AUTOS: Geneva Show One Of Extremes

The prestigious showcase draws the highest level of supercars as well as clean and efficient consumer cars and concepts; 370-shot photo gallery.

Wouter Melissen | http://www.ultimatecarpage.com | Posted March 06, 2013 Geneva (SWZ)

The 963-horsepower, hybrid-powered Ferrari LaFerrari is a key highlight of the Geneva Motor Show. (Photo: Ultimate Car Page)

Generally considered to be the most prestigious event of its kind in the world, the annual Geneva International Motor Show always inspires manufacturers to bring out the very best even in these difficult economic times.

This year’s 83rd edition was no exception, although the trend of producing more efficient and cleaner cars did continue. On the other end of the spectrum, the same hybrid technologies are now used to create supercars that have drivetrains capable of producing in excess of 900 horsepower.

Chevrolet exposed the 2014 Corvette Stingray convertible to the world for the first time at the Geneva show. (Photo: Ultimate Car Page)

The large number of super sports cars that debuted was headlined by the McLaren P1, Lamborghini Veneno and Ferrari LaFerrari. What also adds to the appeal of Geneva is the presence of many of the specialist design houses – such as Pininfarina, Bertone and Italdesign – to present their latest show and concept cars.

Despite economic conditions in Europe, floor space was still at a premium in Geneva's Palexpo exhibition center, which opened its doors yesterday for the first of two media-preview days.

The result of our photographers spending the better part of the two days on the show floor can be found in this packed 370-shot gallery with all the highlights of the show.

Super supercars
Arguably the most hotly anticipated of all new cars in Geneva was Ferrari's next limited production supercar. Simply known as LaFerrari, it was certainly worth the wait.

The strikingly styled machine is powered by a hybrid-electric drivetrain, consisting of a free-revving V12 and an electric motor, which are capable of producing a combined 963 horsepower.

The wild Lamborghini Veneno prototype has been a center of attention. (Photo: Ultimate Car Page)

On the other end of the Palexpo center, McLaren revealed a direct rival in the form of the P1, which will also be built in small numbers and also uses a hybrid drivetrain, in this case a twin-turbo V8 and an electric motor, good for “just” 900 horsepower at full pelt.

Both the LaFerrari and the P1 looked modest compared to the exceptional Lamborghini Veneno. Built to mark the manufacturer's 50th anniversary, it is based on the Aventador platform but boasts a unique and very wild body.

Among the many striking design cues are a deep front splitter accentuated by a bright red streak, a fin on the engine cover and a full width rear wing. Only three will be built and despite the EUR 3 million price tag, or around $3.9 million, we understand that all have been sold.

Swedish specialist manufacturer Koenigsegg also celebrated reaching a milestone in Geneva, displaying the 100th car they built. Suitably dubbed the Hundra, the unique machine features numerous hand-turned gold-leaf accents.

Haute couture
Also out in force at Geneva this year were the Italian design houses Pininfarina, Bertone and Italdesign.

The former used this stage for an homage to longtime design director and chairman Sergio Pininfarina, who passed away last year. Inspired by the 1965 Ferrari Dino show, which was a personal favourite, the Italian designers and engineers created the Ferrari Sergio. The result is a thoroughly modern Barchetta that does include many classic cues.

The unique Ferrari Sergio Pininfarina Barchetta was built by the design house to honor its longtime director Sergio Pininfarina, who died last year. (Photo: Ultimate Car Page)

Longtime rival Bertone produced two shooting brake Aston Martins: the Rapide-based Jet 2+2 and a second version of the Vanquish-based Jet 2 built for Lilli Bertone herself.

Italdesign Giugiaro showcased the high-performance off-roader dubbed the Parcour in both Coupe and Roadster versions. The all-wheel drive two-seaters are powered by a Lamborghini-sourced V10.

The recently re-established Touring Superleggera returned to Geneva with the Disco Volante already shown as a static display last year. A significant difference is that the shape has now been draped over an Alfa Romeo 8C chassis, and the fully functional car is now ready to be delivered to its customer. Touring is ready to accept more orders for this striking conversion.

Another Alfa Romeo, in addition to the production-ready 4C, to grab the limelight was the Gloria created by master students of the European Institute of Design in just four months.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Wouter Melissen

UltimateCarPage.com

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