Armor-plated SUV among extravagant debuts at Top Marques Monaco show

While AutoWeek editors were pounding the pavement at the New York auto show last week, the world's silly rich were nodding polite approval at the Top Marques Monaco show.

Included in the debuts were Gemballa, Fisker, Keating, Tirrito and Conquest, the latter of which showed off a ridiculously large, armor-plated SUV called the Knight XV that reportedly took organizers three hours just to maneuver it through the hall doors.

Lest we forget that we're all human, Top Marques Monaco also had its “Black Friday at Wal-Mart” moments: According to organizers, Gemballa's world premiere of the Tornado was cut short after it was purchased “within 16 seconds of the show doors opening by a sheikh eager to have a piece of the action.”

Full wrap-up release from Top Marques Monaco below.

Revving in the glory

Top Marques Monaco…the groundbreaking show which pushes limits with extreme machines surpassed the expectations of fast car aficionados at its 8th edition this past weekend with the world premiere launches of six supercars. The power players of the industry made next generation car history including Gemballa's world premiere launch of the Tornado, which didn't even make it for a test drive on the iconic Monaco Grand Prix F1 circuit before it was snapped up within 16 seconds of the show doors opening by a Sheikh eager to have a piece of the action. Making its European debut was the bespoke, luxury armour plated Knight XV by Conquest. Taking the organisers over three hours just to manoeuvre it through the hall doors, the imposing size of this bullet-proof, armour security vehicle makes the Hummer look petit.

For the past eight years the show has reinvented the way the world's luxury car drivers and devotees experience the industry's innovative, peak performance designs. Top Marques ingeniously utilises the reputation and race course of the celebrated Monaco Grand Prix circuit to brilliant effect showcasing supercars on the fast track. This year for the first time in the history of the show the test drive circuit was closed to traffic for drivers to experience a blood pumping trial around the famous F1 Racasse corner.

Other launches included the U.K.'s Keating Supercars, which stunned onlookers, including TV and radio presenter Chris Evans with the hand built, gull-winged ZKRs, which boasts engine power from 600BHP-2200BHP (twin turbocharged and supercharged assisted). Breaking the mold in green and clean technology hidden behind its sleek exterior was the Fisker Karma. This hybrid beauty inspired by a conversation with Prince Albert II of Monaco, who visited the show on the 14th April for a private viewing, is the first luxury 4 doors coupe with EVer

By Andrew Stoy