Skoda Kodiak
Alfa Stelvio SUV 001 ezom
Audi Q5
BMW i3 002 e4xk
Mitsubishi XM 6l4h
Sam Charlwood19 Aug 2016
NEWS

PARIS MOTOR SHOW: 2016 preview

The Paris motor show opens in less than six weeks and will be one of the biggest ever. Here's what's in store

This year Europe's biggest motor show switches from Frankfurt in Germany to Paris in France, which is apt because there will be plenty to love in the city famed for romance.

From Mercedes-Benz's first-ever Tesla rival to the long-awaited roadster version of the BMW i8 supercar, here's what else will be there.

Alfa Stelvio
Alfa's first SUV has been widely tipped to make its world debut in Paris, but we understand the Stelvio will more likely appear first at the Los Angeles show in November, or some time before then at a stand-alone launch event like the Giulia did.

Named after the Italian mountain pass famous for its hairpin bends, it's hard not to overestimate how important the mid-size SUV is to the Italian brand's rejuvenation. It's also difficult to fathom why it's taken Alfa so long considering the huge global appetite for SUVs.

Alfa Stelvio SUV 001 ezom

Based on the same 'Giorgio' platform that underpins the upcoming Giulia, it's likely the Stelvio will share its petrol and diesel engines with the medium prestige sedan, including a 375kW turbo-petrol V6 in the range-topping Stelvio QV.

Audi Q5
Following in the tyre tracks of the Volkswagen Tiguan, the all-new Q5 will also be based on the same MLB platform. Thanks to that new architecture, expect it to weigh-in at least 100kg less than the current car, helping the mid-size Audi SUV major in efficiency, especially when powered by a state-of-art plug-in hybrid powertrain.

Frequently spotted testing, we already know the replacement for one of Australia's top-selling luxury SUVs will sport sleeker styling reminiscent of the Q3.

Audi-Q5
That said, expect evolution not revolution in the design department. Fans of fast SUVs will be glad to hear when the Q5 goes on sale in 2017 it will be joined shortly after by a 300kW RS version.

BMW X2 concept
It'll be a busy show for the Bavarian car-maker with not one, but three important reveals (that we know about), the biggest of which will be the X2.

Despite being called a 'concept' it will be the near-finished article. Blending a small coupe with an SUV, the X2 has been co-developed with the MINI Countryman and shares its platform and range of engines.

Claimed to have been created for those looking for a jacked-up hot hatch, the real reason the BMW exists is to pinch sales from the near-unstoppable Range Rover Evoque that, despite celebrating its fifth birthday this year, remains a sales hit among the style conscious.

<a href="//motoring.li.csnstatic.com/motoring/general/editorial/BMW-X2-pkgs.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-188061" src="//motoring.li.csnstatic.com/motoring/general/editorial/BMW-X2-pkgs.jpg" alt="BMW-X2"></a>BMW i3 94Ah

BMW hopes 'range anxiety' will be a thing of the past when it launches its new upgraded 'long-range' i3 at the French show. The bold claim is that, thanks to larger-capacity batteries, the upgraded i3 94Ah will offer about 50 per cent more driving range than the current versions.

That should translate to a range of 300km for the pure-electric version and 450km for the range-extender. Available Down Under in October, the i3's 125kW/250Nm electric motor, which drives the rear wheels and delivers 0-100km/h acceleration in 7.3 seconds, carries over unchanged.

<a href="//motoring.li.csnstatic.com/motoring/general/editorial/BMW-i3-002-e4xk.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-188060" src="//motoring.li.csnstatic.com/motoring/general/editorial/BMW-i3-002-e4xk.jpg" alt="BMW-i3-002"></a>BMW i8 Spyder

First teased as a concept back in 2012, the roadster version of the plug-in hybrid supercar has been a long time coming but will be revealed in final production form in Paris, along with an upgraded and facelifted version of the regular coupe.

More power, a longer pure-electric range and plenty of chassis tweaks plus the new option of a wireless charging option will all be introduced. It's not known how much more power the facelift brings, but the current car's 170kW 1.5-litre turbo petrol is believed to have had its boost turned up and total power increased to around 295kW -- about 10 per cent more than the current car.

Citroen C3
Already revealed online, the new small Citroen transforms from humble hatch to more stylish crossover, lifting its look from the larger C4 Cactus.

Featuring the same impact-absorbing Airbumps as its bigger sibling, the small Citroen is longer and wider than the car it replaces and now includes some big-car tech, including a novel dash cam that can detect when an accident is about to happen and start filming.

Unfortunately, the bigger new C3 has not yet been confirmed for Australia until negotiations over pricing with the French car-maker have been resolved.

Ferrari LaFerrari Spider
Ferrari recently confirmed it would produce about 200 Spider versions of its LaFerrari hypercar and the Italian brand’s latest drop-top is due to debut in Paris.

