By Christopher Hubbard | |
| 09 October 2008 10:32:30 | |
Top 10 best in show: Paris 2008
Welcome to the MSN Cars round up of the top 10 best in show cars of the 2008 Paris Motor Show. And we do mean cars – no concepts here, just real vehicles you’ll shortly be able to see in your local showrooms.
GALLERY: top 10 best in show cars at Paris
GALLERY: top 10 best in show cars at Paris
Ferrari California
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This is it then. This is THE car of the 2008 Paris Motor Show. Lamborghini might have stuck a stick in the spokes slightly with the Estoque, but judging by the number of people fawning over the California, this wasn’t about to bother Ferrari too much. A new Fezza is always a significant thing.
The California will likely continue to divide opinion. The styling is a bit forced, those stacked tailpipes rather Lexus, the folding metal roof somehow nouveau riche. The twin-clutch gearbox might take the purists sometime to get used to, too. But it’s still got a V8, and it still looks good in red. Whether or not Ferrari has made a success of its first ever coupe-cabriolet we will find out next week in Sicily when MSN Cars is among the first media outlets anywhere to drive the car.
Ferrari California at the Paris Motor Show
GALLERY: new Ferrari California in pictures
VIDEO: Ferrari California at Paris
The California will likely continue to divide opinion. The styling is a bit forced, those stacked tailpipes rather Lexus, the folding metal roof somehow nouveau riche. The twin-clutch gearbox might take the purists sometime to get used to, too. But it’s still got a V8, and it still looks good in red. Whether or not Ferrari has made a success of its first ever coupe-cabriolet we will find out next week in Sicily when MSN Cars is among the first media outlets anywhere to drive the car.
Ferrari California at the Paris Motor Show
GALLERY: new Ferrari California in pictures
VIDEO: Ferrari California at Paris
Aston Martin One-77
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Speaking of Lamborghini, Aston Martin clearly thought the Italian marque was giving too much away by actually allowing us to eventually see the entire Estoque concept car. Not content merely with the earlier teasers, Aston turned up with its new £1m+ One-77, then proceeded NOT to take the wraps off it.
We got to see just a front and rear corner of the car that Aston says it already has over 100 customers for. It will build just 77. So we know nothing more about the One-77 than we did before. But a 7.0-litre V12, and aluminum over carbon-fibre construction is enough to keep our attention.
Aston Martin One-77 at the Paris Motor Show
We got to see just a front and rear corner of the car that Aston says it already has over 100 customers for. It will build just 77. So we know nothing more about the One-77 than we did before. But a 7.0-litre V12, and aluminum over carbon-fibre construction is enough to keep our attention.
Aston Martin One-77 at the Paris Motor Show
Volkswagen Golf GTI
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Volkswagen announced the new Mk6 Golf GTI ahead of the show, claiming it was at this stage nothing more than a concept. Yeah, right. That would explain why there are three of them on the stand, would it? A pair of identically enhanced GTI five-doors joining the white three-door we’d already seen in pictures.
The styling isn’t to everyone’s taste – don’t get our resident Golf fan Richard started – but it certainly packs an extra amount of aggression into an otherwise classically GTI look. And so it should, as the 208bhp turbo 2.0-litre under the bonnet makes this 148mph machine the fastest standard GTI in VW history.
VW Golf GTi at the Paris Motor Show
GALLERY: VW Golf GTI in pictures
VIDEO: VW Golf GTi at Paris
The styling isn’t to everyone’s taste – don’t get our resident Golf fan Richard started – but it certainly packs an extra amount of aggression into an otherwise classically GTI look. And so it should, as the 208bhp turbo 2.0-litre under the bonnet makes this 148mph machine the fastest standard GTI in VW history.
VW Golf GTi at the Paris Motor Show
GALLERY: VW Golf GTI in pictures
VIDEO: VW Golf GTi at Paris
Citroen C3 Picasso
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Citroen dazzled us with concept cars at Paris. But back in the real world it also has an excellent looking new product debuting on its stand, the C3 Picasso. The Picasso part gives the game away – this is a new compact MPV from the company which does practical people-carrying better than almost anybody.
But like the C4 Picasso, the C3 Picasso doesn’t just appear practical – with roomy rear seats and a decent boot compressed into its compact frame – but also impressively desirable. Assuming it drives well, this – and the Kia Soul – could well spell the end of the traditional family hatchback.
Citroen C3 Picasso at the Paris Motor Show
But like the C4 Picasso, the C3 Picasso doesn’t just appear practical – with roomy rear seats and a decent boot compressed into its compact frame – but also impressively desirable. Assuming it drives well, this – and the Kia Soul – could well spell the end of the traditional family hatchback.
Citroen C3 Picasso at the Paris Motor Show
Ford Ka
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You know the music, now meet the car. One of the unlikely automotive stars of the forthcoming Quantum of Solace Bond movie is the new Ford Ka. And ‘Bond girl’ Olga Kurylenko was on hand at Paris to unveil her new ride, done up in unique gold paint and graphics.
In fact, all of the new Kas on display had been the victim of some form of colourful customisation or other – but don’t let that put you off. This is perhaps the most significant new car launch at the show, given the massive success of the previous version. Here’s hoping for another fruitful 12 years.
