A-Z guide to the Paris Motor show

The Mondial de l'Automobile 2006, otherwise known as the Paris motor show, is a fortnight away (it starts on September 28), and this year's instalment will play host to an array of key debutants -- of the production-ready variety, as well as the designers' flight-of-fancy breed.

From a showroom-relevance point of view, arguably the most high profile exhibits will be the BMW X5 Mk II, third-gen Honda CR-V and Nissan's all-new Qashqai baby SUV.

Also likely to be ogled will be the 'all-new' Mini Cooper/Cooper S, Fiat Bravo and latest-gen Mercedes CL -- even though pics of the uber-coupe were released more than two months ago.

Of course, no major international motor show is complete without a tantalising selection of gorgeous/clever/wacky/ concepts and the Paris expo is unlikely to disappoint in this respect.

Leading the charge will be Citroen's C-Metisse, capably supported by the Renault Nepta, Peugeot 908 RC, Volkswagen Iroc and Aussie-designed Chevrolet WTCC Ultra.

Here's CarPoint's A-Z guide to the most significant fresh metal slated to debut in the French capital:

BMW X5 The pics of BMW's second-generation full-size SUV surfaced over a month ago, but this will be the first public appearance of the second-generation vehicle. As documented in our earlier report on the X5 MkII, the newcomer has grown in all directions, liberating space for a third row of seats. The styling is evolutionary, but there's a raft of new driver aids and chassis-control wizardry that should boost its on- and off-road capabilities. It's due here in '07. For more click

Chevrolet WTCC Ultra concept It wears a Chevy badge, but the WTCC Ultra is more Aussie than American. You see, the aggressively styled hatchback was penned by Ewan Kingsbury, a 25-year-old style-meister who works for Holden Design. The concept is proof that Down Under design is highly regarded within the GM empire. The WTCC Ultra is a fully working prototype that's powered by a 142kW 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine. For more click

Citroen C-Metisse concept Citroen has been turning out some cracking design studies of late, and the C-Matisse is no exception. The carbon-bodied concept blurs the lines between coupe and wagon, making it impossible to pigeonhole. Regardless, it's a stunning looking car that provides clues to the brand's future offerings. Drive comes from a hybrid powertrain comprising a turbo-diesel V6 and two electric motors, which enable a 0-100km/h sprint in 6.2sec and top whack of 250km/h. Magnifique!

Citroen C4 WRC The combination of Sebastien Loeb and Citroen Xsara has been such a successful combination in the world rally championship that the French marque is probably loath to change either ingredient. But change it must and next year will see the debut of the C4-based WRC car. Like its Xsara forerunner, the C4 WRC features four-wheel drive and a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine mated to a six-speed gearbox. The C4 WRC is slightly longer and wider than the Xsara rally car, and Citroen says this should provide better cornering stability.

Citroen C4 Picasso The C4 Picasso is Citroen's take on the mini-MPV theme, and it packs seating for seven in a package barely bigger than the C4 hatchback. It features a wide-angle 'panoramic' windscreen, commanding driving position and a new six-speed electronic gearbox system. Citroen claims it offers class-beating interior space and boot volume and myriad seating configurations to boost flexibility. It's due on sale here in the first half of 2007.

Fiat Bravo Fiat's thunder was stolen when leaked pictures of the new Bravo surfaced well ahead of its planned reveal at the Paris show. The compact hatchback is the replacement for the Stilo and will take on the likes of the Peugeot 307, VW Golf, Mazda 3 and Toyota Corolla in the cutthroat small-car segment. Armed with a range of petrol and diesel engines, it will join the recently launched Punto locally in 2007, adding momentum to Fiat's Aussie onslaught. For more click

Honda CR-V The new-generation CR-V ditches boxy styling for a more curvaceous look. It features a 35mm lower centre of gravity, new suspension geometry, revised steering and a new 'Real Time 4WD'. In a first for the class, it will be offered with radar-controlled Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), see-round-the-corner Active Front Lighting (AFS) and the new Legend sedan's Collision Mitigation Brake System (CMBS). The new CR-V is expected here in early 2007. For more click

Honda Civic Type R An angry looking yellow concept (pictured) debuted at the Geneva motor show in March, and it provided the first clues to how Honda's new Euro-focused Civic Type R will shape up. Word has it the production version will take its box at the Paris show. It will sport a high-revving 2.0-litre VTEC engine, six-speed gearbox and aggressive stance. For more click

Hyundai Arnejs Hyundai will debut a near-production-ready VW Golf/Toyota Corolla rival at the Paris show in the form of the Arnejs (pronounced 'Ar-nez'). Known internally as the FD, the Arnejs will be based on the same underpinnings as the Kia C'eed concept that debuted at Geneva earlier this year. Like its Kia counterpart, it will be offered as a five-door, as well as in other body styles. Expect it to arrive in showrooms in mid-2007.

