- 2017
- auto shows
- Geneva Motor Show
I’m just gonna get straight to the point, dear readers – the Geneva International Motor Show (GIMS) is gonna be huge this year. Granted, Geneva is usually one of the biggest, if not the biggest auto shows of the year, and 2017 is shaping up to be no exception. Traditionally, this is the venue where the biggest and baddest on the market drop cover, with each debut competing under the lights for our collective automotive attention. Premieres on the docket include just about everything in the four-wheeled universe, from practical eco boxes, to top-shelf exotic bedroom posters, and there should also be plenty of surprises along the way. We can’t wait.
The Geneva International Motor Show has been going strong since 1905, with 2017 marking the 87th running of the event. The list of exhibitors is once again massive, encompassing a wide array of automakers both big and small, as well as copious tuners and parts suppliers. More than a quarter million square feet of display space will be on hand to show off the various wares. Last year, more than 100 vehicle debuts saturated the two back-to-back press days, while the visitor count was close to a million.
We’ve got a summary of the big debuts lined up for you right here, plus all the info you need to know if you wanna be there to check it out in person. Read on for more, and don’t forget to check back frequently, as we’ll be updating this guide both before and after the show!
Updated 02/28/2017: We’ve added more early debuts to the guide, and so far, GIMS 2017 is looking like it’s gonna be a helluva show!
Continue reading to learn more about the 2017 Geneva International Motor Show.
What, Where, And When
Things To Do
Like any other highly visible auto show, GIMS is a great place to do a little car shopping, with all the hottest models (future and current) up on display alongside their chief competitors. Events like these are also a car lover’s paradise even if you don’t wanna buy, with ample opportunities to geek out and share the passion with other auto nerds in attendance.
But that’s to be expected, so what makes GIMS unique?
To help raise green vehicle awareness, attendees will once again have a chance to interact with the exhibitors using the “Salon Car Collector” app on their smartphone (Android and iOS supported). As you wander through the show, the app will allow you to collect “stamps” from the most energy efficient __cars on display (that is, Category A vehicles emitting no more than 95 g/km of CO2), including both EVs and gas burners. Over 350 of the __cars on display are eligible. All who participate will have a chance to win a variety of prizes, including a brand new Ford Mondeo Hybrid. Click here for more information.
Of course, there will be plenty of exciting sports cars, SUVs, and luxury cars there as well. In fact, just about every facet of the industry will be represented, including alternative fuel vehicles, concepts, OEM accessories, aftermarket parts, and vehicle maintenance and repair.
Motorsport enthusiasts will undoubtedly be drawn to the TAG Heuer special exhibit, which arrives in Geneva for a third consecutive showing. Visitors will have a chance to ogle such high-performance machinery as the Porsche 911R, the Red Bull Racing – TAG Heuer 2017 Formula Showcar, a Formula E Showcar, and the No. 28 Audi R8 LMS 2015 racer that took victory at the 24 Hours Nurburgring in 2015. There will also be five racing simulators, opportunities for Instagram gold at the photo booth, VIP lounges, and a chance to experience “the various TAG Heuer worlds” via Samsung Gear virtual reality. A collection of TAG Heuer watches will also be on display and available for purchase. You can find more information by clicking here.
Once you’ve had your fill at the show, Geneva offers ample opportunities for sightseeing and exploring. The city is surrounded by pristine natural beauty and infused with a truly cosmopolitan culture, with standout attractions including the Jet d’Eau, St. Pierre cathedral, and the CERN particle physics laboratory, not to mention countless promenades, shops, and restaurants. The weather can still be pretty chilly this time of year, so come prepared for temperatures in the mid-40s, with highs in the mid-50s, and lows in the upper 30s.
The Venue And Transportation
The Geneva International Motor Show will be held at the Palexpo convention center, which is located in close proximity to the Geneva Cointrin International Airport, roughly a 7-minute walk from the Geneva-Airport railway station. Amenities include available high-speed Wi-Fi Internet access and daycare for children between 3 months and 6 years old. You can find a complete list of services offered by clicking here.
Palexpo
Route Francois-Peyrot 30
CH-1218 Le Grand-Saconnex
You can find a map of the convention center and the location of each of the seven halls by clicking here. You can find a map of the show layout and the location of all the major exhibits by clicking here.
