Avion Luxury International Airport Magazine
World’s most futureforward Supercars
Less cc, less cylinders, more horsepower: otherwise the race to the “hum” of electricity would be even faster. Constructors are understanding this late, due to laws but also thanks to advances in electronics. In the meantime, global warming continues, but certainly through no fault of the car. Undoubtedly, supercars, in a few years, have become increasingly unpopular in the public eye and, in any case, are difficult to homologate due to increasingly restrictive rules regarding emissions, which are, necessarily, directly dependable on the power of the engine. Therefore, the industry is coming out with the most efficient vehicles ever seen: greater satisfaction and less consumption, even if the price is rising - because research and electronics are costly. But the environment is thankful and driving enjoyment is enhanced, but those searching for something that is easy on the ear would have to possess a fortune because engines that are acoustically satisfying remain in the domain of otherwise unattainable models. A large part of these, as usual, were seen in Geneva last March. An example being the Chiron Sport from Bugatti, its latest work with a price tag of 2.65 million euros, which
has a few new additions compared to the previous model. The new exhaust deflector, stiffer suspension, 1% less weight, carbon fibre windscreen wipers on their own are mere trifles, the substance was already present in the monstrous 1,500 hp and 420 km/h, which now has even greater agility. Lamborghini passes yet again the psychological threshold of “five-thousand” with the Huracán Performante Spyder, but it can be forgiven: it’s not just an exaggerated toy, but a sporty, efficient V10 that can be driven on the track, which strives to make a good impression even in Monte Carlo (spider and rear wing incorporated on a Lambo are a rare thing) already from next summer and with a price tag of less than €300,000. Less extreme, the Urus, the first SUV from Lamborghini, which is already popular the world over, is based on a 4.0 V8, which reaches powers similar to track cars thanks to the turbo, but is capable, all the same, of emitting less CO2 than the “usual” supercar. With the same philosophy, the Aston Martin New Vantage, new outside and almost unrecognisable inside, takes a V8 turbo of the same cubic capacity as the AMG, and uses only automatic gear change but offers Dynamic Torque Vectoring for the first time on a British car: a sign that it wants to be among the top for handling and is every bit as good as the Italians. British grit loses a little with the new Bentayga from Bentley, which makes innovative strides by raising the bar of luxury, beginning with new 22” wheels, which are finished so well they could be put on display. There’s also much to be admired inside by the “eastern” world but, at least, there’s a hint of compassion: it doesn’t go
over “four thousand”. McLaren, already experienced with a 3.8 litre “biturbo” inherited from the 650S, doesn’t often make substantial changes, but the 5 Design Editions are a true gem for lovers of the 570S Spider: there’s a wide choice of colours for both inside and out, including less obvious technical details. A totally different concept for BMW: with the M8 Gran Coupé project, which wants to focus attention on luxury, a feature typical of the Bavarian carmaker, with a new design language for the discerning customer. A four-seater sport car so light front and back and, truth be told, a little arrogant, hasn’t been seen for some time: it’s only a prototype but it’s clear that it will set new standards in the concept of the sporty flagship. For the engines it’s still early, but it shouldn’t exceed six cylinders, and there will be petrol and diesel: time will tell if and with how much “hybrid” assistance. Bypassing the hybrid stage, which was widely seen at Monaco, for Porsche, instead, luxury tends towards all-electric driving. With Mission E Cross Turismo, the carmaker from Stuttgart promises a range of 500 kilometres, according to NEDC tests, for its first silent GT, a close relation of the Panamera which looks firmly to the future. Flexing its muscles, lastly, is the Tesla Roadster 2020 edition, a 2+2 that, it is thought, will offer a torque of 10,000 Nm and 400 km/h with a range of 1,000 kilometres. A dream at less than $200,000, which promises to determine the success or failure once and for all of this inspirational but controversial brand which, however, has created a course from which no-one can stray.