Alfa Romeo
No new product at Paris 2008 so the 8C convertible took centre stage. Production of the limited edition two-seater has now all but sold out. Also vying for some attention was the recently revised and stunning 159.
Aston Martin
There was nothing new on the Aston stand save for the Project One-77 car. The company revealed DBS owners will soon be able to lock their vehicle via a wristwatch.
Audi
Audi gave a clear indication how A1 the production model will appear when it hits showrooms in 2010. Expect to see three and five-door versions of the new entry level Audi model range. Audi is also considering a soft-top and a hot 200bhp S1 versions and possibly hybrid version by 2011.
Grabbing attention too was of the all-new S4 and S4 Avant. Each will be powered by a supercharged V6 instead of a naturally aspirated V8.
Bentley
The curtain is about to fall on the Arnage, but in an exclusive run of 150 hand-built models, the Arnage Final Series will combine the performance elements of the T model with the refinement of the R.
BMW
BMW gave the all-new 7-Series its first motor show outing and took the wraps off the concept car that points the way to the forthcoming X1. Expect to see the production model of this compact SUV – a baby brother to the X3 and X5 – at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 12 months.
BMW gave a world premier to the Lexus challenging 7-series Active Hybrid. It combines a V8 petrol unit with electric hybrid power and promises 15 percent better fuel economy. It is expected in early to mid-2009. About the same time, expect to see an Active Hybrid X6.
BMW also gave a world debut to their 320d Xdrive Touring and the 125i coupe from BMW’s Performance range was also attracting a lot of attention.
Cadillac
Taking centre stage on Cadillac’s Paris stand was the CTS Sport Wagon, making its European debut. There will be a 2.9-litre turbodiesel in due course, though launch vehicles will be powered by a single petrol engine, a 3.6-litre V6.
Chevrolet
The GM-owned brand premiered two new models, the Orlando and the Cruze. The former is a compact seven-seat MPV that may never be produced, while the latter is a four-door production saloon, built on the new Astra platform.
The Cruze is stylish with a very well finished interior. It is expected to be on sale here in late spring.
Chevrolet also gave Europe its first glimpse of the production-ready Volt electric car and the 6.2-litre V8-powered Camaro. It currently has a range of 40 miles on electric power alone, a few hundred more when the tiny petrol engine fires up to charge the battery, and a super-low 40g/km CO2 figure. It will go on sale here at the end of 2011 or early in 2012.
Chrysler
Although Chrysler had nothing new on show, it was celebrating 25 years of the minivan. On its stand were several historical models running through to the current Grand Voyager.
Citroen
Playing to a home audience, Citroen pulled out all the stops with a huge stand of cars.
The C3 Picasso was unveiled in Paris. It is a five-seater with a particularly roomy interior. It is due to go on sale here next summer.
The Hypnos is a luxury diesel hybrid crossover concept based on the C5 platform, while the GTbyCitroen is a joint venture with the makers of the Gran Turismo computer game.
A hybrid World Rally Championship car was also on display. And the van-based seven-seater Berlingo MPV and five-seater Nemo Mini-MPV also made their Motor Show debuts.
Daihatsu
Nothing really new to see, but the students of France’s International Fashion University Group had been brought in to individually paint all the cars on the Daihatsu stand.
Dodge
On display at the Dodge stand was the all-electric ZEO, a zero emissions concept vehicle capable of delivering a driving range of 250 miles.
Ferrari
One of the Paris show-stoppers was undoubtedly the Ferrari California. The 4.3-litre 454bhp V8 engine comes wrapped in a Pininfarina-penned GT coupe-cabriolet bodyshell with aluminium folding roof. Stunning was the generally consensus. Ferrari also used the exhibition to announce it’s extending its bespoke programme to include the 599 GTB Fiorino.
Fiat
Fiat used the Paris Motor Show to spell out the virtues of its EcoDrive system, which allows drivers to see how economically they’re driving. It also showed off a 500 city car which had been trimmed as part of a collaboration with jeans firm Diesel.
Ford
The all-new MkII Ford Ka made its motor show debut in Paris. It will be available with a choice of two engines – a 1.2-litre petrol or 1.3-litre diesel – with both emitting less than 120g/km of CO2.
