Hidden treasures of the Geneva motor show

Join us for a journey off piste to discover the delights of the 2018 show

Autocar

7 March 2018

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We've given you the low-down on all the big stories at this year's Geneva motor show

But if you're aiming to head out to Switzerland for the first major European motor show of the year, there's plenty more to see. Add these to your checklist, for the full show experience...
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PAL-V flying car

We introduced the PAL-V flying car to you in our 2017 Frankfurt show round-up. Six months ago the car was still in development but now the production-ready vehicle is on display, with the first cars set to be delivered later this year, priced at around €400,000 (£357,000 or US$500,000).
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Audi stand

Audi dressed its stand up to look like a cinema. Well, a cinema full of cars. At the entrance, visitors can pick up some free popcorn - although we suspect that on public days this offer might be withdrawn...
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Audi stand

The Audi-torium (geddit?) is complete with rows of cinema-style seating for the Audi-ence (okay, enough already) to get a closer look at the new A6.
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Snoopers

For every journalist at a motor show on press day there's a snooper going over every aspect of the new arrivals. Here the Lamborghini Urus is prodded and poked to within an inch of its life, as a snooper takes photos of the wheels for a rival manufacturer, having done the underside and before moving on to the interior.
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Michelin Man

The Michelin Man, also known as 'Bibendum’ - is touring the show, to drum up interest for the tyre manufacturer.
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Waste not, want not...

This is the work of Recycle Art (recycelart.ch) - all made from old cars and motorcycle parts.
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Simulators

Simulators have become immensely popular at motor shows in recent years. In some cases good old 2D is up for grabs but some car makers have switched to virtual reality VR.
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VR pit stop

Renault has taken the VR simulator to its limit this year, with a 3D pit stop challenge. Even though spectators can't see what each participant is seeing, it's still great fun to watch.
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AMG sound station

Mercedes is promoting its AMG brand heavily at this year's show, and to get potential buyers in the mood a sound station has been set up. At the touch of a button you can hear any AMG engine being fully exercised, with the AMG lettering in the background moving between white and red depending on where in the rev range the engine is.
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e-Moke

The Mini Moke has probably had more rebirths than pretty much any other car, but this is a neat take on the formula; an electric edition called the e-moke that marries those classic looks with modern, clean tech. Buyers can choose between lead-acid or lithium-ion batteries.
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TAG Heuer

A special display charts the history of TAG Heuer's involvement with motorsport. Things kick off with the sole surviving Super Leveque from 1911 - one of just 26 cars built, with a 964cc engine rated at all of 9bhp.
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Ford GT40

Next to the Super Leveque is a rather more familiar racer: the Ford GT40 that conquered Le Mans so dramatically in the 1960s.
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Aston Martin Vantage

The story is brought right up to date with the latest Aston Martin Vantage.
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Peugeot Lion

There's branding - and there's branding. When it comes to making bold statements, few are as obvious as the massive lion that dominates the Peugeot stand.
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Klassen G-Class

There are a few kids' cars dotted about throughout the show, but this one caught our eye as it's just so incongruous somehow. While Klassen usually offers lavishly appointed Mercedes-based vehicles, also on the stand is this pint-sized G-Wagen - complete with a luxurious leather seat.
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Klassen e-bike

For those who don't need four-wheels, this e-bike also on the Klassen stand is somehow neat and clumsy at the same time.
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Renault @ 120

Renault is celebrating 120 years of building cars in 2018, and to mark the occasion it has one of its first cars on show; a Type A from 1898.
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Kia socks

Several manufacturers have merchandise for sale. We're not sure how many parents will rush out to buy a pair of Kia-branded socks for their baby - especially with a price tag of €12.90 (£11.50 or US$16) per pair.
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Maserati 450S

More appealing is the gorgeous model of a 450S on the Maserati stand. Limited to 150 units, it's yours for a mere €2150 (£1920 or US$2649).
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Motorsport posters

You'll pay a fortune for an original poster from any early motorsport meeting but these limited edition reproductions offer all of the glamour for a lot less cash. These are also on the Maserati stand.
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Sbarro Formula E

