As ever, the Italian manufacturers brought their own special brand of magic to the show, with the refreshing belief that desirable cars and skimpily dressed female models is what you really need for a healthy future. Green? What’s that?
Anyway, once Garlick managed to see past the ‘staff’, it was the Ferrari stand PH headed for to see Ferrari’s latest track-biased warrior – the 430 Scuderia. Unveiled by none other than Mr M Schumacher – who apparently has had a hand in the development program – the ‘Scude’ was everything we could have hoped for in the metal. Read the original PH story here to get the full details on this spiritual successor to the Challenge Stradale, but the 503bhp Lightweight has been confirmed as having a UK price of around £170,000. Having said that, it’s as fast around Fiorano as an Enzo, apparently…
Over to Lamborghini then, and the bucket of ice cool water over your head that is initial acquaintance with the Reventon (sounds better if you say it with the correct accent we found).
The Reventon is a test bed for new Lamborghini technology but also a (very) limited production vehicle; 20 units will be made with one coming to the UK. And yes, they’re all pre-sold. Reaction seemed to vary from wonder, amusement, bafflement, horror and disgust at the Reventon’s wild slashing of form and line depending on age, background and taste.
Based on the LP640, the beast has a blueprinted V12 knocking out an additional 10bhp at 650bhp. Most of the body is now carbon fibre and there’s a unique new dashboard featuring a bizarre flight-deck style display. The Reventon also introduces a new streamlined development process for the firm. No clay models exist – the car went from CAD to reality with no stops in between.
Elsewhere, Maserati had the new Gran Turismo and the latest Quattroporte while Alfa headed their stand with a delectable 8C in black. Someone in the PH office might have once said that the looks didn’t appeal, but they were clearly wrong.
And amongst the massive Fiat 500 push – and very cute they are too – was a very cool Abarth stand. Fiat has been steadily promoting this badge ahead of a whole range of future Abarth models and the Abarth Punto on the stand was utterly outrageous. Make this Fiat, and the hot hatch world will love you. Who would have thought that possible…
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