Official Thread: Paris Motor Show 2008

Note how Hyundai and KIA are hitting hard all market segments, they have money and size now.

Still, me no likey any of them, and is likely that their models will become more blah as they target a wider audience...

I don't think so. I bought a Rio for a get to work car and I have to say I've very happy with it. I test drove all the little gas sippers and the Kia stood out as the best buy. Dollar for dollar you can't beat it. For what it is it rides good, looks nice CHEAP (11k) with a 100k mile warranty and they through in a yrs worth of oil changes detailing. The other cars (fit yaras and nissas) with the same options were 5k + more and most had less warranty. I think they finally have the money to build quality cars, and it's showing. Oh by the way, I drive 64 mile round trip mixed traffic and I'm getting 29-31 mpg's. On the hwy I get 32-34, just depends on how heavy my foot is that day.
 
I don't think so. I bought a Rio for a get to work car and I have to say I've very happy with it. I test drove all the little gas sippers and the Kia stood out as the best buy. Dollar for dollar you can't beat it. For what it is it rides good, looks nice CHEAP (11k) with a 100k mile warranty and they through in a yrs worth of oil changes detailing. The other cars (fit yaras and nissas) with the same options were 5k + more and most had less warranty. I think they finally have the money to build quality cars, and it's showing. Oh by the way, I drive 64 mile round trip mixed traffic and I'm getting 29-31 mpg's. On the hwy I get 32-34, just depends on how heavy my foot is that day.

A friend of mine got a Kia Optima and has had nothing but problems with it. Nothing huge mechanically, but a bunch of electrical problems, including the wipers going out--which doesn't sound like a big deal at first, but it happened during a rainstorm, and when you consider the safetly issue of driving without wipers... She's now planning on ponying up the extra cash and replacing the car with a Honda.
 
A friend of mine got a Kia Optima and has had nothing but problems with it. Nothing huge mechanically, but a bunch of electrical problems, including the wipers going out--which doesn't sound like a big deal at first, but it happened during a rainstorm, and when you consider the safetly issue of driving without wipers... She's now planning on ponying up the extra cash and replacing the car with a Honda.

That can happen (and has) with any car no matter the price. You have to look at the percentage of problem cars to cars sold. They have been selling a crap load. And the user reviews are high.
 
I don't think so. I bought a Rio for a get to work car and I have to say I've very happy with it. I test drove all the little gas sippers and the Kia stood out as the best buy. Dollar for dollar you can't beat it. For what it is it rides good, looks nice CHEAP (11k) with a 100k mile warranty and they through in a yrs worth of oil changes detailing. The other cars (fit yaras and nissas) with the same options were 5k + more and most had less warranty. I think they finally have the money to build quality cars, and it's showing. Oh by the way, I drive 64 mile round trip mixed traffic and I'm getting 29-31 mpg's. On the hwy I get 32-34, just depends on how heavy my foot is that day.

Not arguing any of that, they still look blah and drive like blah ;). The more they grow the more they will be blah (see all the big guys, do you like ANY of their cars?). And is not perception, I rent cars a lot for work, including KIA cousins like the Hyundai Sonatas and Elantras. The latest Kia Rio I rented had very decent engine and fuel economy, but as per looks, interior and handling, yuck.
 
Not arguing any of that, they still look blah and drive like blah ;). The more they grow the more they will be blah (see all the big guys, do you like ANY of their cars?). And is not perception, I rent cars a lot for work, including KIA cousins like the Hyundai Sonatas and Elantras. The latest Kia Rio I rented had very decent engine and fuel economy, but as per looks, interior and handling, yuck.


HA! Handling, I never said it did that, I was just saying it could turn.lol.
No arguing, I was just say for what it is and for the price you can't beat it. Now if I was going for fun it would not even come to mind.
 
Audi A1 Four-door in Paris?

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The A1 Metroproject Quattro by Audi (pictured) signaled strong intentions of the German marque to hurt BMWs MINI in a bad way. Now we understand its four-door variant will be one of the main attractions at Audis stand at the Paris Motor Show in just over two weeks time. Of course one of these attractions is the S4. Audi may not be able to surpass its surprising R8s show power for a while, but plenty other concepts and production-ready cars are to be unveiled.

