Grip Magazine has attended the Mondial Paris Motor Show 2018, to show the novelties that have brought the main manufacturers of the world, as well requested some cars to do a test drive for the #1 issue.
LLA released the MK6 Condor, a coupe available with AWD and 250hp in the S version, as well as the restyling of the S-Pop, and the second generation of the two-seater G-Pop, with an interesting V6 available.
The all new SFB Sciacci makes debut in this hall, and at the moment is only available as a compact sedan, and it offers a 1.0 3-cylinder turbo engine, with 100 or 125hp, and it promises a great gas mileage, and soon, it will be available with 4 cylinder engines. Rumours are saying that a hatch version will be released soon.
FAAL has presented the eighth generation of the emblematic Foreia, which celebrates the 70th anniversary of its launch. And it does it with 2 Diesel variants, with 150 or 200hp, and a petrol one, with 250hp. We requested the 20TFE Iridium to do a review.
It also presents the restyled Coupe MK X, available with a 1.5 3-cylinder turbo and 205hp now, or a 2.5 inline-5 with 310hp.
EVE presents an electric prototype, the AEDV1, which features 100% electric propulsion and autonomous driving, and with simple, but modern lines. And is currently being tested on Zolder, Spa Francorchamps and Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
And here, other concept that comes from the Japanese manufacturer Daito, and is called Alissa 3.6 Turbo Hybrid Concept, developed by DRI. It features a unspecified 3.6 turbo hybrid engine that develops 569HP, and it sends that power to the four wheels via an “Intelligent electric AWD system”. And looking the car design, is more closer to a production version than a concept car. Will be see that model soon on the streets?
The local manufacturer Gabatron has presented the sports version of the G4 Cross: the G4 Cross by Gabatron Sport. Now it features the well-known 2.0 turbo powerplant from Montes, developing 230hp, that propel the front wheels, in addition to a sports aesthetic, which still preserves the peculiar design of the normal G4 Cross. We requested a test unit.
Holts I think that by mistake he read Mondial Paris Motor Show 1998, because his second generation of Delavan it looks very outdated, but is capable to carry 7 or 8 passengers, and it features two practical rear sliding doors. No more information has been released.
Rennen has presented us with the third of the four prototypes he has been presenting since NAIAS 2018, called LEC-X. In this case, we find the LEC Debonair, a very elegant compact and with a very modern design, which applies the future design language that the brand will use in its future models. It has a generous 300hp engine, associated with an 8-speed automatic transmission and AWD, which together with the two electric motors of 75hp, delivers a total power of 385hp, as well as autonomous driving level 4, and an interior chaired by a huge 50 inch screen.
And the Spanish brand Contendiente shows us a very interesting prototype, with cyberpunk aesthetics: the Estrato Origins Concept. Based on the MK1 Estrato, it changes all the steel panels to a lightweight aluminium ones, it has 5 seats and an updated infortaintment system, and the most interesting part is under the bonnet: a 1.2 liter naturally aspirated 3-cylinder with 110hp, capable to reach an astonishing 10.000RPM, that only requires 5.6L/100km, and is capable to accelerate from 0 to 100 in just 7.7 seconds. Simply amazing!
Ökul released the new S97, a beautiful hardtop sportscar, but sadly he has not published more information than the photos, and a poem.
TSR, despite cancelling the Ultra project, released the MK3 Tora, and it comes with a carbon fibre body and chassis. But the most interesting is the engine: a biturbo 5.0L V10, with powers between 620hp for the S, to 744hp for the RS.
These characteristics, together with the AWD, promise to make the Tora a very effective supercar, and we requested a test drive to try to confirm that.
And the fourth-gen Ceder Aspera is here!
The mid-size liftback saloon it receives the latest iteration of Ceder design language, and the second-phase Opensky engines: a 2.0 4-cylinder with 200hp, and a 2.5 5-cylinder with 262hp or 300hp, which replaces the previous 3.5 V6. and it could be coupled to a manual gearbox, or a 6-speed dual clutch transmission.
It is available in 4 trims, but the price has not yet been announced.
Shromet under the “We Break Records, we redefine ourselves”, showing the Shromet Interval Hillclimb and the Shromet Dragon VGT, presented the all-electric Shromet Radiant, with an EPA estimated 180 Miles of range. We think this autonomy is scarce, so we only see logic in its purchase, if it is not possible to prove it, as a second car, or for urban journeys.
LC presents its compact segment C, but does not give any information, except that it is called Tartar. It’s going to be difficult in this hard-fought sector, if it does not offer strong reasons.
The British car manufacturer Evgenis launches the new generation of Nemean, and it looks very good! With a coquettish design, at the same time as sporty, it presents an update of design language, more equipment, such as Full LED headlights (in option in the access versions), and new rims.
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Under the bonnet, we can choose five different fuelling choices (Diesel, petrol, hybrid, electric and gas), but currently we have only the Diesel and petrol option. From a 1.2 3-cylinder turbo with 90 or 110 bhp, to a 200bhp 1.6 turbo inline 4 for the ES trim. On the Diesel side, we have the 1.5L with 95 bhp (like the 90 1.2 petrol engine, that Diesel engine is not offered in the USA). And you can choose a 6-speed manual gearbox, or a 8-speed ZF automatic gearbox. The prices for Europe starts from €15,495 for the standard trim, up to €20,995 for the ES.
