2018 Geneva motor show preview

The Geneva motor show is the largest event on the motoring calendar, by a long way. This year will be no different, as the world’s car industry and media prepare to descend upon Switzerland to see the latest supercars and mass-market models.

More and more cars are confirmed for Geneva, every week. Here’s what we know is coming, so far:

Audi A6

With a new BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-class on the scene, the Audi A6 is the oldest of the ‘big three’ executive sedans. The brand has already confirmed that the new A6 will make its debut at Geneva and is likely to follow in the Prologue-like look of the A8.

Audi E-tron

It’s a race between Jaguar’s I-Pace and Audi’s E-Tron to see which electric SUV will go on sale, first; but they’ll both be revealed in production form at the Geneva show. Both cars have already been seen in concept form and neither is due to stray far from their concept’s flavour.

Bentley Bentayga PHEV and Bentayga V8

Bentley has already revealed the Bentayga V8, now but the car's first in-the-metal appearance will be at Geneva. It will sit alongside the brand's first electrified model – a plug-in hybrid version of the Bentayga that uses the same 3.0-litre hybrid powertrain as the Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid.

BMW M8 Concept

BMW's 600hp flagship won’t launch internationally until 2019; but the German brand will show a concept at the motor show which will preview the rival to Aston Martin DB11 and Mercedes-AMG S63. While official images, spy shots and leaks of the 8-series indicate the overall design of the new coupé, expect the M-badged version to feature more aggressive styling, to match the engine. 

BMW X4

The first-generation X4 has only been around since 2014. The second-gen model has been revealed and will come to India sometime later this year. While only diesel engines are expected in the country, the X4 will rival the likes of the Range Rover Evoque. However, is the 360hp, M40i variant launches as well, then it will rival the Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 Coupe.

David Brown Automotive high performance GT

David Brown – the creator of the Aston Martin DB4-inspired Speedback GT and the Mini Remastered – has announced that they will bring a high-performance model to Geneva. However, the Silverstone-based low-volume car maker has only revealed the model’s badge, so far.

Ferrari 488 ‘GTO’

While it was scheduled to debut at Geneva, images of the new 488 (said to be called the GTO) have leaked online. The hotter version of the 488 is meant to be a replacement for the 458 Speciale and is a Porsche 911 GT2 RS rival. It is expected to be powered by the Italian brand’s award-winning 3.9-litre, twin-turbo V8, though tuned to produce about 710hp.

Ford Edge

Ford has only just revealed the facelifted Edge to the American market at the Detroit motor show. The Geneva motor show will, in turn, be seeing the European version of the same. Europe will only get diesels; unlike the US, which gets a V6-powered Edge ST, ST-Line is the sportiest version we'll get of the large SUV.

Ford Figo (Ka+) facelift, Freestyle (Ka+ Active)

The hatchback which is sold as the Ka in European markets has been given a mid-life facelift and will make its public debut at Geneva. This facelift will arrive in India in the coming months (badged as the Figo). The highlights of the hatch include more kit which is now seen on the recently unveiled Freestyle cross-hatch. Speaking of which – the European market will get the same cross-hatch, though with a Ka+ Active badge. The interesting bit here is that the Figo in India is expected to be introduced with the Freestyle’s new 96hp, 1.2-litre petrol engine, while the Euro-spec car gets a 1.2-litre petrol engine in two states of tune –70hp and 85hp.

Honda CR-V

The seven-seat, third-gen CR-V will be showcased in Geneva, the highlight of which is the new hybrid powertrain. The standard 2.4-litre petrol and new 160hp, 1.6-litre diesel models are India-bound, later this year. However, the hybrid is unlikely to arrive when the SUV launches in mid-2018 to take on the likes of the Jeep Compass and Hyundai Tucson.

Honda Urban EV, Sports EV concepts

After showcasing the Sports EV concept at the Auto Expo 2018, the Japanese carmaker will bring it to Geneva, as well; along with the Urban EV that was showcased in Tokyo, last year. The latter is expected to reach production in international markets by 2019, while the former is expected by 2020.

Hyundai Kona EV

After the Kona – which was Hyundai's entry into one of the fastest-growing segments in the industry (as well as a rival to the Nissan Juke) – the Korean carmaker is bringing an electric variant to the market, as well. A range of around 386km is mooted – be afraid, Nissan Leaf. Be very afraid. The model is also being evaluated for the Indian market.

Hyundai Santa Fe

The fourth-gen Hyundai Santa Fe will make its public debut at the Geneva motor show. The flagship SUV has been re-styled to look like its smaller SUV siblings and comes with three engine options. The previously offered 197hp, 2.2-litre, diesel engine will be joined by a new 2.0-litre turbo-petrol and a 2.0-litre diesel engine. An eight-speed automatic is standard, on all three. The model features Hyundai’s latest tech in the form of Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), lane keep assist, lane departure warnings and a voice recognition system with build-in Artificial Intelligence.

Italdesign Zerouno convertible

Renowned design house Italdesign has confirmed it will trot out a convertible variant of its Zerouno supercar by sending out teasers of the model. The car will be powered by Audi’s 5.2-litre, V10 petrol engine and share its Quattro all-wheel-drive system. Claimed top speed is 330kph with a 0-100kph acceleration time of 3.2sec.

Jaguar I-Pace

If 2017 was the year of the SUV, 2018 seems to be developing into the year of the electric SUV. Jaguar will show the production version of the I-Pace at Geneva. It is set to be the first direct rival to the Tesla Model X in the UK but it won’t be on the market alone, for long – considering the Audi E-Tron arrives imminently, afterwards.

Kia Cee'd

We have a reliable idea of what the next-generation Cee'd will look like from the Forte sedan which was revealed in Detroit. Kia's all-new Focus rival will be revealed in five-door hatchback and estate forms at Geneva, with shooting brake and SUV variants due to arrive, later.

