Highlights from Paris 2010

For the green enthusiasts amongst the crowds, this year’s Paris Motor Show did not disappoint with an exciting display of the latest green vehicles and concept cars spanning the show floor

Nissan used this year’s Paris Motor Show to premier its Townpod concept, a quirky looking all-electric vehicle that has been designed to offer drivers plenty of flexibility so they can tailor it to their exact needs. Or to put it in Nissan’s words: “This genre-busting vehicle mixes the comfort and style of a passenger car with the businesslike utility of a commercial vehicle.”
    
The Townpod achieves this by incorporating both elements from a car and a van. It’s split rear doors are on innovative hinges that allow them to slide, then open in confined spaces and then fold to the side of the car so as not to obstruct passing traffic or pedestrians.
    
The ultra-slim design of the seats means that the rear bench can fold and slide right into the back of the front seats, freeing the entire back space to carry bulky cargo.
    
The Townpod uses the same zero-emission technology found in the Nissan LEAF. Charging points are hidden behind an automatically retracting cover at the front of the car.

RENAULT ZOE
Renault showcased its Zoe concept, a clio-sized electric vehicle scheduled for 2012.
    
The electric motor has a 100 mile range and is said to take between six and eight hours to charge. It’s a pleasant looking car, with fluid lines creating a smooth, rounded shame decorated with the occasional futuristic feature.
    
The car has some enticing features, not necessarily associated with conventional motoring but that will make driving all the more pleasurable. This includes a scent diffuser which releases different scents depending on the needs of the moment. For example, if driving is not demanding, a relaxing fragrance will be released. But for night driving, a scent to stimulate driver vigilance is released.
    
It also has a toxicity sensor which monitors air quality and closes the air vents to trap harmful substances so that cabin air stays clean at all times.

A smart climate control system will adjust the humidity level inside the car so that you don’t get the usual skin drying effect from conventional air conditioning. All these ‘spa’ features, as uncoventional as they are, could be a God-send for those who do long journeys, and could be the start of something wonderful in the motoring world. After all, it shouldn’t just be the outside environment we look after.

RENAULT TWIZY
Renault also chose the 2010 Paris Motor Show to unveil the definitive version of its Twizy, the manufacturer’s innovative answer to urban motoring.
    
It resembles a conventional car in that it has four wheels, a steering wheel and pedals. But its bodywork is open on either side to give it that scooter feel, while the roof will keep the elements out and makes it safer. And because of the protected bodywork, occupants do not have to wear protective gear, such as a crash helmet or protective clothing.
    
The Twizy has space for two occupants sitting one behind the other. It is an all-electric vehicle with a range of 60 miles and can be fully charged in three-and-a-half hours.
 
It is scheduled for release in the UK in early 2012.

MINI SCOOTER E CONCEPT
The MINI Scooter E Concept was unveiled at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. It combines that comforting MINI feeling but in two-wheel electric form.
    
It is driven by an electric motor integrated in the rear wheel and is fed by a compact lithium-ion battery. The charging cable is integrated on a spindle at the rear of the scooter, where it can be pulled out and plugged into the mains. The battery can be charged at any conventional power socket.
 
It has striking features immediately identifiable with the MINI brand, such as chrome features, the circular instrument panel with wraparound speedometer and the visually accentuated indicators in classic MINI style.

SKODA OCTAVIA GREEN E LINE
Škoda used the Paris Motor Show to unveil its first electric concept car, the Škoda Octavia Green E Line.
    
It’s a strong, good looking car which uses a pearly white paint to demonstrate its ‘purity’. This whiteness contrasts stylishly with the black trim of the window and darkened sunroof.
    
The electric Octavia Green E Line has a range of 87 miles, which is plenty for urban driving. When connected to the ordinary 230 V grid, recharging takes about eight hours, but if plugged into a 400 V electrical current the Octavia Green E Line can be fully recharged to its normal range within four hours.
    
Other green features include regenerative braking and solar panels in the sun roof.
    
Before this car becomes commercially available, Skoda will conduct a trial next year to understand the practicality, reliability and safety of electric vehicles to help aid its development.

HONDA JAZZ HYBRID
The hybrid version of Honda Jazz made its debut at the Paris Motor Show.
    
The petrol-electric Jazz features the same IMA system as in the Insight and CR-Z hybrids. With emissions predicted to be 104 g/km of CO2 it has the lowest CO2 output of any automatic car in the B-segment.
    
Visually, the hybrid is distinguished from the current Jazz range with revised headlights, clear rear lights, new front grille, restyled bumpers and a chrome tailgate. It will be available in a range of colours as well as a new bespoke lime green colour. The dashboard includes a version of Honda’s ‘Eco Assist’ function, which uses the ambient lighting of the speedometer to advise the driver on how fuel efficiently they are driving.
    
The hybrid version of Jazz will go on sale in the UK in early 2011.