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The 2018 Paris motor show kicked off on Tuesday.
There were plenty of star new cars on display, many of which will be on the road in the next few months. Here’s our selection of the best:
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BMW 3 Series
By far the biggest new car of the show, the all-new ‘G30’ 3 Series wowed crowds with its sharp new design and stylish upmarket new interior, complemented by a range of new digital displays.
The 3 Series now sits on the same underpinnings as the 5 Series and 7 Series and is therefore a little bit larger, lighter and safer than the outgoing model.
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BMW 3 Series
When deliveries begin next March, power will come from a choice of two diesels and one petrol. The usually bestselling diesel 320d will be available in standard form and with xDrive four-wheel drive. It will make 161bhp and 295lb ft of torque, in line with the outgoing Efficient Dynamics model of today but less than the 187bhp of the standard 320d.
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BMW 3 Series
A 254bhp four-cylinder petrol 330i will also be offered. It delivers 295lb ft of torque, accelerating from zero to 62mph in 5.8sec and recording 46.3mpg and 132g/km of CO2 with the automatic gearbox.
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Mercedes-Benz B-Class
Mercedes-Benz has claimed the new B-Class offers more dynamic handling and comfort than its predecessor, thanks to technology and features taken from the S-Class and A-Class. The third generation of the MPV, developed under the internal codename W247, is the fourth of up to eight new compact models to be launched by the company, following the fourth-generation A-Class hatch and saloon.
The new B-Class retains the one-box silhouette of its predecessors but with a smoother form that reflects the firm’s latest design language. It also features the ‘predator face’ seen on the A-Class. It’s marginally longer (4359mm – 172in), wider (1786mm – 70in) and taller (1557mm – 61in) than its predecessor, with a wheelbase of 2929mm and a reduced drag coefficient of 0.24.
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Peugeot e-Legend concept
Peugeot has unveiled the e-Legend Concept, an electric sports car with advanced autonomous features styled on the 504 coupe. It’s been created to prove that cars in the future can be exciting.
The e-Legend has made its public debut at Paris, 50 years after the French firm launched the popular coupe version of the 504. The new car takes numerous styling cues from that machine, including the twin headlights at the front, with hints of American muscle cars thrown in for good measure.
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Porsche Macan
The mid-life facelift Porsche Macan makes its debut Entry level engine will be a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine producing 242bhp. Powered through a seven-speed PDK dual clutch gearbox, the engine has a NEDC fuel economy rating of 34.9mpg. It has a claimed 0-62mph time of 6.7secs, and a top speed of 139mph.
The new version of the Macan, which Autocar has already driven in prototype form, was initially launched in China. Autocar understands that the range will grow to feature a Macan S powered by a 335bhp 3.0-litre V6, and, at least at launch, no diesels. Porsche has recently confirmed that it will no longer offer diesel-engined versions of its models.
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Renault EZ-Ultimo
Renault has revealed the EZ-Ultimo, an electric-powered, autonomous concept car designed as a luxury vehicle for short journeys. The company believes the vehicle could be used by private individuals and by high-end brands to transport clients between hotels and airports, for instance. It could also be used as an app-controlled ride hailing vehicle.
The EZ-Ultimo has a 310-mile range and features level four autonomy, which allows a car to drive itself in most scenarios. It seats up to three people and is 5.8 metres long, a similar length to Rolls-Royce’s Phantom.
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Mercedes-Benz A-Class saloon
Mercedes-Benz shows off its new small saloon for the first time, is now taking orders, with UK prices starting from £27,875 and first deliveries due in early 2019. That figure makes it around £3000 more expensive than its main rival, the Audi A3 Saloon, while closely matching the price of the larger BMW 3 Series.
Two trim levels will be offered at launch, with the UK starting price applying to entry-level Sport. Prices for AMG Line, which comes with AMG bodystyling, start at £28,875. At launch, there will be two engines on sale: the 1.5-litre diesel A180d and 1.3-litre petrol A200. The A180d produces 114bhp and 184lb ft of torque, allowing the car to sprint from 0-62mph in 10.5sec, while top speed is 125mph.
