Citroen

Citroen pulls the wraps off its quirky new baby MPV, the C3 Picasso, at the Paris Motor Show 2008.

The Citroen C3 Picasso is the third car in Citroen’s Picasso range. Its bulbous body-shape is designed to blend the versatility of an MPV with the comfort and agility of an SUV.

The junior Picasso is available with a choice of two economical HDi diesel engines, plus two petrol units co-developed with BMW, the VTi 95 and VTi 120.

The airy interior features a central instrument pod and dash-mounted gearlever, plus an optional full-length sunroof. The rear seats slide back and forth independently and fold away to provide a flat load floor. The front passenger seat also folds flat for carrying longer objects.

Ford

The big news on the Ford stand is the new Ford Ka, which makes its world debut at the Paris show, some 12 years after the iconic original was launched.

For the first time, Ford’s compact supermini is available with a diesel engine, which returns a remarkable average fuel consumption of 67.2mpg. The 1.3-litre, 74bhp diesel and the 1.2-litre 68bhp petrol unit both offer CO2 emissions of below 120g/km.

The new Ford Ka’s cheeky styling is similar to the new Ford Fiesta, with a wheel-at-each-corner stance that Ford promises will provide “go-kart like handling”.

Infiniti

Just as Toyota has Lexus, Nissan now has its own luxury brand: Infiniti. The Infiniti FX37 is a performance crossover SUV that will take on the likes of the BMW X5 and Mercedes M-Class.

The FX37’s 3.7-litre V6 enables it to accelerate to 62mph in 6.8 seconds and onto a top speed of 145mph. 
Standard equipment on the FX37 GT includes 20in alloys, scratch-resistant paint, four-wheel drive, a seven-speed auto box with paddle shift, leather upholstery, xenon headlights and a parking camera. The FX37S adds 21in alloys, continuous damping control and sports seats.

The FX-series goes on sale in France first. UK buyers will have to wait until spring 2009, when the Infiniti range is launched in right-hand-drive form.

Lamborghini

Italian supercar maker Lamborghini has been teasing car fans with close-up photos of its secret new model, to be revealed at the Paris Motor Show.

Speculation is rife about what type of vehicle the new Lamborghini will be. Some have suggested a 4x4 to rival the Porsche Cayenne Turbo, but a four-seater saloon seems the most likely body style.

The teaser images show a low-lying bonnet, a rear diffuser with hexagonal exhausts and slim tail lights in the style of the Reventon concept car. Lamborghini is remaining tight-lipped about its new model, saying only: “It’s not just a new Lamborghini. It’s a new world.”

Renault

The new Renault Megane will be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show. The Megane is one of Europe’s best-selling cars and the French firm says its new model will “lay down the gauntlet to the next-generation VW Golf”.

Renault has played it safe with the new Megane’s styling. It lacks the distinctive “rump” that was made famous by Renault’s “shakin’ that ass” TV commercials.

Only the five-door version of the Megane is to be revealed at the Paris show. A sleeker, three-door version will follow soon after and will be badged as a coupe. By 2010, the Megane range will encompass six different models, including a Scenic MPV.

Renault has a good record with Euro NCAP safety ratings and promises the new Megane will offer “best-in-class” crash safety. New features include double-impact side sensors and dual-chamber airbags.

SEAT

The revival of the hot hatch continues with SEAT’s fire-breathing Ibiza Cupra, revealed at the 2008 Paris Motor Show.

The SEAT Ibiza Cupra has a relatively small 1.4-litre engine, but it uses a turbocharger and a supercharger to produce a potent 178bhp. It also boasts a seven-speed semi-automatic transmission, complete with Formula One-style steering wheel shift paddles.

The Cupra has a bespoke bodykit, with an angular new front bumper and air intakes surrounding the grille. At the back, a prominent diffuser incorporates a trapezoidal exhaust pipe. Inside, Cupra sports seats and aluminium pedals add to the sporty appeal.

Toyota

The third-generation of Toyota’s Avensis will be seen for the first time at the Paris Motor Show. With bold, Germanic wheelarches and a sweeping roofline, the Avensis saloon is sleeker and more distinctive than the model it replaces.

The Avensis will be built at Toyota’s Burnaston plant in Derbyshire. Details are still sketchy, but Toyota says it will have cleaner, more powerful engines than before and will boast a better quality interior and more standard equipment. 

An estate version of the Avensis, the Tourer, is also due soon. Prices will be announced later in the year.

Vauxhall

The handsome Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer is the estate version of the forthcoming Vectra replacement.

On sale in the UK in mid-2009, it will feature two new engines – a more powerful turbodiesel and a smaller capacity turbocharged petrol unit – in addition to the five powerplants available in the saloon and hatchback.

All the bodywork aft of the windscreen is unique to the Sports Tourer. The large, wraparound tailgate conceals what Vauxhall claims is “one of the best loadspace volumes in its class”.

The Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer will be available with four-wheel drive, as well as a front camera that can read and memorise road signs and alert drivers if they unintentionally veer off the road.

View images of the new Vauxhall Insignia being unveiled at the 2008 British Motor Show

Volkswagen

It may not look drastically different to the Mk5 model, but the new Volkswagen Golf Mk6 offers new levels of quality and refinement. VW has chosen the Paris Motor Show to reveal a “concept” version of the new Golf GTI.

The concept GTI is likely to be very similar to the production model, due in spring 2009. With 207bhp, it’s the most powerful Golf GTI yet and will hit 62mph in 7.2 seconds before reaching a top speed of 148mph.

For the first time, the GTI features an electronic limited-slip differential, which should help put all that power onto the tarmac.

Inside the new Golf GTI features a flat-bottomed steering wheel and sports seats with tartan trim that harks back to the original GTI of the 1970s.

View images of the new Volkswagen Golf GTi

View the new Volkswagen Golf in action: