The Geneva Motor Show is already one of the most popular car shows in the world for presenting top-class exotic cars or new sports cars. But this year the exhibitors seem to want to outdo each other and to attract the visitors from 02. March to 12. March 2006 with even stronger. Even more noble super sports car under its spell. And they not only try, they also do it.
© Photo: Speed Heads
The announcements of the world premieres that we at Speed Heads reported on in advance were already very promising. On site the promising impression is confirmed: Geneva presents itself this year as a true Eldorado for the car enthusiast. Rarely has there been such a parade of new, performance-oriented automobiles, which we present in a large photo gallery.
Dark and aggressive appears the new Lamborghini Murciélago LP640, which with its 640 hp and a top speed of 340 km/h may well be called a pure driving machine. Almost hidden, Lamborghini shows the Miura Concept to a select audience in its lounge; the design study continues the line of the legendary Lamborghini Miura of the 1960s and is actually to be built again.
© Photo: Speed Heads
Ferrari's Italian rival presents the 599 GTB, its most powerful series-production model ever, powered by a V12 engine. The engine with 5.99 liters capacity comes directly from the super sports car Enzo and produces 620 hp in the 599 GTB. The power-to-weight ratio is an impressive 2.6 kg/hp. This means that the 599 GTB is likely to provide breath-taking orgies of acceleration. For those who want to experience the thrill of open-top speed at 345 km/h, Pagani offers the Zonda Roadster F; 650 hp from a 7.3-liter naturally aspirated V12 engine should make your hair a little fuzzy.
And the Swedes from Koenigsegg, who officially hold the world record for the fastest road-legal production car with a top speed of 388 km/h? They go one better and underline their top position with the new CCX. The 806 HP strong V8 engine is conceptually identical with the world record vehicle, but by a revision of the total concept the CCX is to reach a maximum speed of over 395 km/h; the 100 km/h mark is passed by the way after 3,2 seconds.
© Photo: Speed Heads
Porsche triumphed with two world premieres: the new 911 GT3 and the new 911 Turbo. The GT3 sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds and ends its propulsion at 310 km/h. A 415-hp 3.6-liter boxer engine provides the power and propulsion. With a rev limit of 8.400 revs, the new GT3 is the world champion in its displacement class. The new Turbo with the optionally available Tiptronic S automatic transmission achieves the same top speed with 480 hp and 620 Nm, passes the 100 km/h mark in just 3.7 seconds during the standard sprint and reaches the 200 km/h mark in just 12.2 seconds.
The four-seater Audi RS 4 Cabrio is quite emotional. The makers discreetly packaged a V8 engine with 420 hp. Never before has there been so much power in an open-top production Audi. This is the first time a manufacturer has used a combination of gasoline direct injection. High-rev concept – speeds of up to 8 rpm are possible.250 rpm.250 rpm. But the prestigious "Convertible of the Year 2006" award is still to be won goes to another beautifully designed convertible, the new Alfa Romeo Spider, with which the Italians aim to continue the glorious tradition of the Giulietta Spider of the 1950s through to the legendary Duetto and the Alfa Spider of the 1990s.
© Photo: Speed Heads
Compared to the premieres of the super sports cars, the new driving machines from BMW with the Z4 M Roadster and Mercedes-Benz, which are also showing very potent performance cars with the CLS 63 AMG and CLK 63 AMG, are almost in the background. But they are also real powerhouses. The 6.3-liter V8 engine with 514 hp from the CLS 63 AMG is specifically the most powerful and torquey series-produced naturally aspirated eight-cylinder engine in the world.
The Dutch manufacturer Spyker is known for its extravagant vehicles and is presenting its first SUV, the "D12 Paris-to-Peking", in Geneva. Spectacular looks, pure luxury in the interior, and a W12 engine from Audi that produces 500 horsepower characterize this exquisite multi-purpose vehicle, which is said to be capable of 295 mph.
© Photo: Speed Heads
But it is not only this selection of sensational vehicles that causes astonishment in the faces of the visitors to the Motor Show. Many small cars are turning into real beasts as standard to show the "big boys" on the road, while the concept cars give us a glimpse of the sporty future.