Geneva may be the hub of international diplomacy, but an automotive arms race is taking place this week at the Salon international de l’auto. The French, Germans, Italians, Americans, British, Swedish and more have brought their best to the Geneva Palexpo hoping to capture the imagination of global car buyers. And while the show featured debuts in cars of all classes, here are the thirteen top luxury car premiers that you’ll want to see if you’re in Geneva this week.
Aston Martin DB11
Built on a lightweight, bonded aluminum frame with brand new 600 horsepower 5.2 Liter twin-turbocharged V12 engine under its impossibly long bonnet, the new DB11 is everything an Aston Martin should be. It’s handsome, powerful, comfortable and yes, just a little dangerous. In a year when every manufacturer is creating beautiful new coupes, this one may just be the most beautiful. www.astonmartin.com
Bentley Mulsanne Grand Limousine
Opulence might be an understatement for the new Bentley Mulsanne Grand Limousine. Developed in conjunction with their in-house bespoke partner, Mulliner, each Grand Limousine will be a custom creation for the very well heeled. A full three feet longer than a standard Mulsanne, the Grand Limousine features plenty of room for four behind the driver’s compartment and incorporates their finest leathers, veneers, as well as a wine cooler, crystal flutes and a soft drink cabinet with bespoke tumblers. With a top speed of close to 200 mph, the only way to travel faster in the same comfort is in a private jet. www.bentleymotors.com
BMW 760i xDrive
We loved the new 7-series when we drove it last year and heard that a higher performance V12 edition would be forthcoming. Happily BMW executives kept their promises and the new BMW M760Li xDrive is on the way. Raising the stakes in the sporting luxury sedan segment, with the first ever M Performance TwinPower Turbo 12-cylinder petrol engine, the new M750 generates 610 hp and sprints from 0 to 60 in 3.6 seconds, giving Ferraris, McLarens and Lamborghinis a run for their money. www.bmwusa.com
Bugatti Chiron
The long-awaited replacement for the legendary Veyron took center stage. Just a few key facts about the new Chiron (pronounced shï-ron): the W16 engine features four turbochargers and a titanium exhaust allowing it to produce 1,500 horsepower. Top speed is electronically limited to 263 miles per hour, but Bugatti will allow owners to drive their cars with the limiter off under supervised conditions. Bugatti has not released unlimited top speed figures but experts expect it to be in excess of 275 miles per hour. www.bugatti.com
Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport
Pushing the new Corvette platform even further, Chevrolet engineers have equipped the new Grand Sport edition with many of the best aerodynamic and handling bits from the dominating Z06. Keeping a focus on lightweight engineering, that allows the Grand Sport with its naturally aspirated, 460 horsepower V8 engine to turn lap times that rival those of the previous generation ZR1. For track use, the Grand Sport is available with a Z07 package that includes carbon ceramic disk brakes and stickier Michelin Pilot Sport 2 Cup tires. www.chevrolet.com
Jaguar F-TYPE SVR
The first thing Jaguar wants you to know about the F-TYPE SVR is its the fasted F-TYPE ever. The 567 horsepower V8 engine will push the F-TYPE SVR past the 200 mph barrier and get it to 60 miles per hour in 3.5 seconds. The on-demand all-wheel drive system means the SVR delivers supercar performance that you can drive in any weather. Aerodynamic improvements have been made to reduce lift at high speeds without compromising drag or negatively impacting the F-TYPE’s iconic design. At $155,888, all we can say is SVR me ASAP. www.jaguarusa.com
Koenigsegg Regera
Twelve months ago, the Koenigsegg Regera was a concept with the promise of production. Today it’s an unreal reality. A curb weight of just a tick over 3500 pounds and a hybrid power plant that delivers over 1,500 horsepower, the Regera’s performance numbers are astounding. The Regera will reach 0-60 mph in 2.7 seconds, 0-125 in just 6.6 seconds and 0-186 in a blistering 10.9 seconds. Koenigsegg estimates a 0-250 mph time of 20 seconds and acceleration from 90 to 150 mph in just 3.9 seconds. Their innovative direct drive system does away with a traditional gearbox and inside the Regera features a wealth of connected driving technologies including WiFi, Apple Carplay and 360 cameras to help with maneuvering in tight spaces. www.koenigsegg.com
Lamborghini Centenario