Several student projects are on display, including this one for a Formula E contender on the Sbarro stand. Built by 22 students over the past year, the car is currently a non-runner, but will be developed into something that drives.
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Sbarro 4x4 +2

Over the years Sbarro has come up with some pretty bonkers creations and this year it's the turn of the 4x4 +2, which can switch from four wheels to six at the press of a button. Just what the world has been waiting for...
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IED Kite

Another student project is this one from the Turin-based IED (Istituto Europeo di Design). The project has pulled together students from around the globe who have collaborated on an electric leisure vehicle called the Kite.
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IED Kite

Funded by Hyundai, the Kite is a rugged off-roader that can also be used on water. Driven by electric motors in the wheels, an aerofoil extends from the front underside of the car to turn the kite into a jet ski.
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Blue Cruiser

Students from Germany’s University of Bochum built this car for the Bridgestone Solar Challenge. Called the Thyssenkrupp Blue Cruiser, the super-sleek two-seater claimed second place in the 2017 competition.
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Icona Nucleus

Icona first burst onto the scene with its Vulcano concept car in 2013. Five years on its back, with this lounge in wheels, the Nucleus. Details are sketchy but that doesn't matter - it still looks intriguing.
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Willys Jeep

For a brand that hasn't got much going on this year, Jeep has a big stand at this year's show. Deserted for most of the time, by far the biggest draw is the original 1941 Jeep that greets showgoers.
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Pirelli cyber tech

Pirelli unveiled its new Cyber technology, which will be fitted as standard to a production car by the end of the year. Pirelli is remaining tight-lipped about which car makers it's working with, but as tyre pressure monitoring has become mandatory on all new cars, cyber tech will become the norm. It flags up on the dashboard what each tyre's pressure is, how much tread depth is remaining plus other data.
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Morgan Plus 8

As reported in our key stories, the run-out Plus 8 50th Anniversary edition is on show - right next to the original car that started it all off 50 years ago. Morgan has retained that car for the past half a century, for its heritage collection based at its Malvern factory in western England.
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Morgan finds CFD

Also reported elsewhere in our news round up is Morgan's Aero GT, of which just eight examples will be built, marking the end of BMW N62 V8 production. It's a car that marked something new for Morgan - the use of CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) which was done in-house. It's also Morgan's first car to be fully tested in the wind tunnel.
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Eadon Green

We were introduced to Eadon Green at last year's Geneva show, with its Black Cuillin. This year the marque is back, with the fully functional Zeclat. Based on a Corvette C7, the Zeclat is a pet project of company owner Felix Eaton.
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Eadon Green

Eaton would like to sell a few examples of the Zeclat to generate funds for a third car, but at £750,000 (US$1,040,000) a time he's under no illusions. If he does sell any, the money will go into creating a third model for display at a future show.
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Corbellati Missile

Perhaps less grounded in reality, the Corbellati Missile is claimed to be the world's most powerful car at 1800bhp. Fitted with a twin-turbo 9.0-litre V8 engine that drives the rear wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox, the Missile is claimed to be capable of 310mph. Hmmmmm....
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Corbellati Missile

Clearly inspired by 1960s sports racers, the Corbelatti is made of carbon fibre but for some inexplicable reason is finished in a matt grey paint which makes it looks distinctly unfinished. Look closely and the car looks even more unfinished. Order yours now before they're sold out...
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FOMM EV concept

FOMM (First One Mile Mobility) is a new Japanese company that's putting electric cars into production. This two-seater sportscar concept is a really funky piece of design...
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FOMM EV reality

...but this is the first car that the company is actually offering for sale. It's about to hit showrooms in Thailand but FOMM is looking to bring the car to Europe. More at fomm.co.jp
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Iconiq Seven

Iconiq is planning to enter the luxury EV market with this: the Seven. Despite its size it offers seating for just four...
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Iconiq Seven

...because while there's space for two up front, most of the vehicle is given over to a luxurious cabin with seating for just two more. Note the immense TV screen behind the front seats. More at iconiqmotors.com.
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e-mobile Navya

e-mobile is offering a glimpse into the future with its autonomous electric pod called the Navya. The 33 kWh battery pack and 15 kW electric motor give a 56mph top speed and a range of up to 10 hours. Find out more at navya.tech/en.
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Microlino

