With the global economy seemingly on its knees and oil prices spiralling out of control, one might expect this year’s Paris Motor Show to be a rather understated affair.
Not at all: the car manufacturers have proved a rather hardy bunch, and this event represents a show of defiance in such financially straitened times.
Scores of new cars, concepts, revisions and revolutionary technology make up this year’s show and if there is a chink in the car industry’s armour, the manufacturers are determined not to show it.
You can check our Facebook page to see all the latest pictures and reveals from the Paris Motor Show 2012.
Click on the links below for detailed information on all the Paris Motor Show stars.
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A 10% improvement on fuel economy and lower emissions mark out the new Sportback. In terms of styling, it’s pretty similar to the old car. |
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The new S3 has a 296bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine capable of 0-62mph in just 5.1 seconds with an average fuel consumption of 40.9mpg. |
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This is the first time the American car maker has entered the small 4x4 segment. A 1.4 petrol and a 1.7 diesel make up the engine line-up. |
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The DS3 Cabrio isn’t a complete droptop – the folding roof is more akin to that on the Fiat 500 convertible. Still, it’s a nice looking piece of kit. |
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Dacia will be introducing its affordable Sandero in the UK market in 2013. It may give the Ford Fiesta and Vauxhall Corsa a run for their money. |
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The Panda 4x4 is unique because it is the only four-wheel-drive city car on the market. It’s about time other car makers cottoned on to this. |
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More a heavy refresh than an all-new car, the Fiesta has a new nose, more kit and a better engine line-up. Platform is still the same. |
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Well, this is a beautiful looking car and it’s bound to be a hit with sports car buyers. Jaguar continues its theme of building great cars. |
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You can buy a five- or seven-seat version of the Carens. This is a great people-mover that will be offered at an affordable price. A best-kept secret. |
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The sleeker version of the new cee’d hatchback has plenty to offer. Strong fuel economy and sleek looks. It should be nice to drive too. |
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The Mazda6 saloon is an impressive package. Affordable, well-built and roomy it’s got a lot to offer and the Estate should be no different. |
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Another model in the MINI line-up that manages to look pretty much like every other MINI. A yuppie-friendly coupe/off-roader. |
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Mitsubishi got the electric car thing started with its i-MiEV city car and now it’s following that up with a hybrid version of its Outlander. |
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Peugeot is still dining out on the success of its legendary 205 GTi hot hatch. Can this latest offering achieve the same sort of status? |
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The great and the good at the Paris Motor Show are ‘very excited’ about the all-new Clio. We’re mildly moved. |
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Doesn’t look that much different from the old car, but like many before the British manufacturer insists there are plenty of changes under the skin. |
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This is a sporty looking hatchback and it’s clear, just from the styling, that SEAT wants to win the medium hatchback war. |
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The new Auris is not fighting the style war. It’s an improvement, lookswise, on the old model, but still quite dull. Reliable and dependable though. |
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It would have been stupid to expect radical change with the new Golf – why mess around with a tried-and-tested formula? Bit boring though. |
Parkers Top Tip:
To read more about the concepts on display at Paris click here. To see more pictures from the show click here.
