Ferrari, Land Rover among cars set to shine at Paris Auto Show
An obscenely powerful hybrid sports car, a family-friendly SUV with enough space for seven adults, and an electric vehicle that promises to keep going for over 300 miles on a single charge — these are some of the notable vehicles shining on display at the Paris auto show.
Here are some of the vehicles getting the most attention at the Paris Mondial de L’Automobile, which opens to the public Saturday and runs through Oct. 16.
Laferrari Aperta
This limited edition of Ferrari’s LaFerrari supercar offers the pleasures of open-top driving in a car that performs pretty much like a Formula One racer. It’s a hybrid, meaning its electric motor assists the monster 12-cylinder internal combustion engine to add even more powerful acceleration. The car does 0-62 mph in less than three seconds, and offers a top speed of 217 mph. With the top off, aerodynamic design channels away the airflow so that the two occupants can conduct a conversation even when traveling at high speeds. All 200 autos are already sold at prices of $2.0 million to $2.2 million.
Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid
It’s a comfortable fourdoor sedan — no, it’s a high-performance sports car. If it’s the Panamera, it’s a little bit of both. The all-wheel-drive car draws on the technology used in the company’s 918 Spyder supercar so that the electric motor continually adds power; the car accelerates from zero to 62 kph in just 4.6 seconds and can reach a top speed of 168 mph. It can travel as far as 31 miles on just the battery power, and emits a relatively low 56 grams per kilometer of carbon dioxide. The vehicle goes on sale in November. The price in France is 110,222 euros ($123,680).
Jaguar Land Rover Discovery
The first complete redesign of the Discovery in 12 years, this family-oriented large SUV has room for seven adults in three rows. The seats can be rearranged remotely through a smartphone app even when the operator is outside the vehicle, and the second and third rows can fold flat in 14 seconds. The suspension automatically lowers the car 1.5 inches to make it easier for passengers to get in and out. There are six charging points, places to store iPads, 9 USB ports, and a 4G WiFi hotspot. Prices start at about $57,000.
Opel Ampera-E
This is the European version of the Chevrolet Bolt five-door hatchback going on sale this year in the United States and early next year in Europe. It has attracted attention by getting a range rating of 238 miles under the U.S. standard on a full charge; the company promises a 310-mile range as measured by the European standard. It claims drivers can add 93 miles in 30 minutes of charging. The U.S. suggested price is $37,495, which doesn’t count the tax break of up to $7,500.