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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.

Latest Forza Horizon 3 car pack features a Skyline and a fast Swedish wagon

The steady stream of Forza Horizon 3 car packs shows no signs of slowing down, and the latest Rockstar Energy Drink pack includes enthusiast favorites such as the R31 Skyline and the Volvo V60 Polestar. The car pack also features a couple of sporty two-doors and some off-road oriented machines. Luxury-minded players will be pleased to see both the Bentley Bentayga and BMW i8 make an appearance. People more concerned with ultimate performance will have a different pair to consider. Players will want to check out the Ford trophy truck for busting dunes, and the Radical RXC Turbo for race-car levels of pavement performance. Finally, yet another classic Aussie muscle car appears in the pack: the 1972 Ford Falcon XA GT-HO. For those interested in the new rides, this car pack is included in the Forza Horizon 3 Car Pass, or can be purchased on its own. If only one or two vehicles are must-haves, it's also possible to purchase the cars individually. Related Video: Related Gallery Forza Horizon 3 Rockstar Energy Car Pack Image Credit: Turn10 Studios / Playground Games Toys/Games Bentley BMW Ford Volvo Videos bentley bentayga nissan skyline volvo v60 polestar forza horizon 3

A faster Bentley Bentayga Speed is coming

With 600 horsepower on tap, the Bentley Bentayga already claims the mantle as the fastest, most powerful SUV on the market. The latest reports indicate that there's an even faster, more powerful version in the works. After speaking with Bentley CEO Wolfgang Durheimer at the Beijing Motor Show this week, Auto Express reports that a Bentayga Speed is on the way. "If you're asking whether there would be Speed versions of the Bentayga eventually," said Durheimer, "then yes, you might expect that." Details, as you might have expected, remain unconfirmed at this point. However the latest Continental GT Speed packs 633 horsepower from its 6.0-liter twin-turbo W12 – 66 horses more than the standard twelve-cylinder Continental GT. And the Mulsanne's 6.75-liter twin-turbo V8 produces 505 hp in standard trim and 530 in Speed spec for a difference of 25 hp. If the Bentayga Speed follows a similar formula, we can expect a solid 650 hp or so. That ought to help push the SUV past 60 in less than its current 4.0 seconds, and on past its stated 187-mph top speed. The Speed version isn't the only variant of the Bentayga said to be in the works. We're also anticipating a diesel version as well as a hybrid. We wouldn't be surprised to see a lighter V8 model, too, as we have on the Continental. And a fastback model in the mold of the BMW X6 and company is also reportedly under consideration. Beyond the Bentayga, Bentley is said to be closely evaluating what to develop next. The choice is between the EXP 10 Speed 6 sports coupe concept on the one hand, and a smaller crossover on the other. The answer could depend heavily on how the Bentayga performs in the Chinese market. Related Video: