Bentley Mulsanne Speed 2015

Previewed before heading on to the Paris Auto Show, the new 2015 Bentley Mulsanne Speed adds to the car's luxury and performance

Understated elegance 

Subtle is the operative term for the Mulsanne Speed's exterior changes, which include a dark-tint finish on its stainless-steel radiator grille, lower bumper grilles and fender vents complemented by a similar treatment on the front and rear lighting elements. These are set off by dual rifled exhaust outlets and solid polished stainless steel Speed badges as well as 21-inch alloy wheels. These bespoke rims - Bentley's first ever featuring a unidirectional design - are individually machined from forged blanks and can be had painted, polished or dark-tinted

Inside, the Mulsanne Speed comes with the full Mulliner Driving Specification enhancements while offering new a new Technical Veneer option that brings Piano Black trim with carbon fiber accents. Options include everything from a 2,200-watt Naim for Bentley audio system in place of the standard 14-speaker unit to a power-activated rear tray tables and a dual-screen rear-seat entertainment package

Overwhelming exuberance

Heart of the Mulsanne Speed is a revised version of the firm's well-proven 6.75-liter twin-turbo V8. A new head design the features revamped combustion chambers, intake ports, fuel injectors and spark plugs plus a higher compression ratio, which raises output from 505 horsepower and 752 lb-ft of torque in the standard Mulsanne to 530 horses and a record 811 lb-ft of peak twist - which is on hand from a mere 1,750 rpm

A full redesign of the engine management system serves up smoother transitions from V8 to V4 operation on both engine configurations while also improving fuel economy. Backed by a recalibrated ZF 8-speed Quickshift automatic transmission that features a new performance-focused "S" mode, the Mulsanne Speed can streak from 0-60 mph in 4.8 seconds and hit a top end of 190 mph

To ensure that power can be put to best use, the chassis of the new Mulsanne Speed also gets unique tuning. While retaining the Bentley and Comfort modes, the air suspension adds a stiffer Sport setting that also tweaks the steering for better feel and accuracy. The system also allows the driver to individually adjust the chassis, steering and engine response using a Custom setting

Pricing for the 2015 Bentley Mulsanne Speed is expected to be announced at its global debut in Paris. The first Speed-spec Mulsannes are expected to arrive here sometime during the first quarter next year

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Audi TT and TTS Roadster 2016

Following the launch of the Audi TT/TTS Coupe models in Geneva, the 2016 Audi TT and TTS Roadsters are making their debut at the Paris Auto Show. While the open top variants are shown in European trim, both the roadster and coupes will go on sale in the U.S. next year

A 10 second transition

Cutting right to the sun-running chase on these new TT family members, each is crowned with a power-activated, fully-lined fabric soft top that lowers interior noise levels by up to 6dB compared to the current convertible models. Deployable in a mere 10 seconds at vehicle speeds of up to 31 mph, the top forms into a flat Z-shaped package that tucks neatly away into an aluminum tray when dropped. The design allows trunk capacity on these racy Roadsters to remain at 9.9 cu ft at all times

The soft-top transition also entailed other structural enhancements to the TT's new aluminum-intensive MQB modular unit body architecture to preserve its strength and rigidity. A steel reinforcing pillar-and-tube arrangement now resides inside the existing aluminum A-pillars and hidden steel rails work to shore up the car's side sills. More steel struts are used beneath the engine and luggage compartment areas while a bespoke structure between the passenger cabin and the trunk securely anchors a pair of fixed steel rollover hoops

Powertrains revamped

Like the TT/TTS Coupes, their new Roadster counterparts will offer a trio of new 2.0-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged/direct-injected engines with greater output than the units they replace. The gas-burning TFSI in the new TT Roadster kicks out 227 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque while the unit in the TTS drop top boasts 306 ponies and 281 lb-ft of twist. Both of those engines are expected to head here as well. A 181-horse Euro-spec TDI turbodiesel that makes a stout 281 lb-ft of torque appears less likely to make the Atlantic crossing, at least at launch. Home market buyers also will be able to choose between a 6-speed manual transmission and paddle-shift 6-speed S-tronic dual-clutch automatic as well as front- or Quattro all-wheel drive configurations, the latter being standard issue on the TTS Roadster

Beyond that, the new Audi TT and TTS Roadsters share all the basic cosmetic, technological and creature features found in the new Coupes. That includes everything from edgier exterior styling and more sophisticated interior treatments - including Audi's modular virtual cockpit configuration - to the latest iteration of Audi's multi-mode drive select system and primo options like MMI Navigation plus with a Wi-Fi hotspot, Bang & Olufsen premium audio, Audi Side Assist and Active Lane Assist

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Audi TT Sportback Concept

Presenting a more practical take on the next-generation TT, Audi presented this 4-passenger 5-door hatchback variation on the theme in Paris

