Ultimatecarpage.com update (03-12-07)

[Wouter Melissen]

Dear Ultimatecarpage.com visitor,

One of the biggest surprises of this year's Geneva Motorshow was the introduction of the Zagato-bodied Spyker C12. It served both as a celebration of the company's entrance into Formula 1 and also as proof that there is more to the rapidly growing Dutch company than the one exterior design that had until now been used for all other models. The Zagato design reminds of the Raptor concept shown many years ago. Another Dutch company present in Geneva was Donkervoort and with the D8 GT they also broke with tradition. Although still based on the familiar Donkervoort design, the new GT comes equipped with a roof, similar to the Nurburgring record breakers. Lotus took the wraps of yet another Elise/Exige version; the Exige GT3 Concept. The small British company has again increased the performance and should offer supercar performance. Geneva also hosted the introduction of a new pretender to the Lotus crown; the Henrik Fisker-penned Artega GT. Powered by a 300 bhp V6, the compact coupe should hit production before the end of the year. Fellow Germans Gumpert showcased the 800 bhp Sport version of the already very fast Apollo. Quite on the opposite end of the spectrum is Bentley's latest offering; the 530 bhp, very luxurious Brooklands coupe.
These days concept cars come in two different categories; an almost ready for production prototype or a very outrageous styling and/or engineering excercise that will never come near a sales room. BMW's V8-engined M3 Concept is a prime example of the former and we expect little to no changes to be made before the production car hits the streets. "Completely Bonkers" is an apt description of the Italdesign Vadho, which features a hydrogen V12 mounted alongside a fighterplane-like cockpit. As we have come to expect from the Italian design house, it is very nicely packaged and clearly one of the Swiss show's highlights.

Enjoy the links:

Artega GT Fisker Coupe
http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/frame...hp&carnum=3139

Bentley Brooklands
http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/frame...hp&carnum=3140

BMW M3 Concept
http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/frame...hp&carnum=3137

Donkervoort D8 GT 270
http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/frame...hp&carnum=3136

Gumpert Apollo Sport
http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/frame...hp&carnum=3138

Italdesign Vadho Concept
http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/frame...hp&carnum=3142

Lotus Exige GT3 Concept
http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/frame...hp&carnum=3141

Spyker C12 Zagato Coupe
http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/frame...hp&carnum=3135

Regards,
Wouter Melissen

[jorismo]

Wouter, what's your personal opinion on the Donkervoort. Since you have seen it in real-life and were able to take the best look at it.

To me it seems like a good concept...

[Wouter Melissen]

Wouter, what's your personal opinion on the Donkervoort. Since you have seen it in real-life and were able to take the best look at it.

To me it seems like a good concept...

I like it. Hopefully it's large enough to clear my head. It looks like I'll be taking a regular D8 out later this year, so you can expect more Donkervoorts in the future.

[dydzi]

I like it. Hopefully it's large enough to clear my head. It looks like I'll be taking a regular D8 out later this year, so you can expect more Donkervoorts in the future.

but the rear of it is rather... awkward isn't it (pic attached to show what i'm talking about)

on the other hand, the roof attracted my attention thanks to very interesting doors

[drakkie]

but the rear of it is rather... awkward isn't it (pic attached to show what i'm talking about)

on the other hand, the roof attracted my attention thanks to very interesting doors

Today one of my classmates showed me some real in-depth technical drawings of it. He worked for Donkervoort for a while and co-designed the rear suspension. Quite an interesting option they chose for with a small extra arm on the lower wishbone. Quite a nice talk with him I must say...

I really like the overall design and construction. It is very well thought through and clearly shows the next generation of Lotus 7 inspired vehicles.

[LotusLocost]

I like it. Hopefully it's large enough to clear my head. It looks like I'll be taking a regular D8 out later this year, so you can expect more Donkervoorts in the future.

You will never fit, and you know it!