The A1 production car, conceptually based on the Metroproject, will begin production at Audis Belgium plant in early 2009 and this proposed four-door version seems ripe for a MINI Clubman fight. It will also be a very important car in Audis product mix as the company forges ahead with its plans of premium-segment domination by 2015. Engines will reflect A1 status, with 1.4 twincharged TSI the leader of the pack. And what about RS1? RS2 badge may be too close to the old legend for Audis comfort.
 
Interesting...I kinda dig this A1 concept from Audi...It's got a lot more "attitude" than the mini...:D

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Ford Kuga coming to Paris with 2.5L turbo option, new five-speed auto

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Ford of Europe is gearing up for the upcoming Paris auto show, officially announcing today that the Focus RS and a new Kuga model will be on display in the City of Lights. The Focus RS made its official debut back in July at the London Motor Show, so the model at Paris will just be a slightly updated one that should look more like the one Europeans will see on the road in a few months. The Kuga, though, will be sporting a new model with more options that should make the C-segment crossover even more popular than it already is.


Ford launched the Kuga earlier this year to rave reviews. Motor Trend was thoroughly impressed with the Kuga during our first drive back in May, and the new model promises to build on the platform's success.

First and foremost, the new Kuga model will get another engine option. Right now, the only option is a 2.0L four-cylinder diesel making a respectable 136 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque. Mated to a six-speed manual and a Haldex AWD system, it'll get you 36.7 mpg combined in the European cycle. The new model will retain the same power-to-the-pavement gear, but this time it will be powered by a Volvo-sourced Duratech 2.5L five-cylinder turbocharged gas engine putting out a healthy 200 hp and 236 lb-ft. Also new for the Kuga will be a Durashift 5-tronic automatic transmission. The new gear box features a manual shifting feature and a sport mode for when you want to let the computer do all the work. Equipped with the auto, the Kuga should get about 23 mpg combined in the Euro cycle.

"Even though we expect the majority of customers across Europe to opt for the power and compelling fuel economy and environmental figures of the 136 hp 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi powertrain, we wanted to meet the demands of customers in many markets who have asked us for a high performance petrol engine to complement the Kuga's distinctive and sporty style," said Gunnar Herrmann, C-car vehicle line director for Ford of Europe.

To help the Kuga stand out, Ford is also adding an optional body kit with some extra bulging parts and chrome bits and an optional set of 20 in. wheels. Inside, Ford's Vehicle Personalization Team has come up with several interior options to dress up the Kuga and give it a more luxurious feel.

"With the Kuga establishing itself rapidly as the stylish new member of the Ford kinetic design family, we were looking for a dramatic and distinctive body kit which we could offer to our Kuga customers interested in further enhancing the already very sporty appearance of the standard car," said John McLeod, Chief Designer of Vehicle Personalization for Ford of Europe. "The result is very striking -- I think we can claim we have succeeded in attaining our goal as well as making a clear link to the styling of the dramatic iosis X Concept and Kuga preview show cars."

The new Kuga will go on sale in Europe in January.
 
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Peugeot PROLOGUE Concept

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It would be unnatural for a French automaker to not bring something significant to its home auto show. To that end, Peugeot will be showing off its latest hybrid concept, the PROLOGUE, and though we don't have many details yet, we do have a preliminary image of what the car will look like. With a steeply raked windscreen, and a bold front end with a gaping central grille and angular headlights, the PROLOGUE's aggressive details may seem a bit optimistic, considering the car's hybrid powertrain, five-door bodywork, and almost SUVish profile. But after learning that the internal-combustion and electric units combined are good for a full 200 hp, the car's design begins to make a little more sense. Peugeot claims ultra-low emissions with the combustion engine activated, and an electric-only mode which produces zero emissions.
 
lexus lf-xh concept

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The Lexus LF-Xh concept that will shown at the Paris Motor is actually a rework of the vehicle that Lexus showed last year at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show in silver with bright wheels. This new, all-black version of the LF-Xh was officially revealed during the 2008 Milan Design Week.
The darker LF-Xh better highlights the arrow-like strip of chrome running along the bottom of the front and rear doors.

Powering the all-wheel drive LF-Xh is a V-6 combined with high output electric motors. Lexus says the LF-Xh will have low emissions and good fuel economy.

