2017 Geneva Motor Show: The best and most exciting cars

The Geneva Motor Show is one of the biggest events in the world for previewing new cars and the future trends of the motoring industry.

The 2017 edition of the motor show features important and exciting new cars coming soon from many of the biggest brands in the world. The vast majority of cars at Geneva will arrive to the UK market either later this year or during the next.

Even the non-production, one-off concepts offer a lot of intrigue, as they give hints as to what manufacturers have in mind for future products, including the sort of technology and performance figures we can expect going forward.

To help you keep track of all that’s happening in the Swiss city, here’s our round-up of the most exciting cars worth knowing about at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show, covering virtually all manufacturers present in alphabetical order.

Keep an eye on this page for updates, including those from our reporter on the scene, as more reveals are made through the duration of the show.

Aston Martin

The much-anticipated Aston Martin DB11 arrived last year and for the 2017 Geneva Motor Show there’s a new customised version with a very striking blue paint finish, called the DB11 by Q.

This version of the DB11 has been manufactured by Aston’s in-house customisation department, the Q division, and is sure to delight those who like fast cars which are very blue both outside and inside.

Another announcement from Aston Martin at Geneva this year relates to its upcoming hypercar which is being developed with the help of Red Bull F1 designer Adrian Newey. It has been confirmed now that the hypercar, previously referred to as the AM-RB 001, will be officially sold under the name Valkyrie.

It will eventually launch in 2019 and it will use a 6.5-litre V12 Cosworth engine plus a hybrid system.

Audi

There are a few new Audis worth keeping an eye on at this year’s Geneva Motor Show. One of them is the sportback version of the new RS 3. Audi originally revealed its latest RS 3 as exclusively a saloon, but we now have confirmation that Audi is once again making a super-fast five-door hot hatch.

With 395bhp now under the bonnet, the new RS 3 Sportback will be one of the most tremendously fast production hot hatches ever.

Also present at this year’s Geneva Motor Show is Audi’s concept for a new large, coupe-esque SUV - the Q8 Sport.

It was already shown earlier this year in North America, but the Q8 has now made its European debut in a sportier guise.

Another big reveal from Audi at Geneva this year is the new RS 5 Coupe which can cover the 0-62mph sprint in less than four seconds.

Bentley

If you thought the Bentley Bentayga SUV could do with even more luxury, then you’ll want to see the new Bentayga Mulliner.

This limited-edition version of Bentley’s first SUV adds more exclusive styling features and it will still be very fast thanks to the 6.0-litre W12 engine under the bonnet.

Another reveal made by Bentley at Geneva this year is the intriguing EXP 12 Speed 6e, which is a concept for a two-door, fully-electric convertible.

This sleek model takes some design cues from the Continental GT but is significantly slimmer, while the interior sports a very vivid red leather trim finish.

BMW

The big reveal from BMW at Geneva this year is its new-generation 5 Series Touring. The premium estate car will have high expectations to meet, but it is likely to meet them to be fair. We’ve already test driven the saloon version of the latest 5 Series and we were very impressed by it.

Another BMW featuring at the Geneva show is a special edition version of the i8 sports car, which has the unusual-sounding name Protonic Frozen Black.

Citroen

Citroen are bringing an intriguing new concept car to this year’s Geneva show. It’s called the C-Aircross Concept and it appears to preview a future production mini-SUV that will rival the likes of the Nissan Juke and Renault Captur.

It has design cues reminiscent of the latest C3 supermini and C4 Cactus and the interior includes a very wide and nifty-looking touchscreen.

Ferrari

Ferrari are regulars at the Geneva Motor Show and for 2017 they are treating attendees to the public debut of its latest grand tourer, called the 812 Superfast.

The successor to the ridiculously quick F12 Berlinetta, the 812 Superfast is even quicker thanks to its 789bhp V12 engine. This propels the new Ferrari from zero to 62mph in just 2.9 seconds.

Ford

The big reveal coming from Ford at Geneva this year is its new-generation Fiesta supermini, which is launching to markets during this summer. Given how popular the Fiesta is in the UK and other markets, it’s significance can hardly be overstated.

Not only is the new regular Fiesta at Geneva, but so is the new Fiesta ST hot hatch too. The new ST has already raised a few eyebrows by introducing a new 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine with 197bhp – the same output as the Fiesta ST200 from last year (when it’s not utilising its ‘Overboost’ function).

Honda

Now that the new-generation Honda Civic is ready to go on sale in Britain this month, attention turns to the Type R hot hatch version.

We saw a concept version of the new Type R at last year’s Paris Motor Show but now Honda are taking a major step forward and showing off the car in production form at this year’s Gevena show. The design differences between the concept and production cars are quite subtle, but it's certainly eye-catching nevertheless.

