While Ferrari doesn’t techniclly participate in the New York Auto Show, that doesn’t mean they aren’t going to grab some of the limelight, hosting a private event at the Italian automaker’s ritzy Park Avenue dealership. (As though there are any Ferrari dealerships that aren’t ritzy…)

Making their U.S-debuts were the 599 HGTE and the truly awesome 599XX. Both models were first unveiled in March at the Geneva Auto Show in Geneva, Switzerland, but this more intimate setting allowed us to get some additional details on the track-only 599XX. Besides… do we really need another reason to stare at the meanest-looking Ferrari since the Enzo first came out.

What we already know is that the 599XX is powered by the standard model’s V12 engine, but the internals have been reworked to produce 7o0hp at 9000 rpm. To achieve this Ferrari engineers significantly modified the engine with a new, lighter, crankshaft. Carbon fiber is also used for the intake plenums.

Due to the new aerodynamics of the 599XX it now gets 612 lbs of downforce at 124 mph and almost 1,400 lbs of downforce at 186 mph!

One particularly important innovation on the 599XX is Ferrari’s new “Actiflow” technology, that adjusts downforce and drag depending upon how the car is operating. This is achieved through the use of a porous materia in the diffuser and two fans in the trunk lid that work to channel air from under the car out through two grilles next to the tail lights. Rather noticeable winglets have also been added to the the are just behind the winds, where the buttresses are located.

One of Ferrari’s top engineers was on hand discussing the Actiflow technology and commented that it was actually designed for use in Formula 1, but that the FIA wouldn’t allow it. 

One new bit of info that we learned about the 599XX is what Ferrari terms a “Virtual Race Engineer.” This system essentially uses all the onboard computers to calculate what the maximum level of performance the car can achieve on a race track. To do this it takes every bit of data available, including tire temperature, tire pressure, engine and coolant temperature (as well as many other variables) and determines what the maximum level of performance capable by the car under those conditions is.

Unfortunately, if you’re not Michael Schumacher, getting the car to go that fast is impossible… but here’s where the fun part comes in. The 599XX’s computer can then rate you (the driver) on your performance and tell you how close you are coming to the car’s maximum potential – a humbling experience no doubt.

GALLERY: Ferrari 599XX

We’re sorry to report that Infiniti’s breathtakingly beautiful Essence Concept will not see production, this according to a company spokesman.

The Essence Concept was unveiled at the 2009 Geneva Auto Show and took everyone by surprise as rumors had circled that the vehicle was to be yet another crossover. With a true grand touring look that had cars like the Aston Martin DBS and Ferrari 599 in its sights, the Essence also had the ponies to back it up with 600hp.

It was also a hybrid, with 440hp generated from the twin-turbo 3.7-liter V6 engine and an additional 160 ponies coming from an electric motor.

One part of the car is, however, certain to live on as Infiniti has already confirmed the direct-injection technology used in the Essence motor will make its way into the next M37 and the G37.

And with talk of a higher performance version of the GT-R coming out, there’s no reason it couldn’t get direct-injection technology too.

Still, we’ll miss never seeing this automotive work of art make it to the street.

[Source: AutoWeek.nl via AutoBlog]

GALLERY: Infiniti Essence Concept

As we have previously reported, Volkswagen will bring it’s sub-compact Polo to the U.S. but not until 2011. Even more surprising is that the vehicle won’t be the same one that was just unveiled at the Geneva Auto Show.

According to a Automotive News report (soured on AutoBlog) the 2011 Polo will come to the U.S. in two different versions: a sedan and hatchback. VW of America CEO Stefan Jacoby told Automotive News that the current Polo is still too small for the U.S. market – which is surprising because it looked pretty large to us in Geneva.

To resolve this issue, VW will build two new version of the car with a longer wheelbase and a slightly taller roof. The sedan model will be smaller than the Jetta and the four-door wagon/hatchback will be a competitor to the Honda Fit.

Jacoby did say that pricing for the sub-compact would have to be between $13,000 and $15,000 in order to compete in the segment, so expect the final products to have base prices in that range.  In order to achieve that price, the vehicle will likely have to be built in North America – potentially at VW’s Puebla, Mexico plant.

[Source: AutoBlog]

While Suzuki’s Geneva Auto Show press conference concentrated on the launch of the new Alto model, we spotted another premiere that we’d much rather have.

It’s no supercar (this is Suzuki after all) but it’s one hot-hatch – the Swift Sport Anniversary Edition.

Made to celebrate the company’s 100 years in existence, the Swift Sport is a little 125hp four-cylinder model that may not have all the power you want but it certainly has the looks.

