Geneva Motor Showcase two thousand seventeen – news round-up
Paris, Frankfurt, and now London all suggest excellent motor shows, but the Geneva Motor Display is undoubtedly the most significant of the European motor shows – and perhaps the most significant globally. It’s the highlight of the season, as it’s where manufacturers display off their best, fastest, and most spectacular cars. Every year brings a glut of fresh and improved models for us to drool over, and this year was no different. There were slew of cars already making the evo team feeble in the knees – and we haven’t even driven them yet!
Some highlights of this year’s Geneva display were undoubtedly British, with models from Bentley and Aston Martin joining the spectacular fresh McLaren 720S on the display stands. Elsewhere, the Alpine name has returned, this time as a sporty sub-brand for Renault – and it’s ultimately displaying off the production version of the A110 sports car. Ferrari bought the eight hundred twelve Superfast, Honda the fresh Civic Type R, and Lamborghini the record-breaking Huracan Performante – all vying for position next to everything from facelifted family transport to totally crazy concept cars from across the globe.
These models were joined by lots of other debuts, which you can read about below.
Best cars of Geneva 2017
Geneva 2017: key cars
Fresh cars at the Geneva motor display: A-Z
Alfa Romeo Stelvio
Another display, another crossover, but this was the very first time we’ve seen Alfa’s Stelvio in non-Quadrifoglio form. The cloverleaf-badged model (pictured) might make the headlines, but this is the one that (should) sell.
It’s being launched in 276bhp petrol Very first Edition form, but a diesel will also be on the way to satiate those seeking lower company car tax and fuel costs. We’ve already taken the Stelvio for a very first drive, and we came out struck.
Alpine A110
The fresh Alpine’s gestation seems to be taking almost as long as that of the Honda NSX, but anticipation levels are if anything even higher. Now that we’ve seen the finished product in the metal, we aren’t disappointed.
The structure is aluminium and the engine and transmission will be a Renault four-pot turbo with a dual-clutch automatic gearbox. Spectacle is said to be on-par with cars like the Alfa Romeo 4C and Porsche Cayman GT4, with levels of luxury and usability somewhere inbetween those two extremes.
Q by Aston Martin DB11
Of course, the DB11 isn’t a fresh car – but this example came to Geneva as a showcase of what Aston Martin’s bespoke Q division can cook up. Resplendent in a custom-built paint job with carbon fibre accents, customers can even buy a colour matched luggage set for weekends away.
It’s all part of Q’s latest Commission service, which builds on the idea of ‘custom-built’ and permits Aston Martin customers to order a totally unique car.
Aston Martin AMR range
Aston Martin launched two fresh ‘AMR’ models at the showcase, based on the Vantage and Rapide. Both cars feature feature power increases, honed chassis and unique exterior and interior styling to more closely link them with Aston’s GT racing campaign.
2017 Audi RS3 Sportback
Not one of the most entertaining all-wheel drive hot hatchbacks on sale but undoubtedly one that offers a high feelgood factor, Audi has updated the RS3 Sportback for the Geneva demonstrate.
Its sonorous five-cylinder turbocharged engine now produces 394bhp, while all-wheel drive helps it scrabble to 62mph in Four.1 seconds. Better still, Audi has somehow scraped 26kg from the engine, so perhaps its nose-heaviness will have been banished too.
Audi RS5
Audi’s latest sport coupe is the RS5, which will top the current A5 range now it’s been officially launched. Packing an all-new Two.9-litre twin-turbocharged V6 it also offers greater spectacle than its predecessor, while a rear-biased all-wheel drive system, an optional locking differential for the rear axle and a 60kg weight reduction compared to the old model give the latest RS5 extra credibility as a driver’s car.
Audi Q8 sport concept
The final string to Audi’s Geneva bow was the Q8 sport concept – a sportier version of the Q8 concept exposed at the Detroit Auto Demonstrate earlier in the year. It could preview a halo model for Audi’s SUV range, badged as RSQ8.
Bentley EXP12 Speed 6e concept
The very first all-electric Bentley is this – the catchily named EXP12 Speed 6e. It’s the brand’s very first ever fully electrical vehicle and paves the way for Bentley’s future strategy of adding electrified and hybrid drivetrains to its range of vehicles.
The idea of an electrical Bentley isn’t so strange; the power delivery of an electrified motor suits the torquey effortless nature that the luxury marque have become known for. However, the brief range and long charging time of electrified cars don’t suit Bentley’s continent-shrinking GT capabilities.
2017 BMW M4
Blink and you’ll miss it, but the BMW four Series (pictured), and the M4 range-topper, have been updated for the two thousand seventeen model year. Among the switches are standard LED headlights, restyled lamps front and rear, and interior trim improvements.
