Our Geneva Motor Show superstars

THE sound of heavy metal thunder has been echoing around the halls this past week as supercars and exotica have taken centre stage at the Geneva Motor Show.

While eyeball-flattening performance and futuristic design from makers like Koenigsegg, Zenvo and Lamborghini have grabbed the imagination of the visiting hordes, the carreviewuk team has whistled up its own wish-list from the motoring extravaganza.

Here’s our top five:

Ford GT.

British Grand Prix and Le Mans winner Johnny Herbert was the man at the mic as Ford unveiled this 600bhp stunner that will cost a cool £300,000 when it arrives next year.

Who would have thought it – a Ford for more than the price of a Ferrari. Better believe it because the GT is a gem, and one of 12 performance cars Ford is planning over the next five years.

Aston Martin Vulcan.

Aston’s top dog Andy Palmer has challenged his team to “re-evaluate and expand the high luxury GT sector” in the years ahead.

Described as signalling a key change in the brand’s thinking, Palmer said: “The Geneva show this year marks the first public signs of a revolution at Aston Martin – a revolution we’re calling Second Century.”

Here’s to the next 100 years then – and as we wait for the stunning DBX concept to reach production form, take a glimpse at Aston’s track-only 7.0-litre V12 Vulcan.

3. McLaren 675 LT.

Fancy something seriously hardcore then take a peek at the new supermac, seen as a rival to the Ferrari 458 Speciale.

The 675LT will be the most track-focused, yet road legal, model in the McLaren Super Series, with a power to weight ratio that eclipses established rivals.

With a massive 666bhp on tap it can blast from 0-62 in 2.9 seconds and hit 205mph.

Ferrari 488 GTB.

This replacement for the 488 Italia boasts a 3,902cc turbocharged V8 powerplant producing 660bhp of wallop for a 0-62 acceleration time of 3.0 seconds, 0-124 in 8.3 seconds and a potential top speed of 208mph. Doesn’t look too shabby either.

Bentley EXP 10 Speed 6.

To round things off, a thoroughly British interpretation of a high performance two seater sports car, described as a vision for Bentley’s future and a possible model line alongside the Continental GT.

 

And five that we’ll (if we’re lucky) be able to afford.

Renault Kadjar.

Due this autumn in both two and four-wheel drive versions and a big brother for Renault’s Captur crossover model. Nissan Qashqai buyers are the likely target.

Nissan Sway.

And talking of Nissan, the Sway may still be a concept but it sure as likely will spearhead the Japanese brand’s plan to shake up the compact hatchback scene – and hopefully have the same sort of impact as success stories like the Juke and Qashqai.

SEAT 20V20.

Debbie Harry famously sang about 20-20 vision, so Picture This – SEAT’s view of its first compact SUV.

The plan is to apply the proven Leon Formula, which probably means a few Parallel Lines but hopefully no Plastic Letters.

SsangYong Tivoli.

Korean automaker SsangYong feels its new Tivoli compact SUV will herald a new beginning for the company worldwide.

Taking its name from the Italian town near Rome with a reputation for style, the Tivoli created a real buzz at Geneva. It hits UK streets in May with 1.6 litre petrol or diesel engines and either two or four-wheel drive.

MINI John Cooper Works.

The latest fire-breathing John Cooper Works model boasts a new 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine with MINI TwinPower turbo technology developing 231bhp.

That makes it the most powerful engine ever to be installed in one of the brand’s serial production models, with 0-62mph acceleration in 6.1 seconds if you opt for six-speed Steptronic transmission.