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![Lamborghini Sesto Elemento]()
The name is Italian for 'sixth element', but it isn't a prop for a sequel to Bruce Willis' sci-fi movie "The Fifth Element". Instead it is a reference to the actual sixth element on the periodic table: carbon. And a more fitting name there never was for a car. The Lamborghini Sesto Elemento is almost entirely made of carbon fiber, from the body panels to the exhaust pipes. The goal of the concept was to design a supercar that is as lightweight as possible - which means more speed, better handling and, yes, lower carbon emissions out of those tailpipes - so its odd that they rolled it out in a cloud of smoke. Weighing in at a scant 2,200 pounds - about 800 less than the lightest car the company currently makes - its 570 hp V10 can accelerate it from 0-60 mph in 2.5 seconds.![Renault DeZir]()
Proving that sensible doesn't have to look it, the Renault DeZir electric concept combines a run-of-the-mill 150 hp electric motor with a supercar body that's half Koenigsegg, half Audi R8 and all French. While its likely something similar to this will go into production in the near future, it's just as unlikely that Renault will be returning to the United States anytime soon. Good thing it owns Nissan.![Jaguar C-X75]()
Celebrating the 75th anniversary of the legendary automaker, the extended range electric Jaguar C-X75 concept makes the Chevy Volt look like its that old already. Propelled by a 195 hp electric motor at each wheel,the feline supercar can travel 68 miles on battery power alone before two mid-mounted gas-fueled micro turbine engines kick in to generate electricity, pushing its range to over 550 miles and top speed to 205 mph.![Ferrari SA Aperta]()
Nearing the end of its career, the Ferrari 599 has finally blown its top. The long-awaited convertible version of the Italian automaker's flagship performance car features the same 670 hp V12 found in the 599 GTO. Only 80 of the soft-top barchettas will be made in yet another Paris tribute, this to the 80th anniversary of the Pinninfarina design house which has been the pen behind many of Ferrari's beautiful bodies over the years, including the 599.![2011 Land Rover Evoque]()
The Land Rover Evoque is a high-heeled hiking boot that aims to combine high-style with enough off-road capability to at least get you to the front door of the country club - even in the rain. More of a overnight bag than an explorer's steamer trunk, U.S.-bound versions will feature full-time all-wheel-drive powered by a 240 hp 2.0-liter turbocharged four cylinder from Land Rover's old friends at Ford, with a version of the Terrain Response system found in the Range Rover keeping everything under control in case you decide to do some shopping in the Kalahari or during a flurry. A 5-door version follows it next year.![Kia Pop]()
In paper the Kia Pop looks like your typical electric car: 100 mile range, 86 mph top speed, etc, but just look at it for real! Featuring scissor doors, diagonal windows, virtual instruments and seating for three, even the folks at Kia admit that the chrome-plated, 10-foot long wonder is not a look at the next generation of their cars, but something far in the future.![Mini Countryman World Rally Car and Scooter E]()
Mini is going maxi and micro in Paris with a pair of vehicles that push the brand into two completely different directions. First up is the rally racing version of the company's upcoming four-door crossover, the Countryman, which will be taking part in the World Rally Championship starting next year. The car hoping to reclaim the mantle once held by the company's giant-killing Mini rally cars of the 1960's. No less outrageous is the Scooter E, a two-wheel drive electric scooter concept that captures the swank British style of the Mini in two-wheel form. Far from retro, the two-seater features smartphone integration that not only uses the devices to display the speedometer, but allows riders to remain socially networked on the road.![Lotus Esprit]()
Lotus shocked the crowd in Paris by revealing not just one new car, but five that chart the company's course from now until 2015 with everything from a replacement for the Elise to a 196 mph hybrid four-door sedan on display. The star of the bunch was this revival of the company's iconic Esprit. Powered by a 620 hp version of the 5.0-liter V8 found in the Lexus IS-F, the $175,000 supercar won't turn into a submarine, but it should be quick enough to skip across the top of the water when it goes on sale in 2013.![Nissan Townpod]()
The Nissan Townpod is a squat little electric microvan that company COO Toshiyuki Shiga is apparently very happy about. Featuring small, suicide-type rear doors the small utility vehicle concept was envisioned to fit the roles of both a personal hatchback and commercial vehicle. Looking very much like the upcoming Nissan Leaf, the Townpod uses the same battery-powered drivetrain as that car, which should translate to a range of about 100 miles per charge.![Citroen Lacoste]()
