We get crazy excited for auto shows such as Geneva, because car manufacturers use it as a platform to launch new models, and this year was no exception.  For us being the carbon fiber freaks that we are, there were a few exceptions that we just had to share.  We’d love to hear what your favorites are, or if we missed anything, comment at the bottom.

Ferrari LaFerrari

Ok, the name is just horrible, but the car…that’s another story.  We’ve been waiting for this car for a long long time, it’s the successor to the Enzo.  From a carbon fiber perspective, Ferrari used four different types of hand-laminated material to create something lighter and stiffer.  Ferrari put together a video explaining the different types of carbon fiber used and why they were chosen:

Using carbon fiber, Ferrari was able to obtain some pretty impressive improvements over the previous Enzo chassis.  20% lower weight, 27% torsional rigidity and 22% beam stiffness.

From a performance perspective, Ferrari chose to go in a unique direction.  You see, there is a 6.3 liter V12 engine pumping out 789 horsepower…but you’ll also find a 160 horsepower electric motor combined.  Together, you’ve got a supercar with 949 horsepower and 663 pound-feet of torque, making it the fastest Ferrari ever.

Launch Video

Lamborghini Veneno

For Lamborghini’s 50th anniversary, they developed the Veneno.  If you want one, too bad!  Priced at over $3 million dollars, all three that will ever be built, have all been sold.  You can bet that there is tons of carbon fiber in this car, from the monocoque to the entire cockpit and headliner.  Like the Sesto Elemento, Lamborghini used CarbonSkin which is carbon fiber soaked in a special resin that allows it to remain supple.  All the carbon fiber brings the weight of the car down to 3,190 pounds, and with 750 hp, it’s power-to-weight ratio is 4.25 lbs/hp.  This allows the car to to accelerate to 60 mph in just 2.8 seconds.

Video

Koenigsegg Agera S Hundra

While the Koenigsegg Agera S is nothing new, this special model, called the Hundra, is a one-off to celebrate its 100th car.  The entire exterior of the car, even the wheels, is kept in raw carbon fiber form, and you’ll find inlays made of 24 carat gold leaf that is hand painted by an artisan.  If you’re a carbon fiber fanatic like us, this is one of those ones that we’d kill somebody to have sitting in the garage.  Pictures below by Autoblog:

Video

Mansory Carbonado

Mansory is known for tuning cars and giving their own unique look to them.  Their designs are normally a love/hate sort of thing, so you’ll have to let us know what you think in the comments.  This special edition Lamborghini Aventador is transformed into what Mansory calls the Carbonado  While the entire exterior of the car is carbon fiber, you may not recognize it due the uniquely woven fabric that is being used.  Aside from new body panels, they improved performance with an optimized engine management system and high performance exhaust system.  Only six versions of this car will be made.  Pictures below from Autoblog:

Video

Spania GTA Spano

Here’s one from a company you may not have heard of before, Spania.  The Spanish company showed up with their GTA Spano, and as you can see, carbon fiber is everywhere!  The specs are impressive too.  8.4 liter V10, twin turbo’d with 900 hp and 737 pound-feet of tq…on a body that weighs just 2,976 pounds.  Pictures below from Autoblog:

Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22IhRYl2WWo