Land Rover Range Rover SV Coupé

Land Rover has confirmed it will bring its new two-door Range Rover SV Coupé to the event. There isn’t much information available besides the fact that it is a proper four-seater and that it gets a different interior set-up. It is likely to be powered by the 565hp, supercharged 5.0-litre V8 that is available on the SVAutobiography model.

Lexus UX

People have been waiting for the production version of Lexus’ first small SUV, ever since the brand revealed its UX concept at the Paris motor show, two years ago. It looks like Lexus will finally show its Jaguar E-Pace rival at this year’s Geneva show, as the luxury small SUV segment explodes.

McLaren Senna

The world has already seen the Senna – it was revealed at an event for customers at the brand’s Composite Technology Centre in Sheffield – but the Geneva motor show will be the car’s first public display. It has 669hp, weighs 1,198kg and is claimed to be the quickest-lapping production McLaren, yet.

Mercedes-AMG GT four-door

Mercedes-AMG’s answer to the Porsche Panamera is almost upon us, a year after the GT concept was revealed. People will be seeing the production car at this year’s Geneva show with a 604bhp V8 under its bonnet. An 805bhp petrol-electric hybrid powertrain will come later.

Mercedes-Benz A-class

Mercedes has achieved a lot with the A-class – it’s in the top ten best-sellers in the UK and is the best-selling premium hatchbacks, there. The model is now entering its fourth generation and will adopt Mercedes' new family face, first shown on the third-generation CLS.

Mercedes-Benz C-class facelift

Mercedes' best-selling car and is getting a refresh for 2019. Its a rather thorough evolutionary refresh – rather than a complete overhaul – as Mercedes looks to further its lead over Audi and BMW.

Mercedes-Maybach S-class

The facelift to Mercedes' flagship sedan borrows design elements from the flamboyant Maybach 6 concept car. The visual differences – like the new two-tone paint scheme on the outside and a new range of 20-inch alloy wheels – are meant to help differentiate the Maybach model from the CLS and standard S-class. The 4.0-litre V8 with 464hp in the S560 and a turbocharged 6.0-litre V12 developing 620hp in the S650 continue. Mercedes has launched the pre-facelift versions of the S560 and S650 at the 2018 Auto Expos. There is no information, yet, as to whether this facelift will arrive in India.

Mercedes-AMG G63

Mercedes’ high-performance off-roader, the G63, is back and more powerful than ever. A 585hp, 4.0-litre, V8, petrol engine mated to a new nine-speed automatic sends power to all four wheels via the AMG Performance 4Matic four-wheel-drive system. Claimed performance figures for the car include accelerating to 100kph in just 4.5sec and reaching a top speed of 240kph for the 2,485kg SUV. 

Morgan Aero GT

The Aero 8 is being discontinued, and the Aero GT, a motorsport-inspired version of the retro-styled sports car, will make up the final eight units in its production run. The aerodynamic bodywork additions have been described by the company as ‘drastic’.

Morgan Plus 8 50th Anniversary

The 4.8-litre BMW V8 engine dies with the Plus 8 50th Anniversary edition, which also serves as a run-out special to the Plus 8. Morgan is keeping tight-lipped on whether the Plus 8 will be replaced and any details on the 50th Anniversary edition. Expect it to cost well in excess of the regular Plus 8’s starting price, though.

Polestar 1

Volvo’s spin-off brand will bring their sporty EV sedan to the event, as the model begins its publicity tour of the world. Unfortunately, this tour does not include India, yet.

Pal-V Liberty

The claimed world's first commercial flying car will take a stand at Geneva as part of the brand’s efforts to publicise the offering. The flying vehicle is expected to be delivered to the first customers in the UK by the end of 2018.

Rimac ‘Concept Two’

Rimac’s second model – following the electric Concept One – will be even more luxurious, faster and more exclusive. It won’t be called Concept Two. It has been described by the brand as "a true game-changer".

Seat Cupra Ateca

Seat's first fast SUV will finally arrive at the Geneva motor show as the first prong of Cupra as a fully-fledged sub-brand – something that's also expected to be announced at Geneva.

Skoda Fabia facelift

Skoda has finally decided to give the Fabia a facelift after four years on sale – a design overhaul is promised. The sketch the brand has revealed suggests it may be more evolution than revolution, though.

Skoda Vision X

The new sub-Karoq SUV concept is scheduled to arrive in production form in 2019. The concept – which is based on the Volkswagen Group’s MQB AO platform – will be brought to Geneva. Expect a mix of 1.0-litre and 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engines and the 1.6-litre diesel unit.

Subaru Viziv Tourer concept

Subaru will continue its Viziv concept campaign, in Geneva by showcasing the Viziv Tourer concept – the estate version of the Viziv Performance concept sedan. The latter is thought to preview the next-generation WRX.

Toyota's race car concept

While Toyota has yet to reveal its name, it has teased a return of its legendary sportscar, the Supra, with a single image showing a part of the car’s rear. The sportscar has been in development for over a year (co-developed with BMW), so this concept is likely to give more than a slight clue as to what to expect. However, details of the model have already been leaked online.

Volvo V60

A year after the XC60 was revealed internationally (and only three months after its India launch), the SUV’s estate sibling – the V60 – will be revealed at Geneva. The estate will provide the first glimpse of Volvo's new 60-series of cars, which will include the S60 sedan.

Zenvo's new hypercar

Zenvo has announced that it will take a new hypercar to Geneva. While the company hasn’t revealed any details about this car – besides the teaser indicating the fact that carbon-fibre has been used extensively – we know that it will the third model from Zenvo and it is expected to be the most hardcore, of the three.