Top 10 Cars of the 2014 Geneva Motor Show
After two agonizingly long media days, hundreds of kilometers traversed on foot, thousands of photographs snapped and endless crowds, the AutoGuide crew has survived yet another international motoring event, all while sustained completely on a diet of bread and cheese.
Digestive distress aside the crew is happy to share their Top 10 Cars From the 2014 Geneva Motor Show. Are you ready? Grab a baguette and a schmear of brie, you’re going to be here for a while.
The Porsche 919 GT3 R Hybrid is the Swabian automaker’s first LMP1 racecar in 16 years. It’s powered by a 2.0-liter V-type engine that’s turbocharged and augmented with direct fuel injection.
SEE ALSO: Porsche Invades Geneva Motor Show with New Race Cars
Further improving efficiency it also features two different energy storage systems. First, there’s an electric generator that’s powered by waste heat from the car’s exhaust system; this is very clever. Second, the 919 has a more conventional motor mounted at the front axle that recuperates otherwise wasted energy during braking.
Volvo revealed a style-focused design study in the form of its Concept Estate. This three-door sports wagon is pretty stunning, especially in person. It draws plenty of inspiration from the company’s 1800 ES model from the 1970s.
SEE ALSO: Volvo Concept Estate Proves Wagons can be Sexy
It’s host to a variety of interesting features including copper interior accents as well as special aged wood trim that’s been treated with a wax finish. The cabin also includes a new touch-based user interface, which replaces numerous physical buttons and switches with a large screen.
Bringing to mind a battleship, Mercedes-Benz showcased its brand-new S-Class Coupe in Geneva. The two-door may be shorter than its sedan counterpart and it may straddle a truncated wheelbase but it’s still a very,very large automobile.
SEE ALSO: 2015 Mercedes S-Class Coupe is a Sweet Swiss Miss
It’s powered by a 4.7-liter twin-turbocharged gasoline V8 engine that delivers 449 hp and 526 lb-ft of twist. For maximum bling the headlamps can be embellished with genuine Swarovski crystals for a glittering appearance. Oh là là!
Honda introduced a tuner-themed design study in Geneva. The Civic Type R Concept has the wild looks and massive digits to make youthful enthusiasts take notice.
SEE ALSO: Honda Civic Type R Concept Blows Turbocharged Raspberry at USA
This somewhat bulbous hatchback is motivated by a fire-breathing 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that delivers a stout 280 hp, give or take a few ponies. It’s expected to debut next year but don’t get your hopes up if you live in North America; it probably won’t make it to our shores. Honda is currently testing the car on Germany’s vaunted Nürburgring.
It’s not every day a brand new Italian supercar gets revealed, but Lamborghini did just that in Switzerland. The Huracan is a replacement for the aged Gallardo, which is 10 years old at this point. That’s practically prehistoric in car years, especially in this segment.
SEE ALSO: Lamborghini Huracan Charges into Geneva
This vehicle serves as the brand’s new “entry-level model” but there’s nothing bargain basement about its specifications. It’s powered by a naturally aspirated V10 that cranks out 610 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque. All those kibbles and bits are routed to each corner via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Exotic? Indeed!
Stunning. That pretty much describes the McLaren 650S, a car that, like a vanload of dynamite, packs a massive wallop. It’s powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V8 engine that pumps out 650 ps – 641 hp if you’re curious. The “S” in its name stands for sport.
SEE ALSO: McLaren 650S Thunders into Geneva Motor Show
According to the company this is the most engaging, best equipped and most beautiful production supercar they’ve ever built. With specs and design like this it’s hard to disagree with that statement. Best of all it looks more delicious than a gigantic bar of premium Swiss chocolate.
Small cars are big news these days, especially as fuel costs keep going up and concerns about the environment move to the forefront. With that as a backdrop Mazda revealed its Hazumi concept car in Geneva.
SEE ALSO: Mazda Hazumi Concept Bounds into Geneva
The five-door hatchback resembles some of the company’s other products like the CX-5 crossover as well as the new Mazda3. It’s powered by a 1.5-liter diesel engine for maximum economy. Further reducing consumption the car benefts from start/stop technology as well as the company’s i-Eloop capacitor-based regenerative-braking system.
Audi’s newest concept car is impressive to say the least. It weighs just under 3,000 lbs and pumps 420 hp to all four wheels out of a turbocharged 2.0-liter turbo four. If that’s not enough of a mouthful for you, there’s even more.
SEE ALSO: Audi TT Quattro Sport Concept Packs 420-HP Punch
The company did away with unnecessary things in the cabin to save weight. What didn’t make the cut, you ask? Why arm rests, speakers and even pull handles, of course. Well, that’s not totally true. There are Alcantara pull straps in place of more commonly used hard plastic.
A seven-speed dual clutch gearbox handles shifts, at least in theory. This is still a concept car and Audi hasn’t expressed plans to put it into production yet. Then again, the brand also unveiled its new TT and TT-S right here in Geneva, so maybe a hardcore performance model is asking a little bit much… for now.
Lexus is previewing its new GT3-approved race car here at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show. Official details on the aggressive-looking race car are still scarce, but it uses a front-mounted V8 lifted from its street car sibling massaged to make over 540 hp.
SEE ALSO: Lexus RC F GT3 Concept Makes Sparkly Paint Look Mean
That’s quite a punch for a car finished in rainbow shimmering sparking paint, but it’s easy to take the car seriously. Silly livery aside, it features a massive rear wing outdone only by the big front splitter and massive rear diffuser.
Racing teams will be able to get their hands on a copy starting next year when it will be able to run in a wide variety of races ranging from Japan’s Super GT to the 24 Hours of Nurburgring.
A small Jeep with real off-road credibility? It might sound strange, but that’s the case at this year’s Geneva Motor Show. Better still, the Renegade will reach a Jeep dealer near you. Yes, you read that correctly. This is not, we repeat not, a Europe-specific car.
SEE ALSO: 2015 Jeep Renegade Pricing, Specs
Two versions of an advanced 4×4 system will be available with the car, capable of directing all of the engine’s available torque to any of the wheels. No fewer than 16 powertrain options will be offered globally although the selection will be quite a bit smaller in the U.S. Here, we will get either a 1.4-liter turbocharged four cylinder that makes150 hp and 170 lb-ft of torque, or a 2.4-liter four-cylinder good for 184 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque.
A diesel engine will be available overseas and it hasn’t been ruled out for North America (fingers crossed).
SEE ALSO: 2015 Jeep Renegade is the Cutest of Cute Utes
An available “traihawk” package adds off-road equipment including hill descent control, a version of the 4×4 system with a crawling ratio, skid plates and more ground clearance.
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Um... the Koenigsegg is just another version of the same damn car they've been selling for 10 years.
If thats the top ten I'm glad I didn't go...