2014 Paris Motor Show: our round up of hot new models

The Paris Motor Show, which begins on October 2, is one of the big events on the motoring calendar, and Europe’s last major show of the year.

As a result, not only will there be all the most exciting vehicles from the year so far, but manufacturers will be showing off new models that are due to hit the UK’s streets late this year or early in 2015. There will also be a brace of exciting concepts to look forward to, hinting at what’s to come in the years ahead.

To keep you abreast of what to expect, here is our round-up of what’s going to be appearing at the show.

Audi

The new Audi TT will be on show in Paris, while the TT Roadster version will make its official public debut, ahead of going on sale in the UK in spring.

Also set for a Paris debut will be the Audi S6, although this is a face-lift rather than an all-new model. We expect to see cutting-edge tech such as new Le Mans-style LED headlights and a small boost in power from the 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8 engine.

Bentley

We reported on Bentley’s new figurehead model recently. At over £250,000, the Mulsanne Speed is not cheap, but with 530bhp and 811lb ft of torque it will be fast, as well as luxurious.

BMW

The second generation of the BMW X6 coupe-cum-SUV will be officially revealed in Paris. It is larger inside and out than the outgoing model, and offers more power and improved efficiency.

BMW’s second debut model will be the 2 Series Convertible. This is the replacement for the old 1 Series Convertible and will go on sale here in February 2015, priced from £29,180.

Citroen

Showing the future design direction of the DS range, the Citroen DS Divine concept will be making its first public appearance. While not intended for production, certain interior and exterior styling details, as well as new tech, will likely appear on future models.

Fiat

Fiat will be showing off its new Nissan Juke rival, the 500X SUV. Sitting alongside the current 500 L MPV and the more rugged 500 L Trekking, it’s expected to use the same range of engines when it goes on sale here early next year.

Ford

Ford is launching a mid-life update to its C-Max range, with a restyled front end and new technology, including its Sync 2 infotainment system that aims to improve useability.

We will have to wait until summer 2015 for the new Ford S-Max to arrive. It has always managed that neat trick of being both practical and fun for a family to live with. This all-new model promises more of the same, with a better-quality interior and more equipment.

Honda

A series of styling tweaks to the Honda Civic range will coincide with the introduction of the new Civic Sport, which will come with a 119bhp 1.6-litre diesel engine and a racier look. The face-lifted Civic will go on sale in spring 2015.

The new Honda Jazz is not expected until 2015, but a prototype of the new car will appear in Paris. It will be bigger than at present, with more room inside, while new front suspension should improve ride and handling.

Based on the new Jazz chassis, Honda’s HR-V will rival the Nissan Juke and Mini Countryman. Honda is claiming it will offer class-leading cabin space as well as its magic seat system, which boosts flexibility.

Hyundai

The new Hyundai i20 will join the forthcoming Skoda Fabia and Mazda 2 in providing fresh competition for the Volkswagen Polo and Ford Fiesta when it goes on sale at the start of 2015. The company claims it will feature a roomier cabin should comfortably seat five.

Infiniti

The Q80 Inspiration concept points towards Infiniti’s ambitions to take on the established players in the upper-premium luxury market, such as BMW, Jaguar and Mercedes. It’s a low-slung fastback that is expected to feature a host of in-car tech.

Jaguar

One of the most talked-about new models of recent weeks, the XE is Jaguar’s big hope to pinch sales off the likes of the BMW 3 Series. A lightweight aluminium body, efficient new engines and unique technology will all feature. It arrives early in 2015, priced from £27,000.

Kia

Expected to hit UK dealers in spring 2015, the all-new seven-seat Kia Sorento SUV will feature more room inside, including up to 605 litres of luggage space. It is also suggested to be more refined and include greater levels of equipment.

Land Rover

The Land Rover Discovery Sport is the company’s replacement for the big selling Freelander. It will offer seven seats, a new infotainment system and a bonnet airbag for enhanced pedestrian safety. When it goes on sale early in 2015 it will be priced from £32,395.

Mazda

After 25 years on sale, the fourth-generation Mazda MX-5 should offer an even more responsive driving experience thanks to the new car weighing as little as 1050kg. Skyactiv engine technology should also mean more performance and better fuel consumption. First deliveries are expected in time for the start of summer next year.

