Paris motor show 2010: full A-Z guide

Abarth 500C Esseesse
Abarth Punto Evo Esseesse
Alfa Romeo Giulietta TCT
Audi A1 1.4T
Audi A7 Sportback
Audi e-tron Spyder
Audi Quattro
Bentley Continental GT
BMW Concept 6-series
BMW X3

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8 mins read

1 October 2010

A breathtaking Paris motor show saw public debuts for more than 100 new cars, from radical electric Kia and Renault concepts, to jet-powered Jaguars and half a dozen stunning new Lotuses.

Here, Autocar runs through what you may have missed at the Paris show in an A-Z guide. Click on the links below for a full story of every Paris show star, including exclusive show pics. There’s also a gallery attached to this story, where you can view a picture of each car.

See a show pic of every Paris starRead Steve Cropley's full show report, plus a comprehensive show gallerySee exclusive video blogs of the show stars

AbarthA fairly quiet show for Abarth saw it unveil more potent Esseesse versions of its 500C and Punto Evo models. Expect to see more in upcoming shows, including its long-rumoured Fiat 500-based Speedster.Abarth 500C Esseesse and Abarth Punto Evo Esseesse

Alfa RomeoAlfa packed its stand with models – and not necessarily new Giulietta variants. The firm’s main offering in the last major show of its centenary year was a twin-clutch version of the new Giulietta.Alfa Romeo Giulietta TCT

AudiAn 11th hour u-turn over the use of the S1 badge for the hot new A1 looked to be the biggest news to come out of Audi at Paris. Until it launched the stunning Quattro 30th anniversary concept. Throw in the equally stunning E-tron Spyder concept and the production A7 and you had one the most impressive line-ups at the show.Audi A1 1.4 TFSI Audi A7Audi e-tron SpyderAudi Quattro

BentleyAn all-new version of Bentley’s most important model, the Continental GT, was revealed to the world at Paris. It might not look different, but every panel is new, it’s been re-engineered – and there’s even a new twin-turbo V8 engine on the way.Bentley Continental GT

BMW X3Despite plenty on internet speculation in the build up to the show, BMW’s radical new eco supercar that’s been teased on the web for the past few weeks never turned up. Instead, there was a thinly veiled 6-series concept and a production version of the new X3.BMW Concept 6-series BMW X3

ChevroletA busy show for Chevrolet as it gears up for the launch of its make-or-break Volt. There were production version of the new Aveo, Cruze hatchback and Orlando models, as well as a facelift of the Captiva SUV.Chevrolet Aveo Chevrolet CaptivaChevrolet Cruze hatchbackChevrolet Orlando

CitroenDomestic makers don’t usually disappoint at their home show and Citroen was no exception. Its stand was a busy one: there were debuts for its DS3 Racing Cooper S-rivalling hot hatch, C4 and DS4 models, as well as its new DS3 WRC car, one of three new WRC challengers launched at the show. And that’s before mentioning the stripped-out Lacoste buggy concept.Citroen C4 Citroen DS3 RacingCitroen DS3 WRCCitroen DS4Citroen Lacoste

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DaciaNothing new here: we’d already seen the Duster earlier in the year. Expect to see it in 2012 when Renault launches its popular budget brand in the UK.Dacia Duster

ExagonThe Furtive-eGT won the ‘best of the rest award’ at Paris. It’s a range-extender hybrid from a consortium of French companies and it could make production in 2012.Furtive e-GT

FerrariThe stunning Ferrari SA APERTA will impress showgoers with its design, but disappoint those with deep pockets with the fact it’s already sold out. There was a stop-start California on the stand, too; we’ve driven it.Ferrari SA APERTA

FiatA small, but significant stand from Fiat. On it were several versions of its familiar 500, but it’s the TwinAir model that’ll interest showgoers the most. The two-cylinder technology impressed journalists; will the public go for it?Fiat 500 Twinair

FiskerYears in the making, the covers finally came off the production Fisker Karma at Paris. Saloon, convertible and an unspecified other body style will be offered from next year. Fisker aims to build 15,000 units per year.Fisker Karma

