Supercars hog the spotlight
A new batch of luxury cars grabs attention away from SUVS. Toby Hagon reports.
controversy brewing around the lap and whether some fancy camera work subtracted crucial seconds to make the mid-engined two-seater appear faster than it was. Either way, the Performante ups the Huracan V10’s 449W to 470kw, with additional aerodynamic and chassis work teaming with some lightweighting to create a potent twoseat supercar.
Koenigsegg Regera
For exclusivity, look no further than the 410kmh Regera from boutique Swedish brand Koenigsegg. The two-seater ‘‘megacar’’ can reach 400kmh in 20 seconds – and the sprint from 150kmh to 250kmh takes just 3.2 seconds.
It comes courtesy of a twinturbo V8 mated to three electric motors, enough to pump out more than 1100kw of power – almost double what an F1 car produces – making it the most powerful production car in the world. There’s no gearbox, with a direct drive system employed. Just 80 of the scissor-doored rockets will be produced globally. The Regera is likely to cost somewhere in the region of $3 million.
Porsche 911 GT3
It’s back to the future for Porsche’s race track hero, with the return of a manual transmission option for the first time in the 991-generation of the iconic 911 GT3.
There’s more power, too, courtesy of a flat-six engine that’s increased from 3.8 to 4 litres. And in true GT3 fashion it’s produced very high in the rev range, guaranteeing that tantalising shriek that accompanies any spirited driving. The 368kw engine can launch the GT3 to 100kmh in 3.4 seconds. However, that’s with the seven-speed PDL auto transmission; the six-speed manual is slower, taking 3.9 seconds to reach the same milestone.
Mclaren 720S
The fight between Ferrari and Mclaren is often brutal on the F1 tracks of the world, but it’s even more intense on the road, as evidenced by the arrival of the new 720S.
Evolving the formula of the 12C (and, later, 650S), the new 720S gets a new carbon fibre monocoque and larger 4-litre twin turbo V8 in its quest to smash Ferrari’s brutal 488. For those wanting to show off this newfound performance there’s even a drift mode for big, smoky sideways slides.
Range Rover Velar
Strange name aside – it references the code name used for the original Range Rover in the 1970s – the Range Rover Velar has a very important task on its hands.
Residing between the entrylevel Evoque and the larger, punchier Sport it fleshes out the four-model Rangie family with a $70,300-plus five-seater that will come with the option of fourcylinder and V6 propulsion. Like all Range Rovers it’s claimed to go further than your average luxury off-roader – including the Jaguar F-pace with which it shares much of its mechanicals – while pampering with its on-road talents.
Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo
The production version of Porsche’s first ever wagon brings new-found loading functionality to the spacious Panamera. The chunky tail of the Sport Turismo adds some 911-esque visual muscle to Porsche’s largest vehicle.
For those chasing the ultimate in performance Porsche confirmed the flagship Panamera Turbo will utilise batteries and an electric motor to boost power of the twin turbo V8. The cleverly packaged 100kw electric motor takes overall output of the Turbo to 500kw, making it the most powerful Porsche to be sold in Australia.
Alpine A110
It’s been a long time coming, but Renault-owned sports car maker Alpine (pronounced ‘‘alpeen’’) has been revived with the reveal of the A110.
Remaining faithful to the Vision Concept from 2012, the A110 production car packs in plenty of retro-infused styling, most notably around the nose, with its prominent built-in foglights.
With the Porsche Boxster/ Cayman in its crosshairs, the fourcylinder-turbo-powered two-seater is all about lightweight performance. Acceleration to 100kmh is claimed to take about 4.5 seconds.