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Paris Motor Show 2014 preview

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Author: | Updated: 14 Aug 2014 16:49

Paris Motor Show 2014 will open to the public from October 4 after two press preview daysIf the relevance of international motor shows was measured on attendance figures alone, then the Paris Motor Show would be twice as important as Geneva’s annual effort.

More than 1.2 million people visited the Paris Motor Show last time it was staged in 2012; that’s 350,000 more than Frankfurt attracted in 2013 and 561k more than Geneva’s total attendance in March.

After two years away, it’s the French capital’s turn to bask in the automotive limelight, so what can visitors look forward to when the Mondial de l’Automotive 2014 opens to the public on October 4?

Jump to:
Volvo XC90, Vauxhall Corsa, Porsche Cayenne, Skoda Fabia, Ford S-Max, Honda Jazz

Jaguar XE

The last time Jaguar unveiled new metal in Paris, it was the show-stealing F-Type, and although the XE mid-size saloon has already been revealed, full price and spec is being withheld until Paris.

Rivalling the 3 Series and C-Class rival, the XE S variant comes with a supercharged 335bhp 3.0-litre V6, capable of hitting 60mph in 4.9 seconds.

The XE will be the lightest and stiffest saloon Jaguar has ever built

Jaguar will target company car drivers with a fleet-friendly 2.0-litre diesel engine which can return 75mpg with 99g/km CO2 emissions.

The XE will be the lightest and stiffest saloon Jaguar has ever built, as well as the most aerodynamic Jaguar yet too with a co-efficient drag of 0.26.

On sale from 2015, the entry level XE will cost around £27,000. Expect to see the XE in various styles and flavours at Paris but in the meantime, here’s everything we know about the XE.

Volkswagen Passat saloon and estate

The all-new eighth generation Passat will be the main focus at Volkswagen’s stand, ahead of its arrival early 2015.

We’ve already seen plenty of pictures and yep, it looks like a Passat should; bold, sturdy, stony-faced, executive.

The all-new eighth generation Passat will be the main focus at Volkswagen’s stand

It’ll be a whole 2mm shorter than its predecessor but the wheelbase has been extended by 79mm so the body overhang has been reined in.

It’s also 14mm lower but 12mm wider, equating to greater interior space with more leg- and head-room, and more boot space.

Two-litre diesels aside, a plug-in hybrid model will also eventually be offered with enough battery capacity for 31 miles of pure electric motoring. Combined with the diesel engine, it’ll be able to cover around 600 miles.

A plug-in hybrid GTE version has also been revealed, promising a sub-eight-second 0-62mph time and 141mpg.

VW has announced that the Passat will start from £22,215 OTR and the firm will start taking orders on the opening day of the Paris Motor Show.

Volvo XC90

Volvo’s long-awaited second generation XC90 should also be attracting plenty of attention in Paris.

The seven-seater SUV will be available as a petrol-electric hybrid with a combined CO2 output of around 60g/km and it has nicked Thor’s Hammer for its headlights.

Plenty of details of the BMW X5 rival were revealed in late August but full pricing and spec lists won’t be confirmed until its Paris appearance. For now, here’s everything we know about the XC90.

Full pricing for Volvo's second gen XC90 will be confirmed at Paris

BMW 2 Series Convertible

Paris will be the place that BMW’s 2 Series Convertible breaks cover.

The four-seater drop-top will use a cloth-retractable roof, rather than a hard-top like the Z4 and 4 Series Convertible.The base level drop top 2 Series costs just under £30k

Replacing the 1 Series Convertible, buyers will be able to choose from a pair of two-litre petrols – 220i and 228i – a three-litre six-pot M235i petrol, and a 2.0-litre diesel (220d).

The drop-top 2 Series goes on sale from 28 February 2015 with prices starting from just under £30k for the 220i and 220d Sport Convertible.

Audi TT Roadster

Audi TT Roadster FrontAfter the third-gen TT Coupe was unveiled at Geneva in March, Paris will see the TT Roadster debut.