The line-up is expected be expand shortly after the new four-door’s introduction with a more powerful, turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol unit producing 188bhp.
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Peugeot 508 SW
Peugeot has brought its striking 508 SW to the Paris Motor Show in First Edition guise. The limited-run version is based on the top-spec GT finish, but adds unique 19in two-tone alloy wheels, a gloss black front grille, and choice of Twilight Blue and Amazonite Grey colours. A Nappa leather interior is offset with carbon fibre effect trim, while the iConnect cockpit includes Night Vision safety tech and a Focal speaker system.
It will arrive with a choice of 1.6-litre PureTech 225 petrol or 2.0-litre BlueHDi 180 diesel engines. Both models will use an eight-speed automatic transmission. The First Edition is available to order now, with deliveries expected in early 2019.
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Land Rover Discovery – Red Cross
Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations division has created a customised Discovery that will become part of the Red Cross’s emergency response fleet.
The bespoke machine is the result of an 18-month collaboration between the British firm and the Austrian arm of the humanitarian organisation. It has been developed as a mobile command centre and includes a state-of-the-art communication system and a special drone. It is a development of the Project Hero concept car shown last year.
The Discovery, fitted with a 3.0-litre TD6 engine, will act as a mobile nerve centre from which the Austrian Red Cross can direct rescue operations. It also includes four radio antennae and 360deg lighting, to ensure easier co-ordination of emergency responses.
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DS 3 Crossback
DS Automobiles has revealed its second model since becoming a standalone premium car maker pitched directly at the likes of Audi and Volvo: the Audi Q2-rivalling DS 3 Crossback. The new model made its public debut at the Paris motor show.
Following the DS 7 Crossback as the second of six planned DS models by 2023, the small SUV enters one of the most competitive and fastest-growing segments in Europe. The 3 Crossback is the first model based on the PSA Group’s new common modular platform (CMP) architecture, which will underpin every small car from DS, Peugeot, Citroën, Opel and Vauxhall in the immediate future, including the next Peugeot 208 and Vauxhall Corsa.
The French-built 3 Crossback, which will go on sale in the second quarter of next year, is also an indirect replacement for the DS 3 three-door supermini. That model will stay in production until the end of 2019 before being phased out. The 3 Crossback, codenamed D34, will be offered with petrol and diesel engines and, soon after launch, as a fully electric vehicle.
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Renault Kadjar
Renault has revealed the facelifted version of its Nissan Qashqai-rivalling Kadjar at the Paris motor show. Among the tweaks to the car, which was first introduced in 2015, are revised engines, with a new 1.3-litre four-cylinder petrol unit co-developed with Daimler. It’s available in 138bhp and 158bhp guises, with both manual and EDC automatic gearboxes, and is claimed to have strong low-range torque.
The Kadjar’s 1.5-litre dCi engines have also been tweaked, and are now branded Blue dCi to signify their use of selective catalytic reduction in pursuit of lower NOx emissions. Power has increased for the engine in both states of tune, with 113bhp and 148bhp variants now available, in place of 109bhp and 128bhp pre-facelift.
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Mercedes-AMG A35
The highly-anticipated Mercedes-AMG A35 4Matic will feature a uniquely-tuned turbocharged 2.0-litre engine delivering 302bhp as well as a seven-speed dual clutch gearbox, on-demand four-wheel drive and a specially stiffened body when it goes on sale in most markets later this year.
The new AMG model is positioned between the latest A250 and upcoming second-generation A45 4Matic in the German car maker’s performance car line-up as a rival to the BMW M140i and Audi S3 as well as a raft of other hot hatchbacks, including the Volkswagen Golf R.
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Toyota Corolla Touring Sports
Toyota has unveiled the Corolla Touring Sports at the Paris motor show. The Seat Leon ST rival is expected to go on sale not long after the regular hatchback, a rival to the Ford Focus, later this year. Styled in Toyota’s European design centre, the Corolla Touring Sports shares much with the hatchback from the C-Pillar forward.
