News from Geneva.

[Ferry_vO]

Today the most important motor show for the european manufacturers started in the Geneva Expo.
Here are some of the newest models, I will post a few more tomorrow, hopefully the new Ferrari will be one of those!

Lamborghini celebrates their 50th anniversary with a special model, the Veneno (Portuguese for Poison.)

A heavily modified Aventador, with more power (+50 hp) and less weight (-125 kilograms) and a somewhat extreme styling.
Only three will be build at €3,000,000 each (Plus the prototype in the photos) and all have been sold already.

Rolls-Royce have dusted off an old name for their latest and most dynamic model, the Wraith.

Powered by a V12 delivering 633hp and 799 nm torque. No price yet, but I guess the old 'I you have to ask, you can't afford it.' still goes...

As expected Porsche is slowly rolling out the 911 line, the first one after the regular models is this GT3, the more 'hardcore' model of the line.
475 hp, 9,000 rpm and a topspeed of 315 kph.

 

[Ferry_vO]

The next batch; we start off on Dutch soil with this Spyker B6 Venator concept:

About the same size and price of a Porsche 911, with a 375 hp V6 engine. Production should start in a year, but this wouldn't be the first concept of theirs that won't make it to the streets..

Alfa Romeo introduced their new sportscar, which will also go to the USA, the new 4C.
1.75 liter turbo engine producing 240 bhp in a car that only wieghs 895 kilos. Not bad! Looks good too. Price about €60,000.

 

[Ferry_vO]

But of course the biggest news is the new LaFerrari (Not Ferrari LaFerrari, just LaFerrari. Stupid name!) the direct compitition for the McLaren P1.
A V12 engine producing 800 bhp at 9,000 rpm coupled with an electric motor giving another 163 bhp for a total of no less than 963 HP!
Seven speed gearbox, active aerodynamics, 0-100 kph in less than three seconds, 200 in less than seven and 0-300 kph in 15 seconds, (Two seconds faster than the McLaren P1) and a topspeed of 350+ KPH. Round Ferrari's test track Fiorano it was five seconds faster than the Enzo and three seconds faster than the F12berlinetta. (Two more cars with silly names..)
Limited to 499 units, so you might want to hurry!

Looking at the mules that were spotted around Maranello recently I had my doubts but it looks OK.

Here's a video; set it to HD, full screen and turn up the volume!

 

[Daveroo]

those cars are cool to look at,and would be alot of fun to drive....but besides the RR Wraith,none of them would be drivable in the US in my opinion,speed limits are to low,and ,here in california,interstate 5 is about the only straight enough road to get any speed like on the autobahn.

 

[Ferry_vO]

Maybe this would be something for you then, Dave..?
The Volkswagen XL1. Empty weight 795 kilograms, 2 engines. One 48 hp two cylinder diesel and a 27 hp electric motor. A Topspeed of 100 mph is still possible, 0-62 mph in 12.7 seconds. The main attraction is the fuel consumption though; a whopping 261.4 MPG (If I did the math right..) Lots of exotic materials in this one and a limited run of 250 cars, but it is possible the drive train could make it to the VW Up!.

Interesting: This project was started by the same guy that created the Bugatti Veyron...

 

[Daveroo]

i accually like that...looks pretty cool..but when i typed my orignial post ,id forgoten about the porsche and the car below the spiker,those both look california 1 compatable ...if i can drive a sports type car up highway 1 from the bayarea to fort brag and beyond...im happy.....not 101...but 1...i think they call it pacific coast highway? down south..

years ago my mom drove a 1973 fiat 850 spider,im not going to call it a "sports car" but it was most deffinantly a fun car,my uncle an aunt had bought it new and drove it back and forth to McClellan AFB daily for several years,then my aunt got tired of it and my mom wanted it....one time my dad and i..he was 6'2 and i was 6'5" before injury ..we took it for a ride,with the top on..it had a hard top because my uncle could not figure out how to use the ragtop....he was an inventor and worked on the original ILS systems for the air force...or some type of auto landing system...was a ground antena that sat in a box at the end of the runway and the planes followed its signal to the runway....im sure it has a name..but i dont know enough about the ILS stuff to know...but my uncle was the guy who started it back in world war two or just after..he traveled all over the world working on the system...anyway...dad and i went to sacramento..got out of the car and we could hear people gasp as we got out..couldnt believe two guys as big as we were could possibly be in that tiny car...lol

this one is identical to moms

View attachment 82342

 

[wombat666]

Thank you Porsche!!!!!
At least they still build a really hard edged road car that is more or less suitable for road use and almost affordable.

I'm not that keen on hybrids, especially ones that are aimed at people who derive their wealth from 'Oil'.
Be interested to see how well a 'production' VW would perform in Real Life motoring, clever engineering in the Concept car, but you wouldn't be taking it out for the daily commute.

Thank you Porsche!!!!!
Already said that!

 

[Ferry_vO]

Be interested to see how well a 'production' VW would perform in Real Life motoring, clever engineering in the Concept car, but you wouldn't be taking it out for the daily commute.

After more than a decade of various concepts, this actually is the production model! First series will be strictly limited though, and available only as a lease. Maybe if it works well they'll built more, or use the drivetrain in other models.

 

[wombat666]

I was thinking more along the lines of an 'Everyday Driver' Ferry.
This is a very nice car and I like the lines, but imagine what a few 'Shopping Trolley' dings plus the crud that accumulates under normal Urban driving would do to the aerodynamics and the ongoing performance effects.
I noted a VW based project designed for China last year, a single seat only but it was claimed to have fuel consumption numbers in the high three digit category.
Until a really affordable and practical day to day family (2 adults, 2 kids and a dog) car with the consumption of these prototypes as well as a smaller Environmental Footprint appears I'm not convinced that this anything short of PR.
I know ..................... cynical old me!

PS: I never ever thought I'd be interested in a Korean vehicle but the Hyundai Genesis GT has grabbed my attention, it seems to be capable of upsetting Toyota and Subaru sales if people get over the Hyundai badge.

 

[Ferry_vO]

The Hyundai Genesis GT isn't a bad car, apparently fun to go sideways in. I like the latest Kia models myself. Now that they have a German designer they've made big steps in quality and design. Regular test winners here!

Other news from Geneva; this is the 'Disco Volante' by Carrozzeria Touring. If you want one, they'll butcher an Alfa Romeo 8C for you..

What a waste of a great car....

The new Corvette Stingray Convertible is here:

And one of the most fun cars of last year gets a folding roof too (Still officially a concept.) the Toyota FT-86:

 

[Ferry_vO]

Forgot the Cadillac ELR; based on the Chevrolet Volt/Opel/Vauxhall Ampera, but as Coupe and with more power

Sharp looking car!

And speaking of Kia: Here's the GT version of the Pro_Cee'd (Speaking of retarded names...):

204 hp, 0-100 kph in 7.7 seconds. Not bad!

 

[Jafo]

Both the Lambo and the Ferrari look the bees' knees.....
...but I always get a giggle out of how and why Lambo decided to start making cars [instead of tractors]...
Of course, the real rarity is the Stingray convertible....actually an American car that almost has STYLE ...

 

[Ferry_vO]

Yep, the new 'vette is a good looking car I think! I heard a lot of comments about the square tail lights, too many lines and vents, but I do like it.

I like how it borrows from both the previous model and the 'Stingray concept' made for the Transformers movies: