More highlights in Part 1 and Part 2.
With the 84th Geneva Motor Show in full swing from today, we bring you some of the standout vehicles making their debut in Switzerland.
1. McLaren 640S and Spider
Slotting between the entry-level MP4-12C and P1 hypercar, the 650S and its drop-top sibling fits the bill – bearing some resemblance to the P1 up front, with some 12C at the rear. Both models are powered the familiar 3,8-litre twin turbocharged V8 engine, but packs significantly more punch than the 12C – sending 478 kW and 678 N.m to the rear wheels.
2. Mini Clubman
Obviously still in concept form on the inside, Mini’s Clubman looks very close to production on the outside – and now features six doors instead of the five that the previous generation Mini Clubman sported. The Clubman’s also grown significantly in terms of dimensions, but that probably means a lot more usable interior room.
3. Nissan Juke
The updated Nissan Juke features a fresher face, courtesy of a new headlamp design, grille, indicator repeaters in the door mirrors and faux mesh on the lower section of the rear bumper. There’s also a new 1,2-litre turbopetrol motor that produces 84 kW and 190 N.m of torque. There’s nothing new in the cabin though.
4. Opel Astra OPC Extreme
The wild-looking OPC Extreme will be the ultimate road-going Astra – that just happens to be track ready as well. The 2,0-litre turbopetrol produces in excess of 220 kW and sends torque to the front wheels by way of a six-speed manual and limited-slip. The extensive use of carbon-fibre means that the OPC Extreme weighs 100 kg less than the standard OPC.
5. Pagani Zonda Revolucion
Just when you thought the Zonda couldn’t look any meaner, the Revolucion has upped the ante. Constructed almost entirely of carbon-fibre (it weighs just under 1 100 kg) and kitted out with fat wings and vents – it looks ready to compete. It’s powered by an AMG-sourced 6,0-litre V12 that develops 600 kW.
6. Porsche 919 Hybrid
The racer that sees the return of the most successful manufacturer in the 24 Hours of Le Mans to the top-tier LMP1 category, a lot rests on the shoulders of the simple-liveried 919 Hybrid. As its name suggest, the 919’s 2,0-litre V4 turbopetrol motor is supplemented by an electric motor that is powered by innovative recovery systems. With the electric motor driving the front axle on demand, the 919 is effectively an all-wheel drive racecar.
7. Renault Twingo
With rear-mounted engine and rear-wheel drive the new Twingo is a throwback the legendary fun-to-drive Dauphine and R8/10. It’s even got stripes like a Gordini (though not in the same style, or colour). The rear wheels are driven by either a normally aspirated 1,0-litre 52 kW three-cylinder motor, or a turbocharged 900cc 67 kW engine that also makes 135 N.m of torque.
8. Rolls-Royce Ghost
The Series II Ghost boasts a few adjustments over the outgoing model – like revisions to its styling and new interior features like an updated infotainment with a new display, and fresh cabin trim. The really interesting bit is the satellite-aided transmission developed by parent company BMW, which uses GPS to read the road ahead and pre-select the correct gear for the twisties ahead.
9. Seat Leon Cupra
Hours before being unveiled at Geneva, Seat’s new Leon Cupra was crowned “King of the ’Ring” – in the front-wheel drive category that is. The Spanish Volkswagen Group Subsidiary’s halo hot-hatch is the first front wheel drive production car to lap the Nurburgring Nordschleife in under eight minutes (7:58.4 to be exact). The Seat still shares its underpinning with VW’s Golf, so it uses an MQB platform and direct injection turbopetrol four-cylinder that produces 206 kW and sends torque to the front wheels via a six-speed dual-clutch transmission.
