Luke Madden
Friday, August 19, 2022
The Concours of Elegance, presented by A. Lange & Söhne, is delighted to announce the latest exciting feature of its rapidly-approaching 2022 show: the ‘Year in Motion’ display. The all-new category will see a selection of the very finest cars launched in 2022 line-up alongside the fabulous main Concours class of over 80 cars in the grounds of Hampton Court Palace in west London. The glamorous event, recognised as one of the top three concours events globally, will return for its tenth anniversary show in just over two weeks’ time, running from Friday 2nd to Sunday 4th September.
Among the exciting range of recently launched machinery will be the fabulous RML Short Wheelbase, a modern incarnation of the 1960s GT car formula. The Short Wheelbase takes inspiration from the perfectly proportioned icon that is the Ferrari 250 GT SWB, with the curvaceous shape reimagined for the 21st century, sitting on a modern platform. Produced by the British outfit in Wellingborough, this Berlinetta features evocative 1960s styling – but updated with ultra-lightweight carbon panels. Under the long bonnet there is a glorious naturally aspirated 485 bhp 5.5-litre Ferrari V12, which drives through a six-speed open-gated manual gearbox, giving modern performance punch with total driver interaction. Only 30 of these alluring coupes – perhaps the ultimate in analogue driving thrills – will be produced.
Hampton Court Palace will also welcome the very latest creation from Maranello, the innovative Ferrari 296 GTB. The plug-in-hybrid 296 which replaces the 488, represents a new era for normal production Ferraris, with a mid-mounted V6 nestled under the 250 LM aping rear haunches, and electric motors driving all four wheels. The GTB’s twin-turbo six – known by Ferrari engineers as the ‘piccolo V12’ – revs all the way to 8,500 rpm, delivering 654 bhp, with a further 165 bhp supplied by the electric motors. Combined, they give a total of 819 lag-free bhp, peak torque arrives at 6,250rpm, ensuring the 296 has a wonderfully linear power delivery, more akin to that of a naturally aspirated motor. With a 7.45kW battery up to 25km can be covered on electric power, for silent urban cruising, while in full attack more - with turbo V6 and electric motors working in harmony - the 296 GTB is capable of reaching 62 mph in 2.9 seconds and hitting 205 mph flat out.
The cutting-edge display will also feature one of Porsche’s latest offerings, the Cayman 718 GT4 RS. The GT4 RS is the latest and most extreme iteration of the perfectly balanced, mid-engined Cayman, which was first introduced as a nameplate in 2005, and is now in its third generation, as 718 Cayman. It sports a full-fat Porsche GT motorsport-inspired motor – in this case the 493bhp 3.8-litre flat-six from the 911 GT3. The intoxicating, wild-sounding engine revs all the way to 9,000 rpm, driving through a closely stacked seven-speed PDK gearbox, offering instantaneous shifts. With new weight-saving measures, the GT4 RS is capable of achieving 0-60 mph in 3.4 seconds and 196mph flat out – the latter in spite of the raft of downforce-boosting aero additions. With its sensational powertrain and wonderful mid-engined handling, this very special Cayman ranks among the most desirable modern Porsches.
The stately Bentley Flying-Spur will add further glamour this year’s event; a car very much at home in the regal surrounds of Hampton Court Palace. A luxury car of real presence, the cossetting yet agile Flying-Spur from Crewe offers a unique combination of dynamism and opulence. The model on display will be the advanced Hybrid variant, which teams a muscular 412bhp 2.9-litre turbocharged V6 with a 100kW electric motor. Combined they offer 536bhp, giving this limousine effortlessly brisk performance: 0-62 mph is dispatched in just 4.1 seconds. A supremely refined motorcar in any guise, the hybrid model is elevated further by its ability to waft along in near total silence, with up to 25 miles possible on electric power alone. With a cabin that incorporates the finest leathers, metals and woods, the Flying-Spur sits at the very pinnacle of modern automotive luxury.
The display will feature another of the latest machines to emerge from the Modena region of Italy – along with the Ferrari 296 GTB – the Maserati Grecale. A sporting SUV named after a cool, strong Mediterranean wind, the Grecale offers all the dynamism and style that one would expect from a machine wearing the famed Maserati Trident on its nose, with the added versatility and practicality of an SUV. The Grecale, which is more compact than its Levante sibling, is available with a comprehensive range of powerplants, from punchy 2.0-litre turbocharged fours, right up to the range topping 536bhp turbocharged V6. Equipped with the latter, the Grecale is capable of 177mph flat out. With a series of adaptive drive modes – with the everyday ‘Comfort’ setting to the extreme, focussed ‘Corsa’, as well as a dedicated ‘Off Road’ mode, the Grecale is ready for whatever its driver throws at it.
The ‘Year in Motion’ display will be rounded off by what is likely to be a favourite among guests, the latest incarnation of Morgan’s three wheeled offering: the Super 3, which was revealed to great fanfare earlier this year. The Super 3 has the task of replacing the much-loved 3 Wheeler model, which, over the course of a ten-year production run, charmed fans with its classic British style and unique driving experience – the roots of which can be traced back to the Morgans of the early 1900s. The Super 3 is a much more modern vehicle, Morgan’s first ‘clean sheet’ design since the Aero 8 of 2000, with a cleaner, more overall look and modern architecture. The infinitely customisable Super 3 sports a rev-hungry 118 bhp three-cylinder engine – a departure from the V-twin of its predecessor – mated to a slick 5-speed manual gearbox. Tipping the scales at just 640kg, the Super 3 can hit 60 mph in 7.0 seconds and hit a top speed of 130 mph, all the while delivering a driving experience unlike that of any other car on sale.
Further categories and star cars are set to be announced in the coming weeks as we build up to the event. Outside the main display of vehicles, the Concours of Elegance will assemble around 1,000 further cars in a series of special features and displays, as well as a live collector car auction by Gooding & Co.
James Brooks-Ward, Concours of Elegance CEO, said: “we are delighted to announce that our fast-approaching show will feature this all-new ‘Year in Motion’ display, showcasing the wonderfully diverse range of machinery launched in 2022. The line-up will offer something for everyone, adding further intrigue to the event, and complementing the main display of 70 world class Concours cars. Now just over two weeks away, this year’s event - which marks our 10th anniversary - is set to be the most spectacular automotive extravaganza yet.”
Away from the automotive displays, Concours of Elegance will once again be an occasion of pure luxury, with champagne provided by Charles Heidsieck, picnics by Fortnum & Mason, and a collection of art, jewellery and fashion displays. Presenting Partner A. Lange & Söhne will once again showcase some of its most intricate timepieces.
Tickets to the Concours of Elegance 2022 are available now from just £35 for half-day entry, with full three-course hospitality packages from £320. Tickets can be bought from concoursofelegance.co.uk/tickets
