Harvest at the Versailles Door
By Bostjan Okorn
(Delo, 3.10.1998)
List of car factories mentioned in the overview:
[Alfa Romeo]
[Aston Martin]
[Audi]
[BMW]
[Bugatti]
[Cadillac / Chevrolet]
[Chrysler]
[Citroen]
[Daewoo]
[Ferrari]
[Fiat]
[Ford]
[Heuliez]
[Honda]
[Hyundai]
[Jaguar]
[Lada]
[Lancia]
[Lotus]
[Maserati]
[Mazda]
[Mercedes-Benz
[Micro Compact Car (MCC)]
[Mitsubishi]
[Nissan]
[Opel]
[Peugeot]
[Porsche]
[Renault]
[Rolls-Royce/Bentley]
[Rover]
[Saab]
[Seat]
[Subaru]
[Suzuki]
[ Skoda]
[Toyota]
[Venturi]
[Volkswagen]
[Volvo]
Alfa Romeo
The star of the show floor is new ALFA 166, to which this is its first appearance to broader
public. The biggest alfa will have 2- to 3-litre petrol and diesel engines delivering from 136 to 226 hp.
Much of the attention of the visitors will be paid to still fresh Alfa 156. By the end of July
some 150.000 buyers have ordered it. The car has also received many awards in international
automotive press. Alfa 145 is fabricated also with special equipment package called
junior.
Aro
You have probably forgotten the Romanian land vehicles, that could be seen even on Slovenian roads
ages ago, and now Paris show has brought up new models, that could be interesting for us.
Cross lander has Peugeot's turbo diesel engine (2.1 TD; 108 hp). Pancho
pick-up has been added to 10 Series, but with the engine from another French company ,
Renault (1.9 TD; 60 hp). One proof more that Aro wants to succeed on West-
European markets.
Aston Martin
Their European premiere is called V8 volante, a two-door cabriolet, first one that offers space
for four passengers. It has 5.3-litre V8 355 hp engine that is assembled manually. 4-speed gearbox is
automatic, of course.
Audi
The prestigious part of Volkswagen trust has given the biggest floor to TT coupe for
which this is the first exhibition. The purchasers of the Audi A3 can now buy among others
also 1.8-litre turbo petrol engine delivering 132kW (180hp) and optional all-wheel drive
(quattro, too. AWD is an option also for not so powerful 1.8 turbo engine with 110 kW (150
hp). Both cars are already available in Slovenia, while TT will be offered in
November.
BMW
Bavarian automobile factory is raising adrenaline with long time expected M5 model (V8,
5.0i; 400 hp) that was introduced last year in Geneva and is now ready at last for more wealthy
customers. In Slovenia it will be available in March or April next year for $100,000.00.
A lot of interest has been given also to C1, automobile motor-bike or motor-bike-like car,
that opens a completely new market segment.
BMW is developing new diesel engines, the new 740d model with 3.9-litre V8
turbo diesel engine is shown here for the first time.
Bugatti
EB118 the first ever car with 18-cyllinders(!) was produced in co-
operation with Italdesign and with financial support from Volkswagen. His 6.3-litre
W18 engine delivers 555 hp and 650 Nm torque to all wheels. Volkswagen is
responsible for the engine and also for the bodywork, that is made of aluminium. The concern from
Wolfsburg will also turn on the green light for the regular production.
Cadillac/Chevrolet
American division of General Motors does not want to stay idle even in Europe. They are
very satisfied with the sales figures of Cadillac Seville SLS/STS in the Old World. Here 1999
model has been introduced, featuring small details most of which enable greater convenience for the
passengers.
Chevrolet has put the greatest emphasis on its 5th generation sports car Corvette
with 5.7i-litre V8 344 hp engine, this year in a new cabriolet version.
The European sports coupes market is richer for Chevrolet Camaro (5,7i-litre, V8; 288 hp)
produced in three different bodywork variants.
The other models present in Europe are Trans Sport limousine van with a new 3.4-litre V6
187 hp and 282 Nm torque. Blazer has now the steering wheel also on the right-hand side, all-wheels
drive system has Autotrac add-on that switches automatically from rear-wheels drive to all
wheels on slippery surface.
