LaFerrari

The new Ferrari "Enzo" is now dubbed LaFerrari, the first hybrid car in the prancing horse's history. Powered by the Hy-Kers system, the two-seater mid-engined flagship model has a 6.3-litre V12 with 800 hp, which revs to a record 9,250 rpm and is coupled to a 163 hp electric motor for a combined power output of 963 hp. That means LaFerrari is seriously fast - 0-100 kmh takes less than

three seconds, 0-200 kmh is in seven and 0-300 kmh just 15 seconds. Top speed is in excess of 350 kmh.

The LaFerrari chassis features four different types of carbon-fibre and the seat is fixed and tailored to the driver while both the pedal box and steering wheel are adjustable. The driving position is similar to that of a single-seater and was designed after consultation with Ferrari's Formula One drivers.

According to the car maker, the model was named LaFerrari because "it is the maximum expression of what defines our company - excellence ... in terms of technological innovation, performance, visionary styling and the sheer thrill of driving".

Only 499 units of this limited-series Ferrari will be made. It costs one million euros (S$1.62 million) with up to a three-year wait list.

McLaren P1

The official data for the McLaren P1 has been unveiled. The limited edition hybrid supercar (only 375 units will be produced) takes less than three seconds to zip from zero to 100 kmh, thanks to the race-inspired Instant Power Assist System. 0-200 kmh is under seven seconds, while 0-300 kmh will be less than 17 seconds, or five seconds faster than the iconic McLaren F1 road car. Top speed is electronically limited to 350 kmh.

All that power comes from a mid-mounted 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 engine working with an electric motor. The combined output is 916 hp and maximum torque of 900 Nm.

The price starts from £866,000 (S$1.6 million) and it can be ordered fully equipped as standard for road and track use.

Lamborghini Veneno

Another wild Lamborghini but one which only three people in the world will get their hands on. The Veneno was created to celebrate the Italian super sports car manufacturer's 50th anniversary.

Based on the Aventador mid-engined coupé, the carbon fibre supercar gets 750 hp from a naturally aspirated 6.5-litre V12. Zero to 100 kmh takes 2.8 seconds and top speed is 355 kmh.

As is expected of Lamborghini, the styling and proportions are extreme, with an arrow-shaped front end for enhanced aerodynamics and razor-sharp lines and edges on the bodywork that look like they can also julienne vegetables. The engine cover extends into a large central "shark" fin to improve efficiency during braking and rear-end stability.

The Veneno costs three million euros before tax but even if you want one, you can't; all three cars have been sold.

Porsche 911 GT3

The new Porsche 911 GT3 is the German sports car maker's sportiest 911 and to retain that mantle, the fifth-generation GT3 promises to roar from zero to 100 km in 3.5 seconds. Top speed is 315 kmh.

The naturally aspirated 3.8-litre six-cylinder boxer engine at the back churns out 475 hp to drive the rear wheels via a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission.

Featuring the first active rear wheel steering in a production Porsche, the new GT3 laps the Nürburgring Nordschleife in under 7.5 minutes.

Also new is the electronically controlled, fully variable rear differential lock, and the dynamic engine mounts. The newly developed, all-aluminium chassis can still be adjusted by height, toe and camber and the GT3 wears new central locking 20-inch forged alloy wheels. The new GT3 will start from about $670,000 (without COE) when it arrives here in Q4.

Rolls-Royce Wraith

The two-door version of the Rolls-Royce Ghost limousine has finally broken cover and it is called the Wraith. The coupé has unusual fastback styling and is the most powerful Rolls produced.

Like the Ghost, it has a 6.6-litre turbocharged V12 but in the Wraith, this cranks out 624 hp and 800 Nm, or 54 hp and 20 Nm more.

This enables the four-seater Wraith, which is shorter than the Ghost but wider, to "waft" from zero to 100 kmh in 4.6 seconds using its silky smooth, eight-speed automatic transmission.

Rolls-Royce says that the driving experience will keep up with the extra oomph given the beefed-up suspension set-up and heavier steering that adds weight when travelling at high speed.

Expect the Wraith to arrive here by year-end.

Bentley Flying Spur

A smoother and sleeker Bentley Flying Spur graces Geneva. The big sedan gets a welcome redesign after eight years to be the fastest four-door Bentley.

The 6.0-litre twin-turbo W12 engine now develops 625 hp and 800 Nm and features more power than any other Bentley four-door in history. Coupled to a ZF eight-speed transmission, it accelerates from zero to 96 kmh in 4.3 seconds on the way to a top speed of 322 kmh.

As before, there is permanent all-wheel-drive with a 40:60 rear-biased torque split.

The performance is married with the traditional luxury and craftsmanship inside, plus the latest technologies, such as touch-screen infotainment, mobile connectivity including Wi-Fi, a rear seat entertainment suite featuring a 1,100W Naim system and a new bespoke hand-held touch-screen remote feature for rear-cabin occupants. The Flying Spur will be here by year-end.

Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG

Get set for Mercedes-Benz to redefine the hot hatch. The A45 AMG is an A-Class with a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine and 4Matic all-wheel-drive, making it the smallest AMG ever in every sense of the word.

Its four-cylinder engine is the most powerful in the world, packing 355 hp and 450 Nm which are delivered through a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox to all four wheels. Zero to 100 kmh is dispatched in 4.6 seconds.

True to the AMG philosophy of "one man, one engine", each engine is handbuilt. So even if it's a two-litre hatch, this Merc promises to be very special.

Expect a Q3 arrival in Singapore.

Volkswagen Golf GTI

Another hot hatch which is an icon but with slightly less power than the A45 AMG. The Volkswagen Golf GTI will be available here in the second half with two power levels for first time - a standard 220 hp or the GTI Performance with 230 hp. Both versions develop a maximum torque of 350 Nm.

The standard front-wheel-driven GTI accelerates to 100 kmh in 6.5 seconds - an improvement from its predecessor's 6.9 seconds - and reaches a top speed of 246 kmh, while the GTI performance does the century sprint in 6.4 seconds with a top speed of 250 kmh.

The six-speed dual-clutch gearbox is retained for the new GTI, which features the VW Group's revolutionary Modular Transverse Matrix platform.

samuelee@sph.com.sg