2012 Paris Auto Show Coverage Overview

The first of the major international auto shows following the summer break, the 2012 Paris Auto Show, is now over, and the Motor Authority team was out in force at the event to bring you all the latest information and live photos.

The biannual event--the Paris and Frankfurt shows alternate--is a favorite, not only because it takes place in the city of love but also because of all the quirky French cars that are on display.

There was no denying the gloom in the background this year, however, with financial concerns almost certain to have been on the minds of many of the industry folk, particularly those from France. Thankfully, there was also much to celebrate as well, particularly if you’re a fan of British brands.

McLaren, no doubt, had the most eagerly anticipated unveiling, though Ferrari threw its own surprise, as did some of the German automakers. Here’s a quick rundown of some of the dozens of highlights. Cars like the new McLaren P1 supercar, Jaguar’s F-Type roadster, the completely redesigned 2013 Range Rover and so much more.

To help you get up-to-date on all the recent coverage, we've assembled this guide of the show. Also, be sure to visit our dedicated show page, check out all the tweets from @therealma, watch our latest videos on YouTube, and drop in every now and then at our Facebook page and on Instagram at "MotorAuthority."

CONCEPT CARS

McLaren P1: Officially, the P1 is a preview of McLaren’s new flagship supercar and successor to the legendary F1. While our own spy shots confirm the shape of the P1 concept will largely stay the same on the production version, many of the finer details will likely be refined. McLaren is keeping most of the key specs secret until the car’s unveiling next year, most likely at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, though we did find out some new details in Paris. McLaren revealed the new P1 would be able to generate more than 1,320 pounds of downforce before reaching its top speed, and that it will be so light that each horsepower the car produces will only need to carry around 3.7 pounds or less.

McLaren P1, 2012 Paris Auto Show

Lexus LF-CC: With its LF-CC, Lexus is not only giving us a preview of the design of its upcoming 2014 IS, but is also confirming that a new coupe variant will be launched. On top of this, the LF-CC reaffirms yet again Lexus and Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda’s promise to introduce sportier and more emotional designs. Under the pretty sheet metal is a new hybrid system that's destined to appear in the new IS and should guarantee the car remains one of the most efficient in its class.

Mercedes-Benz Concept B Class Electric Drive: As its name suggests, the Concept B Class Electric Drive from Mercedes-Benz previews a new electric version of the B Class the automaker has already confirmed for production. It looks identical to the regular gas and diesel B Class models though underneath its skin it's packing an electric motor rated at 134 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque. On a full charge of its batteries you’re looking at a driving range of about 124 miles.

Ferrari Enzo Successor (F70) Carbon Tub: Ferrari was never going to let McLaren draw all the glory of this year’s Paris Auto Show. Instead of showing off its upcoming replacement for the Enzo supercar in full, the code-named F70, Ferrari chose to reveal the new model’s advanced carbon fiber monocoque structure. According to Ferrari, the particular design should guarantee the new chassis is some 20 percent lighter than the one in the Enzo, but with an increase in torsional rigidity of 27 percent and an increase in beam stiffness of 22 percent.

The carbon fiber tub of the upcoming Ferrari F70

Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo Concept: In addition to previewing a new wagon bodystyle for the Porsche Panamera, the Panamera Sport Turismo Concept also showcases the future design direction for Porsche as well as an advanced plug-in hybrid drivetrain currently in the works. The drive system of the Panamera Sport Turismo is a further development of the parallel full hybrid that Porsche already implements today in the Panamera S Hybrid and Cayenne S Hybrid. A new electric motor produces about 95 horsepower, which is around twice as much as in today’s Porsche hybrid drive, while the supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 engine still produces 333 horsepower on its own. Working together, they accelerate the big wagon from 0-60 mph in less than 6.0 seconds, yet if the driver likes he or she will be able to average around 67 mpg.
Peugeot Onyx Supercar Concept
: One of the few true concepts in Paris will be the Peugeot Onyx, a supercar whose chassis is built almost completely of carbon fiber and whose interior is, believe it or not, made mostly from felt. The vehicle has been built using materials that have been processed as little as possible. There are no plans for production, which is a shame, as the Onyx is powered by a 3.7-liter V-8 turbodiesel matched to a hybrid system and is rated at more than 600 horsepower.

Hit the next page for a look at some of the performance cars, and remember to visit our dedicated show page for all the latest updates.

2014 Jaguar F-Type

PERFORMANCE CARS

2014 Jaguar F-Type: The production version of the Jaguar F-Type, a new convertible sports car we first saw as a concept at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show, and the spiritual successor to the legendary E-Type, was on display in Paris. It goes on sale next year where it will be offered with the choice of V-6 and V-8 engines. Further down the track we should be seeing a new coupe version too.

2014 Audi S3 Hatchback: Audi’s new A3 in three-door Hatchback or five-door Sportback won’t be sold in the U.S., as we’ll be getting a new sedan version. We hope that sedan also comes in S3 flavor as the new S3, which debuted in Paris as a Hatchback, packs a brand new 2.0-liter TFSI engine with a healthy 296 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque on tap. When equipped with an S tronic dual-clutch gearbox, this potent hot hatch will sprint to 60 mph from rest in just 5.1 seconds.

2013 Nissan Juke Nismo: The first of Nissan’s sporty Nismo-tuned lineup is the 2013 Nissan Juke Nismo. The Juke Nismo was first teased as a concept at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show and speculated for production almost immediately upon its reveal. Underneath the skin, the Juke Nismo makes more power from its turbocharged, direct-injected 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, and benefits from stiffer springs and dampers. Note, Nissan also revealed that a more powerful RS version is also in the works.