How would you celebrate your company’s founder’s 100th birthday? If you’re Lamborghini, you build a limited edition supercar in his honor. The Lamborghini Centenario is just that car. With a total build of 20 coupés and 20 roadsters, the production run has already been spoken for at prices that started at nearly $2,000,000. The naturally aspirated V12 pumps out 770 horsepower. The carbon fiber body looks amazing. It’s the baddest car from the meanest brand in the market. As outgoing Automobili Lamborghini President and CEO, Stephan Winkleman said, “The Centenario is a car that perfectly combines tradition and innovation. It looks to the future while honoring the legend that is Ferruccio Lamborghini.” www.lamborghini.com
McLaren 570GT
Billed as the most luxurious McLaren ever built, the 570GT takes the performance that enthusiasts have been raving about, softens the edges just a little bit, and adds a dose of premium quality to the driver and passenger experience. Powered by the 3.8-litre twin turbo V8 M838TE engine that debuted in the 570S coupé, the GT differentiates itself by reducing spring stiffness by 15% up front and 10% in the rear. The cabin is fitted with premium leather seats and a panoramic glass roof overhead for a lighter, airier feel. So, while the 570S is the McLaren you’ll want to blast around the track or in town, the 570GT is the car in which you can cruise all day. cars.mclaren.com
Morgan EV3
Great Britain’s quirkiest car company makes a bold play for the future, with the Morgan EV3. By answering the question, “what if an all-electric vehicle was bespoke, hand crafted and exhilarating to drive?” the Morgan EV3 combines state-of-the-art technology with traditional British hand-craftsmanship. Unlike other cars on this list, the lightweight, open cockpit three wheeler isn’t all about speed and performance. The EV3 will be capable of traveling 150 miles on a full charge, accelerate from 0-60 in just over 8 seconds, and reach a top speed of 90 miles per hour. But there’s no doubt this 1,100-pound roadster will be a blast to drive. www.morgan-motor.co.uk
Porsche 911R
Back in 1968, my father pulled into our driveway in a funny little sports car with its engine hanging out over the rear wheels. On that day, my love affair with the Porsche 911 was born. And while it’s never waned, as 911s have become technically better in every way, I still yearn for the simplicity of the first generation cars. The 911R fits that bill. Featuring a 500 hp naturally aspirated flat six engine, 6-speed manual gearbox and lightweight construction, the 911R (R is for racing, in case you were wondering) does everything it can to remind you of where this terrific sports car came from. The 911 R is equipped with full bucket seats with carbon fiber backrests and seat centers upholstered in houndstooth design, paying homage to the original 911 of the 1960s. But with state-of-the-art materials, manufacturing and technology, the 911R is a thoroughly modern throwback. www.porscheusa.com
Rolls-Royce Black Badge
This is no ordinary Rolls-Royce and it’s not for the stereotypical, aristocratic Rolls-Royce customer. Featuring a high-gloss black Spirit of Ecstasy on the hood, silver on black badging, and black chrome surrounding the traditional parthenon grille, the Black Badge Wraith and Ghost II represent Rolls-Royce’s darker, alter ego. Power and torque have been increased in the series and the throttle has been remapped for more aggressive driving. While still offering the famous Rolls-Royce “Magic Carpet” ride, both Ghost and Wraith Black Badge have been retuned to offer an enhanced driving experience. In the words of Rolls-Royce CEO, Torsten Müller-Ötvös, “Black Badge is an aspect of the Rolls-Royce brand that appeals to those people who are elusive and defiant, the risk takers and disruptors who break the rules and laugh in the face of convention. Technically and aesthetically Black Badge is the alter ego of Rolls-Royce, darker, more assertive, more confident and powerful, and more demanding.” www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com
Zenvo TS1
If exclusivity is what you’re after then the Zenvo TS1 is your holy grail. With only 15 cars being made, this Danish hypercar will be one of the rarest production models in existence. Featuring a 1,000 hp, 5.9L twin supercharged V8 with a flat-plane crankshaft, similar to those used in Ferraris and the new Shelby GT350R, the Zenvo TS1 will have an electronically limited top speed of 233 miles per hour. The Zenvo TS1 takes a unique driver focus with an interior that offers unlimited customization options of leather, Alcantara, carbon fiber, aluminum and other material finishes. Zenvo clients are expected to communicate directly with the design team in the process of creating a unique interior for every car allowing each customer to become a co-creator of his or her car. www.zenvoautomotive.com