You can find out what the new regular Civic hatchback is like in our video review:

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Hyundai

Following closely in the footsteps of the new i30 hatchback comes the Tourer estate version. Featuring new looks, a huge boot and an eight-inch touchscreen, the i30 Tourer should also be much better to drive than its predecessor with a chassis developed on the Nurburgring.

You can find out what the hatchback version of the new Hyundai i30 is like in our written review.

INFINITI

INFINITI has revealed some interesting models at this year's Geneva Motor Show, including a refreshed Q50 saloon.

More menacing-looking is the Q60 Project Black S concept, which has been made to celebrate INFINITI's technical partnership with the Renault Formula 1 team. It's aggressive, super-aerodynamic bodywork and 500bhp engine results in mega-performance to match its looks.

Jaguar

Jaguar are certainly busy at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show. For one thing, they are showing off the updated versions of their XE, XF and F-Pace, which all get new and more efficient Ingenium engines.

Then there’s the public appearance of the I-Pace, an all-new electric SUV that’s expected to launch in 2018 and take on the Tesla Model X for the title of best zero-emission premium family car.

Kia

Kia has brought its new Picanto city car to this year’s Geneva show, ahead of its launch in Britain this May.

Differences compared to the previous Picanto include the fact it will be five-door only this time and there are new sporty-themed trims called GT-Line and GT-Line S to enjoy.

Plug-in hybrid versions of both the Kia Niro and the Kia Optima Sportswagon are also present.

Koenigsegg

If you're a fan of hugely expensive one-off hypercars, then you have to check out what Koenigsegg has brought to this year's Geneve Motor Show.

At the event is the Agera RS Gryphon, a 1,341bhp monster with custom golden detailing which was specifically requested by a customer.

Lamborghini

Lamborghini's offering to the Geneva audience this year is the new Huracan Performante, which is reported to have set a new lap record for quickest producting car around the Nurburgring Nordschleife circuit.

Within this Lambo's incredibly light and incredibly aerodynamic bodyshell is naturally-aspirated V10 which puts out 631bhp. The 0-62mph sprint takes just 2.9 seconds and the Huracan Performante's price is estimated around £210,000.

Land Rover

Land Rover’s big reveal for the audience at Geneva this year is the re-introduction of the Range Rover Velar. More coupe-styled than the typical Rangie offerings, the Velar refers to a code name the original Range Rover used when it was in development during the 1970s.

While styling is unquestionably a major priority for this Range Rover, it still offers a range of frugal diesels and potent V6s to appeal to different kinds of drivers.

McLaren

McLaren’s road car division is showing off a new supercar at Geneva, specifically the much-anticipated successor to the 650S. The new model is called the 720S, and its name and design was revealed earlier than planned due to an image leaked online.

Highlights of the new McLaren supercar include its 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8 and the folding digital instrument display which can change how much info it displays depending on the driver’s priorities.

Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes has one of the longest list of debuting cars among the manufacturers at Geneva this year.

Debutants worth keeping an eye on include the new E-Class Cabriolet, the E63 AMG Estate and Maybach G650 Landaulet (seen in the above image).

Another intriguing new reveal from Mercedes is its four-door AMG GT concept.

Celebrating the 50th anniversary of Mercedes' AMG performance divison, this four-door grand tourer will reportedly reach production in 2019. 

Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi has brought back the Eclipse name, but not necessarily in the way you expected.

The name now adorns an all-new crossover SUV (Eclipse Cross is its full name), which has some coupe-like design elements. It will sit in between Mitsubishi’s ASX and Outlander and will look to rival the likes of the Nissan Qashqai.

Nissan

The big news from Nissan at Geneva for this year is the debut of the refreshed Qashqai.

Now looking somewhat more aggressive than before, the Qashqai is hugely popular in European markets including the UK, so the addition of semi-autonomous driving aids here is huge for the whole crossover segment.

Pagani

Six years after Pagani wowed the crowd at Geneva with its Huayra hypercar, the Italian manufacturer is now debuting a convertible version at the 2017 show.

The Huayra Roadster, with its removable roof and 753bhp V12, is bound to be enjoyed by many who visit the Geneva Motor Show. Good luck ever owning one though as the Pagani costs around £2 million and all 100 examples have been sold already!

Peugeot

Peugeot, which is owned by the PSA Group, is dominating headlines right now with its takeover of Vauxhall and Opel. The focus for Peugeot at Geneva this year though is a concept car that shows its idea of a stylish autonomous vehicle.

