars on show.
Among the 500s was the electric model that was first shown at the LA Show in late 2012.
The Punto struggles on, now one of the oldest designs on the market. Still a good looking car, in my opinion.
FISKER
Three Karma were on show. This is an elegant looking car, so I do hope that all the challenges – quality, fires and battery supply – can be sorted out and that the marque has a future.
FORD
A stand that we visited several times, as it was the only one dispensing free glasses of water! Ford had decided to paint all their cars in the same shade of blue. That meant that telling the range of B-Max, C-Max and S-Max apart from a distance was quite hard!
No such problems identifying the EcoSport, a rather hideous device which is headed to Europe in 2014. Ugh!
There were plenty of the facelifted Fiesta on show, including the soon to appear ST.
The Focus was also much in evidence with Ecoboost and ST models displayed.
The entire Transit line is being refreshed with the large models and the smaller Connect both brand new and there was a concept version of the Tourneo Courier on display.
There was even a Ranger pickup, a very capable, if now rather larger than it used to be, working vehicle.
FORNASARI
Renowned for making hideously ugly fibre glass creations, often painted in billious colours, Fornasari is one of those marques that only tends to be seen at the Geneva show. Whilst the colours were toned down this year, the styling was not.
GIUGIARO
The ItalDesign Parcour.
GTA
Spano
GUMPERT
Two examples of the Apollo.
HAMANN
I think this mutilated and desecrated Range-Rover was probably the very worst and most tasteless modified car at the show. It did have strong competition, though.
Hamann’s other offerings were equally repulsive.
HONDA
Star billing went to the Concept version of the Civic Sports Tourer. Not a fan.
Nor am I a fan of anything else much in Honda’s current range, examples of all of which were on show, including the FCX Clarity hydrogen powered car.
Sole interest for the enthusiast was the NS-X concept and a racing car.
HYUNDAI
Plenty to see here, with the latest i30 now offered in three door and estate guise as well as the five door hatchback.
The WRC car was also on show.
IAD
The Gloria, an Alfa based concept.
INFINITI
European premier for the G37 replacing Q50 and I have to say that I don’t like it. It is not as bad as the Lexus IS, but it is not a visual improvement to my eyes on the rather nice G model of yore.
The LE Concept is visually far less successful. Very odd.
The rest of the range were also on show.
INNOVATIVE MOBILITY AUTOMOBILE
An interesting single seater called the Colibri
JAGUAR
First sighting of the lovely new F Type was in the walkway from the station to the Palexpo. This was a V8 model, and very nice it is too.
There was another car on the Jaguar stand which we could inspect at close quarters. This really is one of the nicest looking cars to have been launched in recent years and if it drives as well as everyone predicts, will be a sell out success despite the rather ambitious pricing.
I am sure that the XFR-S will also be fabulous to drive, but that massive rear spoiler is rather tacky looking.
Other Jaguar on show included the XF SportBrake, now appearing on our roads, and the familiar XK and XJ models.
JEEP
There was a large stand, featuring the current range, but I do not appear to have taken any pictures of them at all.
KAHN
KIA
The Provo concept was one of those which looks far more convincing in the metal than it had done in the pictures.
The GT versions of the Cee’d and pro_Cee’d were making the debut and these look impressive. Enough changes to make sure everyone knows that they are the potent models in the range but nothing over the top.
The latest Carens was on show. A neat design this completes the renovation of the range started just 3 years ago with the latest Sportage.
There were examples of the rest of the range, too.
KOENIGSEGG
KTM
The x-Bow GT was making its debut here, a machine with a windscreen and windows making it that bit less impractical for road use.
LAMBORGHINI
The Veneno probably attracted the largest crowds of all during this event, and with only three going to be built, this is not surprising, as I am not sure when/if I will see it again. Completely Over The Top in the best of Lamborghini traditions!
The Aventador featured in Coupe and Spider forms.
This could be the last major European show for the Gallardo, as it is reported that production will cease during 2013.
LANCIA
A mixture of Italian and Chrysler designs comprise the range, with Ypsilon and Delta in the former category and Flavia Convertible, Thema and Voyager in the latter. The Yspilon and Delta were both presented in MomoDesign guise.
