Plenty of New Special Models from the World's Finest Automakers
At any major motor show around the world, new vehicles and concept cars often steal the spotlight away from minor debuts, upgrades and special editions. This year's Geneva motorshow is no exception, but the subordinate list at the Swiss show includes some special edition models from the high-end and performance spectrum. Here's a walk-through in no particular order of some of the new special edition models that will be debuting at Geneva.
Lotus Exige S
The Lotus Exige is a masterpiece of modern motoring. No, it doesn't
have satellite navigation with traffic re-route functions, seats that massage you, or mood lighting, but that's not the point of this car; the Exige just isn't that sort of vehicle. Instead, it's marked its stake as the definitive motorcar for ripping down open road and racetrack, thanks to the unbreakable grip of its air-manipulating downforce, perfectly-tuned suspension and high-revving nature of its 190-horsepower Toyota engine. For the Geneva Motor Show, Lotus has announced a new model of the Exige called the S. It looks like a standard Exige, which in itself appears like something out of a science-fiction novel. The only distinguishing feature is a centrally mounted exhaust pipe.
But as with all Lotus products, there's more than what initially meets the eye. After cranking things up with the limited edition (40 units) 2005 Exige 240R (full preview available in the Lotus archive), which featured a low-pressure supercharger to boost output to 240-horsepower, Lotus decided it had something worthwhile on its hands. The new Exige S is essentially a detuned version of this very rare vehicle, which uses the same state of the art components, but produces a slightly more relaxed 218-horsepower. It's also now a full-fledged production vehicle that can be purchased at any Lotus retailer.
Even
though the Exige S is 22 horses down on the 240R, it's still a blindingly fast machine; 100 km/h from standstill ticks by in a mere 4.3 seconds, making it the quickest Lotus currently in production. The car also has a top speed of 238 km/h (147.9 mph). The options list for the Exige S include Lotus' in-house developed traction control, a lightweight 15 kg (33 lb) air conditioner unit and a Touring Pack which includes a basic stereo system, leather-wrapped steering wheel and carpet, amongst other luxuries. And while this news is simply fantastic, nearly bringing me to my feet in applause, the final line of the press release made me return to my normal and somewhat comatose state: it won't be available in North America. Darn.
Maserati GranSport MC Victory
After winning the prestigious FIA GT Championship on its debut entry
with the MC12, a special supercar based off Ferrari's Enzo, legendary Italian sports car manufacturer Maserati has decided to celebrate its victory with a limited number of customers. While there won't be any freebies, like cake and champagne to indulge in, those with a passion for thoroughbred Italian steeds who just happen to have extra cash in the bank will be sure to enjoy this special edition sports coupe. It's based off of the 'enhanced' GranSport coupe, and has appropriately been named the MC (Manufacturers Cup) Victory.
Almost all of the additions to this celebratory Maserati are aesthetic, with no enhancements to the car's 396-horsepower 4.2-litre V8 engine. The MC Victory is available in a stunning shade of blue and features a new aero kit designed to improve downforce at speed. The bodykit is further distinguished from other GranSports by special blue-weave carbon fibre that is bare and unpainted, as with the MC12. Internally, the GranSport's steering has been honed to give the MC Victory even quicker reaction to input, improving precision and responsiveness.
At any major motor show around the world, new vehicles and concept cars often steal the spotlight away from minor debuts, upgrades and special editions. This year's Geneva motorshow is no exception, but the subordinate list at the Swiss show includes some special edition models from the high-end and performance spectrum. Here's a walk-through in no particular order of some of the new special edition models that will be debuting at Geneva.
Lotus Exige S
The Lotus Exige is a masterpiece of modern motoring. No, it doesn't
 |
| The Exige S - Lotus' quickest and quite possibly strangest looking vehicle in production. (Photo: Lotus Cars) |
But as with all Lotus products, there's more than what initially meets the eye. After cranking things up with the limited edition (40 units) 2005 Exige 240R (full preview available in the Lotus archive), which featured a low-pressure supercharger to boost output to 240-horsepower, Lotus decided it had something worthwhile on its hands. The new Exige S is essentially a detuned version of this very rare vehicle, which uses the same state of the art components, but produces a slightly more relaxed 218-horsepower. It's also now a full-fledged production vehicle that can be purchased at any Lotus retailer.
Even
 |
| (The only giveaway of the S model is the central-mount exhaust pipe. Photo: Lotus Cars) |
Maserati GranSport MC Victory
After winning the prestigious FIA GT Championship on its debut entry
 |
| MC Victory - it's not your club's newest DJ. (Photo: Maserati) |
Almost all of the additions to this celebratory Maserati are aesthetic, with no enhancements to the car's 396-horsepower 4.2-litre V8 engine. The MC Victory is available in a stunning shade of blue and features a new aero kit designed to improve downforce at speed. The bodykit is further distinguished from other GranSports by special blue-weave carbon fibre that is bare and unpainted, as with the MC12. Internally, the GranSport's steering has been honed to give the MC Victory even quicker reaction to input, improving precision and responsiveness.