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Paris Motor Show 2016 preview: what will be there?

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Author: | Updated: 24 Aug 2016 14:50

The Paris Motor Show is one of the biggest dates on the car event calendar and, as always, 2016’s event marks arrival of several significant new cars for the European market.

We’ve put together a preview of some of the new models we can expect to see, along with a few concepts – often an indication as to what a manufacturer’s future cars may look like.

The Paris Motor Show will see the arrival of several significant cars for the European market

Audi TT RS

Audi’s supercar-bashing TT RS will be on the stand at Paris and, though info on the car isn’t exactly thin on the ground, this car is still a big deal. The RS blasts from 0-62mph in 3.9 seconds. To put that in perspective, a Ferrari FF manages the same in 3.7 seconds, but has a list price four times that of the Audi’s.

Audi-TT-RS_2

Read more about the TT RS…

Audi Q5

Audi’s all-new Q5 will be making its debut in Paris. We don’t think the current model looks particularly dated, but the upcoming model certainly has a crisp air to it thanks to a new hexagonal grille and thinner headlights, not dissimilar to the ones on the TT.

The biggest change is hidden, and it’s the fact that the new Q5 uses Audi’s latest MLB platform (the same as the new A4 uses). This means there’s room for Audi’s newer, more efficient engines under the bonnet, which also means some weight has been shed – at 100kg lighter than the current car, it should be more economical and improve driving dynamics too.

BMW X2 concept car

With their ever-growing popularity, it’s not really a surprise that the third car on our list is also an SUV. The BMW X2 concept will be on display at Paris and, from the info we’ve got, it sounds like it’ll be a mildly masked model of the company’s upcoming SUV of the same name that’ll be available sometime next year.

Being the X2, it’ll sit between the crossover X1 and its X3 sibling. Although production status awaits confirmation, this car will give a good indication of what we can expect when the X2 finally hits showrooms in 2017. There’s even rumours of a hot X2M model that could rival Audi’s RSQ3.

Citroen C3

The all-nwe C3 gets the same exterior styling as the C4 Cactus and it all sits on a completely new platform

Citroen is currently going through a rather slow transition. On the one hand, cars like the C4 Cactus and the C1 offer quirky looks and the latest tech, but delve deeper into the French company’s range and you’ll find some cars in dire need of a refresh. The C3 is the first that’ll benefit from a makeover.

Images have already revealed the upcoming four-door supermini gets the same love it or loathe it looks as the Cactus, while the interior gets a complete transformation too. Beneath the surface, changes are just as drastic, with a host of safety tech and a completely new platform that should finally make the C3 the Fiesta rival it was always meant to be (if you can stand the looks).

Read more about the new Citroen C3…

Ford Ka+

The Ford Ka+ gets five doors and is designed to take over the lowlier trim levels in the Fiesta range

Ford will officially unveil the Ford Ka+ at Paris, and things are a whole lot more involved than an additional symbol. It gets five doors as opposed to its predecessor, which was only available with three, and while thinner than a Fiesta, it’ll be taller, giving this supermini class-leading amounts of headroom.

Just a single 1.2-litre engine will be available, and it’s intended to replace the entry-level variants of the current Fiesta, before its replacement is revealed next year. Perhaps not the most exciting car that’ll be at Paris, but Ford’s ability to create affordable, practical and fun smaller cars should mean the Ka+ will be a match for the Hyundai i10 and Toyota Aygo.

Find our more about the Ford Ka+ here…

Honda Civic

No, it's not a concept car – this is really how the new Civic will look

The Civic is Honda’s flagship car the world over, and recent images from America show how the latest hatchback version will look. The European variant will be officially revealed at Paris, but we expect changes to be minimal.

It get a striking new look, while under the bonnet we can expect all-new engines – a 1.0-litre VTEC petrol engine and a 1.5-litre turbo diesel will feature. With a more prominent boot, we expect luggage capacity to improve on the current Civic’s already capacious  477 litres too, while up front the reworked front end appears more futuristic than ever before.

