The opening of the 2014 Paris motor show this week saw the world’s car manufacturers turn out to display their latest products and innovations. Among the cars stealing the show were a number that have been designed, developed and built in the UK.
We’ve compiled a rundown of the UK-built stars of the Paris motor show.
Aston Martin V12 Vantage S Roadster
The Gaydon-built V12 Vantage S Roadster is Aston Martin’s fastest open-top production car ever. It boasts a 565bhp engine capable of propelling the convertible from 0-62mph in 4.1 seconds and on to a top speed of 201mph.
It was joined by the 2015 model year Rapide S and Vanquish range, which included a new Carbon Black special edition. Aston Martin’s tranche of new models is the product of a £500 million investment programme announced earlier this year.
Bentley Mulsanne Speed
Equipped with a 6.75-litre twin turbo V8, the 530bhp Bentley Mulsanne Speed is the Crewe-based manufacturer’s most powerful saloon ever. The revised power-unit also offers a 13% improvement in efficiency.
It takes Bentley’s wealth of highy skilled UK engineers and craftspeople around 400 hours to build each Mulsanne, which Bentley claims is offered with limitless colour and specification options.
Also on display was Bentley’s ‘signature’ Mulsanne, as well as the Continental GT V8 S and GT Speed – all of which are designed, developed and produced in Cheshire.
Honda Civic, Civic Type-R, CR-V and Jazz prototype
Honda showcased revisions to its full range of UK-built cars at Paris. Both the Civic and Civic Tourer have received styling upgrades, with a Civic Sport derivative also joining the range. Technological upgrades include low-speed braking and a new infotainment system.
The CR-V was also shown with styling upgrades, a new more powerful 1.6-litre diesel engine and nine-speed automatic transmission.
Paris also marked the return of the iconic Civic Type-R hot hatch. Featuring a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine for the first time, the new Type-R develops more than 270bhp. It also features an innovative ‘steer-axis’ front suspension system to minimise torque steer.
Finally, Honda previewed the successor to its Swindon-produced Jazz, which features a completely new bodyshell and 1.3-litre i-VTEC petrol engine.
Jaguar XE
Following a star-studded launch in London last month, the full Jaguar XE range made its first public appearance in Paris.
The XE is Jaguar’s first new mid-sized saloon since TATA Motors took control of the company in 2008. Part of a £1.5 billion UK investment, the new Jaguar boasts an aluminium-intensive architecture, integral link suspension and a slew of new technology. It will be built at Jaguar Land Rover’s Solihull facility and has helped to create 1,700 new jobs at the plant.
The UK manufacturer’s new saloon also debuts Jaguar’s first self-built engine for decades. The 2.0-litre diesel Ingenium engine will be built at Jaguar Land Rover’s new £500 million i54 facility in Wolverhampton, which will create 1,400 jobs in the region.
Land Rover Discovery Sport
Set to succeed the Land Rover Freelander, the Discovery Sport will go on sale in early 2015, and spearhead a new range of Discovery vehicles in the next few years. The mid-size SUV will be produced at Jaguar Land Rover’s Halewood facility, which has benefited from a £200 million investment and 250 new jobs to accommodate the latest model.
The Discovery Sport boasts a monocoque construction and lightweight aluminium body panels to aid efficiency. It also features 5+2 seating and a pedestrian airbag.
