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

2013 Cadillac ATS launched in the Middle East

The 2013 Cadillac ATS has been launched in the Middle East. The all new car marks a significant step for the American luxury car maker in its quest to increase Cadillac's global foot print. With an all new entry level luxury car, Cadillac is setting its sight on a new, younger audience base.
Two engines are being offered at launch - a 2.5 liter 202 horsepower inline 4 cylinder unit and a more powerful 3.6 liter V6, that can crank out 321 horsepower. The V6 unit is also seen in the Cadillac SRX and CTS.
The rear wheel drive 2013 Cadillac ATS is squarely aimed at the global segment leader, the 3 Series from BMW.
Prices for fully loaded versions of the 2013 Cadillac ATS stand at AED135,000 for the 2.5 liter version. The more powerful 3.6 liter engine powered car is cometatively priced at AED175,000.

2013 Cadillac ATS

2013 Honda Civic first images released

The highly anticipated refreshed model of the ninth-generation Honda Civic is finally here. Honda has revealed the first look of the 2013 Honda Civic Sedan in advance of its debut at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show on November 29.
The vast majority of updates for the 2013 Honda Civic are only skin-deep and Honda says that the Civic has been 'honed to make the segment's best-selling car even better.' Up front there is a new open-mouth lower bumper with a horizontal chrome accent and a sportier, black honeycomb mesh grille anchored by new integrated fog lights on upper trims. The grille is flanked by new clear-lens corner lights to provide a better look. The more sculpted front end flows into a new, more deeply faceted hood, complemented by a collection of sharp new wheel designs.

 n the back, a new rear bumper design and new rear trunk lid are capped by a clean, horizontal chrome trim piece. The all-new design of the jewel-like taillights now carries into the trunk face, providing a more upscale look. The rear bumper features integrated reflector treatments and a new lower diffuser panel finished with a honeycomb mesh vent. A host of new alloy wheels will also be offered.
Honda has not yet revealed any other details regarding the aforementioned 'safety, feature, comfort, chassis and interior styling enhancements' or even the mechanical changes that will round-out the 2013 Honda Civic. We certainly do hope there is more to offer as far as engine, chassis and suspension set-up is concerned.

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

Porsche Panamera Platinum Edition to go on sale early next year

Starting next year Porsche is adding a new model to the already very long Panamera line-up, the Panamera Platinum Edition. The 2013 Porsche Panamera Platinum goes on sale on January 5 in western markets, and it is only offered on the V6 models.

In terms of visual appearance, the Platinum Edition gets unique platinum silver metallic inserts on the lower grille(designed specifically for the turbo model), rear diffuser, trunk lid and on the lower half of the side view mirrors for a subtle differentiation from the base Panamera.  The interior gets a few styling upgrades as well with the new black/luxor beige two-tone combination running throughout the cabin. A partial-leather interior package comes as standard, with a full leather package available. You get a sports design steering wheel and the distinctive Porsche crest on the front and rear headrests as well as the insignia 'Platinum Edition' on the front door trim strips.

Many options are now standard equipment with the Panamera Platinum Edition justifying the higher price tag as well ($4000 over the base Panamera V6) . These include the Bi-Xenon with Porsche Dynamic Lighting System (PDLS) main headlights, parking assist front and rear, 19-inch Turbo alloy wheels, the Bose Audio system and heated seats for all four passengers.
The base price for the Panamera Platinum Edition will be $80,500  and for the Panamera 4 Platinum Edition will be $84,600. We expect to see these new Panameras hitting Middle Eastern roads by the middle of next year.

Men prefer wheels over heels’ says Peugeot

In a survey organized by Peugeot that involved 2,000 people in Britain, the brand concluded that Brits have a deep affection for the motor car and British men admit that they find their partner more difficult to maintain than their car.
Keen observations were as follows:

• 50% of men find their partner is more difficult to maintain than their car
• 10% of men confess to being more captivated with their cars’ alluring curves than their partners.
• 17% of Brits spend more on their car than their other half
• 13% of respondents have been with their car longer than their partner
• 14% of people think a sporty car will help them get the girl or boy of their dreams
• The biggest proportion of people who think their car is better looking than their partner, are aged 45-54 (14%). (Not surprising!)
• 18-24 year olds are more likely to have more meaningful relationships with their wheels rather than their partners
• A fifth of 25-34 year olds are more likely to regret losing their car rather than being dumped.

We at AutoMiddleEast.com think why Peugeot spent so much time, money effort on proving long known fact. This is old news!

 

2013 BMW M7 on the cards

The 2013 BMW M7 will come with rear wheel drive or all-wheel drive options.

Although the new 7 Series gets cosmetic changes and new engines, a new 2013 BMW M7 is in the offerings too. For those who can't seem to get enough from the likes of Audi S8, AMG version of the popular Mercedes S-Class or even BMW's own 760Li  riding on a V12 engine (which at best is only fast in a straight line), the 2013 BMW M7  may offer a fresh breath of air.

BMW has gone as far as registering the M7 badge as a trademark, which seems to be contradictory to popular belief that the BMW 7-Series is too much of a luxury car to wear a full M badge.

The 2013 BMW M7, akin to M division traits, will not be radically different visually. A 4.4 liter V8 with twin turbo chargers sits lurks under the bonnet, waiting to be unleashed. Propulsion will come from rear set of wheels. A four wheel drive version will be optional.

No word on how hard this will hit your wallet has been put out as yet. Stay tuned to AutoMiddleEast.com for more.

Word also goes that a hybrid 7 Series may also be coming soon. Powered by a combination of a turbo charged four cylinder N20B20 motor and an electric motor, the hybrid powertrain will produce power in excess of 245 horsepower. The hybrid car will be environmentally friendly with much lower emission levels.