Ferrari FF gets full-length panoramic roof

At the 2012 Paris Motor Show last weekend, Ferrari has introduced a full-length panoramic roof for the four-seater FF. This is an optional feature and it will extend all the way back to the rear window.

According to the Italian carmaker, the roof is made out of a special reflective glass which gives passengers "a genuine open-air driving feeling, while providing thermal and acoustic insulation".

Pricing details remain unknown, but we can imagine that it won’t be cheap.

As a small reminder, the Ferrari FF is powered by a mid-front mounted 6.3-liter V12 engine with 651 hp and 683 Nm of torque. it is mated to a double clutch seven-speed transmission which allows the supercar to accelerate from 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in just 3.7 seconds and hit a top speed of 335 km/h (208 mph).

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Paris 2012: 2013 SEAT Leon pricing announced

SEAT has recently released the official price list of the 2013 Leon at the Paris Motor Show. The entry-level version will have a starting price of £15,670, while the top of the lineup model will cost £22,635.

Built upon the same VW MQB platform, the model is available in three trim levels: S, SE, FR. The car is 90 kg lighter and 52 mm shorter than its predecessor.

The base S is fitted with Brake Assist, colour touchscreen, halogen headlights, seven airbags, MP3 compatible CD, ESC, AirCon, Bluetooth and traction control.

Move up to SE, you get 16-inch alloy wheels, ambient interior lighting and cornering front fogs. There’s also leather steering wheel and gear knob, Cruise, Hill Hold and XDS electronic diff.

Lastly, the Leon FR comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, LED tail lights, butch bumpers, Sports Suspension, along with dual zone Climate, sports seats and SEAT Drive Profile.

Under the bonnet, five engines are available, including:

    A 1.2-liter TSI with 104 hp, returning 58 mpg (S and SE)
    A 1.4-liter TSI with 120 hp, returning 54 mpg (SE and FR)
    A 1.8-liter TSI with 178 hp, returning 47 mpg (FR)
    A 1.6-liter TDI with 89 hp, returning 74 mpg (S and SE)
    A 2.0-liter TDI with 181 hp, returning 66 mpg (FR)

All engines can be paired with 5-speed/6-speed manual transmissions or 6-speed/7-speed DSG dual-clutch transmissions.

The Spanish carmaker will receive orders from October 1st with first deliveries in March 2013.

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Paris 2012: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Coupe Electric Drive

The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Coupe Electric Drive has recently made its world premiere in production form at the Paris Motor Show.

According to the German carmaker, the supercar features four electric motors, each of them powering a wheel, for a total combined output of 740 hp and 1,000 Nm of torque. This allows the Electric Drive to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 3.9 seconds and hit an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h.

"Our new electric SLS symbolizes the dynamism of the Mercedes-Benz brand in a particularly impressive fashion", said Dr. Dieter Zetsche, CEO of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz at the launch of the all-electric SLS.

The SLS AMG Coupe Electric Drive will go on sale in 2013. The price in Germany starts at €416,500 ($538,500), including 19% VAT.

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2012 Paris Motor Show Girls Part 3

The final gallery of our Paris Motor Show girls coverage is shown below and follows part 2 and part 1. The gallery includes the girls which were spotted at the stands of Abarth, Fiat, Nissan, Ford, Ferrari, Maserati and Citroen. Feel free to share your thoughts on any of these girls.

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Paris 2012: Peugeot Onyx Concept

The Onyx concept, the most spectacular model at Peugeot’s stand, has managed to attract a lot of curious eyes at the 2012 Paris Motor Show.

Looking like a futuristic supercar, the Onyx has been made from innovative materials and shows outstanding sculpture. The sharp bodywork is emphasized additionally by striking contrast of materials and colors.

The 1,100 kg concept is 4,650 mm long, 2,200 mm wide and 1,130 mm tall, coming with double-bubble roof with integrated air intakes, LED lighting units and 20-inch alloy wheels.

Motivation is provided by a mid-mounted 3.7-liter V8 HDi FAP engine with 600 hp and a kinetic energy recovery system (KERS) converting braking energy into electricity, which is then stored in the lithium-ion battery and offers an additional 80 hp. The hybrid powertrain is mated to a six-speed sequential transmission.

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Paris 2012: Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive Concept

First revealed about two weeks ago, the Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive concept has recently made its public appearance at the Paris Motor Show.

