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Highlights of the Paris Motor Show: superminis

Image of James Fossdyke
Author: | Updated: 02 Oct 2014 11:31

If the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) is to be believed, we are a nation of small-car lovers. In fact, of the top five most-registered private cars in 2013, four were superminis.

With that in mind, it’s little wonder that we consider les petites voitures to be some of the most important on show in Paris.

Vauxhall Corsa and Viva

The Corsa was Britain’s third favourite car in 2013

As Britain’s third favourite car last year, the new Corsa has plenty riding on it.

Due January 2015, this fourth gen Corsa is completely new with absolutely no parts carried over. While the design carries elements of the Adam’s looks, the platform is entirely new and there will be a new engine.

The 1.0-litre ECOTEC engine will be available with either 95 or 115hp, with the less powerful unit managing to return 54.7mpg. There’s also more standard kit, like a heated windscreen and Hill Start Assist.

As if Vauxhall didn’t have enough small cars to choose from with the Corsa and Adam, the British brand has chosen to resurrect the Viva name. Wriggling into the Vauxhall line-up somewhere between the Adam and the Corsa, the Viva will be based on the Chevrolet Spark.

Vauxhall’s marketing director said the name would “attract attention and engender curiosity in the car.” Even so, Vauxhall’s sister brand, Opel, will sell the Viva under a different name in the rest of Europe.

Honda Jazz

The modern lines of the new Jazz make it look less like a humdrum hatchback

Honda has been desperately trying to shake the ‘old people’ stereotype, and the Jazz, expected some time in the Summer of 2015, is the latest to break the mould.

It’s a tough ask for the car which almost single-handedly upholds the reputation, as we wrote when we reviewed the outgoing Jazz more than a year ago, for being “the vehicle of choice for people of a certain age.”

It’s even tougher when you consider they run the risk of alienating the current customers without attracting new ones.

Honda hasn’t done a bad job though, with the modern lines of the new Jazz making it look more like a futuristic fantasy and less like a humdrum hatchback.

Even so, it’s still just as practical, thanks to a layout which sees the fuel tank stored under the floor to free up room.

Under the bonnet, there’s a 1.3-litre Earth Dreams petrol engine which is said to provide improved fuel economy, a claim helped by the new six-speed manual gearbox. Possibly in an attempt to keep the Jazz’s more traditional customers happy, there’s also a CVT automatic ‘box on offer.

After something a little larger? Take a look at some of best SUVs and crossovers at Paris

Skoda Fabia

New look Fabia, same old platform

Unchanged since 2007, the Fabia is another model which had long since come to the end of its lifespan.

Sadly, the new model - due January, priced from £10,600 OTR - isn’t quite as revolutionary as we’d hoped; although the looks have changed, the platform underneath hasn’t. That said, the recycled underpinning may be no bad thing because the way the old Fabia handled was arguably its best feature.

Whatever its base, the skin hiding it has been reinvented to great effect. The brand ‘face’ has been grafted onto the front, while a larger bodyshell has improved practicality.

The engines will be efficient too. Across the range, the car will be around 17% less thirsty than its predecessor, while the 1.4-litre GreenLine will return 91mpg and emit 82g of CO2 per kilometre.

There’ll be an estate version too, plenty of info on the Fabia Combi right here…

Hyundai i20

The second-gen i20 is a little larger than the old car

Like the Fabia and the Corsa, the i20 is another Ford Fiesta rival which has been re-hashed.

The second-gen i20 is a little larger than the old car, so practicality has improved. Hyundai is promising best-in-class interior space, while 320 litres of boot space trumps both the Fiesta and the VW Polo.

No engines have been confirmed, but the existing 1.1-litre CRDi Blue is expected to feature; an engine which currently serves up super-low CO2 emissions of 84g/km.

Smart ForTwo and FourFor

The new Smart Fortwo uses bits of the new Renault Twingo

The Smart ForFour has downsized from the old Mitsubishi Colt-based original of 2003, instead using the new Renault Twingo as a basis.

The ForTwo [pictured] features a shortened version of the same underpinnings, which has necessitated the removal of the bug-like front end that endeared the two-seater to so many, but if the Twingo is anything to go by, the Smarts should handle much more smartly.

Both models get the same engine range: a 999cc petrol engine with 71hp and an 898cc unit with 90hp, while a 60hp engine will slot in at the bottom of the range a few months after launch.

Kia Rio

The refreshed Rio benefits from new bumpers and a revised ‘tiger-nose’ grille

Kia has been busy in the run-up to Paris, not only working out a third-gen Sorento, but facelifting the Rio too.

The refreshed Rio benefits from new bumpers and a revised ‘tiger-nose’ grille, as well as internal modifications like chrome touches around the air vents and a DAB digital radio has become standard kit.

Hungry for more news from the Paris Motor Show? Jump over to our dedicated PMS2014 section…

Vauxhall Adam S

the Adam has received a new ‘warm’ version at the top of its lineup

As if unwilling to be forgotten at the foot of Vauxhall’s range, the Adam has received a new ‘warm’ version at the top of its lineup.

With a 150hp, 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine under the bonnet, the Adam S should have pretty potent performance figures, but thankfully the fuel economy won’t be horrendous. Vauxhall is quoting 44mpg and 149g/km CO2.

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