McLaren P1™ GTR to show it's Limited Production form in Geneva.

• Makes the transition from concept to production with track tested modifications
• Tuning in development results in 10 percent more downforce than the McLaren P1™ road car
• Lightweight components and motorsport technologies trim a further 50kg
• McLaren P1™ GTR Driver Programme confirms first locations
• Geneva Show car livery inspired by iconic McLaren F1 GTR, chassis #06R
• McLaren P1™ GTR will premiere alongside the recently announced McLaren 675LT on Stand 1240, Hall 1 at 12.15 CET (11.15 GMT) on Tuesday, 3 March

The track-dedicated 1000PS McLaren P1™ GTR will debut at the 85^th International Geneva Motor Show in limited production form with only minor modifications to the Design Concept presented just six months ago. The most noticeable change is the livery that the Geneva show car will be sporting.  

It is one which will be available to the fortunate few who will be joining the McLaren P1™ GTR Driver Programme that kicks off at the Circuit de Catalunya in Spain later this year. The design is homage to the yellow and green McLaren F1 GTR, chassis #06R, which has claimed its own place in history as one of the five F1 GTRs that dominated the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the historic debut by McLaren 20 years ago. 

From design concept to the track

The McLaren P1™ GTR has completed an extensive and intense testing schedule across the world following the unveil of the Design Concept at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance last summer. This has produced enhancements to the original design to optimise aerodynamic performance and cooling.

The front track is 80mm wider than the road-going McLaren P1™ and with its aggressively profiled front splitter, the also car sits 50mm lower to the ground on centre-locking 19-inch motorsport alloy wheels shod with Pirelli slick tyres. The lower bodywork is trimmed with a sleek aerodynamic blade as previewed on the design concept, which cleans the flow of air along the car’s flanks.

The lightweight windscreen from the McLaren P1™ road car, measuring just 3.2mm thick, has been retained, while the side windows are now motorsport-specification polycarbonate with a sliding ‘ticket window’ on the driver’s side. The chemically toughened glass panels in the roof have been replaced with carbon fibre panels to give the cabin a more enclosed, cocooned environment, as has the engine bay cover. The weight saving measures on the McLaren P1™ GTR combine to strip out 50kg over the road-going model.

The rear of the track-only model is dominated, in contrast to the road-going McLaren P1™, by the presence of a fixed-height wing which sits more than 400mm above the sculpted rear bodywork – an increase of over 100mm of the adjustable wing on the road car.  Working in conjunction with the front-mounted aerodynamic flaps ahead of the front wheels, the rear wing helps to increase downforce levels by more than 10 percent – meaning up to 660kg at 150 mph. 

Mounted on light weight carbon fibre pylon supports, the wing retains the DRS (Drag Reduction System) of the road car, which trims the pitch from 32° to 0° at the push of the button on the steering wheel. Another bold and differentiating feature at the rear are the large twin exhaust pipes, formed from an Inconel and titanium alloy. This system saves in excess of 6.5kg over the already light road-going system.

Significant updates and modifications to the IPAS powertrain have been made beneath the ‘shrinkwrapped’ carbon fibre bodywork. At its heart, the McLaren P1™ GTR seamlessly integrates the 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine with an enhanced lightweight electric motor. 

Combined, these powerplants generate 1,000PS; 800PS (789bhp) is produced by the petrol engine, coupled to 200PS (197bhp) available immediately from the electric motor.  

The powertrain has been thoroughly revised for optimum performance on track, with key components replaced with motorsport-developed parts, more suited to the sustained high speed running the cars will be subjected to. In addition to this, features within the powertrain of the McLaren P1™ designed specifically for public highway use have been removed to reduce weight.

McLaren F1 GTR #06R: inspiring a new generation

McLaren F1 GTR chassis #06R was campaigned successfully throughout the 1995 and 1996 seasons with Mach One Racing, and is one of the longest serving examples of the McLaren F1 GTR in competition. The Harrods-sponsored #51 was famously one of seven McLaren F1 GTRs to compete at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1995, and was driven to the final podium position by multiple Le Mans race winner Derek Bell, his son Justin, and Andy Wallace. After this result, the team went on to win the final three races of the BPR Championship.

The following year, the team enjoyed another strong campaign. Oliver Grouillard joined Derek Bell and Andy Wallace in the line-up for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and finished a commendable sixth. The team also claimed a win at Silverstone in the Global GT Endurance championship.

McLaren P1™ Driver Programme

The first locations for the first McLaren P1™ Driver Programme have now been confirmed, and will see drivers attend an initial test session at Silverstone, England, followed by the first on-track activity at Circuit de Catalunya in Spain. These events will follow on from individual driver profiling sessions at the McLaren Technology Centre. These tailored consultations will include a race seat fitting, a Human Performance Centre assessment, and final discussions around the design and livery of each model with McLaren Automotive Design Director Frank Stephenson.  

Each driver will also experience the McLaren P1™ GTR from the simulator for the first time.

