Month: March 2019

The Geneva Motor Show is known for its exotica, and this year’s event was no different.

With glittering unveilings from Bugatti, Ferrari, Koenigsegg, Lamborghini, Pininfarina and more, there was no shortage of luxury and performance models on show.

But the big question on the minds of many preparing to splash their cash on these high-value models is “what’s the investment potential?”

JBR Capital, a specialist in providing high-end finance for this type of vehicles, has today revealed the list of the greatest appreciating and depreciating cars over the past 10 years that launched at the Geneva show.

The highest appreciating model comes from Lamborghini with its seldom-seen Veneno, which saw its debut in 2013. Just five of the Aventador-based hypercars were ever made, and it was priced at a cool £2.6m when new. Six years later, a Veneno Coupe is valued at £7.3m – an 180 per cent increase in value, and a gain of over £4m.

Other winners include the Ferrari LaFerrari, which was also unveiled in 2013. Ferrari’s latest hypercar now looks like a bargain back then with a launch price of £1.15m, compared to its current price of £2.4m – an impressive 109 per cent increase in value.

Those who have just ordered Koenigsegg’s latest Jesko hypercar, which is said to be capable of 300mph, will be hoping their cars rise in value in a similar way to the firm’s 2014 One:1, which has doubled its value and is now worth £4m.

Rounding off the top five are the 2009 Pagani Zonda Cinque, which has risen in value by 54 per cent to £2m, as well as the 2010 Koenigsegg Agera, which is now worth £1.3m – a 49 per cent increase on its £875,000 list price.

But not everyone’s been so lucky. Buyers of the 2013 Maserati Quattroporte might have loved the styling and luxury of their saloon at launch, but six years later, a low-mileage Quattroporte is worth just £32,000 – a 71 per cent loss.

The Bentley Continental GT Supersports has also plummeted by 54 per cent since its unveiling a decade ago, and is now worth £75,000, as opposed to £163,000 when new.

Elsewhere, the 2011 Aston Martin V8 Vantage S has dropped by 47 per cent to £56,000, the 2014 McLaren 650S by 37 per cent and a 2016 Jaguar F-Type SVR by 32 per cent to £75,000, according to JBR Capital.

Steven Halstead, executive chief operating office at the finance company, said: “It’s unsurprising that the Lamborghini Veneno, Ferrari LaFerrari and Koenigsegg One:1 have stolen the limelight in terms of current values. The Veneno is quite simply an outstanding car.”

As for this year’s unveilings, JBR Capital is hedging its bets that the one-off Bugatti La Voiture Noire, the Pagani Huayra BC Roadster and the Pininfarini Battista are the hypercars that will see prices soar. It has also recommended the Lamborghini Aventador SVR Roadster and Ferrari F8 Tributo as the supercars to keep an eye on where values are concerned.

The Geneva Motor Show, taking place each March in the Swiss city’s Palexpo exhibition centre, is the event that the motoring world plans its whole calendar around. It’s typically the location for European manufacturers to reveal their most important and pivotal models, announce major step-changes to their brand or corporate strategy and play around with amazing concept cars.

This year has proved to be the most electric year yet – and we mean that literally, with virtually every single car manufacturer launching some form of hybrid or electric car. We’ve seen everything from humble hatchbacks to the most powerful road-legal car ever made powered entirely by electric motors.

But that’s not to say traditional petrolheads can’t find something to love, too. Here are some of the most exciting cars we found at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show.

Renault Clio

Okay, okay, so a new Renault Clio isn’t exactly the most remarkable discovery in the world – even less so when it looks so similar to the outgoing model. But don’t be fooled, this is an all-new model, and one glance at the stunning interior with its vast central screen and premium touches should convince you of that.

