Small is perfect at Paris

Paris Show report by Ralph Morton

Since the fuel crisis of the 1970s, the car industry has been able to reinvent itself at regular intevals. Just how inventive was showcased here at the Paris Motor Show with a range of new and exciting small cars.

These included the stunning Toyota iQ (pictured), a tiny four-seater under 3m in length, the Nissan Pixo which will sit below the Micra in car hierarchy and, of course, the Ford Ka.

There were hybrids on every stand including diesel-electric hybrids. And hybrids due for launch next year such as the Honda Insight, along with concepts for future small cars such as the Audi A1.

And while there might have been grave concerns about the impact on car sales in the current economic uncertainty, there was no shortage of pizzazz to make up for it. Which is one thing the motor industry always does well.

Photos: Headlineauto; Newspress; United Pictures.

Low-emission Audi A4 diesel

Audi showed a low-emission 105g/km A4 diesel “concept e”. It's not production ready yet. Before the 105g/km model arrives expect a 2.0-litre TDI A4 with sub-130g/km emissions, 55mpg, and stop start tech.

BMW's baby X1 SUV

BMW took the wraps off a concept car that points the way to the forthcoming X1 – a smaller version of the BMW X3 and X5. The BMW X1 is expected to be on sale by 2010. BMW also showed its all-new 7-Series.

Chevrolet takes a new design direction

Chevrolet appears to be shaking off the lead weight of its Daewoo past. The new Cruze, a four-door saloon, looked impressive and featured a snazzy, upmarket interior. The Cruze goes on sale next spring. Engines are 1.6 or 1.8-litre petrols, or a 2.0-litre diesel.

Citroen expands MPV range with Nemo Combi

Citroen knows when they're onto a good thing. Given the general tightening of belts, Citroen is offering an MPV-style car in just about every niche. At a competitive price. This is the Nemo Combi, Citroen's cheeky van given rear windows and seats. Looks cute. Could do well if price is cheap enough.

The Citroen Nemo Combi means Citroen now has nine different MPV variants in its arsenal: the Nemo; Xsara Picasso; Berlingo Multispace 5str; new Berlingo Multispace 7str; new C3 Picasso; C4 Picasso; C4 Picasso Grand; C8; and Dispatch Combi.

Ferrari unwraps stunning California

The Ferrari California was certainly a welcome sight. The 4.3-litre 454bhp V8 comes wrapped in a Pininfarina designed GT coupe-cabriolet body with aluminium folding roof. Successful entrepreneurs queue here.

Ford Ka goes big on style

Ford launched its all-new Ford Ka with the emphasis on personalisation – something the MINI pioneered. There will be three styles to choose from: Digital, Tattoo and Grand Prix. Plus a full range of options that can be ordered individually. The Ka be available with a choice of two engines: 1.2-litre petrol or 1.3-litre diesel. Both have sub 120g/km CO2 emissions. On sale January.

Hyundai's i20 supermini targets Fiesta and Corsa

Engineered and styled in Europe, Hyundai's i20 will boast more kit but a price tag some £1000 lower than its Corsa and Fiesta rivals. Engines are a 75bhp 1.2 petrol; and a 1.4 diesel (75bhp or 90bhp). On sale January.

Infiniti – a new sporting brand for the UK

Infiniti – it's the upmarket sporting luxury brand of Nissan. In much the same way that Lexus is the luxury brand of Toyota. And the Infiniti brand is coming to the UK in mid-2009. Cars include this FX37 crossover – a sporting SUV. Infiniti says the brand is aimed at progressive entrepreneurs. So far the most reserved car on the company's website is the top model FX50: a 390PS 5.0-litre V8 costing £55,000.

Kia finds its Soul

Slightly odd-looking and an odd name – but that's the new Kia Soul. It's a compact crossover – part hatch/part SUV – and goes on sale spring. It has an ingenious double boot. Lift up the floor and underneath is a spacious compartment usefully divided into sections to prevent items rolling around the boot. Rear seats fold flat to create van-like cargo area.

New Lexus convertible

Lexus unveiled its IS 250 Convertible – a rival to BMW’s 3-Series drop-top. The metal roof folds into the boot in 20 seconds. It will go on sale next summer.