There are a variety of accommodations conveniently located near the convention center, but even if you aren’t near Palexpo, there are tons of transportation options. For more information on accommodations, click here. One word of caution though – Geneva can be pretty expensive.
For more information on transportation options, including busses, trains, personal cars and parking, and ride sharing, click here.
Show Schedule And Tickets
Per usual, the journalists will have first access, with all the major reveals and debuts taking place during the designated press days, March 7th through the 8th. We’ll be bringing you all the latest, so make sure to stay tuned to TopSpeed!
Afterwards, the public gets access, with general admission granted March 9th through the 19th. Opening hours are between 10 AM to 8 PM, Monday through Friday, and 9 AM to 7 PM, Saturday and Sunday.
Tickets are CHF 16.- ($16.04) for adults, CHF 9.- ($9.02) for pensioners, the disabled, and children ages 6 to 16, and CHF 11.- ($11.03) per person for groups of 20 or more. Tickets sold onsite after 4 PM are 50% off (same day entry, cannot be combined with other discounts).
You can buy tickets at the gate, or online by clicking here.
Note you can combine your transportation and show tickets for discounted rates. Find more information by clicking here.
Press Days Exhibitors Conference Schedule
There are nearly 70 conferences scheduled over the course of the two press days at GIMS. Check out the complete schedule by clicking here.
For a complete list of exhibitors, click here.
Crossovers, SUVs, Vans, And Wagons
Hyundai i30 Wagon
With the reveal of the i30 hatchback already on the books, a new, long five-door iteration looks like it’ll drop cover for the first time in Geneva. Previewed by a single shadowy teaser image, it appears as though the i30 Wagon will bear the same broad styling cues as its hatchback equivalent, while the roofline will attempt to bring a more coupe-like profile. Inside, we’re expecting equipment similar to the rest of the line, such as a TFT driver’s information screen in the gauge cluster, an optional 8.0-inch touchscreen, and support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The engine and drivetrain should also be a carryover, with a mix of both gas and diesel engines on deck, as well as either a six-speed manual transmission, or a seven-speed automatic.
Read the full review here.
Mercedes-Maybach G 650 Landaulet
Ever want to drive the penthouse suite of a five-star hotel up the side of a mountain? Well Mercedes-Maybach has your solution. Of course. It’s called the G 650 Landaulet, and it offers top-shelf seating for four, with the rear two spots taking cues directly from the Maybach S600. Standout features include an outrageous amount of luxury inside, with two-tone leather, contrast stitching, and a quilted application. It’s essentially an uber-capable luxury box with the same off-roading gear as the G500 4x4, including three locking differentials, lifted suspension, and portal axles. With that much comfort and all those heavy-duty underpinnings, you’d expect it to be slow, but it’s not, thanks to a twin-turbo 6.0-liter V-12, once again plucked from the Maybach 
S600. Only 99 units will be produced, with pricing falling into the “if you have to ask” category. We’re thinking between $350,000 and a cool half mil.
Read the full review here.
Mercedes-AMG E 63 S Wagon
Time for a little brain exercise. Start by imagining the style, the luxury, and the speed of the AMG E 63 S sedan… pretty sweet, right? Now, imaging putting all that lovely goodness into a long-roofed wagon package with oodles of cargo space in back. Suddenly, if you’re anything like me, you’ll need a napkin because you can’t stop drooling. Incredibly, this fantasy is a reality, and it’s headed to Geneva to show off each of its 600 horses, all of the endless leather upholstery, and its sizable trunk. The specs are impressive, to say the least – 0-to-60 mph in 3.4 seconds, with top speed limited at 180 mph. Oh, and there’s a button that makes the AWD system go full gymkhana drift mode. Did I mention you get all this in a wagon? And it’s coming to the U.S.?
Read the full review here.
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
The crossover body style remains as popular as ever, and to take advantage of customers who just can’t get their fill of high-riding utility vehicles, Mitsubishi is introducing a new compact SUV in Geneva. Unfortunately, the brand decided to resurrect a nameplate near and dear to many sport compact fans, dubbing the model the Eclipse Cross. And that’s exactly how enthusiasts are feeling at the moment, given what the Eclipse used to be – a turbocharged AWD slayer of domestic muscle. Now it’s a crossover, and all we can do is hope enough people buy it to justify the un-retirement of the Lancer Evolution. As a sports sedan, please.
