The Paris Motor Show is one of the most important events of the motoring calendar; many of the most successful cars are revealed on it's showfloor & there are always plenty of surprises to tantalize the motoring press and fans alike. This year looks to be yet another year with plenty of star-studded arrivals in France - we take a look at five vehicles likely to stand out from the rest:
HONDA CIVIC
The Honda Civic is one of the UK's favourite vehicles of the last decade. Its highly stylish & practical looks have made it one of the most popular hatchbacks not just in Britain, but much of the world. The Civic will be getting revamped for early 2017 with the initial concept first revealed at the Geneva Motor Show this is the first time we will get to see what the actual car looks like. Initial shots suggest a longer bonnet and new,sharper, tail-lights. As well as a host of new practicality features & tech, there will be a completely fresh set of engines including a 1.0-litre & 1.5-litre V-TEC turbo engine.
CITROEN C3
There is interest surrounding the latest addition to the Citroen range, with the all-new C3 looking to brush shoulders with market leaders including the Ford Fiesta & Renault Clio. Not only will the C3 get a new-look interior it has also been given the unique C4 Cactus 'Airbump' technology along its exterior. There will be a variety of engine choices including 3 PureTech petrol engines with the most powerful producing around 109bhp and two diesels with a maximum output of around 99bhp. We're sure to find plenty more about the new C3 when it debuts at Paris.
BMW X2
BMW are unlikely to have a quiet Paris Motor Show and it looks like their newest crossover SUV - the X2 will make its official debut. The X2 follows in the footsteps of the recent introduction of a flurry of these vehicles from major manufacturers - Audi's new Q2 a perfect example of this. Details on the X2 remain tightly under wraps but we do know there will be both four wheel & front wheel drive available & an engine line-up not dissimilar to the vehicles it will sit in between, the X1 and X3.
AUDI Q5
It could be a busy show for Audi and the Q5 is likely to headline for the German brand. Debuting later this year, the Q5 has been given a host of upgrades and sits on an entirely new 'MLB' platform. Those improvements have made their way into the cabin where Audi's Virtual Cockpit arrives alongside a load of fresh new tech which we'll get a good look at when it arrives in Paris. There will be new engines as well with a number of diesels the focal point; the most impressive of which include a 2.0-litre four cylinder engine giving a good 148bhp and a compeitive 125/gkm of CO2. Again, plenty more details on the way when the show kicks off.
PORSCHE PANAMERA
One of the best parts to take away from the major motor shows is that there are always a number of glitzy supercars and high-end prestige vehicles on show. Paris 2016 looks to be no different with the Porsche Panamera perhaps one of the most interesting to keep an eye on. We've already seen a little about the Panamera and it's shaping up to be a potential star of the show. Among the changes include a freshly updated bonnet & new LED lights. However, the real spice is under the bonnet where there will be a number of tantalizing engines on offer including a V8 Turbo 4.0-litre with an astounding 542bhp and a 0-62mph time of around 3.8 seconds.
We also know there will be plenty of new technology with a 12.3-inch touchscreen featuring inside what is sure to be a lavish cabin.
