2011 Geneva’s Top 10 new cars

The Geneva Motor Show 2011 has already gone down as one to remember! Given the shear number of new production cars and concepts at the show, it’s fair to say that the automotive industry has shaken off the pain of the past couple of years.

But it seems that the recession has proved to be the mother of reinvention for the car industry, with a host of truly innovative, interesting and exciting new cars making their debut at the Swiss expo.

And you’ve been hooked too, judging from our exception site traffic throughout the show. Here we rank the top 10 new cars.

1. Volkswagen Bulli

Sensational Bulli brings classic van bang up to date, featuring electric drivetrain and seating for six.

2. Alfa Romeo 4C Concept

Alfa’s 4C debuts with 250bhp Giulietta engine and chassis developed by Dallara as evolution of KTM X-Bow.

3. Ford B-MAX

Ford reveals new Fiesta-based MPV at last, featuring unique ‘pillarless’ design.

4. Skoda Vision D

Five-door Vision D concept reveals future design direction for Skoda and offers glimpse of new family car.

5. Lamborghini Aventador

Aventador blasts off to replace Murciélago with hi-tech carbon construction and a 691bhp V12.

6. Saab PhoeniX

Bold new PhoeniX shows brand’s new styling direction and points to look of next 9-3.

7. Toyota FT-86 II

Legendary Celica returns as Toyota debuts close-to-production second FT-86 concept.

8. Fiat 500 Coupe Zagato

Fiat’s 500 gets a coupe makeover from Italian design house Zagato and could preview a production model.

9. Audi A3 saloon

Saloon previews Audi’s next premium family model, joining three-door, Sportback, Avant, Coupe and Cabriolet.

10. Citroen Metropolis

Metropolis revealed in Europe for first time, and production version will top DS range as part of joint venture with Chinese maker.

2011 Lamborghini Aventador

It's the fastest and most powerful Lamborghini ever! Meet the Aventador LP700-4 – the Italian maker’s eagerly awaited Murciélago replacement. And now we've met the latest raging bull face to face, we can confirm that it has all the drama you'd expect from Ferrari's cross-town rivals.

As you can see, it’s a striking design – especially painted in vibrant Argos Orange, named after the Greek city. The shape pays homage to its dramatic Diablo and Countach predecessors, but is heavily influenced by the sharp, edgy look of the limited-edition Reventón, with the rear end of the Estoque four-door blended in.

Under the skin is a one-piece tub constructed entirely from new-generation reinforced carbon fibre. It tips the scales at 147kg, while the whole chassis including aluminium front and rear crash structures weighs only 229kg. And it’s twice as torsionally stiff as the Murciélago’s.

Thanks to that carbon fibre cell, the Aventador is 90kg lighter than the car it replaces, at 1,575kg.

Power comes from a new 691bhp 6.5-litre V12 engine. This is 18kg lighter than the Murciélago’s, and sits 70mm lower in the chassis. It’s nine per cent more powerful and promises a 20 per cent improvement in fuel efficiency. But it’s still thirsty, with the manufacturer claiming returns of 16.4mpg on the combined cycle. It also puts out 398g/km of CO2.

Huge performance is guaranteed. Bosses claim 0-62mph in 2.9 seconds and a 217mph top speed – although insiders say the car has already eclipsed 220mph. By comparison, the ultimate

Murciélago, the LP670-4 Superveloce, offered 3.4 seconds and 212mph.

The new engine revs to 8,250rpm, while there’s much more flexibility in the middle of the range, plus greater low-down torque. Further improvements come from the new seven-speed automated manual box. In its fastest mode, this changes ratios in only 50 milliseconds. It weighs half as much as the old E-gear automated manual, too.

The suspension is a clever F1-style inboard push-rod spring and damper set-up, while a new all-wheel-drive system is more biased towards the rear. Fresh wheels – 19-inch front and 20-inch rear – and huge ceramic brake discs are standard.

Inside are a dramatic centre console, bright digital readouts and touchscreens, and race-style seats. Material quality is improved throughout, while the car gets an electronic handbrake for the first time.

Lamborghini Limo in coming!

