The next big stop for the automotive show circuit is The Geneva Show in Switzerland this week and is the biggest European show. It didn’t disappoint with loads of new introductions. The problem is some of these new cars won’t be coming to the U.S. but there is a selection of cars the will see American shores.
Audi has updated its range topping sports car, the R8. The V8 version of the R8 entered the market in 2008 as a fighter for the Porsche 911. Audi then followed it up with a V10 version in 2010 and a faster V10 Plus in 2013. For 2016 the R8 drops the 4.2 liter V8 leaving just the V10 versions. The V10 has had some changes to it though to bring power up to 540 horsepower in the base V10 and 610 in the V10 Plus. The six-speed manual has also been dropped leaving the seven-speed dual-clutch S-tronic automated manual as the sole transmission choice.
Later in the model year Audi also brought an all electric E-Tron R8. It’s electric motors produce 455 horsepower and 679 ft.lbs. of torque. It will do 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds and has a range of just under 280 miles. The new R8 goes on sale in Europe this summer but won’t come to the States until next year.
Wanting to get noticed more, Aston Martin brought a new, track-focused, supercar, the Vulcan. The Vulcan is Aston’s CEO, Andy Palmer’s, first step to bring Aston Martin to the level of Ferrari and Mclaren.
The powertrain is a 7.3 liter V12 with approximately 800 HP and will have a top speed of 225 mph. With limited production numbers and an expected price tag of 1.25 million British Pounds (about $1.9 million) don’t expect to see one in your lifetime.
Speaking of Ferrari, they brought their replacement for the 458 Italia, The 488 GTB. The GTB finishes off Ferrari’s line of Turbo V8’s that started with the California T last year. The GTB uses the same 3.8 liter twin turbo V8 from the California T but power has been upped to 660 HP. 0-60 mph takes 3 seconds and it maxes out at 205 mph. Don’t mourn the loss of a high revving naturally aspirated V8 though because this engine still revs to 8000 rpm.
The GTB also sees new styling inside and out over the 458 with bigger air dams and a revised interior. The GTB goes on sale soon for about $300,000.Expect more of this car in the next couple of years including a spider and a track focus version hopeful named better than Speciale.
Ford Brought the Focus RS click here to find out more
This year instead of making a one off concept that we will never see Lamborghini brought its latest production Supercar the Aventador LP750-4 Superveloce (SV).
The SV is lighter, more powerful, and crucially, faster than a normal Aventador. Lamborghini adds more wings and scoops for better grip and cooling of its 6.5 liter V12 with 740 HP, 49 more than the standard car. They have also lightened it with new wheels, exhaust system and extensive use of carbon in the body. All in, the SV is 110 pounds lighter than the standard car. Power is sent through a seven speed automated manual to a four wheel drive system. The Aventador SV goes on sale soon for about $360,000.
Not to be out done by its competitors over at Ferrari, Mclaren brought the latest of it’s 650S Super car, the 675LT. Like the Lambo, the 675LT is a lighter, faster version of the 650S.
The 3.8 liter, twin-turbo V8 has been boosted from 641 to 666 HP. The car has also been lightened by 220 pounds. The 675LT uses the same basic, carbon chassis as The 650S but has different suspension that is 27 percent front, 63 percent stiffer in the rear compared to the 650S. The 675LT also has 40 percent better downforce, due in part to a new front splitter, rear diffuser, and bigger rear wing. Deliveries begin in July but it can now be currently bought for a little less than $400,000.
When was the last time you heard of the car company Lotus? Probably when there Elise and Exige left America a few years ago. Since then the company has become a faint whisper in America. Hopefully their latest car, the Evora 400, will change that.
The Evora, is a Lotuses Civilised GT car using the same 3.5 liter V6 from the Toyota Camry. Happily Lotus has Supercharged it to 400 HP. The Evora 400 also weighs a little over 3100 pounds due to an Aluminum Chassis and a composite body. The Evora 400 will do 0-60 in 4.1 seconds and go on to a top speed of 186 mph. The Evora 400 goes on sale this fall to do battle with the Porsche Cayman and Alfa Romeo 4C.
Like most of the other sports car manufacturers at this years show, Porsche mainly focused on its lightweight, hardcore line by showing off latest version of a legend and ushering in a new model to the lightweight line. The Legend, the 911 GT3 RS is the lightweight version of the lightweight version of the 911, the GT3.
The RS is 22 pounds lighter than the normal GT3 with a carbon fiber hood and engine lid and magnesium roof. The RS also has a wider track and shorter gear ratios to make it more stable and faster. The RS also has a pit road mode to limit the speed while on pit road at the track. Inside there are lightweight bucket seats and Europeans have the option to install a roll cage if they so desire.
Powering the GT3 RS is a 4 liter 500 HP flat six engine paired to Porsche’s double clutch transmission. 0-60 takes 3.1 seconds and on to a top speed of 193 mph.
The GT3 RS goes on sale in July for $176,000.
Porsche also brought a new, entry level, model to their lightweight line, The Cayman GT4. Think of it as a 911 GT3 lite.
The Cayman GT4 shares a lot of parts from the 911 GT3 inspired parts including a front splitter, rear spoiler, and lightweight bucket seats.The GT4 also gives you Porsche’s torque vectoring and stability management system for greater driver confidence in corners.
The GT4 gets a 3.8 liter flat six with 385 HP and a 6-speed manual transmission is the only transmission option. It takes just over 4 seconds to get to sixty and will top out at 183 mph The Cayman GT4 comes to dealers in July for $85,000.
This was only a taste of what was in Geneva including introductions of the Honda Civic Type R, Morgan Aero 8 and the Koenigsegg Regara, but sadly those cars are most likely not coming Stateside.The next stop is New York in April, but Redline will be stopping by the Denver Auto Show before then.