Read the full review here.
Peugeot Partner Tepee Electric
French automaker Peugeot is offering up an electrified iteration of its Partner Tepee MPV, replacing the standard vehicle’s lineup of gas and diesel powerplants with an all-electric drive unit capable of going 100 miles between charges. Cabin features include techy stuff like remote charging control, as well as remote climate control. And although electric powertrains can occasionally reduce available interior volume, the Partner Tepee Electric still boasts up to 3,000 liters (106 cubic feet) of space if you fold down the seats. Interested customers will be able to order theirs later this year.
Read the full review here.
Sedans, Hatchbacks, And Luxury Cars
Ford Fiesta ST
As the Gymkhana-video-come-to-life that is the Focus RS continues its smoke-laden domination over all of hot hatchdom, Ford is giving us an update for the less-insane Fiesta ST model. The styling was slightly revised, gaining a new grille insert, a tweaked headlight design, and new taillights, while the interior got an all-new dashboard, new climate control vents, and updated gauge readouts. However, the biggest update is in the engine department, where the old 1.6-liter four-cylinder was tossed in favor of a 1.5-liter turbo three-cylinder. Output is rated at around 200 horsepower and 215 pound-feet of torque, while 0-to-60 mph is accomplished in 6.7 seconds, which means that despite losing a cylinder and 100 ccs of displacement, performance should be every bit as exciting as it was before.
Read the full review here.
Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid
Porsche just updated the top of the Panamera product line, and surprise surprise, it’s a hybrid. And what a hybrid it is – this thing comes packing with the old Panamera Turbo’s double-boosted 4.0-liter V-8, plus an electric motor, which means it’s chucking out an incredible 680 horsepower and 626 pound-feet of torque through a high-performance AWD system and eight-speed PDK transmission. Unleash all that electrified muscle and you’ll be enjoying 60 mph in a mere 3.2 seconds. Containing the power is the usual lineup of Porsche goodies, including standard ceramic brakes, dynamic chassis control, and a three-chamber air suspension system. There’s even a long-wheelbase Executive iteration that adds nearly six inches in length for even more opulence in the rear seat.
Read the full review here.
Volkswagen Arteon
Slated to replace the Volkswagen CC, the new Arteon is looking like a German mid-size sedan with some mild sporting intent. Details are a bit hazy at the moment, but it’s expected to come underpinned by VW’s MQB architecture. As for the exterior, our first official look comes from a few close-cropped teaser images, as well as a few earlier concept sketches, which means the metal that will drop in Geneva will most likely get a coupe-like, fastback design. Inside, the Arteon takes cues from the 2015 Concept GTE with a large touchscreen mounted in the dash, and possibly some all-digital gauges behind the steering wheel. The powertrain is also a mystery, but we’re thinking the Concept GTE will come to play here as well, offering a boosted 3.0-liter V-6 complemented by two electric motors, making roughly 375 horsepower total. Pricing should mimic that of the CC, starting around $35,000 for the base model.
Read the full review here.
Honda Civic Type R
Finally, mercifully, Honda has decided we ‘Mericans are worthy of its ultimate hot hatch offering – the venerable Civic Type R. No longer will this FWD speedster be the forbidden fruit you lust after in YouTube videos and foreign publications. No, rather than building one from eBay parts, you’ll actually be able to buy this thing in the dealer, complete with the requisite red badges, turbocharged engine, and aero-heavy exterior. Inside, you’ll get well-bolstered sports seats, red upholstery, and a flat-bottom steering wheel, plus three pedals to help you work the six-speed manual transmission. Flat out, this JDM superstar will propel you to a top speed close to 170 mph.
Read the full review here.
Audi RS 3 Sportback
While we here in the states will enjoy the five-cylinder awesomeness of the RS 3 in a four-door sedan format, the same can be had overseas in the more practical five-door Sportback package instead. Under the hood is a 400-horsepower 2.5-liter TFSI gas-burner, currently the most powerful production five-cylinder engine in the world, which can rocket the RS 3 to 62 mph in just 4.1 seconds. LED headlights and a silver-lined Singleframe grille is up front, while a massive diffuser and twin oval exhaust pipes are in back. Inside is Nappa leather, a flat-bottom steering wheel, and a 705-watt stereo.
Read the full review here.
