Paris motor show 2018 – the A-Z preview

The illustrious Paris motor show, the second largest European car show of the year, is returning for 2018 on 2 October.

Following a bumper debut count at Geneva 2018, Paris is the next chance for the world’s carmakers to show off their latest products and future-previewing concepts in the public sphere.

A few companies are skipping the show this time round – so the brands that are going are using the opportunity to make an even bigger splash with their new metal. Our A to Z guide shows what we’ll be seeing there:

Audi A1

This will be the first in-the-metal look we'll get of the second generation entry-level Audi. The first A1 has been a hot seller in most markets around the world apart from America, where it’s deemed too small to be worth selling there.

The new model features a new sporty design, will come only in five-door guise, and is slightly larger. There will be a raft of new technology in the car, including ‘digital cockpit’ instruments and a ‘pre-sense’ safety system.

Audi A4

With a new BMW 3 Series being unveiled at the event, it’s no surprise that Audi is giving a midlife facelift to its A4 rival with a sharper look and more equipment, with sat-nav now a standard item across the range.

Audi Q3

Audi's smallest SUV is now the Q2, so the Q3 has had some growing up to do. And so it has - Audi claims that this second-generation car is more practical, better equipped and more grown up in its styling than before.

Audi E-tron

Audi’s first electric-only production car, the e-tron SUV, will make its motor show debut. It’s bigger than Audi’s Q5 but smaller than the Q7. The model gets 249 miles of range on the WLTP test cycle – identical to the Mercedes EQC but behind the Jaguar I-Pace, which manages 292 miles.

A cheaper version with a smaller battery and, therefore, less range will follow in the next 12 months. Expect the first e-trons to be at dealerships in early 2019.

BMW 3 Series

BMW’s has lost some ground to Mercedes-Benz – its C-Class has become Europe’s top-selling compact executive car. The brand will look to the new model, internally named G20, to make up some of the lost pace.

We expect a sharp new design, an upgraded interior, and an even better drive. We drove a prototype recently (pictured), and the first signs are good.

BMW X2 M35i

BMW's X2 M35i is the brand's latest hot SUV, and is notable for coming with four cylinders, instead of the more usual six or more for BMW M- cars. Sales start in most markets in March 2019 and rivals will include the Volkswagen T-Roc R, but it looks like beating the VW to market.

BMW X5

BMW’s new rival to the Range Rover Sport will make its first public outing at the Paris show. It’s got a fresh new look, architecture shared with the 5 and 7 Series and it's larger in every direction than its predecessor. We've just driven it, and we're giving it the thumbs up.

BMW Z4

The new Z4 was first shown at Pebble Beach in August, but Paris will see the first European showing of the all-new rival to the Porsche Boxster and Mercedes-Benz SLC.

BMW promises a renewed focus on dynamic ability for the new car, as well as a completely different look from its predecessor. It will be sister car to the upcoming new Toyota Supra.

Citroën C5 Aircross Hybrid Concept

Citroën's first plug-in hybrid will arrive in 2020, and is closely previewed by the near-production-ready concept set for a Paris debut. It's also the closest thing to a hot Citroën we'll get for a while, with 225bhp and 249lb ft on tap. Electric-only range is claimed to be 31 miles. 

DS 3 Crossback

The DS push on the plush SUV market continues with the 3 Crossback — a rival to the BMW X1 and Jaguar E-Pace. It's expected to eventually replace the ageing DS 3 hatch.

DS 7 Crossback E-Tense

The 7 Crossback E-Tense 4x4 has a powertrain consisting of a 200bhp 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine up front and a 110bhp electric motor on each axle. The front-mounted motor doubles as an engine starter-generator and transmits power to the front wheels via the car’s eight-speed automatic gearbox, while the rear one drives the rear wheels via ‘direct drive’ reduction gearing. 

Ferrari Monza SP1 and SP2

Ferrari can reasonably hope that these two limited-edition supercars will draw plenty of attention. They draw inspiration from famous Ferraris of the ‘40s and ‘50s. The car is aimed at ‘dedicated clients and collectors’. The SP1 is a single-seater, the SP2 (pictured) has two seats, and lurking deep within both is a 812 Superfast.

