Spyker shows the B6 Venator at the Geneva Motor Show

Spyker, possibly because of the failed attempt to save Saab, was gone from from most auto shows and every time we heard something about the Dutch company it wasn't good news, so it is good to see the car maker is trying to make a return starting with the presentation of the B6 Venator Concept "a unique alternative in the High Luxury Sports sector".

The B6 Venator is a mid-engine luxurious sports car designed to deliver a "rare combination of heritage, design, performance and exclusivity." that includes a timeless piece like the trademark radiator grille’s mesh is V-shaped, referencing Spyker models of the previous century, with modern technology such as the 3D LED rear lights, the aerodynamically shaped glass aircraft canopy and the 19” Turbofan™ wheels.

Like all Spyker the hand-made luxurious interior is made to the higher standards of quality with the finest materials like the leather which is sourced from the Litano range produced by the Royal Hulshof Dutch Tanneries in Lichtenvoorde. It also has the trademark exposed gear change mechanism.

The engine is a mid-mounted V6 that produces over 380hp (280kW) connected to an automatic six-speed gearbox that drives the rear wheels. It weighs less than 1400kg and measures 4347mm length, while it has a width of 1882mm and a wheelbase of 2500mm. It will cost over €100.000.

The Subaru Viziv concept represents a new design direction for the Japanese company

The Japanese car maker says this concept serves as a basis for a new new design direction and to show the new technologies that will be present in future models of the brand. For those that can't remember what i wrote here when Subaru teased this concept, "VIZIV" is a coined word inspired by the phrase "Vision for Innovation".

The powertrain is a plug-in hybrid system combining a 2.0 liter Subaru Boxer diesel engine, a high-torque-compatible Lineartronic (CVT) and three electric motors. We have one electric motor on the front that provides both vehicle drive and power generation and two independent rear electric motors for vehicle drive only.

Those rear motors function mainly in situations of stop-and-go city traffic, allowing for a high torque in low speeds and a lower fuel consumption, while the diesel engine works at higher speeds or to charge the battery.

This concept uses a new all-wheel drive system called the Independent-rear-motor-driven symmetrical AWD due to the two electric motors on the back powering each wheel that act according to the acceleration and steering wheel position.

Here you have it, the La Ferrari. We knew it as the F150, F70 and the Enzo replacement [Video]

This is a little weird, the Italian company decided to call their new supercar, the car we all have been eagerly waiting, La Ferrari or The Ferrari. Are they telling us this is the ultimate Ferrari, the ultimate supercar, the best ever? Well, it is indeed the fastest but it isn't an amazing looking car. If you can see it live at the Geneva Motor Show

But before i make any comments about the look of the car, let's start with the engine and everything that makes the car actually drive. It has a 6.3 liter V12 engine joined by an electric motor for an overall power output of 963hp and over 900Nm (664lb/ft). Both are connected to a seven-speed DCT gearbox that drives the rear wheels.

The V12 engine alone produces 800cv @9000rpm (redline 9250rpm) and 700Nm (516lb/ft) @6750rpm, while the electric motor helps the supercar with 163hp (120kW). CO2 emissions average 330g/km. To power the electric motors there's a lithium-ion battery sourced by Samsung.

Ferrari didn't reveal specific values for the performance, they only said it has a top speed over 350km/h (217mph), will accelerate from standstill to 100km/h (62mph) in under three seconds, to 200km/h (124mph) under seven seconds and will reach 300km/h (186mph) in 15 seconds.

The "La Ferrari" has a length of 4702mm (185.1"), a width of 1992mm (78.4"), a height of 1116mm (43."9) and a wheelbase with 2665mm (104.9") for a weight distribution of 41% in the front and 59% in the rear.

Some of the main features are the new hybrid system (HY-KERS), that has 2 electric motors, one mated to the petrol engine and another used to power auxiliary devices, and a new carbon fiber monocoque that has 27% more torsional rigidity and 22% more beam stiffness in comparison with the Enzo.

Ferrari fitted their new supercar with an active aerodynamics system (front and rear diffusers, guide vane on the underbody and rear spoiler) that generates down-force when needed without compromising the car’s overall drag coefficient.

To help save weight they even made the seat fixed and will be shaped to the owner, but both the pedal box and steering wheel are adjustable. Production is limited to 499 vehicles.

Unfortunately the look of the car isn't that spectacular. It's a Ferrari but there isn't anything really new and fantastic, it has too many details from other models of the Italian company. My guess is it isn't going to age well.

