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Article and photos by Peter Bleakney
Photo Gallery:
2012 Paris Motor Show
Every two years the City of Light hosts the Paris Auto Show (Mondial de l’Automobile), a sprawling event held in seven pavilions that signals the direction of the European auto industry—which of late has been decidedly downward, at least in the economic sense. All French automakers are seeing big losses, and even Ford of Europe expects to bleed 1 billion euros this year.
Compared to the last Paris show, electrification played a smaller role as advancements in internal combustion diesel and gasoline efficiency continue while the minuscule sales and questionable merit of EVs and plug-in hybrids have cooled the electric hype.
Organizers predict 1.25 million visitors to the show this year.
Here is a selection of some of the vehicles we’ll be getting in Canada, and some we won’t.
 Jaguar F-Type. Click image to enlarge |
2014 Jaguar F-Type
Jaguar has been the teasing the automotive world for decades with periodic hints of building a spiritual successor to the legendary E-Type sports car.
Fittingly, the new two-seat roadster (a coupe version will follow) was unveiled at Musee Rodin in Paris. Since most of Jag design director Ian Callum’s work can be classified as rolling sculpture, the F-Type looked quite at home among the large Rodin bronzes.
Built on next-gen aluminum architecture drawn from bigger brother XK, the F-Type casts a smaller shadow and doesn’t stray much from the Jaguar C-X16 concept that made the auto show rounds this year.
This is a good thing.
There’s no question this new roadster is a Jaguar. Initial impressions are of a flowing, sensual design that hints to the past but also looks contemporary. Shark-like gills on either side of the forward-canted grille lead the eye to the sweeping flanks that culminate in the classic “Callum” muscular rear haunches that any Jaguar sports car worth its Whiskas must have. The horizontal rear lights are a nod to the E-Type.
Arriving in Canada spring of 2013, the F-Type roadster will come in three different flavours. The base model is powered by an all new 3.0L direct-injection supercharged V6 making 340 hp. The mid-spec F-Type S uses the same engine boosted to 380 hp, and for those seeking a more feral feline experience, the F-Type V8 S boasts a version of Jaguar’s 5.0L supercharged V8 making 495 hp.
All are fitted with a ZF 8-speed auto. S models get active exhaust, limited slip differentials and adaptive damping.
The fabric powered top folds in 12 seconds at speeds up to 50 km/h, and the decklid has a deployable spoiler.
No pricing has been announced, but the F-Type’s US entry point is $69,900.
  2014 VW Golf (top); 2013 Land Rover Range Rover. Click image to enlarge |
2014 Volkswagen Golf (Mk VII)
The new Golf is arguably the most important car here, being the bestselling car in Europe. It’s a little bigger, has a richer interior, is likely even more refined, has shed 100 kg, and gets better fuel economy across the line. The classic Golf profile is intact (how could they mess with that?), and you’ll be hard pressed to tell the old from the new.
Similarly, the Mk VII GTI is gently evolutionary. We’ll be waiting until early 2014 to see these new VWs.
2013 Land Rover Range Rover
This is the fourth generation of the vehicle that started the whole premium SUV ball rolling back in 1970, and while the 2014 RR looks mildly evolutionary when compared to the outgoing model, underneath it is revolutionary. This is the world’s first all-aluminum SUV and it has shed 420 kg (925 lb.).
Despite the weight watchers regimen, it is the largest Range Rover yet—its improved packaging has liberated an additional 120 mm of rear legroom. It’s sleeker, more modern and the lower roofline is enhanced with flush side glazing. If you thought the Rangie’s interior was nice before, this model is even more luxurious, featuring richer materials and simplified design.
Jaguar–Land Rover’s new 3.0L supercharged V6 will be available along with the V8 models. And for those who want to brag about off-road cred, this new Range Rover has more wheel articulation, improved approach and departure angles and can wade in water up to 900 mm deep. No pricing yet, but we’ll see it in December.
  Peugeot Onyx concept (top); 2014 Audi A3. Click image to enlarge |
Peugeot Onyx Concept
The French maker debuted this stunner of a two-toned supercar done in flat black carbon-fibre with real copper sheeting on the doors. Powering the rear wheels is a diesel hybrid powertrain featuring a 3.7L V8 and a combined output of 680 horsepower.
As a nod to sustainability and the environment, Peugeot says the Onyx was made with materials processed as little as little possible. The passenger compartment is a one-piece pod made from felt (inspired by the lowly egg crate), and the “wood” dashboard is actually compressed newspapers.
2014 Audi A3
Audi showed the new A3 hatch in both three and five-door (Sportback) configurations. Following the usual script, it has a longer wheelbase, more rear legroom, is more fuel efficient, etc. But we’re not getting it despite the current A3 hatch being fairly common sight on Canadian roads. Blame the Americans’ hatch-o-phobia. We’ll be getting a sedan version. Ugh. With the new VW Golf showing greater refinement, perhaps Audi figures the new A3 would be moot in our smaller market.
