Home - Automobile Reviews - European Exotica at Geneva: Two Italians, Two Brits


European Exotica at Geneva: Two Italians, Two Brits

Plenty of New Special Models from the Worlds 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 years 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. Heres 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 doesnt have satellite navigation with traffic re-route functions, seats that massage you, or mood lighting, but thats not the point of this car; the Exige just isnt that sort of vehicle. Instead, its marked its
The Exige S - Lotus quickest and quite possibly strangest looking vehicle in production. (Photo: Lotus Cars)
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, theres more than what initially
(The only giveaway of the S model is the central-mount exhaust pipe. Photo: Lotus Cars)
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. Its 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, its still a blindingly fast machine; 60 mph
MC Victory - its not your clubs newest DJ. (Photo: Maserati)
from standstill ticks by in a mere 4.2 seconds, making it the quickest Lotus currently in production. The car also has a top speed of 147.9 mph.  The options list for the Exige S include Lotus in-house developed traction control, a lightwieght 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 wont be available in North America. Darn.

Maserati GranSport MC Victory

After winning the prestigious FIA GT Championship
Blue inside and out. Even carbon fibre weave on MC Victory is blue! (Photo: Maserati)
on its debut entry with the MC12, a special supercar based off Ferraris Enzo, legendary Italian sports car manufacturer Maserati has decided to celebrate its victory with a limited number of customers. While there wont 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. Its 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 cars 396-horsepower 4.2-liter V8 engine. The MC Victory is available in a stunning shade of blue and features a new aero kit designed to improve downforce
Crewe may have just turned 60, but the Continental is hip and young. (Photo: Bentley Motor Cars)
at speed. The bodykit is further distinguished from other GranSports by special blue-weave carbon fiber that is bare and unpainted, as with the MC12. Internally, the GranSports steering has been honed to give the MC Victory even quicker reaction to input, improving precision and responsiveness.
Inside, the luxurious, hand-finished interior features plenty of that special blue-weave carbon fiber trim, including the seat frames, while the door panels, headliner, and steering wheel are all trimmed in grippy Alcantara. Though it wont be as limited in production numbers as the MC12, only 180 sequentially numbered units will be produced, making it a rare item indeed. Pricing will be announced closer to its launch in May, but with a vehicle as special as this, its going to have a hefty window sticker.


The Bentleys discs are the size of pizzas. No hyperbole! (Photo: Bentley Motor Cars)
bold;">Bentley Diamond Series

Although the Bentley name is nearly a century old, 2006 marks the 60th anniversary of Bentleys main Crewe factory; the brands main assembly location for the majority of its cars. These include the stately Arnage sedan, new Azure convertible and stunning Continental GT (at least until some of its production gets transferred to VWs Glass Factory in Dresden, Germany to quench high demand). To commemorate this occasion, Bentley will release two special edition Diamond Series vehicles at the Geneva Show.

The Diamond Series Continental GT is a dressed up version of the Mulliner Driving Specification package for standard Continental coupes. Here, the car gets three new bespoke paint colors, solid aluminum and piano key lacquer interior trim, mesh grille, diamond-quilted leather upholstery and beautiful 14-spoke, 20-inch wheels. And just why does the Continental need such big wheels? The Diamond Series features
Diamond Series also applies to stately Arnage sedan. (Photo:Bentley Motor Cars)
the worlds largest brakes to be fitted on a production car: 16-inch diameter carbon ceramic disc brakes, which literally fill up the entire wheel. Anything less than 20 inches wouldnt clear.

The second vehicle in the Diamond Series is a special edition Arnage, which wears a similar visual treatment as the Continental. Available in 400- and 450-horsepower versions of its 6.75-liter turbocharged V8, this Arnage features unique 19-inch alloy wheels, a mesh grille and a unique winged-B hood ornament, but doesnt get the Continental GTs ceramic discs. Inside, one can find the same diamond-pattern leather (be it regular leather, ostrich leather or whatever other hide you wish), however, the main trim theme is diamond-patterned wood, as opposed to aluminum alloy or lacquer.

Both the Continental GT and Arnage Diamond Series vehicles will be produced in limited numbers; Bentley plans to make 400 Continentals but only 40 Arnages. While we werent able to bring you any good news about the Exige or the MC Victory, out of the 60 Arnages made,
Stunning droptop further accentuated by unpainted carbon fiber bodywork. (Photo: Pagani)
half of the production run will be sent to North America. Pricing for these special models will be announced closer to their date, but quite frankly, if you had to ask, theyre not for you.

Note: The Arnage pictures located in the Gallery are of the 2005 Arnage Blue Train Edition, not the Diamond Series.
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