2015 Geneva Motor Show
The Swiss may lack an auto industry of their own but when it comes to hosting grand-scale motor shows, very few come close in levelling the sheer exuberance and sense of style that revolves around the Geneva Motor Show or Salon International de l'Auto, as the French would like to put it.
Going by its long history of hosting some of the most talked-about automotive debuts, 2015 is shaping up to be no different with several automakers planning to show off all-new concepts and road cars for the first time. Among the glorified list of supercar makers will be Lamborghini, McLaren and Koenigsegg taking the wraps off their flagship offerings in the form of the Aventador SV, P1 GTR and the Regera respectively. However, it’s not all quad-turbocharging, clever torque vectoring and active aerodynamics as this year’s Geneva Motor Show will also display mainstream cars that hold relevance to the Indian market; cars like the all-new Skoda Superb, BMW 1 Series facelift, special edition Duster and Audi’s new R8.
Following a heavy load of press emails showing off teasers of forthcoming models and concepts, it is now time to take a good look at all the eye candies that are waiting to be unleashed in the Swiss city.
Hyper Fest
McLaren P1 GTR
The P1 rewrote the hypercar rulebook when it came out in late 2013. Often considered to be the spiritual successor to the legendary McLaren F1, it combined Formula One technology (Read: KERS system and Active Aero) with a hybrid powertrain to create the ultimate expression of developments in road car technology. It is rather hard to imagine, then, to follow up on the act and better it by a considerable margin. McLaren, as one would have guessed it, has done just that with its forthcoming P1 GTR.
The 1,000bhp GTR is quite different from the regular P1, sporting a wider front track compared to the road-going model. It also sits closer to the ground on its massive motorsport alloy wheels shod in Pirellis. The basic layout of the 3.8-litre, twin turbo V8 and the electric motors remain the same, although McLaren says they have worked on the powertrain by replacing key components with motorsport-developed parts more suited to sustain high speed running that the GTR will eventually be subjected to.
Koenigsegg Regera
Of all the Geneva Motor Show updates that we have brought you so far, this probably ranks as the most insane bit of news as mad Swedish supercar maker Koenigsegg is readying not one, but two new hypercars as showstoppers in Geneva. First of which is the Agera RS which can be termed even more extreme than the Agera R which already develops 1,100bhp from its 5-litre, twin turbo V8 engine.
With the all-new Regera, Koenigsegg is onto something way out of the ordinary even by hypercar standards. The brand, in fact, is promising that its upcoming offering will be the most powerful and fastest accelerating production car ever. A real threat to all the high speed champs including the Veyron Super Sport, the Venom GT and several heavily tuned GT-Rs, then? You bet!
Aston Martin Vulcan
In the past, Geneva has played host to quite a few important debuts from Aston Martin. After the gorgeous V12 Zagato, the new Vanquish and the highly controversial Cygnet city car, it’s the turn of an all-new hypercar to come out of the closet at this year’s show.
The hypercar in question is called the Vulcan and although very few details could be obtained from the teaser video shared by Aston Martin, the unmistakable sound of the V12 and a quick shifting sequential gearbox is hard to miss. It seems the brand is preparing a track-ready hyper car with similar intents as the much awaited McLaren P1 GTR.
Unfortunately that's all we can say for now, however, we cannot wait for the brand’s official word when the Vulcan makes its public debut next month.
Drool Worthy
Ferrari 488 GTB
Many will be hustling to take a peek at Ferrari’s stand because of the all-new 488 GTB although not for reasons you might think. Aside from the fact that its an-all new Ferrari, the 488 GTB is also the third model in the Italian brand’s history to use forced induction but the second mid-engined car to adorn turbochargers after the iconic F40.
The 488 GTB retains the overall shape of its predecessor – the 458 Italia, but gets a comprehensive overhaul. The front bumper, headlights, doors, wing mirrors, and the large air-dams behind the doors to feed the turbochargers are all-new. At the rear, the fenders are more pronounced and the engine cover is new: gone are the unique triple exhaust tips and in its place are equally striking twin-exhausts.
Of course, the most intriguing bit is the engine. Displacing 3,902cc, this new V8 engine employs twin-turbochargers to produce 660bhp of power and 740Nm of torque. There are no indications on its pricing yet, but it will be out when the car arrives in Geneva next month. All you guys fortunate enough to buy one, do keep you cheque books handy.
Morgan’s new sports car
Known for building hand crafted sports cars with designs dating back to 1960s and 70s, Morgan has always come up with interesting cars. The British automaker has earned both accolades and criticism for its range of models including the Aero 8, Aero Max and the Three Wheeler. Now, with an all-new Geneva-bound model, it seems Morgan is looking to create yet another stir among classic car enthusiasts.
Through a typical teaser showing nothing but darkened shots of the car’s fascia and the cabin, Morgan has confirmed that this new model will be a part of the brand's old-fashioned creations. The car's appearance will be quite traditional although the firepower under the hood will be fairly modern in the form of a BMW-derived V8 engine.
Full details on Morgan’s upcoming sports car will be out once the veils are lifted off the vehicle in Geneva in a few weeks’ time.
Porsche Cayman GT4
Not long ago, Porsche introduced us all to the Cayman GT4 – the newest addition to the German car firm’s line of high-performance GT models. This is the first time Porsche has built a GT model based on the mid-engined, two-seat Cayman coupe and for that reason alone, several Porsche purists are looking forward to the car’s public debut in Geneva.
