What makes the video exceptional for real historic racing enthusiasts is Tony Dron’s post-race voiceover that talks you through the excitement – and the cool, logical strategy from the driver’s perspective – of the full, 20-minute race. “This is not intended to be entertainment,” he says, claiming it is simply “the race from the driver’s point of view, from start to finish…” But if this isn’t entertaining, Mr Dron, then we don’t know what is.
This year’s show was as much about the technology of presentation as it was to do with the vehicles themselves. Jaguar ushered in its new C-X17 SUV concept by seemingly making a solid wall disappear. The VW Group night was a Tron-esque spectacular which blurred the boundaries between actual and virtual reality. BMW transported guests to a utopian cityscape using clever lighting and sound effects. As always, there were 'grey suits' aplenty, company men reeling off well-rehearsed speeches to sober up proceedings – but, of course, the cars were always the stars…
Video: Porsche
If those of you who remember Geneva 2013’s Giugiaro Parcour concept are experiencing a sense of déjà vu, there’s a good reason for that. Audi’s shocking new Nanuk concept not only has its DNA rooted in that car, but was even penned by the Italdesign studio – now operating under the VW Group umbrella.
Headline features include a four-wheel “integral” steering system (presumably similar to that of the 991-gen 911 GT3), a new take on the R8’s sideblade, and a centrally mounted 544bhp 5.0-litre diesel V10 churning out a colossal 738lb ft.
Gianroberto Carlo Rembrandt Ettore Bugatti, known as Jean, was the eldest son of Ettore Bugatti and a talented engineer and designer. In 1936, at the age of just 27, he took over the management of the company. He developed many pioneering engines and bodies, but he is best remembered for the Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic – a car which, after his tragic death in 1939, secured him a place in automotive history.
He is best remembered for the Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic
Although, on the surface, it seems like a fairly usual conceptual preview of a forthcoming car, Jaguar has also used the opportunity to showcase a new modular structure which will underpin many of its future models, the first of which has been confirmed as a 3 Series-rivalling saloon due in 2015.
Photos: René Staud
“This is so cool!” said Lang Lang, as he entered the inner courtyard of Schloss Bensberg for the first time in the elegant VW Beetle ‘Hebmüller’ Cabriolet. The 31-year-old pianist from China had never sat in the car before, let alone participated in a classic rally. Undeterred, his enthusiasm and anticipation shone through.
“This is one of the slowest, but most beautiful experiences of my life...”
The Lamborghini is a bull – but to drive it, you need to squat like a toad