Top production and concept cars from the Parisian stage

The world’s oldest automotive expo event consistently held in one city since 1898, the biennial Paris Motor Show, or Mondial de l’Automobile, is, along with Frankfurt, Geneva and Detroit, among the most important dates on the motoring calendar. First organised by French automotive pioneer Jules-Albert de Dion, the Paris show has hosted countless historical automotive debuts of the most stylish, innovative and important cars.

A showcase event for automobile manufacturers, Paris is particularly important for French makers. While French brands certainly pulled their weight this year, the Paris event — in the absence of a high profile British motor show in recent years — also played host to two important British car debuts this year.

Though unveiled at a special London event less than a month ago, the Jaguar XE was a highlight of the Paris event during its first European and global motor show outing, where full details were disclosed. A stylishly dramatic and high tech follow-up to the F-Type sports car halo model, the XE is Jaguar’s most accessible and mainstream offering, and the first junior executive Jag since the classically-styled X-Type ceased production in 2009. 

Utilising lightweight aluminium construction, sporty but supple suspension and high tech infotainment and driving aids, the XE is a major milestone for the quintessential British luxury brand and introduced a new in-house developed four-cylinder engine.

Perhaps even more important for the Jaguar Land Rover group than the stunning XE is the Land Rover Discovery Sport compact premium SUV. Unveiled at a press event on the eve of the Paris show, the Discovery Sport was driven out by British fashion model Rosie Huntingdon-Whiteley on a barge on the river Seine with a background of seven colourfully oversized waterproof wellie boots to highlight its off-road ability, 600mm wading depth and seven-seat capacity. 

The first of three Discovery family Land Rovers, the Discovery Sport is a practical and premium but not “precious” vehicle intended to offer high levels of versatility, safety, refinement and ability, with extensive infotainment and safety features.

A big day for French car makers, the Paris motor show featured an extensive display by Peugeot, with an updated Exalt luxury saloon and aggressive Quartz MPV-SUV crossover hybrid concepts showcasing the brand’s future design direction.

However, Peugeot’s 208 GTI 30th Anniversary was among the show’s most interesting cars, with a mild power boost, two tone paint and limited slip differential to celebrate its iconic 205 GTI ancestor. Sister brand Citroen unveiled a new standalone luxury DS brand and Divine DS concept car to set the tone for the new brand’s sophisticated technology ethos. Over at Renault, a chic and futuristic new incarnation of the iconic Espace MPV took centre stage.

Not to be outdone in the supermodel and glitz stakes, Claudia Schiffer was at hand to introduce the new Corsa city car at the Opel stand, but the sexiest sports cars launched in Paris included the curvy, lightweight and long-awaited enthusiast favourite Mazda MX-5 drop-top.

No international motor show would be complete without a bevy of high tech and glamorous sports and super cars, and also included Lamborghini’s most stylish design in recent years in the form of the 897BHP four-wheel-drive hybrid Asterion LP1-910 concept, while at the other end of the scale, the radical Volkswagen XL Sport featured a lightweight body and powerful high-revving Ducati motorcycle engine.

Of production cars in Paris, Mercedes-Benz’ new smaller flagship AMG GT sports car and Volvo’s elegantly futuristic and safe high tech XC90 SUV were standouts, while the Ferrari 458 Speciale A could soon be a classic if Ferrari switch from natural-aspiration to turbocharging for their next mid-engine V8 model. A contemporary auto expo mainstay, hybrids were well-represented with the luxuriously chic Infiniti Q80 Inspiration prominent.

Common sense enthusiast favourites, hot hatches were present in force, with the top-end including the latest concept version of the upcoming Honda Civic Type R and the Nissan Pulsar Nismo concept. Compact production hot hatches included the Volkswagen Polo GTI and Opel Adam S.

Production car highlights

Jaguar XE

Jaguar’s compact executive saloon comeback, the XE’s is urgent, athletic and elegant, with hints of F-Type sports car. With stiff lightweight aluminium construction and sophisticated suspension, the XE promises ride refinement and handling ability, while its luxuriously appointed cabin boasts advanced infotainment systems. The range-topping three-litre supercharged V6 S version develops 335BHP and delivers 0-100km/h in 4.9 seconds. High tech semi-autonomous driver assists even include an electronic Land Rover-derived system for low traction.

