Preview: the world’s most exotic supercar show

Top Marques Monaco is billed as the Principality’s ‘fourth largest event’. Here’s a preview of the world’s wildest supercar show

Billed as Monaco’s ‘fourth largest event’, Top Marques Monaco is where the rich, famous and those with a few million Instagram followers gather to check out the latest supercars, yachts, watches and jewellery. This year, the event takes place just after the Monaco Grand Prix, so you can spend even longer in the Principality. Here are some of the things you can look forward to in 2019.

A new date for Top Marques Monaco

The event has moved from its original date in April to between 30 May and 3 June, as a growing number of manufacturers expressed a desire to attend both Top Marques Monaco and the F1 Grand Prix. Salim Zeghdar, deputy chairman of Top Marques Monaco, said: “For many, it was a feat too great to get their revolutionary electric vehicles ready for the beginning of April. It made perfect sense for us to move the dates so that we can accommodate these exhibitors.”

World premiere number one: McLaren GT

As if to underline the importance of the event, Top Marques Monaco will host no fewer than three world premieres. Although the McLaren GT will be unveiled on 15 May 2019, the Monaco event will be the first time McLaren’s new Grand Tourer is seen in public. The company hasn’t confirmed any details yet, but has said it will share DNA with the Speedtail hyper-GT.

World premiere number two: Zacaria

After five years in the making, the Zacaria SC will make its debut in Monaco. The road-legal F1 replica weighs just 850kg and is powered by a 6.3-litre engine from a Ferrari F12 Berlinetta. With 700hp on tap, it’s likely to be extremely quick, not to mention highly sought-after. The price? A Monaco-friendly $1 million (£776,000).

World premiere number three: Ferox Azaris

The second wonder from Down Under is the Ferox Azaris. “There’s nothing else like the Azaris in the world,” proclaims the Australian company, which is rather apt given that this six-wheeled off-roader boasts a rocker-style suspension similar to the one used on the Mars Rover. The coolest vehicle at Top Marques Monaco? It’s in with a shout.

Bilenkin Vintage

Believe it or not, the Bilenkin Vintage is based on an E92 BMW 3 Series Coupe. “One would never encounter two identical Vintage model cars,” claims the Russian company as it seeks to emphasise the coach-built nature of these retro-modern gems. The engine, safety systems and iDrive remain, but everything else looks straight outta 1950s Russia.

Devinci DB 718

Devinci is a French car manufacturer established in 2018 to “create a brand of electric vehicles with a retro look”. The company expects to shift 300 Classic DB 718 EVs in 2019, each one with a chassis number chosen by its owner and engraved on the vehicle.

Devinci DB 718

Customisation options include colours, number stickers, two different wheel rims, leather upholstery, two different steering wheels and various other options and accessories. Up to 220km (136 miles) is available from a single charge, and prices start from €49,000 (£42,000).

Puritalia Berlinetta

Fresh from its debut at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show, the Puritalia Berlinetta is a plug-in hybrid producing around 950hp. At its heart is a 5.0-litre V8 producing 750hp, which is paired with an electric motor on the rear axle to deliver a combined 920lb ft of torque. It’ll sprint to 62mph in just 2.7 seconds before hitting a top speed of 208mph. You can bank on spending just shy of half a million pounds on this handbuilt plug-in supercar, although only if Puritalia deems you worthy of the brand.

Brabus 700 Widestar

The Brabus 700 Widestar is no stranger to Monaco, as the German tuning company unveiled the hotter G63 at last year’s Monaco Yacht Show. It produces a not-too-shabby 691hp and 701lb ft of torque to deliver a 0-62mph time of 4.3 seconds and a top speed of 149mph. The Widestar lives up to its name courtesy of some wider arches and new front and rear bumpers.

Anibal Icon

Get ready for an Anibal lecture. Anibal Automotive is based in Montreal, which makes the Icon one of the wildest things ever to emerge from Canada. The 100 percent carbon fibre all-wheel-drive supercar is powered by a 3.8-litre twin-turbocharged engine from the Porsche 911 Turbo S, but Anibal has increased the output to a savage 920hp. Only 50 will be made, with each one hitting 60mph in 2.4 seconds.

Aston Martin AM-RB 003

The AM-RB 003 wowed the crowds at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show, but now it’s time for Aston Martin’s mid-engined hypercar to put on a display in Monaco. Previously known as the Project 003, the third mid-engined Aston is powered by a new hybrid turbo V6 and only 500 will be sold. Testing is taking place in Red Bull’s ultra-advanced simulator – it will be a while before the first prototypes hit the road, by which time we suspect all 500 units will be sold.

Rolls-Royce Wraith Luminary

There’s something very Monaco about the Luminary Collection. “Inspired by those who lead where others follow, the Wraith Luminary Collection will light the way for the luxury trailblazer,” says Rolls-Royce. If you see yourself as a luxury trailblazer, Rolls-Royce is producing 55 units, with each Wraith graced with a shooting star headliner, illuminated wood panelling and stainless steel hand-woven fabric incorporated into the cabin.

Bentley Continental GT No. 9 Edition

The Continental GT No. 9 Edition is Bentley’s way of saying “Happy Birthday” to itself. It pays tribute to the iconic No. 9 Blower and just 100 will be produced. Each car contains a piece of the racing seat from Sir Tim Birkin’s 1930 No. 9 Le Mans race car, with a fragment of wood from the seat displayed on the dashboard. There’s even an 18-carat gold-plated No. 9 exterior badge. It’s tasteful and elegant, which aren’t words you can use to describe everything on show at Top Marques Monaco.

Bugatti Chiron Sport

Two years after the launch of the original Chiron, Bugatti followed it up with the Chiron Sport. The 1,500hp powertrain is unchanged, but it gains a dynamic handling package and an 18kg weight saving over the ‘standard’ car. It’s also the first car to boast carbon fibre windscreen wipers, which is sure to impress the people of Monaco. As will the next car to feature in our Top Marques preview…

Dacia Sandero

Nah, only kidding.

Pininfarina Battista

The Pininfarina Battista will be in Monaco ahead of its launch in 2020 with a promise to bring green performance better than a Formula 1 car to the world’s streets. The 1,900hp luxury electric hypercar will accelerate to 62mph in under 2.0 seconds and have a top speed in excess of 250mph, and yet it will also have an electric range of over 300 miles. You can bank on spending almost £2.5 million to secure one of the 150 units.

Quantino 48Volt

NanoFlowcell has completed 350,000km (217,000 miles) of testing in the Quantino 48Volt ‘flowcell’ car, with the company experiencing “absolutely no problems” in the process. The flowcell tech uses two tanks of external electrolytes pumped over stationary electrodes, with the range dependent on the size of the tanks, rather than the size of the device under the bonnet.

Selfie corner

“Hi guys!” Top Marques Monaco has teamed up with Shmee150 and POG to do some digital influencing. There’s also a ‘selfie corner’, “for fans to take photos with their favourite YouTubers”. Nice.

Top Marques Monaco

Top Marques Monaco opens its doors at the Grimaldi Forum on 30 May and continues until 3 June 2019. Standard tickets cost €70 on the 30 and 31 May, and €40 on the 1 and 2 June. Entry to the show on 3 June is by invitation only.

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Gavin Braithwaite-Smith
Gavin Braithwaite-Smithhttp://www.petrolblog.com
Writer with a penchant for #FrenchTat. Owns 15 vehicles of varying degrees of terribleness. Also doing a passable impression of Cousin Eddie in an Italian-German beige motorhome. Doesn't get out much.

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