LAND-ROVER
Another stand where I failed to take any pictures.
LEXUS
Ah, the new IS. Oh dear! The inside may be very nice, but few will get past the awkward outside ever to find out! the F-Sport is particularly chavvy, but even the regular model is not nice. Destined to remain a low volume curiosity in Europe, for sure.
The LF-LC concept was staging another appearance.
Among the production cars, the LS has just been facelifted. I cannot see how this will get sales into triple digits, but I may of course be wrong here!
MANSORY
I expect modified vehicles with those who tastes are very different to mine from Mansory and that is exactly what I got.
MASERATI
Several examples of the new Quattroporte were on show, and I have to say I am not a fan. The elongated rear end does the styling no favours.
Among the other cars was the latest GranTurismo Stradale as well as regular and Gran Cabrio models.
MAZDA
Pride of place for the latest Mazda 6, one of the best looking cars in its segment.
All the other familiar models were on show from the diminutive 2 up to the impressive CX5. Of all the Japanese marques Mazda has the most compelling range at present, in my opinion.
McLAREN
A huge stand for McLaren this year, with lots to show off. The P1 was of course the car that everyone wanted to see, and it was located on one corner giving everyone a good chance of an eye full. Although it is a very impressively engineered machine, for sure, the looks just do not quite do it for me.
No such criticism of the older F1, which was shown in LM guise around the other side of the stand.
There were three examples of the production MP4-12C, a very neatly designed machine indeed.
MERCEDES-BENZ
The car I really wanted to see was the new CLA. I am not a fan of the looks, which seem to conform to Mercedes’ current penchant for too many surfaces and flares and a droopy rear end, but following press reports that noted some packaging issues, I was intrigued to understand if it really was less roomy than the smaller C Class. Now I know that it is. The shape of the rear doors and the slope of the roof meant that getting in and out of the back of the CLA requires extreme care, and once installed, I found that headroom is so seriously lacking that I could not sit there except with ,my head bowed so my chin was almost on my chest. The boot may be decently big, but the access is so small that you will never get anything large in it. No matter how well it drives, this car has to rate as one of the most disappointing of the show.
The new A Class does not seem to suffer these problems, though the gawdy red stripe on the front of the A45 AMG is just plain nasty.
The E Class in newly facelifted guise was much in evidence.
Plenty of other Mercedes from their vast range, including the recently launched CLS ShootBrake, and facelifted GLK among them.
The vibrant hue of the SLS e-cell meant it could not be missed.
MINI
Centre of attention here was the Paceman, a car which will doubtless sell decently enough, even though few can see the point, and it is seriously pricey in its upper spec guises.
All the familiar models were also on show, including the ClubVan.
MINI also had the Dakar Countryman on show.
MITSUBISHI
Mitsubishi were launching two new models at the show, the latest version of the Outlander and their small hatchback, which will bear the name SpaceStar in Continental Europe. The latter is a neat but unremarkable hatch, rescued from being ignored by the very low CO2 ratings of all models. It is less obviously cheap than the Nissan Micra, its main rival, but I still predict it will only have minority appeal.
The Outlander may fare better, as a honest workhorse, available now with traditional diesel and petrol engines and a Hybrid model to come.
Mitsubishi had two rather wacky concepts on show: the GR-HEV and the CA-MIEV. Hmm.
The little iMIEV was much in evidence on the stand. Impressive technology in a very small car indeed, but it is costly.
Star for me on the stand was the oldest car, a 1977 Celeste, a striking coupe that is rarely seen these days.
MORGAN
Morgan is rightly a confident marque these days, with success coming across their range. There were examples of the 3 Wheeler, the familiar 4/4 and Plus 4 as well as the high end AeroSport models.
NISSAN
Premiere for the Note, which Nissan say is positioned as a direct rival to the Fiesta and Polo. With a rather unfortunate body kit in place, I have to say that it fails on visual inspection. Not impressed.
The Resonance concept looked rather better.
Among other cars on the stand were Nismo versions of the Juke and 370Z and the latest European built Leaf.
