The Paris motor show opens to the public this weekend, and features all the latest metal from the motoring world. Paddy Comynassesses the new models on show
AUDI
Audi will show its new updated version of the A6, as tested in Motors last week. The new model features many of the styling cues of the A4, but the big news is a vast change of engines, which include a new 136bhp, 139g/km 2.0-litre TDi. The new model arrives in Ireland next month.
At the performance end of things, the S4, the performance version of the A4, makes its debut in saloon and Avant guises. The car can be ordered in Ireland from late November, and features a move away from the V8 engine to a supercharged V6 TFSI engine with 333bhp and 440Nm of torque. It comes with a choice of six-speed manual or optional seven-speed S-tronic twin-clutch transmissions.
The new 3.0-litre V6 gets the S4 to 100km/h in just 5.1 seconds and a top speed is limited to 250km/h. There is a 27 per cent improvement in fuel consumption and at 225g/km, the CO2 emissions are Band F, 30 per cent lower than its predecessor.
The German firm is also expected to unveil a near-production version of the Mini-rivalling A1. The car is likely to go on sale in 2010 and will probably use the 1.4-litre TFSI engines from VW, as well as the 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre diesel engines.
BMW
BMW has some ground to make up if it wants to catch Mercedes-Benz as the world's top-selling luxury car, but it hopes to do just that with the new 7-Series. BMW is offering a cleaner design and a host of new technology in this new model. These include an eight-speed transmission, four-wheel steering, in-car Internet access, and a night-vision feature. As well as the 3.0-litre diesel versions, which will make up the bulk of Irish sales, there are plans for mild and full hybrid versions to follow. It's the hybrid that will be on show, in concept form, at Paris.The ActiveHybrid 7-Series concept has 15 per cent lower fuel consumption, and reduces CO2 by the same figure. The concept car has a 5.0-litre direct-fuel injection twin-turbo V8 engine putting out 407bhp and is aided by a 20hp electric motor for additional power. Brake energy is regenerated and stored in a lithium-ion battery. The electric motor also serves as a generator. BMW will also add to its X-range of SUVs with a concept for the X1, which will be the smallest of the Munich-firm's soft-roaders.
CITROËN
Citroën has become pretty handy at MPVs of late, and it continues this theme with the new C3 Picasso, which is a new baby-MPV. The cube-like C3 Picasso aims to provide maximum interior space from a compact design and achieves this using a modular design, where interior space is optimised quickly and easily.
The rear seats can slide back and forth independently and can also be folded away with ease. There is also a 500-litre boot, which is huge for this class of car. There will be four engines available in Europe, two petrol with 95 and 120bhp, but expect Ireland to concentrate on the two diesel engines, HDi units with 90 and 110bhp, with Band B CO2 emissions.
CHEVROLET
There will be a major buzz, pardon the pun, at the Chevrolet stand as we see the European debut of the production-ready version of the Chevrolet Volt E-REV (Extended-Range Electric Vehicle).
Powered at all times by an electric motor, it also has a petrol engine to operate as a generator when the battery is depleted. The Volt can travel up to 60km with no exhaust tailpipe emissions.
Production of this much-anticipated car is expected to start in 2010, and the electric motor will be charged using a normal household socket.
On sale in Ireland next spring is the imposing-looking Chevrolet Cruze, which is a four-door coupé which will come with a range of 1.6-litre or 1.8-litre petrol engines or a common-rail 2.0-litre diesel.
Chevrolet will also show a concept of a seven-seat compact MPV, the production version of which is likely to make its debut in 2009. The Orlando is Chevrolet's first entry in this segment and features theatre-style seating with, Chevrolet claims, outstanding practicality.
FIAT
The Fiat 500 Abarth has yet to reach Irish shores, but there will be a further development of this hot hatch at the Paris Show. The strangely named "esseesse" will be the hottest version of the 500 and will feature a turbocharged 1.4-litre engine putting out around 160bhp. It also gets the full treatment in terms of bodykit and wheels, so it really looks the part.
