Infiniti Essence

Infiniti wants to be taken seriously as more than just a builder of posh Nissans. And though its product line up has some very bold ideas, the automaker has never had a true supercar in the mix. That is, until now. And while the Essence revealed at Geneva is strictly just a concept, it’s a beauty, packed with interesting and distinctive ideas, both technically and aesthetically. A classic luxurious coupe, it manages to blend retro cool, a touch of Latin glamour and — appropriate for its Japanese breeding — some well-integrated high-tech, including a supercool dash display and nearly 600 horsepower from its gas-electric hybrid drivetrain.

Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Stirling Moss

Despite its all-carbon-fiber construction, its 200 mph-plus top speed and the pedigree of being built in the same factory as Lewis Hamilton’s F1 car, the Mercedes SLR has never quite seemed comfortable in its own skin. Sure, it’s fast and has a fabulous exhaust note. But true supercar status has always been just out of reach, which is what makes this last hurrah all the more compelling. The Stirling Moss link harks back to the Mercedes SLR in which the famed race-car driver took his famous victory at the Mille Miglia back in 1955. Stripped back with outrageously over-the-top styling, strictly limited availability and 650 horsepower, the SLR has finally found its niche on the cusp of retirement.