Wednesday, September 26, 2012

8 Car Companies to Watch at the Paris Motor Show 2012

The Paris Motor Show opens later this week at the Paris Expo Centre and it remains one of the most exciting and largest annual motoring events in Europe.
We’ve compiled a list of 8 manufacturers to pay attention to and the cars they are premiering at the show. So without further ado, (in alphabetical order):

Audi

Audi are planning to showcase two new S3 models, including a new design for the A3 Sportback, which will be released with a 5-door model featuring a longer wheelbase and allowing for more legroom that, claim Audi, provides enough space to seat three adults in the back. The 5-door sportback will be available for a £620 extra over the 3-door model.

Audi are also planning a S3 hot-hatch, which will boast a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine producing 296bhp and combined with a 6-speed S-Tronic gearbox will mean the S3 can go from 0 to 62mph in 5.1secs. It will be made available in 2013.

BMW

BMW plan to launch their first model to venture into front-wheel drive. The concept Active Tourer will have four-wheel drive and a brand-new 1.5-litre, 3-cylinder turbocharged engine powering the front wheels and hybrid technology powering the rear. The concept is expected to be the first of a range of front-wheel drive cars beginning with the 1-Series.

Citroën

The DS3 Electrum will be showcased at the Paris Motor Show and will feature two 65kW motors, a 17.5kW lithium ion battery and a 75-mile range. Citroën claim that quick-charge power points will be able to charge the car to 80% of its capacity within 30 minutes.

The DS3 Cabrio is also definitely coming to British shores and features a retractable canvas roof that comes in a range of styles. The roof has three positions and can be retracted at speeds of up to 74mph.

Dacia

James May’s favourite car, the Dacia Sandero, has a new model being showcased at the Paris Moto Show before its British release in January. It will cost drivers less than £7000 and is accompanied by a Stepway version to be launched n the spring. The new Dacia Logan 4-door notchback will also be unveiled but will not be sold in the UK.

Jaguar

The new production-spec F-Type from Jaguar will be premiered this week and will be available with a new supercharged 3-litre V6 engine as well as a developed version of the 5-litre V8 currently available. Both models will come with an 8-speed automatic gearbox.

Mercedes

In partnership with Tesla, Mercedes has developed an All-Electric B-Class car. The model has a range of 200km on its 134bhp engine and lithium ion battery. The car will be able to use plug-in docking stations to charge but will also feature recuperative charging whilst running.

This is just one of many new electric car models developed by Mercedes-Benz, including the prototype electric supercar SLS E-Cell.

Vauxhall

Vauxhall will debut the new Cascada at the show this week. The new convertible, based upon the existing Astra and Insignia model, is expected to be available in dealerships by spring 2013. Longer than an Audi A5 cabriolet, it provides a large amount of space and room but priced beneath its rival at £29,445 and up.

Vauxhall will also showcase their new Adam model, which is available to the public tomorrow (Sept 27).

Volkswagen

We’ve already written piece about how excited we are about the new Mk7 Golf expected to be shown off before the order books are opened on October 18th. The Paris Motor Show will see a full specification and pricing of the model for UK shores.

The car is available in 3 or 5-door versions and will have a selection of four different engines.

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