BMW fwd concept, VW Golf and new Dacias are among key

BMW fwd concept, VW Golf and newDacias are among key debuts in Paris

Key Paris debuts include (from left) the BMW Concept Activity Tourer, the Peugeot Onyx concept and VW Golf.

Cars that will be important players in the marketplace will beamong the debuts at the Paris auto show.

These include the Volkswagen Golf, Europe's best-selling car,and the Renault Clio, the French automaker's best-sellingEuropean model.

The spotlight will also be on BMW as the company unveils aconcept car based on its new front-wheel-drive platform,which may eventually underpin up to nine smaller BMWmodels and the future Mini range.

An important debut for Ford is the mid-sized Mondeo, whileGeneral Motors Co.'s Opel and Chevrolet brands launchproducts in growth segments. Opel debuts the Adam minicarand Chevrolet showcases the Trax crossover, a sister model tothe U.S. market Buick Encore.

French automakers will debut bread-and butter models, suchas the new Logan and Sandero cars from Renault's low-costDacia range, alongside glamorous show cars such as thePeugeot Onyx supercar concept.

AUDI

Audi will unveil the Crosslane Coupeconcept, which hints at the brand'slatest styling direction. The study alsopreviews a small SUV called the Q2 setto launch in 2014 as the smallestmember of the Q family of SUV/crossovers. The Q2 would be apotential rival to the Mini Countryman.The brand will also debut the A3Sportback and a convertible version ofthe RS 5 Coupe. The five-door A3

Sportback follows the recent marketlaunch of the A3 three-door. The A3 isthe first Volkswagen Group carunderpinned by the company''s newMQB architecture that will be used on40 different models by the Audi, VW,Skoda and Seat.

BMW

BMW's Concept Active Tourer previewsa car that is likely to go on sale as arival to the Mercedes-Benz B class.BMW said the concept shows a vehicle

that will be attractive to families whoneed a functional and versatile vehiclewith lots of room and a high seatingposition. The concept is a plug-inhybrid powered by a 195-hp, 1.5-litergasoline engine and an electric motor.The fwd platform, known internally asUKD, will underpin up to nine modelsfor the BMW and Mini brands. It is akey part of the automaker's goal ofboosting annual sales to 2 million by2020 from 1.67 million last year.

September 2012Volume 01 | Issue 07AUTOMAKERS

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CHEVROLET

ChevChevrrolet Tolet Trraxax

The Chevrolet Trax will be the brand'sfirst entry in the growing subcompactSUV/crossover segment. It is a sistermodel to the Opel Mokka and BuickEncore. The five-seat Trax will beoffered in Europe with a choice of 1.4-and 1.6-liter turbocharged gasolineengines or a 1.7-liter turbochargeddiesel. All-wheel drive is an option. TheTrax launches in Europe early next year.It will be sold in 140 countries but notthe United States.

CITROEN

CitrCitroen DS3 Cabroen DS3 Cabrioio

Citroen showcases its upscale DS linewith the DS3 Cabrio and will alsounveils the C-Elysee and the C4 Lsedan, two cars that are part of thebrand's international growth strategy.The DS3 Cabrio is based on the DS3subcompact launched two years ago.Citroen launched its DS line with theDS3 in 2010, followed a year later bythe DS4 and the DS5 last November.The DS line represented 15 percent ofthe brand's sales in Europe in the first

half, as well as 10 percent of Citroen'sglobal sales. With the C-Elysee and theC4 L sedans, Citroen aims to boostsales in high-growth internationalmarkets such as the Mediterraneanbasin, China and Russia.

DACIA

Dacia SanderDacia Sandero (top) and Lo (top) and Loganogan

New versions of the Logan sedan andSandero hatchback debut with a freshdesign that parent Renault hopes willwiden the appeal of the cars. They willbe the first Dacias with the brand's newstyling that aims for leaner and crisperhorizontal lines, closer to Scandinaviandesign. They be offered with enginesthat are more fuel efficient than thoseon the current cars, including Renault'snew 900cc gasoline engine and a four-cylinder 1.2-liter turbocharged gasolineengine. Renault will apply the styling toall the models underpinned by its M0entry-level platform to create a visualbrand identity for Dacia and the M0program. Renault aims to sell morethan 1 million cars this year based onthe low-cost M0 platform, includingmodels such as the Logan, Sandero,Duster SUV and Lodgy minivan.

FIAT

Fiat unveils the new-generation Panda4x4 with two new engine versions: an85-hp, 900cc TwinAir turbochargedgasoline powerplant with 40 percentmore torque than the engine it replacesand a 75-hp, 1.3-liter diesel with

torque increased by 30 percent. Thefront-wheel-drive Panda also gets twonew models - a Natural Power versionequipped with 900c TwinAir enginemodified to run on gasoline andmethane and the Trekking model witha traction control system.

