Following the reveal of the 240 bhp Kodiaq RS, Skoda has also lifted the veils of the Vision RS concept ahead of the 2018 Paris Motor Show. Both models will make their public debut at the French motor show. The Skoda Vision RS concept hybrid is a sharp looking five-door hatchback and previews a host of future models from the automaker including the next generation Rapid and possibly a hot hatch as well, to take on the Ford Focus, Hyundai i30N and the Volkswagen Golf. The Vision RS is also likely to spawn a performance version in the future with the RS badge similar to VW's GTI badge.
The new 3 Series, as expected, looks purposeful and has a brand new design language with the 8 Series inspired front end, larger kidney grille, a sharper set of headlamps and a new set of sportier bumpers. While this car in these leaked pictures is probably the M-Sport version, there will lf course be a more regular looking luxury and sportline model too without the more aggressive bumpers and with smaller wheels.
Auto shows globally aren't making the right headlines these days with dropping footfalls and inflated budgets shying manufacturers away. After German auto giant Volkswagen said it won't participate in the Paris Motor Show 2018, Group company Lamborghini too has confirmed its absence from the motor show. The Paris Motor Show happens once in every two years and is considered to be the biggest auto show in Europe with respect to the number of footfalls.
Volkswagen AG has been increasingly been absent from several global motor shows including Frankfurt, Detroit and Delhi, and now reports suggest that the German auto giant is likely to skip the upcoming Paris Motor Show as well. Organised every two years, the Paris Motor Show has seen a host of manufacturers unveiling production and concept vehicles for the European market over the years. French website Autactu.com learned about the development from Volkswagen's local branch about skipping the biennial event.
South Korean car maker KIA Motors has unveiled the Niro EV compact crossover in its production guise at the the 5th International Electric Vehicle Expo in Jeju, South Korea. The car was first showcased as a concept at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January this year, and the production-spec model borrows several cues from the former. The new KIA Niro EV will be making its global debut at the Paris Motor Show later this year.
The Paris Motor Show officials are optimistic to see Indian automobile stakeholders to participate in the 10 day event to showcase new innovations in the sector of automobiles.
The Paris Motor Show is certainly one of the key global automobile showcases, and yet this year I fear it was more evident than ever how Motor Shows are losing steam - and perhaps more so in the case of Paris. A shrunken show with some key players missing may not be cause for cheer, but luckily some products still gave us some excitement. Here are my top picks from the ongoing Mondial de l'Automobile!
