The 88th Geneva International Motor Show kicked off earlier this week and as usual saw the debut of a whole host of bright and shiny new cars. Geneva may not be the biggest motor show on the calendar but it’s certainly one of the best and most important.

From the latest physics-defying hypercars only the wealthiest of Swiss bankers can afford to concepts previewing the autonomous and electrified futures of manufactures to some real-world heroes we can all aspire to own. There’s no shortage of interesting and mouth-watering cars to gawk at.

So while Geneva may be a world away, we can at least make judgements on the new cars unveiled from the information presented at Geneva. So here’s a quick round up of all the good, bad, and ugly from the 2018 Geneva Motor Show.

 

Hypebeasts – The Hypercars of Geneva 2018

Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR Pro

 

The Aston Martin Valkyrie is personally one of the cars I’m looking forward to seeing on the road in the not-too-distant future. It’s got a stomping great naturally-aspirated V12 mated to some trick F1-derived hybrid system wrapped in a body from the Adrian Newey School of Aerodynamics.

The AMR Pro is a track-focused version taking the already extreme road car to a whole other level. There’s over 808kW (that’s 1100hp) in a body weighing 1000kg. It’s forgoes all the pesky road car regulations and just goes bananas. Which explains the rather bright paint job. Only 25 will be made, going to the most ‘Pro’ Aston clients. Like the Vulcan it’s a completely pointless car but I’m glad it exists.

McLaren Senna GTR Concept

Continuing this trend of taking already extreme road cars and turning them into more extreme track-only cars, meet the Senna GTR Concept. The ‘Concept’ bit is used very loosely as the 75-production run version will look pretty much identical to this. While the road-car confused people by its function-over-form design, it seems to have been more embraced with this track-only special. McLaren says it’ll produced over 1000kg of downforce. The 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 has been upped to over 606kW, while weight remains the same at 1198kg.

But again, you ask why make a track-focused version of a car McLaren says is their most track-focused road car? Simple: rich people want rich toys. This isn’t a car you buy out of logic, it’s something to add to your ever expanding collection and to flaunt your status amongst other McLaren owners are the various McLaren Pure Experience track days around the world.

Bugatti Chiron Sport

The theme this year for the hypercars is track focused editions. It’s 18kgs lighter thanks to extensive use of carbon fibre, including the world’s first carbon fibre wiper blade because that’s what the world’s 1% demand. The chassis is stiffer and all the usual nonsense. It’ll cost an extra 150,000 euros and can be retrofitted to existing Chirons. Power from the 8.0-litre W16 quad-turbo engine is the same.

But come on, Chiron Sport was the best name they could come up with? It’s a bit rich, even for Bugatti, to call it ‘Sport’ as if suggesting the regular Chiron isn’t ‘sporty’ in any way.

Rimac C_Two

1407kW. 2300NM of torque. 413km/h top speed. 0-100 km/h in 1.85 seconds. 640 kilometre “real world” range.

Now, I’m not the biggest fan of electric cars but my god you can’t ignore those numbers. It helps this actually looks quite desirable too. Credit where credit is due, well done Rimac.

 

They’re Still Super – Sports and Supercars

Ferrari 488 Pista

When the moon hits you like a big Pista pie, that’s amore. It’s the latest in Ferrari’s V8 Special Series lineup counting where the Challenge Stradale, Scuderia, and Speciale left off. Ferrari has taken the 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8 from their 488 Challenge racing cars and dropped in a 488.

Weight has been dropped by 90kgs too, now weighing 1280kg with all the lightweight (and pricey) options ticked. Performance reads as follows; 0-100 km/h in 2.85 seconds and a top speed in excess of 337 km/h. There’s lots of aero going on in the body work. Most importantly it’s got an Inconel exhaust system, like the one in the berserk Jaguar F-Type SVR.

Lamborghini Huracan Performante Spyder

Taking a slightly different route to the trackday special, Lamborghini has taken the top off their record-breaking Huracan Performante. It’s still got all the same specs and clever ALA aero as the coupe. The 5.2-litre naturally-aspirated V10 producing 470kW. However, the retractable soft top has added over 100kgs of weight to the car so it won’t be quite as sharp to drive.

