2006 Paris Auto Show, Part III

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2006 Paris Auto Show Index by TCC Team (9/25/2006)

 

MINI Cooper S

The new MINI is on the way! What, you hadn’t heard? Since you obviously missed our preview of the next Cooper and Cooper S, the folks at MINI were kind to reprise it during the press launch of the vehicle at the Paris show, complete with a huge inflatable ball hiding the new Cooper from view, and with a live DJ to propel the Cooper into its second generation. Five years after the first BMW-penned MINI came to life, the second generation arrives with a trio of engines and a refined new interior. The base engine for the U.S. will be a 1.6-liter in-line four with 120 horsepower, good for a 60-mph acceleration time of less than 9.1 seconds and a top speed of 126 mph. The turbocharged 1.6-liter that replaces the MINI’s former supercharged unit produces 175 hp and a 60-mph accel time of 7.1 seoncds, along with a top speed of 140 mph. And for other markets around the world, the MINI One develops 95 hp from a 1.4-liter four. A turbodiesel model will be offered later in the cycle.

MINI officials for the U.S. confirm that the “Traveller” concept from the 2006 Detroit auto show will enter production next year, prior to the new-generation convertible.

Stay tuned this week for a full road test on the new Cooper.

More photos:

Preview: 2007 MINI Cooper by Henny Hemmes (7/31/2006)
Evolved in a gradual way.  

 

BMW X3

A revamped X3 sport-ute bows for the 2007 model year, and in Paris its sleeker nose poked its way through the BMW stand. The X3 gets a range of new engines to go with its trimmed, sleeker nose, and its reconfigured taillamps, including a new twin-turbo diesel with 286 horsepower. All versions, including those coming to the U.S., are outfitted with new automatic transmissions and a new interior more like that found in the new 3- and 5-Series vehicles. All-wheel drive is standard. The other new engines include a 272-hp, 3.0-liter in-line six and a 2.5-liter in-line six with 218 hp.

 

 

 

BMW 3-Series Coupe

Already previewed here at TheCarConnection — a full road test comes to you next week — the new BMW 3-Series coupe offers a gorgeous new profile to go along with the intoxicating power of a new twin-turbo 3.0-liter in-line six. The flowing two-door version of the current generation of 3-Series vehicles can also be ordered with all-wheel drive, a first for BMW’s entry-level two-door. Stay tuned for TCC’s test drive of the 335i next week, or take in our preview of the coupe below.

 

More photos:

Preview: 2007 BMW 335i Coupe by Henny Hemmes (7/10/2006)
A turbo blast with sleek two-door looks.

 

Mitsubishi Pajero

It’s been gone from the U.S. market a year — but the Mitsubishi Pajero (we knew it as the Montero) is being renovated and is on display at the Paris auto show with a new skin, new 4x4 technology, and worked-over powertrains. The new big ute, which goes on sale this month in Japan , gets flatter, more angular sheetmetal more akin to the original 1979 Pajero, Mitsubishi says. A three-door version shares the same design philosophy, along with the external-mounted spare tire. A more coherent look outside and inside shares some of the elements of the new Outlander crossover, particularly in the dash shapes, where an optional navigation system has sprouted. The four-wheel-drive system can be ordered with a lockable rear differential; anti-lock braking and traction and stability control are standard equipment. Two common-rail diesels are offered, as is a 247-hp, 3.8-liter V-6 shared with Mitsubishi models sold in the U.S. A five-speed automatic or manual transmission can be specified.

 

Suzuki Splash

Auto shows are test beds for manufacturers, who use journalists and the public as guinea pigs for new ideas. Hey, it’s not all bad — particularly when it comes to cute family vehicles like the Suzuki Splash, a fun-looking concept that seeks to update the Japanese automaker’s image from staid to something a little more stylish. The Splash is based on the non-U.S. Swift subcompact, but with a taller body and panoramic glass for a roomier, airier cabin. The LED headlamps and distinctive grille give the Splash a unique face while the interior sports a “floating” instrument panel with a dash-mounted shift lever. Anti-lock brakes and stability control are anticipated in the concept, which also wears highly unlikely 18-inch treads.