Geneva 2014: Top five performance cars

The Geneva motor show displayed an array of high performance cars, including new models from Koenigsegg, McLaren and Pagani. It wasn’t just about expensive supercars, however, as Seat flaunted the fastest front-wheel-drive hot hatch to lap the Nürburgring in the form of its new Leon Cupra.

 

 

 

Geneva marked the world debut for the One:1, so named because its weight of 1,340kg matches its power output. With 1322bhp (1340 metric horsepower) on tap from its 5.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, Koenigsegg claims a top speed of 439kph. If that figure is verified, it will eclipse the Hennessey Venom GT’s 434.5kph and Bugatti Veyron Super Sport’s 431.3kph. The Swedish supercar maker claims this top speed is possible thanks to the One:1’s “high power and high-rpm capability, in combination with strong tyres and active aero”.

 

 

 

The Pagani Zonda Revolucion will be the last iteration in the Zonda’s 15-year production run. It’s powered by a naturally aspirated 6.0-litre V12 Mercedes engine and develops 789bhp and 74.38kgm of torque. The car features many aerodynamic enhancements, including an F1-inspired drag reduction system (DRS) on the rear wing, which can be activated manually from the steering wheel.

 

 

 

 

Seat revealed the Leon Cupra 280 in Geneva, hailing it as the fastest production front-wheel-drive car to lap the Nürburgring – a feat it achieved in 7min 58.4sec. The first front-wheel driver to dip below the eight-minute barrier, the Leon Cupra 280, when mated to the optional DSG twin-clutch six-speed automatic transmission, will sprint from 0-100kph in 5.7sec and on to a limited top speed of 250kph. 

 

 

 

Lamborghini pulled the wraps off the much-anticipated Gallardo replacement – the Huracán – at the Geneva motor show. The Huracán gets an all-new 5.2-litre V10 producing 602bhp and is mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. The 0-100kph dash is covered in 3.2sec and it will go on to a top speed of “over 300kph”.

 

 

 

McLaren launched the all-new 650S Spider at the Geneva motor show alongside the already-revealed coupé. McLaren claims the open-top version almost matches the coupe’s performance, despite weighing 40kg more. The 0-100kph sprint is covered in 3.0sec, while top speed is the far side of 330kph. McLaren says 25 percent of its parts are new compared to the 12C Spider, and that the 650S possesses a more hardcore nature.