Chrysler
After their wedding with Daimler-Benz the Americans feel ever more European. French have
experienced premiere of the 300 M model, that can have from now on instead of known 3.5-
litre V6 254 hp engine a new one, 2.7-litre V6 with 202 hp. Crysler has a lot of room
dedicated to prototypes. Interesting solution offers Jeep Icon, 3-door land cabriolet, maybe a
successor of Jeep Wrangler. Shown already at the Geneve 98 Show, Pronto Cruizer 3-door limousine van
indicates how the Americans imagine themselves the vehicles of the 21st century. Prestigeous place on
Chrysler's booth has been given to Viper GTS-R (V10, 8.0i; 455 hp), well known to the
French from the 24-hours Le Mans race on which the car won both first places in the
GT2 class.
Citroen
This is the factory taking the greatest advantage of the fact that exposition is in its home land. It is
showing some novelties never seen before. The most beautiful surprise is undoubtedly Xsara
Picasso, called by the famous painter's name mono-volume limousine based on the car advertised
with Claudia Schiffer. It is 4.27 m long and 1.63 m wide and can be delivered with the following
engines: 1.6-litre 98 hp or 1.8-litre 16 V 115 hp petrol or 2.0 HDI 94 hp diesel.
Xantia has got a new engine, too: 2.0-litre HDI common rail turbo diesel 110 hp.
Maybe even greater novelty is a new side door on Berlingo, that will for sure attract new
buyers - it will be available on our (SI) market in January.
Evasion, limousine van has also been updated.
Citroen is presenting its vision of the 21st century vehicle with a lower class concept vehicle
hidden for now behind a project name C3.
Daewoo
After the Geneva exposition this Korean factory is showing in Paris only the models already known,
but much care has been of its new lower class car that provokes also much comments in
communication media.
Ferrari
Nothing new, can be said also at Ferrari's booth. In Paris they have brought only the models already
seen. Among them, let us mention 355 F1 Berlinetta and Spider, both
with electro-hydraulic gearbox. 550 Maranello and a newer 456 M are known,
too.
Fiat
One of the bigger novelties at the Paris show, although seen at
Torino '98 Show, is Multipla, a movolume vehicle,
that will come to our market in May or June. This six-seat car (with three seat in the front), 3.99 m long
and with a lot of useful details will be available from November with a 1.6-litre petrol 103 hp or with
a 1.9-litre turbo diesel JTD 105 hp engine.
The latter will be embedded also in Brava and Bravo. In both models 1.4-litre
engine has been replaced with a 1.2-litre 16V 82 hp one. In the year 1999 the cars have all together
1700 new or redesigned parts.
One can choose for Punto also new 1.7-litre turbo diesel engine, while for cabriloet there is
available also 1.2-litre 16 V engine (86 hp). The city of Paris, with heavy traffic down-town is an ideal
city to present Seicento ("six hundred"), while choosy persons can look at Fiat
Coupe 2.0 20V turbo (225 hp) in chromed grey colour and with manual six-speed gearbox.
Fiat, too has updated its mono-volume Ullyses as Citroen and Peugeot have.
Ford
German flag on the exposition is carried by Ford that has replaced his Escort with
Focus. For the first time all its three variants can be seen, namely: 3- and 5-door limousine
van, 4-door sedan and a wagon, while speed-fans will take a closer look at Focus WRC. To
less demanding customers Ford is offering four zetec petrol engines (1.4-litre 75 hp, 1.6-litre
100 hp, 1.8-litre 115 hp and 2.0-litre 130 hp) and 1.8-litre endura DI diesel 90 hp engine.
The car will be available in Slovenia in April. Ford has exposed also coupe Cougar. Besides,
it has renewed Mondeo.
Heuliez
Pregunta is the name of their newest sport prototype, that will not be seen often on the roads.
It is a 2-seat car, based on the mechanics of Lamborghini Diablo. Under the bonnet there is a
5.7-litre 530 hp V12 engine.
Honda
The new Accord is competing for the buyers in the middle class. Its advantages supposed to
be safety, use of recyclable materials, convenience and pleasure to drive. For the last feature will be
responsible from spring 1999 (in Slovenia from January or February) three petrol engines: 1.6-, 1.8-
and 2.0-litre end 2.0-litre turbo diesel, delivering from 105 hp to 147 hp.
Legend wants to satisfy with greater dynamics customers in the lower high class, offering
them 3.5-litre V6 205 hp engine.
Three-door Logo serves completely opposite purpose, returning Honda to European
lower class cars.. The sales will begin immediately after Accord (in spring 1999), with only the 1.3-
litre 65 Hp engine in the beginning.