A plug-in hybrid powertrain will join a range of turbocharged 1.0-litre petrols, and Renault’s promised that the new car will be even better to drive than its perky predecessor. We’re now looking forward to a Renaultsport model…

Lamborghini Aventador SVJ Roadster

From a humble supermini to Lamborghini’s new halo model. The Aventador SVJ has many things going for it – a Nurburgring lap record, 759bhp V12 engine and those spacecraft looks to name but a few – but it’s that pesky roof that’s the problem.

So what has Lamborghini done? Lopped it off. The Aventador SVJ Roadster is only 50kg heavier than its hard-top sibling and packs the same punch, but best of all, you’ll now be able to hear that glorious naturally-aspirated engine in all of its high-revving glory.

Pininfarina Battista

You thought 759bhp was a lot? Pfft. The latest model from bespoke Italian brand Automobili Pininfarina, the Battista, packs 1,874bhp. Yep, you read that right.

Pininfarina claim the all-electric, four-wheel drive supercar will hit 60mph from rest in less than two seconds and go on to more than 217mph – and will go 280 miles on a single charge, too. Add in classic supercar proportions and, presumably, a price tag in the millions, and this could be one of the models to make electric supercars as desirable as their petrol-powered cousins.

Polestar 2

Volvo’s spin-off sports brand, Polestar, unveiled its second model at Geneva – imaginatively named the ‘2’. It’s set to be the brand’s first ‘mainstream’ car and as such it packs a curious mixture of SUV, coupe and saloon styling cues into a single slick package.

It’s also all-electric, with a promised range of more than 300 miles. If the starting price is low enough, this could give Tesla’s affordable Model 3 a real run for its money.

Honda E Prototype

One vehicle that isn’t chasing a low starting price is the Honda E Prototype – despite its dinky dimensions, Honda will be pricing it as a premium product. Given the reception it’s had, that’s perhaps not as crazy as it sounds.

The sleek E Prototype offers a high-tech interior, cheeky styling and plenty of desirability. The new electric city car to covet?

Peugeot e-208

Giving the Honda a run for its money is the new Peugeot 208 – available for the first time as an all-electric model named the e-208. It will sit alongside its petrol and diesel-powered siblings, but thanks to clever packaging there’s no compromise in practicality from the bulky battery pack.

The 50kWh battery promises around 211 miles from a single charge, and it’s mated to a 134bhp electric motor driving the front wheels. Peugeot’s also lobbed the book at the new 208 in terms of technology, with LEDs aplenty and a glorious new 3D-effect digital dial pack.

Seat El-Born

Seat’s first proper all-electric model will be based on the same scalable electric platform as its Volkswagen ID. siblings, but the Spanish brand’s gone its own way in crafting what looks like a practical, compact MPV.

The El-Born uses the latest VW Group technology inside and out, and though it’s technically still a concept Seat says it’s very nearly production ready. And the name? El Born is a neighbourhood in Barcelona.

VW ID. Buggy

The other end of the Volkswagen Group electric spectrum is this – the ID. Buggy. It’s a testament to the versatility that an electric platform offers, as having all the powertrain components contained within the floor means that manufacturers can go wild with the body they place on top.

Volkswagen’s chosen to fit the Buggy out like a classic California Dune Buggy – with chunky off-road wheels, a weatherproof interior and no roof or doors. We absolutely love it.

Ferrari F8 Tributo

With rivals such as the McLaren 720S beginning to steal Ferrari’s mid-engined thunder, the brand had to update its brilliant 488 GTB. The result is this – the F8 Tributo, which uses the same engine as the limited-run 488 Pista – a remarkable 710bhp turbocharged V8.

Redesigned aerodynamics, reduced weight and fresh styling also appear, and the F8 Tributo promises that its performance will be accessible to a wider range of drivers than the Pista’s was.

Aston Martin Vanquish Vision

And this is the car that could soon give Ferrari a run for its money – the Aston Martin Vanquish Vision. Excluding the remarkable track-honed Valkyrie, the Vanquish Vision will become Aston Martin’s first-ever mid-engined model.

