Paris motor show 2014 - PH news hub
Want to know what's going on at the Mondial de l'Automobile? Here's our regularly updated news hub
Last update: Friday afternoon
Aston Martin
We're still a little way off any new products from the AMG collaboration but designer Marek Reichman is optimistic about the future. With a new boss and fresh investment there are exciting times ahead for Aston surely.
Audi
Audi's big news for Paris is the 'openly sporty' TT Roadster, details of which we've already covered but seem more or less in parallel with the coupe versions we've already driven. Now there's a bloomin TT saloon as well...
Bentley
"The world's fastest ultra-luxury driving experience" says Bentley of the Mulsanne Speed it's unveiling at Paris. Most definitely an old-money Bentley, the Mulsanne Speed still uses the traditional 'six and three-quarter litre' V8. There are many amusing stats about this engine, the 811lb ft torque figure included, but the one that tickles us is Bentley's boast of a 13 per cent improvement in emissions by virtue of tech like part time cylinder shut down. At 342g/km it's now a positive tree hugger...
BMW
There's a new boss at BMW M, recently poached from Audi's rival Quattro division. We'll be trying to pin him down for a chat if possible... On the non-M front, there's a rather restrained X6 facelift that's less painful to the human eye now.
Citroen
You might expect the home brands to put on a big show at Paris and Citroen's, if seemingly lacking show stopping debuts, is certainly brimming with confidence. Paris will witness the official launch of the DS brand as a separate entity with the modest goal to "return the French automotive industry to the ranks of the premium car makers." Bon chance with that, growth in China underpinning the bottom line it'd seem. There's also a low drag, high economy C4 Cactus Airflow going on show, promising 141mpg and 100kg less than even the regular Cactus.
Ferrari
A year after the Speciale and Ferrari will be revealing its Spider derivative, dubbed the Speciale Aperta.
Honda
How many times can Honda show a concept Civic Type R before the real thing is unleashed? Well, we've got another 'concept' for Paris but at least a few more details on the engine and other features. Story here.
Infiniti
Having pretty much kicked off the luxury/sporty SUV thing in its early life Infiniti is now taking aim at four-door coupes like the Porsche Panamera, Mercedes CLS, BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe and Aston Martin Rapide. Or, at least, this Q80 concept suggests it has ambitions to do so.
Jaguar
After the amateur dramatics of the London unveiling it's hopefully a more businesslike debut for the Jaguar XE at Paris where we, you know, actually get to hear about the car. Here's hoping at least. We know how it looks, we know a bit about the engines but expect a whole lot more as the show hits town.
Lamborghini
Lamborghini seems to be taking its interpretation of eco friendliness to extemes, its Asterion LPI910-4 not only a hybrid but seemingly also recycling both an old Italdesign concept that was then turned into an Audi before becoming a Lambo. Read all about it here.
Land Rover
Paris is a big show for JLR, the XE just one half of a giant product push. From the Land Rover side we've got the Discovery Sport, seemingly the bridge between the Evoque and 'grown-up' Range Rovers further up the range. The first of an entire new family this is going to be a big deal - expect lots of noise.
Mazda
Small car, big deal. Mazda has unveiled the new fourth-generation MX-5 at private events in the US, Europe and Japan but this is the new car's public debut at a motor show. Expect plenty of discussion of Jinba Ittai spirit and driving fun as it's presented to the show. Whether they'll actually tell us what's under the bonnet is another matter.
Mercedes
There might be some 'normal' Mercedes at Paris too but, frankly, we're all over the new Mercedes-AMG C63. Can it live up to the popularity of its normally aspirated predecessor? The new twin-turbo V8 does the numbers with 510hp in S form but fans will want to know the soul is intact too. Expect sight of the similarly powered AMG GT too. Full show story here.
Mini
Are we interested in a five-door offshoot of the new generation Mini? Discuss! But it'll be making its debut at Paris.
Nissan
The Pulsar and Juke NISMO have got a whole lot more interesting at Paris. A NISMO concept of the former and RS version of the latter bode well for Nissan's hot hatch future.
Peugeot
Blah, blah - hybrid crossover concept. Hang on, 500hp hybrid crossover concept? Yep, Peugeot has got our attention with its rather wild looking Quartz Concept combining a THP 270 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine with 243lb ft of torque (we can probably guess the horsepower figure...) and additional electric motors on both axles. There are also new GT versions of the 308, the petrol with 205hp and the diesel 180hp. Available as a hatch or SW estate they're warm rather than hot hatches but ones with very attractive 'real world' mpg and CO2 figures. Undercover pace perhaps. More up PH's street is the Torsen diff equipped and limited edition Peugeot 208 GTI 30th, resplendent in its odd two-tone paint finish but potentially the most exciting hot hatch from the brand since you know what.
Renault
You'd expect something big from the French manufacturers at Paris and Renault is giving us literally that in the shape of the new Espace, now with added crossover appeal. Joining it is the EOLAB concept, an extreme expression of weight-saving and hybrid tech in a handsome Clio-sized package.
Toyota
Hybrid powered compact crossover concept anyone? Toyota is certainly ticking all the essential boxes for a modern motor show debut with its C-HR that apparently launches a new design language for the brand.
Vauxhall
There's no VXR version yet but Vauxhall (or Opel as it'll be badged in Paris) has spiced up the Adam S with a 150hp turbo engine and some Abarth 500/Mini Cooper chasing sporting ambition.
VW
Well, there's an electric Passat GTE coming. No? OK, what about the Golf Alltrack, a (you guessed it) crossover mash-up of Golf estate and SUV-lite that actually probably offers as much traction and ground clearance advantage as most 4x4 drivers actually need in a sensibly car-sized package. With plastic cladding. But, hang on, VW has pulled its finger out and delivered something interesting for Paris: the XL Sport. A Ducati bike engine, 168mph and some fabulous LMP-like styling. Make it VW. Soon.
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