On a sunny April day in Chelsea, members of the automotive press had exclusive access to the first day of Salon Privé London and were given a tour around the event before doors opened to the general public. We were lucky enough to be a part of it. Across the grounds of the event, there were many EVs, classics, supercars, and SUVs to ogle at, and here are some of the highlights.

Abarth 500e Scorpionissima

First, we were shown the Abarth 500e Scorpionissima, making its UK debut here at Salon Prive London. This is the first Abarth EV ever made and goes on sale in June. The Scorpionissima, which Google hilariously translates as ‘very scorpion’, starts from £38,695. The Acid Green paint colour was undoubtedly striking, but for all those who would miss the striking sound of a revving engine in this EV Abarth, well, their wishes were catered for with a soundtrack equivalent. Is the soundtrack a worthy substitute? Or is it just nice to drive around and enjoy the silence? This has certainly divided opinion in the automotive world.

Hennessey Venom F5 Roadster

Next, we moved on to Hennessey, the American hypercar and high-performance brand that revealed the new Venom F5 Roadster, the open-top variant of the firm’s Venom F5. Presented with the help of Founder and CEO John Hennessey, wearing a staple Texan cowboy hat, it has a 1,817bhp Fury V8 engine and is manufactured to exceed speeds of 300mph. Priced at $3 million, the open-top hypercar will be sold in partnership with H.R. Owen, however, only 30 have been made… and they’re all gone.

Wiesmann Project Thunderball

The new Wiesmann Project Thunderball, the world’s first pure electric roadster, was presented by Wiesmann CEO and owner Roheen Berry, a man with a very interesting story of how he came to own the brand, one you will hear more about in an upcoming episode of the Driven Chat podcast. Powered by a bespoke electric powertrain that produces 670bhp and 0-62mph in 2.9, the Project Thunderball will set you back £260,000. In the weather conditions we were treated to in Chelsea, this was undoubtedly a day to be driving an open-top classic like this.

Genesis GV60

Genesis, the luxury division of Hyundai Motor Company, presented the pure electric GV60, a car that you can drive without keys. Using their thumbprint, owners can open the car and start the engine using facial recognition technology by looking into a camera. This is a groundbreaking moment and a first in Europe and the UK. With up to 321 miles of range, the GV60 prices start at £47,005, rising to more than £65,000 for top-spec Sport Plus versions.

Polestar

Continuing the SUV theme, we saw the UK debut of the Polestar 3. Reaching 0-62mph in 4.7 seconds and producing a range of 380 miles, prices for the 3 will start from £79,900, and it is due in the UK in 2024. Alongside the 3, Polestar showed off the new Polestar 2 BST edition 270 ultra-limited edition. Why 270? Well, that’s because only 270 will be made.

Richard Hammond and The Smallest Cog

Richard Hammond and his team from The Smallest Cog restoration business showcased their latest creation, a Chapron-bodied Delahaye. The car has had just a handful of owners and enjoyed a significant restoration in 2012 before a few finishing touches, true to its original specification, were applied by Mr Hammond and his team. These included its original Chiron colours, identified by Louis Chiron in 1947.

Theon Design Porsche 911

To finish off our tour, Theon Design presented its new ITA001, a Porsche 911 964 Carrera 4-based commission. The Oxfordshire-based company specialise in delivering bespoke commissions and this one weighed just 1,152kg thanks to its lightweight carbon body. It boasts a 400bhp 4.0-litre air-cooled flat-six engine, a copy of which was displayed next to it. A beautiful sight to behold and thrilling to the other senses with its ear-splitting sound. A sound we were treated to with a few revs of its engine. Most of the cars on display at Salon Privé were for sale, however, ITA001’s stay in the UK will be short-lived, as it will soon be shipped across to its new owner in Italy.

Overall, this round-up will barely scratch the surface, due to the sheer number and variety of cars on show. Salon Privé London is an event of pure brilliance and a perfect way to kick off the summer events season in the UK. Roll on this summer at Blenheim Palace.

Words: Mike Booth

Pictures: Salon Privé London 2023