2018 Paris Motor Show preview

The second largest European car show of the year, the Paris Motor Show, is beginning on October 2, 2018. Following a bumper debut count at Geneva 2018, Paris is the next chance for the world’s carmakers to show off their latest products and future-previewing concepts in the public sphere. Last year we saw debuts of the Land Rover Discovery, Nissan Micra and Volkswagen ID concept.

However, a number of big manufacturers are skipping this year’s show. Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Volkswagen, Ford, Volvo, Nissan and Volvo all won’t be bringing anything along.

Other brands are using these absences as an opportunity to make a bigger splash with their new metal. Our A to Z below shows what we’ll be seeing there.

Audi A1

The reveal process for the new A1 happened a while ago, but the first in-the-metal look we'll get at the new Mini rival will be at the Paris Motor Show.

Audi A4

Audi is updating its 3-series rival with a sharper look and more standard kit. The car is due to go on sale during the summer, so we can expect it to make its show debut in Paris.

BMW 3-series

BMW’s lost some ground to Mercedes-Benz since the C-class became Europe’s top-selling compact executive sedan. The brand will look to the G20 to make up some of the lost pace, despite other car classes being savaged by SUV sales.

BMW X5

While BMW’s rival to the Jaguar F-Pace, the X5, has already been shown, it will make its first public outing at the Paris show. It’s got a fresh new look, an architecture shared with the 5- and 7-series, and it is larger in every direction than its predecessor.

BMW Z4

It’s been a long time coming, but the new Z4 first arrived in Pebble Beach, and will also be shown in Paris. With the The overhauled rival to the Porsche Boxster and Mercedes-Benz SLC, BMW promises a renewed focus on dynamic ability, as well as a completely different look from its predecessor.

Hyundai i30 Fastback N

We don't know what it'll look like yet (although educated guesses can be made, based on the existing Fastback, and hatchback N), but we know what it'll drive like from our drive in a prototype.

Kia Proceed

Kia’s shooting brake version of the Ceed, the Proceed, replaces the previous slow-selling three-door hatch version and deletes the apostrophe from its name for good measure. We’ve only seen it in concept form, but hopefully styling won’t stray too far from that.

Lexus LC Limited Edition

Exclusive paint and interior design marks out the LC Limited Edition. The name is no exaggeration either; the car will be produced in limited numbers.

Lexus RC facelift

Due in late 2018, Lexus' entry-level coupé gets a makeover inspired by the LC coupé, as well as tweaks to improve the handling and ride.

Mercedes-AMG A 35

The warm version of Mercedes’ new hatch arrives in early 2019 as a 304hp understudy to the 405.5hp full-fat A 45. It’ll rival the Audi S3 and Volkswagen Golf R, while the A45 will be more of a match for the RS3 and BMW M2.

Mercedes-Benz A-class sedan

Mercedes is also taking the A-class to the fight against the Audi A3 sedan by making a long-booted version. The A-class sedan’s styling has already been revealed on the Chinese-spec, long-wheelbase car, but a slightly different look will be applied to the European model.

Mercedes-Benz EQC

Mercedes’ first electric car from its EQ sub-brand, the EQC, was unveiled recently. It's likely that the car's first public outing, however, will be at the Paris Motor Show, less than a month later.

Porsche Macan

Porsche's smallest SUV has been with us since 2014, so it's time for a mid-life refresh. Take a look at our first impressions here before first examples hit the road at the end of the year.

Renault concept

Nothing is yet confirmed, but Renault is almost certain to take a concept to its home motor show. Last time around, the brand unveiled the dramatic Trezor concept — an autonomous supercar that previewed the new styling direction of the brand.

Skoda Karoq Scout

The next Skoda to get the tough off-road treatment is the Karoq, which gets a choice of two diesel engines and one petrol in Scout spec. Four-wheel drive comes as standard, too.

Skoda Karoq Sportline

Off-roading not your thing? Skoda's revealing a Karoq Sportline at Paris too, and it's got an exclusive 2.0-litre TSI engine that makes 189.6hp.

Skoda Kodiaq vRS

Skoda’s first hot SUV, and what will be the second model in its vRS line-up since the Fabia vRS was canned, is already the fastest seven-seat SUV around the Nürburgring. It’ll be fully revealed in Paris before sales start at the end of the year.

Skoda Vision RS

Skoda's Rapid hatchback isn't long for this world, and it won't be directly replaced. Instead, it'll be replaced by the production version of the Vision RS, which takes its sportiness up several notches and pitches it directly against the Volkswagen Golf. The Golf GTI is in the crosshairs too, with a vRS version following.

Suzuki Jimny

The Japanese carmaker has a reputation for quirky offerings, and this year we will see the European debut of the new Jimmy 4x4 before first examples hit the roads later this year.

Toyota Corolla Touring Sports

The Corolla Touring Sports estate will be revealed at the Paris Motor Show. The model had been digitally revealed at the beginning of this month.