Mini Cooper Countryman Park Lane edition unveiled 2016

Boasting a host of unique styling touches, the 2016 Mini Cooper Countryman Park Lane made its debut in Geneva. To be offered in Cooper, Cooper S and Cooper S All4 models, this latest variation on the theme takes its name from a high-end district in the London borough of Mayfair. The Countryman will be the third Mini model to carry this distinctive badging, which was first used by the automaker in 1987

The basic changes on the Park Lane Mini start with unique exterior colors that match an Earl Grey Metallic primary finish with Oak Red accents on various body bits. That tony look is set off with bespoke badging and side scuttle trim, white directional signal indicators and lightweight 18-inch Dark Grey Turbo Fan alloy wheels. The Mini All4 nets its own exterior trim that's optional on the Cooper/Cooper S, while supplemental Oak Red sport stripes on the hood, deck and lower body are optional across the board. Inside, the Park Lane has Oxide Silver door-bezel and cockpit trim, with Cross Stripe Grey for the center console surrounds paired with Carbon Black inlays that also appear on the door panels to add a more upscale character. Lest one forget, the dash and door-sill plates also carry Park Lane badging

Like any other Mini, the new Park Lane will offer plenty of personalization potential that includes the nifty roof rack seen here. Arriving at dealers in July, pricing for all members of the 2016 Mini Park Lane lineup will be announced closer to their actual on-sale date

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Mercedes-Maybach Pullman set for Geneva launch 2017

The second entry into of the new Mercedes-Maybach sub-brand, a Pullman limousine, will make its debut at the Geneva Auto Show, marking the 50th anniversary of the introduction of the best-known Pullman sedan of them all, the 1965 Mercedes-Benz 600. The all-new 2017 Mercedes-Maybach Pullman is an impressive limo, measuring 21.3 feet in overall length, fully 3.5 feet longer than the current Mercedes-Maybach S-Class

Powered by a twin-turbo 6.0-liter producing 523 horsepower and 612 lb-ft of torque, the massive Maybach Pullman has a 14.5-foot long wheelbase to accommodate an interior that features a partition between the driver's seat and the rear passenger cabin that has two rear executive seats that can recline up to 43.5 degrees as well as facing jump seats for two additional riders.  In addition to its impressive length, the Mercedes-Maybach Pullman stands 5.2-feet tall, nearly 4 inches taller than a standard Mercedes S-Class

Unabashed luxury

Quite apart from providing stately and stylish seating for high-ranking passengers in the comfort and spaciousness for which it is famed, the new Mercedes-Maybach Pullman is of course the embodiment of exclusivity at its highest level," commented Ola Källenius, Member of the Daimler AG Management Board responsible for sales and marketing of Mercedes-Benz Cars. "One can sense the significance and greatness of it in every detail

The interior of the Mercedes-Maybach Pullman is upholstered entirely in leather and the center partition features a glass window that can be raised and lowered as well as changed from transparent to opaque at the touch of a button. The rear cabin also features standard window curtains, and a retractable 18.5-inch rear monitor

Unique Pullman design

Unlike the ubiquitous stretch limousines on the road today, the Mercedes-Maybach Pullman S600 features long side doors for easy access, a rear seat positioned behind the vehicle's C-pillar and a generous area at the front of the rear cabin for the power jump seats (which can be deleted at the buyer's option). The standard Burmester audio setup can be upgraded to a Burmester High-End 3D Surround Sound System, while customers are also given the opportunity to individually specify colors, equipment and materials to match their preferences

The prices for unarmored models start at around half a million euros ($566,922). The first customers will take delivery at the beginning of 2016, while the U.S. launch is still to be determined

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Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake -- a wagon we still want 2015

this new wagon -- which remains a Euro-only offering for now - will start hitting showrooms there this month. Like its sedan sibling, the new Shooting Brake offers a choice of gasoline and diesel engines with outputs ranging from 121 horsepower to 355 horses in the range-topping CLA45 AMG - a variant that also comes standard with M-B's 4Matic all-wheel drive which is optional on the other front-drive members of the family

"Like its big brother, the CLS Shooting Brake, the CLA Shooting Brake is targeted at active customers who are looking outside of the mainstream for a car that impresses with a high utility value," notes Ola Källenius, Member of the Divisional Board Mercedes-Benz Cars with responsibility for Marketing & Sales. Those seeking a bit more visual distinction without the added performance and expense of going the full AMG route will be able to choose a limited-run OrangeArt Edition that adds unique orange highlights to the bezels around its the bi-xenon headlamps, rim flanges of the AMG light-alloy wheels and lower fascias as well as orange/black sports seats with orange contrast topstitching