It is indeed a stylish replacement for the outgoing model, with the design having more wide-ranging appeal that the Mk1. There are two good Fiat engines too, a 1.2 petrol and a very frugal 1.3 diesel.
Elsewhere on the stand, there was the Econetic version of the Fiesta with CO2 emissions of just 98g/km. Ford says that it is the cleanest supermini on sale in this part of the world. Power for Econetic comes from 1.6 TDCi diesel engine with stretched gearing.
Honda
Honda’s all-new Insight reaches Ireland next spring. An exact price for the compact five-door, five-seater will be announced nearer its showroom debut. It is built on an all-new platform but uses the same Integrated Motor Assist hybrid technology as the current Civic Hybrid. The Insight will sit between the Jazz and Civic in the Japanese firm’s line-up.
The new Jazz also got a lot of attention. It houses a new six-speed automatic gearbox - a Honda first for their diesel buyers.
Hyundai
Set to be launched early in 2009, the sleek five-door i20 took its place for the first time on Hyundai’s stand. The i20 has a longer wheelbase and more space than the Getz, which it will replace.
The Korean company also debuted concept versions of a premium seven-seat SUV, the iX55. There was also the Santa Fe Petrol-Electric Hybrid concept and the big Genesis saloon.
Hummer
The American 4x4 manufacturer had no new product on its stand, and showcased vehicles from its existing line-up.
Infiniti
Infiniti is Nissan's luxury brand, as Lexus is to Toyota. And Infiniti gave their FX37 its global debut.
The crossover will hit 62mph in 6.8 seconds and accelerate to a top speed of 145mph. In the next 12 months Infiniti plans to open at least 14 purpose-built sites across the UK and as of now, we believe one in Ireland.
The Infiniti range starts with the G37, which comes as a C-Class, 3-series, A4 rival in saloon and coupe form.
Both models will be joined by the folding hard-top convertible in mid-2009. It also features the generic 3.7-litre V6 with 316bhp, but the roof splits into three parts and tucks away neatly, while a seven-speed automatic is on the options list.
Jaguar
An absence of new metal from the British company, which celebrated 60 years of the XK. The original Jaguar XK120 premiered at the London Show of 1948.
Jeep
With the firm promising to do more to improve the quality of its interiors, Jeep showcased the redesigned cabins of the Compass and Patriot. The vehicles are also to get more fuel-efficient engines.
Jeep Patriot Back Country concept features a redesigned interior, authentic Jeep accessories and a blend of unique colours, textures and materials.
The Compass Overland prototype takes the Compass even more upscale with exterior styling cues from the Overland models of Jeep Commander and Jeep Grand Cherokee. Inside are a redesigned interior and unique, embroidered seats for additional comfort.
Kia
The new Kia Soul proved a real stand-out car when it made its world debut in Paris. And also on the Kia stand, in their 'Green zone' were petrol hybrid versions of the Soul and Cee’d, plus a Cee’d with stop start technology. There was also a Sportage SUV version powered by a 100kW fuel cell.
Kia is a company on a roll with a funky family car in the Soul. It is a stylish and distinctive car. It is an adventurous move from Kia and when you target the likes of Mini buyers, it is important to have high build quality. There is a choice between 126 bhp 1.6-litre petrol and diesel engines. Plus the Soul will be well equipped.
Lamborghini
The Estoque concept could become Lamborghini’s third model if it gets the green light for production. Revealed for the first time in Paris, the front mid-engined four-door coupé has permanent four-wheel drive and is totally different to either the Gallardo or Murcielago.
Lancia
Nothing new to unveil, but Lancia is pushing ahead with plans to launch the Delta in the UK and Ireland mid to late next year. The 1.9-litre 190 bhp diesel engine is what’s likely to be under the bonnet.
Besides this, a new C-segment concept was also unveiled.
Land Rover
The first of Land Rover's environmentally friendly technologies made its debut. Probably from December all manual diesel versions of the Freelander will get stop-start as standard, and at no cost to the customer. The cars will be badged TD4 e. Fuel economy is improved by 3.8mpg and CO2 emissions are down by eight per cent. The consensus of opinion was this car can only be a good thing for the company.
