We’ll always have Paris

With the bi-annual Paris Motor Show due to open in just over two weeks, we set about going over the offerings from the American manufacturers.

The City of Lights

Paris is undoubtedly the most beautiful and romantic city to ever host an auto show. Somehow, the phrases “We’ll always have Frankfurt” or “We’ll always have Detroit” don’t have the same ring as the famous phrase that Bogart spoke in Casablanca.

This year, American manufacturers will unveil a number of key vehicles at the Mondial de l’Automobile. While many of them are intended only for the European market, a few of them are already scheduled for sale in the U.S., while a couple more may make their way over here if American tastes continue to shift to smaller cars.

Cadillac

2010 CTS Sport Wagon

Although premiered at this year’s Pebble Beach Concours, the Sport Wagon will make its European debut and move into the worldwide auto show circuit in Paris. Although it rides on the same wheelbase as the CTS Sedan, the wagon is slightly shorter (.28 inches) and offers 25.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats. Engine choices for the U.S. version remain unchanged, while a 2.9 liter 250 hp turbo-diesel is being developed for overseas markets.

Chevrolet

2011 Cruze

In previous articles we’ve mentioned the Orlando Crossover concept and the 2010 Chevrolet Volt, which will make their European debut in Paris. The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze is, arguably, more important to GM than either of those vehicles. Designed by Daewoo and due to replace the Chevrolet/Daewoo Nubria/Lacetti in Europe, the Cruze is a brand new vehicle for North America. Although the Cruze will be available in Europe in the spring of 2009, production on this side of the pond will not begin until 2010, while GM re-tools its Lordstown, Ohio plant to build the new car.

Power for the Cruze will come from a new line of direct injection four-cylinder engines.

Ford

2010 Ka

As discussed in a previous article, Ford will unveil the new Ka. Although there are no current plans to market the car in the U.S., higher gas prices, and a successful launch of the Fiesta, might convince Ford managers that they need it here, as well.

2010 Mazda MX-5

Although slated for its U.S. debut at this year’s North American International Auto Show, Mazda’s face lifted MX-5 Miata will be on display first in Paris. The new roadster features new bumpers, headlights and front and rear fascias.

Mazda Kiyora Concept

Described as a lightweight, next generation, urban compact concept car, the Kiyora is a concept version of the 2011 Mazda1 A-segment vehicle. The Kiyora features Mazda’s next generation 4 cylinder direct-injection engine with the company’s Smart Idle Stop System.

Tags: cadillac, Chevrolet, chevrolet cruze, chevrolet volt, chevy cruze, chevy volt, CTS, cts sport wagon, fiesta, Ford, gm, ka, kiyora, mazda, miata, mondial de l'automobile, north american international auto show, paris, paris motor show