2013 Lamborghini Gallardo: Lamborghini unveiled an updated version of its Gallardo supercar for the 2013 model year at this week’s Paris Auto Show, with the range receiving a fresh new look and also offering customers a whole new level of personalization. Also new for the 2013 is the addition of the Edizione Tecnica option on all Gallardo LP 570-4 variants. Sadly, no changes have been made to the powertrains, which means outputs range from 542 horsepower in the rear-wheel drive LP 550-2 models to 562 horsepower in the all-wheel drive LP 570-4 models.

2013 Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4

2013 Audi RS 5 Cabrio: The Audi RS 5 coupe has just gone on sale, and we’ve even had a chance to drive one, but a convertible version will soon join Audi’s lineup, and we got our first look at it in Paris. Combining brute performance with an elegant convertible body, the new Audi RS 5 Cabriolet is sure to be one of the most sought after drop-tops around when it arrives next year. Like the coupe, it’s powered by a 4.2-liter V-8 rated at 450 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, and will go from 0-60 in less than 5.0 seconds.

2013 Porsche Cayenne S Diesel: While America is just getting its first taste of a diesel-powered Cayenne, Europe is getting a new V-8 powered version in the form of the new Cayenne S Diesel. Power is once again sourced from an Audi oil-burner, in this case a 4.2-liter V-8 turbodiesel engine rated at 382 horsepower and 626 pound-feet of torque--up 142 horsepower and a massive 220 pound-feet of torque on the regular Cayenne Diesel’s numbers.

2014 Volkswagen GTI

: The new 2014 Volkswagen Golf made its official world debut in Paris, and as a nice surprise the VW folk also rolled out a preview of the high-performance GTI version of the new Golf. Due in showrooms in the second half of next year, the new GTI will benefit from more power under the hood, a lighter curb weight and a trick new front axle differential lock claimed to offer more agile steering behavior.

2014 Volkswagen GTI concept, 2012 Paris auto show

2013 Audi R8: The R8 is set to be replaced by a brand new model in the coming year or two, but to keep things fresh the current car has undergone a minor facelift. While the styling hasn’t changed much, Audi engineers have finally done away with the clunky R tronic automated manual that plagued the previous model. A conventional six-speed manual is still available on some models, however. The other major update is the addition of a new range-topping R8 V10 plus model with 550 horsepower on tap.
2013 Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4
: After its first year of sale, Lamborghini’s Aventador is coming in for a minor update for the 2013 model year, picking up fuel-saving features such as engine stop-start and cylinder deactivation. Both emissions and fuel consumption can be decreased by as much as 20 percent, according to Lamborghini, and the best part is the working systems should be imperceptible to owners.

Hit the next page for a look at some of the luxury cars, and remember to visit our dedicated show page for all the latest updates.

Mercedes-Benz ‘Aesthetics S’ sculpture previews new 2014 S Class

LUXURY CARS

2014 Mercedes-Benz S Class Sculpture: The new 2014 Mercedes-Benz S Class isn’t expected to debut until sometime early next year, however, we got our first official look at the vehicle with a new piece of art that captures the profile of the new flagship sedan. The artwork is called the ‘Aesthetics S’ and it consists not only of a solid sculpture but also a dynamic lighting show, all of which was developed by Mercedes’ own design team. Of course, for a better look at the car, we also have our own spy shots.

Rolls-Royce Art Deco-Inspired Cars: Rolls-Royce presented a trio of Art Deco-inspired cars in Paris. They included a two-tone Ghost, a black Phantom and a special Phantom Drophead Coupe. The addition of new special editions like these Art Deco cars, as well as the recent Phantom Coupe Aviator Collection, is part of Rolls-Royce's efforts to expand its business without having to substantially increase volumes and thus diminish its exclusivity factor.

Audi SQ5 TDI Exclusive Concept: Audi has put its new SQ5 TDI performance diesel model through the Audi Exclusive works and has come away with a special version built with only the finest materials. These include unique Aral Blue paint, Nappa leather trim, an Alcantara headliner and wood trim. In case you’re interested, neither the regular SQ5 TDI or the new SQ5 TDI Exclusive this Paris concept is previewing will be offered in the U.S.

2013 Land Rover Range Rover: The all-new, aluminum-infused Range Rover goes on sale this December priced from $83,500, but we got our first look at the big luxury SUV in Paris. On the outside, the new model, code-named L405, remains unmistakably a Range Rover. Beneath the pretty sheet metal, however, the new 2013 Range Rover is nothing like its predecessors. Thanks to aluminum construction, the U.S.-spec V-8 Range Rover comes in at 700 pounds under the model currently on sale, and weighs in at 4,850 pounds. That's a massive saving--and it will translate into improved gas mileage and better handling.

2013 Land Rover Range Rover

Maserati GranTurismo Convertible MC: Maserati expanded its GranTurismo range in Paris with the introduction of the new GranTurismo Convertible MC, essentially the drop-top version of the GranTurismo MC coupe that went on sale last year. In Europe, the car is known as the GranCabrio MC, but in the U.S. it will carry the longer GranTurismo Convertible MC moniker. Key changes include a sportier bodykit, which improves downforce, a 453-horsepower V-8 and uprated suspension and brakes.

2014 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Electric Drive: Mercedes finally unveiled the production version of its electric SLS AMG, which so far we had only seen in concept form. That name may certainly be a mouthful, but the part that you should concern yourself with is the car’s output, which comes in at a staggering 740 horsepower and 737 pound-feet of torque--yes, it’s the most powerful production car ever developed by Mercedes and its AMG tuning arm.

Hit the next page to see the rest of the cars that debuted in Paris, and remember to follow our dedicated show page for all the latest updates.

Smart ForStars concept, 2012 Paris Auto Show