The Swift Sport gets a complete aero kit with an aggressive front end, side skirts, an intricate rear bumper with two exhaust pipes and a roof spoiler. The most obvious feature, however, are the 18-inch wheels, coated in 215/35/18 Yokohama rubber.

The inside is also as surprisingly nice as the outside, with dark black plastic, some nice faux-aluminum trim and even black and red cloth seats with some nice red stitching.

It is available only with a five-speed manual transmission and comes standard with ABS and stability control.

This specific model is only offered in Switzerland, with a rather significant asking price of 33,925 Swiss Francs (roughly $29,000… that’s almost double the price of a standard Swift).

Now if only Suzuki would bring cars like this to the U.S.

GALLERY: Suzuki Swift Sport Anniversary Edition

After recently launching the new Mégane model, Renault brought its powerful sibling, the Mégane R.S. (Renault Sport) to the Geneva Auto Show. 

Powered by a new 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, the R.S. makes 250hp at 5500 rpm and 251 ft-lbs of torque at 3000 rpm. This is an increase of 20hp and 29.5 ft-lbs of torque over the highly acclaimed R26.R. As well as being a great performer, the car is also good around town with plenty of immediate torque – Renault says that 80 of peak torque is available at just 1800 rpm.

As expected, the new R.S. will be offered with only a six-speed manual transmission. Two trim levels can be ordered, the Sport and the Cup, which features a limited-slip differential. The R.S. is equipped with a stability control system, however, it can be shut completely off.

From the outside, the car is immediately distinguishable by its 18-inch wheels, rear diffuser and Lambo LP640-style central exhaust pipe.

Inside, the car gets aluminum pedal covers, a sport steering wheel, Renault Sport lettering on the headrests, gauges and dashboard. It also comes with a gear-shift indicator that is both visual and audible.

GALLERY: Mégane R.S. 

More on the Mégane R.S. after the jump:

If only this car were available? Who wouldn’t cancel their Panamera order to get one?

At the Geneva Auto Show, French carmaker Peugeot unveiled what might just be the best looking hybrid ever. The RC HYbrid4 Concept is a grand touring sedan, with the engine located at the rear of the car and the electric motor up front. Out back is a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 216hp. Additional power comes from the electric motor, which makes 95hp for a total of 313hp. Torque is distributed between the front and rear wheels of this four-wheel drive beauty with 131 ft-lbs of torque going to the front wheels and 207 ft-lbs going to the rear.

As for the heavy lithium-ion battery packs, they are located in the center of the car for ideal weight distribution and a low center of gravity.

Better yet, this concept comes with a six-speed manual transmission!

As tough all that good stuff weren’t enough, the RC HYbrid4 comes with 19-inch wheels, a complete carbon fiber body and a drag coefficient of just 0.24 cd.

Oh, and if that 313hp number doesn’t seem all that impressive, Peugeot says the car is still capable of a sprint to 62 mph in an alarmingly fast 4.4 seconds!

GALLERY: Peugeot RC HYbrid4 Concept

Kia is a brand that is looking to distinguish itself. When the company recently unveiled the Soul, it made functionality fun and now with the debut of the No. 3 Concept at the Geneva Auto Show, the Korean manufacturer intends to make basic transportation sporty and aggressive.

Created at Kia’s Design Centre Europe, under Chief Designer Gregory Guillaume, the project involved input from all of Kia’s worldwide design departments, from Korea to California. The focus of this model, however, is on the European market.

The No. 3 MPV (multi-purpose vehicle) Concept features a long wheelbase for improved driving dynamics with massive 19-inch wheels. The body of the car has been sprayed in “RockStar Titanium Grey” paint, with white detailing. 

While the interior is a bit much with the gold seats, it looks close to what a production model might be like; and that’s the whole point. Kia plans to release a production model based on this car in Europe before the end of the year.

The most important feature of the No. 3 Concept, however, is the front fascia design. Kia says that this new design, including the grille, headlights and brand logo, will be featured across all vehicles in the Kia family in the future.

GALLERY: Kia No. 3 Concept

More on the Kia No. 3 after the jump:

The Geneva Auto Show, due to its prominence on the international auto scene as well as the high net worth of the citizens of Switzerland, is always filled with all sorts of rare exotic car manufacturers. One such manufacturer is the Dutch company Spyker.

The name Spyker isn’t exactly a household one, but the company is highly involved in motorsports, running race cars at Le Mans as well as a Formula 1 team for a single season, and has produced several exotic vehicles before. The company is looking to expand in the retail automotive market with it’s automotive-inspired sportscars. To do this the company unveiled a new model, the C8 Aileron, at the Geneva Auto Show. 