Though the Roadster ditches the two rear seats and adds a canvas roof, it is more or less identical to the Coupe. However, it is 90kg heavier, which means that performance and economy suffer slightly.

Even so, the TTS Roadster will manage 0-62mph in under five seconds, while the 2.0 TDI uses the manufacturer’s new Ultra technology to return more than 65mpg.

After the Paris show, the soft-top TT will go on sale in mid-November.

Vauxhall Corsa & Viva reborn

Vauxhall will publish the full pricelist for its fourth generation Corsa when the Fiesta rival makes its world premiere in Paris.

The new Corsa will sit on a completely redesigned chassis and carries over no components from the previous model. It will mark the introduction of a new 1.0-litre, three-cylinder ECOTEC petrol engine, with power outputs of 90bhp or 115bhp. The smaller unit will be able to return 54.7mpg on the combined cycle.

Vauxhall's fourth generation Corsa is nearly identical in length to its predecessor

Standard kit includes heated windscreen, Hill Start Assist and a tyre pressure monitoring system. Bi-Xenon headlights, a blind spot warning system, a rear view camera and Advanced Park Assist become available further up the range.

Vauxhall’s IntelliLink infotainment system is standard on all but the entry-level models too. Connecting to Apple and Android phones, apps such as BringGo, Stitcher and TuneIn are accessed via the 7in colour touchscreen.

Vauxhall will also unveil its rebirthed Viva, a nameplate dropped in the UK in 1979.

Slotting between the Adam city car and Corsa supermini, the Viva will be based on the Chevrolet Spark and come with five doors and either four or five seats.

Peter Hope, the brand’s Marketing Director, explained the name’s resurrection saying it would “attract attention and engender curiosity in the car”.

Opel will be sell the Viva under a different name in mainland Europe.

Bentley Mulsanne Speed

Bentley Mulsanne Speed smallBentley is using the Paris show to reveal its new flagship, the Mulsanne Speed. With a 6.75-litre V8 producing 575hp and 1,100Nm of torque nestled under that long bonnet, the Speed will get to 60mph in 4.8 seconds and it’ll keep accelerating until it hits 190mph. Though it has impressive power, it’s also more efficient than ever before, with a 13% increase in fuel efficiency resulting in a range extended by 50 miles.

Deliveries of the Mulsanne Speed will begin at some point this winter.

Smart Fortwo / ForFour

Smart’s ForTwo is another car that’s long overdue a new lease of life.

The third gen ForTwo was unveiled in Berlin back in mid-July, but you should expect the ForTwo and its four-seater ForFour sibling to feature heavily on Smart’s stand.

Smart ForTwo and ForFour 2014

Porsche Cayenne

Shots of Porsche’s facelifted second gen Cayenne SUV emerged in July but it won’t actually be seen in the metal until the Paris Motor Show.

The overall look is familiar but the bumpers have been modified, front and back while air fins at the front manage the air flow to the intercoolers. There are new bi-xenon headlights too.

Aside from the lightly revised exterior, the Cayenne will get slightly better fuel economy and more standard kit.

We’ve had a conventional hybrid Cayenne before but the facelift will introduce a plug-in hybrid option in the shape of the Cayenne S E-Hybrid.

Porsche Cayenne facelift 2015 S E-Hybrid Plug In

Its 10.9kWh battery can carry enough juice for 36km (22 miles) of electric motoring and compared to the old S Hybrid, the motor’s power output has been doubled to 70kW (95bhp). This motor is paired to a supercharged 333bhp 3.0-litre V6, equating to a 416bhp total power output.

This means it can race to 62mph in 5.9 seconds but combined fuel consumption stands at an impressive 83mpg with CO2 emissions rated at 79g/km.

If you can’t make it to Paris, it will appear in your nearest Porsche showroom not long after, from October 11.

Skoda Fabia

Skoda Fabia 2014Studio shots of Skoda’s new third generation Fabia supermini have been published ahead of its Paris debut.

