Welcome back to the first Motor Show Roundup of the decade! Today we’ll be looking at the best, worst and biggest surprises from the ‘Geneva’ motor show that wasn’t.
Best Production Car: Porsche 911 Turbo S
The all-new 911 Turbo S narrowly beat out the bold Koenigsegg Gemera and hardcore McLaren 765LT to snatch this award. The latest whaletail from Weissach approaches perfection like an asymptote – it gets an already-winning formula and adds more power, more speed, more tech and more driving enjoyment.
What’s not to love about a 640PS super-coupe?
Best Concept: BMW Concept i4
You read that right, BMW’s tall-grilled, copper-finished showcar is our pick of the show. The monstrous kidney grilles that worked so poorly on the Concept 4 – in fact, it was our worst car of Frankfurt last year – manage to somehow look good here. Combine that with sharp body lines, a stylish fastback design and a promising 390kW electric powertrain and it appears BMW is on to a winner.
Worst Car: None
Trying to find any truly bad (all-)new models at this year’s virtual Geneva motor show was a stretch. If we’re nitpicking, maybe the Renault Twingo Z.E. could do with some more range, or the Aiways U5’s three-star safety rating is below par?
A solid effort from all manufacturers overall.
Biggest Surprise: Koenigsegg Gemera
It’s safe to say nobody saw the Gemera – or rather, how extreme it is – coming.
In typical Koenigsegg style, it breaks records in all known domains. Most-powerful three-cylinder engine, a 441kW/600Nm 2.0-litre with no cams. Most powerful hybrid vehicle, with 1250kW and 3500Nm. (Tied) Fastest four-seater from 0-100km/h, in just 1.9 seconds. We could go on.
Sadly, only 300 units will be built, each starting at a cool $1 million. Better start saving then.
Biggest Disappointment: Skoda Octavia RS iV
Much of the point of introducing a new model is to evolve. To improve. To push the bar further.
However, the same can’t be said about the new Skoda Octavia RS iV. While the emissions benefits – namely low CO2 outputs and electric-only driving capability – will be a welcome bonus for many European city buyers, the RS’ performance is a letdown.
The hybrid is 0.7 seconds slower from 0-100km/h than its petrol-driven predecessor. Its top speed is 25km/h lower, and with the weight of that battery it’s likely to be an inferior drive in the twisty stuff.
There’s a petrol-only model with the same drivetrain as the outgoing model on the way, but that’s poor consolation for a disappointing release. We can’t help but wonder how a 2.0-litre engine would improve the experience.
