The Auto Zürich car show returned last weekend for its 37th edition, continuing its legacy since its debut in 1987. This year marked a record-breaking event with 64,619 tickets sold, setting a new attendance high for the show. A standout feature of 2023 was the record 70 brand presentations, showcasing over 80 new products - a milestone in the show’s history. With the highest number of brands ever, Auto Zürich is now Switzerland’s premier auto exhibition, especially since the Geneva International Motor Show’s cancellation.
Among the highlights was the impressive display by Carage, the official Swiss partner of Koenigsegg and Singer Vehicle Design. Carage’s booth featured four Singer-restored Porsches in unique colors, including a striking violet model reminiscent of Milka chocolate packaging. Each Singer Porsche was a testament to meticulous craftsmanship, showcasing the attention to detail that has made Singer a benchmark in Porsche restomods.
Carage also brought five distinct Koenigsegg models, including the Jesko Absolut Ghost Le Mans, Jesko Attack Ghost Le Mans, Regera, and the One:1, all finished in Koenigsegg Naked Carbon (KNC). KNC involves leaving the carbon fiber uncoated, without protective lacquer, allowing the bare, polished carbon fiber to shine. This careful hand-polishing process reveals a metallic graphite finish, with each carbon fiber strand clearly visible. Without the weight of paint or clear coat, KNC cars are up to 20 kg lighter than traditional painted models.
In addition to the KNC lineup, Carage introduced a prototype of Koenigsegg’s Gemera, finished in a rich dark green gloss and accompanied by a set of matching luxury trolley bags, underscoring its suitability as a high-powered family car. As Koenigsegg’s first four-seater and equipped with over 1 MW of power, the Gemera has defined a new vehicle category, the "Mega GT." With its sleek, elongated profile and signature Koenigsegg aesthetic, the Gemera captured attention as a truly revolutionary model.
Tribute to Jo Siffert
Jo Siffert and Porsche - a legendary partnership, honored once more. As a tribute to the motorsport icon from Fribourg, Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur’s Sonderwunsch program has crafted a one-of-a-kind 911 GT3 RS for the Swiss market. The lucky owner of this "Tribute to Jo Siffert" 911 GT3 RS was selected by Porsche Schweiz AG on November 9, 2024, during the Auto Zurich show.
From Ragpicker to World Champion
Joseph “Jo” Siffert is a revered figure in Swiss motorsport history. With 96 Formula 1 starts and two Grand Prix victories, the Western Swiss driver - also a Porsche dealer - competed in numerous sports car and endurance races, beginning his long association with Porsche in 1964. His racing accolades include two class wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and an overall victory at the 1968 24 Hours of Sebring. Between 1969 and 1971, Siffert played a crucial role in securing Porsche’s victories in the World Sportscar Championship.
Siffert’s journey took him from humble beginnings as a ragpicker to the pinnacle of international racing. However, his career was tragically cut short on October 24, 1971, when he suffered a fatal accident at a Formula 1 race in Brands Hatch, UK. Despite his untimely death, Siffert remains a celebrated figure. His biographer, Jacques Deschenaux, explains, “People still speak of Jo Siffert because he became someone to admire and identify with, thanks to his character, attitude, kindness, and achievements.”
Another breathtaking highlight came from Kessel: a remarkable Pagani Utopia Roadster finished in a dark red-tinted carbon fiber. While a few Coupé versions of the Utopia have been seen in recent months, the first Utopia Roadster has yet to make its debut on public roads.
The Utopia Roadster represents the pinnacle of Pagani's pursuit to merge cutting-edge technology with timeless design. Lightweight, dynamic, and incredibly powerful, it builds on the legacy of the Coupé while incorporating distinctive new elements. The Roadster features an integrated hardtop that allows for an open or closed driving experience, all while maintaining the Coupé’s weight.
This vehicle is a celebration of mechanical purity, featuring the iconic Pagani V12 engine - without hybrid support - and intricate design details like the exposed gearbox and pedal systems, where every mechanism is meticulously visible. The Utopia Roadster is Pagani’s most advanced technological achievement, leveraging sophisticated aerodynamic studies and over 40 different composite material formulations. It also introduces groundbreaking features to the road, including the Pirelli Cyber Tyre sensor system, which communicates tire information to the vehicle, enhancing safety.
