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.