MONDIAL de l’AUTOMOBILE, or the Paris Motor Show, is taking place next month.
A biennial show, the 2012 edition saw almost 1.25 million people walk through the doors of Paris expo Porte de Versailles, making it the most visited auto show in the world.
The 2016 instalment is already gearing up to be one of the hottest events in this year’s motoring calendar, so to keep you ahead of the crowd we’ve put together a Paris Motor Show preview.
Because the show is so massive we are presenting it in two parts. So here is part one, highlighting some of the new and wacky cars and concepts from each manufacturer that will be making an appearance in a few weeks.
Audi
A5 and S5 Sportback – seven years and more than 340,000 units later, the all-new second generation, five-door of the two-door of the four-door gets its official debut.
BMW
BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo – the facelifted GT will be on display at the show and this version builds on the elegant design and sporty accents of the first generation and features three all-new petrol engines developing 184hp to 326hp and a new 325d version.
BMW i3 (94 Ah) – the BMW i3 with new, more powerful 33kWh battery means in everyday conditions it has a potential range of up to 183km.
BMW i8 Protonic Dark Silver Edition – this special-edition model will get its world premiere at the show.
BMW C Evolution scooter – it is claimed that with only one charge the C Evolution scooter has a range up to 160km! This is thanks to new battery technology from the recently updated i3.
Citroen
C3 – this is the renewed best-selling C3 model, which has already sold more than 3.6 million examples since it was originally launched in 2002. It is a fresh, bold and colourful B-segment, five-door, supermini that delivers new levels of advanced comfort and personality to the sector.
CXperience concept – this glamorous French concept car is said to embody the brand’s “Be Different, Feel Good” promise in the large hatchback segment and it is clearly a modern interpretation of the classic old CX built from 1974 to 1991. This is very exciting.
Ferrari
LaFerrari open top – this new limited-edition special series will be available with a removable carbon-fibre hard top and a removable soft top. It has the same running gear and performance figures as the original LaFerrari – however, we will have to wait until the show to find out all the technical details, build numbers and the LaFerrari open top’s official name.
Honda
Civic – the new Civic Hatchback makes its global motor show debut at Paris. The Civic is a core model for Honda in Europe and has been at the heart of the brand’s strong sales and manufacturing heritage in the region so it is important that they get this new tenth-gen model right.
Hyundai
i10 – the successful i10 has been enhanced with new advanced active safety and connectivity features as well as modern design refinements, including the new signature Cascading front grille.
i30 – Hyundai is hoping its new i30 will be a real rival to the Volkswagen Golf.
Kia
Rio – this car is the Korean manufacturer’s global best-selling model, with more than 473,000 sold around the world in 2015 accounting for 16 per cent of Kia’s annual sales.
The new model is making its world debut at the show. Kia is claiming the Rio will have the most spacious cabin and one of the highest boot capacities (325 litres) of any car in its class when it goes on sale during the first quarter of 2017.
Land Rover
Discovery – we’ve been slowly drip fed info on the new Discovery and so far we know that its Intelligent Seat Fold technology can be operated by a skydiving Bear Grylls and that it is the first Land Rover to undergo a full programme of virtual testing prior to the physical testing process. Also, Land Rover got children involved in the creation process.
Lexus
UX concept – with its bold chunky, angular design the UX shares elements with its NX and RX siblings, although the UX is a three-door model. There is no word if this concept will actually make it to production.
Alongside the UX Concept, Lexus will show off its refreshed IS saloon and the flagship coupé, the LC.
And there is so much more happening. We’ll bring you the second part of our Paris Motor Show preview, next week!
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