Road-ready electric vehicles and other eco-friendly cars were the dominant theme of the 2010 Paris motor show.
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Renault unveiled four of them – plus a concept for another – while alliance partner Nissan focused on the Leaf and revealed the Townpod EV, an ultra-flexible utility car.
Kia took the wraps off a hybrid version of its critically acclaimed new Sportage, while Mini ditched four wheels in favour of two battery-powered ones for its Scooter E concept. Honda unveiled the world’s first B-segment hybrid in the shape of the Jazz [Fit], while the equivalent honour for diesel/electric models went to Peugeot and the 3008 Hybrid 4.
But the theme which oozed most clearly from almost every stand was confidence. And with no Tier One motor show since Geneva six months ago, manufacturers had plenty to shout about … but also to whisper quietly into the ears of trusted hacks, particularly on the subject of concept cars going into production. Jaguar set pulses racing with the C-X75, a 780bhp 205mph supercar prototype celebrating the brand’s 75 years in existence. Yes, it “hints at an exciting evolution of Jaguar’s design language” but the word was that, if demand is strong enough, it will be built.
Renault’s Dezir is a stunning red coupé concept hinting at future new styling cues, and that wide front end will appear on 2012’s Clio. But could it really get the green light? Insiders were talking up its production potential, to the point of suggesting Renaultsport has spare capacity at its Dieppe plant.
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By GlobalData
But the award for Most Confidence Oozed goes to Lotus, which boldly described its Paris presentation as “the dawn of a new era”. It was a fair assessment; in an unprecedented move it launched an entire new range of cars – Esprit, Elan, Elite, Elise and Eterne. The plan is to raise the Norfolk company’s profile to where it was 20 years ago, and then some. Celebrity silk sheet-pullers included model Naomi Campbell, Hollywood actors Mickey Rourke and Stephen Baldwin, Queen guitarist Brian May. Even Detroit legend Bob Lutz popped in by video.
Away from the glitz and glamour of Lotus’ rebirth, almost every mainstream car maker had new showroom product to shout about. Alphabetically, Audi unveiled a new variant of the A1, while Chevrolet launched four new models including the Orlando MPV and five-door Cruze. Citroen’s stand featured the redesigned C4 and new DS4. Ford ‘focused’ on the new Focus family – on sale early next year – and showed the new ST. Staff were also promoting the redesigned five-seat C-Max, new seven-seat Grand C-Max and updated Mondeo.
The ix20 – Hyundai’s version of the Kia Venga – took pride of place on its stand, while Kia itself showcased the Optima, the Magentis replacement which will go on sale next year. Land Rover’s eagerly anticipated Evoque – including the five-door version unveiled here – was undoubtedly one of the show stars while Mazda had a facelifted 2 and redesigned 5. Seat had the new Alhambra [its version of parent VW’s Sharan, Toyota unveiled its return to B-segment MPVs, the Verso S, Volkswagen launched its massively important redesigned Passat and Volvo offered up the V60 wagon.
Not to be outdone, the expensive VW Group brands all had factory fresh product. Bentley’s stand featured the new Continental GT while Porsche had a striking blue 911 Speedster while Bugatti’s record-breaking Veyron SuperSports was its headline act.
But the award for Most Dramatic Design – and Most Dramatic Unveiling, during Wednesday’s preview night – goes to Lamborghini. The aggressive new Sesto Elemento concept emerged through jets of flame several feet high. Now that’s confidence… not least on the part of the poor driver.
