Geneva motor show 2018: Autocar's star cars

Autocar's star cars

The sheer number of new cars at this year's Geneva motor show was incredible - and what was even more impressive was the diversity of machinery unveiled.

From track-honed supercars with incredible performance figures to Tesla-baiting premium electric offering and SUVs powered by a number of innovative drivetrains, there truly was a new car for all tastes.

Autocar's team have picked out their personal show stars from Geneva. Click through the gallery to take a look.

Geneva motor show 2018: full report and gallery

Toyota GR Supra Racing Concept

“It’s like a GT86 with more power” was the gist of how the new Supra's engineer described the comeback sports car. Given how the GT86 is one of the greater driver's cars of modern times, what's not to like about that?

Mark Tisshaw, editor

Read more about the Toyota Supra GR Racing Concept

Jaguar I-Pace

As soon as my backside hit the seat I knew the Jaguar I-Pace was my star car at Geneva. The honesty of its layout and design was irresistible, and that's before I even drove it.

I'm convinced this car will seem sensational for many a long day, not just for its week under the lights.

Steve Cropley, editor-in-chief

First drive: Jaguar I-Pace First Edition

Cupra e-Racer

Still not sure I fully understand the reasoning behind Seat’s Cupra sub-brand, and I’m definitely not convinced by the logo. And yet… I’m intrigued by the sound of the Cupra Ateca SUV, am waiting in anticipation for a Cupra Ibiza (it looks better for real than in photos, honest) – and I’m quite excited by the Cupra e-Racer touring car.

The electric single-seater racing of Formula E is fine but, given a choice, I’d watch a pack of up-to 670bhp tin-tops engage in some bumper-bashing racing. 

James Attwood, digital editor

Click here to read more about the Cupra e-Racer

Lagonda Vision Concept

A luxury car designed from the inside outwards: that's what Lagonda promises and, because it can put the mechanicals wherever it wants, perhaps for the first time this whole 'inside-out' thing is true.

What a different car. What a cool car.

Matt Prior, editor-at-large

Click here to read more about Aston Martin's Lagonda Vision Concept

McLaren Senna GTR

The McLaren Senna GTR is the sort of car I thought had passed into history: built only to be outrageously fast, and styled only to go outrageously fast.

In that regard it could be viewed as something of a throwback to a passing era of big bhp, but there's something very on point about its brutally single-minded goals when they are combined with McLaren's technical expertise and consequent ability to push boundaries.

Some may sneer, but I'm delighted that they've gone and done it, and especially that they've done it while adding another dimension to their repertoire in the process.

Jim Holder, editorial director

Click here to read more about the McLaren Senna GTR

Mercedes-AMG GT 4-door Coupé

Somewhat confusing name aside, the new Mercedes-AMG GT 4-door Coupé is absolutely brilliant. In 63 S guise, it’s a comfortable family car with a mere 630bhp and the ability to do the 0-62mph sprint in less time than a Ferrari 458 Spider. Who wouldn’t want that?

Sam Jenkins, editorial assistant

Click here to read more about the Mercedes-AMG GT 4-door Coupé

Hyundai Kona Electric

Hyundai's an underrated player in the electric car game. It released its first EV (the Ioniq Electric) more than a year ago and showed the Kona Electric at Geneva - a 292-mile EV SUV that isn't the Jaguar I-Pace, so will probably cost less than half as much.

Sure, it's not a purpose-built EV like the I-Pace, isn't quite as sleek or plush, and we don't know yet if it'll be as good to drive. But it's a genuine contender to be one of the cars that brought the EV to the masses. The most important Hyundai in history?

Jimi Beckwith, staff writer

Click here to read more about the Hyundai Kona EV

Range Rover SV Coupé

I didn’t expect to like the SV Coupé. For starters, I’m not a fan of Rangie’s look-at-me styling in the first place, let alone with a £240k price tag. But Special Vehicle Operations has nailed the dimensions and contours of this car, and while it’s understated, it shows quite what’s possible when there’s good design and little regard for price.

Rachel Burgess, news editor

How Autocar personalised a (fantasy) Range Rover SV Coupe

Mercedes C-Class hybrid

By hitching a plug-in hybrid to its 2.0-litre diesel engine, Mercedes has found an answer to those who decry diesel for its particulate emissions in town. The powertrain means new C-Class and E-Class are diesel hybrids on the motorway and blameless EVs in town.

It may not be glamorous, but in the real world, it was one of the most important reveals of the show.

Andrew Frankel, senior contributing writer

Opinion: why the Mercedes-Benz C300de could be the saviour of diesel

Skoda Vision X concept

As a fan of mild hybrids and CNG - and someone sceptical of battery power - the Skoda Vision X’s new petrol-gas drivetrain could have been designed for me. Clean-burning CNG and an electric rear axle make huge sense for all-weather low-pollution motoring.

Hilton Holloway, special correspondent

Click here to read more about the Skoda Vision X

Iso Rivolta Vision Gran Turismo Zagato

Admirers of the 40-years defunct Iso supercar brand will be thrilled to see this revival. Zagato will build five roadgoing examples of this finely wrought PlayStation racer.

Richard Bremner, senior contributing editor

Subaru Viziv Tourer

The Subaru Viziv Tourer grabbed my attention with its striking design and athletically muscular stance. I think it’s the best looking car at the show, and if justice was done should be a hit when it reaches production around 2020 – however it’s powered.

Among the SUV craze, this car reminds us of how good-looking – and practical – wagons can be and, no doubt, fine-driving to boot.

Tom Evans, senior consulting editor

Click here to read more about the Subaru Viziv Tourer

Morgan Aero GT

My star car because it is a perfect representation of old-school motoring fun. As the last in the line for Morgan’s two-seater tin-top, the GT is also the final car to use BMW’s soon to be completely discontinued atmospheric 4.8-litre V8, the N62.

So this car is very much the end of an era, and it goes out in real style, with 367bhp firing through its real wheels. When autonomy and electrification become the norm, cars like the Aero GT will seem like antiques. There’s no doubt this will be one we look back on fondly.

Sam Sheehan, senior staff writer

Click here to read more about the Morgan Aero GT