Sketches had suggested a more aggressive look for the usually conservative supermini but now we’ve seen it, we’re not so scared. The spread-winged grille and bold lion-like nose running up the bonnet are typical Skoda, appearing on everything since the third-gen Octavia emerged early 2013.

Confirmed figures on a 1.4 TDI GreenLine model have confirmed that it will outgreen Toyota’s Yaris Hybrid Excel (91mpg, 82g/km, compared to 76mpg, 82g/km), while generally, the supermini will use up to 17% less fuel than its predecessor, making it the most fuel efficient Fabia yet.

Hyundai i20

Hyundai will try to wade in on the Fiesta's market share with its second generation i20It’d be a phenomenal achievement to dethrone the Ford Fiesta as the UK’s best selling car but Hyundai will have a good go with its second generation i20.

Longer by 37cm overall with wheelbase extended by 4.5cm, the supermini promises 25 litres more boot space than before (320 litres) and best-in-class interior space. It will also be the first supermini to offer a panoramic sunroof.

Designed and developed in Europe with the clear aim of winning over more European buyers, Hyundai will deliver the first i20 mk2s early 2015.

More details on the i20 here.

Ford S-Max

Coming Summer 2015, the second generation seven-seater MPV will premiere Ford’s new CD4 platform, which will form the underpinnings for the forthcoming Mondeo, Edge SUV and eventual Galaxy replacement.Ford S-Max 2014 Green small

The new S-Max will be the same size as the original model but uses more modern styling cues, pinching the hexagonal grille and sculptured headlights from the facelifted Fiesta and Focus.

Ford claims a segment first by offering power-folding seats in the second and third rows with side airbags for passengers in the second row. It will also get the Kuga’s hands-free tailgate too.

Engine range is expected to made up of three 2L diesels with 118bhp, 148bhp and 177bhp power outputs, and two Ecoboost petrols – a 1.5L with 158bhp and a 2L with 237bhp. Prices should start from around £25k.

At the same time, the Blue Oval will unveil the new C-Max and Grand C-Max, as well as showing off the new Edge, Mustang and Focus ST.

Peugeot 308 GT

No not ‘GTi’ sadly but both hatch and SW estate body shapes of the 308 will be driven by higher powered variants of its existing 1.6 petrol engine, with 206bhp (49bhp more than before), and the 2.0 BlueHDi unit with 180bhp (+30bhp).

Fuel economy and CO2 emissions have only been knocked by a couple of points too with the 2.0 diesel returning the same 70.6mpg and emitting just 2g/km more (103g/km CO2).

Compared to its regular hatch and SW counterparts, the 308 GT has been lowered by 7mm at the front and 10mm at the back and sits on 18in ‘Diamant’ wheels, with black lacquer on the door mirrors and diffuser, GT signature on the tailgate, front grille, wheels and wheel arches, and red stitching on the dashboard, door panels, gear lever, and floor mats.

Available to order from November, the 308 GT will arrive in Peugeot showrooms from January 2015.

Peugeot 308 GT hatch and SW estate 2015

Honda Civic Type R

Honda Civic Type R RearIt’s been a long time coming, but Honda is close to having a finalised Civic Type R.

The powertrain has been confirmed as a 2.0-litre i-VTEC petrol engine with a turbocharger, boosting power output to 280hp. That makes the new Type R the most powerful Honda yet, with more horses than even the NSX supercar.

To cope with sending that much power to the front wheels, Honda has fitted trick suspension and a ‘steer axis’ system designed to reduce torque steer.

If that isn’t enough to keep the fans of this cult hero happy, the Japanese manufacturer has fitted a ‘+R’ button, which sharpens the steering and sharpens the throttle response.

Sounds like fun.

Kia Sorento, Venga, Rio and Optima T-Hybrid

Kia's third gen Sorento is bigger and more mature-lookingSister brand Kia will be bringing its third gen Sorento to Paris, following a first-look unveiling in its native Korea come late August.

