At last year’s Geneva Motor Show, Porsche stole the show with the unveiling of the 918 Spyder. For 2011, Porsche has taken the wraps off another gas-electric hybrid in Switzerland, but in a decidedly less sexy shape.
The 2012 Porsche Panamera S Hybrid is just the latest alt-powered vehicle from Porsche, joining the Cayenne Hybrid and the aforementioned 918 that’s expected to hit the market late next year. Power is supplied by VAG’s supercharged 3.0-liter V6 putting out 333 horsepower, with another 47 ponies delivered via an electric motor. Equipped with the eight-speed automatic gearbox, Porsche claims a 0-60 mph run of six seconds flat with a top speed of 168 mph, all while returning an average of around 34 mpg.
The Panamera Hybrid will be hitting U.S. shores later this year with a price tag of $95,000.
Lamborghini’s fifth generation V12 supercar made its official debut in Geneva, and while we’ve already detailed every aspect of the Aventador LP700-4 in our in-depth article we published yesterday, today we finally had the opportunity to get some first person impressions of the latest Raging Bull.
Lamborghini had three Aventadors on display, ranging from the bright orange example we first saw in the studio photos to a more subtle grey and a stunning matte white. The white, in particular, shows off the various styling elements of the exterior, especially the muscular creases on the front and sides. Despite having more complex lines, the Aventador still manages to have a cleaner look than some of the later generation Murcielagos. We snag a few minutes inside, and the quality of materials is proof that Lamborghini is continuing to benefit the Volkswagen Group’s influence.
Let’s be honest. After months, if not years of anticipation, we were all a little disappointed at the results when Pagani finally unveiled its new Huayra. But you know what? After seeing it up close and personal here on the floor of the Geneva Motor Show – in red no less, which is invariably more suitable to an Italian exotic than beige champagne metallic – we’re convinced afresh that Horacio Pagani and company make some of the most desirable machinery known to man.
That gaping maw, for example, that everyone felt detracted from an otherwise sleek shape? Hardly noticable in person, less evident in the more vibrant hue, and besides, out on the road you’ll likely see more of the sculpted tail disappearing rapidly over the horizon than you will of the nose anyway. But don’t take our word for it.
Words and Photos Via: Autoblog.com
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