GALLERY: Ford Ka at the Paris Motor Show
VIDEO: Ford Ka at Paris
In fact, all of the new Kas on display had been the victim of some form of colourful customisation or other – but don’t let that put you off. This is perhaps the most significant new car launch at the show, given the massive success of the previous version. Here’s hoping for another fruitful 12 years.
GALLERY: Ford Ka at the Paris Motor Show
VIDEO: Ford Ka at Paris
Renault Megane
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We weren’t exactly blown away by the new Renault Megane when we first saw it in photographs a few weeks ago. But in the metal this important new French hatchback is much more convincing – and that’s before you’ve set eyes on the slick-looking three-door. Hatchback meets coupe? We say yes.
A new generation of turbocharged petrol engines will help make the new Megane clean to drive as well as fast, while at least one member of the office simply cannot wait for the Renaultsport version (Dan, you can calm down now). Renault really is on a roll, as the production Laguna Coupe is also smoking.
Renault Megane at the Paris Motor Show
VIDEO: Renault Megane at Paris
A new generation of turbocharged petrol engines will help make the new Megane clean to drive as well as fast, while at least one member of the office simply cannot wait for the Renaultsport version (Dan, you can calm down now). Renault really is on a roll, as the production Laguna Coupe is also smoking.
Renault Megane at the Paris Motor Show
VIDEO: Renault Megane at Paris
Kia Soul
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Hyundai unveiled its new i20 supermini at Paris. Sibling Kia wouldn’t be seen dead doing anything so conventionally these days – a traditional supermini? How boring. Instead it showed us the production version of the Soul, its funky new take on the family hatchback.
It’s not a unique stylistic concept… but the boxy Soul does it better than most rivals (we’re looking at you, Skoda Roomster). Kia has already proved itself a serious force in the market with cars like the new cee’d; that it’s starting to get contemporary design conscious too can only be bad news for other carmakers.
It’s not a unique stylistic concept… but the boxy Soul does it better than most rivals (we’re looking at you, Skoda Roomster). Kia has already proved itself a serious force in the market with cars like the new cee’d; that it’s starting to get contemporary design conscious too can only be bad news for other carmakers.
Suzuki Alto
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You might be surprised to find a Suzuki has made it onto this list. But consider the company’s other recent efforts, especially the Splash and the latest Swift, and you should start to understand Suzuki has plenty to say for itself these days. The new Alto is a perfect example.
The cute-looking city car has enough about it to avoid becoming amorphous. The interior is smart, functional, and impressively roomy for its size. But even more impressive are the good aerodynamics; clever construction means the 1.0-litre petrol engine emits just 103g/km CO2. On sale next year for around £7,000.
Suzuki Alto at the Paris Motor Show
The cute-looking city car has enough about it to avoid becoming amorphous. The interior is smart, functional, and impressively roomy for its size. But even more impressive are the good aerodynamics; clever construction means the 1.0-litre petrol engine emits just 103g/km CO2. On sale next year for around £7,000.
Suzuki Alto at the Paris Motor Show
Infiniti FX
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It’s been a long time coming, but Nissan’s prestige marque Infiniti is finally going on sale in Europe. Think of a sportier version of Toyota’s Lexus and you’ll be roughly in line with Infiniti’s proposition. The 2008 Paris show coincided with the opening of the brand’s first French dealership, too.
All of Infiniti’s current models are on display: G37 coupe and saloon; EX37 SUV; and FX sports crossover. We’ll highlight the FX here, partly because Paris represents the global debut of the FX37 V6 variant, but mostly because it looks so damn good. BMW X6? Forget it. Shame Infiniti still hasn’t got any diesels, though…
Infiniti FX at the Paris Motor Show
All of Infiniti’s current models are on display: G37 coupe and saloon; EX37 SUV; and FX sports crossover. We’ll highlight the FX here, partly because Paris represents the global debut of the FX37 V6 variant, but mostly because it looks so damn good. BMW X6? Forget it. Shame Infiniti still hasn’t got any diesels, though…
Infiniti FX at the Paris Motor Show
Bentley Arnage Final Series
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Oh, there are tears aplenty on the Bentley stand: Paris represents the very end of the old school Arnage, the mainstay of pre-Volkswagen Bentleys. Still, it is going with a bang – and a blaze of dark metallic paint – in the form of the epic Arnage Final Series. Just 150 will be made.
The Arnage Final Series has been specified to combine the performance of the Arnage T with the luxury of the Arnage R. That means 500bhp, 738lb ft of torque, and all the refinement of a rocket-powered gentleman’s club. From the high-end stereo to the four included Bentley umbrellas, the Arnage bows out in style.
Bentley Arnage Final Edition at the Paris Motor Show
The Arnage Final Series has been specified to combine the performance of the Arnage T with the luxury of the Arnage R. That means 500bhp, 738lb ft of torque, and all the refinement of a rocket-powered gentleman’s club. From the high-end stereo to the four included Bentley umbrellas, the Arnage bows out in style.
Bentley Arnage Final Edition at the Paris Motor Show
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Paris Motor Show 2008 - your vote
- Which car unveiled at the Paris Motor Show 2008 do you most want to own?
- New BMW 7-Series
12% - Chevrolet Cruze
1% - Ferrari California
23% - New Ford Ka
4% - Lamborghini Estoque
36% - Lexus IS 250 Cabriolet
4% - New Renault Megane
2% - New Toyota Avensis
4% - Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer
3% - New VW Golf
11%
- New BMW 7-Series