It used to be wonderful. The smell of plastic and glue, the aroma of hot coffee and the sound of shuffling footsteps as people try to cram in front of one another. “What’s under the sheet? Can you make out the shape? What will the colour be?” The questions came thick and fast. The tension was palpable. The big international motor shows are definitely drawcards for journos and enthusiasts alike. Finding out where the exhibitors were so you could plan your movements, the curiosity of not knowing what would be revealed, the readiness to take as many notes as possible: the lead-up to an international motor show used to be an exciting time. I say used to because it’s just not the same anymore. There’s no denying it’s still great to go to Geneva, Paris, Detroit or New York to see these lovely machines in the metal, (our editor Dhruv says his favourite in Geneva was the Maserati Alfieri concept) but they’re losing their edge. This year, especially, there seemed to be more leaks and reveals online before the show than actually at the show itself. The internet is mostly to blame. It’s obsessed with spy shots, renderings and broken embargoes. Usually, it’s some obscure Russian or east-European website which gets the jump on everyone. A scanned brochure page, a mobile phone snap behind the scenes – once the photos are out there, it’s impossible to get rid of them. Everyone then sees them and usually a couple of hours later the official shots are published as the PR machine scrambles to get the press release ready. The Maserati concept was leaked before Geneva. As was the Jaguar XFR-S Sportbrake. And Koenigsegg Agera One:1. And the McLaren 650S. Remember the new Range Rover Sport’s leak? That was courtesy of a window-tinter who had prepared a vehicle for a commercial shoot. He told a couple of his mates to come and take a look. They just so happened to be car-buffs who, funnily enough, had their mobile phones handy. Who then uploaded some photos. And then alerted the motoring world to them. While the internet has made journalists’ lives easier, it also takes away the excitement of those reveals. Wondering what car companies have in store, visualising the curves under the cover, imagining the sound of the engine, being amazed at the array of technology implemented – all ruined by these leaks. How interesting is it now? Oh, that’s what it looks like in real life. Just like the photos we’ve already seen. The worst part is the employees at the motorshow feigning excitement as two lovely models pull back the dark sheet to unveil their latest creation. The MC lifts his voice, announces the car’s name and the minions up front start to clap in a vain effort to get everyone else clapping, too. Yeah, it just doesn’t have the same buzz anymore. We need to inject some genuine mystery into motor shows. Make the “reveals” actual reveals. When we see it for the first time, it’d be nice to have that adrenaline rush. Better security surrounding the cars, confiscation of mobile phones for private showings, signed non-disclosure agreements with financial penalties – it’s possible to keep secrets. You just have to want to.
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