It’s set to use an all-new Aston Martin-developed V6 engine that will also form the brand’s first mainstream hybrid powertrain. Oh, and did we mention how well Aston Martin’s styling language translates to a mid-engined silhouette?

There’s just something about having eight cylinders, arranged in two angled banks of four, that strikes joy into the hearts of so many car enthusiasts. The V8 is, to many, the perfect engine – an ideal balance between longevity, smoothness, power and packaging.

It’s these factors that have made them the layout of choice for so many wonderful cars over the years. Here are a few of our favourites, found in the classifieds for a bargain price…

Vauxhall VXR8

This was the last thing we expected from Vauxhall at the time – but the VXR8 wasn’t really created by or for Vauxhall. It was actually a rebadged model from Holden in Australia – land of wide roads, cheap fuel and big, inexpensive muscle cars. So Vauxhall bought it over here, slapped a Griffin badge on it and sold it as a little-known performance monster.

The VXR8’s simple combination of powerful V8 and rear-wheel drive made it spectacular fun, and they can now be picked up for a song. You’ll find its predecessor, the Vauxhall Monaro, for even less.

Lexus IS F

Examples of the remarkable V8 Lexus IS F are just beginning to creep below the £20,000 mark – and what a bargain they are at this price. While its contemporaries were contemplating smaller engines and turbocharging, Lexus steadfastly held on to a 5.0-litre naturally-aspirated V8.

It’s also rather exclusive – you won’t see many others on the roads, and with Lexus’ legendary reliability you’ll see even fewer in the garage.

Mercedes-AMG E 63

Mercedes’ back catalogue is full of V8 monsters, but we’re big fans of the E 63 model – the brand’s BMW M5 rival. Depending on your budget, you’ll be looking at less than £20,000 for either W212 or older W211 models – both offer over 6.0-litres of eight-cylinder majesty wrapped up in a luxurious shell.

Plus, the older you go, the more discreet these cars become – W211 models are proper under-the-radar machines.

Range Rover V8

A big, luxurious car needs a big, luxurious engine right? That’s been Land Rover’s way of thinking with the Range Rover for years – while smaller V6 engines and recently four cylinders have been available, the range’s flagships have always had eight.

While V8 petrols are positively sublime we’d steer clear of them unless you’re the ruler of an oil-producing nation. Instead, go for the stonkingly good V8 diesel – it’s got more torque than a freight train and even sounds good. Budget for some repairs, though. With these cars, it’s not a question of if they’ll break down, but when.

Jaguar XFR

Jaguar’s sports saloons had begun to fall by the wayside against the onslaught of German competition, but the 5.0-litre supercharged XFR helped to turn the tables. Here was a vehicle that took amazing performance and wrapped it in a high-end smoking jacket.

There’s 503bhp on offer and those who have a penchant for fast estates can even opt for the marvellous Sportbrake model.

BMW M3

Purists moaned when BMW launched its current-generation M3 with a turbocharged straight-six engine. And why did they moan? The V8 in its predecessor, of course.

The 4.0-litre naturally-aspirated V8 found in the E92 M3 is a firm favourite with purists, mainly thanks to its 8,400rpm redline and exceptional throttle response. Tidy examples can be found for our budget price.

Audi RS4 Avant

The 4.2-litre V8 in Audi’s fantastic B7 RS4 Avant was as close to matching the one in the M3 as possible – an identical 414bhp and even higher 8,500rpm redline. The RS4’s successors have been criticised for being a little inert, but this model offered an enviable fluidity through the corners as well as a fantastically mechanical feel.

Of course, with quattro four-wheel drive and a capacious estate body, the RS4 offers some practicality too – ideal for taking the kids and the dog out for a relaxing 155mph run down the autobahn.

Ford Mustang

Say ‘muscle car’ to anyone and the chances are they’ll have visions of a Ford Mustang. The ‘pony car’ helped bring performance to the masses, and though right-hand drive is only available on the current model – which is outside our budget – an imported model could be an absolute bargain.