Mercedes CL-Class The three-pointed star released the first pics of its new flagship coupe a couple of months ago, but the car makes its maiden public appearance at the Paris expo. Effectively a two-door S-Class, the CL gains all the bells and whistles that come in the sedan, including Active Body Control (ABC), Intelligent Light System and PRE-SAFE anticipatory occupant protection. It's due in Oz next year, with V8 and V12 power. For more click

Mini Cooper It might be 'all new', but it takes a true brand loyalist to distinguish the Mark II version of BMW's baby car from its predecessor. The new Mini is claimed to be safer, more spacious and kinder to the environment than the hot-selling current model. The wheel-at-each-corner stance remains unchanged, but there's a new 1.6-litre engine (jointly developed with PSA Peugeot-Citroen) for the Cooper and a turbocharged (rather than supercharged) version of the same for Cooper S. Watch this space for CarPoint editor Mike 'Sinkers' Sinclair's first-drive report from the imminent international launch. For more click

Mitsubishi Pajero Mitsubishi is set to reveal a 'new' Pajero (a refresh, not a full redesign) at the Paris show. Under the new sheetmetal, the Pajero retains a 3.2-litre turbo-diesel and 3.8-litre MIVEC petrol V6, but there's reportedly a new 4WD system to apportion torque to the hoops. The new face gives it a cleaner look, but the big SUV's dimensions remain unchanged.

Nissan Qashqai Designed and due to be built in the UK, the Qashqai crossover will slot in below the X-Trail in Nissan's line-up. The car is based on the same platform as the so-far-unloved Tiida and will be offered in two-wheel-drive and AWD formats. It features a funky cabin and promises generous interior space, while the exterior styling mimics the larger Murano. Euro-spec cars will be offered with petrol and diesel power. No word on its Oz prospects, but slow sales of the Tiida might just leave the door ajar for it.

Peugeot 207 Epure concept It's labelled a 'concept', but take it as read the 207 Epure is an accurate indicator of how the eventual 207 CC (Coupe-Convertible) will shape up. The car will replace the 206 CC, which was the first truly affordable hard-topped cabrio on the market. The pics reveal the 207 CC will be a more attractive car than the slightly awkward looking 206 CC, with a slight 'coke-bottle' waistline and nicely tapered roof. Minimal front and rear overhangs enhance its stance.

Peugeot 908 RC concept Resembling a Batmobile with a bad attitude, the 908 RC is one of the most menacing concepts in recent times. But it's more than just a styling exercise as beneath its skin lurks a centre-rear mounted 515kW 5.5-litre turbo-diesel V12 -- and it's this unit that will power Peugeot's factory entry in next year's Le Mans series. There's also a six-speed sequential gearbox, making this the toughest four-door diesel sedan we've ever laid eyes on. For more click

Renault Nepta concept Renault trundled out the offbeat Altica at the Geneva show, and now comes the equally eye-catching Nepta concept. The four-seater convertible features gullwing doors and beautiful proportions that are seemingly inspired by Renault Alpines of yore. It should be a good drive, too, as it's powered by a 313kW 3.5-litre V6, mated to a seven-speed sequential with 'flick-shift' controls mounted on the steering wheel. It's said to dispatch the 0-100km/h sprint in a Porsche 911-rivalling 4.9sec.

Suzuki Splash The Splash is billed as a 'clinic model' for an all-new vehicle that will follow the Swift, Grand Vitara, and SX4 onto the market. Sharing its platform with the Swift and powered by a 1.2-litre four-pot, the Splash is said to be a "multipurpose vehicle intended to deliver satisfaction to a very wide spectrum of customers regardless of their lifestyle, age, and gender". Perhaps this means it's targeted at folks who aren't too sure what they really want.

Volkswagen Iroc concept The Iroc is no relation whatsoever to the 1980s Chevy Camaros that bore the same suffix. Rather, it's a modern take on the Golf-derived Scirocco coupe that sold in various markets from 1974 to 1992. The concept is based on the same architecture as the Golf Mk V and points to a suave coupe that will sell alongside the Eos coupe-cabrio from late 2008. It's slightly longer and wider than a Golf and VW promises there's genuine seating for four. For more click