Move over, Aston Rapide – the Lamborghini limo is on the way!

The Italians’ fast, edgy Estoque is back on the cards after senior executives at owner Audi threw their support behind the four-door supercar last week.

Lambo first revealed the 
model at the 2008 Paris Motor Show, before putting it on the back burner. But now, senior sources at the German marque have stated that the Estoque is exactly what Lamborghini needs to more than double sales, and gain financial independence.

But Audi has done more than simply comment on the Estoque. By unofficially confirming plans 
for its own A9 limo-coupé, it has 
also given Lamborghini the 
perfect production chassis.

Our source confirmed: “Designing a supercar from a clean sheet of paper is one thing, but a limousine that people 
will drive to work every day... 
well, that’s a different thing, 
and Lamborghini doesn’t have the resources to do it by itself.”

“[Lamborghini boss] Stephan Winkelmann has said the brand needs a third model to give it a product cycle with fewer gaps.”

The super sedan is likely 
to be offered with V10 and V12 engines, and will have the Italian maker’s usual all-wheel drive.

Exclusive Lamborghini Murcielago SV

Just 10 special Chinese Editions of Lamborghini’s supercar to be made

Despite China’s relatively short motoring history, there’s a growing number of multi-millionaire car collectors eager to snap up the hottest exotic metal.

And Lamborghini is keen to tap into this lucrative market. The supercar maker’s sales grew 11 per cent in the country last year, and the arrival of the limited-edition Murciélago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce Chinese Edition aims to cement the firm’s presence in the country.

Not more than 10 SVCEs will be built, each with a special flat grey and orange livery. Every car will feature a numbered plaque with the name of the owner engraved in it too.

There are no mechanical changes, so the 660bhp V12 remains, and the 0-62mph time of just 3.2 seconds and 213mph top speed are unchanged.

Also making its debut at the Beijing show is the Superleggera version of the current Gallardo which has just gone on sale in Lamborghini’s seven Chinese dealerships.

Lamborghini Murcielago

Feast your eyes – Lamborghini has grabbed the bull by the horns and come up with a sensational successor to the Murciélago!

Styled in-house at the firm’s headquarters in Sant’Agata, Italy, it’s the first production model to be penned by design and brand director Manfred Fitzgerald.

It borrows heavily from Lamborghini’s fighter jet-inspired Reventón, and features clean, crisp surfaces, trademark aggressive air intakes and sharply sculpted all-LED lights.

It also gets an active rear wing to improve aerodynamic stability.

But the big news is under the skin. Thanks to Lambo’s latest joint venture the new car will get a carbon fibre chassis, so it tips the scales at less than 1,500kg, down from the outgoing model’s heftier 1,665kg.

Reduced weight and improved aerodynamics are only part of the story, though. A new 7.0-litre V12 engine will produce in excess of 700bhp and 700Nm of torque.

However, fuel economy will also increase to around 23mpg and CO2 will fall from 495g/km to roughly 425g/km, thanks to a clever cylinder deactivation system, which operates under light loads. Top speed will be in the region of 220mph and the 0-62mph time falls from 3.4 to 3.0 seconds, as a result of a new launch control system.

Lamborghini isn’t a fan of the twin-clutch DSG-style gearbox. So, instead, a seven-speed, paddleshift automated manual gearbox will help direct power to the four-wheel-drive system.

Despite the weight savings that could be had by returning to a rear-drive layout, Lamborghini confirms that the car will be all-wheel-drive. However, it will be optimised to reduce friction, and feature parent firm Audi’s torque vectoring system for even better handling.

Inside, the new design means the Murciélago’s offset driving position will be consigned to the history books. Trademark scissor doors will remain, the cabin will be trimmed in carbon and Alcantara, while luxuries will include a hi-tech sat-nav and a jet-style head-up display. The new Lambo will debut at the Paris Motor Show in October and will cost in excess of £300,000.

Lamborghini Superleggera

Lamborghini LP 570-4 Superleggera at Geneva 2010

Lighter and faster Gallardo flagship revealed with 202mph top speed

There’s nothing quite like a new Lamborghini to excite a motor show crowd, and Geneva is no exception! Building on the success of the LP 560-4 and the limited-run rear-wheel drive Balboni edition, this is the new flagship in the Gallardo range.