Owners have a habit of modifying Mustangs – often quite badly – so you may need to search for a while to find an unmolested example, but it’s worth it.

Toyota Land Cruiser V8

Land Cruisers are legendary for their ruggedness, and nothing says rugged quite like putting a massive V8 under that enormous bonnet. Our budget will buy you either a 4.7-litre petrol or a 4.2-litre diesel – we’d suggest opting for the latter unless you really want to get to know the cashiers at your local Esso.

You’ll enjoy unparalleled levels of toughness in a surprisingly family-friendly package – just make sure you brush up on your parallel parking, as getting this beast into a space is an ordeal.

Maserati Quattroporte

If you’ve ever wanted to look like an Italian mobster, this is the car for you. Maserati’s Quattroporte – Italian for ‘four doors’ is, as with many Italian cars, very flawed. But it’s also brimming with personality and flair.

£20,000 will buy you your pick of early models, leaving plenty of spare cash for a very thorough mechanical inspection. You’ll need it.

Though it seems like we only just had the 68-plate arrive, it’s time for another new one. On March 1, the new 19 plate change will hit new cars across the UK.

But what are the best cars to get with this shiny new number plate? Let’s take a look.

Audi

A1

The dinky A1’s seen a sharp-edged makeover, and now tops the Volkswagen Group’s supermini family above the Skoda Fabia, Seat Ibiza and Volkswagen Polo.

A7

A huge limo with coupe-like styling, powerful engines and four-wheel drive? Sign us up. The A7’s getting on a bit now but new plug-in hybrid options due later this year should freshen things up a bit.

Bentley

Continental GT Convertible

Two words should endear the new Continental GT Convertible to you – tweed hood. Of course, the W12 engine, wealth of interior technology and impressive performance are all pluses as well…

BMW

3 Series

We’re glad to report that the latest generation of BMW 3 Series is a worthy example of the breed – inheriting its predecessor’s brilliant dynamics and efficient engines.

X3/X4

BMW arguably helped make the compact premium SUV segment what it is today, and luckily for buyers of the new X3 and its related X4 sister, it’s not forgotten how to make these big cars handle like sports saloons.

X5

Your thoughts about the big grille aside, the new X5 is a deeply impressive beast. Amazingly dainty on its feet for something so big, it’s also premium, comfortable and packed with tech.

Citroen

C5 Aircross

Could this be the car that best encompasses the spirit of Citroens of old? The C5 Aircross is the quirky option in the SUV sector and comes with the brand’s ‘Advanced Comfort’ suspension and seats.

C4 Cactus

If the C5 Aircross is the modern-day CX, then the Cactus is the 2CV. It puts its focus on simplicity and practicality, though the second-generation model is a little more conventional than its barmy predecessor.

Dacia

Sandero

We couldn’t not suggest you buy a Dacia Sandero – after all, it’s the cheapest new car on sale by a big margin. And for its price, it’s actually very good thanks to modern powertrains mated to last-generation’s tech in a bid to keep costs down.

DS

DS 3 Crossback

We’re quite excited for this one – it’s only DS’s second purpose-built car since the brand spun off from Citroen a few years ago. It’s also going to be offered with petrol, hybrid, and fully electric powertrains.

Ferrari

Portofino

Ditching the California for the far more attractively named (and styled) Portofino was a great move for Ferrari. The new car may not be a track-honed monster, but it’s everything you want from a convertible GT.

Honda

CR-V Hybrid

Having an electrified SUV in the range is quickly becoming a necessity for manufacturers, so it’s a good thing Honda got in relatively early with the comfortable and easy-to-drive CR-V Hybrid.

Hyundai

Kona Electric

Electric cars are becoming more usable all the time, but with over 250 miles on a single charge and an affordable price tag Hyundai took a big leap with the Kona Electric. Get in quick, as it’s proven so in demand that Hyundai’s struggling to fill orders.

