Official Website - Geneva International Auto Show 2026
FROM 1982 TO 2024
1982 - 1st edition at the new Palexpo
The 1980s were marked in the history by the event’s move to the new Palexpo halls, totalling 58,000 m2 exhibition surface. Inaugurated in December 1981, Palexpo hosted the 52nd edition in March 1982. It was a huge popular success, with more than 580,000 visitors. The Palexpo was then expanded three times: in 1987 with Hall 5, in 1995 with Hall 7, and in 2003 with Hall 6 built above the A1 motorway. The seven halls total 102,000 square meters of exhibition space.
1982 - Bentley Mulsanne Turbo
In Geneva in 1982, Bentley presented the Mulsanne Turbo. Since the mid-50s, Bentley and its parent company Rolls-Royce mainly practiced «badge engineering», marketing identical models under different brands. Bentleys were Rolls-Royces models with a Bentley grille and logos. Although its name evoked Bentley’s glorious past at Le Mans in the 20s, the Mulsanne, launched in 1980, remained a Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit behind its grille. The Bentley Mulsanne Turbo will help to further differentiate the brands. Following in the footsteps of the legendary Le Mans supercharged Bentley 4 1/2 Litre «Blower», engineers developed a turbocharged version of the venerable 6,75-litre V8. The Mulsanne Turbo transformed Bentley’s fortune and gave the brand a new identity. It redefined what is still today the main characteristic of a Bentley: that feeling of permanently available power reserve and effortless torque.
1982 - Maserati Biturbo
The Biturbo was the founding member of a family of executive grand tourer produced by Maserati between 1982 and 1994. The original Biturbo presented in Geneva in 1982 was a two-door, four-seater coupé featuring, as the name implies, a twin-turbocharged 2-litre V6 engine. To fit with Maserati brand class, the interior was luxurious. All Maserati models then introduced until 1997 were based on the original Biturbo architecture including the later Shamal and Quattroporte with V8 biturbo engines.
1984 - Ferrari 288 GTO
Superficially, the GTO unveiled in Geneva in 1984 might have resembled the contemporary Ferrari 308, but its elegantly curvaceous exterior belied the beast that it in fact was. Fully justifying the use of the legendary ‘GTO’ badge, it was very close to being a racing car for the road, as evidenced by its use of lightweight composite materials and adjustable suspension. Its 2.8-litre, eight-cylinder engine (which lent it, unofficially, a ‘288’ prefix) was twin-turbocharged and capable of 400 PS – extraordinary for the time. The Ferrari 288 GTO is by many considered as the first Ferrari super-/hypercars, paving the way for the F40, F50, Enzo and LaFerrari.
1989 - Alfa Romeo SZ
Built between 1989 and 1991 by a partnership between the design studios of Alfa Romeo and Fiat and Zagato for the manufacturing, the Alfa Romeo SZ (also named ES-30) was presented in Geneva in 1989.
Its unusual design can be attributed to the use of early computer-aided design and manufacturing. Mechanically, the SZ was based on the Alfa Romeo 75. From 1992 to 1994, a convertible version of the SZ, the RZ was produced.
1990 - Porsche 911 (964) Turbo
In Geneva in 1990, Porsche introduced the 911 (964) Turbo, as the successor of the 930. This first version of the new 911 Turbo featured the 3.3-litre engine from the 930, with several minor revisions that made the engine smoother, less prone to turbo-lag and more powerful. In 1993, the 3,3 Turbo will be replaced by the 3,6-litre Turbo. The 964 Turbo was the end of an era, the last of the single turbo rear-wheel drive 911 Turbos.
1991 - Mercedes-Benz S-Class W140
It took no less than 10 years to develop the Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W140), unveiled in Geneva in 1991. Considered an “engineer’s car”, it housed 6-cylinder, V8 and V12 engines under its enormous bonnet. It featured also a number of innovations that have since become industry standards, such as ESP. The S-Class was the choice of many royalty and heads of state as their ceremonial car.
1992 - Bugatti EB110 Super Sport
In the mid-80s, Italian industrialist Romano Artioli relaunched the Bugatti brand, but in Italy in the suburb of Modena. In 1991, the Bugatti EB110 GT was launched and 6 months later, in Geneva in 1992, its ultra-sporty version, the EB110 Super Sport, was presented. Lighter by 150 kg than the EB110 GT, its quad-turbocharged V12 developed 612 PS (compared with 560 PS for the GT). One of the lucky customers was Michael Schumacher, who bought a yellow model in 1994. Artioli’s Bugatti adventure came to an end in 1995 when the group went bankrupt. It wasn’t until 1998 that the brand was reborn by being bought out and integrated into the VW group.
1994 - Audi A8
Since the early 1980s, Ferdinand Piëch had wanted to make extensive use of aluminium in car manufacturing to compensate for the extra weight caused by the Quattro all-wheel drive system. In the early 90s, when development began on the replacement for the Audi V8, the decision was taken to design the first car with a full aluminium structure. The ‘Audi Space Frame’ concept was born. The first-generation A8, unveiled in Geneva in 1994, was the first production car to be equipped with it. Competing with the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and BMW 7 Series, the A8 had an unladen weight of between 1,540 and 1,980 kg, depending on the version and engine, while its rivals weighed in at around 2 tonnes minimum.
