sharne
12-26-2008, 06:02 AM
Though there were more Indians at this year's Paris motor show than ever before, there wasn't a single Indian company exhibiting their products, underscoring the fact that the Indian industry still has a long way to go. Yet,
three made-in-India cars were unveiled (the Suzuki Alto, the Nissan Pixo and the Hyundai i20) and two made-in-India concept cars (the Mini Crossover from DC Design and the Argentum-made electric pick-up on the Heuliez stand) showcased. And though all of these may have made headlines in India, the ones that made headlines in Paris were the controversial Estoque concept that could become Lamborghini's third model if it gets the green light for production. Lambo's first four-door coupe, the Estoque was probably the most talked about car of the Paris press day.
The other exciting concepts were the so-called 'concept' version of the forthcoming Audi A 1, which gave a clear indication of how the production model will look like when it hits showrooms in 2010. And BMW took the wraps off the concept car that points the way to the forthcoming Xl. Production ready concepts from Honda (the Insight hybrid), from Pininfarina (the Bollore electric car), from Chevy (the Orlando) and others made the Paris show an exciting affair, despite the recession and the prognosis for the future, which doesn't look too good. Clearly, electric cars and hybrids and alternate energy are very much in so is downsizing. Small cars are in, big cars are out. City
cars are in, SUVs are out.
199
Playing to a home audience, the French carmakers pulled out all the stops with huge stands of cars. The Citroen Hypnos was a luxury hybrid crossover concept based on the C5 platform, while the GtbyCitroen was a joint venture with the makers of the Gran Turismo computer game. Peugeot unveiled the "Prologue" concept which points the way to a new compact crossover SUV to rival the Nissan Qashqai. It's based on the 308 platform and its hybrid powertrain means CO2 emissions of 109g/km. The other concept from the French firm was the RC HyMotion4, a four-door GT concept. For Renault the big news was the all new Megane, the sporty Laguna Coupe and the Ondelios concept that could hint at the new large crossover model known to be under development.
Mercedes unveiled the Concept Fascnation, previewing a new design direction for the next gen E-Class. Its luxury fittings include a folding glass
table, humidor and fridge in the luggage area. And Nissan showed the NuVu, a new urban electric car, and while it was a concept, it was described by Nissan as "entirely credible". Bosses have even put a date on its launch the middle of the next decade. Saab used the Paris motor show to unveil a convertible concept, the 9-X Air. It features an innovative new type of roof the Canopy Top - which incorporates the C-pillars and folds away into the boot when not required.
three made-in-India cars were unveiled (the Suzuki Alto, the Nissan Pixo and the Hyundai i20) and two made-in-India concept cars (the Mini Crossover from DC Design and the Argentum-made electric pick-up on the Heuliez stand) showcased. And though all of these may have made headlines in India, the ones that made headlines in Paris were the controversial Estoque concept that could become Lamborghini's third model if it gets the green light for production. Lambo's first four-door coupe, the Estoque was probably the most talked about car of the Paris press day.
The other exciting concepts were the so-called 'concept' version of the forthcoming Audi A 1, which gave a clear indication of how the production model will look like when it hits showrooms in 2010. And BMW took the wraps off the concept car that points the way to the forthcoming Xl. Production ready concepts from Honda (the Insight hybrid), from Pininfarina (the Bollore electric car), from Chevy (the Orlando) and others made the Paris show an exciting affair, despite the recession and the prognosis for the future, which doesn't look too good. Clearly, electric cars and hybrids and alternate energy are very much in so is downsizing. Small cars are in, big cars are out. City
cars are in, SUVs are out.
199
Playing to a home audience, the French carmakers pulled out all the stops with huge stands of cars. The Citroen Hypnos was a luxury hybrid crossover concept based on the C5 platform, while the GtbyCitroen was a joint venture with the makers of the Gran Turismo computer game. Peugeot unveiled the "Prologue" concept which points the way to a new compact crossover SUV to rival the Nissan Qashqai. It's based on the 308 platform and its hybrid powertrain means CO2 emissions of 109g/km. The other concept from the French firm was the RC HyMotion4, a four-door GT concept. For Renault the big news was the all new Megane, the sporty Laguna Coupe and the Ondelios concept that could hint at the new large crossover model known to be under development.
Mercedes unveiled the Concept Fascnation, previewing a new design direction for the next gen E-Class. Its luxury fittings include a folding glass
table, humidor and fridge in the luggage area. And Nissan showed the NuVu, a new urban electric car, and while it was a concept, it was described by Nissan as "entirely credible". Bosses have even put a date on its launch the middle of the next decade. Saab used the Paris motor show to unveil a convertible concept, the 9-X Air. It features an innovative new type of roof the Canopy Top - which incorporates the C-pillars and folds away into the boot when not required.