Each of the 130 Utopia Roadsters is a unique creation, with extensive customization options that allow each hypercar to reflect the distinct story of its owner.
In addition to the remarkable Utopia Roadster, Kessel showcased an impressive lineup of Ferraris, including the brand-new 12Cilindri Spider, a sleek duo of two 296 models - one being the road-ready GTB and the other the GT3 racecar used by Kessel Racing. The display also featured a stunning 275 GTB in a light gold finish, capturing classic Ferrari elegance.
The new two-seater 12Cilindri Spider from Maranello is powered by a naturally aspirated V12 engine, mounted at the front center. This Ferrari embodies the pure DNA of the Prancing Horse, delivering unparalleled performance and handling with a sculptural, refined design. With 830 hp, the 12Cilindri Spider is crafted for enthusiasts of Ferrari’s legendary V12 engine, inspired by the grand touring Ferraris of the 1950s and 60s. It combines racing thrills with versatility and offers the unique experience of hearing the 12-cylinder engine’s roar with the top down.
The 12Cilindri Spider is a natural evolution of Ferrari’s uncompromising performance philosophy, echoing the spirit of the first Ferrari engine that roared out of Maranello’s gates in 1947. Effortlessly blending elegance, versatility, and power, it continues this remarkable legacy, setting new standards in performance, comfort, and design.
Kessel wasn’t the only Ferrari dealer at the show; Niki Hasler, the official Ferrari dealer from Basel, also made a notable appearance with a collection of classic Ferraris. Among the highlights were the elegant 250 GT Lusso and a particularly rare gem: the iconic 312 P racecar. This historic racecar was driven by legendary figures like Peter Schetty, Chris Amon, Mike Parkes, and Sam Posey, adding a touch of racing heritage to the event.
Aston Martin showcased an impressive lineup, including the latest Vanquish model, a striking example of the brand's dedication to excellence. The new Vanquish lives up to its legendary name, powered by a front-mid-mounted 5.2-liter twin-turbo V12 that delivers uncompromising power to the rear wheels. This refined two-seater embodies sophistication and cutting-edge technology, gracing the streets with unparalleled elegance and representing the pinnacle of British engineering. The Vanquish truly embodies Aston Martin's promise: All will be Vanquished.
Bertone made an impressive appearance with its latest masterpiece, the GB110. Crafted with impeccable precision, the GB110 stands out as a unique milestone in Bertone’s 100-year legacy of producing extraordinary vehicles. While engineered for exceptional performance, it retains the detailed artistry and emotional allure of a collector’s item.
Paying tribute to iconic Bertone designs from the 1950s and 70s, the GB110 is sculpted to command attention with a timelessly distinctive presence. True to Bertone’s rich heritage, the GB110 sets new standards in automotive excellence. Drawing on 38 years of combined experience, Mauro and Jean-Franck Ricci have worked with over 22,000 engineers to seamlessly blend Bertone’s iconic design legacy with cutting-edge automotive engineering.
Rimac made its debut at Auto Zurich this year, presenting the Rimac Nevera Time Attack, one of just twelve examples from their special edition series. We previously saw this very model on the streets of Zurich back in July. However, the real highlight was the unveiling of the brand-new Nevera R.
The Nevera R marks the third generation of Rimac’s design philosophy, characterized by elegant surfaces and proportions that subtly hint at its more performance-focused nature. With a refined chassis, an optimized performance battery, increased power, larger brakes, and enhanced downforce, the Nevera R is a rebellious machine built for crossing continents.
This car takes the Nevera's torque-vectoring innovations and chassis advancements to the next level, offering greater mechanical grip and downforce for even more focused performance. Powered by a state-of-the-art electric drivetrain, the Nevera R delivers jaw-dropping acceleration and top speeds, pushing the boundaries of what an electric hypercar can achieve.
Built around Rimac’s next-generation 108 kWh battery pack, the Nevera R not only delivers more power but does so more efficiently in a lighter package. With an astonishing 2,107 horsepower, it reaches 300 km/h in just 8.66 seconds, redefining the limits of electric performance.