The Atlas Carbon V.R.T Concept with its racing engine, and a gearbox used on the LM189 race car, along with that aerodynamics, promises to be a very fast car on the track. And in spite of not having an acceleration or a maximum speed that calls the attention, yes it does its value of Gs, of 1.31.
Oh, and not least. Meets the FIA safety standards.
Oh! Look at that beauty beast! The Japanese manufacturer Zenshi returns with the GTR/A denomination on the Grandea, and that means something serious, because if the GTR is a beast, that it means that is more beasty: is a track-focused version!
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It has only two seats, and rollcage in the place of the rear seats, specific air intakes, Rays Volk Racing tires (accompanied by specific Yokohama Advan tires), carbon-ceramic brakes … And an injection of 60hp extra, compared to the GTR normal, going to have 660hp. And to the delight of those who love driving, it can only be associated with a 6-speed manual gearbox.
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It is advertised at a price of ¥ 11,440,000 ($ 100,421).
Haapala showed two crazy models: the 2018 StreetCruiser, and the 2018 DesertStorm.
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The StreetCruiser is a retro 2-seater sportscar, with not much amenities, to enjoy driving. Is powered by a 2.6L NA inline 6, with 296hp. And of course, is RWD and has a 6-speed manual gearbox. A pure sportscar with any doubt. And is cheap! Prices starts from 27.000$! Preorders are available, and production will start soon.
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And, on the other hand, we have the DesertStorm. An strange hybrid between a 4x4 and a sportscar. Is powered by a powerful V10 (500hp), and opposed to the StreetCruiser, it has AWD, sequential gearbox, active suspensions, and amenities. And like the other model, is cheap: only $30.000!!!
WOOOOOW! Here we have the Holts HS724: It could have a bit weird design, but the performance is really astonishing: 5.5L V8 with 724hp (in a unknown layout), 0-100km/h in 2.3s, 1/4 mile in 9.7s, and 337km/h of top speed. It gets that, thanks to be a lightweight car (1273kg), and the AWD. The price was not announced.
And the British manufacturer Bonham, after a time without releasing a new model, released its new sporty compact premium SUV, and it looks really nice! The Orwell Silverstone.
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It comes with a DCT, AWD, and now, its 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder engine has 325hp, and of course, to be able to master that power, it comes with revised suspension, brake and tyres. It do the 0-100km/h in just 5.7s, and it’s top speed is 260km/h.
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Is powerful and sporty, but is comfortable! It comes with a great quality interior, a modern infortaintment system, virtual cockpit, and voice commands.
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The Bonham Orwell Silverstone will be on sale from February 2018, and the prices starts from $45.200.
And again, Holts released other high performance car, but in that case, in 4-door saloon flavour: the HMS HS. It comes with a massive 6.2L biturbo V8, with 630hp, and a massive 1035Nm! Ready to break the asphalt. And it sends that torque to the four wheels.
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The car can reach 312 km/h, it does the 0-100km/h in 3.2s, and the 1/4 mile in 11.35s.
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Special features are the black paint and moldings, bigger wheels, and carbon ceramic brakes.
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The price and release date was not unveiled.
Ohhhh!!! ACA finally released the Apache GT, a beautiful 2-seater supercar, built in aluminum and carbon fiber. Is powered by an interesting 3.6L BlueBoost V6, with 606hp and 665Nm, coupled to a 6-speed DCT gearbox and electronic differential. It does the 0-100km/h in just 3 seconds. Prices starts from $205.150.
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And also, the GTE Apache was shown, but for obvious reasons, the specifications are secret.
WTF IS THIS? It resembles to a frog with wheels! Anyways, the Vela 440C. It has a classic layout that we can find nowadays on a supercar: rear mid-engined, a biturbo V8, and a 7-speed DCT gearbox. It has a top speed of 355km/h, and it does the 0-100km/h in 3.2s. Price and availability wasn’t announced.
TSR presented the brand-new Natsuki… Natsukashi, yes, Natshuashi, which is the first mid-size sedan from the brand. The body is made in aluminium, and it uses 3.0 V6 biturbo engines, so, it looks very promising… Until you see that the base trim it has only 222hp, but at least, you get a great mileage. If you want power, you can get the top trim: the Natsukashi Sport, with 376HP, and it can do the 0-100km/h in 4.5s.
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Price starts from $37.806 for the Smart trim, up to $49.458 for the Sport trim.
And if you loved the Bonham Orwell Silverstone, you will love more the Bonham Vision 2020. A beautiful 2-seater supercar concept, with sculpted and clean lines, that provides a very harmonic set. Is powered by a 6.0 V12 with more than 1000hp, is AWD, and it does the 0-100 in less than 3s, and has a maximum top speed over 321km/h. Simply, beautiful.
And Montes released the second restyling of the current-gen Excelsior, the flagship iconic model of the brand. It comes with a sleek and more fresh design, that adopts the new brand design language, as well more equipment and customization options.
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It has new engines (the 5.1 V8 and the 5.8 V12, both biturbo, with SCHI technology), and is coupled to a brand-new 9-speed torque converter automatic gearbox. Prices starts from $146.987 for the V8, up to $172.285 for the V12. Two more versions are planned as well.
(part 4 soon. Apologies for doing it in pieces, but due to the little time I have, I need to do like this.
