Top 10 cars of the 2012 Paris Motor Show | Top 10 - Car News Sep 2012

TOP 10
main article image

16:11 Tuesday 12 May 2015

If you're a regular visitor to BuyYourCar.co.uk, you'll have probably noticed there's a small motor show going on in Paris at the moment.

The problem is, there are so many new cars on display, it would take forever to sift through them all and tell you about every new model, every new engine and every new trim level.

Take, for example, the Nissan 370Z. Don't get us wrong, we like the 370Z; it's a good car. However, do you really care that it's now available in two new colours? Really?*

The European motor industry is in a bit of a pickle at the moment, and by 'a bit of a pickle' we mean that it's on the automotive equivalent of a life support machine and saline drip. Don't be surprised if a few of the big names in the car business go bust over the next couple of years.

Because of this, all the major manufacturers are making a special effort to cram as many new models onto their stands as possible; and while this means that there is a veritable cornucopia of new models on display in Paris, it also means that there are innumerable minor facelifts, irrelevant concept cars and new paint colours on show.

So, in a vain attempt to combat the information overload, we've handpicked the ten most interesting and important cars on display at this year's Paris Salon.

Jaguar F Type

Jaguar F-Type

Top of the list has to be the new Jag F-Type. For a kick off, it looks absolutely fantastic and it should be good to drive too thanks to its choice of 3.0-litre supercharged V6 and 5.0-litre V8 engines.

It's taking literally every ounce of self-control I possess to stop myself dribbling all over the keyboard as I think about it.

 

Vauxhall Adam

Vauxhall Adam

It's Vauxhall's answer to the MINI. Okay, it might not have the retro charm of its BMW-based brother, but if Vauxhall's recent renaissance -- the Corsa, the Insignia, the Zafira Tourer -- is anything to go by, it should be a good car.  Stupid name though.

 

BMW Active Tourer

BMW Concept Active Tourer

Okay, okay. We said no concept cars. However, the Concept Active Tourer makes it onto this list by virtue of being the first front-wheel drive BMW ever. Let us put that into perspective: BMW announcing that it's going to build a front-wheel drive car is like the Queen announcing that she's going to be in the next series of 'I'm a Celebrity, Get Me out of Here!'

 

Renault Clio

Renault Clio

Our favourite supermini is entering its fourth generation. It looks great, it should be even better than the old model and -- the icing on the cake -- it's available in hot RenaultSport form with a 200bhp 1.6-litre engine. What's more do you want?

 

Range Rover

Range Rover

The Chelseaist of the Chelsea tractors just got more Chelsea, if you follow. The new Rangey is bigger, better, lighter, quicker and less polluting than the model it replaces and, when you consider that the old model was one of the best cars in the world, this could be considered quite a feat.

 

MINI Paceman

MINI Paceman

MINI is challenging Mercedes's dominance in the 'Pointless, but still rather good' category at this year's Paris show with the new Paceman. It's essentially a three-door Countryman which begs the question 'What was wrong with the MINI Hatch?' However, it's a MINI, which means that it'll be both excellent, and hugely popular.

 

Ford Mondeo

Ford Mondeo

The new Mondeo looks great and, if it's anything like the model it replaces, it'll be the best car in its class. And on top of this, it gets Ford's rather brilliant 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine.

 

Mercedes SLS

Mercedes-Benz SLS Electric Drive

It's twice the price of a standard SLS, and not quite as fast; however, if you drive an SLS Electric Drive, you'll avoid the wrath of the sandal-wearing environmentalists, which means that you can park it on the street and no one will key it. Which is good.

 

SEAT Leon

SEAT Leon

We love the Leon. It's based on VW's MQB platform which means that, underneath, it's basically the same as the new VW Golf and the new Audi A3. But the Leon will be much cheaper than both of them and, more importantly, somehow cooler. The same goes for Skoda's new Rapid, even if it does rival the Vauxhall Adam for the 'Stupidest Car Name of the Year' award.

 

VW Golf

VW Golf

The second-biggest selling car ever made enters its seventh generation. There's an 88mpg BlueMotion model for company car buyers and a 227bhp GTi with lovely tartan seats for those who enjoy their driving.

***

So there you have it, our Paris Motor Show Top 10. We apologise for any glaring omissions -- the McLaren P1 and the new Kia model range spring immediately to mind -- but hey ho.

Check back over the next few weeks when we'll be bringing you more news from the Paris Motor Show.

*Magma Red and Midnight Blue, in case you were wondering.


Also of interest...

20 Coolest GaragesJay Leno car collection


Comments
TOP 10
Find out the top ten most fuel efficient cars tested over the last twelve months in the UK.
TOP 10
We reveal the 10 cars which found themselves rooted to the bottom of the 2014 MPG table.
TOP 10
A 'then and now' comparison of some of the most popular and iconic cars to hit our shores.
TOP 10
We round up the weird and wonderful offerings from the world of automotive Christmas gifts.
TOP 10
CAP HPI conducted a survey of motoring writers to compile the definitive top ten of Bond cars.
TOP 10
Looking to invest money in future classics? Here's a top ten of cars likely to achieve the status.