The idea behind the car is simple; more power and less weight. The 5.2-litre V10’s output has been increased by 10bhp to 562bhp, while 70kg has been stripped from the kerbweight. This was achieved by fitting plastic windows and rear windscreen, as well as various carbon fibre body parts. Even Alcantara is used on the seats instead of leather to save vital pounds.

And the result? A 0-60mph dash in 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 202mph.

According to a Lamborghini spokesman, every exterior modification is to the benefit of downforce. So the enormous front splitter, completely flat underbody and small rear spoiler are all functional, as well as giving the car a meaner new look.

Lamborghini Veneno

Lamborghini to reveal £2.6 million supercar at the 2013 Geneva motor show – and only three will be sold.

Lamborghini is showing what it calls a street-legal supercar, the Veneno – of which only three will be sold, each costing £2.6 million plus tax – at the 2013 Geneva motor show.

According to Lamborghini, its design is focused on maximum aerodynamic efficiency. The Veneno is based on the Aventador supercar, and shares its 6.5-litre V12 engine although in the Veneno it develops 50bhp more, at 750bhp. That, combined with a wind-cheating shape, should mean a top speed of 221mph.

The car's front has been laid out for optimum airflow and downforce. It's recognisably Lamborghini, although the overall look is reminiscent of sports-prototype racing cars. It shares the Aventador's scissor doors.

At the rear, too, sophisticated aerodynamics ensure perfect airflow to the large openings for cooling the V12 as well as supplying intake air.

The smooth underbody terminates in a diffuser framing the four exhaust outlets, while most of the rear of the car – featuring a fin and an adjustable wing – is open.

The complete chassis as well as the outer skin are formed from carbon-fibre-reinforced composite materials, while the interior is a further demonstration of Lamborghini's skill with carbon composites, featuring a couple of patented lightweight materials for the seats and all interior surfaces. The monocoque is based on that of the Aventador, as are the alloy subframes front and rear.

Like the Aventador, the Veneno has a fast-shifting ISR transmission with seven forward ratios and five modes, with drive to all four wheels. It also shares the Aventador's racing-style pushrod suspension with horizontally mounted spring/damper units.

Continuing the Lamborghini tradition, the Veneno name is derived from a particularly aggressive fighting bull.

The Veneno shown at Geneva is Lamborghini's development car, featuring red, white and green accents on the flanks to symbolise the Italian flag. The three customer cars will only have highlights in one of these colours.

How to build your own Lamborghini

(Malay translation needed) Kisah ni berlaku di Ukraine di mana seorang pemuda sudah bosan dengan kereta yang dimilikinya sekarang.  Kereta beliau ialah Mitsubishi Eclipse keluaran tahun 2003. Kereta yang berumur hampir 10 tahun ini sudah tidak mampu menarik perhatian ramai terutama wanita.

Kereta asal beliau, Mitsubishi Eclipse 2003.

Memandangkan beliau tidak memiliki wang yang cukup untuk memiliki sebuah Lamborghini Reventon, beliau  nekad untuk mengubahsuai kereta Mitsubishinya tadi sehingga menyerupai Reventon. Berjayakah beliau?

Lamborghini Reventon.

Kalau beliau masuk pertandingan AUTOSHOW mesti boleh menang besar jika ECLIPSEnya berjaya menjadi REVENTON. Apa kata kaki ubahsuai kereta di MALAYSIA? Berani buat macam ini?

Saksikanlah deretan gambar di bawah ini!

Beliau boleh berbangga kerana berjaya membina sebuah kereta baru dari badan kereta lama. Nak panggil apa? Mitsubishi Reventon? Jika di Malaysia kereta ini kemungkinan akan menjadi sasaran pihak berkuasa jika digunakan di jalanraya!

Tak kisahlah, ini Ukraine bukan Malaysia. Dan akhirnya beliau berjaya juga memenangi sebuah piala di AUTOSHOW tempatan! Syabas! Kaki ubahsuai kereta di Malaysia apa lagi, tak terasa tercabar ke?