Paris Motor Show 2012: Cars of the future

The biennial Paris Motor Show is back in town, and as usual there's a glut of drool-worthy cars and concepts on show.
2010's Paris Motor Show wowed us with some stunning cars - the Lamborghini Sesto Elemento, Audi's new Quattro concept, the Renault DeZir and many others all managed to drop thousands of jaws two years ago.
Paris Motor Show 2012 has been no different thus far, and so we've pulled together a list of our ten favourite cars for your perusal. Scroll on...

Audi Crosslane

1. Audi Crosslane Coupe
This concept from the German auto giants packs a 116bhp electric engine, that claims an all-electric range of 80 miles, alongside a 1.5 litre, 130bhp engine that takes over when the battery runs dry. The Crosslane is in essence a coupe SUV, as it's much smaller and lower than the Audi Q3, whilst being only slightly larger than Audi's 3-door A3 coupe.
Price: TBC | Available: 2015

Ferrari FF

2. Ferrari FF
Ferrari has claimed that all it's new models are around 100bhp more powerful than previously, which is nice. But the main change to the sleek Ferrari FF is an enormous panoramic sun-roof. The special reflective glass is designed to make you feel as though you're driving in the open air, without being cold, wet or any of the other things that we normally associate with open-topped cars.
Price: > $300,000 | Available: 2012

Land Rover Range Rover 4

3. Land Rover Range Rover 4
The fourth-generation of this iconic range is set to take the Land Rover brand into the realms of elite luxury vehicles. Range Rover has added to its box of tricks, and is now capable of doing 0-62mpg in 5.1 seconds, thanks mainly to a new aluminium chassis which has taken 420kg off the SUV's shoulders. Added luxury inside the car means the price has hiked up a bit, but its well worth the cash - the Range Rover is still the world's top SUV.
Price: TBC | Available: 2013

Maserati GranCabrio MC

4. Maserati GranCabrio MC
Yet another beautiful automobile from Maserati. But for once the body isn't the star of the show here, because underneath the sleek exterior this Italian stallion is packing a massive 4.7 litre V8 that generates 454bhp and 384lb ft of torque. The MC is also 5cm longer than the original GranCabrio, and that change combined with a bit of trickery means that the new version is available as a four-seater.
Price: TBC | Available: 2013

McLaren P1

5. McLaren P1
A natural and stylistic successor to the McLaren F1, the P1 has been designed to be 'the best driver's car in the world on road and track'. McLaren hasn't released any specs for the innards of the supercar, but the P1 is lighter than the McLaren MP4-12C and likely to be more powerful, so we wouldn't be against their claims that this will be the 'ultimate supercar'.
Price: TBC ($1.5 million+) | Available: 2013

Mini Paceman

6. Mini Paceman
The Paceman is a 3-door coupe version of the Mini Countryman, with firmer suspension and shock absorbers designed to give it a sportier feel. The entry-level Paceman packs a turbocharged 1.6 litre engine that generates 119bhp, whereas the higher spec S model generates 181bhp, and is considerably nippier with a 0-62mph of 7.5 seconds. Ultimately, there are options for everyone, as the Paceman comes in multiple petrol and diesel customizations and you can have it with front or all-wheel drive.
Price: $28000 | Available: March 2013

Nissan Terra

7. Nissan Terra
Nissan are very much leading the way in eco-friendly car technology, thanks in part to the ingenious Nissan Leaf. The Terra introduces even newer hydrogen fuel-cell technology, which works in tandem with the electric motors installed in each of the rear wheels. Though the styling is reminiscent of the Qashqai, the Terra is proof that Nissan are ready to unleash a new generation of hydrogen-fuelled cars in the near future.
Price: TBC | Available: TBC

Peugeot Onyx

8. Peugeot Onyx
Peugeot are not normally renowned for striking supercar design, but the Onyx is proof that the French manufacturer is capable of stunning a large crowd. The Onyx is based on Peugeot's Le Mans cars and packs a whopping 600bhp, 3.7 litre V8 hybrid, and has comfortably made 180kph in testing. This car is a total one-off of course - with a dashboard made of recycled newspapers, doors made from sheet copper and a stitchless, single-piece, compressed felt passenger compartment, we're not surprised.
Price: TBC | Available: Dream on...

Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo

9. Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo
We'll have to wait four years to see Porsche's latest plans come to fruition, but this hefty, 5-door hybrid ought to be worth the wait. The electric motor gives the Sport Turismo an all-electric range of 18.6 miles, and is supported by a supercharged, 3 litre V6 petrol engine that gives the car a combined 410bhp.
Price: TBC | Available: 2016

Jaguar F-Type

10. Jaguar F-Type
The new Jaguar F-Type is - as the styling suggests - the long-awaited successor to the gorgeous E-Type, and you won't have long to wait to get your hands on one. The coupe is around tow years away, but the convertible model will land in May next year and is available in multiple engine combinations, from an entry-level, 335bhp V6 to a monstrous 488bhp V8 that boasts a 0-60mph of 4.5 seconds and a 186mph top speed.
Price: $90,000 | Available: May 2013

2012 Nissan Extrem compact crossover sports concept

Nissan-This little bundle of bright orange aggression is the Nissan Extrem - a concept for a brand new kind of sporty compact crossover coupe. Designed and built in Brazil, it's just debuted at the 2012 Sao Paulo Motor Show. Seems we guessed mostly right.CJ Hubbard, MSN UK Cars

