The best new cars at the Geneva auto show
AMID a flurry of quirky electric concepts and people-movers from primarily European brands, bigbrand names in the hypercar world-Koenigsegg, Bugatti-have produced multi-million-dollar production-ready cars to bolster their street cred.
Meanwhile, storied brands like Aston Martin and RollsRoyce, Lamborghini and Ferrari delivered next-generation and upgraded models of surefire hits: The Vanquish Concept, the Cullinan SUV, the Huracan Evo Spyder, and the F8 Tributo, respectively.
And two newcomers with long histories-Pininfarina and Hispano-Suiza-joined the fray as well, each bringing electric supercars costing roughly US$2 million and a lot of patience before they are actually built.
Of course, Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche were there too, in full force. Most of theirs even dipped below the six-figure mark.
Here is a look at the most interesting things we saw.
- Bugatti La Voiture Noire: Difficult for non-French speakers to say, the name simply means “The Black Car” in French. It’s meant to be a modern take on the Bugatti 57 SC Atlantic from the mid 1930s.
Only one of the new ones was made, and yes, it’s been sold, reportedly to Ferdinand Piech, the former CEO of Volkswagen Group. It’s valued at more than US$18 million, with a base price of US$12.5 million.
- Koenigsegg Jesko: Named after the beloved father of Koenigsegg founder and CEO, Christian von Koenigsegg, the Jesko combines 1,280 horsepower (or 1,600 horsepower when fuelled on biofuel, as customers may choose) with a new ninespeed transmission and a top speed of 300 miles per hour, the company says.
Inside is a cabin for two with creature comforts like parking cameras, infotainment, and power-automatic seats.
- Ferrari F8 Tributo: This is the new mid-engine V8 from Ferrari, replacing the stellar 488 GTB and 458 Italia models.
Among its subtle new styling cues are fresh headlights, big round tail lights, and updated aerodynamics.
Better yet, it has an exciting clear engine cover on that midmounted engine.
Performance numbers are roughly the same as before, with 720 horsepower and 568 pound-feet of torque that get it to 60mph in 2.9 seconds. Top speed is expected to be well over 200mph-after all, the 488 Pista can do 211mph without breaking a sweat. Pricing has yet to be announced, but deliveries begin early next year.
- Pininfarina Battista: This is the first production model from the newly formed Automobili Pininfarina, the car-making entity that shares branding with the classic design house founded in 1930.
It’s named after the company founder, Battista “Pinin” Farina, and packs a wallop: All-electric with zero emissions; 1,900 horsepower, 0-60mph in less than two seconds, and able to charge to 80 per cent in 40 minutes on a supercharger outlet.
Look for it to join the crew of hypercars from Koenigsegg, Ferrari, Bugatti and Lamborghini that attract the world’s wealthiest connoisseurs. Only 150 of them will be made; half are already sold. Production begins in 2020. Pricing starts at US$2.2 million.
- Lamborghini Huracan Evo Spyder: The 630-horsepower Huracan Evo Spyder continues the excellent Huracan line with a 631bhp 5.2-litre naturally aspirated V10 engine and a 062mph time in 3.1 seconds (that’s just 0.2 sec slower than the hardtop model).
Top speeds are the same between the coupe and spyder version as well, at 202mph. The main difference here is that the Huracan Evo Spyder comes with a power automatic top that deploys in 17 seconds.
With myriad traction and stability controls including a rear-wheel steering, all-wheeldrive system and adaptive dampers, plus multiple drive modes for street, sport or track, the new drop-top Lambo promises the kind of extreme driving thrill that only an old Italian exotic brand can give. It’s nearly a dying breed.— Bloomberg
This week at the Geneva Motor Show has proved nothing if not glamorous