Further back, a rising shoulder line and flared wheel arches mark it out from the side view, while a sloping roofline and steeply raked rear window are intended to give the estate an appearance more akin to a shooting brake.
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Hyundai unveils i30 Fastback N
Hyundai believes its new i30 Fastback N can fill a gap in the market as a hot C-segment fastback.
The new car also introduces a number of minor tweaks that will be adopted by the i30 N hot hatchback. Mechanically, the new model is virtually identical to the i30 N, with the same 2.0-litre petrol engine. It will again feature 247bhp in standard mode, or 271bhp with the Performance pack.
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Audi A1
Audi’s new A1 Sportback is packed with technology, safety kit and the brand’s latest premium features in a bid to make it the most generously equipped supermini on sale. The second-generation A1 will arrive in November with the aim of drawing new and young customers to the brand.
The outgoing A1 is Audi’s third-best-selling model in the UK. It has been a consistent seller for Audi across Europe, too, with annual sales in the region only once dipping below 90,000 units since it was launched in 2010. But with rivals such as the Mini achieving more than double that figure (it sold in 215,549 units last year), Audi has yet to tap into the full sales potential of this segment.
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BMW Z4
BMW’s new roadster got its European debut in Paris. The big news is that the car is 3secs faster than the BMW M2 around the Nordschleife, according to Z4 product manager Andreas Ederer. Despite not being a fully-fledged M model, the top-of-the range Z4 M40i has beaten the M2’s time at the Nordschliefe during testing with a lap time below 8min, he said.
The entry-level sDrive20i, which will make up half of overall volume, uses a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol with 197hp and achieves 0-62mph in 6.6secs. The mid-range sDrive30i uses the same engine in a higher state of tune (258bhp) and hits the benchmark sprint in 5.4secs. The range-topping M40i employs a 340bhp 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol, has 369lb ft of torque and does 0-62mph in 4.6secs – the same time as key rival, the Porsche 718 Boxster S. Top speed is 155mph.
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Skoda Karoq Scout
The Karoq Scout is a more off-road-friendly version of the Karoq, its Nissan Qashqai rival. The car gets four-wheel drive as standard and, in line with other Scout models in the Czech brand’s line-up, hardy styling and additional equipment over the standard car.
It’ll be launched with three engine options — a 148bhp 1.5-litre petrol engine and a 2.0-litre diesel with 148bhp or 187bhp. The lower-powered diesel is the only one to get a manual gearbox as an option. On the outside, the Karoq Scout is marked out by a metallic rear bumper, scuff plates and sump guard. The model gets 18in wheels as standard, with 19in alloy wheels an option, as well as exclusive badging and tinted windows.
The interior also has exclusive touches; the seat upholstery gets bespoke Scout badging and brown highlights to illustrate that it's a more all-terrain variant. It features the Virtual Cockpit digital dials set-up as standard, as well as in-car wi-fi.
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Porsche 911 Speedster
Porsche has confirmed that the 911 Speedster concept will enter production as a limited-run swansong to the current, 991-generation 911. In a nod to the company’s 70th birthday, the brand will produce 1948 examples of the Speedster, which was previewed by a previous concept as well as a more recent red example shown at the Paris motor show (pictured).
A heritage design pack adds retro-inspired flourishes to the car, and Porsche hinted that the packs would be available on other models. New 21in cross-spoke wheels feature, and are likely to be carried over to the production version, as is the car’s 4.0-litre flat six engine, borrowed from the GT3, and manual gearbox.
The next generation 911, dubbed 992, will be unveiled at November's Los Angeles auto show.
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Suzuki Jimny
Paris saw the debut of the all-new Suzuki Jimny, the much-loved SUV whose lightness and agility more than make up for its modest 1.5-litre 101bhp engine. The unit boasts 96lb ft of torque, and a claimed top speed of 90mph.
