For prospective car buyers and automobile fans everywhere, motor shows are like Christmas. It’s where manufacturers show off their newest modelsm teasing us with exciting concepts which will never see the light of day. To save you from trawling through the numerous boring new arrivals, I’ve selected the most interesting new whips from New York and Beijing’s shows of the past week.
From New York’s motor show:
1. Land Rover Vision
We love the tech in the new Land Rover Vision concept and can’t wait until it starts appearing in production-ready, affordable cars. The Vision incorporates multiple touchscreens, gesture controls and enough cameras to help prevent owners from taking up two car parking spaces.
2. Ford Mustang 50th Anniversary Edition
To mark the introduction of the Mustang in 1964, Ford dismantled a car, loaded it into an elevator at the Empire State Building and reassembled it 1224ft above the streets of Manhattan. To celebrate the model’s 50th anniversary they have repeated the stunt and launched a special edition which comes fully loaded with optional extras and special logos.
3. Mercedes S63 AMG
With a twin-turbo 5.5 litre V8 engine producing 557 bhp, the S63 AMG is no slouch — equipped with the 4Matic drive system it can reach 0-62 mph in 3.9 seconds. Surely then its interior must resemble a stripped-out, lightweight race car? Nope! The S63 is completely luxurious with high quality leather, touch screens and brushed metal dials. It’s just a shame it will cost around £100,000.
4. Corvette Z06 Convertible
There aren’t many cars where the convertible looks nicer than the coupe, but I think the roofless Corvette Z06 looks stunning. Fortunately Corvette will be selling it in the UK — unfortunately it will be left hand drive and the roof will spend more time up due to our infamous climate. With a slightly worrying 625 bhp this car might not be one for wig wearers.
5. MINI DeLux
The MINI DeLux is a design package created by university student Alex Coyle. The design won the MINI USA Test Test Drive competition and will enter a limited production run this year. MINI has confirmed that no more that 56 will be made and only available in the US — leaving British Tron fans out of luck.
6. 1971 Ford Torino
Okay, so you’ll probably never be able to buy this creation from artist Ioan Florea, but it does suggest an interesting future where we could essentially design our own automobiles. Whether we should or not is another matter. Florea used 3D printing to create this metal design, apparently symbolising multiculturalism, tolerance, peace and freedom. I think it looks more like a prop from Ghost Rider.
Just like buses, you wait for one motor show then two come along at once. It’s also Beijing Motor Show this week. Here are seven of the most exciting cars that European manufacturers are pushing on the Chinese car market.
7. Bentley Mulsanne Hybrid
If you want to save the planet but don’t fancy driving around in a compact city car, then Bentley have you covered. The new hybrid Mulsanne offers complete luxury and rapid pace, only emitting 118g/km CO2 — that’s just £30 vehicle tax!
8. Peugeot Exalt
The Peugeot Exalt looks stunning and uses an interesting mix of materials. The front is finished with bare steel while the rear is covered in synthetic shark skin, which, according to Peugeot, improves aerodynamics by reducing drag.
9. Volkswagen Golf R 400
With 400 bhp and a 0-62 mph time of 3.9 seconds I’m guessing the Golf R 400, with its understated looks and straight line speed, should be a beast in traffic light drag races. Unfortunately Volkswagen has no plans to put the R 400 into production.
10. Bugatti Veyron Black Bess
The Black Bess is the fifth installment in the “Les Légendes de Bugatti” series, honouring the original Black Bess — the first ever street legal super sports car. At least that’s what Bugatti would have you believe, when really it’s to satisfy the number of people who complain about the lack of plastic eyelashes available for super cars.
11. Mercedes Coupe SUV Concept
Mercedes’ Coupe SUV concept seems a simple one — take an normal coupe and put it on stilts. The result is a vehicle which is the same size as a Land Rover but as practical as a C Class — the worst of both worlds then.
12. BMW Future Vision Luxury
In the Future Vision concept BMW is showcasing its design ethos for the time ahead. Using lightweight construction, personal cockpit spaces, touchscreens and laser headlights — owners of luxury BMWs certainly have something to look forward to.
13. Lamborghini Aventador Jackie Chan Edition
Want to drive Jackie Chan’s personalised Aventador? Well now you can! As long as you place the highest bid when it goes up for auction, that is. The car features a personalised colour scheme and Jackie’s name stitched in the headrest, so you’d have to be a serious Chan fan to purchase this automobile.