Paris Motor Show 2016
4 minute read | October 3, 2016
I last attended the show in October 2014, so fast forward 24 months and the marketplace has changed considerably! Personally, this is my favourite show to attend as it’s not as hectic as Geneva and Frankfurt, yet there are still enough big names and launches to keep it as a key date in the motoring calendar.
I was fortunate enough to spend the day discovering and appraising some of the big launches which will soon be seen on the UK roads and no doubt will be of interest to Driving Instructors.
Citroen C3
Citroen showcased the new C3 which is a revelation compared to the current model.
Riding high on the success of the C4 Cactus, the new C3 features the now famous ‘airbumps’ along the side and has a funky interior featuring all the latest connectivity. The engine line-up is the latest Pure Tech petrol and BlueHDi diesel which are shared within the PSA group; the diesel is incredibly economical in real world testing with an average of high 50s.
You can order the C3 in a variety of exterior colours and roof combinations; this is now the norm in attracting a wider consumer base who wants to personalise their vehicle and make it stand out in a crowded marketplace.
This is a great looking car and we’re looking forward to test driving this as soon as possible so look out for our in-depth review!
Nissan Micra
Another car which certainly attracted the crowds is the new Nissan Micra.
Gone is the cheap look with Nissan pulling out all the stops to create a decent looking replacement. First reviews rate this car highly, even with the latest 0.9cc petrol engines they rate the tried and tested Renault-sourced 1.5dci as the one to have. We’re expecting this car to appeal to a much wider driving school audience now that the diesel has been reintroduced.
What’s really appealing about this car is that it includes the latest technology available that only a few years ago was exclusively available on executive saloons. You can now have lane departure warning and prevention, traffic sign recognition, high beam assist and intelligent around view monitor to name just a few. These are all invaluable aids which help the driver avoid accidents. Fancy the latest Bose audio with speakers embedded in the headrests? Look no further!
Renault Clio
As you can imagine the French manufacturers took centre stage at the show announcing a fresh look to its popular Clio range. Fortunately, the car has retained the good looks of the current model with minor tweaks and inclusions such as; integrated driving lights, new colour palette and alloy wheel designs. The more significant changes appear under the skin, as it is now available with the latest Renault R-Link plus smartphone integration and sensors.
The popular diesel model is still at the forefront of the class when it comes to refinement and economy; the 1.5dci claims up to 88mpg which is seriously impressive. Driving instructors who only cover low mileage should also consider the 0.9tce petrol engine where a claimed 60+mpg is achievable.
We’ve run the current Dynamique Nav dCi 90 on fleet and it’s still an extremely popular choice with instructors, the decision on which model to choose now becomes more difficult with the launch of the GT-Line which adds sporty looks and greater personalisation options combined with the fuel efficient engines.
Hyundai i10
Hyundai took the opportunity to launch a refreshed version of the i10 at the show, despite its relatively young age.
The current car has a fantastic reputation and is often awarded ‘Best City Car’ due to its refinement, grown-up looks and excellent value for money. The latest model opts for slight cosmetic changes to the front and rear, keeping it in line with the new family face featuring ‘cascading front grille’.
The biggest criticism of the old car was the limited colour range; luckily this has been extended to include some great looking metallic oranges and reds. Hyundai has continued the new and improved theme with an updated interior, infotainment system which on top models includes a touch screen and kit including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Seriously impressive is the updated safety kit including front collision warning system and lane departure warning, both using a front mounted camera.
Kia Rio
Another car we’re big fans of here at MSL is the Kia Rio, we currently have a number of these on fleet and were keen to preview the new model.
Looks wise this is a step up from the current model, featuring a more cutting edge look that is longer, wider and lower whilst also showcasing the latest technology and efficiencies.
You’ll notice a trend here as this car (along with all the other cars previewed) has the latest VSM, ESC, ADAS, AEB and LDWS. Confused? Don’t be! These are all driver aids to help avoid accidents and set a new standard in the ‘B’ class segment. You’ll have to look them up if you don’t already know what the acronyms stand for!
The gold standard seven-year warranty remains, although in our experience you’re unlikely to ever need it.
Hyundai i30
Up next from Hyundai was the launch of the European i30, designed by ex-Audi man Peter Schreyer and featuring a more rounded and mature version of the previous model. The car showcases Hyundai’s new hexagonal grille, a design feature of all future models (as mentioned with the i10), and has the latest family engines. The diesel has been a popular choice for the instructor market and now comes in three states of tune, all of which are available with sub 100g Co2 and range from 94bhp to 109bhp and 136bhp.
The interior has all the latest kit and whilst the car has extra sound dampening and safety kit it hasn’t gained weight over its predecessor, meaning the latest engine efficiencies show an improvement in fuel consumption and performance. Here at MSL we’re looking forward to getting our hands on one as soon as they’re launched and evaluating it, we’re certain it’ll be a popular addition to our driving school fleet.
Hyundai Ioniq
Something a little left of centre here but none the less shows where the automotive industry is heading.
Hyundai has launched their rival to the Prius, which is available as a hybrid electric and later in 2017 as a plug-in hybrid. This is a five door five seater car featuring all the latest technology with a drag efficiency of 0.24, but looks normal.
This car generated a huge amount of interest and people were queueing to view it. Volkswagen also devoted a large area to their electric offerings including the e-Golf, e-Up and Passat GTE. Vauxhall had the latest version of the Ampera on show and Renault with the upgraded battery pack on the latest Zoe which is a real game changer. All in all, it’s exciting to see where manufacturers are taking us with the latest powertrains and technologies.
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