Mercedes-Benz

The all-new Mercedes-AMG C63 and C63 S will make their global debut in France. Both feature Mercedes’ new 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8 engine, which in the S version boasts 503bhp and 516lb ft of torque.

The S-Class still sits at the top of the luxury car category, and with the addition of the Mercedes S500 Plug-in Hybrid, the company is giving its flagship and an extra dimension. The new model claims to emit just 65g/km of CO2 and average up to 100.9mpg.

Mercedes will launch its first fully electric production car with the face-lifted B-Class, which also has new efficient petrol and diesel engines for the more conventionally minded.

Arguably the most exciting car on the Mercedes stand will be the all-new AMG GT sports car. Replacing the Mercedes SLS, the new car is preparing for a showdown with the Porsche 911.

Peugeot

Peugeot will offer two concept cars at their home show.

The first is the Exalt Concept, which is a large four-door saloon car that features locally sourced materials in its construction, as well as electric hybrid technology and even a foldaway electric scooter in the boot.

The second concept from Peugeot is the 208 Hybrid Air. Unlike other electric hybrid models, this concept car uses a 1.2-litre petrol engine in conjunction with compressed air. Its design is a result of a challenge from the French government to deliver a production car capable of 141mpg by 2020.

A more conventional Peugeot that you will be able to buy from the start of 2015 is the 308 GT. With a choice of petrol or diesel power, a sportier look and uprated suspension, it’s designed to compete with models like the Ford Focus ST.

Porsche

On the outside this is just a mid-life face-lift of Porsche’s popular SUV, but the big news for the Cayenne concerns more efficient engines as well as a plug-in hybrid option. The latter will have a combined power output of 428bhp, an electric-only range of 22 miles, average fuel economy of up to 83mpg, with CO2 emissions of just 79g/km.

Renault

Renault will show the Eolab in Paris, which is its answer to a challenge from the French government to produce a 141mpg production car by 2020. Renault claims 282mpg and only 22g/km of CO2 emissions from the Eolab, which is a test bed for a production car that it aims to launch within the next decade.

Skoda

The new Skoda Fabia will be wider and lower than the current car, offering increased cabin space. It will also have more efficient engines, the latest generation VAG infotainment system and a host of personalisation options. It is on sale from January 2015.

Smart

The little two-seater Fourtwo gets a major revamp, with a shortened chassis from the Forfour and a DSG gearbox for smoother gearchanges.

The next-generation Fourfour city car will be available with either conventional engines or electric powertrains.

Both models share underpinnings with the new Renault Twingo.

Suzuki

Suzuki will be taking the wraps off the all-new Suzuki Vitara SUV, which will go on sale next spring as a rival to the Citroen C4 Cactus and Nissan Juke. The boldly styled new car is closely related to the IV-4 concept revealed in Frankfurt last year.

Ssangyong

In 2015 Ssangyong will also be trying to muscle in on the Nissan Juke market when it launches the X100 SUV. At Paris, they will show us the Xiv-Air and Xiv-Adventure concepts, which are supposedly near production ready prototypes of the new car.

Toyota

In yet another assault on the small crossover-SUV market, Toyota will show its C-HR concept car. At the moment not much is known about the car, other than its bold look, which was revealed in recently released teaser shots.

Vauxhall

The new Corsa will be on the Vauxhall/ Opel stand. The Ford Fiesta rival retains the previous car’s chassis architecture, but heavily reworked to improve refinement and handling. There will also be a new range of more efficient three-cylinder engines at launch, which is scheduled for November.

Volkswagen

The new Volkswagen Passat will be both lighter and smaller than the current car, but offer more room inside. VW will only offer diesel power, plus the options of a TFT screen, replacing traditional instruments, and a head-up display.

Volvo

Priced from £45,785 when it goes on sale during October, the Volvo XC90 is seen by the company as major product in its own right, as well as the launch pad for its new high-tech architecture that will underpin all future vehicles. Reputedly, Volvo has invested heavily in new tech and safety, calling the XC90 the safest car it’s ever made.