In a more eco-friendly direction, Fiat will be displaying its new green label, PUR-02 which signify Fiat's low emissions range. These cars feature Stop/Start technology as well as green tyres, special aerodynamics and altered gear-ratios. This label will feature on the 500 and Bravo and at the show, there will be versions of the Bravo and Croma on display with the new technology.
Meanwhile Fiat will also be displaying its new cut-price people carrier, the Qubo, which goes on sale in Ireland. Based on the Fiorino, the Qubo comes with a choice of 1.4-litre petrol or 1.3-litre diesel with the latter putting out just 119g/km of CO2. Prices start at €15,395 for the 1.4-litre petrol version, and it is on sale here from mid-October.
FORD
The big news from the Ford stand will be the new Ka, which replaces the model that was on sale for an unprecedented 12 years across Europe. The new model shares a platform with the Fiat 500 and is built in Fiat's plant in Poland.
The Ka is targeted at a young audience and the styling is quite bold. Designed to be cheap to run, there is a choice of two engines, the 1.2-litre 69hp petrol and a 1.3-litre 75hp diesel. Both offer Band A emissions of under 120g/km. Expect to see the Ka here towards the end of the year.
HYUNDAI
The i20 is the big news of the Hyundai stand, which replaces the Getz supermini. The new car has a longer wheelbase, but its the overall design that will be the big selling point.
Out goes the rather boxy look of the Getz, replaced by a sleeker, softer look that would seem to owe something to the styling of small Peugeots like the 205 or 206.
Although five engines are being added to the mix - three petrol and two diesel - only the 1.2-litre 78bhp petrol version will be on sale here initially. It has an emissions level of 124g/km, putting it in the second band for tax and prices are likely to start at €15,500. Also on show is the Korean firm's Genesis saloon and IX-55 SUV.
The former is only on sale in the US, and market reaction will decide if it comes to Europe, though don't expect a right-hand drive version in this generation. Similarly the Terracan replacement IX-55 will be a small seller in Europe with no right-hand drive versions.
It does, however, signal the new naming format for Hyundai's SUV fleet. Next generation Santa Fe and Tucson will be monikered as IX models.
INFINITI
The luxury arm of Nissan opens its first European centre on the eve of the Motor Show. The Infiniti FX37 performance crossover receives its global debut following on from the reveal of the FX50S at the Geneva Show earlier in the year. The FX37 comes with 320bhp, is capable of 0-100km/h in 6.2 seconds and 235km/h.
KIA
The big news from the Korean firm is the production version of their Soul "urban crossover" with which it aims to attract new buyers to the brand.
Power will come from 1.6-litre petrol and diesel engines and it is hoped that the Soul will gain five-stars in the Euro NCAP safety tests. There will also be a hybrid version of the Soul on display and on the same stand, Kia will show a fuel cell version of the Sportage SUV.
Kia is also unveiling a petrol-electric hybrid version of its Cee'd hatchback at the Paris Motor Show. It is still in concept form, but they reckon it will see production in 2010.
The Cee'd hybrid has a 1.6-litre petrol engine and a 20hp electric motor which is used to top up the petrol engines power. The hybrid will employ a CVT gearbox and will also use regenerative braking and stop/start functionality to improve fuel consumption and emissions.
LAMBORGHINI
Lamborghini will join Porsche and Aston Martin and reveal a front-engined four-seat supercar at the Paris Motorshow. The car is expected to use a V12 and have four-wheel-drive.
LEXUS
Lexus will show a convertible at the Paris Motor Show in the guise of the IS 250 C, its first convertible since the poor-selling SC430. This will be shown alongside a facelifted version of the IS saloon which gets a refreshed interior and exterior as well as changes to the suspension set-up and tweaks to the 220d engine.
Also on show will be an all-wheel-drive version of the LS 460. Using a Type C Torsen Limited Slip Differential, the power is distributed between the front and rear axles with a 40:60 rear bias and can be varied between a 50:50 to 30:70 split between front and rear axles. This will aid the car's grip, traction and cornering stability.
MINI
Big news on the Mini stand will be the sneak preview of yet another variant of the ever-popular car, following on from the Clubman comes the Crossover concept, which in production form is likely to be called Crossman.