Lexus plans to reveal more details about the concept in Paris on Thursday, Oct. 2
 
Lexus IS 250 C

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Recently, Lexus has rolled out a slew of minimal, almost mundane revisions to its 2009 model-year IS sedan. But there is one a real development on the horizon -- the addition of a new convertible version called the IS 250 C. The new convertible is rumored to utilize the latest in convertible hardtop technology, but at this point it's unclear as to how much weight, if any, will be added onto the car in convertible form. Like the forthcoming Infiniti G37 convertible, engineers likely have implemented many structural reinforcements to compensate for the convertible's loss of rigidity. Also spewing from the pre-Paris show rumor mill is talk of another IS model, presumably called IS 300 C, that is expected to slot in above the IS 250 C. Adding fuel to the IS model fire is the recent copyright petition for ownership of the IS 350 C nameplate in Canada and the U.S.
 
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Citroen C3 Pluriel Charleston

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Citroen has created a special-edition car called the C3 Pluriel Charleston, an homage of sorts to the compact C3's deep-seeded connection with the iconic 2CV Charleston. Heralded as a "contemporary reinterpretation of the marque's history," the special-edition open-top celebrates the 2CV's 60th birthday in true French fashion. Outside, the car wears the 2CV Charleston's traditional two-tone Bordeaux red paint scheme mixed in with gloss-black door handles and license plate surroundings; 15-in. aluminum wheels with body-color centers said to "lend them extra elegance" fill out the diminutive wheelwells. Inside the small car are leather-wrapped seats and steering wheel as well as chrome-accented air-vent surrounds and gearshift. There's no indication if the special-edition C3 will come standard with the C3's usual 1.4L (75-hp, 87 lb-ft) or 1.6L (110-hp, 108 lb-ft) engine. Plans call for the C3 Pluriel Charleston to hit dealerships in France by the end of this year, while the rest of Europe will have to wait until early 2009.
 
Ford Kuga Individual

Ford will unveil the hottest Kuga ever at the Paris Motor Show - with a touch of individuality.

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Ford is set to unleash the most powerful Kuga yet at the Paris Motor Show, as well as launching the 'Individual' package of styling upgrades for the mini-SUV.
These pictures show the hot new Kuga sporting a full Ford Individial makeover, which includes a sporty body kit, 20-inch wheels, special leather upholstery and unique interior trim. The agressive exterior takes cues from the Ford Iosis X concept, which first emerged in 2006 as a precursor to the Kuga. The trapezoidal chrome inserts in the grille are a particularly Iosis-esque touch.
The Kuga joins the Mondeo, S-MAX, Galaxy and new Fiesta as the fifth model in Ford's line-up to be included in the Individual scheme, which will be available from early 2009.
Powering the Kuga you see here is the five-cylinder turbocharged 2.5-litre engine found in the Focus ST, developing 198bhp and 320Nm of torque. The petrol unit will sit alongside Fords 2.0-litre TDCI engine as the second to power the SUV when it goes on sale early next year.

A six-speed manual gearbox will come as standard, though Fords Durashift 5-Tronic automatic transmission will be available as an option, featuring a 'sport' mode to alter shift patterns and better exploit the engine's power.

The range-topping Kuga will post a combined fuel economy figure of 28.5mpg (27.4mpg for the auto) and emit 234g/km of CO2 (244g/km
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that porsche cayanne is a little much. if im going off road im damn sure not bringing that thing. thats geared more towards rich yuppies in the swiss alps that have to lug around their fluffy boots and ski's.
 
Evo-inspired Colt is ahead by a nose

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As this teaser shot (above) shows, Mitsubishi is trying to keep us in the dark about one of its world debuts in Paris. But Auto Express can see beyond the smoke and mirrors!

The disguised car is the new Colt supermini and the fresh front end brings it in line with the Lancer and Evo. It features the same grille, but has rounder bumpers and headlights to give a friendlier appearance.
With its copycat Evo looks, speculation is rife that Mitsubishi will produce a junior version of the rally-bred road car with more firepower than the current 147bhp Colt CZT. The 1.1, 1.3 and 1.5-litre petrol engines from the existing car will be carried over, though, joined by a 1.5-litre diesel promising CO2 emissions of less than 120g/km. UK buyers will get their hands on the updated Colt when it hits showrooms in the spring.
 
Alfa Romeo Brera TI

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MILAN, Italy Alfa Romeo continues to build the Brera into a genuine fighting machine, with a new TI edition slated to make its debut at the 2008 Paris Auto Show.

Alfa's TI (for Turismo Internazionale) spec is assigned to top-of-the-line models, and the Brera TI admirably fills that bill, with suspension upgrades and a more luxurious cockpit.

Among the mechanical modifications, Alfa has stiffened and retuned the shocks and springs and beefed up the Brembo brakes. The low-profile 19-inch tires are mounted on new alloy rims inspired by the design of those on the 8C Competizione.