It is expected to cost around $2 million (plus local taxes) and will be fitted with the same 588kW 6.3-litre naturally-aspirated V12 as the coupe that combines a 120kW electric motor in a HY-KERS petrol-electric drive system to deliver total output of 708kW/700Nm.

Ford
Ford sold almost 1.5 million vehicles last year (2015) in the 50 European markets it sells in but, despite that, the US car-maker has decided that this year it will give the Paris motor show a miss.

Apparently, according to a Ford spokesman, previous French shows "didn't hit the sweet spot".

Honda Civic hatch
We’ve seen the new Honda Civic sedan reach Australian roads, and now the Civic hatch has had its reveal online. Is it time the much-vaunted Civic Type-R emerged from the woodwork?

Paris is looming as the most certain destination for the Type-R to be shown to the world. Expect a similar formula to the current Civic Type-R (not sold in Australia); that is, a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol that will drive more than 220kW through the front wheels. The new Type-R will be based on the just-debuted Civic hatch, so not surprisingly the two will share the stands in Paris.

Hyundai i30
The Korean car-maker has already released teasing images of its all-new Corolla and Golf rival and, from the first pics, it's clear the i30 has plans to go upmarket. It arrives Down Under next year.

Kia Rio
The fifth-generation Kia Rio is due for replacement in the first half of 2017.

With speculation mounting on a Paris motor show debut, its successor is likely to be based on the same existing platform but fitted with new sheet metal, new interiors, new engines and new technologies.

Kia Picanto
Kia’s 11th-hour decision to bring the current Picanto model into Australia this year has proved a fruitful one, with almost 300 sales monthly despite the car being five years old overseas.

The ageing current model will be replaced by a new version in the first quarter of 2017. The successor will move to address key infotainment and refinement issues, and should be shown for the first time in Paris.

Skoda Kodiaq
Skoda’s first ever SUV will lob at the stands in Paris, following a drawn-out teaser campaign and before it arrives in Australia around mid-2017.

The Czech brand's first seven-seat SUV promises sharp looks, new technology and “exceptional” levels of passenger and luggage space, with a loading space that stretches from 720 litres to 2065 litres with the rear seats folded.

The Kodiaq is underpinned by the Volkswagen Group’s MQB platform. It will be available with two- or all-wheel drive underpinnings and will be driven by turbo-petrol or turbo-diesel engines designed to take on the likes of the Mazda CX-9, Toyota Kluger, Hyundai Sante Fe and Kia Sorento.

<a href="//motoring.li.csnstatic.com/motoring/general/editorial/Skoda-Kodiaq-003-y68q.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-188066" src="//motoring.li.csnstatic.com/motoring/general/editorial/Skoda-Kodiaq-003-y68q.jpg" alt="Skoda-Kodiaq-003"></a>smart EV

Daimler mini-car offshoot Smart has announced it will debut all-electric versions of its new ForFour and cabrio.

While the Smart range is not sold in Australia at present and has been ruled out for the foreseeable future, the brand has been busy proliferating its range. There are even Brabus versions of the Smart ForTwo and ForFour on the market in Europe.

Land Rover Discovery
The current Land Rover Discovery is one of the oldest ‘new cars’ doing the rounds on our roads, but expect that to change soon.

In Paris the British manufacturer will reveal a fifth-generation version of its iconic off-roader based on the same aluminium platform as the latest Rangies.

The biggest change is expected to be a departure from the Disco’s traditional boxy design, with spy shots revealing a streamlined appearance that is more in tune with Land Rover’s corporate design language.

Despite its sleeker silhouette, the Disco is expected to retain its off-road credentials; but to what degree it remains to be seen.

Maserati MY17 Ghibli
Maserati has been busy fettling its current line-up globally, first and foremost with the pioneering Levante SUV. There has also been talk of a successor to the GranTurismo series along with rumours of a new hypercar that would replace the MC12.

First, though, the Italian brand plans on shifting attention back to its traditional sedan line-up with minor updates for the Ghibli, which will appear in Paris with similar updates to the MY17 Quattroporte shown earlier this year.

The revised Quattroporte land here in December, with the facelifted Ghibli to follow early next year.

<a href="//motoring.li.csnstatic.com/motoring/general/editorial/Maserati-Quattroporte-GTS-GranSport-6488.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-188062" src="//motoring.li.csnstatic.com/motoring/general/editorial/Maserati-Quattroporte-GTS-GranSport-6488.jpg" alt="Maserati-Quattroporte-GTS-GranSport-6488"></a>
Mercedes-Benz EQ SUV

While Tesla bet the farm on pure-electric vehicles becoming a hit, others like Mercedes-Benz were quite happy to dabble but not commit the billions necessary for a full range of viable pure-electric range of cars.

Now Benz runs the risk of being left behind, so expect big EV things at Paris for the German car-maker. Not only will it launch a pure-electric 'EQ' sub-brand, the firm is also primed to launch a Tesla Model X rival that will be based on a dedicated platform and be here as soon as 2019.