Offered in standard, Urban and AMG Line trims as well as the CLA45 AMG itself, the 5-passenger CLA Shooting Brake features bespoke body bits from the A-pillar back to its smartly raked tail. Both a Panoramic glass roof and power liftgate are included in its roster of upline options. The Shooting Brake's more flowing roofline adds nearly 1.6 inches of additional rear headroom and the available cargo space can be increased from 17.5 to 47.8 cu ft by dropping the near-flat folding backs on its 60/40-split rear seat. There are currently no plans to bring the CLA Shooting Brake to America, although we hope Mercedes reconsiders that decision at some point

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Mercedes-Benz 550 SL Mille Miglia 417 bows 2015

To commemorate the 60th anniversary of the production sports car win by a Mercedes-Benz 300SL in Italy's grueling 1955 Mille Miglia (1,000 mile) road race, the German automaker debuts in Geneva  a limited edition model called the "Mille Miglia 417" that will go on sale in the U.S. later this fall. The original 300SL that won its class in 1955 was piloted by American John Fitch and left the starting gate at 4:17 a.m. in the morning with co-driver Kurt Gessl aboard. Fitch SL's fifth overall finish and class victory has been overshadowed by the record run by Sterling Moss and Denis Jenkinson, which completed the 1,000 road race from Brescia to Rome and back in 10 hours. That duo's overall win came in a competition-only Mercedes-Benz SLR

The anniversary model is based on the 2015 Mercedes-Benz SL550 coupe equipped with a 429-horsepower twin-turbo 4.7-liter V8 engine mated to a 7-speed transmission. Primarily an appearance package, the Special Edition "Mille Miglia 417" is painted black like Fitch's 300SL Gullwing, but it's a matte finish with contrasting red on the front and rear spoilers, brake calipers and rims on the sport alloy wheels, which measure 19-inches in the front and 20-inches in the rear

Cabin highlights

Interior upgrades include AMG Line sport seats, black center console with contrasting red inlays and edging as well as headrests embossed and embroidered with "SL Mille Miglia." Red is also used to outline the door panels and arm rests, while red seatbelts contrast with the black leather seating. The sport steering wheel is wrapped in red and black Nappa leather. Other trim bits are finished in matte carbon, while the black floor mats are edged in red and embroidered with a "1000 Miglia" logo

The SL Special Edition "Mille Miglia 417" will be available as an SL550 in the U.S.  in the fall of 2015, and pricing will be announced closer to the market launch. Current starting price on the standard 2015 Mercedes-Benz SL550 is about $107,000

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Mercedes-AMG GT3 races into Geneva 2015

Heading to customer hands at the end of this year, the GT3 is rumored to foreshadow a range-topping version of the production GT

Although incorporating much of the basic engineering found in the standard GT, this new GT3 racer takes everything up a notable notch. Finished in 

designo Selenite Grey Magno, the car features a wider and more aggressively contoured body that for the most part replaces aluminum panels with lighter carbon fiber. The GT3 matches its larger front intake and aggressive splitter with a downforce enhancing rear spoiler and lower diffuser. Beneath its skin, the Mercedes-AMG GT3 is equipped with a full steel rollcage and a carbon-fiber seat pan

While understandably circumspect about output numbers, Mercedes-AMG does say the new GT3 will be fitted with a "further enhanced" version of the 6.2-liter AMG V8 used in the outgoing SLS AMG GT3 racer. Under FIA rules, the engine will likely be restricted to around 600 horsepower. Whatever the specific pony count, that output is sent to the rear wheels via a new 6-speed sequential racing-style transaxle, which further optimizes the car's weight distribution

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McLaren P1 GTR: On track for greatness

"The best driver's car in the world..."

In creating what it deems has no peer, McLaren Special Operations revisited every functional aspect of the standard P1 supercar in order to extract more performance. The most visible changes can be seen in a deeper front splitter, a wind-channeling lower blade that runs along the P1 GTR's sill area, a revised aft diffuser and a significantly larger rear wing. While fixed, it sits nearly five inches higher off the deck and retains the same F1-style Drag Reduction System with pitch-adjustment found on the P1. Working with articulated flaps ahead of the front wheels, it can increase total downforce by up to 10 percent at 150 mph. New twin exhaust outlets are made from an Iconel/titanium alloy that's nearly 15 pounds lighter than those on the base P1. Closer inspection reveals the glass side and rear windows in the GTR are lighter Polycarbonate and the P1's toughened-glass roof panels are replaced by carbon fiber -- changes that contribute to a total weight reduction of more than 110 pounds. The P1 GTR's more aggressively tuned suspension brings a wider front track and drops the ride height by nearly two inches. Rolling stock changes to 19-inch center-locking alloys wrapped in Pirelli racing slicks