The more mature-looking seven-seater SUV will offer greater passenger space thanks to a 95mm length extension, and will feature a longer bonnet, swept-back headlamps, and a larger, more upright ‘tiger-nose’ grille.

See our more in-depth piece here.

As well as the new Sorento, Kia will also bring a facelifted Rio, a refreshed Venga and the Optima T-Hybrid, an Optima hatchback concept with a 1.7-litre diesel engine and a 48V electric motor.

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV S

Coming two years after the original plug-in Outlander hybrid premiered in Paris, the Outlander PHEV Concept-S features a ‘sporty and sophisticated’ interior and exterior design.

Not much else to say about that really.

Infiniti Q70 facelift

Nissan’s luxury offshoot Infiniti has updated its Q70 saloon with new front and rear bumpers, LED lights and a new front grille.

The 5 Series rival will be offered with a new 2.2-litre diesel engine, which is deemed much cleaner and more efficient than the current 3-litre units.

Refinement and comfort have been improved through modified suspension and small modifications to the body and chassis structure which reduce wind, tyre and mechanical noise. UK deliveries commence from December.

Infiniti Q70 facelift 2015

Infiniti will also show off the Q80 Inspiration concept car (below) which is being billed as “an aggressive low-slung four-seat fastback”, intended to outline the brand’s relevance in the premium market.

Honda HR-V

Honda will be taking on the Nissan Juke with the new HR-V crossover, which will be based on much the same platform as the Jazz supermini.

Under the coupe-inspired body, the engine range is expected to include the economical 1.6-litre diesel currently found in the Civic, while Honda claims the cabin will have “class-leading” space.

Honda Jazz

Honda Jazz 2015 PrototypeThe new European-spec Honda Jazz prototype will feature alongside the HR-V on the Honda stand this year, previewing the car which will be on sale next summer.

A new compact platform will underpin the car while the looks will be modernised.

Under the fresh bonnet, a 1.3-litre Earth Dreams engine will provide improved fuel consumption and performance thanks partly to a new six-speed manual gearbox.

Toyota C-HR SUV and hybrid saloon

Toyota has announced a hybrid compact SUV for the Paris show, designed to trump rivals like the Ford Kuga and VW Tiguan with improved fuel economy and an “engaging driving experience”.

A teaser silhouette shot revealed a bold design, especially at the back, where the low roofline, sloping rear window and pronounced tail lights hint at a low-drag body.

At the same time, the Japanese company will also showcase the finalised design of the new hydrogen-powered saloon.

SsangYong crossovers

SsangYong has announced that it will be bringing two new small crossover concepts to Paris.

Previewing the X100, which will arrive in 2015, the XIV-Air and the XIV-Adventure rival the segment-leading Nissan Juke with almost identical dimensions and a choice of 1.6-litre diesel or petrol engines.

Vauxhall Adam S

Vauxhall Adam S 2015A front lip spoiler, sill mouldings and a pronounced rear bumper hint at the new Vauxhall Adam S’ raison d’etre: performance.

With a turbocharged 1.4-litre petrol engine producing 150hp, the Adam S will have performance figures perilously close to warm hatch territory, while a tuned chassis and big VXR S brakes should keep it on the straight and narrow.

Economy shouldn’t suffer too much, though, with 44mpg and 149g/km quoted. In-car technology and customisation will also be key features of the car. More here.

Suzuki Vitara

Suzuki’s fourth generation Vitara will go sale in spring 2015 following its Paris premiere.

Taking inspiration from the iV-4 concept shown at Frankfurt in 2013, the compact SUV will have “a striking road presence” and “distinctive design” but sadly loses the skinny side mirrors of the concept.

Suzuki promises the Vitara will offer “low CO2 emissions” and “outstanding fuel economy in the sector”.

Four wheel drive will be optional while buyers will be able to personalise their car with various colour and trim customisation options.

More info on the Vitara here.

Suzuki Vitara 2015

Last updated: Monday, 29 September 2014

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