27 September 2012 by Parkers Team

  • See our coverage from the Paris Motor Show 2012
  • Important new cars, technology and concepts revealed
  • Exclusive pictures and info live from the show floor

With the global economy seemingly on its knees and oil prices spiralling out of control, one might expect this year's Paris Motor Show to be a rather understated affair.

Not at all: the car manufacturers have proved a rather hardy bunch, and this event represents a show of defiance in such financially straitened times.

Scores of new cars, concepts, revisions and revolutionary technology make up this year's show and if there is a chink in the car industry's armour, the manufacturers are determined not to show it.

You can check our Facebook page to see all the latest pictures and reveals from the Paris Motor Show 2012.

Click on the links below for detailed information on all the Paris Motor Show stars.

Audi A3 Sportback

A 10% improvement on fuel economy and lower emissions mark out the new Sportback. In terms of styling, it's pretty similar to the old car. 
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Audi S3

The new S3 has a 296bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine capable of 0-62mph in just 5.1 seconds with an average fuel consumption of 40.9mpg.
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Chevrolet Trax

This is the first time the American car maker has entered the small 4x4 segment. A 1.4 petrol and a 1.7 diesel make up the engine line-up.
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Citroen DS3 Cabriolet

The DS3 Cabrio isn't a complete droptop - the folding roof is more akin to that on the Fiat 500 convertible. Still, it's a nice looking piece of kit.
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Dacia Sandero

Dacia will be introducing its affordable Sandero in the UK market in 2013. It may give the Ford Fiesta and Vauxhall Corsa a run for their money.
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Fiat Panda 4x4

The Panda 4x4 is unique because it is the only four-wheel-drive city car on the market. It's about time other car makers cottoned on to this.
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Ford Fiesta

More a heavy refresh than an all-new car, the Fiesta has a new nose, more kit and a better engine line-up. Platform is still the same.
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Jaguar F-Type

Well, this is a beautiful looking car and it's bound to be a hit with sports car buyers. Jaguar continues its theme of building great cars.
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Kia Carens

You can buy a five- or seven-seat version of the Carens. This is a great people-mover that will be offered at an affordable price. A best-kept secret.
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Kia pro_cee'd

The sleeker version of the new cee'd hatchback has plenty to offer. Strong fuel economy and sleek looks. It should be nice to drive too.
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Mazda6 Estate

The Mazda6 saloon is an impressive package. Affordable, well-built and roomy it's got a lot to offer and the Estate should be no different.
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MINI Paceman

Another model in the MINI line-up that manages to look pretty much like every other MINI. A yuppie-friendly coupe/off-roader.
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Mitsubishi PHEV

Mitsubishi got the electric car thing started with its i-MiEV city car and now it's following that up with a hybrid version of its Outlander.
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Peugeot 208 GTi

Peugeot is still dining out on the success of its legendary 205 GTi hot hatch. Can this latest offering achieve the same sort of status?
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Renault Clio

The great and the good at the Paris Motor Show are 'very excited' about the all-new Clio. We're mildly moved.
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Range Rover

Doesn't look that much different from the old car, but like many before the British manufacturer insists there are plenty of changes under the skin.
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SEAT Leon

This is a sporty looking hatchback and it's clear, just from the styling, that SEAT wants to win the medium hatchback war.
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Toyota Auris

The new Auris is not fighting the style war. It's an improvement, lookswise, on the old model, but still quite dull. Reliable and dependable though.
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Volkwagen Golf

It would have been stupid to expect radical change with the new Golf - why mess around with a tried-and-tested formula? Bit boring though.
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Parkers Top Tip:

To read more about the concepts on display at Paris click here. To see more pictures from the show click here.