Read on about the upcoming Honda Civic…

Hyundai i30

Info on the latest i30 is thin on the ground, although Hyundai did release did release a teaser video. Designed specifically with the European market in mind, its predecessor remains a worthy alternative to the Ford Focus and Mazda 3, so we can expect more of the same from the new one.

It gets a dynamic powertrain line-up, state-of-the-art safety and connectivity, and should prove to be excellent value next to Europe’s home grown hatchbacks. We’re not sure when we can expect it in showrooms, but it should be available early next year.

More info on the new Hyundai i30 here…

Kia Rio

4th Generation Kia Rio_front

The Kia Rio is the Korean manufacturer’s most popular global model, so all eyes will be on the fourth gen model when it’s officially unveiled at Paris. It’s due an update, and judging by the teaser images Kia has released, we won’t be disappointed.

The new supermini gets a whole new look, with the current generation’s curves being replaced by an all-round sharper design. Kia promise lots of new safety and connectivity tech too, although we’ll have to wait for its unveiling to know more about any potential engine line up.

Find out more about the new Kia Rio…

Land Rover Discovery

Land Rover has revealed its new Discovery 5, but we'll have to wait for Paris for further details

The all-new Discovery will be one of the most important cars of the show, as Land Rover seldom give its all-conquering off-roader a serious rework. This time, it’s much more than a basic facelift, thanks to the squared-off looks of the current model being abandoned completely.

We suspect it’ll take its basic style from the well-received Discovery Sport, while offering more space and of course more off-road ability, as well as the chunkier body. You can expect the Discovery to be in showrooms from early next year.

Check out the best personal and business lease deals for a new Land Rover Discovery: business / personal

Change is the name of the game for Mercedes

Mercedes-Benz Cars auf dem Pariser Automobilsalon 2016

Mercedes’ main focus at the Paris Motor Show will be electric mobility, as it reveals an electric drive versions of the new smart fortwo, the smart fortwo cabrio and for the very first time the smart forfour.

A further highlight will be the Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6, which is celebrating its show premiere in Paris. Designed as an electric car yet paying homage to the glorious age of the aero coupes, the 2+2 seater promises an output of 550 kW and the flat battery in the underbody enables a range of more than 500 km.

Though there is a heavy focus on EVs, Mercedes hasn’t forsaken their established offerings. A new member of the E-Class will be on show for the first time – an All-Terrain model which aims to be a new, lifestyle-oriented addition to the range and will feature a taller ride height, widened wheel arches, and protective elements around the body.

The new Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 4MATIC Coupe will also be on show, promising to combine a sporty, elegant design with the brand's hallmark driving performance. Additionally, the coupe will offer the advantages of an SUV-esque seating position, interior flexibility and also traction to enable occasional off-road excursions if you’re feeling brave.

Mercedes-AMG's continued expansion of the GT family will also be in evidence at the Paris Motor Show. Hot on the heels of the new AMG GT R, the sports car and performance brand will be presenting a further variant of the GT model series on the eve of the show.

Mitsubishi Ground Tourer concept car

Picture of the Mitsubishi Ground Tourer concept

Mitsubishi will have several concept cars on display in Paris including the Ground Tourer (above) and GT-PHEV (below). From what we know, neither are destined for production, but cars like this do give us a good indication of what the company’s future line-up of cars could look like.

GT-PHEV

We had a more in-depth look at the Gound Tourer concept…

Nissan Micra

The eagerly anticipated Micra will be present at the Paris show, with some teaser pics promising a handsome new look for the supermini. It’ll be slightly larger than the current car, and will get a new front end to bring it in line with the latest Nissans.

Sneak peak of what we can expect to see on Nissan's stand in Paris.

The company has confirmed the makeover isn’t just skin deep either, with new soft-touch plastics and safety kit that’ll help it compete against the impressive Volkswagen Polo and popular Ford Fiesta. It’ll be available with either a 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine or a super economical 1.5-litre diesel. A more powerful 1.6-litre turbocharged variant will join the line-up soon after.

