The Mondial de l’Automobile ‘If cities have sexes, then New York is metro-sexual, London a man, but Paris is a woman. And a beautiful one at that.’ Ooh-la-la, Paris. Everything is designed for intimacy, from the sound of rain outside the window, to the shared experience of the seemingly endless, noble architecture. Here in Paris, you can’t escape the past, yet what’s so endearing is that the past and present intermingle so seamlessly, that it doesn’t seem to encumber you. The City of Light has inspired lovers, artists and poets for centuries, with its air of romance, majestic art and its venerated cafe culture. I flew to Paris to continue my life-long love affair with the city and was immediately reminded that Paris would take several lifetimes to discover. Yet I had four days to explore the city, two of which were to be spent at that ‘Other Paris Fashion Show’, where supreme mechanical artistry reins - The Mondial de l’Automobile, or Paris Motor Show. The halls were packed with lavish stands, all hosting the best new production and concept cars that manufacturers could muster. These are amongst, the most significant models to look forward to in South Africa in 2015. For some, cars like the Bentley Mulsanne are an opulent and ostentatious display of wealth – even a cry for attention. For others, and I include myself here, they are a thing of beauty and craftsmanship of a bygone era. Yet they have a sustainable future; they are cleaner, more frugal, safer and faster than ever and therefore are worthy machines to covet. >
Bentley Mulsanne Speed
I did get to spend a week with the Mulsanne in London, but now, I have been trumped. The magnificent Bentley Boys unveiled their 4-door performance flagship Mulsanne Speed in Paris, combining imposing appearance with more than enough substance to support its style. This is one of the most dynamic, most exquisite automotive creations I’ve ever seen, and is the fastest ultra-luxury driving experience in the world. Wolfgang Dürheimer, Chairman and CEO of Bentley Motors, summed it up: “We are the choice of many high achievers, independent thinkers, world leaders and Royal Families around the world.”
Jaguar XE Jaguar has a rich history of producing stunning, seductive, aerodynamically efficient cars, so what’s the new XE all about? Sitting below the XF and XJ model lines, this is a hugely significant car for the British brand, and they expect big things from it in terms of sales impact. Pure and purposeful, it’s instantly recognisable as a Jaguar and it will do battle in the most hotly contested compact executive car market - where the likes of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series habitually rule. Underpinned by a first-in-class aluminium-intensive monocoque, this dynamic rear-drive is the smallest, lightest and stiffest and most efficient Jaguar ever, so this car is a big deal. Dr Mike Bell, Jaguar’s Global Connected Car Director says the car have been designed and developed from scratch. “We’re introducing an entire suite of cutting-edge driver aids and entertainment systems in the XE, making every journey simpler, more relaxing, safer, and effortlessly enjoyable”. Ian Callum, Jaguar Director of Design says great proportions and a dynamic, edgy feel are at the core of Jaguar design. “We wanted to create a strong sense of movement, and have given the XE a dynamic and purposeful look that is without compromise. Sleek, low, coupe-like exterior proportions combine with an efficient package. ” The XE is the first model designed using Jaguar’s all-new modular vehicle architecture, which will underpin a range of different models in a number of different segments, so clearly we can expect a number of new cars from Jaguar. Some of the most impressive functions on the new Jaguar XE are Torque Vectoring - proven on the F-TYPE Coupé and now standard on the XE – which will mitigate any understeer by subtlety braking individual wheels to help keep the car on line through bends.
Joining the Mulsanne Speed at the Paris Show was Bentley’s fourdoor sedan - the Flying Spur - and two dynamic Grand Tourers, the Continental GT V8 S and the GT Speed. The brand seems to have taken heed of the preferences of their customers and it’s that approach that has made Bentley one of the most sought after ultra-luxury car brands in the world. Wolfgang Dürheimer, Chairman and CEO of Bentley Motors, commented: “We are the choice of many high achievers, independent thinkers, world leaders and Royal Families around the world.” These cars are the perfect place for work or relaxation on the move.
Mercedes-AMG GT The stunning Mercedes-Benz stand was bristling with head-turning cars, like the new Mercedes-AMG C63 and the Mercedes-AMG GT Edition 1. It’s difficult to cause a sensation at the Paris Motor Show, but the GT certainly grabbed its share of media attention. The AMG GT’s frameless doors and arched roofline swoop into sculpted tapering profiles, making the car look stunningly fast even at standstill. This simply screams fun and speed. Developed entirely in-house by AMG, this car flies in the same rarified jet stream as the Porsche 911 and the Jaguar F-Type. Heritage is honoured through its charismatic muscular contouring – steeped in the legend of Juan Manuel Fangio’s 1954 Mercedes W196 F1 Silver Arrow - yet completely focused on the here and now. Inside the GT’s cabin, the surprisingly spacious interior is accented by multiple trim options like high-gloss or matte carbon fibre, silver chrome and black diamond. Think fighter jet more than leather armchair. More like the F1 world constructors’ championship winning MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula One, only far more accessible.
Jaguar is launching the new XE with Ingenium – a new family of fourand six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines mated to 6-speed manual and 8-speed automatic transmissions to position the XE as a serious drivers’ car. Running costs will be much lower than any other Jaguar in the past, happily. XE goes on sale in South Africa later in 2015, and local prices have yet to be announced. In England, the 2.0-litre diesel starts at £29,775 (That’s R535,950 based on R18.00 to the pound sterling), but helterskelter currency fluctuations and taxes may well massage that figure upwards somewhat.
