By Justin Lee in Paris, France

CELEBRATING ITS 110th anniversary amidst the doom and gloom of the global economy, the biennial Paris Motor Show which wraps up on 19 October (it opened on 4 October) is home to quite a few show stopping concept cars and important new product launches by assorted car makers.

Spread over eight large halls, concepts cars ruled at the show and more than a few of them were tasters of the production ready versions that will come to a showroom near you. Showstoppers include the Audi A1 Sportback concept and the Lamborghini Estoque super sports sedan concept which had a constant crowd of photographers snapping pictures of them. Mini showed off its long rumoured Crossman Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) albeit in concept form and Mercedes Benz premiered its Concept Fascination, a concept car that gives very strong hints about the upcoming E-Class.

Paris was also the place for new model releases where the latest from Ford and Renault among others like Kia, Chevrolet and Hyundai were shown. Highlights include the new Ford Ka compact hatchback which was unveiled by Olga Kurylenko – the new Bond girl in the upcoming 007 movie Quantum of Solace – while Renault-Nissan CEO and President Carlos Ghosn was on hand to grace the unveiling of the third generation Megane.

The 2008 Paris Motorshow had something for everyone and is definitely one of the most engaging motoring exhibitions of the year.

2008 Paris Motor Show: Concept Cars World Premieres

Audi A1 Sportback concept

What it is: A five-door version of the A1 project quattro shown at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show. The A1 Sportback concept is propelled by a 125bhp 1.4-litre TFSI engine mated to the S-Tronic dual clutch gearbox. Befitting its concept tag the A1 gets a 27bhp electric unit which sits in between the engine and transmission. This cuts in automatically to provide additional torque to the petrol engine depending on the selected operating mode chosen using the Audi Drive select system (a version of which is seen on the A4 mid-size sedan) or it can also propel the A1 alone.

Production readiness: 9/10. It could be a year or two before we get the production version of Audi’s baby hatch.

Click on > Audi Interview < to read our exclusive interview with Audi head of marketing Michael Renz to find out what he has to say about the A1 and other things about the German brand.

BMW Concept X1

What it is: Looking like an X3 Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) shrunk in the wash, the Concept X1 looks nearly production ready. Ignore the Concept badge and what you are essentially looking at is a compact crossover vehicle from the German car maker that is set to debut in 2009. The entry level version is most likely to get a 170bhp 2.0-litre 16 valve engine. BMW will be the first of all the premium carmakers to offer a compact crossover vehicle.

Production readiness: 10/10. ‘Nuff said.

Chevrolet Orlando concept

The Chevrolet Orlando is based on the underpinnings of the recently unveiled Cruze sedan its exterior design theme combines the looks of a Multi Purpose Vehicle and a Sports Utility Vehicle. Its interior features three rows of seats which can accommodate up to seven adults. The dashboard is stylishly designed and has a steeply raked centre console which incorporates the gear lever. Brushed metal effect trimming on the dashboard and blue backlit dials on the instrument panel are some of the other prominent design details in the cabin.

Production readiness: 7/10. Spy photographers have snapped pictures of camouflaged Orlandos undergoing testing so it should be not too long before we see the production version.

Honda Insight concept

What it is: A Toyota Prius rival that Honda promises will be priced lower than any hybrid car currently sold. It will be smaller than the Civic hybrid and is powered by a 1.3-litre petrol engine that is assisted by Honda’s IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) system. The control unit and battery for the IMA system are mounted beneath the boot space to give the Insight both a low centre of gravity and the practicality of a conventional hatchback. It is based on a completely new platform and takes many exterior styling cues from the FCX Clarity, Honda’s hydrogen-powered fuel cell car, which is currently being leased to customers in the United States.

Production readiness: 10/10. Honda says the production version of the Insight will make its global debut in early 2009.

Lamborghini Estoque sports sedan

What it is: Lamborghini’s answer to the upcoming Porsche Panamera sedan. A dramatic looking car, it is powered by the 5.2-litre V10 that is shared with the Gallardo supercar. Like all Lamborghinis, the Estoque has a permanent all wheel drive system and uses a mid-engine layout but differs in having its engine mounted in the front. As to whether it will be produced, the Lamborghini press release is rather cryptic by only saying that the Estoque ‘is a design exercise’ and yet ‘is based on a feasible technical concept that offers a whole range of fascinating alternatives for the bodyshell and driveline’.

Production readiness: 8/10. Judging from seeing the car up close at the show, the Estoque has a good chance of making it to production and we can’t wait.

Mercedes-Benz Concept Fascination

What it is: The biggest hint from Mercedes-Benz on the look of the upcoming E Class, the Concept Fascination two door estate shows off the brand’s new design language. The trapezoidal outer head lamps and square shaped inner lamps are a significant move away from the circular ones that have characterised the last two generations of the E Class.

Production readiness: 9/10. It is rumoured that the production version of the new E Class will debut in mid-2009. We shall see it that comes true.

