Geneva International Motor Show 2017
And now for something completely different. I'm not a hardcore petrolhead, but I do like cars. According to the news, that unfortunately means I am very old. I really love my own car although we spend too much time together on weekdays. I've recently been watching the original Top Gear a lot and since I had some unused holidays, I was inspired to try something new and give serious car journalism a whirl. How hard can it be?
My Precious, on our honeymoon drive last fall.
I hopped on a train (a real petrolhead would never do that) and traveled to the French end of Switzerland. My destination was the Geneva International Motor Show and the plan was to test-sit and document as many vehicles as possible. Salon international de l'automobile is one of the largest annual motor shows in the world, in the same league with Paris, Detroit, Tokyo, Shanghai or even Frankfurt, so there was many more cars than I had the time and energy to mount. Landing down in sports cars and getting up again is a sport in itself.
Brand new models that premiered in Geneva 2017 included a rejuvenated French beauty called Alpine A110 and an elegant German fastback from Volkswagen named Arteon. Ferrari introduced 812 Superfast, McLaren showcased their new 720S and Lamborghini exhibited an absolutely stunning Huracán Performante. As a Volvo guy I was really interested in the completely redesigned Volvo XC60 (I went through a "I need an SUV"-period last summer but then I got better). Unfortunately the fine people at Volvo's stand were mostly Swedish which triggered my natural inferiority complex, limiting any meaningful discourse with them.
Just as pretty from behind.
All the major manufacturers participated in the show except for Tesla. Instead, Tesla had a booth at the nearby train station, proving that they are not even trying to target real petrolheads. Another conspicuously absent clique was the whole Chinese car industry (well, except for Volvo). I was surprised to see for instance General Motors' Cadillac with a rather major presence; I didn't even know that Caddies are actually sold here in Switzerland.
There was surprisingly many visitors given that it was a weekday. The atmosphere was dense, I obviously wasn't the only one with BO issues. The price range in the food court was in the class of "Swiss Premium" and I didn't bring enough water or snacks to survive the whole day, so I was quite light-headed in the end of the exercise. I really enjoyed the visit regardless and I will probably go again. Especially if Volvo releases that new S60 next year!
I hope you enjoy the photos.
Volvo XC60
New Volvo XC60 is very similar to its larger sibling, XC90. They are built on the same scalable architecture.
The Swedes have done a stellar job, XC60 is just as pleasant both from the inside and outside.
Since I'm a nerd, I had studied the specs in advance. When I was asked if I have any questions about the XC60, the only thing I could think of was "Yes. When are you releasing the new S60?". Not this or next year, he said. But Volvo just started selling the Classic edition of S60/V60, meaning the end of the current model. Fake news or alternative facts?
Thor's Hammer
Mercedes AMG GT Concept
Daimler AG exhibited one of the most stunning cars of the show - the Mercedes-AMG GT Concept.
805bhp hybrid hypercar with "Formula One driving dynamics" , they say.
Although just a concept, Mercedes says that "the show car gives a sneak preview of the exterior design of the coming series production model".
Alpine A110
The French have resurrected Alpine brand and this is the new 2018 A110. The car has clearly inherited that classic '70s rally look. Alpine A110 was one of my show favourites, I would choose this one over an Audi TT in a heartbeat. Just because it is so pretty.
A110 looks manic from the front...
...and sleek from behind.
Lamborghini Huracán Performante
Huracán Performante is the fastest production car ever in Nürburgring Nordschleife.
Huracán Performante has an active wing and flaps to reduce drag on straights. A vital feature when cruising down the streets of Dubai or Monaco.
In my books this is the most beautiful supercar currently available.
Ferrari 812 Superfast
Ferrari 812 Superfast's 6,5l V12 provides 789 bhp. The top speed is over 340 km/h (210 mph). Super fast indeed.
812 is Ferrari's most powerful v12 street car ever.
0-100 km/h in 2,9 seconds.
McLaren 720S
McLaren 720S will start shipping in the summer with a 200 000£ price tag.
This emotional commercial should make you teary.
Aston Martin Rapide AMR & Valkyrie
Aston Martin Valkyrie and Rapide AMR
Aston Martin Valkyrie is a new hypercar, shipping in 2019. Estimated cost is somewhere between 2-3M£.
Everyone knows that Aston Martins are drowsy low-powered weaklings. Finally this major grievance shall be addressed! Aston Martin launched a new performance-oriented sub-brand called AMR (Aston Martin Racing), featuring even more powerful versions of their standard models.
Volkswagen Arteon
Volkswagen Arteon debuted in Geneva 2017. It is a well known undisputed fact that coupé is the most beautiful car body style. Therefore Volkswagen CC, which Arteon replaces, was the prettiest model in the VW lineup.
Arteon isn't too painful too look at either! I want to test drive it later. Tall people should avoid the rear seat, though. Available also with those famously clean VW diesels.