FordThe full new Focus range make its debut in Paris. The controversially styled ST was the star, alongside hatchback, saloon and estate models. Ford also showed off its new Fiesta WRC contender, which will take on Mini and Citroen next year. Econetic versions of the Ka and Mondeo were confirmed, too.Ford Fiesta WRC Ford Focus ST

HondaThere was no press conference or fanfare from Honda at Paris this year. Instead the firm chose a quiet reveal for the new Jazz Hybrid; expect this cleaner, greener variant of the popular supermini to become a best seller.Honda Jazz hybrid

HyundaiHyundai chose not to launch a new concept at Paris, instead focusing on two new production cars: the ix20 mini MPV and a facelifted i10. There was also a head-turning i20 Sport, developed with involvement from Mercedes tuning firm Brabus.Hyundai i10 Hyundai ix20Hyundai i20 Sport Edition

InfinitiThe latest version of Infiniti’s new BMW 5-series-rivalling M saloon was shown off, the M35h hybrid. There was more interesting news to come from Infiniti, however. The firm is also planning a 1-series rival and there was even talk of an out and out sports car.Infiniti M hybrid

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JaguarThe Jaguar C-X75 was of the undoubted stars of the show. The jet-powered shock supercar looks like it could into production tomorrow. Whether it will remains to be seen, but its looks will influence Jag’s next-generation of sports cars.Jaguar C-X75

KiaKia’s all-electric Pop was one of the most attractive and innovative concepts seen at the show. Kia’s next city car, perhaps? Also on the Kia stand was a European debut for its Optima and the latest models in Kia’s Ecodynamics sub-brand, all with impressively low CO2 figures.Kia Pop

LamborghiniIf the build-up to the Lamborghini reveal was tedious (it released six teaser pics over a month), the car itself was anything but. The evil-looking Sesto Elemento concept shows off the ‘future of the company’. And if it looks as good as this, where do we sign?Lamborghini Sesto Elemento

Land RoverThe Range Rover Evoque was another highlight of the show. The stunning three-door model was impressive enough, but Land Rover also put out a picture of the five-door model. Expect to see that at Los Angeles in November.Range Rover Evoque

LexusLexus didn’t grab too many headlines at the show. Its new CT200h hybrid hatchback was shown in production form alongside facelifted IS and IS-F models.Lexus CT200h Lexus IS faceliftLexus IS-F facelift

LotusIt’s hard to summarise just what an impact Lotus made at Paris. Its presentation, crudely littered with celebrities and even a cameo from Bob Lutz, revealed six new models: Elise, Elan, Esprit, Elite, Eterne and City Car. Oh, and two new Evoras: the hardcore S and an auto’.Lotus Elise Lotus ElanLotus EspritLotus EliteLotus EterneLotus City Car

MaseratiJust one new car from Maserati, but one we’re keen to try. The Granturismo MC Stradale is a more powerful, lightweight version of the S.Maserati MC Stradale

MazdaDespite revealing it in the build-up to the show, Mazda chose not to display its new stunning Shinari concept; that’ll come at Geneva next year. Instead, there was a facelifted 2 and a 20th anniversary celebration of the MX-5.Mazda 2

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MercedesNo concepts on the Merc stand this year, just production cars. The new CLS shows the styling direction for the next-generation of Mercedes’ cars, while there was also a four-cylinder S-class and a debut for the new CL AMG models.Mercedes CL65 AMG Mercedes CLSMercedes S250 CDI

MiniMini’s rapid expansion spilled into scooters at Paris with two electric concepts. Of more interest was the new Countryman WRC car – and the confirmation that Brit rally star Kris Meeke will drive it.Mini Countryman WRC Mini Scooter E

NissanTwo new models from Nissan at Paris: one you can buy – the revised GT-R – and one you can’t – the ‘interestingly-styled’ Townpod. There’s more power for the GT-R as well as a few styling changes; we’ll be reviewing it later this month.Nissan GT-R Nissan Townpod