Lease deals on the current Nissan Micra: business / personal

Peugeot 3008

Peugeot hope to bite further into the crossover market with the all-new 3008 (pictured)

Peugeot hopes to increase the popular 3008 SUV’s image with this refreshed model, and we think its on the right track. An elegant new body replaces the outgoing model’s somewhat ungainly looks, so it should be up there with the Nissan Qashqai and Hyundai Tucson in terms of desirability.

The main highlight is Peugeot’s new i-Cockpit system, that features a 12.3in touchscreen infotainment system and a huge driver information display that does away with traditional dials. It’s bulkier yet lighter than the current model, which should help the frugal efficient engines reduce emissions and improve economy further.

Find out more about the new Peugeot 3008 here…

Porsche Panamera

Porsche recently revealed an electric super-saloon that we should see sometime in the next five years, but we’ll make do with the all-new Panamera for now. Debuting in Paris, a major overhaul means the Panamera now resembles the latest 911 – something many will argue can only be a good thing.

There's now a choice between a V8 diesel and a V6 petrol, the latter of which gets a range-topping twin-turbo option – the 4S. Porsche claim it’ll be more practical too, while we should know more about a ‘Sport Turismo’ estate version that should be in showrooms later in 2017. The saloon however, should be available at the start of the year.

We got behind the wheel of the current Porsche Panamera 4S…

Renault Alaskan

Renault Alaskan pick-up has its work cut out – it will be sold across the globe

France is Renault’s home market, so naturally, it’s Paris that the company has chosen to unveil its first ever pick-up truck – enter the Alaskan, Renault’s first stab into the pick-up market. We’ve looked at pick-ups in the past, and it’s certainly a sector that’ll see massive growth over the coming years.

The Alaskan is a ‘world’ car, meaning it won’t just be sold in Europe. In fact, its most important market is likely to be South America where it’s already been revealed. It’ll feature drivetrains from Renault’s commercial vehicle division, but it’s not designed to be just a rough-and-ready off-roader – some models will feature an infotainment system and a full leather interior.

Find out more here…

Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda’s all-new Kodiaq will be one of the most important cars on display at Paris. Skoda officially launched the behemoth Touareg alternative in Berlin last week, but the French show will be the first opportunity to get up close and personal with this seven-seater.

It sits above Skoda’s smaller SUV – the Yeti – although the Kodiaq’s design feels significantly fresher than its smaller sibling. This is a car that could turn the seven-seat SUV market on its head – it gets over 700 litres of boot space and will get the very latest driver assistance technology.

All the details on the new Skoda Kodiaq here…

SsangYong Rexton

SsangYong will reveal a new version of its Rexton which will most likely appear in concept guise. Although it isn’t destined for production, it should be a good indicator of what we can expect the next generation 2017 Rexton to look like.

Vauxhall Insignia

The current Insignia (top) will be transformed with a lower coupe-like roofline and the engines from the latest Astra (bottom)

Vauxhall is expected to unmask a new, sleeker Insignia at Paris. The company is hoping the updated saloon will be able to fend off Ford’s Mondeo, which has taken a chunk  current Insignia’s popularity thanks to its more modern design.

The new model is expected to have a much lower roofline than its predecessor, giving it the appearance of a four-door coupe. It won’t just get the latest Astra’s styling cues either – it’s highly likely the engines and drivetrains from the new Astra will make an appearance in the new Insignia too.

Vauxhall Ampera-e

Vauxhall-Ampera-e-front

An all-new BMW i3 rivalling electric supermini will make a debut for Vauxhall, although Opel (its sister brand) has no plans for it to go on sale in the UK just yet. LHD models will be available on the continent from 2017 and will offer an electric range of up to 250 miles.

Opel hasn’t completely ruled out giving it a Vauxhall badge and taking it to the UK just yet, so we’ll have to wait and see if any further details are revealed at Paris.

Read more about the Ampera-e…

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