Next to the Navya is this intriguing confection: the Microlino. It's essentially a BMW Isetta from the 1960s, converted to run on battery power. It's a funky-looking thing and prices start at €12,000 (£10,700 or US$14,700). More at microlino-car.com
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SIN R1

British company SIN has two cars on display, including its new R1, yours from a bargain €180k (£161,000 or US$222,000) excluding taxes. Buyers can choose outputs of 450-800bhp with a top speed of up to 218mph claimed.
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SIN S1

Unveiled at the show is SIN's new motor, the S1. We're still waiting for confirmation from a spokesman that the company takes its name from the phrase 'ugly as sin'. The S1 comes with a choice of ICE, petrol/electric hybrid or fully electric powertrains.
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Mansory

Mansory has discovered a way of painting car parts so they look like they're made of marble. As its new toy, all of the cars on Mansory's stand feature the effect including...
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Mansory Sport Turismo

...the Porsche Sport Turismo...
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Mansory DB11

...the Aston Martin DB11...
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Mansory S63

...a Mercedes-AMG S63 (with 22-inch wheels)...
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Mansory Bentayga

...a Bentley Bentayga (on 24-inch wheels, with a 750bhp W12)...
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Mansory 720S

...McLaren 720S (with a 755bhp twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8)...
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Mansory 812 Superfast

...Ferrari 812 Superfast (with 830bhp)...
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Mansory Veyron

...and the most bonkers of all, the Bugatti Veyron Diamond Edition, which has been given the marble treatment all over.
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Liberty Walk Aventador

Mansory is one of several high-profile tuners at the show. Also there's Liberty Walk with its take on the Lamborghini Aventador. The bodykit is available for US$55,520 (£40,000), while the air suspension package is more on top.
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Liberty Walk GT-R

Liberty Walk's Nissan GT-R body kit retails for around US$21,000 (£15,100) depending on the model year.
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Liberty Walk Mustang

If you've got a Ford Mustang and you want to stand out in the crowd, Liberty Walk can help with that too - for a mere US$6800 (£4900).
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Arden

German tuner Arden has offered upgrades for Jaguars since 1972. This year it's got a rather neat Jag F-Type package on show alongside its latest kit for the Range Rover.
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Bullitt Mustang

Dotted about the show is a wealth of classics. The highest-profile example is the original Bullitt Mustang on the Ford stand, to complement the reborn car which is also on show.
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Audi RS2

Perhaps the coolest classic on show is the Audi RS2 that you'll find on the MTM stand.
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Lancia Stratos

However, vying for that coolest classic award is the original Lancia Stratos, on display next to the reborn model on the Manifattura Automobili Torino stand.
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AC Cobra

Perhaps not the coolest, but arguably the most achingly desirable classic is this original AC Cobra 427 on the Goodyear stand. It's one of 348 examples built.
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Lamborghini Miura

Several massively desirable classics are clustered in one corner of the show. These include a Lamborghini Miura...
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Pre-war Alfas

...a pair of coachbuilt pre-war Alfa Romeo 2300s, both from 1938...
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Quirky classics

...and these three. In the background is a classic Mini, in the foreground is a 1956 Belcar while in the middle is a Soletta 750. We'd come across only one of these before; we'll leave you to guess which one.
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Seminal concepts

Near to the Soletta and Belcar is a set of seminal concept cars, all of which were first shown at the Geneva show. This is the Lamborghini Marzal (shown at the 1967 event), Bertone Sibilo (1978) and Maserati Birdcage 75 (2005).
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Bizzarrini Manta

We recently guided you through 50 years of Italdesign, which kicked off with the Manta concept of 1968. Well if you want to see that car in the metal, it's on show right now in Geneva...
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Bertone Testudo

...so is the Bertone Testudo concept, a car that broke new boundaries when it was first seen in 1963.
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Brabus G-Class

And to round things off, here's a picture of a mildly tweaked G-Class, as seen on the Brabus stand.
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And finally...

This guy's feet certainly look knackered after hours of traipsing around the show. But we're not certain that strolling around barefoot will actually help.

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