Mazda MX-5 gets an auto

Mazda's fine MX-5 sports car now has a six-speed auto. It can be operated manually via paddle shifts on the steering wheel. There has also been some very subtle design tweaks to the exterior. On sale spring next year.

Expanded diesel range for Mazda 6

Early next year, there will be greater choice in the diesel Mazda 6 range with the introduction of a 2.2-litre engine. There are three power outputs – from 125PS to 185PS – each with over 50mpg capability.

Mercedes-Benz concept styling for new E-Class

Mercedes had a fabulous styling interpretation that previewed the next E-Class Coupe. And an opportunity to see how the new E-Class saloon will look with Mercedes' latest four-headlamp E-Class signature design at the front. The car was called ConceptFASCINATION, a two-door shooting brake estate. Expect to see the new Mercedes E-Class saloon and E-Class Coupe in the UK next summer.

Nissan introduces Pixo city car

Nissan had a brand new five-door city hatch to show. It will sit below the Micra in terms of size and price. It will have a three-cylinder 1.0-litre engine. On sale spring.

Peugeot shows 308 CC and new Prologue

The Peugeot 308 CC coupe-convertible will go on sale in the spring priced from around £18,000. There will be three trims: S, Sport and GT. Peugeot also showed its Prologue crossover concept which has a diesel hybrid drivetrain, which means CO2 emissions of 109g/km. It will eventually go on sale as a Nissan Qashqai rival.

Renault unveils attractive Megane

Renault's Focus rival looked particularly smart, especially this Coupe model pictured. Boot space was tight, though. The new Megane is on sale from November. The complete Megane range will include an estate, Scenic and Grand Scenic MPVs.

SEAT stays eco friendly with new Ecomotive

SEAT will update its enviro-friendly Ecomotive model next year with a MkII Ecomotive. The car will still retain its characterful three-cylinder 1.4-litre diesel with ultra low CO2 emissions of 98g/km. Also new was a twin-turbo 180bhp sporty Cupra model.

New SEAT Exeo business saloon

It's now SEAT's turn to have a pop at the Mondeo/Insignia market with this large Exeo business saloon. The show car lacked the whizz-bang sportiness you expect from SEAT, but SEAT MD Peter Wyhinny promises UK cars will look the part with larger wheels and a sporty character.

Skoda gives Octavia a lift

A facelifted version of the Octavia – Skoda’s biggest selling model – received its world premiere. With revised bumpers and front and rear light clusters, prices will be announced at the end of November. On sale January.

SsangYong joins the smart set with C200

SsangYong is best known for its good value Rexton 4x4 and sensational value Rodius MPV. Neither, though, are particular 'lookers'. That's changing with SsangYong's smallest SUV to date, the C200. It features front-wheel drive with both 4x4 and 4x2 transmission options and a 2.0-litre 175bhp diesel. The C200 goes on sale 2009.

Six-speed auto for new diesel Avensis

The new Toyota Avensis will feature a six-speed diesel auto for the first time when it goes on sale January. There will be two bodystyles: a saloon and an estate. Engines are lower on CO2 – the diesel now at 134g/km, and an 18% company car tax banding. Toyota is promising further lashings of quality and improved driving dynamics.

Vauxhall Insignia goes low on emissions

There seems to be no stopping the Vauxhall Insignia roll-out. Next on the agenda is the Insignia EcoFlex, with CO2 emissions below 140g/km. However, Vauxhall promises the car will be a “high-end car” – in other words, all the business kit you would expect; but low on company car tax.

Vauxhall Insignia Estate for this spring

Following the launch of the saloon and hatchback models, Vauxhall took the covers off the good-looking estate: the Sports Tourer. There are two new engines – a 1.6-litre petrol turbo; and a low-emission twin-turbo diesel. Rear luggage area is 540 litres; with the seats folded this goes up to 1510 litres. On sale in spring.

Volkswagen Golf GTI – most powerful yet

Volkswagen showed its new Golf GTI MkVI due this spring. Officially still a 'concept' it looks pretty much the real thing. This is the most potent standard Golf GTI to date: power is up to 210bhp. It features an electronic limited slip diff linked to anti-skid ESP technology.

Volvo DRIVe models look cool on tax

Volvo's new range of DRIVe models will form the entry point for all diesel-engined C30 coupe, S40 saloon and V50 estate cars. All will feature emissions below 120g/km. This means a company car tax rating of just 13%. First cars January.