We were also treated to a selection of iconic BMW models, from the classic 2002 Touring and the E36 M3 to the special edition 3.0 CSL Hommage.
The BMW 3.0 CSL is the most exclusive vehicle ever developed by BMW M, combining unique design with a purist performance experience. This unparalleled high-performance car brings the 1970s concept of utilizing racetrack technology for pure driving pleasure on the road into the present day, in an incredibly focused manner. Every aspect of its character - from the dynamic elegance of its exterior, to the classic sports car cockpit, intelligent lightweight construction, inline-six engine, manual transmission, and rear-wheel drive - reflects the traditional principles of a BMW M car, enhanced by modern technology to create the ultimate symbol of performance passion, continuing the legacy of the brand’s 50 years of success.
From new Porsches to restored classics, Swiss company Erbacher showcased their remarkable restomods. These builds are based on the Porsche 964 C2 or C4 from the 1989-1994 generation, with each vehicle undergoing a meticulous restoration process. The cars are completely disassembled, with the entire body chemically stripped and coated using KTL (Cathodic Electrocoating). The body is then re-welded and reinforced at key points, while all sheet metal work, including the replacement of the front closure plate and the custom fabrication of rear fender flares in steel, is done in-house. The car's roof is cut out and prepped for a new carbon roof skin, and the front trunk is modified to accommodate an additional oil cooler.
At the heart of these restomods is the EGMO 4.3 - a sport engine based on the Porsche 964's 3.6-liter Carrera, which produces 250 hp. For this restomod, Erbacher engineers crafted a 4.3-liter sport engine, utilizing only a few parts from the original base engine. The new design features a custom crankshaft made of high-strength chromolybdenum steel, lightweight connecting rods, and a new set of forged pistons and cylinders made from high-strength forged aluminum. This upgrade reduces the weight of the engine components by 170 grams compared to the original, enhancing throttle response and allowing for a higher redline of 7,200 rpm.
The engine also features newly designed cylinder heads for optimal airflow and filling, and a fully optimized intake system with individual throttle bodies and a Drive-by-Wire system. The exhaust system, including custom headers and optimized pipe diameters, completes the package. The result is a car that delivers more than 400 Nm of torque from 2,800 rpm, peaking at 460 Nm between 5,200 and 6,200 rpm.
In terms of engine management, Erbacher relies on a custom ECU from their long-time partner Emtron, enabling full sequential control of the injectors and the 12 individual ignition coils, along with integrated CAN-Bus functionality for data logging and monitoring.
Porsche Zürich also presented some incredible cars, with one of the highlights being a stunning amethyst metallic 964 Turbo 3.6. This particular model was fully restored according to the exact specifications of its customer, showcasing the brand's commitment to both craftsmanship and performance.
Pininfarina showcased two stunning Battistas at the event, one in yellow and the other in white. The Automobili Pininfarina Battista is the world’s first electric hyper GT, marking a significant leap forward in the evolution of automotive design. It embodies a commitment to the future, carrying on the legacy of the Pininfarina brand while embracing the goal of zero emissions without compromising on extreme power.
As the first car to bear the Pininfarina badge, the Battista represents the culmination of a long-standing family dream. It is the most powerful vehicle ever designed and built in Italy, achieving a level of performance that surpasses any road-legal sports car powered by an internal combustion engine. With speeds that rival those of a Formula 1 car, the Battista merges precision engineering with the timeless elegance of Italian design, setting a new benchmark in the electric hypercar world.
In addition to the exciting new and electric cars, Auto Zurich also showcased a remarkable selection of classic vehicles, adding a special touch to the event. Among the highlights was the very first Lamborghini, the 350 GT, alongside many other automotive legends. It's always a pleasure to witness the rich history of the automotive industry, and this year’s show offered a perfect blend of past and present, with not only car premieres but also tuned iterations catering to all tastes.
In today’s digital age, where most cars are now unveiled online rather than at major live events like the Geneva Motor Show, it’s refreshing to still have shows like Auto Zurich that bring the automotive community together in person. We look forward to next year’s event, the 38th Auto Zurich, scheduled from October 30th to November 2nd, 2025.
