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Ten best new business cars at Paris Motor Show

Paris Feature BMW X2 concept
BMW X2 Concept unveiled in Paris

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3 October 2016

THE Paris Motor Show is the place to see next year’s must-have business cars. Running until 16 October, there are more than 286 exhibitors, but here’s what we believe will be the ten best new business cars of 2017 making their debuts at the French show.

 Audi Q5

ten best new business cars of 2017
The new Audi Q5

The second-generation Q5, Audi’s rival to BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC, made its debut at the 2016 Paris Motor Show.

The styling is an interesting mix of scaled-down Q7 meshed with design cues from the all-new A5. This means a large angular grille, plus distinctive LED headlights at the front, moving on to a sharp A5-like beltline at the side and those high-set rear light clusters at the back.

Inside, like the outside, the Q5 has moved upmarket with the horizontal dash dominated by its top-mounted infotainment system.

Lighter than before, the new Q5 now adopts the MLB platform – as opposed to the MHB or MQB – for longitudinal engine layout, equalling a 100kg saving and promised better dynamics. A front-wheel drive version of the Q5 will be offered for the first time and there will be a choice of one petrol and two diesels in different states of tune, when it arrives on UK shores late this year.

BMW X2 Concept

ten best new business cars of 2017
BMW X2 Concept

Just a concept at the moment, but be in no doubt that a production version of the BMW X2 is expected to happen by the end of 2018.

Designed to be the sporty sister SUV, to the already on-sale X1. Design highlights include the bulging wheel arches, plus shallow glass line, which arcs impressively upwards ending in the latest version of BMW’s iconic ‘Hoffmeister kink’. At the back, you’ll spot the X2, by the light clusters that stretch across.

Engine choices are expected to be made up of the familiar 2.0-litre diesel and petrol range, with the choice of six-speed manual and automatic versions.

Citroen C3

ten best new business cars of 2017
Citroen C3

With the Cactus, Citroen has proved it’s okay for the brand to be quirky again. Now it’s hoping some of that magic will filter down to its supermini – the all-new C3.

You can certainly see the similarities between the Cactus and the C3 in the styling, with the slim driving lights at the top and the chunkier main headlights below, Then there are the smaller Air Bumps down the side and rear lights with a similar light signature.

Inside the new C3, like the outside, the Cactus similarities are obvious with the lack of dashboard buttons, the centre console dominated by a large touchscreen infotainment system and the interior door handles that look like straps.

C3 technology highlights include the ConnectedCam, which is basically a forward-facing camera built into the rear view mirror, to record traffic incidents and accidents. Citroen promise plenty of personalisation options, plus the choice of 1.2 PureTech petrol or 1.6 BlueHDi diesel power.

The new C3 will hit UK shores just before Christmas.

Honda Civic

ten best new business cars of 2017
New generation Honda Civic

The new Civic was probably the worst kept secret at the Paris Motor Show, as plenty of teaser shots of the curvy five-door hatch leaked out well beforehand.

Longer, wider, lighter and built on a new platform, the new Civic will be offered at launch with a choice of two, all-new turbocharged 1.0 and 1.5-litre VTEC petrol engines.

With the new platform, Honda are also promising a more involving drive. The wild Type R is the place to look for ultimate Civic driving thrills and the good news is one is already in the pipeline, which was also debuted as a concept at the show.

Inside, it certainly feels more spacious than the outgoing car. Plus, quality appears to have stepped up and standard dials have been replaced by a single TFT screen.

Hyundai RN30 Concept

ten best new business cars of 2017
Hyundai RN30 Concept

The all-new Hyundai i30 made its debut at the Paris Motor Show, but all eyes were on this – the wild RN30 concept.

Built to whet our appetites in anticipation of the forthcoming Hyundai ’N’ models, the RN30 is basically a concept to show what an i30 built for rallying would look like.

Underneath that blistered, aerodynamic body, the RN30 is powered by a 380PS version of a 2.0-litre turbo engine developed by Hyundai Motorsport. Plus, it gets all that power to the road via a four-wheel drive system.

