LAST WEEK THE 2018 Paris Motor Show kicked off in the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. It’s one of the largest events of its kind in Europe in terms of footfall, and car manufacturers use it to showcase their latest models, concepts and technologies.
There were plenty of new models unveiled that will be hitting Irish shores next year. Here are just a few that caught our attention.
1. An all-new BMW 3 Series
The new 2019 G20 3 Series replaces the old F30 generation. This all-new model is lighter and more powerful than before and shares some of its styling with its larger 5 Series sibling (albeit with some Lexus IS-esque rear lights). The seventh-generation BMW 3 Series is expected to go on sale in early 2019.
2. The Citroen C5 Aircross
The C5 Aircross looks great in the metal and is a proper family-friendly SUV that uses much of the same hardware as the Peugeot 3008 and 5008 but positions itself as a practical middle ground between those two models.
The five-seat SUV has three individual rear seats that recline, fold and slide. And depending on how far you slide those seats, the boot can hold 580 to 720 litres of cargo. Measuring 4.50 metres long with a ground clearance of 230mm, the new model looks robust and muscular and continues the styling we’ve seen on the C3 and C4 Cactus. The Citroen C5 Aircross will go on sale early next year.
3. The Kia e-Niro
The big news with the new all-electric Kia Niro is a claimed electric driving range of 485km (301 miles) on European WLTP standards. This figure relates to the “long-distance” 64 kWh version.
As standard, the car will come with a 39.2 kWh battery pack, which is good for 310km (193 miles) per charge. The Kia e-Niro goes on sale across Europe by the end of the year so should be here for the 191 registration period.
4. A new Lexus ES
Lexus design is often polarising, but the ES could turn out to be a sales surprise in striking the right balance of style and premium feel. The seventh generation ES luxury saloon features an all-new chassis, the GA-K platform, and the car has a lower centre of gravity compared to the previous generation.
Powering the new ES300h is a 2.5l, 178bhp petrol engine combined with electric motors giving a total of 218bhp and 221Nm of torque. The official emissions figure stands at 106g/km, giving it an annual motor-tax bill of €190. The ES is due to arrive in December just in time for the 191 registration period.
5. The updated Mercedes-Benz GLE
Mercedes displayed its new GLE SUV to the public at the Paris show. The all-new 2019 model looks sharper than before and has a vastly improved interior too. Power comes from a 255hp 2.0-litre four-cylinder or a 362hp 3.0-litre twin-turbo six-cylinder. The GLE now offers a third-row seat, which should make it even more competitive in its segment as it battles for sales with the Volvo XC90 and new BMW X5.
It’s expected it to hit Irish dealers in the first couple of months of 2019, well within the ’191′ registration period.
6. The Peugeot 508 SW
Peugeot brought its striking 508 SW estate to the City of Lights in limited edition ‘First Edition’ trim, which is based on GT Line specification but adds unique 19-inch two-tone alloy wheels, a gloss black front grille, and a choice of Twilight Blue and Amazonite Grey colours.
For those looking for load-lugging space, the 508 SW offers 530 litres of boot space with a maximum load space of 1,780 litres with the seats folded. That’s identical to the Volkswagen Passat and 115 litres more than that of the Opel Insignia Sports Tourer. Irish sales start in January 2019 and later in 2019 there will also be a plug-in hybrid version, which Peugeot says will have an electric-only range of up to 50km.
7. The return of the Toyota Camry
Despite the rise in SUVs, there were plenty of large saloons unveiled at the Paris Motor Show. One such saloon that should do well in Ireland is the new Toyota Camry. The Camry is one of the best selling cars in the world – in fact, as of June this year it is the seventh best selling car in the world.
The new Camry shares its chassis with the new Lexus ES executive saloon, which means it has the same flexible TNGA (Toyota New Generation Architecture) platform. Like the Lexus ES it also uses the Atkinson-cycle 2.5-litre petrol four-cylinder engine, allied to a hybrid electric motor and a CVT automatic transmission. This expands Toyota’s line-up of hybrid electric vehicles to eight models. The new Toyota Camry Hybrid will be available in Ireland in the second quarter of 2019.
8. Suzuki Jimny
Not strictly a family car, but here it is as a bonus – this is the car that made me shout “shut up and take my money”. The new Suzuki Jimny looks fantastic in the metal and looks just like a baby G-Wagen. OK, I know it hasn’t been ‘just unveiled’ and some lucky so-and-so motoring journalists have already test driven it, but this was my first time seeing it up-close and personal.
Apparently, Suzuki underestimated how popular the Jimny would be and there are now waiting lists to buy this one. You can add my name to the list. Sales for the new Suzuki Jimny will start in early 2019.
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