The M4 has been updated too, albeit it retains the same power output. The 3-litre TwinPower turbo inline-six develops 425bhp, while BMW’s Competition Pack and Carbon Packs will be optional and illuminated M logos now grace the front seats, whether you like them to or not.
Dendrobium
Yes, it’s got a pretty ditzy name. And yes, it’s yet another electrical hypercar, a genre that shows up to be virtually growing on trees these days. However that’s fairly adequate, as the name refers to a flower found in the maker’s native Singapore.
Oh, that’s the other thing – the Dendrobium is from Singapore. By way of Oxfordshire, since that’s where much of the engineering work is being done at the mitts of Williams Advanced Engineering, and Scotland, which is where the Bridge of Weir leather interior is being crafted. Colour us intrigued.
Ferrari eight hundred twelve Superfast
Ferrari did not waste an chance to shock at this years Geneva Motor Showcase, launching the aptly named eight hundred twelve Superfast. Based on the same, albeit modified platform as the F12, the fresh Superfast features Ferrari’s 6.5-litre V12 engine with a collosal 789bhp.
The result of all that power are some pretty tasty spectacle figures, with the eight hundred twelve dispatching 0-62mph in Two.9 seconds and topping out at 211mph. Combined with Ferrari’s Virtual Brief Wheelbase, the eight hundred twelve should also treat with the finesse one expects of a modern Ferrari. We can’t wait to have a go later this year.
Fittipaldi EF7 Vision Gran Turismo
It’s been a while since we’ve seen a Vision Gran Turismo concept – the one-off sports cars designed both to showcase a manufacturer’s talents for visual flair and provide the top-selling videogame series with fresh vehicles.
And as the name suggests, this one features input from former Formula one champ Emerson Fittipaldi, while the styling is by Pininfarina. It’s said to also feature ‘German engineering’, however it’s unclear in what capacity this might be.
Ford Fiesta ST
The latest Fiesta ST will have many petrolheads waiting with bated breath to see if Ford can pull off the flawless hot hatchback for a 2nd time. The current model will go down as one of the greats, but things look promising for the two thousand seventeen car, which is more powerful than the outgoing car but loses a cylinder in the process.
Adjustable driving modes will switch the ST’s character on the go, while an upgraded interior means the fresh ST should be more suited to the dredge of the morning commute than the current model. Whether that alters its character on a twisty back road remains to be seen.
Honda Civic Type R
The latest Honda Civic Type R has blasted into Geneva with its aggressive styling and the promise of barnstorming spectacle from its 316bhp engine.
Italdesign Zerouno
Italian design house Italdesign is using this car to launch its fresh, bespoke brand – Italdesign Automobili Speciali. Focussing on ultra-low production models, the Zerouno will be limited to just five examples worldwide.
This car utilises an Audi-sourced Five.2-litre V10 engine, and quotes a 0-62mph time of Three.Two seconds and a top speed in excess of 200mph. It’s the sharp-edged and fiercely angular styling that’s likely to be the big talking point, tho’.
Kahn Vengeance Volante
Purveyor of dubious taste, Kahn Design, will introduce its latest work at the Geneva demonstrate, in the form of the Vengeance Volante.
As you might have guessed, it’s ostensibly an Aston Martin, and a DB9 Volante at that, but granted reworked styling like the Vengeance coupe launched last year. Expect pricing to be somewhere north of £300,000.
Lamborghini Huracan Performante
Lamborghini has exposed a more focused version of its smallest supercar, the Huracan. The fresh car will be called the Performante; it will be 40kg lighter and will have a more aggressive aero package than the standard car. The Performante has sophisticated active aero technology, which no doubt helped it make its mark on the world with a scorching (and record-breaking) Nurburgring lap time of six minutes and fifty two seconds.
Lexus RC F GT3
Lexus has hit the motor showcase with a fully race homologated version of its RC F super-coupe, named the RC F GT3. Fitted with a monster Five.4-litre V8 engine producing over 500bhp, it’s set to contest in Touring Car and sports car races across the globe beginning later this year.
Mazda range
Along with Mazda’s fresh CX-5 making its European debut at the Geneva motor display, the brand will also expose updated versions of the CX-3 and its smallest hatch back the Mazda Two.
The fresh cars will have improved safety systems including Mazda’s i-Activsense systems and adaptive LED headlights. The CX-3 and Mazda two will also get fresh interiors with redesigned steering wheels and better display quality displays.
McLaren 720S
This is sure to be one of Geneva’s highlights: A replacement for the core Super Series model in the McLaren range, the 650S. It’s called the 720S.