Nissan-Nissan says the Extrem is a unique new fun-to-drive breed: the urban sports car. It combines rakish looks, clearly influenced by everything from Nissan's GT-R supercar to its Esflow all-electric coupe concept, with a tall, crossover-style stance. Sexy but protective, no? The design team nicknamed it the 'Baby Beast', and calls it an 'urban rally car'.CJ Hubbard, MSN UK Cars

Nissan-While other carmakers have certainly built good looking three-door crossovers - take the BMW X6, Range Rover Evoque and the MINI Paceman to name but three - none of those go quite as far towards sporting coupes as this. It's like a miniature Lamborghini Urus. Sort of.CJ Hubbard, MSN UK Cars

Nissan-The Extrem is quite a bit smaller than the Lambo, though, at less than 3.9m long and 1.8m wide. In fact, it's remarkably similar in size to the other major new crossover concept at the Sao Paulo Motor Show, the Volkswagen Taigun. Slightly different emphasis, however...CJ Hubbard, MSN UK Cars

Nissan-Whereas VW has deliberately chosen to bring us a quite clearly production viable compact crossover, it seems unlikely Nissan is really planning to launch such a jacked-up sports coupe. It's 'strictly a concept' at this stage, but the Japanese firm is king of the SUV niche, so you never know.CJ Hubbard, MSN UK Cars

Nissan-Brazil is a coming global economic power, and has so far ridden out the recession with little difficulty. The Extrem demonstrates Nissan's understanding that there's a new generation of car buyers here looking for affordable individuality - the sporting emphasis an extension of the already hugely popular crossover market.CJ Hubbard, MSN UK Cars

Nissan-Makes you wonder why Nissan doesn't sell the Juke in Brazil already. Given the similarities, the Juke sounds like the ideal starting point for the Extrem, too. But instead the concept is based on the newer Micra platform - perhaps what we're actually looking at here is the Juke 2?CJ Hubbard, MSN UK Cars

Nissan-Nissan hasn't given any performance figures for the Extrem, but says it's powered by the 1.6-litre DIG-T turbo petrol that produces 190hp in the range-topping Juke. Similarly, front-wheel drive and four-wheel versions could be offered, with Torque Vectoring for extra agility on the latter.CJ Hubbard, MSN UK Cars

Nissan-The overlapping surface treatment is supposed to create 'a feeling of layered armoured toughness', but it's the details that really appeal. The Extreme has unusual see-through A-pillars for improved visibility, there's a strut brace in the rear and brightly coloured accents throughout.CJ Hubbard, MSN UK Cars

Nissan-The Extrem rides on 19-inch wheels, is finished in Solar Cortex orange and has a roof that mixes matte and gloss textures in what's described as an 'iconic' Brazilian graphics pattern. Nissan's California-based designers worked very closely with Brazilian designers to make it appropriate for the country. Looks like they succeeded to us.CJ Hubbard, MSN UK Cars

Red Cross goes green with Nissan LEAF

Nissan and Fleet Forum today handed over a 100 percent electric Nissan LEAF car to the World Food Program (WFP) and International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC).

Under the agreement, the two organizations received a Nissan LEAF each for a period of six months. On completion of this period, the cars will be handed back to Nissan. The demonstrator program is designed to let organizations experience the benefits of electric cars and to encourage them to add some to their fleet.
Nissan, together with its Alliance partner Renault, aims to be a global leader in zero-emission mobility.

2012 Nissan Xterra

2012 Nissan Xterra

The Nissan Xterra is a rugged SUV with proper off-road credentials and it looks the part. Big wheel arches, a front scuff plate and a high ground clearance, combined with chunky plastic bumpers and big tyres say that this machine is not afraid of a bit of sand or dirt. A step is built into the rear to allow easy access to the roof rack, which has moveable crossbars for flexible storage options.
The boot features ten clip and hook points in the floor, walls and ceiling, allowing for all manner of gear to be stowed safely. Inside, there’s no fancy soft-touch materials here; rather a raft of wipe-clean plastic surfaces. Available features do make some concessions to luxury and include a six CD changer, Bluetooth phone connectivity and satellite navigation.
If you know your off-roading, then you’ll understand the relevance of a 33-degree approach angle and 29-degree angle of departure. If you don’t, then just rest assured that it means the Xterra can go up and down pretty steep slopes.
Three versions of the Xterra are available for 2010: X, S and SE grades. All three get their power from a 4.0-litre V6 engine, producing 270bhp and attached to a five-speed automatic gearbox or a 6-speed manual that is available as an option on the X and the S variants. The four-wheel drive system can be switched between two and four-wheel power while on the move at speeds of up to 100kph. There’s also a low-ratio option for off-roading. A system called Active Brake Limited Slip (ABLS) helps to maintain traction on slippery surfaces.
Safety features include front, side and curtain airbags as well as ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution and VDC (electronic stability control).
Specifications
Price: AED 100,000 – AED 120,000
Engine
4-litre V6
Max power: 270bhp at 5600rpm
Max torque: 386Nm at 4000rpm
Transmission
5-speed automatic
6-speed manual