PeugeotPeugeot’s electric Veyron beater, the EX1, was never intended for the show. Instead the firm showed off the styling direction of the next 208 – and a possible 2008 model – with its high-riding HR1 concept, as well as production versions of the 508 and 3008 diesel-hybrid, the first car of its kind.Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4 Peugeot 508Peugeot HR1

PorschePorsche’s new CEO Matthias Mueller spilled the beans on a possible return to F1. There was no 918 Spyder Geneva-style shock from Porsche this time; instead it showed two more 911 variants, the Carrera GTS and the Speedster.Porsche 911 Carrera GTS Porsche 911 Speedster

RenaultThe undoubted star of Renault’s show was the DeZir concept, the first of six planned by new design boss Laurens van der Acker. Also impressive was the new Zoe concept, which previews the next Clio. There was also a production Twizy and minor facelifts for the Laguna and Espace.Renault DeZir Renault LatitudeRenault TwizyRenault Zoe

Rolls-RoyceFive design concepts showing just how customisable Rolls-Royces can be dominated the firm’s stand. All five had special Paris motor show plaques and will be sold off after the show.Rolls-Royce design concepts

SaabThe big news from Saab wasn’t product; it was a tie-up with BMW to supply turbocharged 1.6 petrol engines. Saab also revealed plans for all-wheel drive hybrids and electric cars. The future looks bright – if it can survive the present.Saab and BMW in engine tie-up

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SeatHearing VW Group CEO Martin Winterkorn discuss his desire to buy Alfa wouldn’t have gone down too well at Seat, VW’s current ‘sporty’ brand. The firm’s show star was a new version of its electric IBE concept, now driveable and with an interior.Seat IBE

SkodaGreen cars were the theme of Skoda's Paris show stand. It launched its first ever electric concept - the Octavia Green E Line - and also showed off its next-generation of Greeline models, including Yeti and Superb models for the first time.Skoda Greenline models Skoda Octavia Green E Line

SmartSmart was, like Mini, another small carmaker that moved into electric scooters at the Paris show. The concept was displayed next to the facelifted Fortwo range, including a rather garish tuned Brabus example.Smart escooter Smart Fortwo

ToyotaToyota was probably glad to escape the media spotlight at Paris after a turbulent year dominated by the recall scandal. Its main show star was the Yaris-based Verso S mini MPV, while a subtly tweaked iQ was also shown. There was confirmation of a Yaris hybrid, too.Toyota Verso-S

VauxhallThe Astra GTC concept was one of the best looking concepts at the show, certainly finding more favour than the Focus ST the VXR model will rival. Less exciting was the Astra ST, but that’s a crucial model in terms of Astra sales. Vauxhall Astra GTCVauxhall Astra ST

VolkswagenThere wasn’t much to excite on the Volkswagen stand, the new Passat saloon and estate models being the main models to speak of. There was a CrossTouran model, too, but that’s not coming to the UK.Volkswagen CrossTouran Volkswagen Passat

VolvoWe’d already seen the new Volvo S60 and V60 this year, so Volvo gave their ‘naughty’ new models a sporty R-design makeover. New CEO Stefan Jacoby was fronted up to the media for the first time, too.Volvo S60 and V60 R-Design See a show pics of every Paris starRead Steve Cropley's full show report, plus a comprehensive show galleryRead Paris blogs from Autocar's team at the showRead all the latest news from the Paris motor showSee exclsuive video blogs of the show stars

Mark Tisshaw

Title: Editor

Mark is a journalist with more than a decade of top-level experience in the automotive industry. He first joined Autocar in 2009, having previously worked in local newspapers. He has held several roles at Autocar, including news editor, deputy editor, digital editor and his current position of editor, one he has held since 2017.

From this position he oversees all of Autocar’s content across the print magazine, autocar.co.uk website, social media, video, and podcast channels, as well as our recent launch, Autocar Business. Mark regularly interviews the very top global executives in the automotive industry, telling their stories and holding them to account, meeting them at shows and events around the world.

Mark is a Car of the Year juror, a prestigious annual award that Autocar is one of the main sponsors of. He has made media appearances on the likes of the BBC, and contributed to titles including What Car?, Move Electric and Pistonheads, and has written a column for The Sun.