Frankfurt 2007: The supercars
07 September 2007 Adrian Hearn runs through the big releases unveiled at the petrolhead’s paradise. Porsche 911 GT2 The latest GT2 is the first production Porsche 911 to break the 200mph barrier. With a 3.6-litre twin-turbocharged engine producing 530bhp and 501lb/ft of pulling power, the GT2 rockets from 0-60mph in 3.7 seconds and has a top speed of 204mph. Sporting a massive spoiler and 19-inch alloys, the GT2 goes on sale in November with prices starting from £131,070.
Mercedes has gone power mad with this ballistic C-Class fitting it with a whopping 6.3-litre V8 engine producing 457bhp. This means the saloon – which will comfortably seat four – will accelerate from 0-62mph in 4.5 seconds and have a limited top speed of 155mph. But with the limiter removed, we’d expect a top speed of around 180mph. It also boasts a seven-speed semi-automatic gearbox, 19-inch alloys and sports suspension and goes on sale next year
The super-light Mini Challenge is powered by a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine producing 210bhp and 191lb/ft of pulling power. This launches the Mini from 0-62mph (100kph) in just 6.1 seconds before running on to a ferociously-fast 149mph – 9mph more than a standard Cooper S. But it’s bad news for road-going fans – the £30,000 Mini will not be licensed for public highways.
As the fastest and, arguably sexiest Aston Martin ever, the DBS looks like being one of the cars of the decade. Using a six-litre V12 derived from the outgoing Vanquish S, the DBS produces a colossal 510bhp and accelerates from 0-62mph in 4.3 seconds before hitting 191mph. Just 500 will be made a year with buyers having to fork out a cool £160,000.
The Italian super-saloon has been beefed up for Frankfurt. Maserati has improved the Quattroporte’s handling by lowering and stiffening the suspension and fitting a unique braking system developed in collaboration with experts Brembo. The Sport GT S also benefits from a carbon fibre dashboard, chrome-mesh grille and 20-inch seven spoke alloy wheels.
Professional footballers and their girlfriends will be delighted to hear Bentley has made the Continental GT even faster – breaking the 200mph barrier for the first time. The GT Speed’s six-litre V12 now produces a whopping 600bhp and accelerates from 0-60mph in 4.3 seconds before reaching a top speed of 202mph. At £137,000, it’s £17,000 more than the standard GT – which shouldn’t trouble the back accounts of the Chelsea football team.
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Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG
Mini John Cooper Works Challenge
Aston Martin DBS
Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S
Bentley Continental GT SpeedPage 1
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