Paris - the city of kilowatts...

Starting on September 28 and running until October 12, 2002, the Paris Motor Show is the place to be for all things car .

Easily in the top three car shows in the world, up there with the likes of Geneva and Tokyo, this year's Paris Motor Show will offer a glimpse of what's to be offered at the Sydney Motor Show, kicking off on October 17, to boot.

That said, Paris won't get BA Falcon, or VY Commodore. On the other hand, it will get the Mazda6 MPS Concept car and Peugeot's new hot-hatch, likely to kick Clio Sport to the kerb.

While nothing is in concrete yet, some are even saying Lambo will make an announcement on its upcoming SUV/4WD project at the show.

You can also rest assured there'll be at least one bomb-shell - perhaps Ferrari boss Montezemolo will say goodbye to Fiat, which now owns the famous Prancing Horse badge.

Whatever happens, expect to see plenty from French carmakers Citroen, Renault and Peugeot, and maybe we'll even see some new BMW and Mercedes designs too.

But let's get down to business. The new Pug, aptly named the 206 GTi 180 is the the latest Peugeot to carry the GTi badge, and will be launched at the 2002 Paris Motor Show.

It will be Peugeot's most powerful current-model 206, with a 133kW engine - or 180bhp, hence the GTi 180 name.

The new three door hot hatch: "Will take your breath away with its looks, style, acceleration, and power," according to Peugeot.

The 206 GTi 180 has been inspired by the success of Peugeot's World Rally Championship sibling, the 206 WRC, which is dominating this year's Championship series. One could argue, though, that double the amount of Peugeot rally cars (four compared to other teams two) is the reason behind this domination.

Still, the GTi 180 is almost upon us and, if we have to thank World Rally Championships stacked highly in Peugeot's favour for this, then so be it. Hey, if the car's as good as many are alleging, we're petitioning for six Pug's in the 2003 Rally season!

Anyway, enough biased ranting. The new 206 packs a 2.0 litre, 16-valve, four cylinder petrol engine, which delivers 133kW @ a heady 7,000 rpm. This gifts the GTi 180 with a top speed of roughly 220km/h and it will 100km/h from rest in just 7.1 seconds, according to Peugeot.

Will the Clio Sport keep up? With nine less kilowatts, or 124kW, it will be interesting to see who will be the new hot hatch king. Engine performance has also been enhanced with VVT (variable valve timing), which ensures optimum engine torque is delivered through a wide engine speed range.

Distinctive exterior features indicate its sporty intentions: 17-inch Atlantis alloy wheels, a rear spoiler, full body-coloured exterior fittings (aka bodykit), and a new exhaust system finished with a twin chromed tailpipe which gives the GTi 180 a sporty exhaust note and a much tougher back-side.

The GTi 180 has modified front suspension geometry and stiffer springs, compared with the 206 GTi (100 kW). At the rear, the suspension includes two tie rods to maintain rear axle stability and improve road holding – this is similar to that first seen on the 206 SW.

It also has ESP (electronic stability programme), with the combined functions of traction control and directional control, which can be deactivated if burnouts and powerslides are required.

The five-speed gearbox has been designed for the keen driver, with a close ratio transmission (except for first gear) optimising acceleration, particularly on winding roads. Changing gear is effected more quickly than in the lower spec 206 GTi, as the travel has been reduced, improving the driving experience by facilitating faster gear changes.

Inside, prospective buyers will get racing-style sports seats (aka buckets). The instrument binnacle, which houses black dials with chrome surrounds, is finished in leather with contrasting stitching, and contains the following:

• speedometer
  

• rev counter
  

• oil temperature gauge
  

• water temperature gauge
  

• fuel gauge

The interior is further enhanced by an aluminium gear knob and pedals, as well as a micro-carbon look to the centre console, which echoes the finish on the exterior door mirrors. The 206 GTi 180 has a high level of standard equipment too boot, including: digital air conditioning with climate control, heat reflective athermic windscreen, CD auto changer, automatic windscreen wipers with rain sensor, automatic 'headlights on', electrically retractable door mirrors, and a luggage net in the boot.

The car will also get twin ‘smart’ front airbags, two side airbags, three-point seat belts and retractable head restraints for rear seat passengers, ABS with EBD (electronic brake-force distribution) and EBA (emergency brake assist) including activation of hazard lights in the event of sudden braking. The new Pug will be available in four body colours – Flamenco Red, Onyx Black, Aluminium and Aegean Blue. The 206 GTi 180 goes on sale in Australia in mid 2003 and, though no prices have been given, expect to pay about 40 grand. If you want a sneak peek, check out the pics, or check out the Paris Motor Show.

Mazda will also be debuting a new model and, while it has firmly affixed the 'concept' moniker to the new car, we reckon this one will make it production.

Sophisticated high performance best describes the direct injection, turbocharged Mazda6 MPS concept car, which makes its world premiere at the Paris motor show later this month.

Focused on delivering even more Zoom-Zoom, the Mazda6 MPS concept boasts enhanced driving dynamics courtesy of 206 kilowatts of power and all-wheel-drive.

The car's styling has also been enhanced with the MPS concept, which is based on a Mazda6 hatchback, boasting a more sporty and aggressive appearance than the already pleasing standard car - the Mazda6 range of sedan, hatch and wagon models went on sale in Australia this month - click here for more info.

Powered by a new, direct-injection, turbocharged version of Mazda’s 2.3-litre MZR engine, the powerplant combines low emissions and excellent fuel efficiency with high performance - one of the reasons, we believe, Mazda will use to make a production case for the MPS.

Delivering 206kW @ 6500rpm and a whopping 360Nm of torque @ just 3500rpm, the Mazda6 MPS concept qualifies as a serious driving machine. To make best use of the engine's impressive power and torque, a sophisticated traction system is employed, effortlessly transmitting the power of the Mazda6 MPS concept car to the road.

The MPS's all-wheel-drive system, which is available in some overseas markets already, has been upgraded in the MPS concept, gaining active torque control. The result is an electronically controlled torque-split, all-wheel-drive system that is capable of delivering ultimate tyre-to-road contact at all speeds. A torque responsive rear LSD (Limited Ship Differential) to maximise cornering ability is "also standard" say Mazda.

Standard? But the car hasn't reached pro...

The Mazda6 MPS concept drives through a six-speed manual transmission with its ratios spaced to make best use of the engine's impressive torque peak. Appropriately for a high-performance car, the shift provides short throws for snappy gear changes.

Styled at Mazda's European R&D Center in Oberursel, Germany, the Mazda6 MPS concept, according to Mazda: "Reflects sporty sophistication combined with powerful dynamism." We reckon it looks pretty sweet too.

The front of the car features a restyled version of Mazda’s five-point grille, as well as an air intake design similar to the one featured on the RX-8. The larger front bumper (complete with large air intakes) and a more aggressive rear styling not only enhance the car's looks but also improve its dynamic stability.

Flared wheel arches and 18-inch wheels and tyres further emphasise the car's performance character, while the Mazda6's underlying sportiness and quality are highlighted by new, Silver Storm paint. Lightweight, "spoke mesh" aluminium wheels, complete with low-profile, 18-inch tyres (front & rear 245/40ZR18) intensify the outstanding driving experience.

So there you have it - Mazda's impressive all-wheel drive concept is going to Paris, and with enough response from the media and the public, the new MPS could well be at dealerships in a years time. But what is this hi-po Mazda alluding to - more four-wheel drive testing? Perhaps even a rotary 4WD? How about a twin-turbo, triple rotar, all-wheel drive WRC rally car? Stranger things have happened...