Mini Crossover concept

What it is: A concept version of the long rumoured and frequently spy photographed Sports Utility Vehicle addition for the Mini lineup. At over four metres in length it is the largest model yet from Mini. Most of the features seen on the Crossover concept are pure showcar elements which include a Mini Centre Globe which controls all the major entertainment, telecommunication and navigation functions. It also has an unusual door layout. While The passenger side has conventional front hinged doors and an exposed B-pillar the driver’s side has a conventional hinged door at the front while the rear one slides open instead.

Production readiness: 7/10. We are guessing that the car is still one or two years away given how Mini has teased us with assorted versions of the Traveller concept at various motor shows before giving us the real deal i.e. the Clubman.

Volkswagen Golf GTI concept

What it is: You are essentially looking at the production version of the sixth generation Golf GTI albeit in “concept” guise. Powering the GTI concept is a 2.0-litre TSI engine developing 210bhp – a gain of 10bhp over the 200bhp produced by the fifth generation GTI’s 2.0-litre unit. It gets modified strut type front and multi link rear suspension which are adopted from the latest Golf. There are also specially tuned springs, dampers, anti-roll bars and optional Adaptive Chassis Control (ACC) which comprises adjustable pneumatic dampers. With three settings ranging from comfort to normal to sport, the ACC system is able to remap the car’s steering and throttle response.

Production readiness: 10/10. Volkswagen says production of the car will start in early 2009.

2008 Paris Motor Show: World Premieres

Audi S4

It is not hard to guess that Audi’s latest A4 range would get a range topping S variant. Getting its world premiere in Paris and the new S4 (available in both sedan and Avant boystyles) ditches the old car’s 4.2-litre V8 engine and gets a new 333bhp supercharged 3.0-litre V6 engine. Though this new unit is slightly down on power by 6bhp as compared to the old V8 it gains 36Nm more torque. The new S4 sedan gets from 0-100km/h in 5.1 seconds down 0.5 seconds from its predecessor. It gets a new seven-speed S-Tronic dual clutch transmission and an enhanced all-wheel drive system that counters over- or understeer when cornering. To set it apart from standard A4s visually, all S4s get aluminium look wing mirrors, 18-inch alloy wheels and a boot spoiler. Besides showing the racier side of the A4 range with the S4, Audi also unveiled the eco-friendly diesel A4 TDI concept e which gets a fuel consumption figure of 25km/l. It also has a low CO2 output of only 105 grams per km. This highly fuel efficient and low polluting car could see production in the near future.

BMW 7 Series

Developed from a new platform, the new BMW 7 Series sports an exterior design that is an evolution of its predecessor. It will be initially offered with a choice of two petrol powerplants and the option of a short- or long-wheelbase body. It’s slightly larger than the old 7-series with the length growing by 33mm to 5072mm. It is available with two engines at launch, a 407bhp 4.4-litre V8 and a 326bhp 3.0-litre in-line six. Both are twin turbocharged units and all models come equipped with six-speed automatic gearboxes as standard.

Chevrolet Cruze

The Optra Magnum replacement features the brand’s new global design language and a new name. The car will be available with two engine options, a 112bhp 1.6-litre and a 140bhp 1.8-litre. Both these engines are 16-valve units equipped with variable valve timing. Buyers can choose from five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions. Chevrolet is making big claims about the Cruze’s interior quality boasting about the use of grained surfaces, soft-touch materials and low gloss trim panels.

Chevrolet Volt

The Chevrolet Volt is an Extended-Range Electric Vehicle that promises to deliver up to 64 kilometres of driving by running solely on its lithium-ion battery. Forward propulsion comes from a 150bhp electric motor with 370Nm of torque that is powered by a 16 kWh lithium-ion battery. Top speed is 160km/h. It can run solely on electric power for up to 64 kilometres. When the battery’s energy is depleted, a petrol engine (which can also run on E85 – an ethanol petrol blended fuel) kicks in to power the Volt’s electric motor as well as to recharge the battery. This mode of operation extends the range of the Volt for several hundred kilometres. The Volt can also be plugged into either a standard household outlet. The car’s intelligent charging technology enables the battery to be charged in less than three hours.

Citroën C3 Picasso

The funky looking C3 Picasso Multi Purpose Vehicle competes in the segment currently occupied by the Mitsubishi Colt and Opel Meriva. It gets 95bhp and 120bhp versions of the 1.6-litre engine jointly developed by PSA (Citroën’s parent company) and BMW. It boasts a modular layout for the cabin that will allow individuals to optimise the space available in the interior. The split-folding rear seats slide independently which can either enhance legroom at the back or load space in the boot. With the rear seats at the most forward position, there is 500 litres of boot space available. Added storage comes in the form of a twin level boot floor.

Ferrari California

The long awaited Ferrari California made its official debut at the Paris Motor Show. The chassis and bodywork of the car which Ferrari bills as a Grand Tourer are made of aluminium which mirrors the rest of the Prancing Horse range. It will be available exclusively as a convertible with a folding hardtop roof. Tasty details include a newly developed 460bhp 4.3-litre V8 direct injection engine. This unit propels the car from 0-100km/h in less than 4 seconds and is mated to a seven-speed dual clutch transmission. Despite building more than 2,000 of these cars a year, Ferrari has announced that the California has been sold out till 2011.

