With press day having taken place this weekend, plenty of news has emerged
from Shanghai
. Some was expected, some unexpected, and some just worth repeating purely for the sake of lascivious interest.
Falling firmly into that last category was the full unveiling of the Icona Vulcano. We’ve had a few teasers so far, but this is our first look at the new car as a whole. So, what have we got then? Well, angles, and plenty of them, for a start, with hints of
TVR Sagaris
Lexus LFA
at the front. It’s love-or-loathe stuff, but it’s certainly different and, we reckon, not half bad. The Vulcano looks set to back up its extrovert looks, though, with a choice of two powertrains. Both will be hybrid, aping rivals from more established manufacturers like the
McLaren P1
LaFerrari
. First up, the H-Turismo will offer a rear-wheel-drive hybrid setup that provides 801hp through a combination of a petrol V12 and an electric motor, giving it a 0-62mph time of three seconds. Or there’s the H-Competizione option, packing a twin-turbo V6 and two electric motors, one for the front axle and one for the rear, giving four-wheel drive and 881hp for a 0-62 time of 2.9 seconds. Both options offer a top speed of 217mph. That said, the offer of two powertrains seems moot, as Icona says that only one Vulcano will be built. Curious. Oh, and it’ll come in at £1.7 million.
Yes, it's that insane Aventador bodykit again...
The Vulcano didn’t have the supercar stage all to itself, mind – as predicted
last week
, Lamborghini unveiled its Aventador LP720-4 50 Anniversario in Shanghai. With a 20hp power hike over the standard car, plus a bat-poo mental bodykit that’s claimed to increase aerodynamic efficiency by 50 per cent, it’s not exactly shy. 0-62mph is down to 2.9 seconds, with a top speed of 218mph. Only 100 will be built, all finished in yellow “as that’s the most sold colour for Lamborghini in our history,” according to Lambo boss
Stephan Winkelmann
As was also predicted last week, a smattering of small SUVs made their appearance for the first time at the weekend. Merc’s Concept GLA, BMW’s X4 and the new MG CS all made their public debut. All are, officially, still concepts, but production versions of all three have been confirmed. While the GLA and X4 will go head-to-head with the Audi Q3 in the small premium, the CS will be MG’s first SUV and will aim to compete with the Nissan Juke, Vauxhall Mokka and Ford EcoSport.
New MG3 will come to the UK soon
Also being unveiled by MG was its new MG3 supermini, which will be arriving in the UK shortly. This’ll be powered by a 105hp 'VTi-Tech' powerplant with a five-speed gearbox that MG says will “make this little baby perfectly suited to nipping in and out of city traffic or enjoying a great British B-road." MG hopes it’ll help the company increase its British market share after the launch of the larger
MG6
Metro
Prestige saloons, too, were a big feature of Shanghai, with Maserati at last revealing the new Ghibli in full. Over at Porsche, meanwhile, the new long-wheelbase version of the facelifted Panamera was revealed. Called the Panamera Executive, it’ll gain 15cm extra in the wheelbase, and will be available as a derivative of both 4 S and Turbo models. Porsche’s PASM active suspension system and air suspension will come as standard. The Executive, however, won’t make it to European markets.