As French as it gets, the Citroen Lacoste is a joint effort between the automaker and the clothing company to create a fun and stylish city car. Powered by a 3-cylinder engine just that's just enough to get you around town, the mostly roofless 4-passenger vehicle features lots of Lacoste-style fabrics, bench seating, golf ball-look alloy wheels and and a roof that inflates out of the fixed T-bar, which holds the headrests in place.![Audi e-tron Spyder]()
The e-tron spyder takes Audi's mastery of the diesel engine and combines it with a potent electric powertrain to create a convertible sports car that can hit 155 mph and get 128 mpg...conceptually.![2011 Ford Focus ST]()
Although it's relatively mundane compared to many of the other cars at the show, the very conventional, but all-new 2011 Ford Focus will likely prove to be the most important one, as if flanking it with Ford CEO Alan Mulally and Ford of Europe CEO Stephen O'Dell wasn't enough of a giveaway. The compact 4-door sedan and 5-door hatchbacks hit U.S. shores early next year and will be available the high performance 247 hp turbocharged ST model seen here.![Fisker Karma 1]()
While Chevy continues to vomit information about the upcoming Volt extended range electric car, a similar, though very different one has been quietly working its way toward production, and here's proof, the first factory-built Fisker Karma. Looking just as gorgeous as the original concept promised, the $88,000 luxury sedan combines a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine - from GM, no less - with an electric powertrain that delivers a total of 403 hp, and an all-electric range of up to 50 miles. Sales are said to begin early next year, but Fisker will be glad to take your reservation now.![2011 Bentley Continental GT]()
Look closely enough and you'll see the new 2011 Bentley Continental GT. It's slightly harder edges giving it a trimmer, more muscular look than the current car while retaining it's familiar profile. Still powered by its unique W12 engine, it now pumps out 567 hp and is flex-fuel, with the ability to run on E85 ethanol fuel. Pricing goes up as well, unfortunately, to $189,990, but a less expensive, more fuel efficient V8 will be available late next year as a hedge against fuel prices going up and the economy going south. Hedge fund managers feel the pain to, you know.![Audi Quattro]()
Another anniversary edition, the Audi Quattro concept celebrates the 30 years of Audi's pioneering all-wheel-drive, while tipping a hat to the company's iconic and all conquering rally car from the 1980's the Audi Quattro Sport. Based on the current Audi A5, the car has been shortened, lightened and endowed with a 408 hp turbocharged 5-cylinder engine in the spirit of the original.![Maserati Granturismo MC Stradale]()
Taking its inspiration from the Italian automaker's racing cars, the Maserati Granturismo MC Stradale is lighter and more aerodynamic that the standard GT. Its V8 engine also produces more horsepower - now 450 hp - without increasing fuel consumption.![Porsche 911 Speedster]()
Porsche will build only 356 of these 911 Speedsters in 2011, the number and car a tribute to the 1950's model that put Porsche on the map. With a chopped windscreen and manual roof hidden under its double bubble tonneau cover, the exclusive 2-seater is fitted with a 402 hp version of Porsche's flat-6 engine and a 7-speed dual clutch transmission. Along with the technology, the price of $275,000 is very un-retro.![BMW 6-Series Concept]()
A concept in name only, BMW's flagship coupe gets a thorough makeover that turns the fine driving, but far from beautiful 2-door into a stunner that's very much in the same vein of the company's new Z4 roadster.![Volkswagen New Midsize Sedan]()
Volkswagen introduced a new Passat in Paris, but won't be selling it in the U.S. anymore. Instead we'll get the Chattanooga, Tennessee-built New Midsize Sedan, which was revealed in sketch form before it's official unveiling at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show. Details, too, are sketchy, but VW is planning to take the top-selling Toyota Camry and Honda Accord head on in the marketplace, so expect similar prices, powertrains and not much excitement when the car goes on sale late next year.2010 Paris Auto Show
The biannual Paris Auto Show managed to duck the worst of the automotive industry downturn in 2009, but it is leading the charge into the upcoming year of the electric car, with zero-emissions and hybrid vehicles taking center stage, while the usual collection of sexy exotic machines strut their stuff like the models on the runway at Paris Fashion Week across town.
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- 2010 Paris Auto Show