Ultimate Series forms the third and final tier of the McLaren model line-up

The McLaren P1™ GTR joins the road-going McLaren P1™ in the Ultimate Series. This exclusive range prioritises aerodynamics and outright performance through notable advances in weight reduction, chassis and powertrain engineering and the use of pioneering materials.

McLaren has now established a three tier naming structure of Sports Series, Super Series and Ultimate Series.  The Sports Series is the entry point to McLaren and will make its global debut at the 2015 New York International Auto Show in April. Above this sits the core McLaren Super Series, comprising the 650S, the Asia-only 625C and the recently-announced 675LT which will premiere at the Geneva Motor Show.    

The McLaren P1™ GTR will make its global debut alongside the recently announced McLaren 675LT on Stand 1240, Hall 1 at 12.15 CET (11.15 GMT) on Tuesday, 3 March 2015 at the 85th International Geneva Motor Show.

Lexus to preview all new Concept car at the 85th International Geneva Motor Show.

Lexus will reveal an all-new concept car, the LF-SA, at the Geneva motor show. The new concept reflects Lexus’s passion for new design trends and explores unexpected territories for the brand. The LF-SA has been conceived as a luxurious, driver-focused vehicle, designed to address a future world that is more influenced by technology and virtual experiences.

The concept will be unveiled during the Lexus press conference at the Geneva motor show, at 12.30pm on 3 March, hosted on stand 4211 in Hall 4 at Palexpo.

Lexus  LF-SA

Other Lexus cars expected to appear.

The New Citroën Berlingo Multispace will be unveiled on 3 March at the Geneva Motor Show

• The New Citroën Berlingo Multispace will be unveiled on 3 March at the Geneva Motor Show
• Ahead of the production model’s debut, Citroën is offering a preview in the form of an upbeat, energetic concept car: the Citroën Berlingo Mountain Vibe Concept
• Equipped with a full range of body enhancements and accessories, the Berlingo Mountain Vibe Concept is the ideal vehicle for those seeking adventure & wide open spaces

The New Citroën Berlingo Multispace will be on display at the Geneva Motor Show from Tuesday 3 March. Ahead of its unveiling, the Citroën Berlingo Mountain Vibe Concept previews the production model and brings to mind leisure time, winter in the mountains and the joy of the great outdoors. Combining practical features with fun and adventure, this cheery and functional concept model opens up new possibilities for freedom and escape.

 Featuring a bold exterior design, the Berlingo Mountain Vibe Concept is an invitation to explore uncharted territory. The contour lines on the body give the vehicle its signature look, inviting you to leave the well-trodden path of everyday life and head for the hills. This original graphic feature, in a striking shade of pink, reinforces the personality of this concept car. The pink finish is also found on the fog lamp surrounds and is a perfect match for the Mountain Green bodywork, forming a fresh and upbeat duo of colours.

The exterior styling is enhanced with additional trim at the bottom of each of the doors and pink embellishers above the wheel arches. The tyres are equipped with coloured snow chains, while the roof bars are enhanced with pink foam protectors. All these features give the concept a cheery, go-anywhere look that is both modern and high tech. With the Grip Control function, it is easy to imagine this vehicle scaling the Swiss mountains with its boot full of equipment for mountain sports: climbing, snowboarding or snowshoe walking.

Inside the car, the front seats and the three independent seats on row two are all upholstered with a practical and elegant embossed grey fabric. The pink topstitching adds a cheerful note to the cabin to underline the friendly personality of this new concept car.

Passengers will certainly appreciate the amount of light in the cabin and the exterior view offered by the glazed Modutop® roof and the large windows. 

Clever and functional, the Berlingo Mountain Vibe Concept brings a bright, fresh touch to the New Citroën Berlingo Multispace – the renewed benchmark in the leisure vehicle category. The watchwords for this new concept model are freedom and enjoyment, themes that set the scene for some unforgettable memories.

All New 2015 Honda Civic Type R to get world debut at the 85th International Geneva Motor Show.

• 2.0 litre direct injection VTEC TURBO engine and aerodynamic performance deliver class-best top speed of 270km/h (167mph)*
• Unique vents, grilles, spoilers and skirts contribute to enhanced downforce and minimised drag
• All-new Honda Civic Type R in Championship White will make global debut at 2015 Geneva Motor Show

The all-new British built Honda Civic Type R – which will make its world premiere at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show – will feature a host of eye-catching design enhancements that have been heavily influenced by extensive aerodynamic development and testing, both on computer and in the wind tunnel. The result is a car with exceptional high speed stability and high levels of downforce.

The superior aerodynamic performance helps make the most of the Civic Type R’s 2.0 litre direct injection VTEC TURBO engine, enabling the car to achieve a top speed of 270km/h (167mph)* unrivalled amongst its front wheel-drive competitors.

A new, almost completely flat underside aids airflow under the vehicle and combines with a rear diffuser to optimise downforce – effectively ‘sucking’ the car onto the road.  A bespoke rear wing gives the car enhanced visual presence and delivers powerful additional downforce, thanks notably to the structure of its airfoil section.

