With finally all our photos from the Geneva Auto Salon added to our gallery, it’s time to wrap up our coverage with some highlights and a couple remarkable finds. From the major manufacturers it was the Volkswagen Group that suprised us the most. Their brands Audi and Lamborghini had, also according to our readers, the highlights of the show at their stands. Of course the Lamborghini LP560-4 was not to be missed and next door Audi showed an amazing supercar concept and two Q7’s with a V12 TDI engine. The Audi R8 V12 TDI Le Mans concept is definately our favorite of the show. Below you can find photos of a number of highlights and remarkable concepts.
Highlights:
Aston Martin V12 Vantage RS
Presented as a concept car at the Geneva Auto Salon, it’s now confirmed to go into production somewhere next year as a very limited edition.
Audi R8 V12 TDI Le Mans Concept
Our personal highlight of the show. Apparently we were not the only ones, since Audi decided to take it into production. Sadly not with the 6.0 V12 TDI powerhouse but with a smaller 4.2 V8 TDI. Sooner or later Audi might still build a V12 version of the R8, in the meantime we managed to get an exclusive peak at the interior of this unique concept car.
BMW M3 Convertible & M3 Sedan
BMW presented both the M3 Sedan as the new M3 Convertible at the Geneva Auto Salon. The new M3 Convertible has a folding hard top, making it one of the most powerful cabrio-coupe’s on the market.
Bugatti Veyron Fbg by Hermes
Bugatti released a new special edition of their Veyron. Together with Hermes they build the Veyron Fbg, included in the 1.550.000 euro price is a tailor made Hermes bag that fits in the front luggage compartment. The first customers can take delivery of their Veyron Fbg late this summer.
Ferrari One-to-One personalization program
Not much news from Ferrari at the Geneva Auto Salon. They only announced their new personalization program for the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti. The 612 Scaglietti will be the first model that can be fully customized to the customers wishes. Ferrari created a special atellier at the factory where every 612 will be build to the customers specifications and details.
Jaguar XKR-S
One of the best sounding sportscars around got a S edition. Although the XKR-S didn’t get any performance upgrade, removing the limiter makes it the fastest production Jaguar since the XJ-220. Upgrades to the suspension, exterior and exhaust add to the sportivity of the XKR-S. Only 200 XKR-S’s will be produced and the first cars will make their way to the customers this summer.
Koenigsegg CCXR
One of the most powerful and fastests supercars at the Geneva Auto Show was the Koenigsegg CCXR. With a full carbon fibre body and a 4.8 liter engine that can be run on bio-fuel it’s definatly one of the highlights of the show. Topspeed should exceed 400 km/h and with only a limit number of 6 CCXR’s to be build it’s one of the most exclusive and extraordinary supercars that one can buy.
Lamborghini LP560-4
The favorite premiere at the Auto Salon of our readers! The Lamborghini LP560-4 is the successor of the Lamborghini Gallardo, and with a 5.2 liter V10 it sprints from zero to 100 km/h in 3,7 seconds and tops out at 325 km/h. This summer the LP560 will replace all Gallardo’s in the showroom, if or when the Gallardo Superleggera will be replaced is still uncertain.
Maserati Gran Turismo S
Like the Jaguar XKR-S for Jaguar, this Gran Turismo S is the fastest production Maserati ever build. The new 4.7 liter V8 with an output of 440hp does the zero to 100 km/h sprint in 4,9 seconds and a topspeed of 295 km/h. The S version of the Gran Turismo also has upgraded Brembo brakes, a new faster MC Shift gearbox, new wheels and a number of other interior and exterior upgrades.
Maybach 62 Landaulet
Maybach presented their prestigious Landaulet convertible in Geneva. It will be build in a limit number of only 20 Landaulet’s and will cost around 900.000 euro. Under the hood you can find the same 612 hp V12 that can also be found in the Maybach 57 S and 62 S.
Mercedes SL 63 AMG
Highlight at Mercedes at the Geneva Auto Salon was the new Mercedes SL. Mercedes showed the SL 63 AMG that comes with the well known AMG V8 with 525 hp and the all-new AMG speedshift MCT 7-speed sports transmission.
Pagani
Sadly Pagani didn’t show us the new Pagani Zonda R. But their current lineup with the Pagani Zonda F and the Zonda F Roadster remains a must-see!
Rolls Royce Phantom Coupe
Presented less then a month ago and already all 200 Phantom Coupe’s are sold! The Rolls Royce Phantom Coupe clearly appeals to a wider audience since two out of three buyers of the new Coupe have never owned a Rolls Royce before. Rolls Royce is currently setting up the production facilities for the Phantom Coupe and the first customers can expect their new Rolls Royce early 2009.
Spyker C8 Aileron
Spyker released this long-wheelbase version of the C8 laviolette in Geneva. The Spyker C8 Aileron has the same 4.2 liter V8 giving the C8 Aileron a topspeed of more than 300 km/h.
Concept cars and other interesting cars:
Rinspeed Scuba Concept
This is the only car that can drive, float and dive! Reminding us of the Lotus Esprit James Bond took for a dive in The Spy Who Loved Me, the Rinspeed Scuba is a unique concept car that even in the list of Rinspeed concept cars stands out of the crowd.
Zagato Bentley Continental GTZ
Had enough of your Continental GT? Zagato build a special version of the Continal GT and dubbed it the GTZ. The two-tone paint and totally redesigned front and back certainly looks different.
Mansory
Mansory showed three interesting customized supercars in Geneva. The Renovatio SLR is based on a McLaren SLR and has a matt-gold paintjob and gold leather interior. The engine has been tweaked to deliver an increased output of 700 hp enough for a topspeed of 340 km/h and an increased zero to 100 km/h by 0,2 seconds.
The second Mansory creation presented in Geneva was the Ferrari 599 GTB Stallone edition. With 100 extra horses it has 720 hp ready under the gaspedal enabling the owner to reach a topspeed of 340 km/h. Both the exterior and interior has been enhanced with a lot of carbon fibre, including a mighty carbon wing that looks like a bit of overkill.
Last but not least Mansory showed their Mansory Bel Air Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead. The interior has been completely redone with a number of fine and exclusive materials in a very flashy color combination. With the Bel Air Mansory left the engine of the Phantom Drophead untouched but added 22 inch rims and a high performance braking system developed by Brembo.
For more concept cars and photos from the Geneva Auto Salon 2008 visit our gallery.
