As the 2016 Paris International Auto Shows draws closer, Motoring World’s General Editor, EFULA ABBAH peeps through the veils of time and found out that more and more important automotive manufacturing giants are considering and concluding plans to boycott the French’s most glamorous event.
[dropcap]A[/dropcap]s the Paris Auto show gets closer by the tick of time, the fever is gathering momentum, with renowned world Auto show participants already keying into the anticipation.
Auto analysts and followers of the glamorous motoring show are also making permutations and asserting possibilities.
While some think that the new Ferrari Lusso may be one of the major highlight of the Paris Auto Show, other optimists believe there may be further talk about the automakers skipping the Paris auto show, this week.
Ford, Mazda, Volvo, Lamborghini, Rolls-Royce and others will skip the show, a move that would have been unprecedented in the past.
In a development sure to shock cities where the top global auto shows pull millions of visitors and thousands of executives and journalists, those car companies decided they could get more attention by introducing their new vehicles outside the century-old setting of a top auto show.
Alternatives range from private events to impress customers to focusing on mega-shows that attract the most press coverage, but despite that, the Paris auto show will have plenty for car fans.
Volkswagen Group brands are certain to showcase a couple of electric vehicles as Volkswagen tries to rebuild its image after the diesel emissions saga. Reports emerging from Mercedes-Benz reveal that the company could unveil a pickup, but it is believed that the new E-Class will likely be its major parade.
General Motors’ Opel brand is already looking forward to unveil the Ampera-e electric car, which is essentially the new Chevrolet Bolt with naturalized German citizenship. The Ampera-e got massive attention in Europe, when Opel announced it would cover 400 km (249.5 miles) on a single battery charge at a lower price than competitors like Tesla.
The Apera-e’s range is slightly longer than the Bolt claims because Europe and the U.S. use different standards to test EV range.
Volkswagen begins its own EV assault with a still-secret compact model expected to go into production in 2018 or ’19. Like the Ampera-e/Bolt, it will use a new architecture developed specifically for electric vehicles. VW is aiming for a range of 250 to 380 miles.
VW’s Porsche brand will unveil its Panamera plug-in hybrid. The big luxury hatchback will have a range of 31 miles and top battery-powered speed of 86 mph when driven by its gasoline engine, the Panamera hybrid will hit 60 mph in 4.4 seconds and have a top speed of 172 mph.
French automaker Citroen hopes to cash in on some of the plug-in hybrid excitement with its Cxperience concept car. It’s a low-slung sedan with rear suicide doors and a very short rear deck.
Also from the small department of exciting four-door luxury hatchbacks, Ferrari will be unveilingthe GTC4Lusso, the brand’s first four-seat car powered by a V-8 turbocharged engine. The 3.9-liter engine produces 602 horsepower. The rear-wheel drive GTC Lusso has a 46/54 front to rear weight distribution.
Lexus will also continue to explore new SUV ideas with its UX concept vehicle, a subcompact that could use the same architecture as the upcoming Toyota C-HR. Lexus’ European design center styled the four-door UX, which has cameras instead of side mirrors.
Land Rover’s Innovation will aim to combine space and fuel economy, thanks to the brand’s new 2-liter diesel. The seven-passenger SUV shares its aluminium-intensive architecture with the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport. The vehicle will also make good its plan to drop the LR4 name in favour of discovery in the U.S.
As the countdown continues, Paris expo Porte de Versailles is certain to host one of Europe’s most glamorous auto showcases of vehicles and indeed world’s biggest motor show as never before.
