Road car, schmoad car. We like our vehicles ready for the track, the desert and the forests. Thankfully, plenty of stands at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show were ready to oblige. In no particular order…
Aeberhard Motorsport Porsche 993 GT2
This car might not have the prominence of the others, but it’s still great. Tucked away in the aftermarket hall of the show, this Porsche 993 GT2 is clad in the yellow of Swiss racing team Aeberhard Motorsport and wears some beautiful gold BBS alloys. The racing 993 GT2 spawned the road car of the same name as a homologation special. What’s not to like?
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
The latest racing Porsche was unveiled alongside the new road going GT3 on the Porsche stand. Based on the latest 991-generation 911, it’s set to compete all over the world in pretty much every series that’ll have it. It might look similar to the previous car of the same name, but underneath there have been plenty of revisions. With 460hp it’s got 10hp more than the old car and is wider, with a brand new braking system. If you want one to go racing in, you can pick one up for $236,484.
Volkswagen Polo R WRC
The World Rally Championship might not be in a classic phase of its existence right now, with dropping public interest, but that doesn’t mean that the cars aren’t still cool.The Polo R WRC is a hot hatch on steroids and just last month won Rally Sweden in only its second competitive event in the hands of driver Sebastien Ogier. And with those massive flood lights mounted to the bonnet, it looks even cooler.
MINI Countryman Dakar rally car
MINI used its class success at this year’s Dakar rally to produce a new special edition version of the road-going Countryman, celebrating Stephane Peterhansel and Jean-Paul Cottret’s success. It’s not bad, but it’s not a patch on the real thing. The winning car is massive, despite the brand’s name, and sports a 307hp twin-turbo diesel engine. Oh, and suspension high enough to climb mountains.
Carlson SLK 340 Judd
Who said the Mercedes-Benz SLK was a girl’s car? Not this one. Tuned by noted Merc tuners Carlsson, this monster has been purpose built for hill climbing and has under its bonnet a 3.4-litre Judd V8 with 610bhp. Carbon fibre pretty much everywhere means it weighs just 780kg and will hit 100kph from standstill in 2.4 seconds. Yes, faster than the new Lamborghini Veneno.