Underpinning the latest car is McLaren’s fresh Monocage II carbonfibre central structure, said to weigh less than the current setup, and overall the fresh McLaren will be lighter than its predecessor. Aero has improved too, and it’s backed up with fresh and arousing styling. McLaren also recently exposed details of a fresh Four.0-litre engine which will power the fresh Super Series which will doubtless wrestle back supremacy from the Ferrari 488GTB.
Mercedes-AMG GT Concept
Mercedes-AMG has unveiled the GT Concept – a four-door super-coupe which previews an eventual production model to rival the likes of the Porsche Panamera. Fitted with a 4-litre V8 engine mated to an electrified motor and battery pack, the hybrid sports car offers up in excess of 800bhp and Mercedes says it will sprint from 0-62mph in less than three seconds.
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet
Mercedes-Benz will be completing its E-class relaunch with the release of the Cabriolet. Slotting nicely inbetween the C and S-classes, the E-class Cabriolet offers the same quality interior and advanced technology as the rest of the E-class range, only in sleek cabriolet form.
Touted as a decent 4-seat convertible, the fresh E-class Cabriolet is certainly on the cruising side of the driving spectrum in normal trim, albeit do we expect AMG to get involved in future. Available at launch with the same four and six-cylinder engine choices as the also recently exposed coupe, we expect to see the fresh Cabriolet sliding towards golf clubs all over the country later this year.
Mercedes-AMG E63 4Matic Estate
As estate cars go, this one is considerably further up evo‘s strasse. We’ve already driven (and loved) the E63 saloon in its latest, all-wheel drive configuration, and now you can have it with more practicality.
It has the same V8 engine developing 563bhp, or 603bhp as the S, and while it still sends power to all four wheels you can still fiddle with the settings to the point where all of those horses are sent to the rear wheels alone. There are few more dramatic ways of taking your dog to the park.
Mitsubishi Eclipse
If the name sounds familiar, that’s because Mitsubishi has previously used the Eclipse moniker on a line of sports coupes that proved popular in the US market but never made their way to the UK. Only now, it’s set to be used on the replacement for Mitsubishi’s ageing crossover, the ASX.
Styling takes cues from the latest XR-PHEV concept, albeit toned down to a suitable degree, while the interior will also have a classier look. Our sister title Auto Express confirms two engines will be available primarily, a fresh turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol, and the existing Two.2-litre diesel. It’s supposed to drive well, and should bolster Mitsubishi’s already growing sales figures.
Pagani Huayra Roadster
In a rather suprising budge, Pagani has launched a roadster version of its Huayra with both more power and less weight than its coupe sibling. With bespoke bodywork, an improved interior and an 80kg weight advantage over the coupe, we expect the Roadster to be a shining carbonfibre starlet at this years display.
In regards to its Mercedes-AMG sourced engine, Pagani has raised power to 753bhp while re-engineering the turbo’s for improved throttle response. The gearbox is also fresh, with Pagani promising improved refinement at low speeds for extra posing prowess.
Peugeot Instinct concept
The low-slung shooting brake bod of the Instinct concept is instantly appealing; less so for evo readers thanks to the hybrid drivetrain and raft of autonomous driving tech. The Instinct is capble of total level five autonomy, but Peugeot says it retains driving pleasure.
It’s also one of the most connected cars we’ve seen, with a link to the Internet of Things – permitting it to seamlessly interface with a broad multitude of connected items like fitness trackers, smartphones, and even kitchen appliances.
Pininfarina H600
An electrified luxury four-door saloon, the Pininfarina H600 looks set to be yet another ‘Tesla-fighter’ – but this time, it’s coming from Pininfarina, a company more renowned for its bodywork designs than its advanced powertrain practice.
But since being purchased by Mahindra, Pininfarina has diversified into utter vehicle design, so we’re hoping that the H600 won’t disappoint upon its expose.
Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo
Porsche has shown off a more practical version of the Panamera in the form of the Sport Turismo. Previewed by a concept of the same name a duo of years ago, the Sport Turismo offers a slightly larger loadspace and the option of a fifth seat, something not suggested on a Panamera before.
Expected to suggest the same powertrain options as the normal Panamera, this Sport Turismo should appeal to those who want a little more versitility in their continent-crushing GT. Porsche also displayed the fresh Panamera Turbo S e-hybrid, a 680bhp, V8, twin-turbo, hybrid assisted flagship.
Range Rover Velar
Land Rover will be utilising its Geneva stand to display off the fresh mid-sized Velar. An all fresh model for Land Rover, the Velar fills the gap inbetween the Evoque and Range Rover Sport, but does so with its own unique coupe/SUV style and next generation Land Rover design. Powered by a combination of four and six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, the current flagship is the P380 model, which features a 3-litre supercharged V6 engine. Expect in-house tuning division SVO to be getting their palms on it in the future if you want your Velar with a bit more grunt.