As first seen in the Design Concept, the potent gas/electric hybrid powertrain in the P1 GTR has been thoroughly revamped, adding more robust race-ready components that raise output and add reliability while stripping away street-oriented bits. The remix sees output of the 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 rise from 727 to 789 horsepower while a more efficient electric motor cranks out 197 horses, up from 176 in the P1. Collectively, the pair puts out 986 ponies - 83 more than the baseline stat - and should endow the GTR with stunning acceleration

McLaren will build only 375 copies of the P1 GTR and all will of these $3 million-plus dream machines will be offered only to current P1 owners. Those fortunate enough to afford one also will be able to participate in a McLaren P1 Driver Program that includes a session at the McLaren Technology Center for a seat fitting, vehicle trim discussion and a driver assessment at the firm's Human Performance Center. From there, it will be off to a test at the Silverstone circuit in England then on to the first of six track-day events that will begin on the F1 Circuit de Catalunya in Spain

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McLaren 675LT stretches the performance envelope 2016

Revealed in all of its "long-tail" glory, the new 2016 McLaren 675LT is set to become the most track-focused member of the automaker's Super Series of road-going models. Based on the recently introduced 650S and paying homage to the successful McLaren F1 GTR created for the 1997 24 Hours of Le Mans, the new 675LT's unique aero-optimized bodywork extends its nose-to-tail dimension by a barely perceptible 1.3 inches. This super coupe's enhanced wind-cheating ability is further complemented by a major improvement to its power-to-weight ratio. To accomplish that feat, McLaren trimmed some 220 pounds from the package while upping the horsepower of its bespoke 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 from 641 to 666, a 1-2 punch that pays impressive dynamic dividends

While retaining a clear family resemblance to the 650S, McLaren says that nearly a third of the components in the new 675LT are new. The most visible changes are seen in an extended carbon fiber front splitter, deeper door-side blades and more pronounced cooling intakes. While only marginally longer, the aft section does feature redrawn fenders with integral air vents, new circular titanium exhaust outlets, a more efficient diffuser and a carbon fiber "Longtail" Airbrake that's 50-percent larger than the one on the 605S but considerably lighter

Major engine makeover

Modifications to the engine in the 675LT are even more extensive. With over half of the components new, it even merits a unique M838TL designation. Key changes include more efficient turbochargers, new camshafts and lightweight connecting rods, various detail changes to the cylinder heads and exhaust manifolds plus a faster-flowing fuel pump and optimized delivery system. Still sending power to the rear wheels via a paddle-activated 7-speed sequential shift transaxle, this more potent engine rockets the 2,712-pound 675LT from 0-62 mph in just 2.9 seconds and to 125 mph in less than eight ticks on its way to a 205 mph top end

The cabin of the new 675LT also reflects its competitive ethos, starting with a pair of Alcantara-covered carbon fiber shell-style sport buckets similar to those found in McLaren's P1 supercar. Unlike its other Super Series vehicles, McLaren has integrated the 675LT's air conditioning controls into the modestly-scaled touchscreen of its infotainment system. The 2016 McLaren 675LT is slated to arrive here sometime during the third quarter. Pricing has yet to be released, but is expected to start in the $325,000-$350,000 range

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Lotus Evora 400 U.S. bound 2016

British sports car maker Lotus has taken the wraps off the next generation mid-engine Evora 2+2  and announced that following the European launch this summer, will hit the North American market in the fall as a 2016 model.  Called the Lotus Evora 400, it is the fastest production Lotus ever, according to the company. The 400 refers to the engine output, which sees the previous Evora S 3.5-liter V-6 fitted with a new supercharger that boosts it from 345 to 400 horsepower. Torque has been increased from 295 to 302 lb-ft with maximum torque available from 3,500 to 6,500 rpm

With a top speed of 186 mph, the Evora 400 takes just 4.1 seconds to accelerate from 0-60 mph and has beat the previous production car lap time set by the Evora S on the company's test track at Hethel, England, by 6 seconds. In addition to the engine upgrades, the 2016 Lotus Evora 400 features a new aluminum chassis, updated interior and lightweight composite body panels that give the car a new look

