I was at the Geneva Motor Show this past weekend and visited the Porsche stand. Speaking with a rep, he mentioned that the mirrors of the 991 were originally moved from the window to the door to deal with buffeting. He also said that it is possible to order a 991 base model factory build with center-lock wheels.

He then took me to the separate room where they have a 918. Next to the 918 they had a charging station as they give to buyers of the 918. The 918 is an impressive feat of engineering.

Other supercars which I saw at the show, some which I had seen before in person, some which I had not, were the Bugatti Veyron (regular and Rembrandt editions), McLaren P1, Pagani Huayra, Koenigsegg Agera S, and Koenigsegg Agera 1:1. I had seen a few Veyrons before, and though I think that it looks better in person than in photos, I still do not much like its look. The P1 looked nice. I thought that though individual components look like works of art, the Huayra looked truly ugly. The Agera S was a work in plain black carbon fiber, with even the wheels being made from carbon fiber. The Agera 1:1 has even significant parts of its engine made from carbon fiber. I do not much care for active aerodynamics, found on the Veyron (deployable rear spoiler), P1 (deployable rear spoiler), and Huayra (active aero panels). The manufacturers now seem to be as focused or more focused on weight reduction as they are on increasing power.

Far and away my favorite car at the Motor Show, regardless of price? The 991 Carrera (non-Turbo). It has the beauty of simplicity, it is not ostentatious, and it does not lack anything I can think of. No turbo, available without active aerodynamics, rear engine, rear-wheel drive, traditional manual transmission.

The other car which made quite an impression on me? The new Renault Twingo. A spiritual successor to the original Volkswagen Beetle. Rear engine, rear-wheel drive, traditional manual transmission. A car to have in the garage along with a 911!

 

I've been in Geneva last week. Visited the show on one press day and one public day. The 918 was very nice indeed, especially in that white color.

What surprised me a lot was the lack of attention to all Porsche models, except the Macan and the two race cars. On the first public day, one couldn't see the Macan, because it was constantly surrounded by people and had all of the time the doors, hatch and engine cover open.
It's a huge succes, but I'm affraid that it can also do some serious damage to the brands exclusivity. (Although, that was already gone....)
The best looking car on the Porsche stand was the 918, but the Schiefergrau C2S that was in the Exclusive part of the stand looked very, very nice as well.



The Twingo is indeed a cool little car. Too bad it's French though....

The McLaren 650S and P1 are simply hideous. The 650S really looks like a $30k kitcar and the P1 isn't that much better IMHO. Both make the not so pretty 12C look beautiful. The Koenigsegg One:1 was quite impressive in terms of stats, but those kind of cars are not really my cup of tea anyway.

Lamborghini Huracan looked pretty good. Design looks very balanced, but the interior doesn't match the exterior in terms of look and feel. Looked kinda cheap, compared to it's exterior.

Ferrari California T was nice, but maybe not as nice as I expected it to be, although the white car looked good with the roof down. With roof up, it still has the same problem as the pre-facelift car. It looks kinda fat.
The Grigio Titanio 458 Speciale looked surprisingly good, I have to admit. I'm normally not such a big fan of the 458, but that car really looked good.

The best looking car of the show, by far, was the Maserati Alfieri concept. It looked like a beautiful sculpture. Pictures don't do that car justice IMO. In person it really is a work of art.

I also really liked the seperate Le Mans show, with all the Le Mans winning cars on display.

All together it was a nice show. After having vistied Geneva 2013, Frankfurt 2013, Los Angeles 2013 and Geneva 2014 in a row, I can only say that Geneva is by far the best show to visit, regardless of which world premieres there are. It's less crowded and for some unknown reason it's just the nicest show to visit. Frankfurt was good but way too crowded. Los Angeles was really nice as well, but for me personally too much focussed on the NA market (which is not a surprise of course).

Suzy991 (iOS app)

 

The Macan did seem to be constantly swarmed. The 991 in the Exclusive part of the stand was a C4S if I recall correctly (it had the wider rear). As far as the exclusivity of Porsche, I've never been enamored of exclusivity, and from a practical standpoint (I am quite certain that many will disagree) though I have never owned a Cayenne and cannot imagine ever buying a Cayenne or Macan, the success of the Cayenne has allowed Porsche to do more in other areas. The 919 Le Mans car looked a bit crude/rough around the edges, but was still interesting.

I'm with you on the French connection of the Twingo, though that by itself will not keep me from purchasing one.

The 650S was quite ugly indeed. The P1 lacks the simple beauty of the F1, but could be much worse.

I disliked the Huracan.

Nothing at the Ferrari and Maserati stands was of much interest to me.

The Le Mans display was quite interesting. The rather old orange McLaren Formula 1 car on display was nice to see, amazing to see how F1 technology has come since then.

 

Sorry, it was indeed a C4S... That was a typo.

