The Paris Auto Show opened on October 01 with much fanfare showcasing models for the European as well as the world market. Unlike the Moscow Motor Show, the Paris event showcased models for the developed market while the Moscow Motor Show had models predominantly for the developing markets.
Nonetheless, big moolah for automakers still lies ahead in the developing nations, which means they cannot ignore these markets. So if there was the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sports, a successor for the Lamborghini Murciélago and the Audi RS, there was also Range Rover Evoque, Ford Focus ST, Honda Jazz Hybrid, Chevrolet Cruze hatchback, Honda Fit, Mercedes Benz CLS and new VW Passat. All these cars are rumoured to be slated for the Indian market in next few years.
Here is an overview of models presented at the Paris Auto Show 2010 which are also available in India, and hence carry special relevance for our valued readers.
Volkswagen Passat – More Value for Money
The model is already present in the Indian market and is a strong contender in the premium sedan market. Volkswagen unveiled the new 2011 Passat at the Paris Auto show which is described as more technologically advanced and more value for money. The 2011 Passat will ship with goodies like a fatigue detection system, the VW equivalent of the Volvo City Safety system and adaptive cruise control, among other tricks.
The 2011 Passat will launch with a variety of engines depending on the market, including three diesel mills and four gasoline plants. The company also says that two DSG gearboxes will ship along with those mills in both six- and seven-speed configurations.
Chevrolet Aveo – Not quite the Beat!
The new Chevrolet Aveo is bold, very sporty and has different styling. The company stated that the model will be available in both petrol and diesel engines, and is expected to arrive in India by next year. The car, already displayed at the Geneva Auto Show earlier this year, will greet its customers next year with a four cylinder petrol and diesel. The lineup includes a 1.2l engine (86 hp) and a 1.4l unit (100 hp) and, for the first time, two versions of a 1.3l diesel engine (75 hp and 95 hp) with Start/Stop technology.
Indian consumers, while looking at the pictures revealed at the Paris auto Show, will at once remark that the model looks like the Chevrolet Beat already present in India. However, the car is longer than the Beat and carries different styling cues.
Whether and how this new Aveo will make it to India remains unknown, though with GM’s ambitious plans for the country, it’s not impossible at all!
Ford Focus ST– a Hoot to Drive
Ford is now developing its cars under One Ford strategy. These cars are being developed with the approach that they can be sold in global markets though each base model can be tweaked according to market specific requirements.
Ford revealed the new Ford Focus ST at the Paris Auto Show. The model will have a turbocharged 2.0-liter EcoBoost 4-cylinder under the hood and a total of 247-hp, and thus the ST is certain to be a hoot to drive. In fact, Ford claims it will offer “driving enthusiasts an intoxicating cocktail of exhilarating performance and handling accompanied by an addictive sound.”
The model is slated to hit the global markets only by late 2012. So far it is still under the concept stage and a production ready model is yet to be revealed.
Honda Jazz Hybrid Hybrid
Honda Jazz Hybrid was revealed at the Paris Auto show 2010 and it will use Honda's IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) parallel hybrid system, placing an electric motor in between a CVT gearbox and the same 1.3-litre i-VTEC engine found in the Hybrid Insight.
The Honda Jazz Hybrid is the world's first B-segment model to feature this type of power train, offering one of the best efficiency levels in its class. The official figures say the Honda Jazz Hybrid has a mileage of 22KMPL and 104 g/km CO2 emissions level.
The IMA hybrid motor and control system are shared with the Insight and CR-Z hybrids, taking advantage of the proven reliability of this important technology. With almost two decades of development and 10 years of sales behind it, the Honda IMA system has proven itself to be a flexible and dependable technology, with over half a million vehicles on the road benefitting from its combination of low emissions and fuel economy.
The Jazz hybrid will go on sale in some European markets in the early part of 2011, and prices, homologated emissions levels and full specifications will be announced in due course.
2011 Suzuki Swift – Bigger and Safer
Suzuki unveiled an all new bigger and safer Swift at the Paris Auto Show for the European market. The new Swift is built on a new platform and will have dimensions of 3.85 X 1.69 X 1.51 (L X B X H). New Suzuki Swift will be available with two engine options - 1.2L petrol engine will generate 94 bhp and give a mileage of 20 kmpl; 1.3L diesel engine will generate 75 bhp and give mileage of 23.8 kmpl. Both these engines will have a top speed of 165 kmph.
Even though the vehicle doesn't come with radical exterior changes, its platform is entirely new and with an improved enginery.
2011 Ford Fiesta – 400 PS!
Ford revealed an all new 2011 Ford Fiesta RS WRC at the Paris Auto Shows. The vehicle is powered by a turbocharged 1.6 liter Ecoboost engine, but the unit’s specifications haven’t been announced yet. The engine is the result of the collaboration between Ford, M-Sport and French tuner Pipo Moteur.
Built around a 1.6-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine, the Fiesta RS WRC likely milks something north of 400 horsepower from its tiny displacement, though Fordhasn't announced the official output specs. The jump to the smaller engine is driven by the WRC's adoption of Super 2000 rules for 2011, which mandates a maximum displacement of 1.6 litres.
Testing for the new car begins on gravel in Spain next week, though it has already completed nearly 2,000 miles of testing during development in the U.K. and France.
Range Rover Evoque
The new Range Rover models are already present in the Indian market and the new the 2012 Land Rover Range RoverEvoque is headed for production, after a world debut at the 2010 Paris Auto Show. The debut continues the company's march toward the softroader segment, a movement first started with the LR2/Freelander and now resulting in the handsome new three-door seen here.
The new Range Rover Evoque is the smallest, lightest and most fuel-efficient vehicle ever to grace the Range Rover portfolio. Based on the Land Rover LRX Concept, this flashy coupe-like SUV crossover embodies an innovative extension of the marque's sense of style and personality. Land Rover's Managing Director Phil Popham believes the Evoque "will appeal to a new group of customers who may not have considered a Range Rover before."
It will be offered with all-wheel drive with electronically-controlled Haldex center coupling, plus a number of other features such as hard drive navigation system, dual-zone automatic climate control, keyless entry system, Surround Camera System with five digital cameras, including a reversing system for easier parking. Adaptive headlamps with auto headlamp dipping and heated windscreen will be offered as well.
Conclusion
The Paris Auto Show 2010 was a grand affair with a host of cars, much more than we cover here. However, we have selected those cars with main relevance for our readers. Do share your comments on the cars. We’ll keep you up to date as more clarity on the India plans emerge.
