R.I.P. Geneva: Our Fondest Memories From the Past Shows
It’s the first week of March, but don’t look for the Geneva Motor Show, which is now history. Actually, and curiously, the name will survive thanks to an event that will take place in Qatar in the fall, but what was once Europe’s largest and most prestigious auto show inside the Swiss Palexpo is officially dead.
The organizers have decided not to follow up the unsuccessful resurrection attempt of 2024. If cars return to the venue in the future, it will only be to satisfy local enthusiasts. There will be no vehicle debut of any kind.
Of course, this is the tragic consequence of a COVID-19 pandemic that has turned the automotive industry upside down, including the ways in which manufacturers introduce new products.
Feel like taking a trip down memory lane? We sure do. Here are some of our favorite memories from recent editions of the Geneva Motor Show (keep scrolling down to see the pictures):
2024
Renault hosted the global premiere of the Renault 5 E-Tech, reinterpreting the French pop icon as a fully electric car and making it a true game changer not only for the brand but also for the EV market in Europe. Its emotional design is the result of a retro-futuristic approach which consisted in reimagining strong markers of the Renault 5 by giving them a new, modern and useful function. We love it.
2019
Pininfarina Battista, Koenigsegg Jesko, Ferrari F8 Tributo, Lamborghini Huracan Spyder Evo and four exceptional Aston Martins: supreme, exotic power was on full display back in 2019. We also remember concepts such as the Alfa Romeo Tonale, Audi Q4 e-tron, Honda e and Mitsubishi Engelberg Tourer (the future Outlander). Arguably the biggest star in Geneva that year was Bugatti’s La Voiture Noire, a one-off hypercar that was sold as the most expensive production vehicle in the world (over 11 million euros at the time).
2018
New models such as the Lexus UX, the eighth-generation Audi A6 and the Jaguar I-Pace electric crossover (later voted as the World Car of the Year) made their debuts in Geneva in 2018. We could also mention the Nissan IMx Kuro, Porsche Mission E Cross Turismo, Volkswagen ID. VIZZION and Hyundai Le Fil Rouge concepts. The last one, an extremely sleek and aerodynamic four-door coupe, blew us away with its voluptuous looks. Today’s Elantra and Tucson, which have inherited some of its front-end features, are unfortunately not as refined.
2017
Compact SUVs attracted plenty of attention, including the new Volvo XC60, Subaru Crosstrek and Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross. On a completely different note, how could we not mention the incredible Aston Martin Valkyrie? A collaboration between Aston Martin and Red Bull Advanced Technologies, this British hypercar ended up on the cover of Le Guide de l’auto 2018. The goal was to achieve a power-to-weight ratio of 1:1 (one horsepower per kilogram) and limit production to no more than 150 units, including 25 for track use only.
2016
Porsche unveiled the 911 R and 718 Boxster, then Ferrari followed suit with the GTC4Lusso and California T. Lamborghini celebrated its 100th anniversary with the Centenario concept, Koenigsegg made a splash with the production-intent Regera, and Jaguar pushed its gorgeous F-Type coupe to 575 horsepower in SVR trim. With the Veyron bowing out, Bugatti introduced the Chiron, which three years later became the first production car in the world to break the 300 mph barrier, reaching a top speed of 489 km/h. Another French legend.