The Jimny will offer five-speed manual and four-speed automatic gearboxes, with a part-time four-wheel drive system channelling power to the rear wheels in high and low-range modes. Suzuki swapped the manual low-range gear selector in the latest Vitara for an electric rotary dial, but the new Jimny sticks with the former system to maximise its off-road adjustability.
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Renault K-Ze concept
Renault will launch a new economy electric compact model, called the K-Ze, in 2019. The global “SUV-inspired” model will be first launched in China and offer 155 miles of range on the outgoing NEDC cycle.
The Twingo-sized K-Ze, which will sit below the Zoe in dimensions and cost, will arrive in China first because it is the fastest-growing market for electric cars, said Renault. It is expected to arrive in Europe by 2021, with the final car expected to stay very close to the concept version revealed at Paris.
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Toyota Camry
Toyota has shown the Camry at the Paris motor show ahead of its reintroduction to Europe in 2019 after a 14-year absence. The Camry fills the void left by the Avensis and presents a new rival to the Ford Mondeo.
The car has remained on sale in other markets and ranks as the world’s best-selling saloon, will come exclusively with a hybrid powertrain that is based on a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and electric motor, providing 215bhp and 163lb ft of torque. Toyota claims that 0-62mph passes in 8.3sec, and the Camry will reach 112mph. This system, already offered in the hybrid version of the RAV4, will be self-charging, meaning no pure-electric running will be possible.
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BMW X5
BMW’s new rival to the Range Rover Sport makes its first public outing at the Paris show. It’s got a fresh new look, architecture shared with the 5 and 7 Series and it is larger in every direction than its predecessor. We recently drove it in the US near where it’s built, and we’re giving it the thumbs up.
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Mercedes-Benz EQC
Mercedes' EQC, the first electric car from Merc’s EQ sub-brand, first broke cover at an industry event in Stockholm in early September. The car features two electric motors – one powering the front wheels and another the rears – that enable four-wheel drive capability, depending on the driving mode.
They deliver a combined 402bhp and 564lb ft to move the EQC’s hefty 2425kg (5335 lb) kerb weight. A single-charge range of 249 miles is promised on the WLTP cycle.
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Skoda Vision RS
Skoda's Rapid hatchback isn't long for this world, and it won't be directly replaced. Instead, it'll be replaced by the production version of this - the Vision RS, which takes its sportiness up several notches and pitches it directly against the Volkswagen Golf. The Golf GTI is in the crosshairs too, with a vRS version following.
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Mercedes-Benz GLE
Another large luxury SUV in Paris – this time, it’s the Mercedes-Benz GLE. It's been overhauled for its second generation (although technically it's older, given its rebadge from its ML-badged predecessor), with a long-range plug-in hybrid variant and trick suspension.
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Bugatti Divo
Bugatti's track-focused Divo hypercar made its European motor show debut, having been officially revealed in the USA in August at the Pebble Beach Cours D'Elegance. It develops the same 1,479bhp from its eight-litre, quad-turbo W16 engine as the Chiron, but gains downforce improvements and chassis tweaks to give it the edge around a circuit, instead of prioritising straight line performance.
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Kia Niro EV
Paris saw the debut of Kia’s all-electric small SUV. Two specifications will be available: a range of 280 miles from a 64kWh battery or 186 miles from a 39.2kWh battery.
We’ve just driven the Niro’s Hyundai Kona Electric sister car, and it’s impressed us – fingers crossed for this one too.
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Infiniti Project Black S
Infiniti has showcased a prototype version of its Q60 Black S performance hybrid at the Paris motor show. It's powered by a combination of a 400bhp 3.0-litre V6 and a Formula 1-style KERS energy recovery system for a total output of 563bhp.
The prototype is claimed to duck below four seconds for the 0-62mph sprint, although an exact figure hasn't been specified. The car’s power-to-weight ratio is pegged at 315bhp per tonne.
