In spite of prominent defections, the 2018 Paris autoshow proved significant.
The Paris autoshow is the other european autoshow of the year, living in the shadow of Geneva and alternating with Frankfurt. Many autoshows are under pressure as automakers rethink the way they communicate to the media and to consumers, but Paris was hit hard with the notable absence of Volkswagen, Ford, Opel, Nissan, Infiniti, Volvo and Mazda. Still, this 2018 was the chosen venue for a number of significant worldwide and european premieres, summarized hereunder in alphabetical order.
Audi A1 – the second episode
After a long, eight year cycle, Audi is replacing its compact car with a more muscular, sportier compact 4m car. The engines available at launch range from a 116 hp 3 cylinder to a 200 hp 4 cylinder in the A1 40 TFSI, but fans can expect more powerful versions to become available later in the model cycle.
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Audi e-tron 55 Quattro
Audi first electric car is finally here. This 4.9m long crossover harbours a 95 kWh battery pack in its floor, sending 664 Nm and 408 hp to all four wheels. Audi has not just made a crossover electric, but is packing a number of innovations, such as an innovative regeneration and brake distribution system, the first virtual mirrors in a series production car and unified access to 72’000 charging stations in 16 european countries.
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Audi SQ2
If packing a 300 hp 2.0 liter turbo engine in a compact, 4210 mm crossover sounds like a punchy recipe, then the SQ2 might be cut for you. It carries all of the attributes expected of an Audi, including Quattro transmission and a Virtual Cockpit.
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BMW 3 Series G20
Longer, wider but 55 kg lighter, the new 3 series is entrusted to carry the tradition of the german sporty compact sedan. The petrol and turbodiesel engines available at launch will leave the keenest drivers waiting for the M340i xDrive version promised for the summer of 2019, with 500 Nm and 374 hp on tap, and the promise of a 0-100 km/h acceleration in 4.4s.
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BMW Z4 M40i
BMW’s new Z4 roadster returns to a cloth top and is meant to be lighter and nimbler. The range includes two 4 cylinder engines with 197 or 258hp, and a range topping M40i version with the trademark in-line six, 500 Nm and 340 hp, exclusively sent to the rear wheels via an 8 gear automatic box.
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Bugatti Divo
Simply put, the Divo is a hyper-exclusive derivative of the Chiron, honed to have a sharper edge on twisty roads. The 8 liter quad turbo W16 engine is unchanged, with torque maintained at 1600 Nm from 2000 to 6000 rpm, and 1500 hp at 6700 rpm. Only 40 Divo will be built, all are sold.
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Ferrari 488 Pista Spider
Ferrari launches a convertible version of its track oriented 488 Pista. The 3902 cm3 twinturbo V8 is unchanged, which translates into 770 Nm available from 3000 rpm in 7th gear, and a maximum power of 720 hp at 8000 rpm, thereby achieving a specific output of 185 hp per liter of displacement. The aerodynamic improvements implemented in the coupe version are applied to the spider as well. Ferrari targets the car for collectors who already own several Ferrari spiders.
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Ferrari Monza SP1 & SP2
Ferrari presents the first vehicles of its Icona series. Inspired by the 1948 166MM, 750 Monza and 860 Monza, the SP1 & SP2 are designed for the ultimate open air experience. Both variants are powered by a slight evolution of the engine which powers the 812 Superfast. The 6496 cm3 naturally aspirated V12 delivers 810 hp at 8500 rpm and a torque of 719 Nm at 7000 t/min, while weight is contained to 1500 kg.
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Lamborghini Aventador SVJ
Queen of the Ring: the Aventador SVJ is currently the fastest production car around the Nürburgring Nordschleife, with a 6’44’’97 time. The trademark 6.5L V12 puts out 770 hp and 720 Nm of torque, but it is mostly the trick ALA aerodynamics that seem to be working wonders, just like they did on the Huracan Performante.
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Mercedes-AMG A35 4Matic
The A35 4Matic is not a replacement to the raucous A45, it is a new, more accessible access product to the AMG world. The engine develops 306 hp with torque cresting at 400 Nm. Mercedes-AMG went all-in with aerodynamic accents, giving the A35 a bold appearance. The car will compete head-to-head with the likes of the Audi S3 and the Golf R.
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Mercedes B-Class W247
Mercedes adds a third variant to the new A-class range. After the hatchback and the sedan, a compact minivan running on the same wheelbase is designed to offer a roomier alternative to families. The range of engines includes two 1.33L petrol units and three turbodiesels, prioritized to meet volume demand, but more powerful – possibly EQ hybrid units – would not look out of place.
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Mercedes EQC 400 4Matic
Mercedes is also launching its first electric car, the EQC 400 4Matic. The recipe is similar to the Audi e-tron and the Jaguar i-Pace, but differs notably in one area: battery capacity. Mercedes has opted for a relatively smaller 80 kWh battery compared to Jaguar’s 90 kWh unit or Audi’s 95 kWh. The twin motors deliver 765 Nm and 408 hp.
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Mercedes GLE
Mercedes launches a completely new full size SUV, with several significant innovations. Power comes from a new mild-hybrid inline six petrol engine with 367 hp and 500 Nm. A 48 Volts electric sub-system is used to add an additional 22 hp and 250 Nm, but also to power an innovative E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL suspension system which can induce negative roll in corners.
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Peugeot E-Legend Concept
Electrification and autonomous driving shall not be boring ! Peugeot is digging in its history to support this optimistic statement. The styling of this concept is inspired by the 1969 504 Coupé. Power is rated at 462 hp, torque at 800 Nm, with energy coming from a 100 kWh Lithium Ion battery.
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Porsche 911 Speedster Concept
It is officially still a concept, but a limited series production seems all but guaranteed. A GT3 chassis, a naturally aspirated 4.0L fiat six more than 500 hp, a screaming 9000 rpm red line and a manual gearbox for the ultimate immersive sports car experience. Likely to be as tantalizing as it will be exclusive.
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Porsche Macan Facelift
Porsche’s highest selling model is receiving its first significant update, with a refreshed interior, a new multimedia interface and updated styling touches. The new Macan is launched with a frugal 1984 cm3 turbocharged engine delivering 370 Nm between 1600 and 4500 rpm, and 245 hp between 5000 and 6750 rpm.
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Skoda Kodiaq RS
For its first RS-badged crossover, Skoda has made the odd choice of a turbodiesel engine: a twin turbodiesel 1964 cm3 4 cylinder developing 500 Nm between 1750 and 2500 rpm, with power peaking at 240 hp at 4000 rpm. This engine propels the 1805 kg DIN Kodiaq RS from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.0s, achieving a top speed of 220 km/h. Torque is sent to the four wheels through a 7 ratio DSG gearbox. Mileage is claimed at 6.0 L/100km in the european mixed cycle.
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Skoda Vision RS
Skoda wants the replacement of the Rapid to be more premium and far less utilitarian, and makes it clear by presenting this appealing concept, powered by a hybrid 1.5L TSI putting out 150 hp for assisted with a 102 electric motor for a 245 hp system power. A 13 kWh gross/9.9 kWh net battery pack supplies power to the motor, allowing 70 km of range. 0-100 km/h is claimed in 7.1 seconds, and CO2 emissions are 33 g/km.
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