NOBLE
Two examples of the M600 supercar.
OPEL
Yet to be seen on our roads is the new Cascada, a neat looking convertible that straddles the Astra and Insignia, with styling cues from both.
I am not a fan of the Adam, but much was being made of this car with several examples on show, including the concept Rock and a mildly adapted motorsport variant.
OTHER MISC
PAGANI
Two versions of the Huaraya were drawing vast crowds as you might imagine.
PARISS
PEUGEOT
A large stand in one corned of the hall, with a lot of emphasis on the new 2008. An obvious rival to the Renault Captur, any appeal of this one fell apart when I tried to sit in it. The seat is too high, and the tiny diameter steering wheel too low, meaning an awful driving position. The gearbox felt as vague as all recent Peugeots. Not impressed.
I hope that the 208 GTi, also a launch at the show, is better. It certainly looks OK, but it has big shoes to fill as everyone expects it to be rekindle memories of the much loved 205 GTi, which may be too tall an order no matter how competent this car is.
There were regular 208 models, too, and the luxurious XY and the sporting T16 car.
More familiar Peugeots joined these, ranging from 107 to 508.
The Onyx concept car was interesting.
PININFARINA
This delightful duo were actually the first cars that we saw on entering the show, with the lovely 206 Dino joined by a modern effort, the Sergio.
PORSCHE
The new Cayman was drawing lots of praise for its appearance.
Also debuting was the 911 GT3, show in road going and Cup race versions.
The rest of the range was well represented.
QOROS
First showing for this new Chinese marque. The cars were positioned such that you could not actually get inside them and have a really good look, but they certainly pass muster from their styling and the one car with doors open looked quite neat inside as well.
RENAULT
Vast stand for Renault, showing a new found confidence in the wake of the largely positive reaction to Clio 4. There were several on show, including a couple of the RS200 model. I don’t particularly like the styling of this model, and the interior is a real disappointment with lots of cheap plastic and a centre display for the satellite navigation that looks like an after-thought. It was the sharp edges on mouldings on the steering wheel which really put me off, though. There was also an example of the latest Tourer model, a car with a capacious boot, but an ugly rump to generate the space for it.
Latest model is the Captur, which will take the place of the Modus and provide Renault with a competitor in the small Crossover market. The interior quality on these was even nastier than the Clio.
At least the Zoe looks good, a neat an assuming design, though again the interior is below par. Will it sell? Probably in greater volume than Renault’s other electric offerings, but then that’s not going to be difficult!
There were plenty of Twizy to have a look at.
The Scenic has been beneficiary of a facelift and is now called XMOD. Not sure about the nasty cladding that has been festooned around its lower parts, though.
The rest of the range were also on show, including the latest Twingo, another car hit with the ugly stick at facelift time.
RIMAC
RINSPEED
RODING
ROLLS-ROYCE
I was not convinced by pictures of the new Wraith, but in the flesh, it looked very elegant and like a return to the coachbuilt designs of yore.
The stand also featured the latest Ghost and Phantom models.
RUF
Nice display of modified Porsche and an original 911
SBARRO
For 40 years now, Sbarro has displayed its wacky creations at Geneva, so we were expecting something really implausible this year. What we got were these – bizarre, but nothing like as extreme as in some years.
SEAT
This was my first chance to inspect the new Leon, and I have to say that it is as good as I thought it would. A pleasingly unfussy exterior design is complemented with an absolutely top notch interior. Definitely a Golf for those who do not want one (or to pay for one!).
The new Toledo was also on show. Worthy for sure, but a probably aimed more at those European markets who like small cheap saloons.
Other models in the range were also on show from the diminutive Mii through the Ibiza to the larger Alhambra.
SKODA
It’s not just Seat who have a great new mid-sized offering as so do Skoda. The new Octavia looks to take all the good points of the old model – tidy design, masses of room, good finish – and update them. Very impressive.
The new Rapid was not received quite so enthusiastically, though it looks neat enough to me.
The rest of the range was also presented, from Citigo through Fabia to Yeti and Superb.
SMART
Nothing new from Smart, but a large stand with examples of the familiar ForTwo in petrol, diesel and electric guise.
SOLEIL MOTORS
SPORTEC
SPYKER
Back from the dead, it would seem. Two cars on show, the familiar C8 Aileron and the new B6 Venator, a car which looked like a close relative to the late lamented Artega. Spyker are officially not saying.
SSANGYONG
The Rodius was probably the ugliest production car of recent times. Now there is a new one, and whilst not pretty, it is not quite so visually challenging.
The other production cars were on show, along with a concept, the SIV-1.
STARTECH
Another one whose efforts are just wrong.
SUBARU
With the Viziv Concept car, Subaru proved that they can make good looking cars. This one does look good, especially around the rear end.
The latest Forester was on show, and it is a mixture of largely forgettable with some fussy details to make it look less appealing than its predecessor.
This seems to be a trick that Subaru have perfected, and whilst sales are up in the US, they are down to negligible everywhere in Europe apart from Switzerland. The latest XV, Impreza and Legacy were also on show.
The cute little 360 was on one edge of the stand, celebrating Subaru’s 55 years of making cars.
SUZUKI
The SX4 S-Cross Concept is a thinly veiled version of the replacement for the quirky but competent hatchback.
The stand also featured examples of all the current range, most of them in Sergio Callo format.
TATA
A number of these Indian cars were on show. I don’t feel like we are missing out by not getting these in the UK!
TECHART
Words fail me!
TESLA
We spent quite a long time on the Tesla stand and it is good to see that what looked like ambitious concepts of a few years are now a reality. There are approximately 4000 Model S already on the road and the European launch is this year. This was a very impressive vehicle indeed, with masses of space for people and thanks to the batteries being mounted low along the length of the car, lots of luggage space. It goes well, and handles well, too, I hear, and with far better range than other electric cars, could be the one which persuades us that battery power is viable after all.
The Model X comes next.
TOYOTA
A vast stand, with lots of cars, but very little that would interest the true enthusiast, apart from the GT86 which was shown in production coupe guise and as the FT-86 concept convertible. This latter looked very neat.
The latest RAV4 has just reached Europe and it is a very underwhelming device, losing any of the character that was in the first model. It is now just a large bland SUV.
Lots of the latest Auris on show, with the range gaining a SportsTourer to add to the regular hatch model.
The iRoad concept was just plain odd.
The rest of the range was well covered, ranging from iQ and Yaris up to the massive Land Cruiser Amazon.
VALMET
The Eva electric car
VERKEHRSHAUS
An exhibition from the museum in Luzern had examples of the Amphicar among other things in its display.
VOLKSWAGEN
Highlight here was the XL1. Indeed, a highlight of the show. This amazing looking device is beautifully presented, and sports some very impressive technology indeed.
Golf 7 is now on sale, and crowned Car of the Year, so the range will start to expand. The Variant, ie estate car, was making its debut, and looks very neat, and the GTi and GTD were also on show, along with a concept R-line estate model.
The Up! range continues to expand with Cross Up! and e-Up! coming next.
Among the Polo was the WRC model.
Jetta included the Hybrid version.
VOLVO
With the pruning of the range in 2012, seeing the end for the S40, V50, C30 and C70, Volvo’s efforts were very much focused on the V40 model, with several of these on show including the XC40 version. Whether you like the design or not – and I do – there is no doubting the interior quality which rivals Audi for ambience and simplicity. I note that Hertz UK have got a load of these on fleet at present, so need to get to try one.
The old guard Volvo were represented by the S80 and XC90.
VREDESTEIN
WIESMANN
This German sports car remains almost unknown in the UK, but has enjoyed steady sales in Europe. The latest models were on show.
This really was an excellent show and a most enjoyable trip. It was very crowded on the Saturday, so planning a mid-week visit is a good idea, and we will need to find a different hotel, as the one lowlight was the Formule 1 hotel, which did not feature en suite bathrooms, and which was incredibly noisy from 5am, meaning little sleep.
That aside, now that my feet have recovered from the good work out that they received, I will look back fondly on the 83rd AutoSalon, and wonder just how it can be beaten in 2014.