Sharing components and genetic spirit with the iconic 911 GT3, the engine, chassis, brakes and aerodynamic design of the Cayman GT4 are configured for maximum driving dynamics. It is hardly surprising knowing that this new model has lapped the Nurburgring Nordschleife in a rather quick 7 minutes and 40 seconds.
Track Weapon
Porsche 911 GT3 RS
The latest-gen 991 GT3 is been herald as the most scintillating iteration of Porsche’s GT3 line of track-oriented models. Launched in 2013, the 991 GT3 has caught the fancy of many automotive journalists and enthusiasts across the globe, mainly thanks to the 475bhp, 3.8-litre flat-six motor that revs up to 9,000rpm and Porsche’s super quick PDK dual-clutch gearbox.
In Geneva, Porsche is looking to up the ante by unveiling the GT3 RS which will be even more driver focused than the standard GT3. While the details are scarce at the moment, there have been news reports suggesting that the new 911 GT3 RS will get an all-new engine straight-six motor which will also be naturally aspirated. Like the standard model, the RS is said to be PDK-only although Porsche purists would be quick to point out that a manual gearbox would make for an even better driver’s car.
Manual gearbox option or not, if the regular 991 GT3 is anything to go by, the forthcoming hard core GT3 RS is sure to give many a nightmares to Ferrari and McLaren.
Honda Civic Type R
Honda is in for a big show at this year’s Geneva Motor Show as the Japanese brand is set to unveil a host of new and refreshed models including the debut of the production-spec Civic Type R. Honda is fairly confident that this will be the most extreme Type R ever built.
Key highlights on the new hot hatch include Honda’s new 2-litre turbocharged VTEC engine and a supposedly sweet handling chassis.
Hot from its global debut in Detroit, the new NSX will also mark its arrival in Geneva. The petrol electric sports car will make its European debut in Switzerland, 25 years after the debut of the original NSX.
McLaren 675LT
If you thought the P1 GTR is the only big thing to come from Woking, think again as McLaren has also lined up the 675LT for a grand unveiling. Post its public debut, the 675LT will join the core range of McLaren, alongside the existing 650S and the Asia-specific 625C.
The focus is fully on optimised aerodynamics, increased downforce and reduction in weight, says McLaren. To put it simply, the 675LT is a faster, more aerodynamic version of the 650S with improved high speed dynamics. Like in the 650S, the number 675 denotes the power developed by the 675LT’s engine in brake horsepower.
McLaren has confirmed that the 675LT will be offered in coupe body style only when deliveries start later this year.
India Relevant
New Audi R8
Introduced in 2007, the R8 was a result of Audi’s first attempt at making a proper supercar. Today, as we see it, the R8 is no less than a global phenomenon that has taken Audi to the supercar leader board. Even after all these years, the R8 still looks pretty striking although that hasn’t stopped Audi from creating a successor.
Audi has confirmed that it will showcase the all-new R8 in all its glory at the Geneva Motor Show, before putting it on sale by mid-2015. The brand even invited several European journalists for passenger rides in a heavily camouflaged prototype, showcasing the dynamic prowess of its latest creation.
Like before, the R8 will be powered by the 5.2-litre, naturally aspirated engine from Lamborghini. Audi has revealed that the engine produces 530bhp in standard guise while the same engine in the V10 Plus version develops 600bhp of power.
Thanks to the R8’s immense popularity among car enthusiasts, this new version of the mid-engined sports car is being highly anticipated by many, including us.
Renault Kadjar
After making its digital debut earlier this month, the Renault Kadjar is now on its way to Geneva for its public debut. Based on the Nissan Qashqai platform, the Kadjar will be positioned above the Renault Captur in the international markets. Renault isn’t revealing the engine line up until the Geneva debut although one can expect this new crossover to share the same set of engine options as the Qashqai.
If Renault India ever decides to bring the Kadjar to India, it will have to find a spot between the Duster and the Koleos and by doing that it will eventually find itself competing against the Skoda Yeti – a crossover which currently has no competition.
2016 Range Rover Evoque
Like all premium carmakers, Land Rover, too, is looking to make some noise at the coveted Geneva show floor. The brand recently announced that it’s going to do it with the help of the 2016 Evoque – an updated version of what is arguably the most successful Land Rover of all time.
The 2016 Evoque will be the first Land Rover to feature full LED adaptive headlamps. As for the other highlights, Land Rover says the Evoque will feature a new engine line-up and safety features, without divulging any more details. In all probability, the 2016 model will get Land Rover’s new four-cylinder Ingenium range of turbocharged petrol and diesel engines.
The Evoque has proved to be a grand success in all the markets its been sold in. As one would expect, Land Rover has taken a 'why fix it, when it ain't broken' approach with the 2016 model as the changes appear to have been made just to make the Evoque a more rounded package than before.
Honda HR-V
Having made its American debut at the 2014 LA Auto Show, the Honda HR-V is now set to arrive in Geneva. The crossover shares the same platform as the latest-gen Fit and is loosely based on the JDM spec Vezel. With its distinctive coupe-like lines merged with the solid stance of an SUV, the HR-V ideally sums up the definition of a crossover.
Introducing it in Europe will allow Honda to compete in the compact crossover segment which currently includes the Renault Captur and the popular Nissan Juke. Honda India, unfortunately, has revealed that the HR-V currently has no place in its Indian line up due to reasons unknown to us. However, given the pace at which the trend in crossovers is growing, it is safe to assume that the HR-V will be introduced in the Indian market at least in its second generation.
