2015 Geneva Motor Show Offers Lots of News +VIDEO
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By Henny Hemmes
Senior European Editor
The 85th Geneva International Motor Show opened its door for the public last Thursday, but earlier in the week the media could see what was already unveiled on the world wide web and a little more. In recent years, the international auto shows has rarely hardly offered surprises for the attending media. Nearly all the news is released ahead of the show, often under embargo until a couple of days before the doors of the Palexpo building swing open.
Some colleagues have mixed feelings and ask me: “We have seen and covered probably more than 95 per cent of the news in previews. Why should I attend the show?” Well, that is true, but to see the cars ‘live’ is different, you have another perspective.
 Mercedes Maybach Pullman |
Take the Mercedes Maybach Pullman: You know that its length of 6.50 meter/21.3 feet is huge. But only when you see the car driving onto the flood lit stage do you realize how long it is. And even more so, when you have seen it – like I did – coming from behind the curtains at the side of the Mercedes exhibition and witnessing its driver only being able to make the turn after backing up and giving it another go.
So for me, not attending the Geneva Motor Show is not an option, as it is for many colleagues. Another positive aspect of attending the show these the past couple of years is the decreasing number of people attending media days: I don't have to elbow through the crowds anymore. What relief!
Strictly Come Dancing
Mercedes' press conference kicked off at 8:00 AM, with boss Dieter
Zetsche announcing the new 600 hp strong Mercedes SLS AMG GT3, after the
new race car had loudly announced itself on stage. Dr. Zetsche welcomed
everyone, by starting his speech saying: “Now, we are wide
awake… ”
 Aston Martin Concept |
It was a worthy start of the day that was marked by the arrival of a lot of high powered super cars and super fast variants of mainstream production models. There were other models for exclusive use on race tracks, such as the Aston Martin Vulcan with over 800 horsepower and a body of CFRP (carbon fiber reinforced plastic), and the McLaren P1 GTR.
BMW unveiled the M4 MotoGP safety car that debuts an innovative water cooling system, which is destined for future M models. There was even an autonomous race car concept in the shape of the ED Torque.
My favorite race car in road-trim? The new Porsche 911 GT3 RS with a nearly 500 hp strong 6-cilinder engine and a track kit.
Hyper Power
 Quant F |
New in the class is the new Koenigsegg Regera, a roadster with a 1500 hp strong plug-in hybrid drive train as well as the first production car from the Swedish car builder, the CC8S. The Agera RS is a more extreme version of the 1,100 hp strong Agera R that races to a top speed of 402 km/h (250 mpg).
Also from Scandinavia is the Senvo ST1, a Danish super car with over 1,100 hp and the NanoFlowcell Quant F, a 1,090 hp strong fuel cell car that uses a flow battery and has a range of 800 km/497 miles and a top speed op 300 km/h (186 mph).
Super Power
New in Geneva is Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus, run by James Glickenhaus
the wealthy American collector of exotic racing cars. Glickenhaus has now
built his own super car to be offered to the public: the SCG003 - it's just
2,425 pounds in weight with some 600 hp.
 McLaren P1 GTR |
Aston Martin unveiled the more than 600 hp strong V12 Vantage GT3 and Lamborghini presented the 750 hp strong Aventador LP SV.
Ferrari always draws a crows when it comes up with a new model. This time it was the 660 hp strong 488 GTB that for the first time has a V8 mid engine with turbo power.
Apart from the P1 GTR, McLaren also unveiled the 675 LT with its V8 now producing 675 hp, while Porsche also brought Cayman GT4 to Geneva. It is a 500 hp strong version that beat the Nissan GTR on the Nordschleife of the Nürburgring.
Indeed, we saw the new Ford GT already in Detroit, but with its super aerodynamic design and the 600 hp strong engine, the GT’s European debut will not go unnoticed.
What was my favorite in this class? The Ford GT.
Hot Hatches, Production Models And Concept Cars
The Audi RS3, Honda Civic Type R, Ford Focus RS and Leon Cupra ST 280
made waves in the segment of the hot hatches. But there were also quite a
few down-to-earth models that celebrated world premieres at the show: the
Audi RS3, BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer; Citroen DS; Mazda CX-3; Mercedes CLA
Shooting Brake; Renault Kadjar, a competitor for its brother the Nissan
Qashqai; the Skoda Superb and Volkswagen Golf Variant GTD
Concept cars offer us a view what is coming up in the near future. The Audi Prologue Avant is the second version of the new design language that was unveiled along with the Prologue in Los Angeles last November.
With the LF-SA, Lexus unveiled its view for a city car, and Infinity revealed the QX30 concept - a small crossover that is expected to join the segment in due course.
 Kia Sportspace 2 |
The Kia Sportspace concept gives a preview of the station wagon model of the next Optima. It looks great and may be very successful in estate-car loving Europe.
 Bentley EXP 10 Speed 6 concept |
My choice for the most beautiful concept car is the Bentley EXP 10 Speed 6, a concept two-seater GT that Bentley presented in green trim with an absolutely gorgeous interior.
Number two is the Nissan Sway, a model just above the small Micra that previews the new design direction of the Japanese brand.
Number three is the Volkswagen Coupe Concept, a forebode for the successor of the Passat CC, which is expected next year.
Visitors of the Geneva Motor Show have to be prepared to ‘work’ the show in not too slow of a pace. Otherwise, one day at the show may not be enough to see all the news. The entrance fee won't dissuade you from visiting a second day, if desired, because it amounts to CHF 16.- per day for adults and CHF 9.- for seniors and children under 16. The show is open until March 15, from 9:00 to 19:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday, and from 10:00 to 20:00 hours Monday through Friday.