2016 Paris Motor Show: 11 Cars That Matter Most
CARS.COM — The 2016 Paris Motor Show has whetted our appetite, automotively speaking, for the U.S. auto-show season. While most of us won’t be making our way to the City of Lights to ogle these cars and concepts, we will be able to see many of them stateside at the 2016 Los Angeles Auto Show, which has press days Nov. 16 and 17 and public days Nov. 18-27 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
Related: 2016 Paris Motor Show
Here are our top picks for the most influential cars at this year’s Paris show.
2018 Audi Q5
Why Does It Matter? Audi has updated its popular Q5 and brought the styling in line with the rest of the brand’s models. A modest stretch in wheelbase will boost room for rear occupants, while a weight loss of about 200 pounds translates to tauter responses and improved fuel mileage. A suite of driving assistance features helps the Q5 driver when it comes time to park, avoid traffic jams, save fuel or learn the quickest route during routine drives.
When Can I Buy One? U.S. sales begin in early to mid-2017. The starting price should stay around the current model’s baseline of $42,000.
BWW Concept X2
Why Does It Matter? If there is a market niche, leave it to BMW to find it. Using the more upright X1 SUV as its base, the Concept X2 appears lower, wider and sportier than its mechanical sibling. A more pronounced front grille, tapering side glass and even the placement of BMW emblems on the D-pillars all add up to one attractive compact SUV. Like the X1, which shares a chassis with BMW’s Mini brand, the X2 would be available with front or all-wheel-drive, and come with a turbocharged four-cylinder under the hood.
When Can I Buy One? The X2 is still a concept car, though it’s no secret BMW will bring something similar to market within one to two years. Considering its sportier style and more upmarket image, the production X2 is likely to start around $38,000, or about a $4,000 premium over the current entry-level X1.
Honda Civic Type R
Why Does It Matter? Honda has been lacking excitement in its lineup for too long. That’s about to change. The Civic Type R is a front-wheel-drive hatchback that sends more than 300 hp to its front wheels. Until now, the Civic Type R has never been offered in the U.S. That comes to an end with the latest edition, however, which is fitted with extroverted wings and spoilers at either end. One especially racy touch are the three exhaust pipes sticking out the rear, with the centrally located one painted red.
When Can I Buy One? U.S. sales are planned to begin only after Europe gets access to the Type R, starting in the summer of 2017. Considering its legendary reputation amongst Honda fans, the first Type Rs to arrive here could fetch far more than the official (and as-yet-unknown) starting price.
Hyundai i30
Why Does It Matter? Pay close attention to this Hyundai hatchback — just ignore the model name. When it comes to the U.S., the Hyundai i30 will wear the Elantra GT badge. In Europe, where hatchbacks are hugely popular, the i30/Elantra GT will be available with a wide range of gas and diesel engines. For the U.S., it’s likely the upcoming Elantra GT will come only with the 128-horsepower, turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder that is available in the 2017 Elantra sedan and coupe. Large LED-rimmed headlights and smoother character lines running along the sides of this five-door hatch help give it a more upscale look.
When Can I Buy One? Soon, considering the rest of the Elantra lineup has been entirely refreshed for the 2017 model year. There is no reason for Hyundai to wait long before bringing this economical, cargo-friendly hatchback to the U.S. The starting price should remain close to the outgoing GT’s base starting price around $17,000.
Infiniti QX Sport Inspiration Concept
Why Does It Matter? First shown at the Beijing Motor Show earlier this year, the Infiniti QX Sport Inspiration concept signals the design and engineering direction of the next QX50 crossover. Deeply sculpted sides, narrow headlamps and taillights, and forward-thrusting D-pillars give this concept a sense of motion even when standing still. Incidentally, sitting alongside the QX Sport Inspiration in Paris is Infiniti’s variable compression VC-Turbo engine. This four-cylinder motor promises V-6-levels of power in a compact, efficient 2.0-liter package.
When Can I Buy One? While still technically a concept, the QX Sport Inspiration points to a completely revised QX50 due sometime next year, most likely arriving for the 2018 model year.
