As the doors opened, the first day of the 2013 Geneva motor
show was always going to be about one unveiling, the replacement for the
Ferrari Enzo. For Ferrari a new flagship is more than just a new car, it’s a new
benchmark to beat, an industry standard. Furthermore, all the technology and
engineering in this car will trickle down through the range for years to come. This
is arguably the most important car of the decade.
The new car was kept well under wraps until the official
launch, meaning anticipation at the unveiling was sky high. But my god it was
worth the wait. Apart from a slight hiccup with the name; the phrase “I drive a
Ferrari LaFerrari, doesn’t sound too cool”, the LaFerrari is cool from bumper
to bumper. Borrowing the sweeping headlights and a couple of curves from the
gorgeous 458 Italia, the ‘La’ looks crisp and modern. An aggressive front end defined
by a monstrous vent angled into the bonnet is complemented by a beautifully low,
sleek profile which flows to a simply detailed back end suggestive of its F1
connections.
The numbers are even more attractive. Ferrari has combined a
6.3 litre V12 with an electric motor in order to deliver a whopping 949bhp. That’s
enough to topple Mclaren off its technological high horse. This is Ferrari’s
fastest ever production car, with a top speed of 217mph it’s surely a gift from
the Gods.
Increasingly a thorn in Ferrari’s side, McLaren have also
introduced a new head of the family in the form of the P1. This launch lacked
the wow factor of the Ferrari’s as details and images of the P1 were leaked
well in advance. The styling is most definitely born out of function rather
than fashion and with 903bhp on tap blended with McLaren’s engineering
wizardry, you are looking at a car that will more than challenge Ferrari on a
track. However, as with the battle of the 458 and 12C,to my mind Ferrari have
emerged victorious by coming out with something utterly ground-breaking, both
in style and substance.
Also worth a mention on day one is the Rolls Royce Wraith, a
Roller aimed at those who prefer to drive rather than relaxing in the back. The
drive shouldn’t be too taxing, however, as this car has the ability to scan the
road ahead and select the correct gear accordingly. If that sounds too calming,
then the power should make your pulse quicken. This is the fastest, most
powerful Rolls Royce ever made with 6.6 litres churning out a whopping 624bhp. Rolls
Royce have made a point of emphasising this
with their design. With a sloping coupé body and two tone bodywork, the Wraith
brings to mind pure luxury of 1920’s motoring. This is a car Jay Gatsby would
drive. A squatter radiator grill and
thin headlights give a real impression of speed and high class motoring. Don’t expect
any Nürburgring records to be broken, but do expect ultimate luxury and mountains
of power. All in all a very cool way of getting from A to B.
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