Festival Automobile International 2016 @ Les Invalides, Paris.
Texts by Thomas and Valentin, pictures by Valentin
It has been now for 15 years that a great array of nearly 20 concept cars meet each year in Paris during a five-day show. The International Automotive Festival, aka Concept Cars Exhibition or FAI, is the way to start the new year properly and the place where we can have a look at the manufacturer's studies like nowhere else. We were there again this year for an enthralling first part of 2016's automotive scene !
As announced very early on the event's Facebook page, one of this year's stars and the most interesting car for me was the Porsche Mission E.
Surprisingly unveiled at the Francfort Motorshow last September, most of the spectators were actually stunned by this 4-door sedan. Porsche wants here to vie with the Tesla Model S, which is nowadays the reference in the full-electric sedan category. Indeed, the Tesla can cover around 500 kilometers on a charge but a problem lays in the time of charging (even with Tesla's superchargers). Porsche answers here with a new technology, which is a real breakthrough letting the car have a 500 kilometers range in just 15 minutes of charge. How is it possible ? Thanks to the charging improvement, leaving the traditionnal 400V for a 800V system.
As far as the specifications are concerned, the Mission E has the same 2015 Le Mans-winning engine as the 919 Hybrid putting 600 hp out on the four wheels : maximum speed of 250 km/h, 0 to 100 km/h in just 3,5 seconds and 0 to 200 km/h in 12 seconds are Porsche's way to prove that electric cars aren't boring. To illustrate a bit what I'm saying, it is as fast as the Lexus LFA or the 991 GT3.
The two engines are disposed on both of the axles, and the Lithium-ion batteries are hidden under the binnacle between the axles. This placing method allows the Mission E to be slender (1,30m height) but also to have a perfect habitability.
Last but not least, when it comes to the global design, the Mission E is a prologue of Porsche's future lines : we can find a modernized 918 Spyder front (wasn't it already modern?), the 911 profile and a bit of Panamera on the side air intakes, hiding on the driver's side the electrical outlet. Inside, there are 4 beautiful bucket seats, a futuristic dashboard with two huge screens and a minimalistic gear selector, everything in a nicely done mix of carbon and leather.
This concept is such an achievement that Porsche projects to produce it within 4 or 5 years, the time needed to the 800V borns to expand (the brand is in partnership with the german government...). However, you could still charge your Mission E on 400V stations, but the charging time will be two times slower... Enough speech, I let you enjoy the pics !
Surprisingly unveiled at the Francfort Motorshow last September, most of the spectators were actually stunned by this 4-door sedan. Porsche wants here to vie with the Tesla Model S, which is nowadays the reference in the full-electric sedan category. Indeed, the Tesla can cover around 500 kilometers on a charge but a problem lays in the time of charging (even with Tesla's superchargers). Porsche answers here with a new technology, which is a real breakthrough letting the car have a 500 kilometers range in just 15 minutes of charge. How is it possible ? Thanks to the charging improvement, leaving the traditionnal 400V for a 800V system.
As far as the specifications are concerned, the Mission E has the same 2015 Le Mans-winning engine as the 919 Hybrid putting 600 hp out on the four wheels : maximum speed of 250 km/h, 0 to 100 km/h in just 3,5 seconds and 0 to 200 km/h in 12 seconds are Porsche's way to prove that electric cars aren't boring. To illustrate a bit what I'm saying, it is as fast as the Lexus LFA or the 991 GT3.
The two engines are disposed on both of the axles, and the Lithium-ion batteries are hidden under the binnacle between the axles. This placing method allows the Mission E to be slender (1,30m height) but also to have a perfect habitability.
Last but not least, when it comes to the global design, the Mission E is a prologue of Porsche's future lines : we can find a modernized 918 Spyder front (wasn't it already modern?), the 911 profile and a bit of Panamera on the side air intakes, hiding on the driver's side the electrical outlet. Inside, there are 4 beautiful bucket seats, a futuristic dashboard with two huge screens and a minimalistic gear selector, everything in a nicely done mix of carbon and leather.
This concept is such an achievement that Porsche projects to produce it within 4 or 5 years, the time needed to the 800V borns to expand (the brand is in partnership with the german government...). However, you could still charge your Mission E on 400V stations, but the charging time will be two times slower... Enough speech, I let you enjoy the pics !
At Porsche, when they want to produce a new car, they have simply maneers to test its new technology : they took an already existing model and they modify it. This is the Cayman E-volution !
