VIDEO: Opel Astra GTC Paris Walk-around

After showing you some vids of the Range Rover Evoque on Friday, today we've got some press clips of Opel's GTC Paris hot hatch concept. First up is an artsy walkaround clip of the new hot hatch, but the more interesting video is the one in which Opel-Vauxhall calligrapher/graphic designer Ingrid Gollong gives us her take on the GTC's lines.

There's also a little bit about the interior, brought to you by Jeanette Finger. Both ladies explain their roles in taking one line from one poem and applying it to the GTC Paris in order to make speed into "pure beauty". If you're interested in a little design, enjoy the films below. For a full look at the 2.0-liter, 290-horsepower GTC Paris, check out our previous post here.

By Phil Alex

Paris PreShow: Infiniti Performance Line G Cabrio Concept

While we're still trying to find out if Infiniti's freshly sketched dedicated EV (see here) will make its debut at next week's 2010 Mondial de l'Automobile, here's an Infiniti concept that has been confirmed for the show. The Infiniti Performance Line (IPL) G Cabrio Concept is the second car to wear the Japanese firm's sporty IPL badge after the introduction of the G Coupé in North America in the summer.

As you'd expect, the IPL version of Infiniti's four-seat hardtop cabriolet shares many of the coupe's styling and performance enhancements.

Under the hood, you'll find a modified version of the standard car's 3.7-liter V6 delivering 338 PS at 7,400 rpm and 374Nm of torque. The regular Euro-spec model gets by with 320 PS at 7,400 rpm and 360Nm. For the record, the US-market IPL G Coupe's V6 produces 348-horsepower.

Infiniti says the tuned convertible accelerates from zero to 100km/h (62 mph) in under 6 seconds, while top speed of the de-restricted concept car, which has a seven speed automatic transmission with magnesium paddle shifts, is more than 270 km/h or 168mph.

The concept model's suspension has also been upgraded with 10% stiffer springs and recalibrated dampers, while body sits a little lower to the ground.

In the looks department, the Paris Show model's exterior is finished in a new a pearlescent black paint with red hints called "Malbec Black" while the interior is covered in Monaco Red leather.

Exterior upgrades include a new front bumper, blacked-out grille and headlight surrounds, sculptured side sill extensions and a boot lid spoiler. The huge exhaust tail pipes and 19-inch 7-spoke rims complete the list of changes.

As for the interior, the centre console is finished with black lacquer while the dashboard area above the glove box and doors are adorned with a decorative trim called KACCHU, which according to Infiniti, is a name given to the armour used by Japan's feudal warlords, or samurai, in the Middle Ages.

Although billed as a concept, we all know that an IPL flavored G Cabrio will be offered sooner or later in the States. As for Europe, here's what Infiniti stated: "A decision on launching IPL Infinitis in Europe will be taken later after reaction to the IPL G Cabrio Concept has been considered."

New Range Rover Evoque: First Video Footage of 3d SUV on the Move

Land Rover just released some new videos of its upcoming Evoque in motion, and it continues to convince. Interested? Hit the jump for the vids, or head over to our previous post for all the details.

Debuting at next week's Paris Auto Show as a 3-door model (the 5-door's on the way, don't fret), the new mini-Range will get turbocharged 4-cylinder diesel and gasoline engines; the 2.2-liter diesels will come in 150-horsepower and 190-horsepower flavors, while the 2.0-liter gasoline engine will put down a still-undisclosed output (where you at, Rover?).

Not only that, but the diesels post some impressive fuel economy numbers as well. How do you feel about 50 mpg Imperial / 41.6 mpg US from the low-output diesel with 4-wheel drive? Good, that's how.

It will be available in both 4-wheel driver and front-wheel drive (a Rover first), come in three trim levels, and provide owners with one very attractive interior. Live shots are on the way.

By Phil Alex

Paris Preshow: Jeep Announces Fresh Euro Lineup, Two New Oil Burners

Jeep will debut an updated European lineup in Paris this year, and for the first time in a while it may actually appeal to Western European consumers. The 2011 Grand Cherokee, revised 2011 Wrangler, and the rest of the off-road crew are appearing to showcase two new forms of diesel power.

Naturally, Jeep won't be bringing anything new models to the Parisian table, but the diesel engines are here in order to help entice European buyers into giving the American Commando brand a closer look.

After all, the Grand Cherokee - which now rides on a Quadra-Lift air suspension setup like other hoity-toity SUVs - has a good bit of Benzo DNA in it and looks great. No word yet on what kind of diesel engine is getting under that hood, but it should help the new GC give them Euro boys some competition.

The larger of the previously-mentioned new forms of propulsion is a 2.8 liter turbodiesel V6 debuting in the 2011 Cherokee (I wish; it's the Liberty in Amurrica) and 2011 Wrangler; it features Chrysler's first stab at start/stop tech if equipped with the 6-speed manual transmission.

The 2.8 TD makes 200 horsepower and 410 Nm or 460 Nm ( lb ft) of torque with the 6-speed stick and 5-speed auto, respectively, while improving efficiency by 13% and cutting emissions by 14% (15% in the Cherokee 4X4).

According to Jeep, the new combined fuel economy figures are 7.7 lt/100km or 30.6mpg US for the manual Cherokee (7.8 lt/100km with the auto box), 7.1 lt/100km or 33.1mpg US for the manual Wrangler (Auto: 8.1 lt/100km) and 7.4 lt/100km or 31.8mpg US for the manual Wrangler Unlimited (Auto: 8.3 lt/100km).

A 163-horsepower / 320 Nm 2.2-liter TD engine with a 6-speed will make its appearance in the Patriot/Compass siblings in place of the old 2.0-liter. It'll help the not-so-cute utes tow up to 2000 kg, consume 6.6 lt/100 km or 35.6 mpg US combined, and emit 172 grams of CO2 per kilometer.

For full specs on the 2011 Wrangler and Grand Cherokee, go ahead and check out our previous posts. Regarding the 2011 Cherokee, stay right here. For Europe, there will be a special "Jet" edition appearing in Paris.

On the outside it will get bright trim (lower fascia, side molding, roof runners, and above the license plate), chrome mirrors, black headlight housings, and tinted windows; inside, "accent stitching" is optional. The Cherokee Jet will be available in Bright Silver, Dark Charcoal, Brilliant Black and Blackberry and comes with a...(sigh)..."Jet" badge on the fenders.

Jeep President and Chief Executive Officer Mike Manley says, "The Jeep brand's legendary heritage has made it one of the most recognized brands in the world. [It] continues to evolve with new vehicles, designs, powertrains and technology. We are proud to bring the newest Jeep innovations to Paris, including the Company's first application of Stop/Start technology that helps improve Jeep Wrangler's fuel economy by up to 13 percent, as well as the all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee, designed and built to answer the needs of customers here in Europe and around the world."

By Phil Alex