It uses a dual-hybrid powertrain heavily inspired by that of a F1 unit, with a regenerative braking system (MGU-K) providing one half of the system’s electric propulsion, and electric turbochargers combined with two heat energy collection units (MGU-H) recovering heat from the car’s exhaust gases under acceleration making up the other half. The petrol V6 is the same unit found in the road-going Q60 and powers the standard car to 62mph in 5.0sec.
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BMW 8 Series
The new 8 Series makes its formal motor show debut at Paris. Looking moody here in black, the car should see first deliveries in November. In Europe, there will be two engines available initially, both four-wheel drive.
The M850i features a 4.4-litre V8 petrol engine that produces 523bhp, with 554lb ft of torque available between 1800rpm and 4600rpm. It can achieve 0-62mph in 3.7sec, with a limited top speed of 155mph. The V8 engine has been reworked extensively, including new enlarged twin-scroll turbochargers, increasing power by 67bhp from previous versions.
The other launch model, the 840d, is powered by a 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder diesel unit producing 316bhp and 501lb ft, with a 0-62mph time of 4.9sec. Both models employ an eight-speed gearbox, with the gear ratios increased to boost the sporting performance. The 8 Series also features the xDrive all-wheel drive system, with a rear-biased set-up that sends all the power to the rear wheels as standard.
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Lexus RC Coupe
Lexus has revealed the facelifted RC coupé at its official introduction at the Paris motor show. In addition to styling alterations, Lexus has made aerodynamic tweaks to the RC, as well as revising the suspension with a view to improving ride quality.
The steering has been updated, with the company claiming that it’s more feelsome than that in the pre-facelift car. The new RC is also lower to the ground and wider than before in a bid to improve handling.
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Kia Proceed
Kia’s shooting brake version of the Ceed, the Proceed, replaces the previous slow-selling three-door hatchback version and deletes the apostrophe from its name for good measure.
The smallest petrol engine is a 1.0-litre T-GDi unit that produces 118bhp, while a 1.4-litre T-GDi engine comes in 99bhp and 138bhp forms. The sole diesel, a 1.6-litre CRDi, is offered in 113bhp and 134bhp guises. Drive is sent to the front wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, with a seven-speed dual-clutch 'box available as an option on the 1.4 petrol and the diesel.
Next year, the Ceed range will gain a 48V mild hybrid powertrain, while a plug-in hybrid version is also under consideration.
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Audi SQ2
Paris sees another SUV debut from Audi in the shape of the SQ2. The car’s 1984cc four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine is shared with the S3 and is closely related to that of the Volkswagen Golf R and upcoming T-Roc R, as well as the Seat Leon Cupra R.
Torque is identical to the Golf R at 295lb ft, meaning 0-62mph is achieved in 4.8sec. Audi’s Quattro four-wheel drive system delivers power to all four wheels. It’s available only with a DSG automatic gearbox. We expect a UK price of £35,000 - £15,000 more expensive than the entry-level Q2.
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Skoda Kodiaq vRS
The new Skoda Kodiaq vRS features the most powerful production diesel engine in the history of the Czech firm. The new machine is the first SUV to feature the high-performance vRS badge, and company boss Bernhard Maier called it “the new spearhead in our SUV offering".
IFrameThe Kodiaq vRS, which will be offered with either five or seven seats, features a 237bhp 2.0-litre biturbo direct injection diesel with 369lb ft from 1750-2500rpm. It has a claimed 0-62mph time of seven seconds and top speed of 137mph. Skoda claims it has fuel consumption of 47.1mpg and CO2 emissions of 157g/km, both measured on the soon-to-be-replaced NEDC cycle.
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Audi E-tron
Audi’s first electric-only production car, the e-tron SUV, makes its motor show debut. It’s bigger than Audi’s Q5 but smaller than the Q7. The model gets 249 miles of range on the WLTP test cycle – identical to the Mercedes EQ C but behind the Jaguar I-Pace, which manages 292 miles.
A cheaper version with a smaller battery and, therefore, less range will follow in the next 12 months. Expect the first e-trons to be at dealerships in early 2019. With mainstream car-makers all launching important electric-only cars, 2019 should be the year when the electric world gets seriously interesting.
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