Rides

Increased space is the name of the game for Spyker’s C8 Aileron, recently unveiled at Geneva; the wheelbase increases by 5.9″ while an Audi 4.2L V8 powerplant pumps out 400bhp.

With 257hp on tap, Lotus’ Exige S260 Sport is the most powerful Exige ever; it also drops 50 lbs, allowing it to go 0-60mph in 4.0s with a supercharged 1.8L 4 cylinder engine.

The world’s fastest hybrid, Giugiaro’s Frazer-Nash Namir claims a top speed of 187mph; what really perks our ears, though, is the 1,200 mile range and a fuel economy of 91.7mpg.

Designed to wow the European market, the Infiniti Essence has done much more; gorgeous lines inside and out hide a twin-turbo 3.7L V6 and electric drivetrain with 592 brake hp.

Improving on a Bugatti is no easy task, but Mansory’s Veyron LINEA Vincero boosts power to 1109hp with a cold air induction system; also: carbon fiber parts + larger air outlets.

Our favorite grinning hatch gets teeth with the 2010 Mazdaspeed3; a hood scoop, revised grill, bigger shoes, fog lamps and twin exhaust join a power bump to 268hp at the end of 2009.

Pilot Alan Norman shows off Lockheed Martin’s 5th gen airplanes, the F-22 and F-35, above; he explains how stealth, aerodynamics and integrated avionics all contribute to air dominance.

Lighter and faster than its siblings, Lamborghini’s Murcielago 670-4 SuperVeloce is “exceptionally purist”; it goes 0-60 in 3.2s with a tuned 670hp 6.5L V12 while dropping 220 lbs.

Real men may drive stick shifts, but Maserati’s GranTurismo S Auto is tough to overlook; it mates a 4.7L V8 engine to a smooth ZF 6-speed gearbox for 440hp and 361 lb-ft of torque.

Opel’s Ampera is one heckuva sexy plug-in hybrid with a 300+ mile range; its switchback-shaped headlights send daggers straight to the now pedestrian-looking Chevy Volt’s heart.

Taking the bicycle-built-for-two and making it (sorta) cool, Zero Emission Machines come in two- and four-seater versions with Shimano race components and hydraulic disc brakes.

Flying cars seem like the ultimate in vaporware, and Kazim Doku’s Audi Shark concept makes the wait even more painful; it may be claustrophobic but we’d love one of these in our driveway.

Specs are unconfirmed, but rumors are rife about the Centenaire, a special Veyron built to celebrate Bugatti’s 100 year anniversary; it’ll get 1350+ hp and a top speed of 261 mph.

James Bond’s coveted ride drops its top with the Aston Martin DBS Volante–just keep your hairpiece on as it gets the DBS’ 6.0L V12; it’ll go 0-62 in 4.3s and tops out at 191 mph.

We’re jealous on way too many levels here: Sports Illustrated Swimsuit models pile into three Nissan 370zs in Las Vegas and then proceed to do donuts in a Luxor parking lot.

The bastard child of a Batmobile, a submarine and an F1 racer, the Tramontana R makes up for its funky looks with a twin-charged 5.5L V12 that gets 760hp and 811 lb-ft of torque.

We’re not fans of the bug-eyed styling, but Alfa Romeo’s MiTo GTA hatchback presents real competition for the MINI JCW with a turbocharged, VVT DI engine that pushes out 240 hp.

A joint Italian and South African venture, the Perana Z-One is a gorgeous two-seater with a 6.2L Corvette LS3 V8 that promises 0-62 times under 4s; it’ll be limited to 999 units worldwide.

A flowing, sharklike fascia and vertical foglights: sounds like a hot roadster, but it’s actually the Hybrid Camry Concept Vehicle; it celebrates Toyota Australia building its own Camry Hybrids.

Carlsson’s custom stylings may not be for everyone, but this CK55 RS Rascasse not only gets a two-toned bodykit but a plush, dark red Alcantara interior courtesy Etienne Aigner.

The shots above aren’t the largest, but they give a decent view of both the coupe and drop-top flavors of the Audi TT RS; it packs a turbocharged 2.5L that gets 340hp and 332 lb-ft of torque.

Florida-based Scorpion Motorsports’ Prodigy is a street legal trike with a choice of three Suzuki powerplants; the 125hp base model alone goes 0-60 in 3.3s and starts at $39.9k.

Triump Motorcycle’s Speed Triple is getting a Carbon Limited Edition which keeps the same 1050cc triple engine but sports light and tight carbon fiber throughout in Matte Black.

The ESA will be giving 1m euros to UK-based Reaction Engines for the Skylon; the jet- and rocket-engine spaceplane is designed to take off and land on conventional runways.

In celebration of the C6.R’s success, Chevy will be releasing a special edition Corvette GT1 in C6.R yellow with a “Jake” graphic, chrome wheels and a carbon pattern engine cover.

Think of it as a baby Rolls: the Rolls-Royce 200EX concept is 18″ shorter than the Phantom and is based off the BMW 7-series platform; itl’ll be powered by a V12 and arrive in 2010.

We wonder who has the bling for a Bentley, let alone this Extreme Bentley; it runs on a bio-fueled twin-turbo and goes 0-60 in 4s thanks to 630 hp and the removal of the rear seats.

With 4 out of 5 European models part of their “BlueEFFICIENCY” push, the 2010 Mercedes E-Class Coupe is about low MPG; it’s still plenty hot though, and will go on sale this June.

Hyundai has been making remarkable strides catching up with the big nameplates, and their flagship Equus caps off this effort with a long wheelbase and 5.0L V8 that makes 420 hp.

Claiming to be the world’s fastest car is a perpetual game of catch-up, but this customized Maxximus G-Force Ultima GTR takes the cake with 1600hp and a 0-60 of 2.1s.