Lexus
Lexus has unveiled the IS 250 Convertible, the third model in the firm’s entry level range. This coupe/cabriolet is a rival to the likes of BMW’s 3-Series drop-top – a proper four-seater with a three-piece metal roof that folds flat into the boot in 20 seconds. It will go on sale here by next summer.
Less loudly spoken about in Paris is the fact that the full IS range has been revised. It is said that diesel emissions have been reduced in the 220d and also that there have been improvements to the brakes, the suspension, and the steering.
The range-topping LS460 AWD was there. It had debuted in Moscow a couple of months ago. There was also a new crossover concept called the LF-Xh. It is a 4x4 hybrid that uses a V6 engine and not one, but two electric motors.
Lotus
The British sports car firm’s news was the debut of the Exige Cup 260, a fresh high performance derivative of the two-seater coupé. Tipping the scales at 38kg less than the standard car – it weighs just 890kg – it will hit 62mph in 4.1 seconds.
The company also announced a new race series called Lotus Cup Europe.
Maserati
The Maserati stand featured the Italian firm’s current range of models, including the Quattroporte and Quattroporte S, plus the Granturismo and Granturismo S.
Mazda
Kiyora is the name of a new lightweight urban car with a stylish exterior design that was unveiled at the show. It’s powered by a four-cylinder engine with Smart Idle Stop System (SISS ) to boost fuel economy and cut CO2 emissions.
Also attracting attention was the facelifted version of the iconic MX-5. Both the front and rear have been revised, and the suspension has been stiffened.
Mercedes-Benz
The German firm unveiled the beautiful ConceptFascination, previewing a new design direction for an E-Class coupé. Its luxury fittings include a folding glass table, humidor and fridge in the luggage area. It’s powered by a 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel engine. Also debuting was the C250 featuring a new 2.2-litre four-cylinder twin-turbo diesel engine. It will go on sale late next year. The Mercedes-Benz McLaren SLR 722 Special Edition roadster looked stunning but menacing with 650 bhp on tap.
The 'green' attention was firmly on the new electric Smart ForTwo ED – set to be available next year. There was also the new S400 Blue Hybrid, which will also not be a hit in Ireland. The latter sadly because it will not be available in right-hand-drive.
It is the cleanest petrol saloon that Mercedes-Benz build. It uses a lithium-ion battery and a 20 bhp three-phase engine sandwiched between the petrol motor and seven-speed gearbox. Result? It returns an good 35.8mpg, has a top speed of 155 mph, and CO2 emissions of 190g/km.
And for non eco-warriors there was a bomb or was it grenade-proof 517 bhp Pullman Guard Limo that weighs in at a whopping 4.5-tonnes.
MINI
The expansion of the brand continues with the fourth MINI model, the Crossover, which hints at a future compact SUV. It’s got two conventional doors on the passenger side, but only one on the driver’s. Behind it is a sliding door for easy loading and access. The fact that it’s not just a Clubman with raised ride height was noted.
Mitsubishi
The big news was the heavily revised Colt. It goes on sale here from mid-November. Power will come from 1.1 or 1.3 petrol engines – there’s no diesel. A flagship Ralliart model is also due in January. The Colt gets the jet-fighter grille from the Lancer, and a revised back-end - in particular the new light clusters.
There will also be a 'Colt Cler-tec' - a lower emissions 1.1 litre variant that will fit into Category A. It should arrive here next March.
The Lancer Sportback also made a motor show debut. The rear hatch version of the new Lancer looks the part. It goes on sale here next April.
Also, vying for attention on the Mitsubishi stand was the electric version of the ‘i’ city car.
This version i car will launch in Japan with 12 vehicles coming to Europe in early 2009 for testing. One of these vehicles will be coming to Ireland. It will have a 144km range and can be charged through an ordinary electric outlet. All going well, we could see the electric 'i' city car on sale here in 2010.
Nissan
The NuNu is a new urban electric car that's less than three metres long. The NuNu accommodates three - the driver, then one offset passenger seat behind, plus a third opposite that.
And while it is a concept, it is described by Nissan as “entirely credible”. Nissan have even put a date on its launch – the middle of the next decade.
