Special Offers
3rd February 2022 
4 min read 
We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but unfortunately the Geneva Motor Show isn’t going ahead in 2022.
Originally penciled in for this month, the event has been cancelled due to to direct and indirect issues relating to COVID19: these include travel restrictions and the ongoing semiconductor chip shortage.
2022 marks the second year in a row without one of the biggest automotive events on the calendar, so we’ve decided to take a trip down memory lane and look at some of our favourite reveals from recent years…
Range Rover Velar (2017)
It’s safe to say that Land Rover created the luxury SUV segment in 1970 with the launch of the original Range Rover, and in 2017 they aimed to repeat that success with the Range Rover Velar.
Attainable, reliable, the Velar also aimed to highlight some of the hallmarks that made the brand so popular over the decades. Land Rover chief design officer Gerry McGovern said: “We call the Velar the avant garde Range Rover. It brings a new dimension of glamour, modernity and elegance to the brand.”
It offered a variety of features which have since become commonplace across the Land Rover range including a Touch Pro Duo infotainment system and flush door handles.
Aston Martin DB11 (2016)
Stated as being ‘the most significant new Aston Martin since the DB9 in 2003’, a lot was riding on the reveal of the DB11 at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show.
With a 5.2-litre V12 engine under the bonnet producing 600hp and a 0-62 of four seconds flat, aerodynamics played an important part in the car’s design with vents featuring prominently on the front fenders. A brand new engine and brand new design, the DB11 proved to be a big yet necessary step for Aston Martin.
The DB11 aimed to be a new era for the brand, and during the premier 1,400 cars were ordered. We’d call that a success.
Nissan Qashqai (2004)
Probably one of the most important reveals at the Geneva Motor Show, the Nissan Qashqai rewrote the rulebook for car design and ushered in the crossover segment when it was revealed in concept form in 2004.
The concept combined coupe-like styling with the stance and authority of an off-road vehicle and aimed to break down some of the barriers to SUV ownership. The Qashqai concept also featured a number of unique touches including rear hinged backdoors and no central ‘B’ pillar for easy passenger access.
Makoto Yamane, Studio Chief Designer, said: “The Qashqai is a unique concept giving dual role in design and execution offering a mix of urban qualities with off-road toughness, a sign that Nissan is exploring new market segments.”
Read more about the history of the Nissan Qashqai here
Honda e (2019)
Originally revealed as the Honda Urban EV concept at the Frankfurt Motorshow in 2017, the small EV stole the show with its futuristic-retro style.
Bringing to mind everything from the 1974 Honda Civic to the original VW Golf GTI, and with a claimed range of 124 miles and fast charging able to replenish the battery to 80% in just 30 minutes, few cars in recent memory caught the eye quite like this EV concept.
While journalists were ready to crown the Honda e as the first mainstream electric car when it was revealed, Honda has struggled to match enthusiasm with sales since its launch in 2020. Partly this is due to the small range of the EV compared to others which have launched in the meantime, as well as its lack of reduced price point to reflect its reduced range.
Jaguar I-Pace (2018)
At the other end of the electric spectrum is the Jaguar I-Pace. While the concept car first appeared at the 2016 LA Auto Show, the production-ready model received its motor show debut at Geneva in 2018.
The first pure-electric model from Jaguar, it offered a 90 kWh lithium-ion battery pack at launch to deliver an estimated range of 240 miles. Regenerative braking helped make the most of the vehicles charge, with rapid charging to 80% taking a mere 40 minutes.
With supercar looks, sports car performance and SUV space all in one electric package, Jaguar aimed to rip up the EV rule book with this launch. We’d say they were pretty successful.