They feature the most powerful Ferrari production engine ever: a 6.5-litre V12 delivers 809bhp at 8500rpm and 530lb ft of torque at 7000rpm. It has F1-style variable inlet tracts, another first for a road-going Ferrari. The company is claiming a 0-62mph time of just 2.9sec and a 0-124mph time of 7.9sec. The maximum speed is set at 186mph. 

500 examples of the two models will be made, with prices of around US3 million (£2.3m) each.

Hyundai i30 Fastback N

This is a svelte new fast hatchback, with more interior space – and if it’s as good to drive as the hatchback N, we’ll be very happy indeed – and so will you.

Kia Ceed GT

Kia's new Ceed GT tops new model’s range with 201bhp on tap from a turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol engine. 

Kia Niro EV

Paris sees the launch of Kia’s all-electric small SUV. Two specifications will be available: a range of 280 miles from a 64kWh battery or 186 miles from a 39.2kWh battery.

We’ve just driven the Niro’s Hyundai Kona Electric sister car, and it’s impressed us – fingers crossed for this one too.

Kia Proceed

Kia’s shooting brake version of the Ceed, the Proceed, replaces the previous slow-selling three-door hatchback version and deletes the apostrophe from its name for good measure.

Lexus LC Limited Edition

Exclusive paint and interior design marks out the LC Limited Edition. The name is no exaggeration, either - only ten will come to the UK - five hybrids and five naturally-aspirated V8s. 

Lexus ES

The new mid-range ES made its debut in China earlier in the year, but this is its first appearance in Europe. It’s been engineered to be more driver-focused than its predecessors, and it will need to be to compete successfully against cars like the BMW 5 Series.

It replaces the slow-selling GS model.

Lexus RC facelift

Due in late 2018, Lexus's entry-level coupé gets a makeover inspired by the LC coupé, as well as tweaks to improve the handling and ride.

Mercedes-AMG A35

The warm version of Mercedes’ new hatch arrives in early 2019 as a 300bhp understudy to the 400bhp full-fat A45. It’ll rival the Audi S3 and Volkswagen Golf R, while the A45 will be more of a match for the RS3 and BMW M2.

Mercedes-Benz A-Class saloon

Mercedes is also taking the A-Class to the fight against the Audi A3 saloon by making a long-booted version. The A-Class saloon’s styling has already been revealed on the Chinese-spec long-wheelbase car, but a slightly different look will be applied to the European car.

Mercedes-Benz B-Class

We’ve had the all-new A-Class, so now we have the slightly larger, slightly-taller B-Class making its debut.

Inside, the new MPV adopts the new digital cockpit and connectivity functions of the A-Class, including a high-definition instrument and infotainment panel and Mercedes' new MBUX operating system, which supports conversational voice commands. PICTURE: Autocar Spyshot

Mercedes-Benz EQC

Mercedes' EQC, the first electric car from Merc’s EQ sub-brand, first broke cover at an industry event in Stockholm in early September. The car features two electric motors – one powering the front wheels and another the rears – that enable four-wheel drive capability, depending on the driving mode.

They deliver a combined 402bhp and 564lb ft to move the EQC’s hefty 2425kg (5335 lb) kerb weight. A single-charge range of 249 miles is promised on the WLTP cycle.

Mercedes-Benz GLE

Another large luxury SUV set for Paris - this time it's the Mercedes-Benz GLE. It's been overhauled for its second generation (although technically it's older, given its rebadge from its ML-badged predecessor), with a long-range plug-in hybrid variant and trick suspension.

Peugeot 508 SW

Peugeot's saloon has been given a new fastback shape, but what about the estate? Well, that's been given a sharp new look too, and we'll get our first in-depth look in Paris. 

Peugeot E-Legend concept

Peugeot’s new concept car is an enticing combination of forward looking vision - an electric sports car with advanced autonomous features - styled very much with a nod to the gorgeous 504 coupe, as styled by Pininfarina, from the 1970s.

The new car takes numerous styling cues from that machine, including the twin headlights at the front, but has hints of American muscle car thrown into the mix.

Porsche Macan

Porsche's smallest SUV has been with us since 2014, so it's time for a mid-life refresh. We've already had a drive in a prototype, and first impressions are good. Examples hit the road at the end of 2018.

Renault Kadjar facelift

The lightest of refreshes to the Kadjar's exterior styling betrays more comprehensive interior updates, as well as a new 1.3-litre petrol engine and revised 1.5-litre dCi diesels.