Available sooner will be the Pixo a four-seater, five-door city car that’s on sale from next spring or early summer. Designed to sit below the Micra, the 1.0-litre petrol model is built by Suzuki in India. The Pixo is based on the new Suzuki Alto.
Also was the revised Note. And the popular 1.5-litre diesel now dips to 119g/km CO2 emissions. The Note is also the first car to get Nissan’s new multimedia 'Connect' system.
Finally, also on display are Nissan’s latest SUVs, the elongated Qashqai+2 and the European specification Murano.
Opel
The estate version of the Insignia will go on sale in the spring badged the Tourer. The rear luggage area is 540 litres, but when the rear seats are folded flat that increases to 1,510. It can take loads of up to 1.91 metres. There’s two new engines in addition to the five already in the hatchback and saloon.
Interestingly, because the rear lights are mounted on the tailgate, two internal lights have had to be added within the boot space as it is necessary to meet road side safety legislation with the hatch open.
Elsewhere on the stand, Opel also unveiled the 160 bhp 2.0 CDTi Insignia EcoFlex, with CO2 emissions below 140g/km.
Peugeot
The production car debut was the 308 CC, which will go on sale in the spring. Peugeot also unveiled the 'Prologue' - a crossover concept which points the way to a new compact crossover SUV to rival the Nissan Qashqai.
The last of the French firm’s trio was the RC HyMotion4, a four-door GT - a stylish 4WD concept. It has a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine driving the rear wheels with 218 bhp; and a 95 bhp electric motor up-front, driving the front wheels. You can have any combination of the two power sources to a maximum output of 313 bhp through all four wheels, or in urban environs, you can have the benefit of zero emissions when engaging the electric motor only.
There was also a three-wheeled scooter concept (125cc engine and electric power through the two front wheels ) and a Hy Prologue, a diesel-electric 'crossover concept'. It is based on the 308 platform and its hybrid powertrain means CO2 emissions of 109g/km.
Porsche
Making its motor show debut alongside the full range of facelifted 911s was the Cayman S Sport. Power is up from 295 to 303 bhp, and the car features a sports exhausts, remapped throttle mapping and xenon headlamps. Only 700 are being built, with around 20 per cent expected to come to the UK and Ireland.
Renault
Stars of the Paris show were the all-new Megane, on sale in Ireland from later this year, but also the Coupé variant. The sporty Laguna Coupe with a choice of V6 power (a 235 bhp diesel and a 240 bhp 3.5 V6 petrol ) and all-wheel steering as standard was making its motor show debut. It is expected to be on sale from January.
Renault also showed a shortened (3.8m long ), three-door Kangoo Be Bop. It has a retractable rear roof section and screen, and is due here next spring.
Renault also had two new concepts on display - the Ondelios grand tourer and the Z.E. electric car.
Rolls-Royce
There was no new product from Rolls-Royce at Paris. But the company has revealed a concept version of its new entry level model - known only by the codename RR4 – will be at the Geneva Motor Show next year. The production model will also make its debut in 2009.
Saab
Saab used the Paris Motor Show to unveil a convertible concept, the 9-X Air. It features an innovative new type of roof – the Canopy Top – which incorporate the C-pillars and folds away into the boot when not required. The car is fast too; despite having a 1.4-litre engine under the bonnet, it will hit 62mph in only 8.1 seconds.
SEAT
Two new versions of the Ibiza were the centre-piece of the SEAT stand, and at opposite ends of the scale. For environmentally aware drivers there was the MkII Ecomotive (original not offered in Ireland ), powered by a 1.4-litre diesel engine with particulate filter and offering CO2 emissions of 99g/km. It returns an impressive 76.3mpg consumption figure.
Also new was the sporty Cupra, with a twin-turbo 1.4-litre petrol unit developing 180bhp. And it also gets the VW's seven-cog DSG box as standard. Combined, this gives you a 7.5 seconds to 60 mph figure, 140 mph top speed, and a welcome 42 mpg and 159 g/km CO2.
Both the Cupra and Ecomotive Mk II will arrive in Irish showrooms in 2009.
Also on show was the Exeo, Seat's first D-segment saloon.