But, what's this ? Well, it is the rolling prototype of the Mission E's technology, as the Boxster E was a while ago. Let's talk about the – really – awesome specs : 4 wheel-drive, 455hp (!!), 0 to 100km/h in 3,3 seconds... The 991 Turbo has the same specs ! However, the range is expected at under 200 kilometers, but the place for the batteries isn't huge in this Cayman (which normally has a Flat 6) that Porsche had to limit the batteries capacity to 38kWh. 19 minutes are needed to have 80% of its total range. Don't forget, this is a prototype and Porsche loves to produce prototypes that have less power than the final versions ! On other words, I saw a 918 gear selector inside, a full digital dashboard with a screen behind the « traditionnal » central tachometer, an electrical outlet on the trunk and a eye-turner decoration on both sides of the car. Next to the car was displayed the new charger «Turbo Charging », showing a lot of useful informations. Enjoy the pictures, I get back into my dreams of a 455hp Cayman...
But, what's this ? Well, it is the rolling prototype of the Mission E's technology, as the Boxster E was a while ago. Let's talk about the – really – awesome specs : 4 wheel-drive, 455hp (!!), 0 to 100km/h in 3,3 seconds... The 991 Turbo has the same specs ! However, the range is expected at under 200 kilometers, but the place for the batteries isn't huge in this Cayman (which normally has a Flat 6) that Porsche had to limit the batteries capacity to 38kWh. 19 minutes are needed to have 80% of its total range. Don't forget, this is a prototype and Porsche loves to produce prototypes that have less power than the final versions ! On other words, I saw a 918 gear selector inside, a full digital dashboard with a screen behind the « traditionnal » central tachometer, an electrical outlet on the trunk and a eye-turner decoration on both sides of the car. Next to the car was displayed the new charger «Turbo Charging », showing a lot of useful informations. Enjoy the pictures, I get back into my dreams of a 455hp Cayman...
Next ! This one was in the enter of the exhibition with huge carbon wings and aerodynamical deflectors : the Bugatti Vision GT, or the most angry Bugatti on earth. Created in partnership with Gran Turismo, the automotive simulator on PlayStation through the Vision programm, this Bugatti let white card to the designers in the aim to build the new Bugatti racecar.
The W16 quad-turbo 8 liters of the Veyron is still between the cockpit and the rear axle of the car, a thing that according to Bugatti's Head of the design Achim Anscheidt, determinated the Vision GT's style. We don't know anything about the specs of this engine, some say it will be around 1500hp in its in game version...
All I can say about the exterior is : Fantastic. I spent about a hour admiring all theses details here and there : louvers on both of the front fenders or on the huge rear spoiler, gigantic air intakes, painted carbon, gas and oil caps surrounded by 16 rivets, middle rib from the front radiator grill in horseshoe to the rear spoiler through the interior, four big exhaust pipes... A pure chef d'oeuvre that makes me can't wait for the Chiron, still not unveiled at the moment I'm writing those lines.
The W16 quad-turbo 8 liters of the Veyron is still between the cockpit and the rear axle of the car, a thing that according to Bugatti's Head of the design Achim Anscheidt, determinated the Vision GT's style. We don't know anything about the specs of this engine, some say it will be around 1500hp in its in game version...
All I can say about the exterior is : Fantastic. I spent about a hour admiring all theses details here and there : louvers on both of the front fenders or on the huge rear spoiler, gigantic air intakes, painted carbon, gas and oil caps surrounded by 16 rivets, middle rib from the front radiator grill in horseshoe to the rear spoiler through the interior, four big exhaust pipes... A pure chef d'oeuvre that makes me can't wait for the Chiron, still not unveiled at the moment I'm writing those lines.
Last year the Alpine Vision GT was on the best place in the exhibition on the podium, but this year was a PSA concept there : the Peugeot Fractal. This thing is full electric (450 kms range, 204 hp from two engines on both of the axles) and has been developed around the topic of the sound. The anechoic panels (you know, the one we can find inside deaf rooms) are then everywhere inside the car and all the sounds of the car can be heard through a 9.1 sound system, like the sound when you close a door, the one that passers hear, or even the blinker's sound. All these useless sounds will make you recognize a Fractal even if you don't see it, unless I'll be behind it revving a 911...
Well, this year is all about electric cars, but what about going back in time to the world of the petrol engines with divine sound ? Thanks to RM Sotheby's, one of the auctions during the Rétromobile week that happened a week later, we had the opportunity to admire a bunch of classics : Lamborghini Countach, Porsche 356 and a Ferrari 250 GT Coupé ! In addition, there were a tribute to Marcello Gandini, the Carozzeria Bertone's designer with three of his beauties : the Lamborghini Miura, the Uracco or even the Maserati Khamsin. And guess what, we love that kind of exhibition where classics meet concepts !
