Paris gets electrified at the Motor Show

Every two years, the french capital welcomes the "Mondial de l'Automobile". This Motor Show, which is the most attended in the world (1,5 million visitors), is once more focused on EVs. OEMS are showing new models and a test track is welcoming visitors for a ride and drive. An electric village also welcomes plug suppliers.
Here is our guide of Paris Motor Show.




For Renault, this 2012 edition is the opportunity to launch the Zoe. This model has been homologated with an NEDC cycle range of 210 km. It also features the “Range OptimiZEr” to improve the real-world range, depending on driving conditions (between 100 and 150 km). Zoe can be charged at any level of power -taking between 30 minutes and nine hours - due to the “Caméléon” charger.
It is also the first Renault vehicle to be presented with R-Link, a multimedia system featuring a seven-inch touch screen tablet, navigation and connected services.

PSA is much focused on Hybrid4 technology. However, Peugeot makes the buzz with Onyx concept car. It is powered by a V8 hybrid engine.

Citroen is also introducing a concept car. DS3 Electrum is powered by two electric motors at the front.

Bolloré Group, which supplies Autolib' car sharing service with electric cars, is now ready to offer a version of the Bluecar for private customers. The 250 km range has been validated by intensive driving in Paris.

Small is beautiful, says Toyota. Here is the IQ EV model serie.

German OEMS are also electrifying Paris. Mercedes impresses with the amazing SLS AMG E-Cell. Daimler also exhibits the future B-Class (powered by Tesla) and the Brabus version of the Smart Fortwo Electric Drive.

BMW is showing a Spyder version of the i8 concept, as well as naked version of the i3 revealing the Life Drive structure. The other highight is the Active Tourer concept (a plug in hybrid).

Audi is also introducing a concept car. The Crosslane, which is a A1 based crossover, is a plug in hybrid.

Beside electric vehicles and plug in hybrids, fuel cell technology is well represented at Paris Motor Show. For instance, Nissan is displaying the TeRRA. This 4WD crossover has three electric motors, powered by a compact fuel cell.

Some other OEMS (Honda, Hyundai, Mercedes and Toyota) have also displayed a fuel cell car. During a European Road Tour, scandinavian organisation H2 Moves made a stop at Paris Motor Show.

As for EVs with charge points, a refuelling infrastructure has to be deployed. This what it will look like for an hydrogen station with Air Liquide.

Next, we will discuss connected cars.

1982 VW Jetta

1979 Ford LTD Wagon

1962 Imperial Lebaron Southampton: Facelifted

This chop of a 1962 Imperial LeBaron 4-door hardtop, or Southampton, is a facelift that might seem pretty minor unless you were to see them side-by-side. After Exner's classic 1957s came out with their sculpted-in-form lengthy rear fins, which put the emphasis on the rear of the car, he began thinking about his "next" look. This next look, as previewed by the 1960 Valiant, would have gone back to classic proportions with a long hood and short rear deck. There was an emphasis on fender forms, as evidenced by the Valiant and the '62 Fury and Polara. "Ex" suffered a major heart attack before these cars could be finalized, the so-called "S-cars," and his successor, Elwood Engel, took things in a different direction.

"My" Imperial, above, takes the '57'-63 chassis and body, but changes it in some ways to more closely replicate this new emphasis on the front. I lengthened the hood and wheelbase around six inches in front of the windshield, giving a more classic steering wheel:axle proportion. I shortened the rear deck by about the same amount, giving a forward rather than rearward "motion" to the car. I also gave this imposing sedan rear fender skirts. I'm not really positive Exner would have, he was very much moving into a classic look with full wheel cutouts, but I like skirted rear wheels. I like to think I might have been able to talk him into it, at least for one year, lol. I left the amazing separate chrome front- and rear lights, but I lowered the roof about three inches for a bit more of a custom look. I also "finished" the chrome rocker panel trim behind the now-skirted rear wheels, the entire bottom of the car now edged with chrome.

1987 Subaru RX AWD

1974 Audi Fox Coupe

Please excuse the grainy iPod pictures. Yes, that is a brown vinyl roof.

1986 Plymouth Colt DL Hatch

CESA 2012 updated programme now on line

The full programme is now on line !

As we told you already, the 2012 edition of the congress has chosen a top level roundtable discussion format, enhanced by more in depth sessions, detailed presentations and discussions of technical papers.




8 topics will be covered:
- Market of Automotive Electronics
- New mobility for Everyone
- Driver Assistance Systems
- Energy Management
- Smart infotainment
- Electrification & Mechatronics
- Vehicule Systems and Architecture Approach for New Mobility
- New Materials

Here is the link : http://www.sia.fr/evenement_detail_cesa_automotive_electronics_2012_programme_1128.htm

1960 Valiant V-200 Sedan

1969 Saab 95

ESG new automotive boss to come at CESA 2012

Executive Vice President for the Automotive Division, Hans-Georg Frischkorn will be one of the speakers of CESA 2012. He will participate to the panel session "Vehicle systems and architecture, approach for a new mobility", on december 5th in the afternoon.
Expert in technology, with high-level jobs at BMW and GM, he joined ESG in January 2012 and is a member of the Executive Board.
This is his resume :
- Diplom Informatiker (Computer Science), University of Stuttgart
- 1978-1994 IBM Corp. (Product development, systems engineering, business development, IBM management consulting)
- 1995-1996 McKinsey and Company
- 1997-2005 BMW (Project leader of the vehicle project Z4, Senior VP Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Senior VP Architecture and Systems Integration) - 2006-2009 General Motors Executive Director Global Electrical Systems, Controls, and Vehicle Software - 2010-2011 Managing Director for Technology and Environmental Affairs in the Verband der Automobilindustrudie e.V. (VDA)

1971 International Scout Comanche

One of 1,500 made.

1975 Chevrolet Nova

1972 Datsun 1200 Coupe

1967 Ford Mustang Coupe