2015 Geneva motor show preview - all the cars you need to be excited about - 2015 Geneva motor show - page 3
All the new performance cars from the most important European motor show
Mercedes-AMG GT GT3
The GT3 class is fast becoming one of the most exciting in racing. Virtually every major sports car you can think of is involved, and manufacturers are now promoting GT3-inspired models as much as their regular road cars.
Details are scarce on Mercedes’ offering, based on the AMG GT, but power will be somewhere between 500-600bhp and weight between 1200-1300kg, ensuring compliance with GT3 rules. Given AMG’s larger SLS was towards the top end of those numbers, it’s likely the GT will be a little lighter and a little less powerful.
Morgan supercar
Another car whose details are slim on the ground, we do know that Morgan plans to launch a new supercar at Geneva.
A dark teaser image reveals the front end won’t look dissimilar from Morgan’s current models, while a BMW-sourced V8 is also a given. Full details will be revealed at the show on March 3.
Peugeot 208 GTi by Peugeot Sport
The Peugeot 208 GTi 30th Anniversary has recently deposed the Fiesta ST as evo’s favourite supermini hot hatchback. Unfortunately, it’s a limited-production vehicle - but Peugeot has seen fit to continue its legacy with an unlimited production model, the ‘208 GTi by Peugeot Sport’.
It has the same small engine tweaks (taking power to 205bhp and rendering the GTi Euro 6 emissions compatible) and the same attention paid to its suspension settings. That makes it even more exciting than the regular GTi, enhanced further with a limited-slip diff.
Porsche Cayman GT4
It may not wear the fabled GT3 tag of 911s, but don’t let that put you off. The Cayman GT4 is every bit a GT3-spec version of Porsche’s mid-engined coupe, and could be an even purer drivers’ car than the current 991 GT3, on account of its manual gearbox.
The spec list is a smorgasbord of bespoke Cayman parts, GT3 components and familiar performance Porsche trimmings. If it’s not one of the most exciting cars to drive of 2015, we’ll be very surprised indeed.
Vauxhall Corsa VXR
Vauxhall unveiled its latest hot hatchback on the same day Ford unveiled the Focus RS. Unfortunate timing perhaps, but we became quite fond of our Corsa VXR long-termer so there are high hopes for its replacement.
The bare figures are 202bhp, 206lb ft of torque, 6.6sec to 62mph and 143mph flat out. There’s a six-speed manual gearbox, a limited-slip diff and Koni dampers. It’ll have its work cut out to match the 208 GTi by Peugeot Sport and Ford’s Fiesta ST, but we’re looking forward to the group test...