Staying in the petrol engines with two racecars in world premiere : the Ligier JSP3 for the new LMP3 category and the KTM X-Bow GT4 for the GT4 category. Hmmm, carbon !
The next car is another of my favorites of the show, it is japanese and host a rotary engine... The Mazda RX-Vision. Still a concept, this GT (engine in the front, rear wheel drive) is the perfect way to show Mazda's KODO design, supposed to be around the motion. Minimalistic ground clearance, slendered profile, deep red paint, 4 modernized RX7 rear lights... I love. Mazda, please put it into production !!!
Near the Mazda was standing a seriously good-looking Pick-Up named Alaskan. Renault wants to put a foot on the Pick-Up market with his own adaptation of the new Nissan Navara. A 190 hp Diesel engine take place under the hood of this concept with some cool accessories like a complete photo kit by Hasselblad. Isn't it a win ?
Next to the design schools, the GEA of Giugiaro is a huge sedan with an interior that shows the future of autonomous cars. No doorpost, suicide rear doors... Not my cup of tea I must say.
The BMW Hommage R was also there, still beautiful.
Aston Martin brought the DBX unveiled at the 2015 Geneva Motorshow. A crime for the brand's fans because of its electric engine and the whale design is ugly. Next...
The Mercedes-Benz IAA is a curious study : when it reaches 80 km/h, the body changes itself to the « aerodynamic mode ». That sounds a bit weird I know, you'll find more here ! For the engine, a plug-in hybrid with 279hp allows the car to reach 250km/h. Mercedes said the range is around 60 kilometers in full-electric for 28g CO₂ emissions per km. The brand announces a Cd value of 0,19 for this 4-door coupé which hides the next CLS lines...
Icona (the chinese designer) presents the Neo : a full-electric 4 places car with a range of 150km. According to Icona, the car weights only 720kg and 4 adults can have a seat in this 3,40m long thing. It looks really funny and I like that !
Last but not least, this is the fantastic Peugeot 308 R Hybrid, a 308 on steroïds with around 500 horsepower. Under its skin, we find the 1.6 THP of the 308 GTi with two eletric engines of 115hp. 730Nm of torque, 0 to 100 in 4 seconds are the result of this crazy mix : the perfect sleeper ! There is only one thing missing, the production version. Peugeot, you know what to do.
|
|
Anyway, the 31st edition of the Festival Automobile International is also the opportunity to elect the most beautiful car of the year : the Renault Talisman !
But that's not all, we find the most beautiful concept, the most beautiful supercar, the best interior... The prizelist can be find below, with some pics of a stunning work of art. Thanks for reading !
Most beautiful car of the year : Renault Talisman
Grand Prix of the most beautiful concept car : Porsche Mission E and Mazda RX-Vision
Grand Prix of the creativity : Bugatti Vision GT
Grand Prix of the most beautiful supercar : Ford GT
Grand Prix of the best interior : Mini Clubman
Grand Prix of the most beautiful book : « La Fabuleuse collection Baillon », C.Martin and M.Guegan
Grand Prix of the most beautiful picture : « Comme un visage fatigué » by Florent Gooden
Grand Prix of the Young Designer Award by BMW : Brieuc Masson
Grand Prix of the Design : Gleb Danilov Stieglitz
Grand Prix of the most beautiful ad movie : « Make your great time », Renault Espace
Grand Prix Creativ’Experience : Peugeot Fractal
Grand Prix Most Futuristic Cars : Mercedes IAA et F015
Special Prize : Mark Webber
Palme d'Or : Elon Musk
Most beautiful car of the year : Renault Talisman
Grand Prix of the most beautiful concept car : Porsche Mission E and Mazda RX-Vision
Grand Prix of the creativity : Bugatti Vision GT
Grand Prix of the most beautiful supercar : Ford GT
Grand Prix of the best interior : Mini Clubman
Grand Prix of the most beautiful book : « La Fabuleuse collection Baillon », C.Martin and M.Guegan
Grand Prix of the most beautiful picture : « Comme un visage fatigué » by Florent Gooden
Grand Prix of the Young Designer Award by BMW : Brieuc Masson
Grand Prix of the Design : Gleb Danilov Stieglitz
Grand Prix of the most beautiful ad movie : « Make your great time », Renault Espace
Grand Prix Creativ’Experience : Peugeot Fractal
Grand Prix Most Futuristic Cars : Mercedes IAA et F015
Special Prize : Mark Webber
Palme d'Or : Elon Musk