The Peugeot Instinct has an estate-like but sporty body and a petrol-electric, four-wheel drive powertrain with 297bhp in total. It also has a fully autonomous driving setting, and the idea is that the steering wheel can fold away when the driver activates this function.

Porsche

Porsche are showcasing a few models at this year’s Geneva Motor Show, including new members of the growing Panamera family. There’s both the Panamera Sport Turismo and the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid in attendance.

The facelifted 911 GT3 is also present, and the big news is a return to using a manual gearbox.

Featuring a six-speed transmission, the new 911 GT3 is also armed with a very potent 4.0-litre engine.

Renault

One Renault worth checking out is the Renault ZOE e-sport. It's only a concept, but it's one of the most exciting electric cars ever made featuring 456bhp and a 0-62mph sprint time that can beat many modern sports cars.

Also present at Geneva is the refreshed Captur. The Captur has proven a hit for Renault, so plenty of interest is bound to surround the facelifted version of the compact crossover.

Another Renault-made car at Geneva this year is the Alpine A110 sports car, which is set to carry its own distinct sub-brand badging.

Expect the Alpine to take on the likes of the Porsche Cayman and the Jaguar F-TYPE when it arrives to the UK market during early 2018.

RUF Automobile

Something also at Geneva which is not made by Porsche but related to that particular manufacturer is the RUF CTR.

RUF are famous for tuning existing Porsches, and the CTR indeed looks like a previous-generation 911. But the architecture underneath has been independently developed by RUF for the first time and it has a mighty 700bhp engine as well.

Skoda

Skoda are certainly busy at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show, bringing a wave of new cars to the even for their public debut.

Among the cars present are facelifted versions of the Citigo, Rapid and Rapid Spaceback. There’s also new sportier and more rugged versions of the Kodiaq called the Kodiaq Sportline and Kodiaq Scout respectively. Also debuting is the most powerful version yet of the Octavia vRS, the 245 model.

SEAT

Starring for SEAT at this year’s Geneva event is the all-new, fifth-generation Ibiza supermini. Its design updates bring it closely in line with the looks of the latest Leon.

Following the arrival of SEAT’s first SUV last year – the Ateca – the new Ibiza will reportedly lay the foundations for a new compact SUV entry called the Arona later this year.

SsangYong

We already know SsangYong are working on a direct replacement for the Rodius SUV, which was previewed as the LIV-2 concept last year. But at Geneva this year, SsangYong have brought the XAVL concept.

This is expected to lead to a separate production SUV in the future, which will squeeze into a niche below the Rodius but above SsangYong’s Tivoli and Korando.

Speaking of the Korando, a refreshed version of the crossover SUV has been revealed at Geneva this year as well.

The updates to the Korando's exterior styling, interior and petrol and diesel engines should bring it more up to speed with more modern competitors.

Subaru

The new-generation Subaru XV is at Geneva this year.

It’s fair to say that the XV hasn’t received that much love from critics or Subaru fans, particularly compared to the brand’s other off-roaders so a new version of the crossover feels much needed.

Suzuki

We’ve known for a couple of months now what the new Suzuki Swift will look like but attendees at Geneva this year are getting the chance to see the supermini up close in the metal.

The new Swift is larger but lighter than its predecessor and gets a much-welcome upgrade of interior materials.

Toyota

Toyota has a new hot hatch version of the Yaris at this year’s Geneva Motor Show, which is fitting as the Japanese brand recently returned to competing in the World Rally Championship.

This Yaris hot hatch has a 1.8-litre turbocharged petrol engine and we can’t wait to find out how it compares to the likes of the Fiesta ST and Peugeot 208 GTi. Toyota this year are also showing a fully-electric city car concept called the i-TRIL

Vauxhall

Vauxhall, which is set to get new management soon, is introducing its new-generation Insignia to the public at Geneva in both Grand Sport hatchback and Sports Tourer estate forms.

Representing a step up in quality compared to its predecessor, the new Insignia range aims to appeal not just to those that might consider the likes of the Ford Mondeo but also more premium offerings like the BMW 3 Series.

Volkswagen

Volkswagen are debuting a brand-new saloon with coupe-like design features at this year’s Geneva Motor Show. It’s called the Arteon and it is replacement for the Volkswagen CC.

The new Arteon looks to be a step-forward in quality compared to the CC and will challenge the likes of the BMW 4 Series and the Mercedes C-Class.

Volvo

The latest Volvo to get the Swedish manufacturer’s latest styling philosophy and raft of top-notch safety kit is the XC60 SUV.

Featuring distinct ‘Thor’s hammer’ LED headlights and a safety system that can potentially steer you away from accidents, the mid-sized XC60 will be one to watch when it launches later this year.

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