GENEVA MOTOR SHOW: 2014 Best Cars
The motoring.com.au crew cast their votes on the best cars of the Geneva motor showGeneva motor show always astounds with dozens of exciting car designs that capture the imagination -- some flights of fancy, others destined for showroom forecourts. But which ones were the best in 2014?
The motoring.com.au team were knee-deep in the action in 2014, and once the calluses had been chiselled off their heels after trekking through the hallowed halls of the Palexpo in Geneva for many long hours -- with only tepid coffee and stale croissants to provide sustenance -- they've each nominated their favourite car of the show.
Mike Sinclair, Editor-in-Chief
Despite the fact Renault has NOT given the Twingo a frunk (front trunk), I still can't go past its cheeky styling, wheel-at-each corner stance and the promise of engaging, rear-drive handling.
Oh and let's not mention the on-a-dime turning circle -- you'll only make the front-drivers really jealous. There's a hint of Innocenti Mini in the look, but, to misquote that famous ad campaign: "It's a wee rippa!"
Marton Pettendy, Managing Editor
Maserati's drop-dead delicious Alfieri was one of the few real surprises of the show, heralding not a new-generation GranTurismo as most experts predicted but an all-new entry-level Maserati super coupe to take the Italians’ fight directly to Porsche's 911 and the Jaguar F-TYPE.
Forget the old-school chassis underneath the concept, the GranSport -- as we believe the 2016 production version will be called -- will offer all of the new Quattroporte's precision, refinement, technology and lusty twin-turbo V6 and V8 engines, wrapped in a truly gorgeous two-door body, at a relatively accessible price. Bellissimo!
Matt Brogan, Road Test Editor
For me it has to be the S-Class Coupe. A stunning body with beautiful proportions and an interior that recalls the very best of classic Mercs of yesteryear… albeit with the cutting-edge technology.
The build quality of this gorgeous car is impeccable and when the convertible version arrives in 2015, I reckon the S-Class range will just about be complete. Let's just hope they shove the V12 in it!
Feann Torr, Staff Journalist
It was a tight call between two cars that oozed attitude (and had hectic rear wings) but the Audi TT Quattro Sport Concept edged out the Honda Civic Type R as my favourite car of the 2014 Geneva show.
That it wasn't leaked ahead of time made it a true surprise showing, and its 2.0-litre turbo engine that bangs out 309kW -- the same as the first-gen 4.2-litre V8 Audi R8 -- gives it bragging rights over the car that EVERYONE is talking about, the Mercedes-Benz A 45 AMG.
Even though it's not confirmed for production yet (a formality, really), the fact that Audi showed the car and blistering engine the way it did was shrewd, because now every time someone mentions the A 45 AMG's engine as a game changer, informed individuals will see the 265kW and raise it to 309kW. Audi upping the ante in a new power war? You betcha.
Honourable mentions
There was a handful of cars that drew big crowds, and for good reasons. Here's a small selection of the cars that just missed out on best of show. What was your favourite Geneva motor show car? Have your say in the comments below.
The most elegant Lambo ever? Check out the rear three-quarter view. Phwoar.
This tiny ball of pent-up anger is dubbed the world's smallest supercar. And the Fiat 500-based hot hatch is coming to Oz. Enough said!
Traditionally conservative car brand lets loose with a topless compact SUV design. And it could be production-ready by late 2016.
Take a luxury sedan, put the Nissan GT-R super car engine in it, then watch those tyres burn.
Preview of the next-gen Mazda2 could be the sexiest compact car yet.
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