Jeep

Wrangler

Reviving an icon’s always difficult but Jeep managed it with the Wrangler. It’s still as classic as ever – and brilliant off-road – but has enough modern tech to keep millennials happy.

Kia

Proceed

A stylish, swooping shooting brake? Who else but Kia? Anyone, in fact – nobody really expected the Proceed, but now it’s here, it’s proven to be a great combination of good looks and superbly practical underpinnings.

Ceed GT

So the Ceed range may not yet have a true hot hatch to rival sister brand Hyundai’s i30N, but the Ceed GT gets quite close. It’s a good-looking mid-sized hatch with just over 200bhp – plenty for most people!

Land Rover

Range Rover Evoque

The current Evoque’s been on sale for ages and the time’s right for a replacement, even if that replacement looks virtually the same. It’s all change under the skin though, with new engines and tech.

Lexus

ES

We don’t traditionally buy big saloons in the UK unless they’re German, but the Lexus ES might help change that. It’s not exciting, but it’s supremely relaxing and should be painless to own.

UX

Small, premium SUVs are hot, hot, hot – and Lexus is finally entering the segment with its dinky UX. It offers striking looks and hybrid powertrains, hopefully making for low running costs.

Mazda

3

The family hatchback may have a new class leader in the Mazda 3, which is a brilliant car held back only by its limited engine range. That should change with the introduction of the groundbreaking SkyActiv-X unit, though.

CX-3

We’re big fans of the Mazda CX-3 – a crossover that drives like a beautifully sorted hatchback. It’s also elegantly styled and efficient too, with plenty of petrol and diesel engines to choose from. It’s an impressive good car to drive, too – meaning you don’t have to forsake driver enjoyment for practicality.

McLaren

720s Spider

The 720s Spider is a drop-top version of the firm’s acclaimed supercar. With a turbocharged V8 engine and as much horsepower as you could possibly want, it’s for people who want the McLaren experience with the wind-in-your-hair factor too.

Mercedes

AMG A 35

Mercedes has proven itself unexpectedly good at making hot hatchbacks, and the A 35 is no exception. Very powerful but superbly composed, with a wild streak that’s very appealing – we can’t wait for its more potent A 45 sibling to arrive.

EQC

Mercedes latest electrified offering is the all-electric EQC – based on the GLC platform and delivering a 250-mile range and more than 400bhp.

Nissan

Micra

The Micra was a fairly mediocre car at launch, but thanks to a mid-life update with new tech and brand-new engines it’s got a new lease of life. Customers can also opt for a sporty N-Sport model with a bespoke body kit and more powerful engine.

Peugeot

508 SW

Peugeot’s 508 Fastback is a real stunner, and the brand’s stylists have worked their magic on the estate, too. It’s not the most practical in its class, sure, but it’s definitely one of the best-looking – and it’s also great to drive.

Porsche

911

The arrival of a new 911 is always an exciting thing, and fortunately this latest version has managed to live up to the reputation of its predecessor. More of an evolution than a revolution, but you can’t fault the way the new 911 steers, accelerates and looks, too.

Seat

Tarraco

Yes, it’s another SUV, but the Seat Tarraco is one well worth opting for. Sharp looking and with a range of efficient engines, it’s been designed to take on the likes of the Nissan X-Trail and Kia Sorento. It also comes with the option of seven seats, so it’s ideal for larger families.

Skoda

Scala

Contrasting the huge wave of SUVs hitting the market is this, Skoda’s Scala hatchback. Going up against the Ford Focus, the Scala is built on the same MQB A0 platform as the Volkswagen T-Roc and Seat Ibiza. It’s efficient, spacious and – in our eyes – good looking, too.

Suzuki

Jimny

Replacing the old Jimny after nearly two decades was never going to be an easy job, but Suzuki’s tactic of sticking to the old recipe served it very well. If you can get one of these on a 19 plate, then DO – stocks are low and used prices are already rocketing.