The Velar also introduces the next generation of Jaguar Land Rover infotainment and user interface design, combining a button free dash and two 10-inch screens which control all of the Velar’s functions. Compared to current Land Rover products, the Velar looks like it’s from the next generation – time will tell if it drives like it too.
Renault Zoe E-sport concept
The standard Renault Zoe isn’t much of an evo car thanks to its environmentally friendly but not exactly powerful electrical drivetrain. However Renault’s Geneva concept is more up our street, as it packs 456bhp and lightweight carbonfibre bodywork.
RUF CTR
Without knowing all the details you might not think this was a entirely fresh car at all; from a distance it looks like may of Ruf’s other creations. But to dismiss it as just another Porsche 964-based car would be a large mistake, because what lies under the CTR’s skin is remarkable.
The fresh two thousand seventeen CTR is built around a bespoke carbonfibre bathtub that’s then bonded to a steel structure to create the upper passenger cell, and front and rear frames. The end result is a scrupulously modern car that looks just like the 90’s original.
Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus SCG003S
Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus will be releasing a road going version of its mid-engined race car. The fresh supercar will be called the SCG003S, the S suffix standing for ‘stradale’ rather than the race car which is called a SCG003C, the C standing for ‘competizione’.
The road car will be powered by a Four.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 that produces 789bhp, will have a 0-62mph time of less than three seconds and is expected to lap the Nurburgring in approximately 6:30sec.
Skoda Octavia vRS 245
We like the Octavia vRS. It’s not the most enthralling hot hatchback on the market (tho’ it’s certainly among the fattest), but as an everyday proposition it’s up there as one of the best.
We’re always open to the idea of more spectacle tho’, and with the newly-facelifted vRS getting more than before, Skoda has seen fit to suggest a version with an even greater 242bhp output. An electronic limited-slip diff is standard.
2017 Subaru XV
Previewed by the XV Concept at last year’s Geneva motor display, we’ll see the production version of Subaru’s Impreza-based crossover at Geneva this year. Sharper styling is a given, while a range of petrol, diesel and hybrid powertrains could be suggested.
All will be boxer engines, as is Subaru tradition, while all-wheel drive will also be standard across the range. In effect, there’ll be little to disappoint the Subaru faithful. The hybrid model is expected to pair a 1.6-litre turbo boxer at one axle with electrical power at the other.
Suzuki Swift
We’d not normally be too excited by the debut of a fresh supermini, but while dated and low on modern kit, the outgoing Suzuki Swift is something of a hidden gem, particularly in Sport form.
News that the fresh model is significantly lighter than the outgoing car is enormously promising, as is Suzuki’s claim the car has been developed on European roads. While we’re unlikely to see the fresh Swift Sport at Geneva (with its expected 1.4-litre turbo engine), it’ll be interesting to see the regular production model in the metal.
Toyota Yaris hot hatch
Here’s a supermini we can get behind instantly – Toyota is eventually ripping off back into the hot hatchback market, with a 210bhp take on the refreshed (but not all-new) Toyota Yaris. It will ultimately give the Japanese brand a rival for cars like the Ford Fiesta ST and Peugeot two hundred eight GTI.
It’s also the very first hot Yaris in more than a decade, and a lot has switched in that time – the fresh car’s output will be dual that of the old Yaris T Sport. Styling is influenced by the fresh WRC machine (tho’ not fairly so extreme) and we can expect interior revisions too, with a set of well-bolstered seats.
Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer
Perhaps not the most titillating car we’ve seen at Geneva this year, but it’s nevertheless good to see Vauxhall’s product line continually improving, and the Insignia Sports Tourer will almost certainly take a big step forward from the current model.
Among fresh technologies in the Sports Tourer are torque vectoring on all-wheel drive models, matrix LED headlights and significantly lower weight than before. We’re holding out hope for a hot VXR version.
Volkswagen Arteon
Substituting the Passat CC, the Arteon goes after in that car’s footsteps with a four-door coupe-saloon bod style. More importantly, however, it proceeds the evolution of Volkswagen’s fresh design language, previewed on the less conventional I.D. electrified concept.
Volkswagen is said to be focussing its efforts on interior space and luxury for the Arteon, but it also includes all the latest driver aids and autonomous tech that we’ve seen in previous VW concepts. As far as engines go, the Arteon features the usual mix of VW Group petrol and diesel powertrains, plus the option of a plug-in GTE model might come along later.
2017 Volkswagen Golf GTI
You’d be hard-pressed to tell the difference, but this is the fresh Golf GTI and it’ll emerge in public in Geneva. We’ve already driven it, and it’s still the most broadly capable hot hatch on sale.
Fresh details include standard LED headlights and tail lights, a revised front grille and a slight power boost – now 227bhp in standard form and 242bhp with the Spectacle Package.