The Geneva Motor Show – arguably the biggest event in the automotive calendar – is now open, proudly parading the most significant cars in the world right now.
One notable change from previous years is the sharp drop in so-called ‘booth babes’ – models hired to look pretty next to the cars.
Five or ten years ago, the exhibition centre was littered with them. However, fresh from the #MeToo movement, virtually every organisation at the show has reviewed their approach.
Some dressed their models in less revealing clothes, while others took the route of planting well-informed experts on their stands. Ferrari did away with models all together and the few who repeated their approach from previous years were showing off stuff like tyres.
Anyway, what about the cars? Yes, there were plenty of those and these were our favourites…
BMW X4
This second-gen SUV coupé will improve on the original with enhanced driving dynamics, a striking exterior and even more refinement.
Two new M Performance variants will also join the range, snipping the X4’s 0-62mph sprint to under five seconds while inflating its top speed to 155mph.
BMW M8 Gran Coupe Concept
Technical details on this long-overdue M6 replacement are scant, but it is expected to borrow plenty from the recently launched M5, namely its 592bhp twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 engine.
It’ll arrive in BMW showrooms by the end of 2019.
Cupra Ateca
SEAT’s Cupra performance division is going it alone and this is its first standalone model: the Cupra Ateca.
Basically, it’s a hot version of the standard SEAT Ateca, with a 5.4-second 0-62mph sprint, facilitated by a turbocharged two-litre 296bhp petrol engine. Expect to see it in select SEAT showrooms before the end of the year.
Jaguar I-Pace
An electric Jaguar SUV seemed crazy five years ago, but that is exactly what’s coming our way and it looks pretty brill.
Powered by an all-electric powertrain producing the equivalent of 395bhp, it can race to 62mph in 4.5 seconds. You can have one for a measly £58,495.
Mercedes-Benz A-Class
If you’ve read our rundown of the new A-Class, you’ll already know that the fourth-gen high-end hatch has adopted a slightly SUV-lite feel, growing in every direction, and that prices will start from around £24,000.
Orders are open now with the first models being delivered from June.
McLaren Senna
It’s the most extreme McLaren road car ever with 789bhp at its disposal, which makes a 0-62mph sprint possible within 2.8 seconds.
There are many more mindblowing figures in our write-up here
Polestar 1
In addition to Cupra divorcing itself from SEAT, Polestar is doing the same with Volvo. We’ve seen the brand’s first standalone model already, but this was the first time it had been shown to the general public.
Find out more on the Polestar 1 here.
Honda Urban EV
Kooky concepts can be found all over almost any motor show, but very few of them are created with any intention of coming to production. However, not this one. Honda will begin accepting orders for its 200-mile electric hatchback from early next year.
Which cars took your fancy at Geneva this year? Let us know down in the comments.
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