From the Paris Motor Show Floor Vol. 1

From the Paris Motor Show Floor Vol. 2

Mercedes-Benz Enters the Luxury Sports Car Market

Paris carries a glamorous image. Wealthy individuals also gather from all over the world. Therefore, luxury and sports cars always attract attention at the Paris Motor Show.

Drawing a large crowd was the sports car unveiled by Mercedes-Benz, theMercedes-AMG GT"Mercedes-AMG GT." This lightweight two-seater boasts a yellow body and a newly developed 510ps V8 turbo engine. Next to it sits the "Mercedes-AMG C 63" which also features the V8 twin-turbo inherited from the AMG GT.



"Our goal is to make Mercedes-AMG the world's most popular sports car brand. These two cars will be milestones on that journey," stated Dr. Thomas Weber, a member of the Mercedes-Benz board of management responsible for research and development, expressing his ambition.



The Mercedes-AMG GT features a body that is 93 percent aluminum, including the shell, with the front section made of magnesium, another lightweight material. This pursuit of sporty acceleration and handling positions it to enter the luxury sports car market against rivals like Porsche's911.



up!With a wide lineup ranging from the "up!" to the "Phaeton," and owning sports car and luxury car manufacturers under its umbrella, Volkswagen's approach differs from Mercedes-Benz's strategy for future survival. Is it the hallmark of a premium brand to always offer large-displacement engines even for sports models? Amidst the trend of downsizing, perhaps large engines themselves are becoming a status symbol.



Another sports car manufacturer that generated significant buzz was Ferrari.

Lamborghini's Different Approach

At the Ferrari booth, the "458 Speciale A" consistently drew crowds. The last letter, 'A,' stands for 'Aperta' (open) in Italian, and it features an aluminum retractable hardtop. Replacing the conventional spider model, it is powered by a 4.5-liter V8 engine located behind the cockpit, producing 605ps and 540Nm/6,000rpm.



Another notable feature is the "Active Aerodynamics," where two vertical flaps at the front and an underbody flap open during high-speed driving to reduce air resistance. This mechanism, patented by Ferrari, also includes a variable diffuser at the rear. It's an intricate system that controls aerodynamics based on driving conditions and generates downforce for traction.



At the same time, there was significant news at the Ferrari booth: Chairman Luca di Montezemolo made an appearance to bid farewell, following reports of his resignation and departure in September. Known for his good looks and cheerful personality with a penchant for jokes, his departure was met with an unusually sentimental tone in overseas media reports.






Regarding rival Lamborghini's "Asterion", details are covered in a separate section, but it was another highlight of the show. However, while Ferrari continues to push its large-displacement, high-output strategy backed by strong sales, Lamborghini, owned by a German company, is beginning to take a different approach.



The Asterion, centered around a hybrid system aimed at reducing CO2 emissions, might be a strategy for survival in a European society that has begun to pivot towards low-carbonization. It's a hybrid model with electric motors driving the front wheels, promising to reduce CO2 emissions on public roads while also being enjoyable on the circuit. When asked if it was merely a concept model, the response from a development representative, "We don't have time for such leisurely pursuits," was striking.

The Future of Jaguar Land Rover

It's been some time since SUVs were predicted to become the next big thing in the luxury car segment. There were rumors of a Lamborghini SUV appearing at this show, but it was not to be. Perhaps this was because its engine specifications (CO2 emissions) did not meet the sustainability standards set by the group. While expectations are high for SUVs from Maserati and Jaguar, both remain silent.



As if to fill this gap, Land Rover announced its new model, the "Discovery Sport", in a large exhibition space. It features a body length of 4,589mm on a wheelbase of 2,741mm. The engine options include a 2-liter gasoline engine with 240ps and a 2.2-liter diesel engine offered in two output variants: 150ps and 190ps.



"Our design goal was to balance a premium feel with versatile functionality," said Gerry McGovern, the brand's Design Director and Chief Creative Officer. Indeed, the Discovery Sport offers a luxurious and comfortable interior consistent with the traditional model lineup, while its selling point is the flexible seating arrangement for families, accommodating five plus two.



While the "Evoque" is a coupe-like SUV, the Discovery Sport offers a lifestyle proposition rich in practicality. They are complementary models," explained the Public Relations Manager for Jaguar Land Rover Japan, whom we met at the venue.



Next to it were several Jaguar "s, which officially debuted at the show.XEAvailable in a variety of body colors, they clearly conveyed their significance as premium mid-size vehicles.



In September'sLondon Unveiling EventJaguar proudly advertised its "class-exclusive aluminum chassis" at its London unveiling, emphasizing its driving performance and fuel efficiency. In Paris, more detailed specifications were revealed. The body dimensions are 4,672mm in length, 1,850mm in width, and 1,416mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,835mm.



The engine lineup includes a 2-liter 4-cylinder available in two tuning levels (200ps and 240ps), and the 3-liter V6 producing 340ps used in the "F-TYPE". Additionally, there are 2-liter 4-cylinder diesel engines with 163ps and 180ps. "We plan to introduce it to Japan around next summer. We are also considering introducing the diesel model," the aforementioned PR Manager informed us.

A Keen Eye on Roadsters

In terms of new SUV models, Volvo's announcement of the new "XC90" was also newsworthy. It is the first model to use Volvo's new-generation platform, the "Scalable Product Architecture," and the company states it is a "commemorative model marking a new chapter in Volvo's history."



Its size is comparable to the BMW "X5", giving a sense of ample space. The redesigned front grille and the uniquely designed headlamps flanking it create a novel impression. The body styling, including the silhouette, retains the traditional image while emphasizing cleanliness, setting it apart from rivals like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi.



The interior is also new. Notably, the model named "Twin Engine" combines a 2-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine with a supercharger and turbocharger, paired with an electric motor. According to Volvo Cars, the maximum output reaches 400ps. Simultaneously, it achieves CO2 emissions of just 60g per kilometer, demonstrating that Volvo is also firmly grasping the trends to survive in the increasingly stringent European emissions market.