Audi
New Audi RS 5 for all that sporty tailgating pleasure.
Geneva 2017 had an abundance of red cars in general and red Audis in particular.
Typical rear-view mirror view of an Audi Q8 Sport Concept.
Higher vantage point should make tailgating easier.
Fiat / Abarth / Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo Giulia, Italian challenger for the Bavarian 3-series.
I like the Abarth logo.
Alfa Romeo Giulietta
Abarth 124 Spider is a sporty version of the Fiat 124 Spider, which is basically a turbocharged version of the Mazda MX-5. 124 is made in Hiroshima, by Mazda. That is probably a good thing.
Limited edition Fiat 500. If middle-aged men in large Audis are tailgaters, so are many young ladies in these tiny shoeboxes. Arrogance versus ignorance.
Ford
Ford GT 66 Heritage Edition
Ford debuted new Fiesta and Fiesta ST hot hatch in Geneva. You can see one of them as a blurry orange blip stuck on the stairs in the background. I was too busy taking photos of the GTs.
Ok this is how the Fiesta ST looks like.
Rear end of iconic GT40 that won the first of four consecutive victories in Le Mans in 1966.
#68 Ford GT, last year's winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, driven by Joey Hand, Dirk Müller and Sébastien Bourdais.
Mazda
Mazda MX-5 RF
Mazda CX-5 European Debut
2017 Mazda CX-5
Nissan
Nissan Qashqai 2017 Facelift. Happy news at least for my native Finland, where this "cashcow" is selling like hotcakes.
Nissan GT-R looks boring from the front...
...but it is absolutely beautiful from behind. I saw the GT-R debut in 2007 Tokyo Motor Show. It's been a full decade yet I still keep dreaming about it.
Opel
Second generation Opel Insignia was one of the major debuts in 2017 Geneva. I rummaged through the vehicle trying to find flaws but there was nothing major to complain about. I liked it. Opel has had a bad reputation in my country, known as the "Western Lada". Let's see what happens to Opel now under French rule.
Insignia's dashboard isn't as clean and sleek as Volvo XC60's Scandinavian design, but it isn't an eyesore either.
Opel Insignia is another car that I want to test-drive at some point.
Toyota & Lexus
I was surprised to see that Toyota displayed Jari-Matti Latvala's Yaris WRC. Toyota returned to World Rally Championship this year and their factory team Toyota GAZOO Racing WRC is based in Puuppola, Finland.
Toyota CH-R is the latest addition to the Toyota lineup.
Toyota 2000GT is a classic. James Bond approves.
Lexus LS 500h debuted in January in Detroit.
Lexus LC500. I'm slowly starting to warm up to Lexus’ spindle grille design.
Other cars
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is a new model, designed to challenge Nissan Qashqai.
Ferrari 488 GTB
Ferrari GTC4LUSSO.
BMW was overcrowded when I got there, so it was difficult to get photos. BMW introduced a new 5-series Touring, which didn't interest me too much (the only somewhat good looking estate is Mercedes CLS Shooting Brake; station wagons in general look like a hearse). The 4-series also got a minor facelift.
New DS7 Crossback, a premium wannabe from Citroën, was on display in a dark corner so that its unique head lamps would light the customers' desire.
Fittipaldi EF7 Vision Gran Turismo by Pininfarina - a gorgeous supercar collaboration by F1-racing legend Emerson Fittipaldi and Italian design studio Pininfarina.
Mercedes Maybach G650 Landaulet is an ideal safari companion for millionaires who love to shoot endangered species into oblivion. Starting price shall be upwards from 500 000€.
Mercedes-Benz 300SEL 6.3 AMG
French manufacturers showcased interesting concept cars. Peugeot Instinct Concept...
...and Renault Trezor.
Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid, Panamera Sport Turismo and 911 GT3. These cars are allegedly new, who knows, they all look always just the same anyway.
Racing car, Indian style. Tata's Tamo Racemo. Estimated cost is over ₹25 Lakh or about 40000€.
Another end of the race car spectrum: Bugatti Chiron. The base price is 2 400 000€.
Pagani Zonda Roadster. There's the brand new Huayra Roadster on the back, but I didn't get a good photo of it.
Spyker C8 Preliator, luxury sports from the Netherlands.
2017 Chevrolet Camaro Track Concept
Another American sports car, the second generation Honda NSX. Although Honda is a Japanese company, this beauty is designed and manufactured in the USA.
Morgan Motor Company's products might be a tad on the impractical side, but I love the looks.
There was so many tuning shops showing their products. This is Gemballa from Germany.
Liberty Walk hailing from Japan.
FAB Design of Switzerland.
Rolls-Royce Dawns lining up. Rolls-Royce also showcased a Ghost finished with paint containing a thousand ground diamonds. Literally insane.
Geneva Motor Show is one of the largest in the world. I had six hours to spend at the venue, but I ran out of time.