Foreign fantasies at the Geneva Motor Show

Aston Martin offered the One-77 as a limited-edition, line-topping supercar last year, and at Geneva this year we see the next flagship model, the V12 Zagato. The V12 Zagato is based on the V12 Vantage architecture, but its body is handmade from aluminum and carbon fiber to save weight. Exterior highlights include wider fenders, carbon-fiber A-pillars and rear spoiler, and unique 19-inch wheels. Under the hood lurks the 510-horsepower version of the brand's 6.0-liter V12 engine. Only 150 Zagatos will be made. While the One-77 was never federalized for the U.S., this one will be, and it should sell for less than half of the One-77's $1 million price tag.

Read:  Aston Martin Gets Personal

The high-end SUV seems to be a new trend, and the latest automaker to jump on the bandwagon is Bentley. The ultraposh automaker unveiled the EXP 9 F here in Switzerland. At a glance, it looks like a Bentley, only taller and with a bolder shape. Mechanically, it gets all-wheel drive and a twin-turbocharged 600-horsepower W12 engine. Inside, the EXP 9 F combines luxury with utility, offering handcrafted materials and a large rear cargo hold with built-in picnic hampers. Bentley calls the EXP 9 F a possible third model range. Our guess is we'll see it in a couple years with a starting price of at least $250,000.

Bing Images: Bentley EXP 9 F Concept

Bugatti gave the world the monstrously powerful Veyron 16.4 Super Sport coupe last year, a 1,200-horsepower beast that could reach 268 mph. Now it's the roadster's turn. The W16 engine in the Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse gets the Super Sport's larger quad turbochargers and intercoolers, bumping horsepower from 1,001 to 1,200 and torque from 922 to 1,106 lb-ft. With all that extra power, the Grand Sport Vitesse gets some other tweaks from the Super Sport, namely a stiffer carbon-fiber tub, a sturdier version of its 7-speed dual-clutch automated manual gearbox and suspension revisions. Fewer than 100 of this ridiculous roadster are likely to ever hit the street, with pricing in the range of a cool $2 million each.

Read:  Bugatti Builds an Even Faster Veyron

Ferrari unveiled the replacement for its V12-powered 599 here in Geneva, the F12 Berlinetta. The 6.3-liter V12 engine makes the F12 the most powerful Ferrari ever, spinning out 740 horsepower and accelerating from zero to 62 mph in a reported 3.1 seconds. The lone transmission is a 7-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission. Extensive use of aluminum in the space-frame chassis means the F12 weighs an estimated 150 pounds less than the 599, and performance is improved thanks to a lower center of gravity, less drag and greater down force. Pricing should start in the mid-$300,000 range when the F12 goes on sale later this year.

View Pictures:  Ferrari F12 Berlinetta

Watch Video:  Ferrari F12 Berlinetta on the Track

Americans simply don't want wagons, but it's our fantasy at MSN Autos that they would. Maybe if we started calling them "sportbrakes" or "shooting brakes," they'd gain popularity simply for the kitsch factor. Jaguar showed the XF Sportbrake to a European audience at Geneva. The XF Sportbrake features a voluminous rear cargo hold with remote folding rear seats and an available power rear liftgate. A self-leveling air suspension helps even out the ride for those who want to tow their caravans (read: campers) in style. Power comes from two turbodiesel engines, a 2.2-liter 4-cylinder or a 3.0-liter V6. Don't look for the XF Sportbrake at U.S. dealerships any time soon.

Read:  Jaguar Unveils Its Latest Sport Wagon

The Land Rover Range Rover Evoque has enjoyed a successful launch. It stands out for sporty good looks and a driving character to match. While the 4-door body style is most practical, Land Rover pushes the envelope by offering a 2-door as well, and now a 2-door convertible may be on the way. Land Rover says the Evoque Convertible Concept explores the possibility of the world's first premium convertible SUV, but the $50,000 sticker on the Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet we tested begs to differ. The concept features a premium soft-top, a rollover protection system and a drop-down tailgate. If reaction is favorable, we may see this one in a couple of years.

Watch Video:  Land Rover Range Rover Evoque

Lamborghini unveiled its Aventador supercar last year at Geneva. With its carbon-fiber body, 691-horsepower V12 engine and race-car-for-the-street looks, the 2-seat coupe was one of the biggest hits of the show. This year we get the Aventador J, a one-off speedster with an open cockpit, a cut-down windshield and a minimalist approach that eliminates air conditioning and a radio. Changes from the Aventador include seats with carbon-fiber fabric inserts, a narrower front end with a unique carbon-fiber air scoop, an X-shaped carbon-fiber engine cover and special bumpers that create more down force. The one and only Aventador J sold for more than $2 million and is street-legal.

Watch Video:  Lamborghini Aventador J at the Geneva Show

Read Blog:  Lamborghini Aventador J Sells for $2.8 Million

The Mercedes-Benz CLS introduced the concept of a sedan with a coupelike roof in 2006, and the Audi A7 followed suit last year. Now it's BMW's turn with the 6-Series Gran Coupe. The car rides the 5-Series' wheelbase but is about 4 inches longer. It will be offered in 640i, 650i and 650xi models. The 640i, due this summer, will come with a 315-horsepower turbocharged straight six engine, while the rear- and all-wheel-drive 650 models will feature a 445-horsepower twin-turbocharged V8 when they are released in the fall. While the 6 Gran Coupe has seating for five, the full-length center console makes the rear center seat practically useless. The BMW 6-Series Gran Coupe will start at about $76,000.

Read:  Can a Sedan Be Called a Sports Car?

The Boxster has always handled amazingly well, and Porsche cites several reasons why the new model will be better than the last. A longer wheelbase and wider track should make the Boxster feel more planted, while a lighter-weight body should improve agility. The new electromechanical power steering could be a sticking point though, as some have said it isn't so satisfying in the new 911. Power is improved only slightly, but Porsche says the new Boxster will be as much as 15 percent more efficient. The base 2.7-liter flat 6-cylinder engine gains 10 horsepower to 265, while the 3.4-liter flat six in the S model gets five more horses for a total of 315. Porsche's new midengine drop-top will go on sale this June with a starting price of $49,500.

Read:  Coming to America

We haven't even driven the lighter, reimagined SL550 yet and Mercedes already has us dreaming twin-turbocharged dreams with the new SL63 AMG. Power comes in two flavors. The base 5.5-liter V8 engine makes 530 horsepower, and when the Performance Package is ordered, that increases to 557 horses. The lone transmission is a 7-speed automatic. Zero to 60 mph comes in 4.1 seconds with the Performance Package, only a tenth of a second quicker than the base version, but top speed increases from 155 to 186 mph. The SL63 weighs 275 pounds less than the car it replaces, which is no doubt a boon to agility. The SL63 will go on sale later this year with a sticker price topping $130K.

Read Blog:  New Mercedes-Benz SL 63 AMG Revealed

Kirk Bell has served as the associate publisher for Consumer Guide Automotive and editor of Scale Auto Enthusiast magazine. A Midwest native, Bell brings 18 years of automotive journalism experience to MSN, and currently contributes to JDPower.com and Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com.

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