Paris may be known for its fantastic food, delightful wine and beautiful sights but for two weeks beginning Saturday, cars will rule.
That’s because the biannual Mondial de l’Automobile 2012 – better known as the Paris Auto Show on this side of the pond – takes center stage for the world’s automakers.
This year’s show will continue the recent trend of introductions of smaller cars and concepts featuring alternative powertrains.
Make sure you check in often in the next few days as TheDetroitBureau.com’s Paul Eisenstein reports from Paris on all that is happening at the show and continue below for a preview of what is expected from the show this week.
Volkswagen GTI
2013 VW GTI Concept
Volkswagen will show the latest GTI, based on recently introduced the Mark VII Golf. As has become the norm for many automakers, the show car will be a “near-production” concept that will precede the sale model. Autobild.de is reporting that the new car’s familiar turbocharged 2.0-liter four cylinder will get a bump in horsepower to 217 with an optional performance package that boosts output to 227 horses.
Volkswagen Golf Mark VII
With competitors are encroaching on the Volkswagen Golf’s turf, the new version had better be good. The numbers, at least tell a c,ompelling story. The car that Volkswagen will debut in Paris is 2.2 inches longer and fractionally larger in other dimensions, yet it weighs an impressive 220 pounds less than the outgoing model.
Click here to learn more about the seventh-generation Golf.
2013 Toyota Verso
Toyota Verso
Toyota is previewing its Paris introduction of the Euro-market 2013 Verso, a seven-passenger compact people mover. Based on the Toyota Auris, the Verso gets a number of updates – about 300 new parts in all – including a facelift, updated interior and revised 2.0-liter diesel engine. The question for the U.S. is whether Toyota will bring the pint-sized van to the states to compete with the Mazda 5 and Ford C-Max.
A digitally enhanced look at the Aesthetics S.
Mercedes-Benz Aesthetics S Concept
Set to debut in Paris is a Mercedes-Benz concept that is a little different than the norm at auto shows. The Aesthetics S Concept is meant to give “an artistic glimpse of the design of the luxury saloon of the foreseeable future.” The images released so far don’t say much about what the actual car looks like, but they do at least give a glimpse of what the S-Class roofline might look like. It would seem that Mercedes is ready to take the formal S-class more in the direction of the celebrated CLS, which led the move toward coupe-like sedan profiles.
Click here for more on Mercedes most unusual concept.
McLaren P1 Design Study
McLaren P1
McLaren has teased us with highly artistic views of the P1, which it is calling the “ultimate supercar,” and finally came forward with some images of the car that it will show in Paris. Even though McLaren is calling this the “P1 Design Study,” expect the racecar-company-turned-automaker to begin production of a tweaked version of the concept within a year. McLaren said that while the car might not be the absolute fastest supercar, it will offer the best overall driving experience.
Click here to read more about the P1.
2013 BMW Active Tourer Concept
BMW Active Tourer Concept
The Active Tourer Concept will be one of the critical introductions in Paris because it begins to show what BMW is planning when it launches its all-new battery car brand in a year. The Active Tourer will be closer to the first product from BMW’s i brand-within-a-brand, which will be known as the i3. It has several battery cars in the works, but the first after the i3 will be the i8 sports car.
Click here for more on the Active Tourer Concept.
Mini Paceman
While Mini has shown photos of the Paceman in advance of Paris, expect more details to emerge at the show. This three-door version of the Countryman, Mini’s biggest model, will be available with the Countryman’s all-wheel-drive system. Mini is calling the Paceman it’s first Sports Activity Coupe.
Click here for more details on the Paceman.
Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in
Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in
Struggling Mitsubishi has been pushing toward alternative powertrains, beginning with the tiny i-MiEV electric vehicle. Now it plans to show a plug-in version of its Outlander sport utility vehicle in Paris. Combining electric with an internal combustion engine, the Outlander will be similar in concept to the Chevrolet Volt. In fact, Mitsubishi is targeting about the same electric-only range as the Volt – 35 miles.
For more on the Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in, click here.
2013 Aston Martin DB9
Aston Martin DB9
After eight years, Aston Martin is finally ready to update its DB9, which will becom the flagship of the marquee’s lineup. Shortly after it introduces on the stand in Paris, the DB9 will go on sale carrying a $185,400 price tag. While clearly resembling the previous model, the new DB9 gets bi-xenon headlights and a new grille inspired by the One-77 “hypercar.”
Click here to read more about the DB9 intro.