By Dan Trent of MSN Cars UK
The 2010 Paris Motor Show opens its doors to the world’s press on Thursday and the public during the weekend, and we’ll be bringing you all the latest news, gossip and reveals directly from the show floor.
But as the excitement builds ahead of the show, the question remains: What are we most looking forward to? Well, Paris is always an important show on the industry calendar, and the city’s glamorous reputation is always an inspiration to put on a spectacular show. And as the car business emerges from the global recession, it looks to come across leaner, meaner and ready to tackle the latest challenges -- one of the foremost among them being how to make green cars as sexy as their conventional counterparts.
Here, then, are some of the most exciting debuts coming our way as the show unfolds. Of course, there will be plenty of surprises along the way, so make sure you stay tuned for all the latest news from Paris 2010.
According to an upcoming film of the same name, probably not that great.
In-car cameras documenting drivers eating, brushing their hair, playing the harmonica -- even doing a crossword puzzle -- is mixed in with interviews with various experts and psychologists to give an overall view as to how we are, and why we can be, so very reckless.
The filmmakers are looking to present the film to high schools and colleges as a public awareness campaign; they are soliciting donations to this end.
The preview is after the jump. I recommend a stress ball, or at least yelling at the screen behind closed doors.
VW's newest version of its midsize sedan revealed.
The new Volkswagen Passat has been revealed just before the Paris Auto Show.The Passat, which is doing its best impression of a bigger, beefier version of the already-revealed 2011 Jetta, will head to the U.S. in both sedan and wagon version (the latter called the Estate) shortly after it rolls onto dealer lots in the U.K. next month.
Volkswagen will offer a number of engine options for the upcoming Passat; North American buyers will likely be offered the 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine as well as the 3.6-liter V6, with 296 horsepower, compared with the former's 207 horses.
By Lindsay Chappell, Automotive News
In an effort to broaden its product coverage, Infiniti will launch a more expensive model and a less expensive one.
The brand also will get two alternative powertrain technologies next year.
Luxury brand seeks equality with Benz, BMW, Lexus.
Audi threw out a price on its all-new A8 sedan last night at Milk Gallery, a sleek art studio in New York’s Chelsea neighborhood: $78,925 for the standard A8, including destination charges, and $84,875 for the stretched-wheelbase A8L model.
Now all Audi needs is some customers. Audi’s top-shelf A8 has always been a tough sell in the States, despite its status as the first all-aluminum production sedan. As Johan de Nysschen, Audi of America president, is first to acknowledge, Americans still don’t quite consider Audi in the same country-club league as Mercedes, BMW or Lexus -- especially for models in loftier price brackets like the full-size A8 sedan, a perennial underdog against the Mercedes S-Class, BMW 7-Series and Lexus LS. That’s not a problem in Europe, China or other countries that have Audi well on the way toward what seemed like an impossible goal just a few years ago: becoming the world’s top luxury brand by 2015, measured by both sales and consumer image.
By Mark Rechtin, Automotive News
Scion was supposed to be Toyota's niche brand of fuel-efficient small cars for hip kids. But the original three-model product lineup is being expanded, so the brand's customer reach may be extended as well.
Early next year, Scion will add a rebadged version of the Japan-market Toyota iQ minicar. And the launch of the redesigned 2011 tC this fall may be followed with a five-door version as a midcycle addition. In addition, past concept vehicles such as the A-BAT compact pickup and Hako three-door might appear with Scion badging.
First runs will be in California, Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York.
BMW's ActiveE, the electric 1-Series first shown in concept at Detroit's North American International Auto Show, is coming to a town near you -- as long as you live in some parts of California or the Northeast, that is.BMW announced the U.S. markets for the ActiveE 1-Series, which are: Boston; New York; select cities in Connecticut; and Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco and Sacramento, Calif.
By Automotive News
Saab and BMW AG have agreed on a deal that allows the Swedish carmaker to use engines made by BMW, according to a person with direct knowledge of the matter.
Saab will initially purchase BMW engines for the 9-3 model that is scheduled for release in late 2012, said the person, who asked not to be identified before a contract is signed. The carmakers plan to sign and announce the pact in Trollhattan, Sweden, on Wednesday, the person said.
The automakers are also in talks about Saab buying diesel engines from BMW, as well as using BMW's Mini Countryman platform for its smaller 9-2 entry-premium car, the person said.
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Contributors
Clifford Atiyeh has spent his entire life driving cars he doesn't own. Raised in Volvos, he has grown to love fast, irresponsible vehicles of all kinds. He is the senior news editor at MSN Autos and also reports for Car and Driver, Road & Track, The Boston Globe and other publications.
In the garage: 21-speed Iron Horse, 2002 Jeep Wrangler X (not his)
Doug Newcomb has covered car technology for over 20 years for outlets ranging from Rolling Stone to Edmunds.com. In 2008, he published his first book, "Car Audio for Dummies" (Wiley). He lives and drives in Hood River, Ore., with his wife and two kids, who share his passion for cars and technology.
In the garage: 1996 Chevrolet Impala SS, two 1984 Chevrolet Blazers, 2008 Honda CR-V
James Tate learned to drive stick at age 13 in a 1988 Land Cruiser - in La Paz, Bolivia. He's since been a mechanic, on a pit crew and has wrenched on every car he's owned since his first 1989 Honda CRX Si (and won't stop until the car is a 1973 Porsche 911 RS). His work has appeared in Car and Driver, Popular Mechanics, Automobile and others.
In the garage: 1995 Porsche 911 Carrera, 1988 BMW M5
