2016 Paris Motor Show
The 2016 edition of the Paris Motor Show, one of the biggest car shows on the automotive calendar, will open its doors on October 1. Besides an array of hugely anticipated concepts from BMW, Mercedes, Toyota and Hyundai, there will also be a range of production models like the Skoda Kodiaq, new Audi Q5 and Honda Civic fighting for the limelight.
Here’s our second take on all the hot cars to watch out for in Paris.
Honda Civic
Honda will unveil the latest-gen European-spec Civic for the first time at the Paris Motor Show. Set to appear in showrooms across Europe from early 2017, the Civic hatch will get a new family of compact yet efficient engines ranging from 1-litre to 1.5-litre. In comparison, the recently unveiled US-spec Civic gets a turbocharged 1.5-litre engine in various state of tunes.
Honda’s stand will also feature a four-door sedan model of the Civic. Built at Honda’s facility in Turkey, the sedan will be available in mainland European markets from early 2017.
Hyundai i30
Most of us are familiar with the i10 and the i20 but it’s worth noting that Hyundai sells something called the i30 – a bigger and more luxurious hatch for European markets. Now there’s an all new model that’s set to appear at the Paris Motor Show.
The new i30 sits lower than the outgoing version, and is also slightly longer and wider. As the wheelbase remains identical, space inside the cabin is expected to remain the same. In typical Hyundai fashion, the car will be available with a wide range of engines - three petrol motors and three diesel. Globally, the i30 competes with the likes of Ford Focus and VW’s Golf. Now although Hyundai did showcase the i30 at the 2016 Auto Expo, the brand is yet to show any form of interest to introduce this car in India.
BMW X2
BMW will be making yet another crossover model in the form of the X2. The vehicle will be previewed as a concept before going on sale sometime next year. Based on the UKL front-wheel drive platform, the X2 will be added to BMW’s line-up as a sportier, coupe-like derivative of the second-generation X1.
The X2 is expected to be offered with three and four cylinder engine options which will be paired to either a 6-speed manual or an 8-speed automatic transmission. The X2 will be positioned at a slight premium, meaning it will compete with the likes of Range Rover Evoque when launched.
LaFerrari Spyder
Ferrari will scream its way into the Mondial de l'Automobile with an open top version of the LaFerrari. Yes, Ferrari has chopped the roof of its flagship offering and jacked the price up to a ridiculous amount. That said, the brand has already handpicked its buyers for all the units that will eventually be made.
Like the regular LaFerrari, this open top model gets a 6.3-litre V12 engine working in conjunction with an electric motor to churn out 950bhp of power. Performance figures, as a result, stand at borderline insane, with 0-100kmph coming up in just about 2.5 seconds and a top whack of about 349kmph.
Alfa Romeo Stelvio SUV
Alfa Romeo’s long overdue SUV offering - the Stelvio, is expected to take centre stage at the Italian carmaker’s bay at the Paris Motor Show. Not much is known on this new model although Alfa is expected to make use of a revised version of the Giulia’s platform. Designed for both rear- and all-wheel drive powertrains, this new platform will allow the Stelvio to be powered by a range of engines including four-cylinder and V6 petrol and diesel units.
Besides the Stelvio, Alfa Romeo will introduce two new crossover models that are expected to grace the brand’s showrooms by 2020.
Renault Alaskan pick-up
The Alaskan is Renault’s first shot at the pick-up segment. It’s inspired heavily from the Nissan Navara but incorporates all the typical Renault design and engineering bits. This one-tonne model will be powered by a 2.3-litre turbo diesel engine with either 158bhp or 185bhp. The Alaskan will go on sale in Colombia first, followed by other markets. It will compete with the Mitsubishi L200 and the Volkswagen Amarok.
Kia Rio
An all new generation of the Kia Rio will make its public debut in Paris. While the car has already been released online, Kia as we know is preparing to enter the Indian market and is expected to announce its arrival plans within the next two months.
Coming back to the Rio, it is Kia’s global bestseller with more than 473,000 units sold in 2015. This next generation model will enter production towards the end of 2016 for Europe. It is expected to arrive in the Indian market, alongside the Rio sedan and the Picanto to form Kia India’s line-up.
