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Elements of surprise

by Ian Skellern

To many car buffs, the Geneva International Motor Show is renowned for being the first big car exhibition of the year.

To many watch buffs, fast cars and haute horlogerie are renowned for being like two peas in a pod.

Porsche stand at the 2015 Geneva International Motor Show

The 85th edition of the Geneva International Motor Show took place in 2015; the first edition of the fair was held in 1905. Just think of this: while it’s the turbo-charged V8 and V10 supercars that get much of the attention today, when the show began steam-powered cars were still common.

It’s been a while since I have taken out my camera to shoot anything larger than you can strap to your wrist in earnest, so after perusing my camera’s user manual to learn how to switch off the “macro” settings and reminding myself to think of distances in meters/yards rather than centimeters/inches, I headed into Geneva to find some fast cars.

And in no particular order, here are a few of the horseless carriages that caught my eye.

Koenigsegg Agera RS with 1,160 horsepower at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show

Koenigsegg Agera RS

The Koenigsegg Agera RS is a 1,160-horsepower version of the Swedish brand’s twin-turbocharged 5.0-liter V-8.

Koenigsegg Agera RS at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show

The McLaren stand attracted quite a crowd at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, naturally helped by this bright red McLaren 650S Spider

McLaren 650S Spider

The McLaren 650S Spider features a carbon fiber chassis and active aerodynamics.

View from the back of the McLaren 650S Spider at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show

Lamborghini Aventador LP 750-4 Superveloce at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show

Lamborghini Aventador LP 750-4 Superveloce

The Lamborghini Aventador LP 750-4 Superveloce, 6.5 liters, 12 cylinders, naturally aspirated, 750 horsepower.

Lamborghini Aventador LP 750-4 Superveloce at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show

Pagani Huarya at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show

Pagani Huayra

The (sold out) Pagani Huayra, 0-100 km/h in 3.3 seconds, 730 horsepower, hand-built ANG 6.0-liter bi-turbo V12, 380+ km/h.

Pagani Huayra with open doors and engine cover at the 2015 Geneva International Motor Show

Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show

Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet

The Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet, 6 cylinders and 560 horsepower. This may seem tame in this lineup, but there’s more to a Porsche Turbo than the numbers. Much more!

Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show

Geneva International Motor Show 2015

Bugatti Veyron 16.4 with top speed of an eye-watering 407 km/h (253 mph) at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show

Bugatti Veyron 16.4

The  Bugatti Veyron 16.4, 1001 horsepower, 407 km/h, 2.5 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h and only 2.3 seconds from 100 km/h back to zero.

The Bugatti Veyron looks sensational from any angle

There’s something about a bright red Ferrari that attracts attention and this beautiful 488 GTB at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show is no exception

Ferrari 488 GTB

The Ferrari 488 GTB is the prancing horse’s answer to the McLaren 650S, 3.9 liter, twin turbo chargers, 661 horsepower.

The powerful flank of the Ferrari 488 GTB at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show

Audi A8 V10 at the 2015 Geneva International Motor Show

Audi R8 V10

The Audi R8 V10 is a supercar that you can comfortably drive every day.

Audi A8 V10 at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show

Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Special Edition at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show

Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Special Edition

The Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Special Edition is race-inspired but road-friendly.

Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Special Edition at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show

Alpha Romeo 4C at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show

Alpha Romeo 4C

If your garage (and/or wallet) isn’t large enough for a full-sized supercar, then this Alpha Romeo 4C pocket rocket might be just the thing. Carbon fiber, aluminum, and composites all go toward minimizing weight and maximizing fun.

Window-free Torq by ED Design concept car at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show

Torq Concept Car

First prize for the weirdest concept car must go to the Torq concept car. No windows, but external cameras feeding 360° screens around the inside of the cockpit to provide better visibility than windows. And a driver is optional, in that the car is autonomous but can (if all goes to plan) discuss race strategy with a driver/passenger. I wonder how long it will be before they start arguing?

All of this mechanical excellence and hardly a watch in sight. Next week, Baselworld!