Jaguar XE
Mazda MX-5 After 25 years and almost a million sales worldwide, the world’s most popular roadster has a great new look. Now in its fourth-generation, this drop top has shed over 100kg and features the same Kodo design language as the pretty Mazda 3 and Mazda 6, but with an added swathe of aggression, with edgy cascading lines and flared sheet-metal. Slender LED headlights pause under its flourishing front haunches giving the car a prominent front end. The new MX-5 follows the High Fat Low Carb automotive diet, bucking the trend of so many cars becoming bloated and heavier, this is the smallest MX-5 ever. Inside, it looks much like the Mazda 3, which is no bad thing, because it’s a beautifully finished and driver-focused cabin. The bonnet has been lowered, and the delicate A-pillars and windscreen have been moved back to give a better view of the road ahead. SKYACTIV technology lowers the centre of gravity and lightweight but rigid suspension improves handling, whilst 97kW 1.5-litre and 123kW 2.0-litre petrol engines mate with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard. An auto is available as an option.
Land Rover Discovery Sport One of the darlings of the assembled world’s media in Paris was the new Land Rover Discovery Sport – claimed to be the world’s most versatile and capable premium compact SUV - with class-leading versatility and optional 5+2 seating within a footprint no larger than existing 5-seat premium SUVs. This is the first member of the new Discovery family. “Our challenge has been to combine premium design with exceptional versatility; the two attributes must work in harmony,” said Land Rover’s Gerry McGovern. (See side bar) “I’m proud to say we’ve achieved that; Discovery Sport’s dynamic design will resonate on an emotional level with consumers, and this vehicle is more versatile than any other premium compact SUV on the market.” Inside, high-quality materials abound, as well as up to four 12V powerpoints and six USB charging sockets for all three rows of seating. Supple,
Lamborghini Asterion Asterion is the proper name of Minotaur - part man, part bull. Fusing intellect and instinct, Lamborghini's car-mad boffins at Sant'Agata call this new plug-in hybrid concept car a ‘technology demonstrator’. Ahem, it’s more than that - it is a stunning 676kW hybrid that lights the path for supercars of the future! The design language is completely different to current Aventador’s and Huracán’s, but it’s what this car actually does that is completely spellbinding. Legislation has forced supercar brands to embrace turbo charging, fuel cell and plug-in hybrids as the way forward. Customers are far more aware and vocal about huge, thirsty, dirty cars and Lamborghini’s plutocratic buyers want cleaner, socially acceptable power. But can Lamborghini achieve this whilst still honouring its coveted brand values? Well, I have a pretty good idea how the Asterion will perform, having recently driven the outrageous Huracán, with which it shares the ballistic V10. Asterion uses a parallel hybrid, with an electric powerplant supplementing the petrol engine. Battery powered electric motors drive each front wheel, adding another 220kW and torque vectoring four-wheel drive. Traffic light grand prix racers will approve of the 0-100km/h time of 3.0 seconds en route to the 296km/h top speed. Square this against Greenpeace activist pleasing 98g/km of CO2 and you begin to see where Lamborghini is going with this. You want more? How about 50km range purely on electric power and a combined fuel consumption of 4.1 l/100 km. If this car is a ‘technological demonstrator’, then we can look forward to some even more breathtaking, meaningful cars from Lamborghini.
long-travel suspension makes the Discovery Sport comfortable, refined and rewarding to drive on-road, while retaining the breadth of allterrain capability for which Land Rover is world-renowned. Want to get seriously off-road? Approach, departure and breakover angles of 25, 31 and 21 degrees respectively, Terrain Response® technology, and the ability to wade in water up to 600mm deep, the Discovery Sport is going to be a big seller in South Africa. Both 9-speed automatic and 6-speed manual transmissions will be available, along with a choice of two- or four-wheel-drive. Initially, a range of four-cylinder turbocharged petrol and diesel engines will be available, including the Si4 2.0-litre petrol engine and the 2.2-litre turbo diesel, followed by a highly efficient ED4 turbo diesel engine with CO2 emissions of just 119g/km. Ultimately JLR’s new family of Ingenium four-cylinder engines will power this likeable legend.
Volvo XC 90 The Volvo Concept Estate, which debuted at the BMW Group Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este last year, is a re-interpretation of the classic shooting brake silhouette, and this new design direction continues with its flagship SUV, the Volvo XC 90. Wrapped in sophisticated new sheet metal, the XC90’s prominent chrome trimmed grille and T-shaped LED daytime running lights look fantastic. An long, sculpted bonnet sweeps all the way back to the shoulder line, culminating at the tapered rear lights, giving the XC90’s broad, swaggering stance. This bold design extends to interior, too. A new tablet-sized touch screen replaces the normal swathe of buttons and dials, making it as clutter-free as a Swedish sauna. Wood and leather occupies centrestage throughout the cabin, along with some delightful surprises like the crystal-glass gear level and diamond cut designs for the starter button and audio controls. The first XC 90 was launched 13 years ago, but this latest generation SUV is jam-packed with the Swedish manufacturer’s technological wisdom making it one of the safest hi-tech SUVs on the market. When it arrives in 2015, it will square off against other premium SUVs like the BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz M-Class, Volkswagen Tourag and Porsche Cayenne.