REVIEW: Paris Motor Show 2010, Paris, France October 2010

OK so this is less of a review and more a relaying of my experience really. The 2010 Paris Motor show or Modial De L'Automobile -for once something sounds better in English than in French which is very unusual - finished yesterday after occupying the whole of the ginormous Parce Des Expositions at Porte De Versailles.

Having never been to the Paris Motor Show before I had no idea what to expect. I was lucky enough to have been invited by French car maker Peugeot who kindly gave me an extra invite to bring my Photographer (I'm useless).

We decided to go to one of the 'nocturnes' or night events. These happen on the first and second Thursday of the show and the show is open until 10pm on these days, giving those who have day jobs a chance to visit after work. This was probably not the greatest idea I have ever had. Thankfully being a regular attender of public events with large audiences I'm used to being caught in a crowd and although unpleasant can control the urge to try and escape somewhat. There was an overwhelmingly large amount of people in attendance so be warned if you are thinking about going next year.

I really wanted to see the new generation of Electric Vehicles due for release very soon and was not disappointed. There was a whole building dedicated solely to EV's and you could even test drive some. Check out the image below of Peugeot's new iON. This is an amazing experience. The ride is so different to a normal car and the lack of noise is surreal and will take some getting used to. This gave a glimpse into the very near future when our town and city streets will be much quieter places to live work and play in and around. This will especially suit the cosmpolitan cafe culture so prevalent here in Paris that is often blighted by pollution and noise from the road (although that does not deter the locals).

Although practical and exciting, technolically and environmentally speaking, the iON does not really excite ones creative imagination. It is rather bland to look at and with a limited range and top speed is not going to (and indeed is not intended to) be used as a recreational driving experience. 

The image pictured at the top of the page is the limited edition Tesla Tag Heuer Roadster. There was a lot of excitemet around this vehicle and I was fortunate enough to get close enough to have a good look. Looks amazing inside and out. Unfortunately it was not available to test drive.

I was a little disappointed not to be able to get anywhere near the Renault DeZir concept car which is even more exciting visually than the Tesla but sadly there were just too many people around the Renault exhibition. If you want to see what I'm talking about Click Here.

So this was a really great experience and with so much to see and do I'll hopefully be attending next year too!

PHOTOS: Emilie Nissim-Gagnon

We're going to Paris Motor Show 2010!

Looks like Vainzine will be attending this years Paris Motor Show. The show starts 2 October. We'll let you know once it's confirmed we will be attending. Looking forward to seeing the new concept cars including Renault's superb look Electric Vehicle the DeZir (pictured) as well as Peugeot who came out with the crazy looking BB1 last time around.

VOTE FOR VAINZINE:

New Peugeot competiton continues!

Have you been keeping an eye on the competition over at new-peugeot.com? I wrote a post about the competition launch a while back. Click Here to read it in case you missed an catch up on what I'm talking about. For those of you who have been following the competition and maybe even have taken part a quick heads up. The next stage of the competition 'Movement' is closing today so if you want to enter then head on over to new-peugeot.com now and get your entry in!

The last theme competition was 'Emotion'. I am lucky enough to have been selected as one of the judges in the competition. So far there have been a lot of amazing entries (as well as some not so great ones) in all themes. Emotion was particularly hard to judge because the quality of the short-listed entries was so high. I hope that the next theme 'Movement' will be just as inspiring and that your ideas for the car of tomorrow (like the Peugeot Ion electric car pictured above) will be just as imaginative, perhaps even more so than the last. Thankfully as a judge I don't have to go through every entry. Someone else is responsible for selecting the short-list of entries that we judge on so you have to go through a selection process before you get to me. But you can still see all the entries on the the new-peugeot.com website. It would be unfair for me to comment on my favourite entries as the competition is still going on so I won't but feel free to let me know who you think is your favourite in the next theme 'Movement' which I am looking forward to judging on in a few days time.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of BuzzParadise. 

COMPETITION: Share Your Vision Of The Future With Peugeot

Have you ever wondered what the car of tomorrow would be like? Have you ever had an idea about what kind of car you lould like to drive in the future or right now if the technology was available?

When I was a kid I went to the Epcot centre in Florida and there was a GM concept car exhibiton heralding the electric car as the vehicle of tomorrow. It was called the EV1 and they had a video and a working prototype and it eventually made it into production in mid 1996 after receiving favourable public reaction. Click Here to read more about the EV1 and it's unfortunate demise.

The point it that the exhibition inspired me and I was excited to see the electric car come to fruition. The project was only realised because we made it so with our feedback to the auto maker. Now Peugeot want to harness the Emotions of Internet users on their new website NEW-PEUGEOT.COM.

Peugeot are inviting you the users of the internet across Europe to express the emotions inspired in you by the car of tomorrow and are offering you the chance to participate and post your feelings on an open-access virtual wall on the www.new-peugeot.com website.

GET INVLOVED AND WIN!!!:

From 6 May to 5 October 2010, Peugeot want to know your ideas for the car of tomorrow on the interactive www.new-peugeot.com website. In photos, texts and videos, you can choose your own way of expressing your view of the automobile as a true space for living, sharing and feeling. The best entries will win novel prizes including preview road tests of the 508 or VIP week-ends at the Le Mans 24 hour race.

Share your desires through six emotionally expressive themes:

Performance: powerful emotions are the best drivers of performance. By sharing their strongest sporting moments, Internet users will have a chance to win a VIP week-end at the Le Mans 24 hour race.

Environment: the most beautiful feelings inspired by the natural world will win Peugeot 200th anniversary Collector’s Edition bicycles.

Emotions: contestants are invited to describe memorable emotions inspired by creative design. Participants can win a road-test of the new Peugeot 508.

Movement: catching and communicating the vibrations of the city will give contestants a chance to win MU by Peugeot mobility units.

Connectivity: the outside world and its technologies have taken up residence in the car. Fans of unlimited connectivity will have the chance to win a customised iPad.

Vision: unusual holiday incidents, or fond memories of tender or hilarious moments, could open the doors to a VIP preview of the Paris Motor Show.

The best accounts shared in this space will be re-edited and posted on a vast Peugeot Inspiration wall during the Paris Motor Show from 2 to 17 October 2010.

Watch the video below for more information on the competition.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of BuzzParadise.