Festival Automobile International 2015 @ Les Invalides, Paris - English version

Texts by Valentin and pictures by Valentin, Thomas.

As it is every year, the Festival Automobile International (FAI), also known as Exposition Concept Cars, took place in Paris. It's actually since 1987 that nearly 20 Concept Cars meet under the Dôme des Invalides, during 5 days. WeAreSpotters was there and offer you the opportunity to live it from your house. We let you enjoy !

We begin with the Ferrari F12 TRS which is coming right from Ferrari's Special Projects department. Bought by a very rich custumer, F12's engine, optical groups and interior are the only genuine parts remaining. The staff worked on everything else : the F12 loses its roof, a better-looking rear has been fitted and some kind of 21'' wheels. The V12 6,3l is still developping 740hp and the 0-100km/h is achevied in just 3,1 seconds. Some says that it is a one off but a black TRS has been seen on a spanish track. Who cares, here is one of the most beautiful modern Ferraris !

Behind it are parked 3 cars of the RM Auctions sale which will take place the week after. A Lamborghini Countach LP400 « Periscopio » (150 units in the world), an Iso Grifo A3/C Stradale (1 of the 20 with riveted alloy body, wonderful!) and one of two Lancia Belna Eclipse by Pourtout are shown here for our pleasure.

The Renault RS01, already seen at the Mondial de Paris, is exhibited on their side.

A Formula E by Renault and the Citroën C-Elysée WTCC are also there. We skip them fast...

Oh, the Divine DS. So much memories...

The Mercedes-Benz AMG GT, elected most beautiful Supercar of 2014.

We stay with the elected cars, because the FAI is before everything a place where car makers are awarded : this is the Jaguar XE that won the prize of 2014's most beautiful car !

So the next car is the exhibition's World Premiere. Built by Alpine with the help of Gran Turismo's developper, Polyphony Digital, the Alpine Vision GT Concept is raced, stunning and futuristic. Some people are even seeing a tribute to the Etoile Filante (a Renault Concept with a turbine, 270hp and that reached 308km/h in the 50s).
For the performances, this Alpine is producing its 450hp from a 4.5l V8 to the rear wheels thanks to a double clutch 7-Speed gear. Some big cooled discs are there to brake the car, 390mm at the front and 355mm for the rear. There is one problem : all of that would only be useful in Gran Turismo 6...
For those that got the game, I had the opportunity to do a lap with it in GT6 on Spa-Francorchamps, and well, the car is awesome. Made it in 2:22:791 !

Next ! The Skoda Vision C Concept from 2014's Geneva Autoshow was there with the Renault Eolab and the Peugeot Quartz.

The stunning Infiniti Q80 seen at the Mondial de l'Auto is also present.

Back to the Gran Turismo's Concept with the Aston Martin DP100 Vision GT which was revealed in Peeble Beach last year.

Just behind is the Jaguar F-Type Project 7, the same car that has been unveiled at Goodwood's FOS. What a stunner ! The famous Ecurie Ecosse's livery is on the car with a bit more metallic color. The engine has been tuned (575hp) and the profiled headrest remember us the old D-Type. Last but not least, we can see under the mirror Ian Callum's name, the head of the design at Jaguar. Well done sir !

On Porsche's side, the Panamericana Concept and the all new 991 Targa 4S were brought. The Panamericana is a 1989 Concept which was offered to Ferry Porsche for his 80th birthday. In some ways, it announces the Boxster that touched down the market 7 years after. For the Targa, well, it is just simply the most powerful Targa ever. Indeed, 430hp are produced by the naturally aspirated Flat 6, the 0-100km/h sprint is made in 4,3 seconds and it can reach more than 300km/h. Moreover, a bicolor interior called « GTS », some black sport exhausts, 21'' central-lock wheels and a front spoiler are showing the best of the car. Beautiful is the perfect word !

Just near, BMW brought the M1 Hommage, still so nice !

The bavarian brand also came with the Vision Connected Drive Concept, a 2011 Roadster with a lot of gadgets and a new-style design.

Finally, the production version of the Volkswagen XL1 is surrounded by the other concepts.

To recap, this year's edition of the Festival Automobile International was really full of nice things. It's also no more than 30.000 spectators that came during the 5 days of exhibition, we'll be back next year !