Ford Ka

Undoubtedly the star of Ford’s stand at Paris, the second generation Ka compact hatchback comes 12 years after the original model. The cheeky looking car which was developed in conjunction with Fiat will be featured in the upcoming 007 James Bond movie Quantum of Solace and will be driven by new Bond girl Olga Kurylenko. Despite sharing the underpinnings, transmissions and engines with the Italian brand’s 500 compact hatchback, Ford has distinguished the Ka externally from the 500 by giving it an exterior design that apes the one on the new Fiesta small hatchback. The cabin also looks different from that of the 500 though many of the switchgear such as the climate control interface and wiper stalks have been borrowed from the Italian car. Only the 69bhp 1.2-litre engine from the 500 is available at launch with the Ka though the 100bhp 1.4-litre could be added to the range soon.

Hyundai i20

Looking very much like its larger i30 small hatchback brethren, the i20 compact hatchback is Hyundai’s replacement for the long in the tooth Getz. At 3940mm, it is larger than the car it replaces which measures in at 3825mm. The i20 comes with three engine options, a 78bhp 1.2-litre, a 100bhp 1.4-litre and 126bhp 1.6-litre. All are available with five-speed manual transmissions with the option of four-speed automatic gearboxes on the 1.4 and 1.6 models. Interior quality has taken a leap over the Getz with the liberal use of soft touch plastics and tight panel gaps. The dashboard is stylish and has plenty of silver accents.

Kia Soul

The Kia Soul has been designed to appeal to the young and young at heart and will be sold in Asia, Europe and the United States. It has a boxy exterior design that blends the looks of a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) and a small hatchback. Despite the car’s SUV looks, it will not be offered with a four-wheel drive system. It is equipped with a 126bhp 1.6-litre engine and this unit is shared with the upcoming Cerato replacement called the Forte.

Lexus IS250C

Long rumoured to be added to Lexus’ IS lineup, the Japanese luxury car maker chose Paris to showcase the IS250C. The two-door convertible version of the IS250 mid-size sedan gets its brethren’s sleek looking front end but gains an awkward looking rear end. This is due to the need to accommodate the three piece aluminium folding roof – Lexus claims it is the fastest three part system in the world at 20 seconds – when it is lowered into the boot. The IS250C shares the same 205bhp 2.5-litre V6 engine and six-speed automatic transmission as the IS250.

Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback

This is essentially a hatchback version of the popular Lancer EX mid-size sedan. Expect the same range of petrol engines and transmissions as its booted brethren when the car makes it way to our shores.

Opel Insignia

The Opel Insignia is the Vectra’s replacement. Available in sedan, hatch and estate bodystyles, the Insignia gets three engine options, a 138bhp 1.8-litre, a 217bhp turbocharged 2.0-litre and a 256 2.8-litre V6. The cabin is a high quality affair with plenty of soft touch surfaces and Opel says that there are new-design seats which are shaped for enhanced crash safety.

Peugeot 308CC

The 308CC inherits styling cues from its 308 hatchback sibling. Key features of the 308 CC are a fully automatic retractable roof that can be raised or lowered in 20 seconds, automatic remote-control locking of interior storage compartments - the glove box and storage under the central armrest, front seats which electrically slide forward improving rear seat access and LED courtesy lighting in the door mirrors. It has a boot capacity of 465 litres with the roof up or 266 litres when the top is folded. Forward propulsion comes from the 1.6-litre turbocharged engine found on the 308 hatchback but with a choice of two different power outputs, 150bhp or 140bhp. The 150bhp version comes with a six-speed manual gearbox while the 140bhp one comes with a four-speed automatic transmission.

Renault Megane

The Renault Megane five-door and three-door hatchbacks were the first in the lineup of six different models to be shown. It is styled using the brand’s current design language which premiered on the Laguna medium size hatchback. And like the larger car, there is a high level of fit and finish for the interior with the use of plenty of quality materials that feel good to the touch. It is powered by a range of 16-valve engines namely a 100bhp 1.6-litre, a 110bhp 1.6-litre, a 140bhp 2.0-litre and a 180bhp turbocharged 2.0-litre. Renault will also introduce the Megane with a new 130bhp turbocharged 1.4-litre engine called TCe 130. This unit was jointly developed with Nissan and will make its debut early next year. Depending on the engine options, transmissions on offer include five- or six-speed manual or automatic gearboxes.

Renault Laguna Coupe

Even sleeker looking than the Laguna mid-size hatch, the Laguna Coupe is a stunner with its elegant exterior design that is heavily influenced by the Fluence concept car that was shown in 2004 at the Louis Vuitton Classic event in England. Though it is built on the same platform and uses the same suspension layout as the hatchback, the Laguna Coupe is slightly shorter, lower and wider, at 4640m long, 1400m high and 1830m wide. For comparison, the exterior dimensions of the hatchback are 4695mm long, 1445mm high and 1811mm wide. In addition to the 2.0-litre normally aspirated and turbocharged engines found on the hatchback lineup, the range topping Laguna Coupe gets a 240bhp 3.5-litre V6. Higher spec versions will also be equipped with the 4Control chassis with four-wheel steering that is found on the range topping Laguna GT hatchback.