Land Rover Discovery Sport

The first of a planned three-model Land Rover Discovery range, the Discovery Sport compact SUV is practical but premium with on-road finesse and class-leading off-road ability. Resembling more luxurious Range Rover models, the Discovery Sport’s design is however characterised by its reverse-angled C-pillar. Versatile, spacious and practical, it also features clever infotainment and semi-autonomous driving technologies.

Mazda MX-5

The world’s best-selling sports car, the Mazda MX-5 is a lightweight, affordable, reliable and great handling car. Long awaited, the fourth generation is a lighter and smaller car than its predecessor. Noticeably more aggressive the fourth generation MX-5’s curvaceously evocative styling is stretched over a lightweight chassis with sophisticated front double wishbones and a sporty front-mid engine rear-drive layout.

Mercedes-Benz
AMG GT Edition 1

Successor to the dramatic gull-winged SLS-Class, the smaller Mercedes GT takes aim at Jaguar F-Type territory, with athletically curvy cabin-back design and conventional doors. In Edition 1 trim with fixed wing and more aggressive detailing as unveiled in Paris, the GT’s smaller four-litre twin-turbo V8 engine develops 503BHP and 478lb/ft, and accelerates to 100km/h in 3.8 seconds.

Volvo XC90

Well worth the wait, the long-anticipated high tech second generation Volvo XC90 SUV highlights the Swedish brand’s sophisticated new design language, luxuriously minimalist interiors and versatile platform. Packed with efficiency- and safety-minded technology, the XC90 various semi-autonomous driving assists bring Volvo closer to an ambitious target of zero fatalities in its vehicles by 2020.

Concept car highlights

Volkswagen XL Sport

Built on the lightweight ultra-efficient high tech Volkswagen XL-1 road car’s frame, the XL Sport concept is powered by a 1.2-litre V2 engine borrowed from the Volkswagen group’s recently acquired Ducati motorcycles. Volkswagen’s 200-millionth car, the 268km/h XL Sport features wider tracks for better stability and develops 197BHP at 11,000rpm, while 0-100km/h is achieved in 5.7 seconds.

Peugeot Exalt

Unveiled earlier this year, the long, low and elegantly athletic Exalt is revised for its Paris debut. Peugeot’s futuristic large saloon now features shades of grey bare metal bodywork and aerodynamic “Shark Skin” textiles. Eco-friendly, the 335BHP hybrid luxury saloon features recycled business newspaper salmon-pink wood trim and leather trim incorporating natural flaws. Housed under the boot, an electric scooter adds versatility for congested city streets.

Divine DS (Citroen)

Recently separated from Citroen as a standalone prestige brand, DS’ first concept showcases the brand’s design direction and technology with sophistication ethos. Neither based on existing nor previewing future cars, the Divine DS sets the tone for a future six-car range, with diamond-pattern grille and luxurious interiors, utilising combinations of carbon fibre, leather and Swarovski crystal fabric.

Infiniti Q80 Inspiration

Long, low, streamlined and stylish, the high tech Infiniti Q80 hybrid is a luxury four-door coupe expected to make production with few alterations by 2020. Boasting a 450BHP twin-turbo three-litre V6 and 100BHP electric motor, the Q80’s nine-speed gearbox can automatically engage four-wheel drive while advanced autonomous driving technology assists in traffic or on motorways.

Lamborghini Asterion LP1-910

With Lamborghini’s bull-themed names, the Asterion hybrid supercar is aptly named after a mythical half-man half-bull Minataur hybrid. With gorgeous lines harking to the Miura and Jalpa rather than aggressive contemporary Lamborghinis, the Asterion’s mid-mounted 5.2-litre 602BHP V10 engine is supplemented by three electric motors. With 897BHP combined and four-wheel drive, the fully functional drive line might however see production in a Lamborghini SUV.