2017 Land Rover Discovery
Why Does It Matter? The 2017 Discovery is Land Rover’s seven-seat stab right at the heart of the luxury SUV segment. Land Rover purists will mourn the loss of the previous Discovery/LR4’s “Alpine windows,” the distinctive glass openings that graced the rear roof of this rugged SUV since its introduction in 1989. The rest of us will appreciate that the new Discovery is lighter, roomier, more efficient and more practical than ever before. True, it doesn’t have the same Serengeti-crossing design — but who can argue against an interior that features nine USB ports?
When Can I Buy One? Available with standard all-wheel drive and a choice of 340-horsepower, supercharged V-6 or 254-hp turbo-diesel, the Land Rover Discovery goes on sale in mid-2017 with a starting price of approximately $50,000.
Lexus UX Concept
Why Does It Matter? Lexus is not stepping away from the aggressive design language that has spread throughout its lineup. The UX Concept is the Japanese luxury brand’s interpretation of a small, urban-centric SUV that fits below the existing NX SUV. Designed in Europe, the UX Concept is a visual overload of sharp angles and creases. While the UX’s deconstructed front seats and 3-D holographic dashboard graphics are concept car frivolities, Lexus is serious about bringing a compact SUV like this one to market.
When Can I Buy One? A production version of the UX Concept is likely to arrive by the 2018 model year. With small SUV sales spiking around the world, Lexus will want to fast-track the UX to showrooms as soon as possible.
Mercedes-Benz Generation EQ Concept
Why Does It Matter? Following the lead of BMW’s all-electric “i” sub brand, the Generation EQ concept represents the first step in Mercedes-Benz’s upcoming portfolio of electric vehicles. In total, Mercedes plans to introduce upwards of 10 new EVs by 2025. This begins with the Generation EQ concept, shown in Paris and aimed directly at the “sweet spot” of the booming SUV market, said Jürgen Schenk, director of E-Drive system integration at Mercedes-Benz parent company Daimler. Powered by two electric motors mounted at each axle, the Generation EQ concept delivers a combined output of 402 hp to all four wheels.
When Can I Buy One? We’re told the Generation EQ is “very close” to the production model, which is expected to go on sale globally within two to three years. Even the blue neon grille got an official “maybe” as to whether the eye-catching design could make the jump to showrooms. Pricing is hard to guess, though an SUV of this size and power output would currently fall around $40,000 to $50,000.
2018 Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid
Why Does It Matter? Porsche has increased the efficiency and performance of the new Panamera 4 E-Hybrid. In the process, this hybrid-powered Porsche sedan becomes one of the most decadent means of green driving. The sprint from zero-to-60 mph takes only 4.4 seconds, according to Porsche. As acceleration figures have dropped, the Panamera’s electric-only driving range has simultaneously climbed and now stands at 31 miles of range when fully charged. The family man’s Porsche sedan has suddenly become the thinking man’s four-door supercar.
When Can I Buy One? U.S. sales of the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid will begin in mid-2017. Pricing and EPA mileage figures will be released closer to the on-sale date. As a reference, the current Panamera S E-Hybrid starts at roughly $94,000.
Smart ForTwo Electric Drive
Why Does It Matter? If you want open-air driving fun and a zero-emission powertrain, your choices include the Smart ForTwo Electric Drive or … the Smart ForTwo Electric Drive. This two-passenger city-car is moved by a 17.2-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack that sends power to the rear wheels. Range is estimated around 100 miles per charge. If you want the easiest means to parallel park, but can live without the wind in your hair, the Smart ForTwo Electric Drive is also available as a hardtop coupe.
When Can I Buy One? The cabriolet arrives in the summer of 2017, while the coupe sneaks onto dealership lots a couple months earlier.
Volkswagen I.D. Concept
Why Does It Matter? Volkswagen wants the I.D. concept to signal a new era of electric mobility. The bright-white hatchback is about the size of the current Golf and is powered by a 167-hp electric motor. Range is the big newsmaker here, with VW estimating the I.D. as having anywhere from 230 to 350 miles of driving range per charge. Like Mercedes-Benz with the Generation EQ, VW promises that the I.D. concept marks the first in a growing portfolio of future EVs.
When Can I Buy One? Expect to wait until 2020 to get your hands on a production VW I.D. If you want the available autonomous driving system — which tucks the steering wheel into the dash when in operation — the wait stretches all the way to 2025. Pricing is still guesswork, but a starting price of approximately $30,000 is a reasonable assumption.
