A set fixture
The first week of March is traditionally reserved for the annual Geneva International Motor Show. Where other, similar events are now increasingly snubbed by major manufacturers, the prestigious Geneva Motor Show very much remains a set fixture. It is the one occasion where the major manufacturers line up alongside specialist companies like supercar builders, design houses and tuners. As a result everybody is on top of their game, which in turn helps the Geneva Motor Show preserve its unique status. The 2015 edition was certainly no exception and much more than in years past new high-performance sports cars seemed to outnumber the sensible, green cars. As a fine compromise, the most extreme of all the world premieres, the 1,500+ hp Koenigsegg Regera, combined a bit of both worlds as it features three electric motors alongside the conventional internal combustion engine.
Our photographers have scoured through the Palexpo Exhibition centre with this 280-shot gallery as the result.

Hot hatches
Much to our delight, Honda has returned to their ways after embracing green cars so fundamentally a few years ago. The poster-child for this change in philosophy is the Civic Type R, which was launched in Geneva. Powered by a 310 hp engine, it has become the fastest front-wheel drive car around the Nurburgring with a startling lap time of just 7:50 minutes. It was shown alongside the equally impressive new NSX and the Honda-engined McLaren Formula 1 car, which are further indicators that Honda has come to its senses. Ford was also out in force and introduced the third generation Focus RS. Unlike its predecessors, which were strictly front-wheel drive, Ford's new hot hatch boasts all-wheel drive to put the 320+ hp to the ground. Intoxicating as it may be, the Focus RS was not our favourite Ford on display. Perhaps not surprisingly this was the new GT introduced in Detroit two months ago but still did not fail to impress. One of the biggest proponents of hot hatches, Renault, also followed suit by introducing a Trophy version of the Clio RS, which has 20 hp more on tap than the standard version.

Sparkling show cars
In these tighter times, the wild concept cars seem to be a thing of the past. Manufacturers still produce show cars but these usually serve as a preview of an upcoming production car. Whether this will also be the case with the Bentley EXP 10 Speed 6 remains to be seen. As far as we are concerned, the compact coupe would form a fine addition to the British company's line-up. Another surprise show car release was the all-electric Aston Martin DBX. A cross-over coupe, the sinister looking machine features electric motors mounted inside of each of the four wheels. It was one of no fewer than three Aston Martin world debuts, which also included the spectacular Vulcan track-day car and the limited production V12 Vantage GT3 road car. One truly striking concept car was the Lexus LF-SA. It combines the dimensions of a city car with the looks of a moon rover and according to Lexus "explores unexpected territory for the brand in a powerful, emotional execution that illustrates Lexus�s passion for up-coming design trends." There is no truer champion of the concept car than Frank Rinderknecht. This year he brought the BMW i3 based Budii, which includes sophisticated autonomous drive technology.

New super cars
High performance super cars always take centre stage at Geneva. In addition to the tarmac shredding Koenigsegg already mentioned above, the show also featured the launch of the all-new Ferrari 488 GTB. Its exterior design may be an evolution of its predecessor's but the V8 engine is fundamentally different as it is slightly smaller and equipped with a pair of turbos. With 670 hp available and 50% more downforce than the outgoing 458 Italia, the 488 GTB is actually faster around Fiorano than the range-topping F12Berlinetta. Arch-rival Lamborghini, meanwhile, launched the company's fastest road car yet in the form of the lightened and more powerful Aventador SV. Sister company Porsche, introduced the 911 GT3 RS, which is powered by a naturally aspirated four-litre engine, good for an impressive 500 hp. Over at Audi, all eyes were on the second generation R8, which was shown in several versions, including the V10-engined production models available at the launch but also the electric e-tron and the track-bound LMS. Among its rivals will be the Mercedes-AMG GT3, which also broke cover at Geneva.

Further highlights
Attracting a small media frenzy was the new Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus (SCG) 003, which was shown in both road-going and competition trim. Uniquely, these are just different versions of the same modular car as the road-going 003S can be driven to the track, transformed in the paddock and compete in the race as the 003C. Perhaps not noticed by everybody but also very interesting was the small Phiaro Cipher sports car. It was produced by the Japanese company, usually specialising in building show cars for others, to celebrate its 75th anniversary. Fully functional, it also serves to showcase Phiaro's increased engineering capabilities. After some difficult years, Lotus returned to the fore with the introduction of the Evora 400 sports car. Powered by a 400 hp, Toyota-based V6, it promises to be the fastest road-going Lotus yet. Fellow British sports car producer Morgan used this opportunity to launch a new Aero 8. In addition to the many detail changes, it features a stronger chassis, redesigned interior and a revised BMW V8 engine.

Final thoughts
The annual Geneva Motor Show already was in a league of its own but there are now very few rivals left. This has certainly had an effect on this year's show, which seemed bigger and better than ever before. To explore the machines mentioned above and all the highlights we missed, we invite you to explore our 280-shot gallery.