Editors' Picks -- 4 days ago
Words: Rory FH Smith
The picturesque capital of banking, global organisations and, err… tax avoidance is soon to become the motoring mecca of mainland Europe as the 85th Geneva motor show takes place between March 5-15. So, make yourselves comfortable, gents and scroll through our conveniently placed A-Z guide of the cars to look out for at this year’s Geneva Motor Show.
ASTON MARTIN
Vantage GT3
Developed as a road-going tribute to the Gaydon-based firm’s endurance racing cars, the Vantage GT3 will serve up in the region of 600bhp from a tweaked 6.0-litre V12. Want one, gents? You’d better get in quick as Aston have confirmed a production run of just 100 of these track-bred street racers.
Vulcan
Ferrari and McLaren have been shouting about the LaFerrari FXXK and P1 GTR respectively for longer than we care to remember, but now Aston Martin, the humble Gaydon-based supercar manufacturer, is ready to reveal a rival. According to Aston, the track-only Vulcan produces 800bhp from a 7.0-litre V12 driving the rear wheels and wears bodywork crafted entirely from carbonfibre. Limited to just 24 examples, Aston’s track-restricted range topper will come with an equally exclusive asking price of £1.8m when deliveries commence in 2016.
AUDI
Prologue Avant Concept
Building on the back of the Audi Prologue concept revealed at the LA auto show in late 2014, the Prologue Avant concept is a new “interpretation of Audi Avant philosophy,” according the German automaker. With its extra doors and fastback roof line the Prologue Avant appears to have its sights firmly set on the family man market, and may be our first look at the next-gen Audi A6 Avant.
R8
Audi appear to have played it safe with the second-generation R8, which looks a great deal like the last one, only with a few styling cues borrowed from the latest incarnation of the TT. If the looks are a little disappointing, then the performance, which exactly matches the Lamborghini Huracan, should make up for it with 602bhp and a 0-62mph time of 3.2seconds.
FERRARI
488 GTB
Replacing Ferrari’s cash cow, the 458, was never going to be an easy task but the motor bofins at Modena have given it their best shot with the turbocharged 488 GTB. With one pony short of 100bhp more that its predecessor, the 488 is a also a step ahead in terms of aero, with its gaping gills and rear diffuser helping it stay close to the tarmac.
FORD
GT
First unveiled at the Detroit motor show in early 2015, Ford’s stunning reinterpretation of the 1960’s endurance-racing icon met with praise from the American automotive market. Now it’s time for the Europeans to see it in the metal and we’re confident it won’t disappoint.
LOTUS
Evora 400
After a lengthy dormant period and headlines about rocky finances, the Norfolk based manufacturer is eager to announce its latest creation – the Evora 400. Claiming it’s the “fastest and most powerful” model to date, the fettled Evora produces 400bhp from its Toyota-sourced V6 and weighs in at 22kg less than the previous model.
MCLAREN
675LT Longtail
The speed merchants at McLaren have been tinkering with the already blisteringly quick 650s to make the 675 Longtail – or LT for short. Hoping to relive some of McLaren’s glory days, the Longtail name conjures up images of the original F1 GTR LT that took to the track back in the 1990s.
P1 GTR
McLaren’s track day reaper, the P1 GTR, is sure to create a fuss at Geneva this year, especially with the unveiling of Aston Martin’s Vulcan a few doors down. The 1000bhp monster boasts even more aerodynamic additions, which McLaren claim will increase downforce by 10%. Finished with a beacon yellow paint job, the P1 GTR shown at Geneva is a nod to the original F1 GTR that dominated at Le Mans in 1995.
MERCEDES
Mercedes-Maybach S600 Pullman
If you thought the Mercedes-Maybach S600 wasn’t dictatoresque enough, then the elongated Pullman may be the answer. Measuring in at 6.5meters, this Merc comes with enough equipment in the back to control a small economy.
Mercedes-Benz G500 4×4²
Given its cryptic name, this Merc requires a little bit of explaining. Remember the ludicrous Mercedes G63 AMG 6×6? Well, the G500 4×4² uses the same hardware underneath only it’s got four wheels rather than six. Make sense? Thought not.
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