2013 Geneva motor show Editors' Choice Awards
“LaFerrari is easily the most memorable car at the show,” said news editor Greg Migliore.
The Geneva motor show is one of the most decadent in the world. It's synonymous with supercars -- the most exotic and rarest from all comers. But sometimes, handling and style win out over pure power, and our annual Editors' Choice awards are evidence of that. Here are the winners:
Best in Show: Ferrari LaFerrari
GEORGIA CHAPMANLaFerrari puts out about 950 hp, which is derived from a 789-hp V12 supplemented by a 161-hp hybrid system.
Consider the Enzo replaced. It took a decade, but clearly it was worth the wait, at least for the lucky 499 who get to pay about $1.5 million for the most powerful Ferrari ever. LaFerrari puts out about 950 hp, which is derived from a 789-hp V12 supplemented by a 161-hp hybrid system. Significantly, LaFerrari is the first car designed by the company's in-house styling team in recent memory (not Pininfarina), crafting a performance-oriented, aerodynamic appearance. Oh, and it's faster than the Enzo.
“LaFerrari is easily the most memorable car at the show,” said news editor Greg Migliore. “Years from now, we'll always remember how we were taken with the looks and superlative power of the successor to the legendary Enzo. From the raw performance to the striking appearance, everything about LaFerrari is breathtaking.”
Others considered: McLaren P1
Most Significant: Mercedes-Benz CLA
“The CLA opens up the world of Mercedes -- and, as Willem Dafoe said, 'all that goes with it' -- to a whole new generation of buyers,” explained Mark Vaughn, senior editor, West Coast.
It's not every day that a new Mercedes-Benz comes out -- well, with the Mercedes AMG and Black Series editions, maybe it is just about every day -- but rarely does an affordable, attractive, entry-level Mercedes bow. Thus the CLA, at around $30,000 to start, can be afforded by just about anyone who would have otherwise purchased a far more pedestrian midsize ride. With a 208-hp 2.0-liter turbo four driving the front wheels, and 4Matic all-wheel drive coming later, this baby Benz means far more people can enter the Mercedes family and, as Benz hopes, stay there.
“The CLA opens up the world of Mercedes -- and, as Willem Dafoe said, 'all that goes with it' -- to a whole new generation of buyers,” explained Mark Vaughn, senior editor, West Coast. “And it does it much better than the old C230 Kompressor hatchback ever could.”
Others Considered: Volkswagen XL1
Best Concept: Italdesign Giugiaro Parcour
Italdesign Giugiaro unveiled the mid-engine all-terrain Parcour.
Italdesign Giugiaro celebrated its 45 years in business at Geneva, unveiling the mid-engine all-terrain Parcour. Actually, the design house showed two: a coupe and a convertible. Texts and tweets among Autoweek editors on the Geneva floor included one that said, simply, “I'm obsessed by the Parcour.” There were many more of similar tone, so we named it our Best Concept.
What exactly is the Parcour? Giugiaro described it as a “type of GT car that did not exist until now … an SUV designed for any terrain.”
Amen to that: Lamborghini's 5.2-liter, 550-hp V10 powers the car, and a dash-mounted knob controls the suspension and engine mapping. You can choose from comfort, off-road, winter and high speed. Sixty mph arrives in a just 3.8 seconds.
Giugiaro says the jaw-dropping shape blends an SUV, a crossover, a GT car and a mid-engine sports car. We'll take one of each, please.
“We were just blown away by the Parcour,” said editor Wes Raynal. “Never seen anything like it. It was by far the best concept in Geneva.”
Others Considered: Pininfarina Sergio, Kia Provo, Audi A3 E-tron, Toyota FT-86 Open, Land Rover Defender EV
Most Fun: Volkswagen GTI
The Volkswagen GTI comes to the United States next year, nearly a year after the European launch.
Few cars capture the spirit of our enthusiasm for sheer driving like the Volkswagen GTI. That's why a new version of this hot hatch made us salivate with anticipation. Based on the seventh-generation Golf, the GTI comes to the United States next year, nearly a year after the European launch. A 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine pushing out at least 220 hp, paired with six-speed manual or dual-clutch gearboxes, will be offered. It looks about the same, though the wheels and lights add a fresh level of sporting bling. The only downside? We have to wait for it.
“The GTI is the hottest of hatches -- it's powerful, sharp and carries a smoldering intensity,” Migliore said. “We would love to carve up the roads around Geneva in this little pocket rocket.”
Others considered: McLaren P1, Audi RS6 Avant, Porsche 911 GT3
About the Geneva motor show
The 2013 Geneva motor show runs March 5-17 and is expected to attract a range of production and concept cars as diverse as the LaFerrari supercar and the new Corvette convertible. Check out Autoweek's complete coverage at autoweek.com/geneva-auto-show.
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