Evgenis’s new premium compact, the Valkyrie, is a clean looking and competent little car. Tasteful styling - not quite as “bold” in my mind as their press release would suggest - and a good range of engines give it good credentials, with the 1.5l Turbo Petrol being my pick on paper at least. There’s also a ton of high-end driver assists, even including self-leveling suspension on the estate versions. I look forward to a roadtest at some point on its home turf when I’m back in the UK hint hint
They then showed us what they wanted us to be hot and bothered about: why of course, it’s a hot hatch variant of the Valkyerie! 325 hp, 7 speed DCT and AWD puts it right up against the top-tier of hot hatches such as the Erin Merna X-AllDrive, Baltazar Quasar RS325 and Maesima Prova ST-R. It’s the usual hot hatch affair, with lighter this and sportier that, though for me, the styling doesn’t feel aggressive enough.
Leviathan’s new halo car, the Maladus, is a 829 hp V12 super coupe they’re claiming you could daily. 20.9 mpg is decent for modern-day performance cars, though one wonders how easy it’ll be to daily such a thing when the service costs and likely to be rather high. Still, it’s refreshing to a see a non-MR super car, using the same V8 as in the Scylla GT I drove at Geneva (only a heck of a lot more powerful). The styling doesn’t have me convinced though; it’s certainly well sculpted, but that smiley front grille doesn’t look worth the $100k+ pricetag. A solid ultra-high performance coupe underneath, but lacking on the visuals.
KHT unexpectedly released a Vision GT concept!. Based on the Augusta, it’s set to appear in Gran Turismo Sport as part of the March update, keeping much of the same styling and proportions as the production version, save for some extra vents and a modified powertrain.
You can read my thoughts on the road-going Augusta here as part of last year’s S.A.M. Sports Car Shootout.
Iurlaro really didn’t need to introduce the Zetian. The lack of pomp-and-circumstance reflects that imposing yet un-shouty styling; imposing yet not overbearing. And with 8 litres of Italian V12 under the bonnet, it’s sure to be quite the drive too. If its cheaper sister car, the Zanzibar, is the family-friendly convoy car of Justin Trudeau, this is more suitable for a stereotypical middle-eastern dictator. A properly stunning machine.
Enactor’s Series 4 Estate Roamer also had the covers removed today. The 4th generation of the luxury SUV is quite…(See More)
Rennen’s chief “you don’t like me but you know I’m better than you”-mobile, the Angeles, got a face lift!. The graceful lines have been tightened up here and there, and it has a new chin too. Updated interior equipment and some new options are the main headline here - the usual boring facelift news - but there’s no denying its keeping up appearances.
Zenshi’s in-house tuning company ZMD revealed their latest works with the TDF Furue ZMD Track and GTZ 500R. Quite a mouthful of a name on the former, but the TDF Furue’s had several chillis shoved up its Jaxy, and there’s no denying that it’d give any US sports pickup a run for its money in the looks department from the rear especially. The GTZ is the expected ZMD-tuned version of the GT, sporty classy-yet-aggresive styling modifications and 622 hp under the bonnet. Sounds like enough in my books, and thank the lord, it’s got a manual gearbox to deliver the power! It should put it in strong contention against the current crop of high-end sports machines.
RCM’s Suburbia crossover is getting a fresh face for 2019. And heck, just look at that face - it’s got massive cheeks now and gentle smile! The rear is the best angle for sure. An electric version is promised for later in the year.
Scagliatti presented two new models, the Zoccarato Scoperta and the Cinquetorri T. The former continues their long history of convertible sports coupes, though its styling doesn’t capture me as much as some of their other current models too; the back looks too tall and the front design lines clash. Inline 6 power, however, is a big plus, especially on a $141k car where most rivals opt for V12s or V8s. Unsurprisingly, it’s all about the driving rather than record-breaking numbers. A cruise along the coast around Genoa ought to do this car justice.
As for the Cinquetorri T, well, their pertinently vulgar SUV is now even more vulgar with wheels larger than most children and exhausts big enough to be fitted on an industrial generator. It’s beautifully smooth lines have been maintained, though underneath, it packs a bi-turbo V12 and 750 hp. A perfect rival to its new Italian cousin from Iurlaro. Its a car born to have money blown on it by rich people with too much disposable income for their own good, but heck, that’s the point right?
Japanese marque TSR revealed the new and positively American-looking Raider SUV. Weirdly enough, no journalist seemed to be able to cop a shout of the rear, but we were able to marvel at those gargantuan headlights. Decent pricing puts it bang on the mark for mid-range between everyday family offerings and high-end luxury machines in its class, and the engine range looks decent too. I’ve grown oddly fond of it while at the show, which is saying something for me an SUVs…
Montes’s new T90 luxury limousine is a smart if uninteresting ultra-luxury vehicle. A solid range of suitably high end engines, including a hybrid option for the 5.8l V12 trim, will certainly keep buyers covered in terms of performance. Oddly enough, it even has hydropneumatic suspension, certainly giving it some unique character. It should make it incredibly smooth on the road, so long as the setup has been done well. I just wish it was a little more daring with the styling, like the recently released Sachiuri sL1000.
And speaking of Sachiuri, they too kept the SUV train going with the sL600x. And holy god does it have presence. It is at once both hideous and outstandingly well detailed. It straddles the line of vulgarity with exceptional class, and the results are incredible. What a looker it is. The usual range of Anikatian technological luxury is on the inside - including a huge 12" touch display - and it comes packed with a 3.2l V6 as standard, though there seems to be promise of more engines in the near future. If there was any remaining doubt about how serious Maesima are when it comes to establishing Sachiuri as one of the top luxury brands in the world, it surely has dissipated now.
Shromet’s new Appalachian is here at last. The Trump jokes haven’t followed it, but it’s brought a nice, low-cost balance to the very high price feel of most cars at this year’s show. The usual off-roading/“life is an adventure” marketing bollocks is present however, though it doesn’t get in the way of seeing the capabilities of these good looking crossover. An 8 speed auto and a 3 cylinder 1.5l engine are both options, meaning it should attract those looking for an easy-to-live-with car and one that won’t hurt when it comes to taxing it.
