A pair of the world’s latest supercars will be on public display for the first time in New Zealand when the gates open for CRC Speedshow in Auckland this weekend.
This year Giltrap Group has arranged a special line-up of 2018 cars from nine different manufacturers, headlined by the fastest, most powerful Porsche 911 built, the latest Porsche 911GT2 RS.
The turbocharged model was revealed for the first time as Xbox title Forza Motorsport 7’s cover car in June, 2017, and it grabbed international headlines three months later when Porsche announced a record-setting Nurburgring lap time.
Watch: Porsche 911 GT2 RS shatters Nurburgring record
Powered by a 3.8-litre six-cylinder bi-turbo engine producing 515kW (640hp) and 750Nm of torque, the Porsche GT2 RS is the current record holder of both the fastest road-legal and rear-wheel drive sports car to lap the 20.6km Nurburgring Nordschleife in Germany.
Its official time of 6min 47.3sec shattered the record held by the all-wheel drive Lamborghini Performante, and was a full 10 seconds faster than a time set by Porsche’s own 918 Spider hypercar four-years earlier.
Fans of British motoring will also be treated to the first public showing of the all-new Bentley Continental GT — specifically, the first NZ-spec car to arrive here.
The iconic British luxury GT is now in its third generation and features a new design language, interior quirks and less weight.
New Bentley Continental in Giltrap Group headquarters. Photo / Matthew Hansen
It still utilises a 6.0-litre W12, but output has been upped to 466kW of power and 897Nm of torque, capable of propelling the two-tonne GT from standstill to 100km/h in 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 333km/h.
The two new arrivals will be joined by a V12 Lamborghini Aventador S and Aston Martin Vanquish.
Two new luxury SUVs will debut too, with the latest Porsche Cayenne and Range Rover Vogue confirmed for the show.
It’s not however, all about the Europeans as the latest offerings from Australia, America and Korea join the line-up.
Porsche Cayenne S. Photo / Ted Baghurst
HSV will be well represented with the outgoing V8 GTS-R four-door sedan and new Colorado-based SportsCat ute.
The American-sourced Chevy Silverado pickup in top spec Midnight edition trim will also be on show as the first right-hand drive models arrive in New Zealand.
Priced from $134,990, the full-sized pickup will be available in five variants, all of which will be powered by a 322kW, 1234Nm 6.6-litre V8 turbo diesel engine.
Completing the line-up is the rear-wheel drive, twin-turbo V6 Kia Stinger.
Gates open for the CRC Speedshow at ASB Showgrounds from 9am, Saturday and Sunday.