Mitsubishi Grand Tourer (Outlander)
It might be called the 'Grand Tourer' but the SUV the Japanese car-maker will reveal at Paris will be a direct replacement for the current Outlander and likely to share its name.

Said to introduce the "latest expression" of the firm's design language, the SUV concept is also set to show off Mitsubishi's next-generation plug-in hybrid technology.

Mitsubishi XM concept
Already shown earlier this month at the Indonesian motor show, the XM blends a mini-people-mover with a more palatable SUV. Along the way it also advances the design cues introduced by the eX SUV revealed at last year's Tokyo motor show.

But while the XM will morph into an all-new small SUV from Mitsubishi, the eX previews the brand's next-gen ASX. Said to have space for up to seven, the XM is expected to sit on the same platform as the Grand Tourer and also come with a version of its next-gen plug-in powertrain.

<a href="//motoring.li.csnstatic.com/motoring/general/editorial/Mitsubishi-XM-6l4h.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-188069" src="//motoring.li.csnstatic.com/motoring/general/editorial/Mitsubishi-XM-6l4h.jpg" alt="Mitsubishi-XM"></a>
Peugeot 3008 SUV

Cashing in on our love of SUVs, Peugeot's 3008 has evolved from practical people-mover to something altogether more rugged. Now a crossover, the new 3008 makes its first public debut at the French show.

Spearheading its launch will be the sporty GT flagship that comes powered with the 133kW/400Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel that's claimed to offer near hot-hatch levels of performance. The 3008 is slated to arrive in Australia in the first half of 2017.

Opel Insignia
Perhaps the most Australian-relevant reveal of the Paris motor show will be the unveiling of what's certain to become the replacement for Holden's homegrown Commodore.

Called the Opel Insignia in Europe, the new-generation large – to be shown first as a liftback, followed by a wagon — will be re-badged as the new Holden Commodore come 2018.

Instead of rear-wheel drive, the new Insignia will come with both front- and all-wheel drive and is likely to be available with a range of four-cylinder diesel and powerful petrol turbos including a twin-turbo V6 version to replace the Commodore V8.

<a href="//motoring.li.csnstatic.com/motoring/general/editorial/Opel-Insignia.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-188064" src="//motoring.li.csnstatic.com/motoring/general/editorial/Opel-Insignia.jpg" alt="Opel-Insignia"></a>
Renault Grand Scenic

A longer version of the French brand's standard mini people-mover has already been revealed online but now makes its public debut at the French motor show. Gaining an extra 240mm in length to accommodate a third row of seats, the longer Scenic is expected to come with the same two petrols and six diesels available on the five-seat version.

The longer Grand Scenic will also come with the firm's 'Hybrid Assist' powertrain that adds a 48V electrical system that powers and electric motor that supplements the diesel engine to cut fuel use.

Suzuki S-Cross facelift
Remember the S-Cross, Suzuki’s diminutive SUV (officially) that launched in 2013? The Japanese manufacturer will publically reveal an updated version in Paris, showing off subtle styling updates and new Boosterjet turbocharged petrol engines. The first images of the update were released in July.

The updated model is tipped to arrive in showrooms around the fourth quarter, though it is not yet clear which engine choices will be available locally. Suzuki produces it with a choice of a range-topping 103kW/220Nm four-cylinder turbo-petrol, 86kW/156Nm 1.6-litre petrol four, 82kW/170Nm 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine and 88kW/320Nm 1.6-litre turbo-diesel four-pot.

The engine updates will combine with heavily revised front-end and interior changes, including a 7.0-inch screen packaging Suzuki’s latest infotainment software and upgraded seat trims.

Volkswagen Golf
Volkswagen is due to present a facelifted version of its global best-seller, the Golf, at Paris and its engine choices will include new 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engines that will be more costly to make, but lighter and more economical.

Ultimately, the new four-cylinder engines will find their way into the next Polo and Tiguan as well, along with the Audi A1 and A3 and models from Seat and Skoda.

VW-Golf-VIIl

Volkswagen MEB EV concept
Volkswagen has good reason to revert towards electric vehicle technology, especially when you consider the damage suffered by the brand’s diesel reputation.

The German car-maker is reportedly examining whether its modular architecture currently under development for electric cars, MEB, can cater for larger vehicles like the flagship Phaeton poised for release. There may be cause for a second group-wide platform if not.

Either way, expect another EV concept from Volkswagen in Paris. Much of the speculation points towards a volume-selling small EV that will rival the Tesla Model 3 and Chevrolet Bolt.

Volkswagen Tiguan XL
Europe's biggest car-maker has already confirmed its new Tiguan will spawn a three-model SUV family comprising 'coupe' and long-wheelbase seven-seat derivatives and the latter Tiguan 'XL' could lob as early as Paris.

Including next month's the new standard Tiguan, Volkswagen has committed to releasing five new SUVs Down Under by early 2018, including an all-new small SUV but not an all-new large seven-seat off-road wagon based on the Amarok, which is unlikely to appear until after the redesigned ute emerges in 2019.

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