0-100 km/h is down by 0.2 seconds to 3.1 but who cares when you can even more of an earful of that glorious V10 engine.

Porsche 911 GT3 RS

It’s very green isn’t it? In true Porsche fashion not much has changed for the 991.2 transformation of the GT3 RS. Power is up slightly, now at 382kW. The redline has crept up to 9000rpm, like the standard GT3. And as we all know, a higher redline is always a good thing. 0-100 km/h is down to 3.2 seconds while top speed is a smidgen under the magical 320.

So, the 488 Pista, Lamborghini Huracan Performante Spyder, or the the 911 GT3 RS?

Toyota GR Supra Racing Concept 

Sign the fifth-generation Supra is nearing us. Toyota said we should expect to see the production version in the first half of 2019. No specs were given to accompany this racing concept. Just stop teasing us and give us the new Supra already.

RUF SCR

Easily one of my personal favourite cars form this year’s GIMS. RUF is in a bit of resurgence at the moment, having introduced the spectacular CTR last year. The SCR is a more raw version with more power, 375kW to be exact. Power comes from a 4.0-litre flat-six engine. There’s only a six-speed manual available sending power to the rear wheels. As it should be.  Thanks to the carbon fibre body the SCR only weighs 1250kg.

Oh, and this is not a 911. It may look like a 911 but everything is new and bespoke. Just saying.

Touring Superleggera SciadiPersia

The name is a bit of a mouthful but underneath that stunning bodywork is a Maserati Granturismo, which debuted at the Geneva Motor Show back in 2007. Yeah, it’s that old. But as a way of making yours stand out, the couch built work of Touring Superleggera is one of the more elegant options. It just looks so classy.

Apparently it was inspired by a Maserati built by Touring Superleggera for the Shah of Iran. Only 10 of these SciadiPersia will be made. Price? A lot.

Zenvo TSR-S

Wait, Zenvo are still in business? Great, and this car has an active rear-wing that tilts up, down, and side to side.

But how are they still in business, has anyone even bought any of their cars?

 

Luxury An Off-Shore Bank Account Can Buy: 

Aston Martin Lagonda Vision Concept 

Remember how Aston Martin tried to resurrect the Lagonda brand a few years ago and it didn’t go so well? Good news because they’re at it again, except this time they’re positioning Lagonda as a ‘zero-emissions’ luxury brand. The Vision Concept previews an electric and autonomous luxury car due around 2021 and will be joined by a SUV later on.

It looks rather lovely doesn’t it? Quite sleek and sporty in a minivan sort of way. The interior is where it really shines. Because it’s all electric, they’re able to package the motors differently and increase passenger space. There’s a real loungey look to the interior.

BMW M8 Gran Coupe Concept

G’day M8. The BMW 8-Series isn’t even in production yet and we’re already getting niche variants. Essentially a replacement for the M6 Gran Coupe, it’s a sign of things to come from BMW. It’s the second body style of the 8-Series Concept, presumably the convertible will follow next.

I like it a lot. It previews the direction of BMW’s future styling direction and I’m all for it. I love the colour too. I just want one.

Mercedes-AMG GT63 S Four Door

It’s basically the new CLS63 AMG. Based on the same platform as the E-Class and CLS, I have no idea why they’ve stuck the AMG GT badge on it. It doesn’t even look like an AMG GT, instead it looks like an unfortunate mash-up of a CLS and AMG GT. The interior looks the same as a CLS and you can get it with the same six-cylinder hybrid as the CLS53 AMG.

Mercedes are really dropping the ball as of late. I’d rather have the M8 Gran Coupe please.

Porsche Mission-E Cross Turismo Concept

Perhaps one of the biggest surprises from GIMS, the Porsche Mission-E Cross Turismo is a clear sign of VAG pushing the electrification of its brands post-Dieselgate. It’s also a reminder to Tesla, Rimac, Jaguar, and everyone else that has an electric car on the market that Porsche is coming to get you. Not just yet, but eventually so be prepared.