More forbidden Audi fruit—the 360-hp TT-RS plus and 300-hp S3.
  2014 Mazda6 (top); 2014 Mini Paceman. Click image to enlarge |
2014 Mazda6
The new midsize car from Mazda looks good, and from speaking with journalists who were on the launch just prior to the show, it drives well, has a rich interior, and is certainly a contender in this class of car that includes the new Honda Accord and Ford Fusion. Sadly, we won’t get the wagon.
2013 Ford Mondeo Wagon
Another wagon we won’t get is the Ford Mondeo (our Fusion). Shame.
2014 Mini Paceman
BMW pulled the wraps off the Mini Paceman here in Paris. This is a two-door, sportier version of the Mini Countryman. It has a raked roof and upswept waistline. Doesn’t look as ridiculous as the Mini Coupe but certainly has a fat arse. The expansion (dilution?) of the Mini brand continues.
Also shown was the fastest production Mini yet, the John Cooper Works GP edition hatch—now that’s more like it! With 218 hp and 192 lb-ft of torque (though a temporary overboost can deliver 207 lb-ft) from the turbo 1.6L, this Mini has lapped the Nurburgring with times matching the Porsche Cayman R. Canada is slated to receive 50 of these ultra-hyper Minis.
  Citroen Tubik concept (top); Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo Concept. Click image to enlarge |
BMW Active Tourer Concept
Well, it’s happened. A front-wheel-drive BMW car. Looking to be part of the next 1 Series lineup, this tidy and tall-bodied hatch uses BMW’s latest three-cylinder turbocharged engine to power the front wheels. The concept also has electrically powered rear wheels, making it a plug-in hybrid.
While purists might consider a front-drive BMW a rolling blasphemy, consider this: a recent US study found that over 50 percent of 1 Series drivers didn’t know from which end their car was powered.
Citroen Tubik Concept
Called a “multi-city project” by the automaker, the Tubik is probably the wackiest looking concept here. And while the rig is decidedly space age, the Edsel-like snout is a nod to the classic Citroen utility vehicle of yore. They bill the Tubik as a high-end, high-tech shuttle that carries nine people in the “lounge” spirit focused on comfort and relaxation. Power comes from a diesel hybrid powertrain.
Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo Concept
While the most significant element of this executive luxury tourer is its plug-in hybrid drivetrain, it could be argued that the new shooting brake bodywork is equally marvelous. It has managed to transform the Panamera from polarizing hunchback to absolute beauty queen. Want. One.
   Suzuki S-Cross Concept (top); Bentley Continental GT3 (middle); 2013 Volvo V40. Click image to enlarge |
Suzuki S-Cross Concept
If Suzuki is still in business here in the next couple of years, we’ll be getting this handsome little crossover as a replacement for the tired Grand Vitara.
Bentley Continental GT3
While Bentley is calling this full-bore racecar a concept, it hints very strongly as to what the British luxury car maker will be campaigning in next year’s GT3 series. Designer David Hilton drew the carbon composite body that drapes over the tube frame. The car adheres the all the strict FIA GT3 guidelines and as a homage to the Le Mans-winning Bentley of a few years back, the 1,295-kg W12-powered Continental GT3 wears the number seven and the same paint scheme, but in reverse—“silver white” with British Racing Green and black trim.
2013 Volvo V40
This compact four-door hatch looks great—especially in R-Design guise. I asked the Volvo brass if there are any plans for North America. None. I also told him Canadians love wagons, and the gorgeous S60 wagon would probably outsell the S60 sedan in the Great White North. A smile and a shrug was all I got.
Nissan Terra Concept
  Nissan Terra Concept (top); Smart ForStars Concept. Click image to enlarge |
Nissan debuted this concept as its take on a zero-emissions people mover. The all-wheel-drive fuel-cell vehicle uses a Nissan Leaf drivetrain to power the front wheels, while the rear wheels each get their own electric motor for added thrust. A hydrogen-powered fuel cell generates the juice.
The Terra looks like a Nissan Juke with a thyroid problem… oh wait, the Juke already has a thyroid problem. Someone call the doctor. Thieves will note the instrument panel can be taken away and used as a tablet.
Smart ForStars Concept
This concept with a bubble roof made from transparent panels hints at a new direction for the Smart brand. Dubbed a “Sports Utility Coupe,” the car’s increased ground clearance and cargo space could appeal more to North American buyers looking for a small car that is not quite as small as the ForTwo.
The coolest feature of the ForStars is the video projector built into its hood. Like having your own personal drive-in theatre, the projector syncs to an iPhone, with the idea of parking in front of a flat surface on which the movie is projected. Theatre-grade audio inside the ForStars completes the experience.
Powering the ForStars is a 60-kW motor linked to a 17.6 kWh lithium-ion battery.
