The Geneva Motor Show 2013 burst into spectacular and glamorous life with a three-way fight between speed demons Ferrari, McLaren and Porsche. The three iconic manufacturers, each with a staggering pedigree in motorsports, revealed the LaFerrari, the P1 and the 918 Spyder.

The motor show in Geneva, one of the biggest in the world, is expected to see the unveiling of well over 100 different car models. The 83rd edition of the show will run to 17<sup> March and see over 700,000 visitors flocking to different stalls.

IBTimes UK has already revealed the face-off between the LaFerrari and the McLaren P1. And now we add the 918 Spyder to the mix. Ferrari and McLaren have hugely impressive pedigrees from the highly technical sport of Formula 1 and that shows in the cars they produce.

Incidentally, the 2013 Formula 1 season starts next weekend, so stick with IBTimes UK for coverage of Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton's attempts to wrest the championship away from Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull.

The LaFerrari (Ferrari)

LaFerrari
LaFerrari Geneva Motor Show 2013

The LaFerrari (the F150) was unveiled by the Italian company's chairman, Luca di Montezemolo, and if the reports on the official Web site are to be believed, Geneva has still not recovered. Designed to replace the Enzo at the pinnacle of the Maranello giants' food chain, the LaFerrari comes with one incredible distinction - it is the first Ferrari hybrid.

The official Web site claims the car will max out at 350km/h and goes from zero to 100km/h in less than three seconds. Under the hood, the LaFerrari has a 6.3litre V12 engine producing 950hp with a 41:59 front-to-rear weight distribution. The car's hybrid system has a pair of electric motors - one to power the wheels and the other to power accessories.

The price has yet to be confirmed but industry estimates suggest it will be between £800,000 and £1m. And as with all of Ferrari's most exclusive machines, this is a limited production model - only 499 will be made. And all 499 have been pre-booked.

The McLaren P1

McLaren P1
McLaren P1 Geneva Motor Show 2013

Meanwhile, McLaren's latest - the 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8-powered P1 - will be capable of producing over 900hp of insane, hair-raising power and taking the car from zero to 100km/h in a trifle over three seconds, making it a match for the LaFerrari. The top speed remains the same though - 350km/h. The P1 is expected to be available for roughly £770,000 and, like the LaFerrari, this will be a limited production - only 375 will be available.

[Courtesy: Shmee150/YouTube]

The Porsche 918 Spyder

Porsche 918 Spyder
Porsche 918 Spyder Geneva Motor Show 2013

Where there is a Ferrari and a McLaren, there will almost certainly be a Porsche. The German company that rose to fame as legendary critics of the even more legendary Ferrari, Porsche's successor to the universally-acclaimed Carrera GT is this - the 918 Spyder.

The company's press release reads: As a plug-in hybrid vehicle, it combines a high-performance combustion engine with cutting-edge electric motors to deliver performance that is beyond extraordinary."

And they're right. It is truly an extraordinary car.

The 918 Spyder packs a 4.6-litre V8 engine with a pair of electric motors - one to power the front axle and the other for the rear. These will generate 821hp and push the car from zero 100km/h in approximately 3.2 seconds.

Top speed is marginally lower than the Ferrari and the McLaren though, with Porsche claiming 325km/h. However, Porsche confirm the 918 Spyder will be a drastic improvement over the Carrera GT; the latter did the zero to 100km/h time in 3.9 seconds.

The price for the base model is expected to be roughly £560,000 and it will run to approximately £620,000 at its most expensive.