Faster and lighter

In addition to being faster than the model it replaces, it's lighter with the new design shaving 45 pounds from the previous model even though content has been increased. "We have always said that to make a car better, you must make it faster and lighter," said Jean-Marc Gales, CEO for Group Lotus. We have achieved this, of course, but we didn't stop there, as considerable number of changes in the interior, chassis, engine and body design have warranted emphatically the title of a new Lotus Evora

The new Evora 400 features new styling that includes a bolder face with larger cooling inlets and LED daytime running lights. At the rear, the Evora benefits from a new bumper, lightweight composite rear diffuser and a three-element wing. The car has a more aggressive stance and appears lower, wider and more planted on the road. Overall length has increased 1.4 inches and yet a shorter front overhang reduces the approach angle from 11.5 to 10 degrees

Cabin improvements

Among the upgrades to the interior, first and foremost, Lotus had made the Evora easier to get in and out of, thanks to narrower and lower sills as well as thinner inside door panels. All new sport seats are lighter, more aggressively bolstered and supportive. The new bonded aluminum chassis not only has thinner sills without sacrificing stiffness, but also allows for a slightly larger rear seating area that's 11 inches wider. The Evora 400 has three new trim levels including upgrades to full Alcantara or Scottish leather, each package featuring specific detailing

In addition to an all-new dash layout, revised instrument cluster and a lightweight forged aluminum sport steering wheel, the Evora 400 benefits from an all-new climate control system that provides greater airflow and more operator control. Other changes include the incorporation of a stop/start button and the introduction of a new high-end sound system. Lotus, which produces about 45 cars per week, will ramp production up to 70 per week to accommodate the demand for the Evora 400. Pricing will be announced closer to its launch date

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Lexus LF-SA Concept: Ultra-bold city car of tomorrow

Employing avant-garde styling that few would have imagined possible, the Lexus LF-SA Concept rolled into Geneva intent on shaking up conventional thinking. Created by the automaker's European-based ED2 design studio this tiny 2+2 urban runabout has a driver focused character but a look that even Lexus admits is "an audacious interpretation of the brand's design philosophy." That said, the LF-SA Concept also is meant to establish that beyond its well-established luxury leanings, Lexus has a passion for creating driver-focused vehicles with emotional flair

Finished in Stellar Silver with dark roof/door/fender contrast elements, the LF-SA Concept's highly-sculpted bodywork is rendered in what Lexus calls a "Time in Design" form that causes the vehicle's perceived shape change when viewed from various angles. A mere 135.8 inches long - nearly three feet shorter than a Lexus CT 200h - the LF-SA's strong positive and negative exterior surfaces are bookended by equally dramatic fascia treatments. Up front, the most aggressive take yet on the automaker's signature spindle grille moves from a two-dimensional graphic to a solid 3D form as it transitions out from the center logo and melds with the angular hood and fenders. The tail has a similarly edgy flavor with a double-step design of its hatchback set off by distinctive L-shaped lamp clusters, which like the headlights, are full LED units. While Lexus made no mention of the LF-SA's oversize rolling stock, those blender-blade alloys wrapped around custom Goodyear rubber display a menacing 3D character

The LF-SA Concept's cabin also reflects a journey into uncharted territory which Lexus says was "inspired by the spectacle of a solar eclipse." It starts with a sweeping dash that holds a holographic central information display as well as a conventional head-up unit. In keeping with its driver-centric theme, the prime seat in the house is fixed while the steering wheel and pedals are fully adjustable. Access to the LF-SA's fairly diminutive rear perches is gained by sliding the front bucket forward. As one might expect, this intriguing one-off also provides all aboard with state-of-the-art connectivity and safety. It will be interesting to see where Lexus decides to go with this envelope-stretching concept. It's no secret that the automaker has been discussing the possibility of adding a sub-CT 200h model to the family

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Lamborghini Aventador LP 750-4 Superveloce debuts 2015

Serving up more power with less weight, improved aerodynamics and a healthy measure of enhanced technology thrown in for good measure, the 2015 Lamborghini Aventador LP 750-4 Superveloce - SV for short -- bowed at Geneva as a more exotic take on one of the world's most stunning supercars

Based on the Aventador LP 700-4 Coupe, the new SV pushes the limits emerging as "the fastest and most emotional series-production" Lambo ever to roll out of the Sant'Agata Bolognese factory. To help trim 110 pounds from the carbon-composite intense baseline Aventador, Lamborghini engineers further optimized the monocoque and its aluminum subframes and replaced the alloy body panels as well as the new rear wing and air intakes with either carbon fiber or superlight Sheet Molding Compound (SMC). The interior came under the same mass-reducing scrutiny, where carbon fiber door panels and racing style shell buckets lessened mass, as did dispensing with the standard infotainment system - still on offer at no added cost - conventional carpeting and a fair bit of sound insulation. It also boasts a new yellow TFT screen for its digital instrument cluster with a blue upshift indicator and a G-force indicator in the lower part of the main display

