Ferrari steals Paris Motor Show with ‘sold-out’ Aperta

Despite a mini-boycott by several automakers, the Paris Motor Show got to a flying start this weekend with electric and SUV vehicles dominating the show and Ferrari starring its models in the absence of Lamborghini. 

Ferrari displayed the Aperta; an open-top version of LaFerrari which the company said is already sold out. 
Ferrari also displayed a GTC4Lusso variant with a twin-turbocharged V-8 engine that will be sold alongside the naturally aspirated V-12 model — as the brand expands turbocharging through its range to meet EU regulatory pressure to improve fuel economy.
For the first time ever in a motor show, electric cars looked like a viable option for consumers with models such as the Opel Ampera and Renault Zoe claiming a range of 400 km each before need for recharging. 
Daimler also confirmed that its sub-brand EQ will oversee electric vehicles and would launch 10 new electric vehicles by 2025. 
Volkswagen also presented the I.D. as a first model based on the automaker’s Modular Electric Drive Kit and has a range of up to 372 miles.
On the SUV front, Audi introduced its second generation Q5 which grows a little in size to distance itself from the Q3; Lexus previewed its concept UX as a potential small crossover aimed at young urban buyers; BMW unveiled its X2 concept as a sporty alternative to the more practical X1; and Land Rover showcased its new Discovery which now offers more interior space, an array of high-tech gadgets and a smaller diesel engine.

Newcomers 
The Paris Show press day confirmed an impression of an industry changing fast. 
This was evident from the nature of some of the companies that joined the show and others that stayed away. 
For example, while an established company, like Bentley, stayed away from the show, Dyson — a UK-based maker of vacuum cleaners — took part. 
Dyson did not show a car but is rumored to be working on developing electric car batteries with support from the British government.
While Lamborghini abstained from the Paris show, French maker of electric minicars, Noun Electric, was in the show displaying some of its inventions.
Next to it was the Italian Formula Giol, a high performance recreational vehicle designed by the Italian engineer Luciano Giol. 
Yet, a high performance sport car like the Mazda MX-5 was not in the show.
As usual, French car manufacturers dominated the show with large displays of models and concepts including the Renault Trezor, an electric concept, which points to Renault’s future design direction and Citroen Cxperience Concept which is a plug-in hybrid showcasing Citroen future styling ideas.
Other notable models appearing in the Paris Motor Show, which continues to October 16, (10.00 AM to 8.00 PM for visitors) include the Infiniti Q50, the BMW i8 Protonic Dark Silver Edition, BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo, Nissan Micra; Hyundai i20 WRC; Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid, Mercedes-Benz E-Class All-Terrain, Honda Civic and Kia Rio.
The media attention in the Paris show was focused on the exotic and the practical alike. 
These are some of the vehicles which got the motoring press excited in Paris:

• Ferrari LaFerrari Aperta: This is the open-top version of the limited-edition LaFerrari hybrid which has the same performance as the coupe, unleashing 949 bhp from its 789 bhp V-12 engine and a 120-kW electric motor. 
Its chassis has been modified to maintain the same torsional rigidity as the LaFerrari coupe. 
The entire production of the Aperta has already been sold out, according to the company. Buyers have the option of a carbon-fiber hard top or an optional soft top. 
Only 200 of the hybrid convertible will be made for carefully selected clients with additional nine cars to be used by the company for its celebrations next year of its 70th anniversary. 
The Aperta is priced at two million dollars each.

• Audi Q5: This new version of the best-selling Audi SUV is 90kg lighter than its predecessor. 
It has increased luggage capacity and interior space — including headroom and rear knee room. 
It uses the famous TFSI engine and a newly-developed five-link suspension with optional adaptive air suspension. 
The new Q5 also stands at the top of its class in its aerodynamics. The four-cylinder versions attain a cd figure of 0.30 with the aerodynamically optimized roof. Wind noises and vibration are exceptionally low. 
The new SUV from Audi indulges the driver and passengers with some of the best interior acoustics in its class.
• Maserati Quattroporte: The Quattroporte has undergone a substantial restyling that accentuates its elegance without altering its signature Maserati personality. 
The restyled Quattroporte, available since June 2016, represents the quintessence of Italian sport saloons and is destined to continue a success story that started in 2013. 
The exterior of the restyled Quattroporte is recognizable with a new bumper design with matte black profile at the front and the matte black extractor at the rear. 
The front grille is sharper and more imposing, and it introduces new vertical chrome elements which contrast with the depth of the shark-nose effect. 
Other distinguishing details of the new Quattroporte are the matte black side skirts and the wing mirrors, which have been slightly restyled to incorporate new technology. 
There is a choice between a 3.0 liter and 3.8 liter petrol engines.

• Land Rover Discovery 2017: This is the fifth generation Discovery and it gets a new platform and revised engines. 
The company says the new model ushers in a new era of comfort and fuel efficiency. 
The new Discovery is due next spring and will be built in the UK. 
The newly built Discovery saves on the car’s weight due to its aluminum construction. 
This has allowed the company to use a smaller four-cylinder engine and additional safety kit. 
The petrol engine will be a supercharged six-cylinder producing 335 bhp and 450 Nm of torque. 
The petrol model is a best seller in the GCC and it’s the fastest model in the range, with a 0-60mph time of 6.9 seconds.

Source: Arab News