I had the chance to visit the Geneva Motor Show. This was my third time in this great event which gathers the best of the best of European car market. I really enjoyed the time there and that’s why I want to share with you all my impressions about what I saw, what I liked and what I didn’t of all major exhibitors. The order follows my route during the event.
LEXUS
The IS is simply awesome because of how it looks (especially in the back) and its interior. Nice to see that there are still car makers that risk a bit and propose different cars.
TOYOTA
It seems that the driving simulator they had installed in a FT-86 had a bigger impact than the 2 concepts they presented. The new Rav4 looks very nice in the front, side and interior, but ugly in the back. The Auris is definitely ugly inside.
RENAULT
Nice stand. Once again I confirm that the new Clio (SW included) is a great car. In RS version looks awesome. The same for the Captur, that even if looks like the Clio, it has its own stamp. Surprisingly the Twizy didn’t shine. The ZOE looks nice but its interior is really poor (now I understand why it is that cheap).
OPEL
The Cascada (Astra Cabriolet) is fantastic: elegant, sporty and classic. The Adam looks better in person (and the interior is very nice). The Rocks concept is nice but a bit exaggerated.
DACIA
Interesting the new Logan MCV. Now they all look more germans (VW?) in the front. Inside they continue to be low-cost cars. The Logan Sedan wasn’t exhibited that day.
MITSUBISHI
Disorganized and simple stand. Very ugly concepts.The SpaceStar (aka Colt) is extremely simple.
CHEVROLET
The new Corvette shines. It is very nice in both versions, cabrio and coupe. However, it doesn’t gather as many people as its European rivals. Nice stand.
HYUNDAI
The brand didn’t have anything really new and impressive. The new Santa Fe looks very nice and big. Their main problem is that its stand is just beside Lamborghini’s.
MCLAREN
The new P1 doesn’t tell me anything compared to its German and Italian rivals.
LAMBORGHINI
The new Veneno is even worse in person than in photos. It is absolutely awful. Contrary to the gorgeous Aventador.
PORSCHE
Nothing new except for the 918 Spyder Concept, which look very nice.
AUDI
The usual stuff. The RS Q4 looks nice in red. Nice stand as always with all cars available for everybody.
BENTLEY
The new Flying Spur is absolutely gorgeous, especially with that colour. However, the Mulsanne looks better.
SKODA
The new Octavia is really nice. Nice interior, nice exterior and generally speaking a very good car. It is not the case for the Rapid, which I found pretty basic in its interior and doors. Outside is hard to differentiate them.
VW
The new XL1 looks better in person but it is not a beautiful car. It is extremely short and narrow. Its interior is nice but its components correspond to a regular car. The new Golf is very nice but once again is a car that doesn’t tell me anything.
SEAT
The new Leon is very nice too. I would say is the best compact of VW Group (among the Golf, Octavia and A3). Is different, has its own stamp in the front and rear. Inside is not bad. The Toledo, as the Rapid, looks nice till you get in.
SUBARU
They exposed an interesting half part of the Forester where it was possible to see how the car is made and how the Boxer system works. Nothing new
NISSAN
Nissan had one of the best concepts of the show: the Resonance. The Note looks nice. The stand was too small.
HONDA
The Civic Tourer Concept looks great. Different, dynamic and very original. Nothing else new.
SUZUKI
New SX4: they just copied the Qashqai.
IED, Alfa Romeo Gloria: it looks nice only in the side view. The front and rear are not that nice.
ROLLS-ROYCE
All Rolls-Royce look nice and the new proposal was interesting too. They are so big.
MAZDA
Nothing new. The new 6 looks better outside than inside.
FORD
I like the idea of exhibit all cars with the same colour (however it may look a bit boring and difficult for common visitor to differentiate all models). I liked the new Ecosport and the LCV models.
ASTON MARTIN
Nothing new but great cars. The stand looks too small for the quantity of cars they show (crisis?).
VOLVO
Nothing new. The updated S60/V60/XC60 look much better. I liked the V40 Cross Country.
LAND ROVER
The new Range is very nice. Too big and full of nice details. They did a good job.
JAGUAR
The F-Type is absolutely gorgeous: elegant and distinctive. Very nice stand, integrated with LR.
PEUGEOT
The 2008 is not as original as previous Peugeot. Is not bad but doesn’t have anything shocking except for its nice interior (as it happens to the 208). Compared to the Captur, it looks boring. Onix concept is great. The 208 XY looks cool. Nice and big stand.
MINI
Nothing new except for the Paceman, which looks nice but a bit uncomfortable. Nice music in the stand.
BMW
Big and impressive stand. The 3-Series GT looks good in the front but very ugly in the back. Wonderful the 3-Series SW they showed in blue colour. I was expecting the 4-Series, but they showed the i8 and i3 concepts.
MERCEDES-BENZ
Really big stand with the latest CLA, which looks very cool in the rear. Inside, in the back is a bit uncomfortable. The updated E-Class is nice but I think it lost personality. Amazing the CLS Shooting Break.
QOROS
I liked their cars but it wasn’t possible to see the interiors. A big jump for Chinese cars.
KIA
The new Carens looks nice but as it happens to Audi, all Kias begin to look the same. The Provo didn’t tell me anything.
INFINITI
I liked the Q50 a lot. It looks elegant and pretty sober, contrary to its rival from Lexus.
CITROEN
The new Technospace concept is not bad but they placed it like if they didn’t want to show it. I’m in love with the DS5. The updated C3 improved a lot in the interior.
I closed my visit with this weird and ugly Fornasari, parked outside.
Fiat Group World 