Engine choices initially include a 185-horsepower 2.2-liter direct-injection four-cylinder with choice of manual and Selespeed sequential gearboxes, as well as a 3.2-liter V6. Alfa says it will offer additional powertrain options in 2009.

Inside, the Brera TI is fitted with aluminum pedals and "high containment" sport bucket seats that are topstitched and trimmed in soft leather. The center console and steering wheel panel can be finished in carbon fiber or dark brushed aluminum, and the steering wheel and gearshift knob are covered in perforated leather. A leather-covered dashboard is an extra-cost option.

The Brera TI goes on sale this fall in most European markets.
 
Citron C3 Picasso

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PARIS The third model to join the growing Picasso range, the compact Citron C3 Picasso, makes its public debut in early October at the 2008 Paris Auto Show. The brand's "baby MPV" will be slotted below the Xsara Picasso and the C4 Picasso in size and price. It will go on sale across Europe in early 2009.

Measuring just over 160 inches long overall, the C3 Picasso seats up to five occupants in a flexible cabin that combines elements of MPVs and SUVs, with a variety of innovative storage spaces.

Among the options are a panoramic glass roof, rear parking assist, satellite navigation and a removable flashlight in the trunk.

Powertrain choices include two new four-cylinder gas engines jointly developed with BMW, as well as two low-emissions turbodiesel units.
 
Audi A1 Sportback Concept Surfaces

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We are hours away from Volkswagen Group's unveiling event prior to the commencement of the Paris Motor Show tomorrow. One vehicle we can look forward to seeing is the Audi A1 Sportback Concept and thanks to the embargo breaking fellas at Auto Motor und Sport, we can bring you the first official images and details of the model.

The new sportback concept follows in the footsteps of the A1 Metroproject Quattro Concept that was unveiled in Tokyo last year. Its overall length is just shy of four meters, leaving a sizeable gap between itself and the larger A3 sportback which comes in a 4.29 meters.

Power comes from a 150hp 1.4-liter TFSI engine which is combined with a 20Kw (27hp) hybrid unit that will provide the A1 Concept with an additional 150Nm of torque. Couple these with Audi's dual-clutch S-Tronic gearbox and the A1 Sportback Concept can thrust itself from 0-100km/h in just 7.9 seconds. Fuel consumption lies at an admirable 3.9 liters per 100km whilst emissions come in at 92g/km.

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BMW X1 Concept

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MUNICH, Germany BMW is using the 2008 Paris Auto Show to reveal a concept version of its upcoming X1 compact SUV. The baby brother to the five-year-old X3 is planned to join the lineup in mid-2009. However, there are serious doubts over whether it will be sold in North America because of the continued strength of the single European currency against the weakened U.S. dollar.

BMW is not revealing much about the X1 ahead of the Paris show launch other than its bold appearance. The concept, set to go on public display for the first time on Thursday, is said to closely mirror the production version of BMW's new entry-level SUV, although various details will be toned down slightly before it heads into European showrooms next year. The overall look is borrowed heavily from the larger X5, but BMW's designers have developed new exterior features, including distinctive head- and taillamps, to ensure the X1 gains its own visual appeal.

An early promotional video viewed by Inside Line reveals that BMW is targeting its latest SUV at a much younger audience than its existing models. The sloping tailgate treatment certainly points at a vehicle that places good looks over load-carrying capacity. Dimensionally, the X1 is close to the 3 Series Touring a Europe-market wagon version of BMW's most successful model on which the X1 is largely based.

Engine options for the future X1 include a 170-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline and 177-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder common-rail diesel, as well as a 265-hp 3.0-liter six-cylinder gasoline engine and the company's new 245-hp 3.0-liter six-cylinder diesel.

The four-wheel-drive X1 is set to be produced alongside various
1 and 3 Series models at BMW's Leipzig plant in Germany.

Landing it in North America at a competitive price under the prevailing economic conditions is apparently proving impossible. "We would like to see the X1 offered in North America, but at the moment it is a difficult business case to justify," a high-ranking BMW source told Inside Line.

With more than nine months before it rolls into European showrooms, BMW is not talking pricing. The word in Paris, however, is that BMW is preparing to move the X3 upmarket when the second-generation model, set to be built alongside the X5 in South Carolina, arrives in 2010, allowing the X1 to slip neatly into the space that model currently occupies.
 

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