This four-door, four-wheel-drive Mini is likely to share a platform with BMW's X1. Expect the engine line-up to be carried over from the Clubman, although there is unlikely to be an entry-level One model.
That means a 118bhp 1.6-litre Cooper, 109bhp 1.6-litre Cooper D and 173bhp Cooper S.
NISSAN
Nissan's new entry-level car, which will sit below the Micra will be called the Pixo. Powered by a three-cylinder 1.0-litre petrol engine, the car is a joint venture with Suzuki, who will build it alongside the new Alto. Expect the Pixo to go on sale in 2009.
A revised Nissan Note will also appear alongside the Pixo. The mini-MPV gets a new front-end design and a new instrument panel. Nissan will also unveil an electric 2+1 concept car at the show.
Named the Nuvu, it will offer similar dimensions to Toyota's IQ and will use solar panels in addition to lithium ion batteries to power the vehicle.
PEUGEOT
Peugeot looks set to unveil a rival to Nissan's Qashqai in concept form at least, in the shape of the Peugeot Prologue, which is likely to come to life as the 3008 crossover. The Prologue uses the same platform as the C4 Picasso, and employs a "new generation" hybrid powertrain which puts out 200bhp, probably from a diesel, yet only 109g/km of CO2, and zero emissions when running in electric-only mode. Production details remain to be given.
RENAULT
On the Renault stand, it will probably be the new Megane hatchback that will atrract most eyes from the french public. Gone is the distinctive rear ass of the hatchback, replaced with a more traditional rear format.
Otherwise the stand will feature the French firm's latest version of a flagship model. The Ondelios is a vast, gullwing luxury car powered by a 2.0-litre diesel with 205bhp and added to this are two electric motors, continuing the hybrid theme at the show. They operate in mild hybrid mode and give the engine extra boost as required.
SAAB
Saab is celebrating 25 years of its convertible range, but is desperate to show that the brand has a viable future, despite a limited number of models it offers.
The 9-X Air Concept is a radical-looking convertible that preludes a whole series of production vehicles. This car is a convertible version of the 9-X BioHybrid concept which was shown at the Geneva Motor Show earlier in the year. Featuring a unique Canopy Top, the 9-X Air incorporates prominent rear pillars which curve upwards to mount the flat folding roof.
The rear pillars support the Canopy Top - itself a development of the Targa roof principle - with a separate rear screen located between them. Instead of having a manually detachable roof section, the Saab Canopy top is fully powered in operation, and folds away in the storage boot.
TOYOTA
The big news for Irish Toyota customers at the Paris Motor Show is the introduction of the new Toyota Avensis, previously one of Ireland's favourite family cars. Aiming to improve the image of the car in the eyes of European buyers, the Avensis has once again been penned at the firm's French design headquarters in Nice. Toyota says it has improved the quality, made it more fun to drive yet even more comfortable.
Expect to see new levels of safety added too, including Steering-assist Vehicle Stability Control (VSC+), Adaptive Front Light System (AFS) and Pre-Crash Safety System (PCS). However, it's unlikely to make it into Irish showrooms until the middle of next year.
Also on show is the production version of Toyota's new iQ, its new city car which will sit under the Aygo.
Less than three metres long, the iQ can carry four people, one of them a child, and will provide low emissions and high levels of safety equipment.
Third in the list of premieres is the Toyota Urban Cruiser, a good-looking All-Wheel Drive vehicle powered by a low-emission 1.4-litre D-4D engine. It will join the Avensis and IQ in Irish showrooms next year.
VOLKSWAGEN
As well as giving the new version of the Golf its official world debut, Volkswagen is set to unveil the new 210bhp GTi, which is due to go on sale in the middle of next year.
The GTi takes on some of the styling cues of the Scirocco, and uses the new car's more aggressive grille to good effect. Power is from a 2.0-litre turbo engine putting out 208bhp and the car features a new XDS electronic differential. The car will also get the DCC damping control which debuted in the Scirocco. Expect the car in spring 2009.