FORD

FForord Mondeod Mondeo

Ford says the new Mondeo, itsEuropean flagship, is the most premiumversion of the midsized car that it hasbuilt to date. It will also be moreeconomical to drive than the outgoingmodel with powertrain choices thatinclude the automaker's newdownsized 1.0-liter gasoline engine,which Ford says is a first in the midsizedsegment, and a hybrid variant. TheMondeo is a sister model to the Fusionin the United States. In Europe, theMondeo will have five-door hatchback,wagon and sedan versions and agasoline-hybrid sedan variant. TheMondeo will go on sale next autumn.

HYUNDAI

HyHyundai i30 thrundai i30 three-dooree-door

With the three-door version of the i30compact car, Hyundai continues aEuropean product offensive that has




made larger rivals nervous. Theautomaker aims to attract moreyounger buyers to the brand with thei30 three-door. The car has a sportierlook than the five-door version withlonger doors, a sharply-raked beltlineand a more angular silhouette. Hyundaiexpects the three-door to account for10 percent of 120,000 annual sales ofthe i30 in Europe.

JAGUAR

Jaguar FJaguar F-T-Tyypepe

The F-Type two-seater heralds thebrand's return to its sporting traditionafter decades spent focusing on luxurysedans. The F-Type will launch as aconvertible next spring and a coupeversion is expected to follow around 12months later. With the rear-wheel-driveF-Type, Jaguar aims to win newcustomers, especially younger buyers.The car will be the brand's fourth andsmallest model, joining the XJ luxurysedan, the mid-range XF sports sedanand the XK four-seat convertible andcoupe.

KIA

Kia CarKia Carensens

Kia hopes an attractive design androomy interior will make the slow-

selling Carens a tougher competitor toEuropean minivans such as the RenaultScenic, Ford C-Max and VolkswagenTouran. The new Carens has a lowerroofline and longer wheelbase to givethe vehicle a sleeker look and moreinterior room. The Carens will replaceboth the outgoing model and thelarger Carnival/Sedona minivan when itgoes on sale across Europe next spring.Kia will also debut the three-doorvariant of it latest Cee'd compact car.Called the Pro_Ceed, the car has asportier look than the five-door andwagon variants already on sale.

LAND ROVER

LLand Rand Rovover Rer Range Range Rovoverer

Land Rover says the new Range Roverwill match the refinement of luxurysedans. High-end versions are likely tochallenge upcoming super luxury SUVsfrom Maserati and Bentley. The RangeRover arrives in showrooms toward theend of next year.

LEXUS

LLexus LFexus LF-CC-CC

With the LF-CC coupe-cabrioletconcept, Lexus hopes to draw attentionaway from its German premium rivals.

The concept further develops thebrand's fresh styling direction calledLexus Finessse that was seen on the LF-LC coupe concept at the Detroit autoshow in January. The LF-CC featuresthe brand's new mesh-patterned grillwhile the bodywork has sharp, sculptedangles and elegant curves.

MAZDA

The Mazda6 station wagon will debutin Paris after the automaker unveiledthe sedan version at the Moscow autoshow in August. Both models will offerin Europe the automaker's new 2.2-literEuro6-compliant diesel engine, as wellas a 2.0-liter gasoline unit.

MERCEDES-BENZ

The Mercedes CLS Shooting Brake. astation wagon variant of the brand'scoupe-styled, four-door CLS, gets itsauto show debut. Mercedes willpreview its new S class with a sculpturecalled Aesthetics S.

MINI

Mini PMini Pacemanaceman

BMW continues to expand the lineupof its UK-based Mini brand with thePaceman. The two-door is a sportierversion of the Countryman crossoverintroduced last year. It will go on saleearly next year as Mini's seventh model.The Paceman has almost identical frontstyling to the Countryman butoverturns a Mini tradition by usinghorizontal rear lights instead of verticallights.




NISSAN

Nissan TNissan Tererrraa

Nissan said its Terra concept car showsthat the company is ready to mass-produce fuel cell electric vehicleswhenever hydrogen becomes widelyavailable. The Terra is a compact SUVpowered by a hydrogen fuel celllocated under the hood.

OPEL

Opel AdamOpel Adam

Opel/Vauxhall's big unveil is the Adamminicar, which is planned as a rival tocars such as the Fiat 500 and Mini. TheAdam will have connectivity featuresand personalization options aimed atattracting young, Web-savvy buyers. Itwill be positioned below the Corsasubcompact and will sit alongside theAgila small minivan, but the Adam willhave a premium price compared withthese models. The Adam will be thefirst Opel to use new gasoline engineswith displacements of 1.0 to 1.4 litersdeveloped by parent General Motorswith Chinese partner SAIC. It will arrivein showrooms in early 2013.

PEUGEOT

PPeugeot 2008eugeot 2008

Peugeot will unveil the Onyx hybridsupercar concept, as well as the 2008Concept and the production 301sedan. The Onyx has a carbon fiberbody shell and is powered by a 600-hp,3.7-liter V8 engine. The 2008 Conceptpreviews the brand's upcomingsubcompact SUV/crossover. Theproduction model will go on sale earlynext year and will compete withvehicles such as the Opel Mokka andNissan Juke in a fast-growing marketniche. The 301 four-door compactsedan, a sister model the Citroen C-Elysee, is targeted at buyers in globalgrowth markets.