Hyundai
Updated Sonata is available in France in two variants, both having 2.0-litre 20V 136 hp
engine. Slovenes will have it at the end of October for the price between $22.500 and $26.500. World
premiere was in Paris for their "international" car XG, that moves the company among the
manufacturers of luxury cars with all additional equipment required by demanding customers in this
class. XG is 4.86 m long and can have one of two six-cylinder engines: 2.5-litre 163 hp one
and 3.0-litre 214 hp one. Hyundai has not neglect exposing a prototype - there is an already
seen study called Euro 1.
Jaguar
All of their models appear on the show, even YK8 Coupe and Sovereign with 4.0-
litre 294 hp engine. There is a new engine in XJ8 3.2-litre with 243 hp. We are waiting for
the new sport limousine, which the chief officers lay great expectations upon, to complement
successful sales figures of this year.
Lada
Famous model 2110, now 110 called "The ten" popularly continues the
appearances on the shows but nobody knows when it will come from the salons and on the road.
Newertheless Lada has surprised with two prototypes. The first one is off-road limousine van
and the other futuristic vehicle expressing good imagination of the designers but apparently they do not
have the necessary back-up to bring above mentioned interesting two studies to the market.
Lancia
The company did not show any new model, all year 1999 models (Y, Kappa, Delta, Dedra and Zeta)
are known already. After the Geneva expo also here in Paris
the main booth at Lancia has been left to "Dialogos", a
bio-dynamic car, that is also presented in another article.
Lotus
Elise, the model already known, has been shown here (1.8i 16V, 118 hp), digression in
history, into golden days of British sport cars. Anyway, Lotus celebrates 50th anniversary and
cotinues with the tradition, called Esprite in different engine and bodyworks of the
model.
Maserati
A three-pointed plaque is shining on the model 3200 GT, that is supposed to bring back the
glory of the past to this respectful Italian car company. This 4.5-metre coupe has everything you can
expect from the GT-series car and much more (additional electronical features). It is powered by 3.2-
litre eight-cylindre engine delivering 370 hp and 442 Nm torque, accelerating the car from 0 to 100
km/h in 5.12 seconds and reaching maximal speed at 280 km/h.
Mazda
After a fruitful summer during which many novelties at this brand have been emerging, the situation at the Paris show has calmed down. Mazda 323 is for the first time shown at the exposition while for gourmands model 323F has been prepared with 2.0-litre and 136 hp. The French can for the first time look at 626 with the new 2.0 DIDT 90 hp turbo diesel engine and at Demio. Both models are already available in Slovenia.
Mercedes-Benz
There is no doubt about the main star of the Stuttgart company. S class has outshone all other models shown here, proving once more how powerful MB is at making exceptional luxury limousines. The new S is coming to Slovenia in the beginning of November, the orders are already taken.
A class has got more sporty look with AMG equipment and can be equipped also with turbo diesel CDI engine.
Micro Compact Car (MCC)
As one of more noticeable novelties Smart is coming to market in October. Two 3-cylindre engines are available, 45 hp and 55 hp, both having 600 ccm. It will be sold in special car shops near shopping centres, however not in Slovenia at the moment.
Mitsubishi
Limousine van Space Wagon is accompanied by smaller Space Star, that was shown as a prototype already in Geneva. It is produced only for the European market. Buyers can choose between 1.3-litre 16V 86 hp engine and 1.8-litre 122 hp GDI petrol engine.
Paris is a springboard also for the third generation Space Wagon, off-road vehicle Pajero has got sporty variant Pajero Sport in the SUV (Sport Utility Vehicles) class and is based on rally model. Among engines there are 1.8-litre GDI (Gasoline Direct Injection) 125 hp, the same as in Carisma, and a 2.4-litre GDI 150 hp with 225 NM torque, that will be built also in space wagons.
Nissan
This Japanese factory with ever more roots in Europe has introduced the first prototype Kyxx, designed in the Old World (in Nissan design studios near Munich). The shape of this car gives a premonition how will in the beginning of the next millennium most small cars look like. Kyxx is 3.65 m long (2.55 m between the axes), and common feature of their engines will be no more than 3 litres per 100 km. Well, Micra, Nissan's small car at present, is among those cars fabricated in Europe the first to get also side airbags. All other models presented at the show are known for a long time.
Opel
The new Frontera has found its way to the Paris show immediately after the press introduction, together with Zafira mono-volume vehicle based on Astra, coming to market. Frontera will come to Slovenian market in the middle of winter, the price is not known yet.
Peugeot
Their saloon star is new Peugeot 206, that can be seen on the road already, so they decided to display concept three-door wagon 206 Escapade. Powered by 2.0-litre 138 hp engine will be traditionally called S16 on most markets. The visitors can look at the Heart, which in not their trump in sales for now. Peugeot added to its model Partner side sliding door. On our market it will be available in November.
