Paris Motor Show 2018 highlights

Only 499 people will get to own one of a brace of new Ferraris showing at Paris, the SP1 and the SP2, writes Brian Byrne. The difference is in the names, a single-seater and a 2-seater. With carbon fibre bodies, there will be neither roof nor windscreen, so owners will have to use goggles as did many owners of the very open Barchetta models of the 1950s, to which the latest cars' styling is tipping hats (if they had hats).

The 6.5 litre V12 motors offer a 100km/h sprint in under 3s. Price is said to be around €1.5m each ... which answers the 'only 499?' question.


Skoda's big thing at Paris is the Kodiaq RS, which will arrive in Ireland in December. With a 240hp 2.0 diesel, it is AWD and has a dual clutch autobox as standard.

In its usual concept nomenclature, Skoda is showing the Vision RS which previews a new hot hatch from the company, in this presentation powered by a 150hp 1.5 petrol with an electric hybrid offering another 100hp of lift. Skoda operates to the principle of 'build it and they will come'. They will.

And the Karoq Scout gives AWD, a petrol and a pair of diesels, and a standard digital dashboard system.



As well flagged, the Toyota Auris is no more and the Corolla has regained its hatchback in Europe under its original name. The car is on show along with its very sleek Tourer stablemate. Power is from a 2.0 petrol hybrid.

The Camry hybrid which I drove earlier this year is also on stand, marking the nameplate's return to Europe after a 14 years absence because there was no diesel. There's still no diesel, but the climate of buyer opinion has changed, and the 2.5 hybrid powertrain should attract.

The fifth generation RAV4 is on a new platform for the model, and there's not going to be a diesel either, as it debuts its hybrid option instead.

And finally, building on the motorsport visibility of Toyota in the WRC, the Yaris GR Sport gets a styling package and special suspension, as well as a 1.5 petrol hybrid engine.

With the new Ceed well launched earlier this year, Kia is waving its stylistic flag at Paris with the new ProCeed, now a 5-door and so-called 'shooting brake' format. There's also a GT version, and a Ceed GT too, and a European debut for the e-Niro all-electric crossover which will go on sale in Ireland next year.

The Ceed GT has a turbocharged 1.6 gasoline direct injection engine, and will be available with a 7-speed dual clutch autobox as well as 6-speed manual when it goes on sale next year.

The e-Niro will be offered with two sizes of battery, one offering over 300km of range on a charge, the other up to 485km.

It has been a long time coming, but Mercedes-Benz has debuted its first production electric car under its EQ branding.

Not due to go on sale until next year, the EQC has an electric motor on each axle which combined offer more than 400hp and a massive 765Nm of torque. The company is claiming 400km of range.

Quite dramatically styled up front, the vehicle has very distinctive rear too, which will be unmistakeable in the growing posse of medium SUVs. It will compete with Jaguar's I-Pace and Audi's upcoming e-tron.

Mercedes is also showing its brand new B-Class, one of the few compact MPVs which hasn't been transformed into an SUV — though it is given the Sport Tourer description that pulls it away from being a mere people carrier. It comes with semi-autonomous technology dowloaded from the S-Class. The external style is muted, but inside it is all funky mood colour and digital.

And the new GLE that was revealed last month also has a pride of place, in this instance with a 365hp 3.0 hybrid powertrain and a 9-speed autobox.

This EZ-Ultimo concept from Renault is part of that company's vision of the limo of the future. Clearly this version doesn't drive anywhere, but anything that results in a production version will be targeted at applications such as premium trips for tourists in exotic locations. Autonomous, connected, luxurious and electric, why would anyone want to bother going home?

Renault has also refreshed its Kadjar SUV, giving it new headlamps and a snappier grille, and inside some tweaks that include a new brighter touchscreen. Engines are 140hp and 160hp petrols, and two diesels in 1,5 and 1.7 capacities.

Meanwhile, Renault will be halving the number of diesel models in the next few years, with CEO Carlos Ghosn saying at Paris that it is 'the end of the [diesel] game'. The company is shifting to petrol hybrid, with hybrid versions of its Clio, Captur and Megane coming down the road from 2020, including plug-in versions of those latter.



The new DS3 Crossback is the PSA luxury brand's compact SUV, which replaces the DS3 hatchback. It's longer, built on the group's new modular platform, and provides a very premium feel inside. A 100hp diesel and petrols with 130hp and 150hp will be on offer, and a fully electric one too.

This is Peugeot's e-Legend at the Paris Motor Show, which the company describes as its 'vision for the future'. In particular for a future where the car does most of the driving. There are four modes in this concept, ranging from Soft to Boost, each of which changes the interior environment of the car as well as levels of driver involvement. It's electric powered, or course, and 4WD.

Peugeot is also showing its 508 SW hybrid version of the latest iteration of this model, which was sneak-previewed at the National Ploughing Championships. The new 508 will be in dealerships here before the end of the year.


The new BMW 3 Series debuts today, along with the new generation Z4.

The new 3 Series will arrive in Ireland in March 2019. The seventh version since 1975, it has a wider track and longer wheelbase, and the aerodynamics have been improved as well as weight shed. Longer and taller, the style also offers much more presence, and the car features a new digital dashboard. Engines at launch include 190hp diesel and 258hp petrol. There will be a 330e PHEV.

A new i3s is also debuting, with an extended range and other changes.

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