Less restrictive exhaust

On the motivation front, upgrades to the Variable Valve Timing and Variable Intake System on its mid-mounted 6.5-liter naturally aspirated V12 coupled with all-new lighter and less-restrictive exhaust plumbing contributed to a gain of 50 horsepower - which works out to 739 horsepower. Redline has also been lifted from 8,400 to 8,500 rpm. Collectively, the revamps improved overall power to weight ratio by 10 percent on the 3,362-pound Aventador SV, trimming its 0-62 mph time by 0.1 second -- to 2.8 ticks - and helping it reach a top speed of over 217 mph

Fed to Lambo's 7-speed ISR automated manual transmission that prodigious power heads to all four wheels via the latest Haldex IV electronically controlled AWD setup. Like the standard Aventador, the SV uses a racing style pushrod chassis with adaptive Magneto Rheological Suspension (MRS) shocks and a new variable-ratio electromechanical Lamborghini Dynamic Steering (LDS) system that adapts to road speed and the Strada/Sport/Corsa mode settings available on the SV's Drive Select system. Other SV touches include 20-inch front/21-inch rear alloy wheels - available with racing-style center locks -- wrapped in Pirelli P Z Corsa performance tires and standard Carbon Ceramic Brakes

To keep the Aventador LP 750-4 Superveloce securely planted at speed and enhance its cornering prowess, the two-seater also benefits from a comprehensive aero tweaking. The front end has a more open appearance with a bolder and deeper splitter and twin wing elements as well as larger air intakes to further improve brake cooling. That same openness carries to the rear treatment, where the 3-way manually adjustable wing is matched with a revised and more efficient lower diffuser separated by a black mesh insert that helps extract heat from the engine compartment. Lamborghini says the revisions optimize the SV's total aero signature by 150 percent and increase downforce by 170 percent compared to the baseline Aventador

The 2015 Lamborghini Aventador LP 750-4 Superveloce goes on sale later this spring and will start at just over $366,000. No word yet on what that figure will be in the U.S. or when the first cars will arrive here

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Koenigsegg Regera: Plug-in supercar boasts nearly 1,500 horsepower 2016

Already well known for producing conventional supercars, Swedish boutique maker Koenigsegg rolled out its latest and arguably greatest creation to date in Geneva in the form of its first hybrid model. Called the Regera - which means "to reign" in Swedish  And with over 1,475 horsepower, the company claims the Regera will be the fastest-accelerating as well as the most powerful production car ever built. Koenigsegg plans to make just 80 copies of the Regera over the course of the next five years, a figure it points out "symbolizes the principle of domination, control and achievement in Pythagorean Numerology." Each is expected to cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $1.9 million

While sharing many visual cues with its Koenigsegg kin, the new Regera has a more elegantly contoured body which is set off with several unique touches including "Constellation" LED running lights that offer a starlike appearance, a panoramic windshield, distinct roof scoop, automatically deploying front/rear aero devices highlighted by an active foldable rear wing made of lightweight carbon fiber and a unique "fishtail" outlet for its sound-tuned Akrapovic titanium exhaust system. The car also features custom carbon fiber wheels

Providing dual-mode motivation for the Regera is a bespoke version of Koenigsegg's own 5.0-liter twin-turbo V8 tuned to make 1,084 horsepower along with a trio of electric motors - one between the crankshaft and the Koenigsegg Direct Drive (KDD) transmission that replaces a conventional gearbox and one at each rear wheel to add extra muscle as well as torque-vectoring - that tally up another 690. That combination also develops a collective 1,475 lb-ft of torque, enough to send the 3,590-pound Regera blitzing from 0-249 mph in less than 20 seconds. Located in a carbon-aramid central tunnel, the Regera's 620V/9.3kWh liquid-cooled lithium battery pack can be replenished on the fly through regenerative braking or via a Level II charger using the port hidden behind its rear badge

In addition to a full hydraulic suspension, active engine and transmission mounts and auto soft-takedown functions on all body closures including its trick swing out/rotate Dihedral Synchro Helix doors, the Regera's length roster of standards list encompasses 8-way power memory-foam seats, a primo Koenigsegg infotainment system, 3G/Wi-Fi connectivity, front/inner/rear camera systems with recording capability, Apple CarPlay and front/rear parking sensors along with remote-diagnostic and firmware-update capability

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