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Weekly Recap: Geneva's splendor reflects growing demand for ultra-luxury cars

Geneva is one of the most glittering auto shows in the world, but the list of high-powered and bespoke luxury cars was decadent this year even by the rich standards of the Swiss exhibition. It's great for enthusiasts to revel in the flame-throwing Aston Martin Vulcan, the racing-inspired elegance of the Bentley EXP 10 Speed 6 concept and the insane performance of the Lamborghini Aventador LP 750-4 Superveloce, but there's a reason for all of this opulence: the luxury market is big business. And it's growing. IHS Automotive forecasts that so-called ultra-premium sales will nearly triple this decade from 123,000 to 353,000 units around the world. The estimate includes brands like Aston Martin, Bentley, Ferrari and Rolls-Royce, but doesn't count BMW, Mercedes and Audi, which offer less expensive models in addition to their high-end flagships. Though IHS includes Porsche and its relatively large volume in the study, the ultra-premium segment is still set grow at about the same rate, even without the German automaker's figures. So what is propelling all of this growth in the most expensive segment of the auto industry? Put simply, there's more rich people. IHS Automotive principal analyst Tim Urquhart pointed to economic expansion in China, market recovery in the United States and a surge in the lucrative technology sector as contributing factors. This dovetails with a research report by UK-based Oxfam, an international relief organization, which found the world's richest one-percent owned 48 percent of global wealth in 2014, and it's expected to increase to more than 50 percent by 2016. View 17 Photos Carmakers are moving quickly to capitalize with new products, expanding their portfolios with low-volume speedsters like the 800-hp V12 Vulcan at Geneva, and plans to enter new segments, like Rolls-Royce's strategy to make an SUV. "Ultra-premium carmakers are looking to explore ways of growing their product offerings, and thus their bottom lines, in this most potentially profitable of segments," Urquhart wrote in a report on the Geneva show. In a nutshell, there are more choices for people with more money. It's a good time to have expensive taste. Other News & Notes 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata production launches It won't be long now. The 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata arrives later this year, and it's officially in production. Mazda announced this week that the roadster began rolling off the assembly line at its Ujina factory in Hiroshima, Japan.

New Chevy Small Block crate engine has 405 hp, endless possibilities

With decades of history, the Chevrolet Small Block V8 has definitely stood the test of time, and the company has kept finding ways to make it better. At this year's SEMA Show in November, Chevy Performance is unveiling the latest upgrade to that legacy with the new ZZ6 350-cubic-inch (5.7-liter) crate engine. Offering 405 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque, the mill should add a big dose of power to any project car. For the ZZ6, Chevy is working to improve the Small Block's high-rpm performance. To make that happen, the engine has Fast Burn aluminum cylinder heads and an updated valvetrain inspired by the LS family of powerplants. Large intake runners help with the airflow, and the valve springs use a tapered design that allows for less reciprocating mass. The mill also packs a forged steel crankshaft and high-silicon aluminum pistons inside of a cast iron block. Chevy is offering the engine in two versions depending on what the builder needs. The Base configuration comes with an intake, distributor, water pump, and a few other parts but lacks carburetor and accessories. Conversely, the Turn Key option has everything, including the carb, air cleaner, starter, alternator, and more. More details about their availability will be announced at SEMA. NEW ZZ6 CHEVY SMALL BLOCK ADVANCES CRATE ENGINE LEGACY Revised Fast Burn heads with LS-inspired valvetrain enhance high-rpm performance 2015-10-02 DETROIT – Developed with contemporary technologies, including a high-rpm valvetrain, Chevrolet Performance's new ZZ6 crate engine offers builders a modern twist on the classic Chevy Small Block 350. It uses updated Fast Burn cylinder heads with beehive-style valve springs inspired by the LS engine family – a feature that enhances high-rpm capability, enabling the new high-performance engine to achieve 405 horsepower and 405 lb-ft of torque. That's more power than any factory produced 350 engine ever installed in a Chevrolet production vehicle and it's one of the most powerful 350 Small Block-based crate engines in the nearly 27-year history of the "ZZ" lineup. "The new ZZ6 is the ultimate ZZ 350-based crate engine from Chevrolet Performance," said Jim Campbell, GM U.S. vice president of Performance Vehicles and Motorsports.

Chevy rolls out Corvette Z06 C7.R Edition at SEMA

It's not just concept vehicles that Chevy is showcasing at SEMA this year. The Bowtie brand is also taking the occasion of the tuner expo to reveal the new Corvette Z06 C7.R Edition. The special edition of the flagship performance model pays tribute to the racing model with a series of special touches and upgrades. The C7.R edition is based on the Z06 in 3LZ trim, and comes equipped with the Z07 Performance Package, including Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires. But that's not the end of the story. It also includes special graphics, yellow brake calipers, yellow-striped black wheels, a carbon ground effects package, carbon hood section, metallic gray grilles and vents, and a black leather interior with sueded microfiber trim, Competition Sports seats, and yellow stitching. Buyers will be able to order theirs in black or yellow and in either coupe or convertible body-styles. Only 650 examples will be made, of which 500 will remain in the United States, and each of them is individually numbered starting with the VIN 700001. Of course, being based on the Z06 we already know, it packs a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 engine good for 650 horsepower and an equal measure of torque. With the Z06 pack, that translates to a 0-60 time of under 3 seconds for the automatic version and 3.2 for the manual. Related Video: Corvette Z06 C7.R Edition Pays Tribute to Racing Legacy Distinctive appearance package complements capability with special-edition style LAS VEGAS – When the Z06 rejoined the Corvette lineup in 2015 as the most capable model in the car's long, storied history, it also joined an elite fraternity of the world's most capable supercars – with performance proven on the track, including winning Car and Driver's 2015 Lightning Lap evaluation. The Corvette Z06's capability is derived in no small part from technology and experience leveraged from the championship Corvette Racing program. That connection is celebrated with the 2016 C7.R Edition. It's offered in Corvette Racing's signature yellow livery – or black – with coordinated exterior and interior accents. Only 650 will be built (500 for the U.S. market), all with the Z07 Performance Package with carbon ceramic brakes, and a specially serialized vehicle identification number.