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Volkswagen Group previews its wares on eve of Geneva show

The Volkswagen Group is comprised of 11 brands producing 240 vehicles across 49 factories throughout the world. So the best way to show off the range of the VW family is to cram a few thousand journalists and VIPs into a massive makeshift stand to outline the Group's goals, what's in the pipeline and what you'll be able to buy later this year.
To that end, VW pulled out all the stops on the eve of the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, bringing along 10 vehicles from across the range. We'll be delving into the details of each over the next two days of show coverage, but before that happens, you can read all about what we saw tonight from the cheap seats after the break.

Lamborghini to celebrate 50th Anniversary with new model

Lamborghini is planning to roll out a new car for the brand's 50th anniversary. Automotive News Europe reports the Italian automaker will unveil a special one-off machine to commemorate the date next year. CEO Stepahn Winkelmann has been tight-lipped about the vehicle, saying coyly, "It will not be a revival or a retro." Fortunately, with 2013 right around the corner, we shouldn't have to wait long to see what Lamborghini has up its sleeves for the special car.
The company has other big plans for the celebration and has reportedly invited owners to ship their cars to Milan, where they will then parade through Tuscany, Rome and Bologna before arriving at the Lamborghini factory in Sant'Agata Bolognese.
It's a good time for a party. Lamborghini has seen strong sales through 2012 despite the faltering European economy, and the Aventador coupe and roadster each have an 18-month waiting list.

Lamborghini Super Trofeo series will rent you a race car for $35k, all expenses included

Racing isn't cheap. The cars often command six-figure price sums, race teams don't work for free and then you have to get the car to races while feeding it an endless supply of tires. It's no surprise then that owning a race team is a multimillion-dollar affair, but Lamborghini and its North American Blancpain Super Trofeo series is a new way for licensed racers to get behind the wheel of a racecar for a much lower price.
As a part of the single-make series, Lamborghini will supply racers with everything you need for competition - including a race-spec Gallardo LP 570-4 Super Trofeo - as well as a trackside hospitality experience... all for a relatively affordable $35,000 per race weekend. Of course, not just anyone with a spare $35,000 can hop behind the wheel and hit the track. Lamborghini says that all drivers must have an FIA-accredited racing license for the International Motor Sport Association category with a "C" or "D" rating.
When it comes to the actual racing, there will be two 60-minute practice sessions, 40 minutes of qualifying and two 50-minute races, meaning that these cars might be the most expensive rental cars ever at $8,700 per hour. In its inaugural season, the Super Trofeo will run in conjunction with two Grand-Am races, two America Le Mans Series races, an IMSA race in Canada and finally an IndyCar race weekend in California.