Toyota

Corolla

The Corolla nameplate is one of the best-known – ever – in the car world, and Toyota’s brought it back to Europe to adorn this new, 12th-generation model. It offers a choice of two hybrid powertrains as well as a more conventional cabin shaped by customer feedback.

RAV4

The RAV4 has gone through a bit of a murky patch of late, but now there’s a new one to rectify things. Available with a hybrid powertrain only, it’s a fine option for those who want the high ride height of a compact SUV, but with lower running costs better suited for urban drivers.

Volvo

Volvo V60

Volvo’s new V60 is the latest addition to the Swedish firm’s range of estate cars, and aims to match the popularity of the larger V90. A range of petrol or diesel powertrains are available, and they’re backed by excellent build quality and typically Scandinavian looks too.

There were experiments with steam and electric power before but let’s get real, the car as we know it came into being when Karl Benz made the first petrol-powered internal combustion automobile. More than a century on, we’re pitching around in diesels, hybrids, electric vehicles and even hydrogen cars, but for the majority of the world petrol is still the default choice.

That’s the case in Europe – just, though a big push for diesel in the 2000s means that it still holds more than 40 per cent of the market, with petrol just ahead with around 55 per cent of the market.

But why should you consider a petrol vehicle for your next car, and what are the potential downsides? We take a look…

What’s your mileage?

Low mileage drivers, come on by. Of course, the ideal car for a quick jaunt into town is an electric or hybrid model, but these can be expensive and out of reach for a lot of people. Plus, there are very few electric superminis or city cars on the market – they just cost too much to manufacture – so buyers in these segments don’t have too much choice.

Petrol cars tend to be much cheaper than their diesel equivalents, so depending on how much you drive will dictate how quickly the increased fuel consumption will affect your finances.

For example, a 1.6-litre diesel Volkswagen Golf costs around £1,600 more than its petrol equivalent. For a high-mileage driver (according to Volkswagen’s official fuel consumption figures) the increased fuel economy of the diesel would be paid back in around 75,000 miles – or less than three years for someone covering 30,000 miles a year. But the average motorist in the UK does 12,000 miles a year, meaning the diesel would take more than six years to start paying for itself.

What type of journeys do you do?

Opting for a petrol for short runs is ideal. Unlike modern diesel engines, most petrols don’t have the same sort of sophisticated emissions control systems that become so easily clogged up on repeated short journeys from cold.

Petrol engines also warm up more quickly than diesel. This means that while their overall economy might be less, they reach their optimum operating temperature far more quickly. While a diesel may not be at its full efficiency until 30 minutes or so after starting, a petrol will likely manage it in half the time. This means that if you’re just dashing around town, you might find a petrol even more efficient than a diesel.

Do you enjoy driving?

This is a contentious one. We’re not saying that electric, hybrid or even diesel vehicles can’t be enjoyable to drive – of course they can. But there’s a reason that the go-to phrase for a car enthusiast is a petrolhead.

A petrol engine fitted to a hot hatchback or a sports car is the ultimate way to enjoy yourself on the roads for not too much outlay. They’re zippy, reasonably cheap to run, and brilliant fun – everything you want for fun on a budget.

At the high end, super-fast electric cars are beginning to blur the lines, but there’s still little to touch a screaming V8 or V12 petrol engine for sheer theatre.

In general, a petrol car – while it may be a little more tiring on long journeys or when heavily loaded – will be more fun to drive than its diesel equivalent due to improved engine response and lighter weight.

Can you afford it?

Probably. If you can’t afford a petrol car, you can’t afford a car – it’s the cheapest way to get on the roads in this country thanks to a glut of fantastic little city cars and superminis. The used market is awash with them, too.

Running a petrol car once you’ve actually bought it can be more expensive than equivalent powertrains. They’re the thirstiest kind of car you can buy, and thanks to higher carbon dioxide emissions they will also cost more to tax – most of the time.

Insurance is less of a concern, and petrol cars aren’t any more or less reliable than diesel counterparts – so maintenance shouldn’t be a problem either.