Today, 21 April, the capital sees the launch of a new automotive event, Salon Privé London, at the Royal Hospital Chelsea. Twelve automotive debuts at the show include the long-lost Alfa Romeo 12C prototype and the Prodrive Hunter, the world’s first all-terrain hypercar.
The three day celebration promises to be London’s most exclusive automotive party and features the very latest in motor machinery, a second-to-none selection of classic cars for sale in the Concours de Vente and some of the world’s most desirable luxury brands alongside fine dining. Everything from Patek Philippe watches, jewellery from Boodles and Harley-Davidsons to Bell helicopters will be on display.
Salon Privé Concours de Vente
At the heart of the event is the unique Concours de Vente, a groundbreaking concept featuring 50 of the finest automotive classics – all of which are for sale.
Director David Bagley said: ‘All the cars in the Concours have been entered by the most respected specialist dealers from across the UK and continental Europe and will be for sale across the three days of Salon Privé London. It will be a rare opportunity to view a selection of their most significant consignments in one place. There will be judging and silverware too, with the most-prized classic car being awarded the ultimate Prix d’Honneur in the Concours de Vente Gala Dinner on the Friday night in the Great Hall of the Royal Hospital Chelsea.’
The Concours de Vente includes automotive greats such as the Barnato-Hassan Bentley racer, a Mille Miglia class-winning OSCA MT4 and the UK’s first Ferrari Daytona. They will be joined by a highly original Delahaye 135 CS and the unique AC MA-200 prototype, while entrants will cover more than 80 years of motoring history thanks to the announcement that Joe Macari will be presenting a Dallara Stradale. The lightweight 400bhp road car was developed by the renowned Italian racing car manufacturer and is intended to be a roadgoing track car.
12 vehicles to make their UK debut:
Alfa Romeo 12C Prototipo
Making its public debut 81 years after it was first conceived, the long-lost Alfa Romeo 12C prototype will be unveiled alongside a brand-new book telling the fascinating story of the pre-war racer.
Aston Martin (Aston Martin Mayfair)
The Aston Martin DBX707, the world’s most powerful luxury SUV, is an SUV like no other, it elevates Aston Martin to the pinnacle of the segment with a unique combination of blistering performance, supreme dynamics, unmistakable style and absolute luxury.
Bugatti (H.R. Owen Bugatti)
H.R. Owen Bugatti presents the Bugatti Sur Mesure’s first customer project. The unique Chiron Pur Sport is inspired by the heroics of racing driver Louis Chiron, and features brand-new exterior paint colours as well as a number of ultra-bespoke interior and exterior styling additions.
Charge Cars
The highly anticipated production-intent version of the Electric Mustang by Charge Cars will be making its global debut at Salon Privé London, with customers able to order the EV at the event.
A hand-built, zero-emissions design icon, the brand-new Electric Mustang uses cutting-edge technology to redefine the revered 1967 Fastback model. With a new steel bodyshell, complete with the blessing of Ford, and composite body panels to minimise weight, the car’s quad-motor configuration provides 536bhp and a 0-62mph time of just 3.9 seconds.
Caton
The all-new and ultra-exclusive Healey by Caton will make its global public debut as the reincarnation of the iconic Austin-Healey 100 sports car.
Healey by Caton is a unique combination of 21st-century design and engineering with traditional techniques, all of which delivers a driver’s car for the modern age. Promising an immersive, intoxicating and emotional automotive experience, the first creation from the all-new luxury British brand Caton brings the Austin-Healey 100 up to date while still protecting the ethos of the 1950s original.
Ferrari (H.R. Owen Ferrari)
The revolutionary new Ferrari 296 GTB will make its UK static debut. The first of Maranello’s road cars with plug-in (PHEV) hybrid architecture, the 296 GTB boasts an internal combustion engine integrated with a single electric motor. With an exceptionally wide V6 design helping contribute to the car’s compact dimensions, it’s efficient and responsive – and delivers 818bhp, resulting in a 0-62mph time of only 2.9 seconds.
Genesis
Genesis will be unveiling its first dedicated electric platform-based vehicle, when the GV60 makes its European debut. Building on Genesis’ philosophy of setting a new standard in customer service, paired with luxury design, the GV60 delivers the technology of a high-performance electric car in the form of a sleek and athletic coupé crossover utility vehicle.
Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations
The new Range Rover SV, the flagship of Land Rover’s pinnacle luxury vehicle, mixes modernity and aesthetic grace to create an exquisite interpretation of the iconic SUV.
With a breath-taking choice of personalisation options across both standard and long-wheelbase models, including a five-seat LWB configuration, the new Range Rover SV provides customers with a new level of craftsmanship as well as greater functionality. It represents the apex of design and engineering expertise from Land Rover’s in-house Special Vehicle Operations team.
Morgan Motor Company
The all-new Morgan Super 3 will make its UK debut at the show, as the Morgan Motor Company showcases its entire range at Royal Hospital Chelsea. Recently revealed to the press, the Super 3 continues the 113-year legacy of three-wheeled Morgan vehicles yet introduces a new product family with a design language inspired by the Jet Age.
Built in Malvern, Worcestershire, like every Morgan since 1909, the Super 3 draws on the skilled men and women that handcraft vehicles in the renowned red brick buildings on Pickersleigh Road.
Prodrive
The spectacular new Prodrive Hunter is the world’s first all-terrain hypercar and been developed from the Bahrain Raid Xtreme competition car, that was driven by nine-times World Rally Champion Sébastien Loeb on the world’s toughest motorsport event – the Dakar.
Developed by British company, Prodrive, the production version of the Hunter is even more extreme than the car driven by Loeb. The 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 engine has been refined and retuned at Prodrive’s Banbury HQ, and its power output has been boosted by 50 percent to more than 600bhp.
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
Rolls-Royce Black Badge Ghost the purest Black Badge yet.
- Black Badge Ghost debuts dark side of Post Opulent design
- 6.75-litre V12 engine now delivers increased power (600PS) and torque (900NM)
- Drivetrain and chassis re-engineered for more urgent performance
- Curated collection debuts striking Turchese Leather and Technical Carbon veneer
- Bespoke alloy wheel introduced in Black Badge house style with carbon fibre barrel
- Infinity lemniscate symbol continues to codify noir expression of Rolls-Royce
“After considerable internal debate, Rolls-Royce announced that it would create an officially sanctioned response to a new kind of client: a permanent Bespoke treatment to its motor cars named Black Badge. These products, which were launched in 2016, would be darker in aesthetic, more urgent in personality and dramatic in material treatment. “In the five years since Black Badge became publicly available, this bold family of motor cars has come to symbolise the pinnacle of a new type of super-luxury product, setting in motion a shift across the wider luxury industry. Subsequently, nearly all luxury makers create products that seek to capture the Black Badge spirit. “Today, we announce a product that represents a new kind of Black Badge motor car, one that seizes on the minimalist, Post Opulent design treatment that has recast the legend of Ghost but amplifies and subverts it with the application of black. Our most advanced motor car yet has been reengineered to characterise the alter ego of Rolls-Royce: assertive, dynamic and potent. This is the purest Black Badge motor car in the marque’s history. This is Black Badge Ghost.”
Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
Tushek
Hailing from Slovenia, the updated Tushek TS900 Apex will make its global public debut for orders, as the hypercar manufacturer shows its revolutionary hybrid model.
An advanced evolution of the cars previously seen, and the lightest hybrid hypercar on the market, the Tushek TS900 Apex employs a new and patented electric drive system. Achieving perfect parity, the car possesses a power-to-weight ratio of one metric horsepower to one kilogram of mass (1:1). A landmark achievement, Tushek joins an elite handful of vaunted marques to
For more information about the event and cars at the show, please visit: www.salonprivelondon.com
Salon Privé London is donating 20% of all entry ticket revenue to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) via Work for Good. #StandWithUkraine
Smith Greenfield is an independent insurance broker specialising in insurance for high value homes and lifestyles including: high value car insurance, vintage car insurance, classic car insurance, art insurance, antiques insurance, memorabilia insurance, fine wine insurance and more. To discuss specialist insurance for your home or collection, please contact our Premier Client Adviser, Imran Moideen, via email imran.moideen@smithgreenfield.co.uk or telephone 020 8603 3730.
photo: Salon Privé London, Royal Hospital Chelsea