Rolls Royce shows the Wraith. The fastback look is back

The Rolls Royce Wraith was one of the most teased cars from the Geneva Motor Show and finally we get to see how it looks. And it looks classic with many new and a little weird features, like the Satellite Aided Transmission, a system that helps you use the correct gear depending on the terrain ahead.

But what is so different about this new Rolls Royce is the sportier spirit of the car and to confirm that Torsten Müller-Ötvös, CEO Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, said “The most powerful Rolls-Royce in history, Wraith promises the sense of adventure and speed that drove our founding forefather. But of course, Wraith’s starting point is luxury, refinement and quality, traits that remain as important to Rolls-Royce customers today as they were more than a century ago.”, and indeed it is still a immensely luxurious car.

And the most powerful Rolls Royce ever uses a 6.6 liter twin turbo V12 with 632hp (465kW) @5600rpm and 800Nm (590lb/ft) @1500 to 5500rpm. The top speed is limited to 250km/h (155mph) will accelerate from standstill to 100 km/h (62mph) in just 4.6 seconds. Really good for a car that weighs 2360kg (5203lb). Power is transmitted through an eight speed automatic ZF transmission.

The distinctive fastback designed car has a suspension that was tuned to minimize body roll but there was absolutely no compromise to the sensation of riding on a bed of air even with the 20 inch or the optional 21 inch wheels.

On the inside we have a voice activated navigation system with a 10.25” High Definition screen with Real Time Traffic Information (depends on the market). There is also a Voice Activated Email and Text Messaging. But when you don't want to talk but you want to relax to a classic song, you can take advantage of the 1300W sound system to better enjoy the music.

And the best for last. In the roof liner Rolls Royce installs 1340 individual fiber optic lights for a "a starry night sky within the cabin" effect. The Price for all of this? Depending on the market, starts from €245.000 ($319.250 or £211.150).

Giugiaro (Volkswagen) Parcour X-GT concept looks funky

Volkswagen through ItalDesign Giugiaro presented a curious novelty at the Geneva Motor Show. It looks like some kind Rally Fighter rival and promises to offer supercar performance in all types of terrain. But the best news is that it uses parts from Lamborghini like the engine and gearbox.

The Lamborghini engine used is the 5.2 liter V10 with 550hp mated to an automatic gearbox and four-wheel drive system also borrowed from the Italian brand.

It weighs 1550kg but that doesn't mean it isn't fast. It will accelerate from 0 to 100km/h (62mph) in just 3.6 seconds, with a top speed of almost 320km/h (199mph). Cool numbers for a car that can go off-road, specially if you think that the recently introduced Porsche 911 GT3 is 0.1 seconds faster but has a lower top speed.

I specially enjoy the De Tomaso Pantera look both in the coupe or roadster version.

Renault has a little surprise for us. Its the Clio GT

While the RS version of the Renault Clio was already presented some time ago, the French brand in Geneva decided to show a less sporty version called the GT. And in my opinion it looks better than the RS, at least it has a smaller mouth.

The changes are obvious, it has a different rear and front bumper that looks less aggressive and fits the car better and smaller wheels compared to RS even if the design is almost the same.

There is no information about the engine right now, but normally the GT versions only have cosmetic changes, so you probably won't have any other choice besides the engines you already can choose from.

Source: autowp

2014 Porsche 911 GT3 (991) was also revealed ahead of the Geneva Motor Show [Updated]

One of the most anticipated cars of the Geneva Motor Show is the Porsche 911 GT3 (991) and although still lacking a day to start we can see it very clearly in these pictures. But once again they weren't officially released by the company so we know nothing about the sports car, so we have to wait for the press release.

The new 911 GT3 isn't so different in comparison with its "brothers" but it does have a new front bumper with larger openings, headlamps with a darker inside, an also new rear bumper and an air outlet under the large rear spoiler to help cool down the turbocharged engine.

The engine should be a 3.8 liter flat six possibly with 450hp, but besides the power bump the new GT3 should also be lighter thanks to the use of carbon fiber and the removal of some equipment. The gearbox will be the same one used in other Porsche models, the dual-clutch PDK automatic transmission.

[Update] Seems the new GT3 is more powerful than i thought. While it does have a 3.8 liter engine the power output was raised to 475hp (350kW) with a redline at 9000rpm. It will accelerate from 0 to 100km/h (62mph) in just 3.5 seconds and will have a top speed of 315km/h (195mph). James May won't like this part but it took only 7 minutes and 30 seconds to complete a lap of the
Nürburgring Nordschleife

Price in the USA: $130.400, not including a $950 destination charge
Price in Germany: €137.303 including VAT and national specifications
Sales start in August.