Motor Shows are a great platform for manufactures to showcase their latest innovative designs and ideas, with everything from new frugal engines to weird sculpted concept proposals.
But let’s be honest – most of us just want to drool over the latest luxury models that can go ludicrously fast.
As that is the case, we thought it fitting to gather all the best models at this year’s show that offer either luscious luxury, supreme sportiness – or both. Enjoy.
Ferrari 488 Spider
Ferrari’s latest creepy crawly – or Spider to you and me, offers open-top driving for fans of the 488 Coupe model. As it is based on the hardtop, it features the same 4.0-litre turbo-charged V8 producing a colossal 660bhp, with peak torque of 760Nm coming in at 3,000rpm.
This powertrain means it can sprint from zero to 62mph in a mere three seconds. Ferrari also states that throttle responsiveness has been improved to a time of just 0.8 seconds, which the company says “essentially eliminates turbo lag.” Steering responsiveness has also reportedly been improved by nine per cent.
There is also a Retractable Hard Top available, which can be raised or lowered in 14 seconds.
Alfa Romeo Giulia
It may not look as sporty as the 4C, but it can certainly hold its own. The new Alfa Romeo Giulia is available with a 503bhp 3.0-litre V6 Bi-turbo petrol that can hit 62mph from a standing start in just 3.9 seconds – which means it is around half a second quicker than the 4C.
Available in rear or four-wheel drive, the Giulia offers an aggressive saloon-style shape, adding aggressive design traits to a typically prima and proper shape, much like Jaguar does with its sporty saloons like the XFR-S.
Boasting that it has the best torsional rigidity in its class, Alfa sums up its new Giulia model with this simple Italian phrase – ‘la meccanica delle emozioni' (the mechanics of emotion).
Bentley Bentayga
Yes, Bentley have made an SUV – for the first time ever. And with the Bentley name comes certain luxurious expectations. For example, on the inside there are 15 different colours for the upholstery, seven different wood veneers to choose from, an optional refrigerator and even a solid gold Breitling clock.
So, is it all mouth and no trousers when it comes to performance? In short, no. The Bentayga is now officially the most powerful SUV ever, with a 6.0-litre W12 engine punching out 600bhp and boasting a zero to 62mph sprint time of just 4.1 seconds.
The new Bentayga is even rumoured to be sold out for next year already. Never mind, you will have to find another way to spend £160,000.
Porsche Mission E
The Tesla Model S may soon have a worthy adversary thanks to the new Porsche Mission E concept. This new all-electric sports car boasts 582bhp and a zero to 62mph sprint time of just 3.5 seconds.
Porsche also claims that it offers a range of 310 miles off a single charge and with the use of an 800-volt port, an 80 per cent battery capacity charge time of just 15 minutes.
Its design isn’t too shabby either. Standing 1,300mm off the ground and featuring 21-inch wheels at the front and 22-inch at the rear, it delivers power through all four wheels.
Porsche 911
As well as a foray into the electric revolution, Porsche is also updating one of its classics, the 911.
The 911 Carrera is getting new turbocharged engines, which results in an extra 20bhp across the range. This means the Carrera now offers 365bhp and the Carrera S 414bhp. Each new turbocharged 911 engine also gets an increase of 60Nm of torque.
For the first time ever, Porsche is also offering variable driving modes via a switch on the steering wheel, allowing drivers to choose between “Normal”, “Sport”, “Sport Plus” and “Individual”.