According to the German carmaker, the concept uses a new Energy Space modular platform, which has the advantage of being endlessly configurable, to suit various applications. It previews a production model will be out sometime in 2014.

"In developing our electric vehicles we accord top priority to customer benefits," said Professor Dr Thomas Weber, a member of the Board of Management at Daimler AG, in a press statement. "Accordingly, the Concept B-Class Electric Drive demonstrates premium-standard electric mobility for all the family. The concept vehicle offers outstanding everyday practicality and great driving enjoyment".

Motivation is provided by a electric motor with 134 hp a maximum torque of 310 Nm. This allows the car to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in less than ten seconds and hit a top speed of 150 km/h.

With a fully charged battery, the concept can travel up to 124 miles (200 km). Mercedes says that the battery can be charged through any 230V power outlet. Using a quick-charge 400V outlet, it can charge sufficient energy for 31 miles in less than an hour.

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Paris 2012: Kia Pro_cee'd

Korean carmaker Kia has recently unveiled the 2013 Pro_cee'd at the Paris Motor Show.

Set to go on sale in Europe next spring, the three-door hatchback has a more dynamic look than its five-door sibling and features a dark chrome grille, a rakish roofline, new fog lights and restyled alloy wheels. Meanwhile, the interior is equipped with leather seats, piano black trim and alloy pedals.

Under the hood, four engines are available:

• A 1.4-liter diesel with 90 hp and 220 Nm of torque
• A 1.6-liter diesel with 128 hp and 260 Nm of torque
• A 1.4-liter petrol with 100 hp and 137 Nm of torque
• A 1.6-liter petrol with 135 hp and 164 Nm of torque

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Paris 2012: Ford Fiesta facelift

Ford has recently unveiled the 2013 Fiesta at the Paris Motor Show.

According to the North American carmaker, the refreshed model receives a new front fascia with a trapezoidal front grille, LED-infused headlights and a bulging bonnet.

Meanwhile, the interior is not any major changes, except for the new tech goodies, such as the MyKey system which allows owners to configure maximum speeds and audio volume levels that driver aids, the Active City Stop system that helps drivers avoid low-speed collisions, while the Ford SYNC in-car connectivity system allows owners to voice-activate phone calls and music selection from devices connected via Bluetooth or USB, and connect to local emergency services operators after an accident via Emergency Assistance.

Under the hood, seven different engines are available:

• A 1.0-liter three-cylinder with outputs of 65 hp and 80 hp
• A 1.0-liter EcoBoost with outputs of 100 hp and 125 hp
• A 1.25-liter Duratec with outputs of 60 hp and 82 hp
• A 1.4-liter Duratec petrol with 96 hp
• A 1.5-liter TDCi diesel with 75 hp
• A 1.6-liter Ti-VCT petrol with 105 hp
• A 1.6-liter Duratorq TDCi diesel with 95 hp

The European-market Fiesta will arrive in showrooms in October and pricing will start at £10,000.

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Paris 2012: Nissan 370Z facelift

The 2013 Nissan 370Z facelift has recently made its first public appearance in Europe at the Paris Motor Show.

Scheduled to go on sale this October, the European version features a number of small improvements such as a redesigned bumper and a pair of vertical LED daytime running lights. The air intake located in the middle is now a bit more rounded.

The sports car will be offered with two new paint colors (Midnight Blue and Magma Red) and 18-inch alloy wheels or a new optional 19-inch alloy wheels.

For the interior, updates to the cabin are more subtle with only real improvements being slight lift in quality of plastics.

Power still comes from a 3.7-liter V6 engine that produces 324 hp, allowing the car to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in just 5.5 seconds.

No official details about the price, but priced from around £28,000 for the entry-level coupe.

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Paris 2012: BMW M135i xDrive

BMW has showcased at the Paris Motor Show two new all-wheel drive 1-Series models, the M135i xDrive and the 120d xDrive. In which, the M135i xDrive is an M Performance version.

According to the German carmaker, the M135i xDrive is powered by a 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine with a Twin Scroll turbocharger. It develops 320 hp at 5,800 rpm and 450 Nm of torque at 4,500 rpm. This allows the car to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 4.7 seconds and hit a top speed of 250 km/h.

In terms of efficiency, average fuel consumption in the EU test cycle is 7.8-liter /100 km and CO2 emissions of 182 g/km.

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