We'd have loved to see these premieres at the Geneva Motor Show
The Geneva Motor Show was cancelled last week owing to the coronavirus, meaning that manufacturers have had to reveal their latest wares online. We'd have loved to ogle the following new models in the metal at the fair…
Alfa Romeo Giulia GTA and GTAm
As a 110th birthday present to itself, Alfa Romeo has revealed the Giulia GTA. Limited to just 500 examples, the car is a homage to the legendary Giulia Sprint GTA from the 1960s. In addition to the hefty 100kg weight saving over the Quadrifoglio, the GTA received a 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 that kicks out 540HP and an aerodynamic package honed by the wizards at the Sauber Formula 1 team. Potential BMW M3 and Mercedes-Benz C63 customers now have even more of a headache making a decision. Meanwhile, the Giulia GTAm is an even more uncompromising variant designed for the track.
Alpine A110 Légende GT and A110S Colour Edition
Alpine were due to reveal two special edition versions of the A110 at the Geneva fair. Firstly, there's the Légende GT. Limited to 400 cars, priced at 69,300 euros apiece, it's a posh, plush version clearly focused on Grand Touring (though you still get a sports exhaust and the otherwise optional Brembo brakes). We particularly like the copper weave in the carbon-fibre bits and pieces and the gold detailing. Secondly, there's the Colour Edition, a boldly painted variant based on the A110S finished in Alpine's historic shade of 'sunflower yellow'. Apparently, there will be an updated Colour Edition every year, painted in a different historical shade. Strictly limited, it will cost 71,000 euros.
Aston Martin V12 Speedster
Perhaps the most remarkable thing about the new F-18 fighter jet-inspired Aston Martin V12 Speedster is that not all of the 88 examples poised to be built are yet sold. Which means that if you missed out on Ferrari's SP2 Monza and McLaren's Elva, and have a spare £765,000 lying around, you could park your bottom in this 5.2-litre twin-turbocharged V12-powered drop-top rocket.
Bentley Bacalar
Bentley has followed the prevalent luxury market trend and expanded the capabilities of its traditional Mulliner personalisation department. From now on, expect to see more bespoke limited-edition coach-built cars based on its current models. Just 12 of these Continental GT-based Bacalars will be built, priced at a staggering £1.5m each. And that's excluding taxes. You can't have one, though – Bentley's already sold them all, which probably made the news that Geneva was cancelled a little easier to bear.
BMW has expanded its electric portfolio with the new i4 saloon, which shares its platform and design language with the BMW 4 Series Coupé and is poised to compete directly against the Tesla Model 3. The handsome car is scheduled to go into series production in 2021.
The first of two versions of the Chiron poised to be revealed by Bugatti in 2020, the Pur Sport trades the 'standard' car's emphasis on outright performance for a more dynamic package. Power is unchanged at 1,500HP (should be plenty), but the bodywork has been dramatically honed for aerodynamic optimisation, culminating in that goliath fixed rear wing; there are new brake-ventilating 'Aero' wheels; and the chassis has been stiffened for enhanced agility. Weight is down by 19kg, thanks predominantly to lightweight exhaust system made of 3D-printed titanium. Overall, the car looks positively mad – the Dr. Hyde to the Chiron's Mr Jekyll. Just 16 examples will be built, priced at a typically Bugatti-esque 3.2m euros.
With its third 'Long Tail' model, the 765LT, McLaren Automotive has once again created a track-oriented supercar built solely with uncompromising performance in mind. There's a lot of know-how and componentry from the mighty Senna employed here, which is encouraging as the 765LT costs just a third of its big brother at around £275,000. The 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 now kicks out 765HP and propels the lightweight track-day special from 0–62mph in an unbelievable 2.7sec. Unlike the uncapped 600LT that preceded it, the 765LT will be aptly limited to 765 pieces. That's music to collectors' ears.
McLaren GT Verdant Theme by MSO
This variation of the GT shows what McLaren's Special Operations department makes possible. Painted in an artful triple-green livery, accented with hand-painted pinstripes and upholstered with grey cashmere, this is a special edition we actually really like.
Families and polygamists around the world have been impatiently waiting for this: the Koenigsegg Gemera is the world's first 'mega GT' that can accommodate four people. With its hybrid drive, comprising three electric motors and a tiny 2.0-litre three-cylinder carbon-neutral engine that produces a staggering 590HP, there's a mind-bending 1,700HP on tap here. You'll want to make sure your children are securely strapped in when you can sprint from 0–62mph in 1.9sec. The only question that remains is what the Gemera is going to cost.
Despite the fact that every Porsche 911 now has a turbocharger beneath the boot-lid, the Turbo S remains the daddy. The new 992-generation flagship impresses with a new twin-turbocharged 3.8-litre flat-six that produces 650HP (that's 75HP up on the previous model) and 800Nm of torque. That's enough to propel the car from 0-62mph in 2.7sec. As is typical, both the coupé and convertible versions are available to order right now.
Pininfarina Battista Anniversario
The fully electric Battista by Automobili Pininfarina has not even hit the road yet, but the start-up simply could not miss out on celebrating the illustrious Turinese design studio's 90th anniversary with a special edition version. Just five of these Battista Anniversarios will be built, featuring a more aggressive body package, new 21-inch forged aluminium wheels and a bespoke rear wing. Oh, and a desperately complicated hand-painted anniversary livery comprising Pininfarina's three signature colours: Bianco Sestriere, Grigio Antonelliano and Iconica Blu. 'The price?' we hear you cry. A cool 2.6m euros.