Supercars and Switzerland have a natural affinity – one that goes into overdrive every March with the annual motor show. What is in the frame to be the supercar star when the show opens its doors on March 7th? Here are GRR’s likely seven…
MAR 01st 2017
Seven supercars set to storm Geneva 2017
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McLaren Super Series
Second-gen Super Series, taking up where the 12C, 650S and 675LT left off, is already a little familiar from internet leaks and an information drip-feed. We know a bit about the Ferrari fighter’s 4.0 engine, aero, new carbon cell and active handling technology, but we don’t know how much power it has (and therefore what its badge will say) or what it looks like – that’s promised to be a major revamp of the previous style.
Star quality? 9/10. It could be all the supercar you need.
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Ferrari 812 Superfast
Power – however it is produced – is going to be a big Geneva theme, and it’s one the new F12 replacement doesn’t shirk from. With a wholesome 789bhp, it’s Ferrari’s most powerful production car ever. And and there’s not an electric motor, hydrogen fuel cell or jet turbine (see Techrules) in sight…heavens, this monstrous blast from the past with the evocative 1960s name doesn’t even have a turbocharger! Naturally-aspirated V12s rule, ok!
Star quality? 8/10. What a way for the naturally-aspirated V12 to bow out!
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Techrules
It’s China’s first stab at a supercar, has 1030bhp and was designed by Giugiaro father and son, but for many, the most interesting thing about the Techrules is under the bonnet – where to go with the car’s aircraft-inspired looks is an aircraft’s turbine generator. It’s only a micro one but it still spins at 96,000rpm in order to make electricity to charge up the batteries that power the wheels. The Chinese R&D company behind it sums it up as a turbine-recharging plug-in hybrid range-extender electric vehicle (or TRPHREEV?) but we’ll just call it amazing – what else could you call something that does 217mph, 0-62 mph in 2.5 seconds and returns 1,569mpg?
Star quality? 6/10. We’ll reserve judgement until we see it working…
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Italdesign Automobili Speciali
The design studio created by master designer Giugiaro, and now owned by the VW group, will have its own supercar in Geneva and while there are no turbines here (“just” the 600bhp V10 from the Audi R8) it is a significant new model – the first Italdesign “own label” car that we can buy. But only five are going to be made for the “deluxe collectors’ market” and that means a seven-figure price tag. It’ll do 205mph, get to 62mph in 3.2 seconds, is made largely of carbon-fibre, has advanced aero and, we reckon, looks pretty cool – especially the go-faster stripes!
Star quality? 8/10. Who wouldn’t want to own an Italdesign original?
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Dendrobium
Dramatic looks and dramatic pace are on offer from Singapore’s first supercar, created in partnership with Williams Advanced Engineering. Named after the dendrobium orchid, the car’s roof and doors open up like the petals of the flower – they say, though this party trick is under wraps under the Geneva debut. As are the tech details; all we really know is that it’s all-electric and will deliver hypercar levels of performance.
Star quality? 7/10. Coming from anyone else you’d have doubts, but this is a Williams…
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Fittipaldi EF7 Vision Gran Turismo by Pininfarina
A track-optimised supercar developed by an F1 world champion and two-time Indy 500 winner, and designed and made by Pininfarina? If that sounds too good to be true watch this space because that is what Geneva this year is going to deliver. Emerson’s objective is to make a “fast and forgiving” supercar for the track using all his circuit-driving knowledge to “create a new experience that will elevate the driving ability of all supercar enthusiasts, whatever their skill level.” Ingredients are carbon monocoque with carbon panels for 1,000kg weight, and a normally-aspirated 600bhp V8 with one eye on reliability and low-cost maintenance. We have only had clues to its looks so far, but, hey, it’s from Pininfarina…
Star quality? 7/10. Not much not to like so far – bring it on!
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Pagani Huayra Roadster
Some supercar drivers are never satisfied until they can take the roof off, and this year at Geneva all their dreams will surely come true in the shapely form of the new Huayra Roadster. Well, they will come true if they have their order in – only 100 of the €2.28 million (plus taxes) cars are to be made and they are all already spoken for. It’s a sensational looker for sure with so many to-die-for details, a real coming together of art and craft…and yes brutal performance too. Commendably lighter than the Huayra coupe on which it is based, the twin-turbo V12 754bhp carbon and titanium machine will get to 62mph in around 2.8 seconds and top out at about 238mph.
Star quality? 9/10. Have one instead of a Van Gogh…
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