PORSCHE

A station wagon variant of thePanamera sedan will be on display inParis as a concept. Porsche will alsounveil the fifth generation of the all-wheel-drive 911 Carrera 4.

RENAULT

RRenault Clioenault Clio

Renault will debut three variants of itsnew Clio: a hatchback, a sporty RSversion and a wagon. The Clio isRenault's No. 1 seller in Europe and ithas been give a fresh design and fuel-

efficient engines. The Clio will be thefirst Renault model to get a new 90-hp,three-cylinder, 900cc turbochargedgasoline engine that delivers theperformance of a normally aspirated1.4-liter powerplant, according to theautomaker. Coupled with a stop-startsystem, it has fuel economy of 4.3 litersper 100km and CO2 emissions of 99grams per kilometer. The Clio's mostfrugal engine will be a 90-hp 1.5-literdiesel with fuel economy of 3.2l/100km and CO2 emissions of 83g/km.The Clio will be offered only as a five-door model but it Renault design headLaurens van den Acker has given it thesporty look of a three-door car.

SEAT/ SKODA

Seat LSeat Leoneon

Skoda and Seat debut sister modelsaimed at budget-conscious buyers: theSkoda Rapid and the Seat Toledo. Thecars will be built at Skoda's factory inMlada Boleslav, near Prague. TheToledo revives a model that Seatstopped making in 2009 because ofslow sales. Both cars have sedan bodystyles with large trunks and wide-opening rear hatches for easy loading.The Toledo will be launched initially inSpain and Portugal in mid-November.Sales will follow soon after in otherEuropean markets. Skoda's Rapid willgo on sale in Europe in October. Thecar will slot between the Fabiasubcompact and the larger Octavia. Acrucial Paris debut for Seat is the latestLeon. Like the new Volkswagen Golf,the Leon is underpinned by VW




Group's new mqb architecture. TheLeon is slightly shorter than the Toledobut will cost about 2,000 euros morebecause it is more upscale.

SMART

Smart's ForStars two-seat, electric-powered concept previews the stylingof the brand's new ForTwo and ForFourmodels. The ForStars also hints at whatSmart describes as a new crossovercoupe model that may be produced.

SUZUKI

The S-Cross compact crossover conceptoffers a preview of the replacement forthe SX4, Suzuki's second best-seller inEurope after the Swift hatchback.

TOYOTA

TToyoyota Aurota Aurisis

Toyota will unveil hatchback and stationwagon variants of the automaker'slatest Auris compact car. Both variantswill be offered with gasoline-electrichybrid powertrains, alongside gasolineand diesel versions. Toyota expects athird of Auris sales to be hybrid

versions, another third to be gasolinevariants and a third to be diesels. TheAuris will arrive in showrooms earlynext year with the wagon launching inthe second half. Toyota stopped sellinga compact wagon when the Corollawas replaced in Europe by the Auris in2006. The company said that wagonsnow make up 25 percent of compactcar sales in Europe. Toyota will alsoshow in Paris a revamped version of itsVerso minivan, which seats up sevenand competes with vehicles such as theFord C-Max.

VOLKSWAGEN

VVW GolfW Golf

Volkswagen has given the Golf anextensive upgrade to help the modelremain Europe's top-selling car. Thelatest Golf has a sleeker design and ismore fuel efficient, roomier and betterequipped than the current car. Newsafety and assistance systems include amulti-collision braking system thatautomatically brakes the car to a stopwhen it is involved in a crash to helpavoid a second impact with oncomingtraffic. Also offered is proactive

accident protection (Pre-Safe), adaptivecruise control that includes anemergency braking function designedto operate at city speeds to avoid low-speed impacts, lane-keeping assistant,driver-fatigue detection, traffic-signrecognition, the latest generation ofautomatic parking systems andautomated light functions. VW CEOMartin Winterkorn says the seventh-generation model is "the best and thegreenest Golf ever." The new Golf willgo on sale in Europe in November andwill arrive in showrooms in the UnitedStates in 2014.

VOLVO

Volvo will debut the V40 CrossCountry, a crossover version of the V40compact hatchback. The V40 CrossCountry has 40mm higher groundclearance than the V40 and offers all-wheel-drive. The automaker said itexpects to sell 17,000 units a year ofthe V40 Cross Country. Half of thosesales will be in Europe and 30 percentin China, Volvo said. The car startsproduction in Ghent, Belgium, inNovember. The model will not be soldin the United States.

Compiled by Paul McVeigh withcontributions from Luca Ciferri, WimOude Weernink, Nick Gibbs, BertrandGay, Bruce Gain, David Jolly andDouglas A. Bolduc




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BMW fwd concept, VW Golf and new Dacias are among key