1995 - Ferrari F50
What better way could there be for Ferrari to celebrate its 50th anniversary than to make the ultra-desirable F50? In fact, the F50 arrived a little prematurely for that golden 50th, being unveiled in Geneva in 1995. This was the closest thing to a road-going Formula 1 car that Ferrari had yet built, using F1-style construction, materials and aerodynamics. Its utterly hardcore specification included zero power assistance for the steering and brakes, while its 520 PS V12 engine provided unmatched performance.
1999 - Porsche 911 (996) GT3
The “GT3” nameplate was introduced in 1999 as part of the first generation of the Porsche 911 (996) model range as a homologation model for the cars entered in the FIA GT3 Cup. As with Porsche’s previous 911 RS models, the 996 GT3 was focused on racing, and so was devoid of items that added unnecessary weight to the car. Its engine, the so-called “Mezger” is naturally aspirated and based on the unit used in the 962 and 911 GT1 race cars.
2005 - Aston Martin V8 Vantage
Two years after unveiling the AMV8 Vantage concept, Aston Martin lifted the veil on the V8 Vantage in Geneva in 2005. It is intended as a more focused model to reach out to potential buyers of cars such as the Porsche 911. The Vantage remained in the brand’s catalogue for 13 years, first with a 4.3-litre and then a 4.7-litre V8, as a roadster and in a number of limited editions. A V12 version also made its debut in 2009 and again in 2013 as V12 Vantage S version. The “Baby Aston”, as it was nicknamed, was the brand’s most successful model.
2010 - Porsche 918 Spyder Concept
Unveiled as a concept car in Geneva in 2010, the Porsche 918 Spyder was the first interpretation of the performance offered by hybrid technolgy. With over 2,000 expressions of interest from customers, the Porsche Board decided to go ahead with production as a limited series. From 2013 to 2015, only 918 units were produced. Its powertrain consists of a ICE V8 derived from the RS Spyder Le Mans Prototype (608 PS), combined with two electric blocks of 129 PS at the front and 156 PS at the rear. Together, they produce no less than 887 PS.
2013 - Ferrari LaFerrari
In 2011, Ferrari is testing 5 prototypes of a hybrid hypercar powered by a V12 engine. The result was the Ferrari LaFerrari, presented in Geneva in 2013. It is also based on the results of numerous tests carried out with FXX prototype customers programme. The Ferrari LaFerrari features a 6.3-litre V12 in a central rear position combined with a KERS system, inspired by F1, with 163 PS. Together they develop a power output of up to 963 PS. At that time, it is the highest power output of any Ferrari road car whilst decreasing fuel consumption by 40%. 710 units of LaFerrari were produced (500 coupés/210 roadsters “Aperta”).
2013 - McLaren P1
In Geneva in 2013, McLaren unveiled the production version of its P1. Strictly limited to 375 units, the P1 is considered the heir to the McLaren F1. The P1 features a twin-turbocharged V8 engine that delivers 737 PS, combined with an electric motor producing 179 PS. Together, they produce a combined power of 916 PS/900 Nm. Together, the McLaren P1, the Porsche 918 Spyder and the Ferrari LaFerrari are considered like the Trinity of hypercars.
2017 - Ferrari 812 Superfast
Successor to the F12berlinetta, the Ferrari 812 Superfast made its debut in Geneva in 2017. Its 6,5 litre naturally aspirated V12 was, at the time, the most powerful naturally aspirated car engine ever made: 800 PS for the 812 Superfast and GTS, up to 830 PS for the Competizione and Competizione A derivatives launched in 2019. The car includes a mix of active and passive aerodynamics to improve drag coefficient values and downforce.
2018 - McLaren Senna
Joining de F1 and P1 in the “McLaren Ultimate Series” model range, the Senna is named after the Brazilian F1 race driver, honouring and giving tribute to his success with the McLaren F1 team between 1988 and 1993. Ayrton Senna won three World Drivers’ Championship titles, four Constructor’s Championship and 35 Grand Prix races with the team. The focus of the McLaren Senna is to achieve faster lap times. In order to do so, McLaren developed a lightweight design that incorporated electronic operated aerodynamics elements. The mechanical base is the McLaren 720S, with a 4 litre twin-turbocharged V8 that delivers 799 PS and 800 Nm. Launched in Geneva in 2018, the McLaren Senna runs from 0 to 100 kph in 2,8 s, 0-200 kph in 6,8 s and 0-300 kph in 17,5 s. Top speed: 335 kph. Only 500 units of the Senna were built.
2019 - Bugatti La Voiture Noire
The Voiture Noire is a one-off special introduced in Geneva in 2019. Based on the Bugatti Chiron, the design of the car harkens back to the Type 57 SC Atlantic and is a celebration of the company’s distinctive design history. The Voiture Noire is powered by the same 8 litre quad-turbocharged W16 engine from the Chiron having the same power output figures (1500 PS). At the time, the Bugatti La Voiture Noire was one of the most expansive cars built.
2026 - Unveiling the Future
Get ready to be amazed as the Geneva International Auto Show returns in 2026! This iconic event will showcase the latest in automotive innovation, from cutting-edge electric vehicles and autonomous driving technology to luxurious supercars and world premieres from top manufacturers. Engage with industry leaders, explore interactive exhibits, and indulge in the elegance of the automotive elite. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a car lover, or simply curious about the future of mobility, the 2026 Geneva International Auto Show promises an unforgettable experience. Don't miss your chance to be part of this spectacular event—see you in Geneva!