A wide front splitter and deep side skirts also manage airflow and reduce lift, while the front bumper has been shaped specifically to inhibit air turbulence around the front wheels, cutting drag and enhancing high-speed stability.

To help the driver manage the Type R’s prodigious power, the car is equipped with a high performance Brembo brake package, developed specifically for the car. At the front, four-piston calipers apply braking force to 350 mm drilled discs. New 19-inch alloy wheels, unique to the Type R, complement the visual changes, filling the wheel arches and accommodating the larger brakes.

Heat management was another major focus for the design team, influencing several prominent external design modifications. Enlarged upper and lower grilles in the front bumper, vents above the wheels on the front quarter panels and vents at the trailing edges of the front wheel arches combine to provide greater cooling and ventilation for the high-output engine.

Leon Brannan, Head of Car, Honda (UK) said “We’ve already seen huge customer interest for this much anticipated and unique car with over 100 orders already in the bank. With the release of these new technical details I think we can expect many more.”

The Civic Type R will be unveiled at Geneva Motor Show in Championship White – a colour shared with successive generations of iconic Type R vehicles.

Honda can be found at stand 4250 in Hall 4 at the 85^th Geneva Motor Show (3 - 15 March).

Kia to display 11th European Design Studio concept at Geneva Motor Show.

• Concept to be unveiled at the 85th Salon International de l’Automobile in Geneva on 3 March 2015
• D-segment model is the 11th concept car created by Kia’s European design studio
• The concept has been created as a spacious and versatile accessory to an active lifestyle

Kia Motors Europe will exhibit a stylish new concept car at the 85th Salon International de l’Automobile in Geneva on 3 March 2015.

This new D-segment model is the 11th concept car created by Kia’s European design studio in Frankfurt, Germany. With confident, powerful lines which sweep elegantly from Kia’s hallmark ‘tiger-nose’ grille towards the rear of the vehicle, Kia’s new concept car embodies modern design and refined, understated energy.

The concept has been created as a spacious and versatile accessory to an active lifestyle, as a purposeful, energetic design study for the style-conscious, and as a sanctuary from the stresses of the modern world.

All new Concept to debut at Geneva for Infiniti, the QX30 Crossover.

Infiniti will take the covers off the QX30 Concept at the Geneva International Motor Show next month. The QX30 Concept is the Infiniti design vision that will inspire a new premium compact crossover targeted at a new generation of premium customers. 

Set to be revealed at Infiniti's press conference scheduled for 12:30 p.m. local time on March 3 in Geneva, the QX30 Concept aims to reignite the premium compact segment with a distinctive approach to design that looks beyond the practicality and conformity expected of the segment.

The potential customers for such a concept are searching for a product to suit their "urban week and get-away weekend" lifestyle, and the QX30's compact footprint matches that. 

Combining the sleek lines of a coupe with the rugged looks and commanding seating position of a crossover, the QX30 Concept foreshadows an urban explorer which is equally at home in the city as it is on the open road.

Suzuki will display two world-premiere concept models at the 85th Geneva Motor Show next month.

Suzuki Motor Corporation will display two world-premiere concept models at the 85th Geneva Motor Show next month, both will offer the design language tahat has become an important part of Suzuki design of recent times, and will move the brand forward with these two new exciting products.

iK-2

The iK-2 is an ideal compact sized car, developed with an innovative theme of “Harmonised Force”. By combining all of the key elements expected in a car of this size the new model raises compact car values to the limit.

iM-4

The iM-4 is an iconic mini 4x4 developed with a concept theme of “Shape the Inspiration”. It is an all-new proposal from Suzuki, packed with its compact 4x4 DNA and new technologies as well as distinctive styling that will give real inspiration to drivers.

Detailed information will be disclosed at the Suzuki press conference, scheduled on

Tuesday, 3rd March 2015 at 11:15 am

On stand 4251, in hall 4

A special website is available on http://www.globalsuzuki.com/geneva2015/

*The 85th Geneva International Motor Show will be open to the press on 3rd and 4th March and then to the general public from 5th to 15th March.

Lexus debuts a number of premiere's at the 85th Geneva Motor Show.

• European premiere of the new Lexus F performance model, the GS F
• European premiere of the LF-C2 roadster concept
• World premiere of a new Lexus concept

The Geneva motor show will host the first European appearance to the latest addition to Lexus’s F portfolio of high-performance models, the new GS F. Seen first at the Detroit show in January, the GS F is a refined, four-door saloon with the speed and agility of a premium sports car. Its normally aspirated 5.0-litre V8 engine produces 470bhp and maximum torque of 530Nm. The GS F is also the first model to be equipped with the new, comprehensive Lexus Safety System+.

The GS F will be shown alongside the LF-C2 concept, which is also making its European debut following its unveiling in Los Angeles in 2014. This 2+2 open-top roadster design study explores styling themes that will be part of a new styling direction for the Lexus brand.

Geneva will also witness the world premiere of a new Lexus concept, to be unveiled during a press conference that will take place at 12:30 on 3 March on the Lexus stand (4211) in Hall 4 of the Palexpo exhibition centre.