2010 Paris Motor Show New Offerings and Future Concepts
The doors of the Paris Motor show are now open to the eager public and will remain so until Sunday 17 October. The show is at the Paris Expo, Porte de Versailles. Opening hours are 10am to 8pm daily with late nights on Thursday to 10pm.
On show will be 332 brands from 21 countries. The European car manufacturers’ offerings at the Paris Car show include a range to tempt car buffs from the affordable to the more eye wateringly priced temptations both in the near and more distant future. There is plenty that is new and in production as well concepts to feed dreams of the future.
Other features for the visitor to the show are an EDF electric vehicles Test Drive track and the Renewable Energies Pavilion will host presentations and forums covering the whole renewable energies environment.
The Disney-FFSA Go-Kart track for children, Terrace D4 will allow children from 7 to 12 to drive mini go-karts. “The Incredible Collection”, will showcase 44 treasures from the collections of 10 manufacturers.
In the more affordable price range of vehicles are Volkswagen’s GTi Concept which is production ready. The Megane Coupe isn’t out for a couple of months, but visitors to the Paris Motor Show can trial drive it at the Renault stand.
Moving up to the higher priced offerings is the big launch of the two-seater Porsche 911 Speedster which it will sign off on its current range. It harks back to the iconic 1950s model and will be a limited edition with planned production of only 356. It has a proper roof but is manually operated. The price is £144,000 for the Speedster but If that is too rich for you the 911 Carrera GTS will lighten your pocket by a mere £77,000.
There will be about three years wait before the Lotus Elite from Group Lotus Plc unveiled here at the show goes on sale in 2014. The Elite one of five feature models is a four seater convertible with folding hardtop roof, which measures 4.60m long, 1.90m wide, and 1.32m tall. Pricing is expected to start at £115,000.
Mercedes has officially unveiled the 2011 CLS-Class. When it is launched in January 2011 the first two models available will be CLS 350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY 4 cylinder price guide is euro 59,000 and the CLS 350 BlueEFFICIENCY 6 cylinder price guide is euro 63427. These will be followed two months later with the CLS 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY becoming available and in April the CLS 500 BlueEFFICIENCY joining the line up.
Jaguar’s C-X75 concept was unveiled in a stylish celebration of its 75th anniversary at a private viewing to a positive reception from the press. While this is a concept car there is enthusiasm to put it into production if there is demonstrated support for the concept from potential buyers. Jaguar has released three videos featuring the C-X75 and in one Jaguar Design Director Ian Callum said, “The C-X75 is a celebration. It’s about enjoying something that’s mechanical and beautiful.” In another video on the car’s innovation, Jaguar Head of Research Tony Harper said, “Jaguar has always been about trying to combine design and technology and innovation. We needed to show how the design language can relevant in the future.” He went on to say the key message is to deliver a relevant and sustainable super car in today’s environment.
Among the American and Asian offerings are the European launch of the Nissan’s luxury brand Infiniti which has been successful in the USA. While the Ford Ka is here at Paris, it will be at the LA Motor Show in November 2010 where the new Ford Mustang will make its appearance. The Chevrolet Volt can be seen in Paris. The Volt is powered by an electric motor at all times but when the battery is depleted the petrol engine will kick in.
These are just a few of the veritable feast of new offerings with more from other manufacturers, including Audi, Honda, Hyundai, Lexus, Mazda, Lamborghini, Mitsubishi to delight motor fans over the next two weeks.