Kia Picanto
Kia has announced a third generation for its Picanto hatchback, a compact city car with a focus on frugality. Under-hood options include three different powerplants, starting with a 1.0-liter three-cylinder making 66 horsepower and 71 pound-feet of torque, plus a 1.2-liter four-cylinder making 83 horsepower. Both are carryovers from the outgoing model, but Kia 
is adding a third option in the form of a turbo 1.0-liter with 99 horsepower. Gearbox options include a five-speed manual as standard, while a four-speed automatic is an available option. Inside the cabin is a 7.0-inch touchscreen, support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and wireless phone charging. The Picanto won’t be sold in the states, but will be available in Asia and in Europe.
Read the full review here.
Lexus LS 500h
Fresh off a big reveal of the new LS flagship at the Detroit Auto Show in January, Lexus is giving us the next iteration with the LS 500h. As you might expect, that extra letter at the end of the nameplate stands for hybrid, and as such, we’re expecting the same powerplant as the LC 500h under the hood. As a refresher, that means 354 horsepower from an electrified 3.5-liter V-6. The gearbox will likely be a CVT, which should combine with the electric six-cylinder to offer a 0-to-60 mph sprint in roughly 4.5 seconds. Outside, the 500h will look a lot like its non-hybridized equivalent, with an enormous spindle grille in the nose, sharp headlights, and a handsome coupe-like profile. Inside, expect lots of loveliness, like acres of hide, plus seats that massage, heat, ventilate, and recline.
Read the full review here.
Sports cars And Supercars
Pagani Huayra Roadster
We’ve been hearing rumors of a roadster’d Huayra for some time now, and it’s looking like Pagani is finally giving us the goods in Geneva this year. Based on the mid-engined hard top of the same name, the Huayra Roadster should come packing a lot of the same equipment, including the coupe’s 6.0-liter V-12 mounted just behind the cabin, and a seven-speed gearbox. However, the Italian automaker managed to perform some very interesting tweaks this time around, most notably with a lower curb weight, more power, and even more speed. Of course, if you’re interested in this high-performance carbon-fiber masterpiece, you better have the bank to back it – pricing starts at about $2.4 million.
Read the full review here.
McLaren Super Series
McLaren has been teasing us a’plenty with the next generation of its more accessible, daily driver-oriented range of supercars, the Super Series. The latest model to join the family will most likely be called the 720S, and will come to the party with “advanced aerodynamic technologies” making 50 percent more downforce than the 650S. It’ll also make more muscle thanks to a 4.0-liter V-8 boosted by twin quick-spool turbos, replacing the outgoing 3.8-liter powerplant used in the 650S and 675LT. That means it’s quick, posting a 0-to-124 mph in less than eight seconds, as well as a quarter-mile time of 10.3 seconds, once again beating the old 650S. “Power, torque and throttle response are all significantly enhanced compared to the first-generation Super Series, yet with fuel efficiency and emissions also notably improved” explains Hayden Baker, Super Series Vehicle Line Director. Sounds good to us – especially that bit about power, torque, and throttle response.
Read the full review here.
Ferrari 812 Superfast
Say “ciao” to Maranello’s latest grand tourer, the 812 Superfast. Slated as a replacement for the F12berlinetta, the 812 Superfast follows in the same vein as classics like the 250 GTO, boasting big power, slick looks, and insane speed. Outside, the styling is striking to say the least, almost gaining an FF-esque hatchback styling to it (Ciprian thinks it looks like the 365 GTB4, and he’s probably right). It’s all very pointed and sharp, and will surely stand out in any crowd, even amongst its Prancing Horse siblings. Meanwhile, the interior is every bit the modern Ferrari you’d expect, bearing tons of little buttons and knobs placed almost randomly around the cabin, plus an F1-style steering wheel with a flat bottom and large paddle shifters. Most importantly, the 812 Superfast is equipped with banger of a powerplant, boasting a 6.5-liter V-12 cranking out a naturally aspirated 789 horsepower and 530 pound-feet of torque. Specifics on acceleration and top speed are still under wraps, but we’re thinking 2.9 seconds to 62 mph for the former, and over 211 mph for the latter.
Read the full review here.