Skoda
A facelifted Octavia – Skoda’s biggest selling model – received its world premiere at Paris 2008. With revised bumpers and front and rear light clusters cued from the new Superb, the new-look Octavia is expected to go on sale in January. It also gets the Superb's centre console and instruments.
Smart
The MkII version of Smart’s electric ForTwo was the main attraction on the Paris stand. It gets lithium ion batteries for the first time, which are more compact that the nickel metal hydride ones, have a longer life and are quicker to recharge. A pilot project in Berlin, with 100 of the vehicles, has just been launched.
Subaru
Diesel was still the story on the Subaru stand, with the 2.0-litre boxer engine appearing in the Forester and Impreza for the first time. The firm believes no rival can better its figures of 44.8mpg and 167g/km. The Forester is available now, with the Impreza arriving in January.
Suzuki
The wraps came off the next generation of Suzuki’s Alto city car at Paris. Measuring just 3.5 metres, it’s powered by the three-cylinder 1.0-litre petrol engine that’s already in the Splash. Fuel consumption is 62.7mpg with 103g/km of CO2. The Alto will arrive in Irish showrooms around next March. Cute styling and low-cost motoring are big attractions in the current climate.
SsangYong
The Korean firm best known for the Rexton and Rodius has unveiled its smallest SUV to date, the C200. It’s the first to feature a front-wheel drive platform and monocoque construction, with both 4x4 and 4x2 transmission options.
It is SsangYong's first front-wheel drive car, and it features a new 175bhp 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine, with a new six-speed manual transmission and intelligent four-wheel drive.
The car, which will go on sale next year is powered by a 2.0-litre 175bhp diesel engine mated to a six-speed manual gearbox.
Tesla
Who you might well say? The American firm’s zero-emission Roadster has made it one of the most talked-about manufacturers of 2008, and there was huge interest. There was no new version on the stand, but production at Lotus HQ in Norfolk is due to increase to 40 units per week early next year.
Toyota
The new Avensis MkIII model is due on sale in January in both saloon and estate body styles. It comes with a diesel automatic variant for the first time. There are also new variably valve timed (VVT ) engines with emissions cut by 10 to 26 percent and horsepower boosted by between 3 to 20 percent.
Also attracting much attention was the Urban Cruiser compact SUV. It’s on sale from May and is based on the xB from Toyota’s US brand Scion. Engines include a new 1.3 VVT-i petrol and a revised 1.4 diesel. The all-wheel drive 1.4D is said to be the world’s most economical 4x4 with emissions of 133g/km, and returning 53.3 mpg. A 4x4 transmission is optional. A minus point was picked up on by a colleague - the rear seats don’t fold flat.
Toyota also had their unique iQ on the stand. Despite measuring up at less than three metres long, it is both wider and with a longer cabin than the Toyota Yaris supermini. It can also carry up to three adults and a child in a unique 3+1 seating layout.
Volkswagen
Some motor show unveilings will also draw people in and an all-new Golf GTi is certainly one of those. Power output it 210 bhp – it was 200 on the MkV – and it features an electronic limited slip diff linked to the ESP for the first time. The GTI is officially a concept but won’t change much before it arrives here in the spring.
The new GTi overshadowed the motor show debut of the sixth generation of Europe's best selling car - the new Volkswagen Golf. A staggering discovery that I made was that the new Golf has just six engine options, which is down from 20 in the current model. Expect others to follow VW's lead with this and other cost- cutting measures.
Elsewhere, the new Passat BlueMotion debuted in Paris and this Euro VI-compliant saloon and estate returns up to 68.9 mpg and a very low 114g/km. It features a stop-start system, advanced common-rail injection and longer gears for lower revs. While the Mk1 Passat BlueMotion wasn't sold here, you can expect to see this one next spring.
Volvo
DRIVe is the badge that will appear on Volvo’s cleanest cars and Paris marked the range’s official debut. One diesel version of the C30, S40 and V50 will get the designation, thanks to a sub-120g/km performance.
The improvements are down to aerodynamics, low rolling resistance tyres and higher gear ratios. Volvo also announced they will launch an front-wheel drive XC60 with a revamped 2.4-litre diesel engine next year.
