We were in Paris early October for the 2010 Mondial de l’Automobile. After the Geneva Motor Show earlier in the year, Paris showcased a rather different automotive market to us. Gone was the uncertainty of the future of the automobile. Why I say this? Well, at the Geneva Motor show there were a lot of hybrid and alternative driven concept cars on display from nearly every global manufacturer with a clear and definite indication that the industry was moving at an accelerated pace to get new fuel driven technologies into showrooms as soon as possible. There was little mention of petrol guzzlers and instead intent concentration on the next generation of cars to be brought to showrooms in just a few months. At Paris, the tone had changed somewhat. Yes; there were a number of showroom ready hybrid vehicles on display with full pricing, like Renault, Nissan, Porsche, Peugeot, Hyundai and even Lotus. But all the hype and unveilings were concentrated back on fossil driven high performance vehicles that have immediate showroom appeal but little savings for the environment.
We cannot continue without mentioning the impressive selection of sexy leggy hot women and show girls at the show.
We found an impressive amount of luxury and tech in new cars like the next generation Mercedes-Benz CLS and Volvo V60.
Then there was the special edition Porsche 911 Speedster, 5 new Lotus cars that would have 007 salivating to drive one underwater and the all new Audi A7 which took our breath away.
The show featured more than 300 models from 20 countries of the global car manufacturers at the Porte de Versailles exhibition center. Electric cars like the Fisker Karma, Peugeot EX-1, Renault Fluence sedan and Renault DeZir made big noise with the attending press.
But the biggest noise came from Lotus with the hybrid driven supercar, the Elite.
With no exception, just like at any other motor show, concept cars and luxury cars are always in the media spotlights.
Renault-Nissan Motor mentioned at their Zero-Emission car unveiling that they were interested in closer ties with the American carmaker General Motors.
Carlos Ghosn, the Chief Executive of Renault and Nissan were also overheard hinting that Proton might see a partnership coming very soon in Nissan’s hybrid technology and also Proton’s luxury executive car that is just months away.
The Jaguar C-X75. The C stands for concept, X for experimental, and 75 for Jaguar’s 75th anniversary.
The highlight of the C-X75’s powertrain is a pair of micro-turbines that act as diesel-fed range extenders designed to help keep the car’s battery-powered EV motor turning the wheels.
According to Jaguar, it’s the best of all worlds: the high-end performance enthusiast’s desire, but with fuel economy, emissions, and range that even the most frugal compact hybrid would struggle to match.
The C-X75 also makes dramatic statements in the style, materials, ergonomics, and vehicle dynamics departments.
For this rare 599 GTO, power comes from its 670-horsepower, 6.7-liter DOHC V-12, which channels its output to the rear wheels via a six-speed automated manual gearbox.
Conceived at the Sant’Agata factory’s Advanced Composite Research Center in cooperation with technology partners Boeing and the University of Washington in Seattle, the Lambo Sesto Elemento concept car is the “sixth element,” which is almost entirely wrapped in carbon.
Practically everything but its V-10 all-wheel-drivetrain (taken from a Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera), tires, and fasteners is made of carbon.
Weight is conservatively estimated at 2200 pounds which undercuts its “super-light” drivetrain donor by about 750 pounds for an impressive weight-to-power ratio of 3.9 pounds per horsepower.
Lamborghini’s computers predict 0-to-62 mph acceleration in 2.5 seconds and we want to test drive one to prove this.
BMW took its current 6 Series and gave it a newly sculpted body. The 6 Series concept evokes the image of the Gran Coupe presented at the Beijing auto show earlier this year but with two less doors.
General Motors unveiled the production-ready 2011 Chevrolet Orlando crossover. It will on a stretched version of GM’s front-wheel-drive global small car architecture, which also underpins the likes of the 2011 Cruze and the 2011 Volt plug-in hybrid.
Buyers will have their choice of three different engines, including a 141-horsepower, 1.8-liter petrol I-4, or a 2.0-liter turbo-diesel I-4 offered in both 131- and 163-horsepower forms. Transmissions choices will likely include six-speed automatic and manual options.
“The Power to Surprise,” becomes more apparent with each new vehicle Kia’s brought to market as of late, from the Forte to the upcoming Optima seen here.
Citroen brought back its famous DS nameplate with the 2011 DS4. Based on Citroën’s C4, the DS4 represents a step up in luxury from the standard car. Like the DS3, it is aimed at premium compact five-door hatchbacks.
The 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class defines its existence: design. The sides of the car feature much more pronounced sculpting that starts with the front wheel well and ends at the fresh set of LED taillights. Love it or hate it, this is one four-door that at the very least will draw your attention.
Not surprisingly, LED daytime running lights make an appearance, but the 2012 CLS has full LED headlights, as well. The 71 individual LEDs enhance visibility and frankly, they just look cool.Inside the CLS’ cabin, a wraparound dash makes the cockpit feel tailored, while a high-gloss analog clock adds an upscale touch. Design, Mercedes-Benz points out, is only half the story inside.
Material quality has been upgraded in a further effort to distinguish the CLS from other segment players. Semi-aniline leather is just 1.6 millimeters thick and has an especially soft feel.
Opel, a brand that lacks a local representative to date revealed its Astra Sports Tourer, its second body style in the New Astra lineup.
The Peugeot 508 is the first production Peugeot to wear the brand’s new design language, but the look was introduced on both the 5 by Peugeot concept from the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, along with the sexy SR1 conceptual roadster.
The 508 wears a clean, chiseled look. While it’s designed to replace Peugeot’s former flagship, the 607 sedan, the car is actually based on the platform used in the smaller Citroen C5 and the outgoing 407. Looking at the specs, the 607 is roughly 10 millimeters longer than the 407, but 20 millimeters shy of the 607.
Renault’s new DeZir all-electric sports concept made its world debut at the show It is a two-door, all-electric-powered sports coupe with a unique gullwing door setup.
Several automakers have shown new sexy EVs lately, and not surprisingly, Renault says the DeZir “is proof that electric vehicles and a love of cars are by no means incompatible.” However there are some visiting media who needed to see beneath the Fluence Z.E. to see what makes it really tick.
The first thing you notice about the new Passat is that it’s the latest Volkswagen to adopt design chief Walter de’Silva’s new familiar styling. Similar to the new Phaeton, the new Passat sports an angular front fascia and slatted four-bar grille flanked by angular headlights with incorporated LED daytime running lights.