Renault concept

Paris wouldn’t be Paris without some outlandish concept cars from one of the home teams. Nothing is yet confirmed, but Renault is almost certain to take a concept to the show.

Last time around in 2016, the brand unveiled the dramatic Trezor concept  (pictured) - an autonomous supercar that previewed the new styling direction of the brand.

Seat Tarraco

Seat's long-awaited seven-seat SUV will finally bow in at the Paris motor show, with a name decided via a public vote and design drawing from the brand's smaller SUVs. We love the smaller Ateca, so hopefully this new car will follow in its footsteps.

Skoda Karoq Scout

The next Skoda to get the tough off-road treatment is the Karoq, which gets a choice of two diesel engines and one petrol in rufty-tufty Scout spec. Four-wheel drive comes as standard, too.

Skoda Karoq Sportline

Off-roading not your thing? Skoda's revealing a sporty Karoq Sportline at Paris too, and it's got an exclusive 2.0-litre TSI engine with 187bhp. 

Skoda Kodiaq vRS

Skoda’s first hot SUV, and what will be the second model in its vRS line-up since the Fabia vRS was canned, is already the fastest seven-seat SUV around the Nürburgring. It’ll be fully revealed in Paris before sales start at the end of the year.

Skoda Vision RS

Skoda's Rapid hatchback isn't long for this world, and it won't be directly replaced. Instead, it'll be replaced by the production version of this - the Vision RS, which takes its sportiness up several notches and pitches it directly against the Volkswagen Golf. The Golf GTI is in the crosshairs too, with a vRS version following.

Suzuki Jimny

The Japanese carmaker has a reputation for quirky offerings, and this year we will see the European debut of the dinky new Jimmy 4x4 before first examples hit the roads later this year. We've just driven it, and we love it.

Toyota Camry

The Camry is consistently one of the best-selling cars in America, and one of the world's best-selling four-door cars. But it's long been an also-ran in Europe, and has not been sold at all in the UK since 2004. That will change in early 2019, when a new hybrid model arrives. It will use the same system as in the current RAV4. 

The current Camry is now in its eighth generation; it was first launched in America and other markets in the summer of 2017.

Toyota Corolla Touring Sports

The Corolla Touring Sports arrives in the UK in spring 2019, alongside the regular Corolla hatchback. It'll be revealed at the Paris motor show. A third body style, a saloon, will be available in many markets around the world, though not the UK. The Auris name, used in many markets for cars of this size over the past decade, is being dropped.

Toyota Yaris GR Sport

Missed out on the chance to get your hands on the Yaris GRMN? The GR Sport is the latest car to get warmed up styling based on a sporting badge, with GRMN-inspired flourishes across the car's exterior.

Audi SQ2

Paris will see yet another SUV debut from Audi in the shape of the SQ2. The car’s 1984cc four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine is shared with the S3 and is closely related to that of the Volkswagen Golf R and upcoming T-Roc R, as well as the Seat Leon Cupra R. 

Torque is identical to the Golf R at 295lb ft, meaning 0-62mph is achieved in 4.8sec. Audi’s Quattro four-wheel drive system delivers power to all four wheels. It’s available only with a DSG automatic gearbox. We expect a UK price of £35,000 - £15,000 more expensive than the entry-level Q2. Emissions and fuel economy data haven’t yet been released.  

Infiniti Q60 Black S

Infiniti will show a prototype version of its Q60 Black S performance hybrid at Paris. It's powered by a combination of a 400bhp 3.0-litre V6 and a Formula 1-style KERS energy recovery system for a total output of 563bhp. 

The prototype is claimed to duck below four seconds for the 0-62mph sprint, although an exact figure is yet to be released. The car’s power-to-weight ratio is pegged at 315bhp per tonne.

Fancy going?

Where: 1 Place de la Porte de Versailles, 75015 Paris, France 

When:  Press days on 2 and 3 October. Then opens to the public 4-14 October 2018 

Opening times: 10am-8pm (and until 10pm on 4, 5, 6, 10, 11 and 12 October) 

How much?  From €9 - €19 on pre-sale; cheaper evening tickets are available. Kids entry is €9 for ages 11-17. Free for under 11s 

Official website:  http://www.mondial-paris.com/en/visiteur/auto

Autocar will have full coverage of the event, including videos of all the major new cars, so check out Autocar.co.uk on Tuesday October 2.