Basically, this concept is the closest preview to the production car due next year. The electric motors (located up front and at the rear) have enough poke to propel this from standstill to 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds and will have an estimate range of 480 kilometres. Though, these are claims by VAG so real-world range may be different.

Jaguar i-Pace

Another car I liked more than I expected. The Jaguar i-Pace is the first fully electric car from Jaguar and is probably the start of a revolution for them. The i-Pace is about the same size as a Porsche Macan is powered by a pair of electric motors producing a combined 294kW. That equates to 0-100 km/h in 4.5 seconds. The range is estimated to be around 476 kilometres, which is enough. Prices start at around a not-too-unreasonable £60,000. Plus it looks alright too.

Range Rover SV Coupe

The answer to the question nobody asked. Unless the question was “when will Range Rover make a two-door like the original?” Apparently 999 people asked this question because they’re only going to make that amount of this quarter-of-a-million-pound Range Rover. Yes, £250,000 ($474,605) for a Range Rover. Luckily you get the supercharged petrol V8 for that sort of money.

It’s possibly the most discreet way of spending close to half a million Kiwi dollars on a car.

Bentley Bentayga Hybrid 

We now live in a world where a six-cylinder Bentley hybrid exists. I get why they had to do this. I understand the need to meet stricter emissions regulations and how VAG are trying to distance themselves from diesels (for obvious reasons) but I can’t help feel the V8 hybrid set-up in the Panamera Turbo S e-Hybrid would’ve been more appropriate.

 

Give The People What They Want – The People’s Cars from Geneva 

Volvo V60

This. I want this. I literally have no idea about the specs, it probably has the same engines used in all other Volvos. A T8 hybrid version will be available, which is all I care about. But dear god that’s a good looking wagon. I’m genuinely more interested in this than I am about the GT3 RS, AMG GT63 S, and Range Rover.

Subaru VIZIV Tourer Concept

Another good looking wagon but it might not be that way when it goes into production. Signaling the possible return of a WRX wagon (or more accurately the next generation Levorg), one can only hope it’ll look like 90% of this. But that’s a bit hopeful given Subaru’s past record of bringing concept cars into production.

Toyota Auris

It looks good doesn’t? I mean, it looks good for a Toyota let alone an Auris. Initially it’ll be offered as a hybrid with two power outputs; 88kW and 130kW. Which doesn’t seem so bad. I still can’t believe I’m looking at an Auris and not a European-branded hatchback.

Peugeot 508

Improved looks, which were clearly inspired by Kia. Unfortunately I doubt the reliability will be like that of Kia. At least it’ll look interesting broken down on a country road.

Lexus UX

Sitting below the NX, RX, and LX SUVs, the UX is Lexus’ take on the Audi Q2, Mercedes GLA, BMW X1, Volvo XC40, Jaguar E-Pace, and Infiniti QX30. It’s got a rather cutesy version of the familiar Lexus face. It’ll share some bits from the Toyota C-HR, meaning there’ll be front or four-wheel drive versions. Engine choices will be a petrol of some kind, possible a 2.0-litre turbo, and a hybrid.

 

Dishonourable Mention 

Mansory’s Existence

I have a strong dislike for forged carbon. I just think it looks tacky and I don’t want any part of a car to resemble the marble bench top. So when I saw photos of what Mansory had done to a Veyron, I damn nearly vomited all over my laptop. It’s been a long time since I have been upset by a foul and hateful thing on the Internet. Well, only since the the last news article about the Cheeto-in-Chief.

Then there’s the Mansory 812 Stallone, which just sounds like they came up with the name while watching Rambo. That too looks awful and has forged carbon. Therefore should be returned back to stock.

Previous article2018 Subaru WRX STi Premium – New Car Review – Full-Time Race Mode
Next articleVolvo XC40 NZ Launch – The big little SUV
Words cannot begin to describe how much I love cars but it's worth a try. Grew up obsessed with them and want to pursue a career writing about them. Anything from small city cars to the most exotic of supercars will catch my attention.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

 

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.