2014 Paris Auto Show: What to expect

The 2014 Paris Auto show kicks off Oct. 2 and will play host to more than 250 makes from over 18 countries. Here are the highlights you can expect from the Paris Auto Show this year, including new concept, performance, and luxury models. 

The first major auto show after the long summer break will be taking place in Paris, kicking off in the City of Light on October 2 and playing host to more than 250 makes from over 18 countries. All the major automakers will be there, and so will your Motor Authority team.
We’ll be bringing you all the latest info and live photos direct from the show floor once the action gets underway. In the meantime, here's our hand-picked list of some of the stars, as well as what we know so far about them.
And don't forget to bookmark our dedicated Paris Auto Show page, as well as follow us on Facebook and Twitter to stay on top of it all.
 

CONCEPT CARS

Infiniti Q80 Inspiration: Infiniti has hinted at a new flagship model for the past several years and we’ll finally get our first look at the vehicle next week in the form of a grand concept. The sleek lines presented in this official teaser shot suggest a coupe-like profile but whether the concept is a conventional two-door coupe or afour-door model will only be revealed once the Paris Auto Show gets underway.

Lamborghini Concept Car: Lamborghini has also been teasing a sleek and sexy car for next week’s show. Unlike the Infiniti concept, we don’t know what the Lamborghini will be called, although there are rumors it may be branded an Asterion. We also don’t know much about the concept’s design, but the tagline “Once perfection is achieved, you can just double it” suggests that we may be looking at avehicle with 2+2 seating or perhaps even four doors.

Peugeot Quartz Concept: After a stale showing at the previous Paris Auto Show back in 2012, Peugeot is pulling out all the stops for its lineup at this year’s event. The highlight of its stand will undoubtedly be the Quartz concept, which is said to be packing a hybrid drivetrain good for almost 500 horsepower. This hybrid drivetrain sits in a vehicle that’s not much bigger than a Range Rover Evoque and has been designed to be compatible with Peugeot's modular EMP2 platform.

Toyota C-HR Concept: Another sporty crossover concept headed to the 2014 Paris Auto Show is the Toyota C-HR, which previews a new subcompact crossover the Japanese automaker is planning. Toyota is yet to reveal full details on the C-HR, but the automaker does state that the latest concept is powered by a hybrid powertrain. Toyota also states that the concept features its new ‘Keen Look and Under Priority’ design language.

Citroën Devine DS Concept: This cool little concept from Citroën isn’t destined for production but it does show the direction the French automaker plans to take with its new DS luxury line. Apart from it being completely devoid of Citroën’s chevron logo, the Devine DS is based on a standalone platform and features unique design elements such as the slit-like headlights, chrome grille surround, and diamond pattern grille insert.
Read on for the performance cars that will be on display at the 2014 Paris Auto Show, and remember to follow our dedicated show hub for all the latest updates.

PERFORMANCE CARS

2016 Mercedes-AMG GT: We’ve already seen the new GT sports car from Mercedes-Benz, but only briefly. In Paris, we’ll be able to get up close and personal with this sexy beast. There are two versions of the car at present, the standard GT and the even more potent GT S. Both are powered by AMG’s new M178 twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 and both have been confirmed for sale in the U.S., with the GT S and all of its 503 horses launching on the market first. All we want to know now is when can we drive one.

2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata: The new MX-5 Miata is another car we’ve already seen, but like the Mercedes-AMG GT above it’s no chore seeing the covers come off this baby. We should also be able to finally learn some of the car’s specs because as of now all Mazda has told us about its new MX-5 Miata is that it will weigh around 220 pounds less than the model it replaces. Oh, and we also know that it is still a soft-top roadster, at least in this debut form.

Ferrari 458 Speciale Spider: Ferrari is yet to announce plans for a convertible version of its hardcore 458 Speciale, but we already have images of the car thanks to a leak over the weekend. We also have an inkling about what it will be called: the Ferrari 458 VS Spider. We don’t know what the VS stands for but hopefully we’ll find out in Paris next week.
 

2015 Porsche Cayenne: The second generation of the Porsche Cayenne has just  undergone a mid-cycle update, and we’ll get our first look at the updated vehicle in a week’s time. In addition to some new styling elements, the 2015 Cayenne features a new plug-in hybrid model. Also new for the updated Cayenne is a twin-turbocharged 3.6-liter V-6 engine, which replaces the previous 4.8-liter V-8 in the Cayenne S model.

2014 Volkswagen Polo GTI: Volkswagen’s Polo subcompact sold overseas recently underwent a mid-cycle update of its own, and in Paris we’ll see the updated version of the sporty Polo GTI. The big news is the introduction of a larger and more powerful 1.8-liter TSI instead of the original model’s 1.4-liter mill. The new engine is part of the Volkswagen Group’s latest EA888 gasoline engine family and is rated at 189 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque, up 11 hp and 56 lb-ft on the previous unit.

LUXURY CARS

2015 Bentley Mulsanne Speed: Bentley revealed a faster Mulsanne this week, appeasing the needs of lead-footed chauffeurs the world over. The car is called the Mulsanne Speed, and it can rocket to 60 mph in just 4.8 seconds despite weighing almost 6,000 pounds. The new Mulsanne variant retains Bentley’s enduring 6.75-liter V-8, but output has been turned up to 530 horsepower and 811 pound-feet of torque, the latter of which is delivered at just 1,750 rpm. If that wasn't enough, the efficiency of the V-8 engine has been improved too.

2015 BMW 7-Series Individual Final Edition: There’s a new generation of the BMW 7-Series just around the corner, so to mark the coming end of the current generation of its flagship sedan BMW will present a special ‘Final Edition’ version developed by its BMW Individual personalization department. The special 7-Series will be presented for the first time at the 2014 Paris Auto Show and at present it’s only been confirmed for the French market.

2016 Volvo XC90: Late last month we saw the covers come off Volvo’s new XC90, which is the first all-new design for the popular seven-seat SUV since the launch of the original model back at the 2002 Detroit Auto Show. At the 2014 Paris Auto Show next week, we’ll get a second look at the vehicle, and this time its sporty R-Design trim will also be on display. While the R-Design trim adds a sporty touch to Volvo’s offerings, a new Momentum trim also available is aimed at those after value and an Inscription trim is aimed at those seeking luxury.

2016 Audi A6 And S6: The 2016 model year sees Audi’s A6 undergo its mid-cycle update, and the latest version of the stylish sedan benefits from some subtle tweaks to the exterior, new engines and transmissions, and a new infotainment system. The changes affect the complete A6 range, including the sporty S6 as well as the A6 Avant, A6 Allroad and high-performance RS 6 Avant models that we miss out on here in the U.S.

2017 Jaguar XE: Jaguar’s rival to the BMW 3-Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class, the all-new 2017 XE, has been revealed, and soon we’ll be able to bring you plenty of live photos of it. So far, the car looks great, and its lightweight aluminum chassis and sophisticated suspension should ensure it’s great to drive too. The core model in the U.S. is expected to be the 2017 Jaguar XE S, which is powered by a supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 rated at 340 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque.

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