It was all about the exotics at the 2011 Geneva Auto Show. With high-profile unveils from Lamborghini and Ferrari, the show floor was, automotively speaking, one of the sexiest places on the planet. You had to feel sorry those poor car-show models, who looked plain as concrete in comparison with all the mouthwatering sheet metal on display -- better luck next year, ladies.
These five picks left me wishing I had a bigger bank account.
1: Ferrari FF
Yeah, you could argue for days about its sheet metal; is its 250GT "Breadvan"-inspired profile a thing of brave and sublime beauty (that's my vote) or an abomination to be spat at and scorned? But there's no questioning the FF's performance credentials, what with that new direct-injection 6.3-liter V12, good for 652 horsepower and 504 pound-feet of torque, stirring up the best kind of trouble under the hood. It seats four ("comfortably," says Ferrari) and offers best-in-class cargo capacity, making it an intriguing option for the driver who wants a more practical take on Ferrari fun.
2: Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4
There's nothing ordinary about the Lamborghini Aventador. Not its price, which rings in at just under $400 grand. Not its engine, a raging V12 that fire-breathes 690 hp and 509 lb-ft of torque. And certainly not its acceleration time; Lamborghini says this hairy beast can pole-vault from 0-60 mph in less than 2.9 seconds. For a visual kick, there's that sheet metal, faceted to resemble the most menacing gemstone.
3: Alfa Romeo 4C
Alfa Romeo's 4C is a concept car, but it won't stay that way for long; the manufacturer anticipates a production start date of late 2012 and yes, it will be sold here in the U.S. Super-low curb weight (around 1,875 pounds) and a four-cylinder that, says Alfa Romeo, will deliver "more than 200 horsepower" help the 4C hustle from 0-60 mph in less than 5 seconds. The car's lines call to mind classic Alfa Romeo creations from years gone by and pricing is expected to start at under $60,000.
4: Aston Martin Virage
Aston Martin makes cars that combine luxury and performance in the most exquisite ways and the upcoming Virage is no exception. Expected to be less costly than the DBS but more so than the DB9, the Virage is powered by a 5.9-liter V12 the doles out 490 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque. All of this helps it to reach 60 mph from a standstill in less than 4.6 seconds. And the car is a treat to behold, from its simple yet striking exterior to its sumptuous cabin.
5: Jaguar XKR-S
As zombies have shown us time and again, bringing things back from the dead can be a really bad idea. Happily, the outcome of this kind of tinkering is pleasant and downright enjoyable in the case of the XKR-S, a model that represents Jaguar's revival of its most powerful and exclusive performance car. Excitement comes courtesy of a 5.0-liter V8 that's rated at 542 hp and 502 lb-ft of torque, and Jaguar claims a 0-60 mph sprint of just 4.2 seconds.
Which models caught your eye at the show?
Vision7 says:
04:24 AM, 03/ 6/11
1) Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4
2) Koenigsegg Agera R (And, yes, I'd get the "ski rack" option...just because I can)
3) Pagani Huayra (It looks far more striking in person)
4) Morgan Threewheeler (Just cheeky, funky fun)
5) Ferrari FF (Come on, a "practical", all-wheel drive Prancing Horse? What's not to like?)
In all, it looks like it will be another exciting year for the automobile and I can't wait to see what comes next. Enjoy the drive, everyone.
mozzz77788 says:
11:21 AM, 03/ 6/11
Vision7, I really agree with your list there!! Except I'd replace the Morgan with the VW Bulli. IMO, I think it is a lot cooler than the microbus concept from 08
roadburner says:
12:02 PM, 03/ 6/11
Just as I suspected- not a single GM car is on the list.
More irrefutable evidence of IL's bias.
337 says:
12:23 PM, 03/ 6/11
@roadburner:
Cant tell if you are serious, but this was the GENEVA auto show... To my knowledge there were no domestic bombshells dropped that would compete with the above.
Ill take the Alfa please!
altimadude05 says:
04:12 PM, 03/ 6/11
"Practical Ferrari?" Doesn't that defy some obscure law of Nature?
Leave practical for the Yeti.
Gimme the Alfa.
t10 says:
05:43 PM, 03/ 6/11
IMO the 4C by far was the most desirable especially at 1/6th the price of the Lambo. One of the first cars I've seen in a while that if someone told me it cost 2X what it will cost, I wouldn't have been surprised or horrified.
The Ferrari is interesting, though anyone who loves it should also like the MazdaSpeed 3 if you know what I mean (maniacal grin). Though for similar form, if not function(no AWD and backseat), I'd just take the BMW M Coupe "clown shoe" edition.
The Virage seems to be a good candidate to be the Cayman of the Aston Martin line up.
The FT 86 concept was looking good, and, like the 4C seems to be a reasonably good looking car with a desirable weight, to which real people can aspire.
roadburner says:
07:01 AM, 03/ 7/11
@337:
Yes, I WAS joking, although you will eventually discover a participant here who would have posted that comment in all seriousness...
roadburner says:
07:03 AM, 03/ 7/11
"I'd just take the BMW M Coupe "clown shoe" edition. "
I love those cars. Especially the ones with a true M motor.
Out of this group I'll take the Aston.
streetsidestig says:
09:03 AM, 03/ 7/11
I love that Morgan three-wheeler and the new Koenigsegg.
garyneal says:
08:15 AM, 05/25/11
That Jaguar is so hot. The only thing that could make it better? Car show models!
garyneal says:
08:17 AM, 05/25/11
Oh yeah, I found some car show models at http://pasmag.com/models/top-models