Super Luxe Cars

Comebacks are a tough racket, so when Aston Martin announced plans to revive the Lagonda nameplate, we tempered our high hopes with a fair amount of skepticism. Perhaps that’s a good thing. These first images of the Lagonda caused a collective sigh from the Autoblog crew here in Geneva, perhaps largely because it takes the form of a crossover – something we weren’t really expecting (and something we don’t typically associate with either Lagonda or Aston).

The Lagonda’s return marks the 100th anniversary of the brand, best known for stately sedans and luxurious grand-tourers. Aston wanted an outlet to expand beyond sports cars and GTs (pay no attention to the Rapide in the corner), and the Lagonda’s designers took that mandate and ran with it – some might say into a bluff-faced wall.

At its core, the Lagonda Concept is an avant-garde approach to the crossover we’ve come to know in seemingly thousands of variations. The front grille and swage lines are an obvious nod to modern Astons, but its near vertical nose, stretched headlamps and bulbous backside attempts to convey a mix of luxury and masculinity. The rear end strikes us as very Bentley, but considering the Lagonda’s intended audience, that might not be a bad thing. All four 22-inch wheels are powered by a V12 powerplant of undisclosed displacement and output, and Aston envisions the Lagonda as a long-distance cruiser that offers its occupants a lavish, functional and tech-rich environment.

Aston Martin CEO Dr. Ulirch Bez wants to see the Lagona sold in more than 100 countries (versus the 32 A-M is currently offered in), with a focus on emerging markets in the Middle East, South America, China, India and Russia. While we have no problem envisioning the Lagonda rolling down the streets of Moscow, we’re not sure that its reception will be as warm in Europe and North America. But then again, there’s not much playing in this space, and that’s the nature of comebacks.

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EDAG has presented its new “Light Car – Open Source” concept here at the Geneva Motor Show, and while it outwardly appears to look like any other nondescript electric bubble car, there’s a lot of innovative content on the inside screaming for attention.

It’s hard to know where to start: The use of (O)LED technology as both driver-configurable exterior lighting units and as a television screen-like safety feature that alerts those behind of road conditions; its 100% recyclable basalt fiber chassis (said to be at once lighter and cheaper than carbon-fiber or aluminum); or the fact that this is an open-source effort, with EDAG taking the lead but freely opening up the car’s technologies to outside developers for improvement and modification.

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There are pie-in-the-sky concept cars and then there are coming-to-a-showroom-near-you concept cars. The Alfa MiTo GTA is the latter, and from what we’ve seen that’s a good thing, especially as Fiat’s new partnership with Chrysler may herald Alfa Romeo’s return to North America at long last. Although Alfa is billing the MiTo GTA unveiled here at the Geneva Motor Show as a concept, company spokesmen say it should hit production later this year. And when it does, the 230-hp turbo four – displayed separately on Alfa’s show stand – should stay, but we’d expect the racing buckets with rear-anchored harnesses to give way to four seats. The jury’s still out on the carbon-fiber body panels and tarmac-chomping front air dam and rear diffuser, but so far we like what we see. The folks at Renaultsport and John Cooper Works have cause to feel otherwise, but we’ll let you make up your own mind after viewing the photos in the gallery below.

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This is the 1.5-million Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport which comes with two removable roofs. One of them is the a transparent polycarbonate hard-top section that can be removed and stowed for open-air driving, while the other one is more like an umbrella, a soft top which can be deployed in emergency.

However the fabric roof can’t withstand the 252 mph top speed which the polycarbonate solid roof can, it is limited to only 80mph.

Good stuff here, Autoblog En Espanol has a video of it in action. Check out after the break.

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This is a concept from designer Idries Noah the Europa i6 which looks a bit like the Elise/ Exige. It is a mid engined car with 2.0L inline 6. Supercharger and intercooler, weight- 2030 lbs and achieving a top speed of 165 mph and 0 to 100 in 7 seconds. More pictures after the break.

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Amir Glinik, an Israel industrial designer who come out with the amazing Ferrari motorcycle concept which using a modified engine from Ferrari Enzo.

This V4 motorcycle is equipped with drive-by-wire technology, features hand controls adapted from an F-16 fighter jet and buttons based on those found on the steering wheel of the Ferrari’s F1 car. Controls for sound system and trip computer are located on an all weather touchscreen.

“Vintage and modern Ferrari projects influence my design,” said Glinik. “It’s a mix of what I find to be the best Ferrari lines with the latest technology I could think of in terms of engine, gear and driving management.” There’s a yellow version too.

Check out more pictures after the break.

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This is the Mazda Kiyora shown at the Paris Motor Show, a concept vehicle which looks similar to the Mazda Furai. It features the components that are being developed by Mazda for future use such as the next-generation 1.3-litre DISI* engine, a new automatic transmission, and a rigid and lightweight bodyshell for very high fuel efficiency and low emissions. More pictures after the break.

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The Lamborghini Estoque has four doors, the first sedan in the history of Automobili Lamborghini. With a powerful front mid-engine, permanent all-wheel drive and a sophisticated, precision-tuned chassis, the Lamborghini Estoque boasts a unique technology package. The design is a little like the Reventon, the brake lamp lighting and the front design. Th e Lamborghini Estoque was shown at the Paris Motor Show 2008.

More pictures after the break.

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The Renault Megane Trophy concept is sexy, shown in the Paris Motor Show. It is powered by a Nissan-sourced 3.5-liter V6 mounted amidship found in the old Renaultsport Clio V6, churning out 360hp and mated with a six-speed sequential gearbox. I love its wide bodykit, they really did a nice work on the body. Unfortunately, it is still under concept but maybe you can get some idea from this for your own bodykit.

More pictures after the break.

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Says who buying car is not a good investment, someone is offering the #3/20 Lamborghini Reventon on eBay for $2.5-million. Yeah, this is the 3rd out of the 20 units and there were only 10 Lamborghini Reventon’s have been built for the US, that’s why it has its value. More pictures after the break.

:: Auction page

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