The C8 is the next generation exotic from Spyker and while the old C8 Laviolette and C8 Spyder models took their inspiration from propeller planes, the new vehicle gets its styling from the turbine engine – a marked improvement indeed. Gone are many of the more ornate details, giving the car a more clean and smooth sppearance. The 19-inch Rotorblade wheels, while not exactly great looking, are a marked improvement over the old design. Tires measure 235/35/19 up front and 295/30/19 in the rear.

The car doesn’t just look new either, as the entire aluminum spaceframe chassis has been redesigned. The wheelbase of the C8 Aileron is 5.9-inches longer than the old model, providing not only better driving dynamics but also better comfort and stability at high spedes. The front track is also much wider – 6.1-inches wider.

Aluminum has been used for much of the all-new suspension, to help keep the curb weight down to just 3,142 lbs.

Spyker decided to continue using the Audi-sourced 4.2-liter V8 engine, that makes 400hp and 354 ft-lbs of torque. Spyker says the Aileron can rocket to 62 mph in 4.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 187 mph.

The car will continue to be offered wit a 6-speed Getrag manual transmission, however, Spyker also plans to offer the vehicle with a ZF 6-speed automatic gearbox, with paddle shifters. The trademark Spyker exposed gear-shifter will appear regardless of transmission choice.

“When we unveiled the C8 Aileron prototype here last year, we wanted to make a clear statement to the industry that Spyker was about to take the next step in its short but intense history, by introducing its second-generation sports cars, developed from scratch,” said Victor R. Muller, Spyker CEO. “Witin a year we transformed that prototype into the production-ready car we show here today. The first cars are being built now with customer prodction and deliveries starting in May 2009.”

A Spyder version of the car is expected to be unveiled at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Eegance.

GALLERY: Spyker C8 Aileron

Ferrari chose the Geneva Auto Show to not only unveil the track oriented 599xx but also to debut a more performance-oriented version of the 599 GTB for the street. The 599 Handling GTE (or HGTE) 599 takes the standard 599 to a new level with several small tweaks that will make it a more invigorating driving experience.

For starters, the ride height of the 599 has been lowered, and the new springs are stiffer than before. The magnetorheological shocks have also been recalibrated to new settings when the manettino is at its sportier settings. And in the rear, a larger anti-roll bar has been installed. Combined with the lower center of gravity and the stiffer suspension, the HGTE should deliver a noticeable improvement over the already outstanding 599.

Ferrari hasn’t revealed any specifics on the new transmission electronics of the HGTE but will say that shift times have been reduced. It’s pretty safe to assume that the 100 millisecond shift times are now 60 milliseconds – like those in the F430 Scuderia. The HGTE also features a slightly modified ECU with a more responsive throttle.

No power has been added to the 611hp V12 engine but the HGTE does feature a new set of mufflers for a more race-car-like sound.

While the rumors about a more aggressively-styled front fascia turned out to be false, the exterior of the HGTE is marked by new 20-inch five-spoke wheels, a matte-black diffuser and chrome tail pipes. Inside there is plenty of carbon fiber, including the entire seat-backs, as well as a mixture of black leather and Alcantara. The headrests also feature the Ferrari Prancing Horse logo and the words “Handling GTE.”

GALLERY: Ferrari 599 HGTE

True to their word, the folks at Maserati unveiled the new Gran Turismo  S Automatic at the Geneva Auto Show. The Italian luxury brand did, after all, say that it would unveil one new model at each international auto show.

While adding an automatic transmission may not seem like much, until now those who opted for the auto-box could only get one in the standard GranTurismo, which while an exceptional car, comes with the 4.2-liter V8 and not the 4.7-liter V8 in the “S” model.

The transmission itself is a six-speed ZF unit. Maserati has also eliminated the “kick-down” that happens when downshifting when in manual mode so as to keep the drive as smooth as possible.

The Gran Turismo S makes 440hp at 7000 rpm and 361 ft-lbs of torque at 4750 rpm.

Maserati is a brand obsessed with personalization and with those all-important finishing touches. That being said, the Automatic model gets new side skirts with a slightly different design to help accentuate the look of the Trident wheels.

Other highlights include a new passenger air bag with “low risk deployment,” which will become standard equipment on all new GranTurismos. Bluetooth will also be standard equipment and an iPod interface will be offered as an option.

GALLERY: Maserati GranTurismo S Automatic

Official release after the jump: