Geneva International Motor Show 2018
The Geneva International Motor Show is arguably the world’s premier automotive event; This year is opens its doors on the 8th of March for the public to see the exciting and spectacular automotive displays by the worlds most prolific car brands.
Let’s have a little look at the likely highlights…
ABARTH:
Two special editions of Abarth’s attractive 124 roadster are set to make their debut in Geneva. The GT will be showcased with its standard carbon fibre hard top, and will be revealed alongside the more luxurious S-Design model.
ALPINE A110:
We first discussed the return of this great brand within our 2017 Goodwood Festival of Speed coverage. In Geneva, Alpine will be expanding the range to include new lightweight and luxury GT specifications: Pure and Legende.
ASTON MARTIN:
This storied British brand is set to debut three of its latest developments:
- Visitors to the show will gain exclusive access to the new V8 Vantage- the model that takes its cues from the DB10, made famous by a certain 007 in Sam Mendes’ Spectre.
- Aston will also be showing their new DB11 Volante alongside its coupe stablemate for the first time. Available exclusively with the Mercedes-Benz AMG 4.0l engine, purists may lament the lack of an Aston-designed engine in the range, but once your foot is firmly on the gas pedal you’ll soon forget about any engine woes.
AUDI:
Audi’s brand new upper-medium executive 5-series fighter is to be launched at the show. If you love the recently-released A8 but think it’s roughly 7% too big, then their new A6 will be the car for you!
BENTLEY:
Their beautiful array of colours, trim options and upgrades will be on display, lovingly stitched and screwed into the Bentayga V8. This 4.0l motor joins its W12 and diesel brothers in Bentley’s range of super-SUVs, just in time for the show.
BMW:
The 2-series Active Tourer MPV acts as a rare foray into front-drive for the brand. Whilst the new X4 also makes its debut at the show, alongside the more-than-likely unspeakably beautiful M8 Concept.
CITROEN:
Brit-run Citroen will be presenting the new C4 Cactus and Berlingo Multispace MPV for their world debuts. And I’d say that there’s no better place for them to do so!
CUPRA:
You might have seen this name adorning performance led derivatives of select Seat models, but Seat is using the Geneva show to launch Cupra as a standalone name, showcasing the Ateca SUV and Ibiza hot hatch.
FERRARI:
Make sure you spec the racing stripes: The 488 Pista, Ferrari’s follow up to 2013’s 458 Speciale, takes the lightweight Supercar fight to Sant’Agata Bolognese, Stuttgart and, err, Woking. Why do our town names sound so ordinary?
FORD:
Uncle Henry is debuting a facelifted Edge and refreshed Ka+, with Ford’s new Active Crossover model.
HONDA:
The CR-V, a car that helped to define the small SUV segment in 1995, premieres its fourth generation in Geneva, joined by the new Urban and Sport EVs.
HYUNDAI:
The Korean brand is going from strength to strength in Europe, underlining its position at the forefront of environmentally friendly vehicles, with the launch of the Kona Electric, a Crossover EV and the new Santa Fe SUV.
JAGUAR:
There’s massive news from ‘The Big Cat’ of Coventry, as Jaguar sets to launch its new i-Pace EV; which steals a (battery-powered, 300-mile range) march on its German rivals.
JEEP:
Retaining its reassuringly angular and utilitarian character, Jeep gives the impressive new Wrangler its European debut in Geneva.
KIA:
It’s mad to believe that Kia is already presenting the third generation of the reliable Cee’d hatchback, which is due for launch in time for the show.
LAND ROVER:
In its 70th year, Land Rover is celebrating with a stylish two-door Range Rover SV Coupe.
LEXUS:
Lexus is getting in on the urban crossover action with their UX– first revealed as a concept; the new model is now available to order in production form!
MAZDA:
The rather fantastic, but somewhat forgotten, Mazda 6 range has been updated for the Geneva Show’ and the capacious yet stylish Mazda 6 Wagon will also make its world debut.
It’s of general consensus that Mazda’s striking Kai Concept, first shown at the Tokyo show in 2017, points to a new Mazda 3. But we’ll let the Geneva 2018 audience decide on this one…
McLAREN:
Everyone’s favourite Surrey-based, sublimely orange supercar brand will be out in force with the exquisitely-named Senna, making its global public debut. I wouldn’t put it past them to add one or two surprises to the display too!
MERCEDES-BENZ:
Mercedes has been busy: We’ll be treated to a brand new A-class, an updated C-Class, the frankly nuts-but-you’d-give-it-garage-space-in-a-heartbeat G63 AMG, the AMG GT Coupe and the most upmarket pick-up truck ever, the X-Class V6.
MINI:
Mini is updating its range, with an ever-increasing list of Union Flag-based features and options for this still-cheeky-and-cool small car.
PEUGEOT:
Tackling the ever-more competitive mid-size saloon sector, Peugeot is adopting a me-too approach in launching the stylish and unmistakably French 508. Chapeau!
POLESTAR:
Volvo’s performance brand is taking advantage of the Geneva show to display its EV Coupe for the first time in Europe.
PORSCHE:
Has no 991-era 911 managed to crush your spine yet? Then the weapons-grade 911 GT3 RS is the car for you. Form an orderly queue at the Palexpo…
RENAULT:
The pretty Zoe EV is upgraded for Geneva, with more power and visual tweaks.
SKODA:
Skoda is debuting an update to its stalwart small hatch, the Fabia, in Geneva. But perhaps its biggest story is their Vision X, a small SUV concept. Skoda is holding off on the launch of the production version of the VW T-Cross and Seat Arona, to make sure it can make a splash with what we think will be some unique and very innovative technology.
TOYOTA:
Toyota is set to debut its next-generation of the Auris family hatchback, this time with hybrid drive, as well as an updated Aygo. Although eyes on the Toyota stand may soon turn to the Supra racing concept, with a strong hint at the return in production of Toyota’s famous super-coupe.
VOLKSWAGEN:
Wolfsburg’s finest is adding to its long and distinguished line of electric concepts with its ID Vizzion – VW’s take on a future luxury four-seater EV.
VOLVO:
The V60 is the latest in a long line of mid-sized Volvo estates that seem to become more attractive with every iteration. See it first at Geneva 2018!