Porsche 911 GT3 RS -- 493 hp and a seriously bad attitude 2016

Race inspired but fully street legal, the 2016 Porsche 911 GT3 RS made its grand debut in Geneva as the most intensely focused naturally aspirated 911 model to date

Wider, leaner and meaner 

Based on a modified 911 Turbo "widebody," the new 911 GT3 RS boasts a lightweight magnesium roof that helps lower the car's center of gravity as well as carbon fiber hood and decklid plus a number of lesser mass-reducing components that make the new RS variant some 22 pounds lighter than a standard GT3. A deeper, more aggressive front splitter is counterpointed by the car's large, manually-adjustable rear wing, both of which work in concert with unique underbody fairings and vents in the front wheel arches to increase high-speed downforce

At 4.0 liters, the newly revised flat-six in the 911 GT3 RS is the largest and most technically sophisticated naturally aspirated engine in any 911. It makes 493 horsepower -- 25 more than the 3.8-liter in a GT3 - and also develops 339 lb-ft of peak torque, which is 15 more of those critical twist units. Paired with a specially-modified paddle-shiftable version of the automaker's 7-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic and a different final-drive ratio, it can send this super coupe from 0-60 mph in 3.1 seconds and on to a top end near 200 mph. Like the GT3, the PDK in the GT3 RS features a racing style "paddle neutral" declutching capability but the RS also adds a dedicated Pit Speed limiter button

To enable full use of that motive might, the GT3 RS complements bespoke tuning of its Porsche Active Suspension Management chassis that also includes GT3-style rear-axle steering, Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus and a fully variable rear axle differential lock with wider front/rear track dimensions and the most aggressive wheel/tire fitment of any 911 model. Collectively, they endow the rear-drive RS with even better body control, sharper steering response, more agile turn-in characteristics and faster cornering speeds

Inside, the new RS shares much of its basic look and Alcantara trimout with the current GT3 but does feature one significant upgrade in the form of carbon fiber bucket seats. Culled from the 918 Spyder, they provide even more support but weigh less. Like the GT3, the new RS can be upgraded with the Sport Chrono Package that brings the Porsche Track Precision app. It integrates with a smartphone and uses GPS to calculate and log a variety of vehicle performance characteristics from lateral acceleration to lap times that can be downloaded and shared with others. Order books have now opened for the 2016 Porsche 911 GT3 RS. Pricing starts at $176,895 and deliveries are set to commence in early July

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Opel Karl: Slick subcompact previews 2016 Chevy Spark

Making its global debut in Geneva, the new Opel Karl offers an early look at the design -- and likely many of the features  -- expected in the fully remade 2016 Chevrolet Spark that will be officially unveiled next month at the New York Auto Show. Opel's entry-level subcompact 5-door hatchback hopes to impress the European buyers with its contemporary style and operating efficiency coupled with an impressive roster of standard and available features not often offered on vehicles in this segment

Available in three trim grades - Essentia, Enjoy and Cosmo - all versions of the new Karl share the same new GM Ecotec 1.0-liter/3-cylinder turbocharged gasoline unit that makes 74 horsepower. Opel Karl will offer a 5-speed automatic transmission along with the standard manual gearbox as well as an ecoFlex Package that raises its Euro fuel economy numbers to the U.S. equivalent of 55 mpg. Measuring just over 12 feet nose to tail and riding on a 93.9-inch wheelbase, the Karl's user-friendly cabin is relatively roomy by class standards. And lowering the backs on its 60/40 split-folding rear seat can up total cargo capacity to 33.2 cu ft

As for cool tech touches, the new Opel Karl complements its basic stability/traction controls and anti-lock brakes with Hill Start Assist, cruise control and available adjustable steering effort while offering Lane Departure Warning and Park Assist. On the comfort/convenience front, standard/optional items include heated front seats/steering wheel, a power sunroof, Bluetooth phone/audio streaming capability, USB ports and several sound systems. It's hard to imagine that all or at least most of that kit won't make its way over to America as well

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Pininfarina Ferrari Sergio production model bows

The first of six custom-built Pininfarina Ferrari Sergio models made its debut at Geneva, kicking off a year-long celebration of the legendary Italian design house's 85th birthday. This special, introduced as a concept two years ago at Geneva to honor of Sergio Pininfarina, son of company founder Batista "Pinin" Farina, is based on the Ferrari 458

Originally shown as an open barchetta without a windscreen, the production Sergio has a conventional windshield while having an open roof design and yellow paint scheme that recall the original Ferrari Dino Berlinetta. Each of the six limited production models will be painted a different color and have unique interiors. The Sergio, with its open top, is meant primarily for track use

Emphasis custom coachbuilding

The launch of the car emphasizes Pininfarina's heritage of building limited run cars, a tradition extending back to the company's earliest days. The latest limited run cars produced by Pininfarina include the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti K, the Ferrari P4/5, the Rolls-Royce Hyperion and the New Stratos

In taking the wraps off its latest model, Chairman Paolo Pininfarina said "I am proud to celebrate the milestone of 85 years presenting the Ferrari Sergio. It's an exclusive car that embodies the excellence of Pininfarina in designing and manufacturing high quality cars and it's a further exercise on the Ferrari brand, to which we are related by a history that has helped define the most beautiful cars of all time

All six of the cars are spoken for and besides the bold exterior looks, the buyers will get the same running gear as a standard Ferrari 458, which features a 562-horsepower mid-mounted V8 engine driving the rear wheels through a 7-speed sequential shift dual-clutch transmission.  Weighing just over 2,800 pounds, the Ferrari Sergio is said to accelerate to 62 mph in less than 3.4 seconds and have a top speed of nearly 200 mph

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Nissan Sway Concept: Stylish subcompact strikes

With the Nissan Sway subcompact, the Japanese automaker is making a statement that small cars need not be boring cars. Positioned as a possible successor to the Micra, a small hatch primarily sold in Europe, the Sway adapts the design language that has been featured on larger Nissan products like the newly redesigned Murano crossover and Maxima sedan

In introducing the Sway, Nissan's chief of design, Shiro Nakamura, said that the vehicle incorporates the V-motion grille theme, floating roof, kicked-up C-pillar treatment and flowing fender lines that have come to characterize the company's styling philosophy. The 4-door hatch uses rear-hinged back doors and no B-pillar to ease cabin access. The coach-style doors give the car the look of a sporty 2-door

A study of contrasts

By using an orange metallic paint on the roof rails and rocker extensions as well as inside the front air intakes to contrast with the bluish gray interior, the contrast highlights the floating roof design and adds a muscular, planted look to the lower body. Another design signature developed for the car was the boomerang shape to the front and rear LED lighting elements

The Sway also features a glass roof, and an interior with a floating wing-design dash inspired by the IDx concept car. The wing shape was adopted for its elegant simplicity. The result is an interior where function takes a priority, and where nothing is used for purely decorative purposes. Structural elements, for example, are shown as structural elements. The door pulls are designed to be integrated as a part of exposed aluminum struts. Even the three-spoke steering wheel has a 'back-to-basics' simplicity, with a squared off bottom section and aluminum spokes

Back to basics

Just two basic instruments face the driver, with all other functions captured on a large trapezoidal tablet in the center of the dashboard visible - and usable - by both driver and front seat passenger. The lightweight seats have an aluminum structure - once again exposed - and are covered in a premium suede-like fabric partially accentuated with pearl-effect material, featuring stitching techniques more usually found on luxury handbags. Color coordination sees the use of strong blue and orange themes inside, complementing the exterior perfectly

"With this new concept car for Geneva, we are experimenting to see how Nissan might be able to bring fresh ideas to the compact hatchback segment," Nakamura said. While this may or may not be the shape of the next Micra, the car's upscale looks in a small package would be a welcome addition to Nissan's U.S. lineup

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Morgan Aero 8 returns with a new look and better performance 2016

British boutique sports car maker Morgan used Geneva to reveal a reinvented version of the Aero 8 model, which last graced the lineup in 2010. Due to start production this fall and carrying a nameplate introduced 15 years ago, the 2016 Aero 8 will replace the existing Aero Coupe and Aero Supersports models that end their runs in April. Although the 362-horsepower/4.8-liter BMW V8 engine and 6-speed manual or paddle-shift automatic from those two will carry over, the new Aero 8 boasts a makeover that enhances both form and function compared to the cars it supplants -- upgrades that lead Morgan to deem it the most refined Morgan Aero product to date

The Aero 8's remake starts with a new hand-formed aluminum body that retains the classic Morgan design cues but offers a cleaner and more aggressive profile. It can be crowned with a foldaway fabric soft top that tucks neatly behind its two seats and beneath a new rear-opening decklid - a first for Morgan -- or by an optional bolt-on hard shell. Both the front and rear treatments of the Aero 8 are tidier and more aero-friendly. Trimmed in leather and wood, the recast interior incorporates a new dash and climate control system and can be further upgraded with a touchscreen infotainment system and carbon fiber seats as well bespoke detailing packs

Changes that you can't see promise to be even more impressive in shaping the dynamic character of the new Aero 8. Focused chassis reinforcements add significant torsional stiffness to the aluminum-intensive architecture. That gain is leveraged by an all-new double-wishbone suspension with retuned dampers and anti-roll bars as well as a new BMW-sourced limited-slip rear differential. Beyond its substantially improved ride and handling, the new Aero 8 will offer more extensive personalization. Morgan anticipates turning out about 300-350 of these new Aero 8 models over the course of a two-year period, and some of them will be heading to America

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