Porsche
For the model year 1999 911 Carrera 4 has been prepared, continuing sport tradition with permanent all-wheel drive and viscose clutch, distributing the power to each wheel.
Renault
Renault celebrated domestic ground and hundredth anniversary by exposing 4-seat coupe Vel Satis, a concept car. Second gift to visitors and potential buyers is Clio Sport V6 24V, that has been constructed in the spirit of legendary Reanult 5 Turbo. It has embedded 250 hp 6-cylinder engine. At first it will be used in Renault Sport Trophy race that has replaced former Spider Trophy.
Rolls-Royce/Bentley
This luxury brand, that has been sold for quite high price (the factory and the trademark), is attracting visitors with RR Silver Seraph, that has already been introduced in spring, while the novelty is Bentley Sedanca Coupe with a detachable glass top.
Rover
The most novelties are at Land Rovers. For the first time there has been introduced renewed Discovery with a new 5-cylinder turbo diesel engine, the same one as is embedded also in Range Rover and Defender.
Saab
The Swedes are introducing model 9-5 as a wagon. Sporty and dynamic vehicle, one of the biggest wagons on the market, is equipped only with petrol engines. The smallest one is 2.0-litre 150 hp, the next are 2.3-litre 170 hp and 3.0-litre V6 with 200 hp.
Seat
The Spanish have presented new Toledo, another sedan based on known Volkswagen platform that served as a core also for Skoda Octavia and VW Bora. The new Toledo is 12 cm longer than the old one. Its strongest engine is 2.3-litre V5 with 150 hp. Ibiza has got also 110 hp turbo diesel engine. Other models are refreshed for the year 1999. Toledo is coming to Slovenia in 1999.
Subaru
They have supplemented their line of road land vehicles Forester with the model S turbo that has 2.0i 170 hp engine accelerating in 8.4 sec's to 100 km/h.
Impreza GT turbo has also been changed. This sports car has now even more powerful engine - 217 hp accelerating to 100 km/h in 6.3 sec's.
Suzuki
The new little land vehicle is called Jimny (not Jimmy) and will try to complement the success of Samurai, that has got a kind of new shape. Jimny will have 1.3-litre 79 hp petrol engine and will of course offer switchable all-wheel drive. With the length of 3.6 m is a kind of "city" land vehicle then.
Skoda
Octavia Combi is in the centre of attention. Both variants, wagon and sedan can be equipped with luxury Laurin &Klement outfit. On the booth there is also Octavia Country, from outside
almost equal to clasical Octavia, however inside it has a lot of pleasant additions for spending one's spare time.
Felicia Caleidoscop indicates different development trend for a specific car as different interior parts have various colours thus making a car looking more attractive.
Toyota
The president of Toyota mr. Shuhei Toyodo has said that Yaris is a car for the next millennium. Small, compact, peculiar city car distinguishes itself by attractive dashboard and modern design, adapted to European taste. Sedan variant of the car is called Prius, it has hybrid engine. The car was introduced last year in Tokio and now there are about 11,000 owners in Japan. Estimated sales in Europe are 20,000 per year but final speed is expected to increase above 100 km/h.
Electric car Ecom proves that Toyota is serious about small ecologically sustainable cars. It will be used first in car sharing in big cities.
Venturi
World novelty is 2.9-litreV6 engine with two adaptable turbines delivering 310 hp. It will be built in Atlantique 300 bi-turbo. The Atlantique is displayed to the French here for the first time.
Volvo
Central attention here is paid to their biggest sedan S80. From spring on it will be delivered also with 2.5-litre turbo diesel engine known in models S70 and V70. In 1999 Volvo is going to present a model powered by a hybrid engine using natural gas or unleaded petrol. Other novelties are connected to model year 1999.
Volkswagen
The Germans did not allow themselves to be disturbed, they prepared two show premieres and one European premiere. The Beetle is shown for the first time in Europe. Besides, on the booth there are another two newly shown cars, a sedan Bora and small Lupo. Volkswagen kept promise given and one can see in Paris a car (Lupo), whose average consumption is less than 3 litres per 100 km. The key success factor: 3-cylinder 1.2-litre 61 hp turbo diesel engine made of aluminium and some changes on the bodywork lowering the air-resistance coefficient to 0.29. The car will penetrate the German market in spring and few months later also in Slovenia. The price is not known yet.