Sadly, I'm actually losing Porsche a bit to be honest. Not completely sure why, but somehow I have troubles to find the cars special enough, compared to their pricetags. Especially the 991.... Sitting in a $300k 991TTS doesn't feel any more special than sitting in my $100k Boxster S and that's a shame IMHO. Driving experience may be different, but for me the feeling a car gives me, is equally as important. Still love the brand though...

Suzy991 (iOS app)

 

Thanks for the interesting report guys (and girls). I have only been to the NYC show and it suffers from two large drawbacks. First, it is crowded as heck. Second, a lot of the EP manufacturers, both exotic and otherwise, don't send cars here. It is a real shame not to get to see a lot of what you are talking about.


I am looking forward to seeing the Macan, but not for the reasons most seem to be having. I don't like the Cayenne - never have. And from the pictures, the Macan looks like a not much smaller refresh. I am trying to figure out what the big deal is? Obviously I am in the minority as the Cayenne has been their best selling model and the Macan is sold out for over a year. But to quote that famous American Icon, Bugs Bunny, "what's all the hubbub...bub?"

 

Suzy,
I think you are looking at this wrong. The fact that you can feel as good about your Boxter S as you do in the 991TTS means that they got the Boxter right, not that they got the 991TTS wrong. That they have successfully translated the fit, feel and flavor of a 300K car in one that costs less than a third of that is the achievement, IMHO.


I agree that once Porsche starts to compete in the exotics, it is less competitive because there is some styling restraint in the brand's DNA. But I will bet that the 918 is a much more impressive achievement. My lack of driving skill would not, if the popular press is to be credited, stop me from getting behind the wheel of the 918 and kicking a little tail. If I did the same thing in many of the other exotic's, I would be in deep dog dooooo. So, if I win the lotto tonight, sign me up - $62,000 optional. paint job and all!

 

That's indeed a way to look at it, but although I like the Boxster very, very much, it isn't that special either. Sure, it's one of the best, if not the best roadster one can get, but it feels only just right for it's pricetag. That means that the 991 doesn't feel right, even with very expensive LTS options.
However, build quality is really, really good at Porsche. No complaints about that. Maybe it's just my taste that is changing... idon't know.

The 918 is a special car. And IMHO more of an (technical) achievement than P1 and LaFerrari. I didn't really like the 918 at first, but after seeing the car upclose I must change my mind on that. It truly is an amzing machine. I woukd ditch the $62k paintjob though... That white car was nice enough





Suzy991 (iOS app)

 

If I win the lotto, I will just have to buy one in each color!


It sounds like you are equating special with exclusive. I think that the Boxter is special, more so because it is the best roadster and because everyone has it on their top ten list, even at its price. The new Vette seems to be getting similar treatment here in the states. The price means that it is accessible, even to those who do not win the lotto. That may make it more common, but to me no less special (JMO).


I still get a big smile on my face when I get behind the wheel of my Mustang and hear that V8 and hopped up exhaust come to life. It is common as dirt in the states - more so now that mine is two generations old. So I understand the feeling you want to be getting - I am sorry it is not coming from Stuttgart at the moment. If P-cars are not capturing your imagination, it is time to find something that does!


P.s. I love the grandeur of your avatar!

 

Haha thanks it's edited picture, taken at the Furka pass here in Switzerland. One of the most beautiful roads around here. A lot nicer than the infamous Stelvio IMHO.


Any car can feel special to me. Has nothing to do with it's exclusivity or pricetag, it's about the feeling a car gives me. In other words, does it put a smile on my face...
Besides that, I think a $300k 991TTS should also be a bit more exclusive. Porsche simply makes too many of these cars.
There are days that, when I drive to Zürich (which is a 25 minute ride from where I live), I see more 911s than VW Golfs on the road. OTOH... This also means that a lot of people don't share my opinion on this aubject and that Porsche does their job right.





Suzy991 (iOS app)

 

Well, you live in a better neighborhood than I. I may see one or two 911 a day. I was one on the first to get a 991 in NJ (march 30 2012) and I went months before seeing another in the area. Now I know of 3 or 4.


I hope you find what you are looking for with 4 wheels!

 

The Zürich area is one of the densest Porsche regions in Europe I think. In fact, almost all sportscars. When I visited it the city for the first time, it was like supercar heaven haha.
On a regular day walking in the city, you'll easily spot a lot of Ferraris, Lambos, Porsches, McLarens, but even Bugattis, Paganis, etc. etc... For me, coming from Holland, it was almost unreal. In Holland you get excited when you see a 911 in the road, let alone a Ferrari or a Lamborghini.

I will certainly find what I'm looking for, but I'm not in a hurry. For now, I still love and enjoy my Boxster. The car is great for what I use it for.

Suzy991 (iOS app)

 

Sounds like the simplest way to make Porsche special again is to move! hahaha Enjoy!

 

There really do seem to be loads of Porsches and Ferraris in ZG and SZ in particular

 

Hahah very true I hardly hear any complaints about the sales at my dealership in ZG

Suzy991 (iOS app)

 

Late last year early one afternoon going between Geneva and Nyon I remember seeing an MP4-12C (in Founex) and a Zonda (in Coppet) in a span of five minutes