Let’s hope the production version of the first high-performance Hyundai is as exciting.

Kia Rio

ten best new business cars of 2017
New generation Kia Rio

The Rio is Kia’s global best-seller and the latest fourth-generation car that was revealed at the Paris Motor Show, which we reckon keep those 473,000 buyers around the world coming back.

Outside, the Rio’s basic shape doesn’t look massively different to the outgoing car. However, on closer inspection the lines are sharper and smoother, with a smaller version of the Kia family tiger nose grille, plus new headlights with distinctive ‘U’ shaped DRL lights.

Inside, the Rio’s new interior boasts a central infotainment screen, that on mid and higher models will offer Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. There’s also a class-leading 325-litre boot and optional Autonomous Emergency Braking with pedestrian recognition.

The new Rio will be available with a choice of petrol and diesel engines and will go on sale in the first quarter of 2017.

Land Rover Discovery

ten best new business cars of 2017
All-new Land Rover Discovery

A key launch for Land Rover is the all-new Discovery SUV, which was debuted at the Paris Motor Show, but will go on sale in spring 2017.

Outside, you can’t miss the Discovery’s sleek new look. Carrying on the design cues first debuting on the game-changing Range Rover Evoque, the new Discovery almost looks like a scaled-up version of the smaller Discovery Sport. Although, the most interesting part of the design in our opinion is the vertical rear styling, which is something new.

The interior style looks similar to the rest of the modern Land Rover range, although the infotainment systems are all new and can link up smartphone apps that can be used through the display. This Discovery, like its predecessor, is a full seven-seater, but although longer, boot space is compromised with all the seats in place.

Land Rover claim that despite the sharp new look, the Discovery’s off-road abilities are unchanged – with a two-speed transfer box fitted to all versions along with Land Rover’s All-Terrain Progress Control. Engine choices will be the usual petrol and diesel power.

MINI Clubman John Cooper Works

ten best new business cars of 2017
New MINI Clubman John Cooper Works

The new MINI Clubman has made its mark against sector rivals, such as the Audi A3 and Volkswagen Golf. With it’s 2.0-litre 228bhp engine and All4 four-wheel drive as standard, the John Cooper Works (JCW) version revealed at the Paris Show is again going after these big boys of the sector, in the form of the S3 and GTi.

The formula is much the same as the JCW hatch with the Clubman, with firmer suspension and MINI’s drive mode selector – which tweaks the throttle response and steering weight fitted as standard. Outside you’ll spot the JCW version of the Clubman by its unique wheel designs, badging, deleted front fog lights and sportier looking front and rear bumper designs.

Inside, there’s the JCW one-piece sports seats, a black headlining, stainless steel pedals and JCW door inserts. The MINI Clubman JCW will go on sale in manual and automatic versions this December.

Peugeot 3008

ten best new business cars of 2017
New Peugeot 3008

Peugeot made its mark at the Paris Motor Show with its boldly-styled 3008, that’s gone from a frumpy crossover to a boldly-styled SUV!

Highlights of the 3008’s distinctive look include the Peugeot’s upright family nose, LED lights, sculpted bonnet, floating roof and chunky roof bars.

The inside of the 3008 is no less revolutionary, with Peugeot’s new i-Cockpit, with a configurable 12:3 screen instead of standard dials and a curvy dashboard and centre console that wrap around the driver.

A choice of two PureTech petrol and two BlueHDi diesels, with manual or automatic transmissions will be available when the 3008 is launched this October.

Volkswagen I.D. Concept

 

ten best new business cars of 2017
Volkswagen’s ID Concept

After a tough time with the diesel scandal, Volkswagen finally had some good news in the form of its game-changing electric concept car – the I.D.

More than just a concept car, Volkswagen – who now want to be known for their technology and alternative fuels – will offer a production version of the Golf-sized I.D. by 2020.

I.D. highlights include promised Passat levels of interior space in a Golf-sized package. It’s also the first Volkswagen to be engineered for fully autonomous driving and has a quoted range of 370 miles.

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