BMW i8 Protonic Frozen Yellow Edition And Protonic Frozen Black Edition
The BMW i8 has been around for just under three years now, and although the hybrid technology and advanced materials are still quite cutting edge, customers need to be reminded of its awesomeness. As such, the Bavarians are introducing two new special edition models in Geneva this year – the Protonic Frozen Yellow and Protonic Frozen Black. As you probably expect, the names are a reference to the exterior paint schemes, with unique shades of either black or yellow added to the curvaceous body panels. The wheels are new 20-inch alloys, while the interiors are equally dressed in each model’s respective colors. Meanwhile, the mechanical bits are left unchanged, with a 1.5-liter three-cylinder driving the rear, and an electric motor driving the front.
Read the full review on the BMW i8 Protonic Frozen Yellow Edition here.
Read the full review on the BMW i8 Protonic Frozen Black Edition here.
Concept Cars
Pininfarina H600
Italian automobile design house Pininfarina has a long list of gorgeous creations to its name. But the car world is changing fast, so to keep pace, Pininfarina is taking a stab at combining its design chops with “eco-friendly technology” in the new H600 concept. While we have yet to see the car in its full glory, we do know it’s got LED headlights, a large touchscreen in the dash, digital gauges, wood and leather trim (most likely taken from a sustainable source), and of course, a hybrid powertrain. Given the name, I’m gonna say its got around 600 horsepower as well. While it won’t be put into production, the H600 should provide us with a nice reminder why Pininfarina is still one of the best in the business.
Read the full review here.
Peugeot Instinct
Trust us when we say that when it comes to autonomous vehicle concepts, we’ve only seen the trickle before the flood. The latest drop comes from French automaker Peugeot, which is offering up this – the Instinct, a long, curvaceous shooting brake with a plug-in hybrid powertrain. While it won’t see a production line, the Instinct does give us a glimpse at Peugeot 
’s possible future styling direction, with LED lighting and aerodynamically efficient features front to back. Inside, the Instinct has a definite sci-fi vibe going for it, with lots of digital readouts, a half-oval steering wheel, and 3D mesh inserts. Meanwhile, onboard technology will take over when you’re ready to relinquish control, offering a slew of driving modes for both speed and comfort. And with 300 horsepower available, maybe it’ll even be fun.
Read the full review here.
Citroen SpaceTourer 4x4 E Concept
Citroen is certainly fond of turning its vans into auto show concepts, and the SpaceTourer 4x4 E is the latest example, offering a glimpse at what could possibly be a preview of something similar destined for production status. The name of the game here is more capability, with a BlueHDi 150 S&S diesel powerplant providing motivation. Sending the power to the ground is a six-speed manual transmission, plus AWD for more grip. The tires were also wrapped in snow cables. Outside, there’s new red graphics for some visual pop, plus tinted windows, aluminum-colored skid plates, and aluminum-colored roof bars. Inside is seating for nine, as well as leather upholstery, Alcantara, and a 7.0-inch touchscreen.
Read the full review here.
Citroen C-Aircross Concept
Here’s another concept from the French automaker, looking a little wilder than the last. This one’s based on a compact SUV body style, but takes inspiration from the New C3 supermini hatchback. Outside, we find lines that are vaguely reminiscent of the C3, including thing, drawn-out horizontal features in the front fascia, as well as a variety of colors for the body panels, lower panels, roof, and trim. Inside, you’ll find a futuristic cabin layout featuring a large touchscreen (12 inches in diameter), 3D navigation, broad mobile device support, orange carpeting, and a squared-off steering wheel. Citroen 
even says this thing can go off-roading, offering a variety of drive modes depending on the surface to be tackled.
Read the full review here.
Quant 48Volt
Every so often, nanoFlowcell Holdings gives us a concept that simply boggles the mind. For example, at the Geneva International Motor Show in 2015, we got the Quantino, an all-electric capable of producing 911 horsepower and (get ready for it) 8,552 pound-feet of torque. Now, nanoFlowcell is back with a new concept called the Quant 48Volt, and although it’s slightly less ludicrous than the Quantino, its claimed tech prowess is still capable of raising a few eyebrows. At the heart of it is a low-voltage electric drive unit making 751 horsepower and oodles of AWD grip through four separate 140-kW motors. That means it can apparently hit 62 mph in 2.4 seconds, while the top speed is limited at 186 mph. That’s a lot of go from some low-volt batteries, and paired with a claimed range of 1,000 km (621 miles), the Quant 48Volt is clearly making a few bold claims of its own.
Read the full review here.
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