Finished in Mars Red, the TT Sportback shares a good deal of the new TT's basic character and aluminum-intensive design as well as its MQB (modular transverse matrix) architecture. However, the Sportback is nearly a foot longer, 2.1-inches wider and 1.2-inches lower than the Coupe and rides on a 4.7-inch-longer wheelbase. The Sportback's front fascia replaces the conventional bars in Audi's signature grille with a dark honeycomb aluminum mesh insert and full LED headlamp. Laser high beams are fitted to provide superior night-time illumination. The rear displays a similarly well-sculpted look set off by slim-line LED lights and a stylish diffuser bookended by oval chrome exhaust outlets. Short overhangs, a flowing roof, frameless doors and a strong shoulder line add spark to the Sportback's profile while its smartly flared fenders house 21-inch alloy wheels wrapped in grippy 255/30 performance tires

High performance and economy

Power for the TT Sportback Concept comes from an upgraded version of the firm's 2.0-liter TFSI 4-cylinder turbocharged/direct-injected EA888 gasoline engine. Using unique internal components with a higher-boost turbo unit, the Sportback engine puts out 394 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque which is on hand from 2,400-6,000 rpm. Matched with a 7-speed S-tronic dual-clutch automatic that ships power to each corner via Audi's Quattro all-wheel-drive system, the it can send the TT Sportback Concept from 0-62 mph in 3.9 seconds yet still return the equivalent of 33.6 U.S. combined mpg

Fitted with four individual bucket seats trimmed in high-quality quilted leather and Alcantara, the modestly scaled passenger compartment of the TT Sportback Concept borrows heavily from the upcoming production TT Coupe and Roadster. That includes Audi's new "virtual cockpit" modular dash with a reconfigurable instrument cluster and centrally mounted MMI controller that has a gesture-enabled touchpad along with a 12.3-inch display screen. The cabin also boasts a full-length center console, carbon fiber-look/dark-aluminum accent trim and features flat-folding rear seatbacks to increase the capacity and utility of the Sportback's luggage compartment

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Aston Martin Vanquish Carbon Edition 2015

Ready to take center stage next month in Paris, the 2015 Aston Martin Vanquish Carbon Black and Carbon White special editions offer a unique visual signature in both Vanquish Coupe and Volante Convertible models

Whether finished in Carbon Black or Stratus White, all Vanquish Carbon Editions feature a clear-coated carbon fiber front splitter, rear diffuser, side strakes, mirror caps and mounting pylons along with black window surrounds and 10-spoke/20-inch gloss-black alloy wheels wrapped in Pirelli P Zero rubber. Coupes also have a carbon fiber roof, and either can be fitted with a new machined carbon fiber "wings" badge. The only bits of contrasting color come from the calipers for the standard carbon ceramic brakes, which can be had in red, yellow or gray in addition to the standard black

Inside, these Carbon-spec Vanquish models have seats covered in Obsidian Black leather with contrast stitching, herringbone-design carbon fiber dash/console facings, black shifter paddles with leather tips, and machined carbon fiber sill plates with Carbon Black or Carbon White logos

Like all other Vanquish models, the Carbon Editions rely on the same naturally aspirated 5.9-liter V12 that makes 568 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque which gets shipped to rear wheels via a drives the rear wheels via an 8-speed Touchtonic III automatic transmission. The Coupe holds a slight edge in the 0-60 mph sprint, needing only 3.6 seconds to hit that benchmark pack compared to 3.8 ticks for the Volante. Opting for the drop-top Vanquish also trims top speed from 201 to 197 mph

Final pricing for the 2015 Aston Martin Vanquish Carbon Edition models is expected to be released in Paris with the cars hitting U.S. showrooms sometime late this year

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Jaguar F-Pace 2016

Jaguar announced at the North American International Auto Show that it will build a production version of the C-X17 crossover concept it showed in 2013 as the 2016 Jaguar F-Pace. While the British automaker announced its intention to build the vehicle, it didn't bring a show property to its press conference. Instead, pictured here are later versions of the C-X17 concept

When Jaguar introduced the C-X17 concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show, it stressed the vehicle's aluminum architecture and said that technology would be used on the next all-new product it would introduce, which turned out to be the XE sedan. Using that platform to underpin the F-Pace, we expect the new crossover, which will launch in 2016, to be a compact to mid-size vehicle to rival the BMW X3/X5

Seating for five

The 2016 Jaguar F-Pace will seat five and will feature the company's Instinctive All Wheel Drive system. According to Ian Callum, Jaguar director of design, The Jaguar F-Pace represents a perfectly judged balance of style, performance and practicality. It offers a unique combination of Jaguar sports car inspired exterior design, fused beautifully with a thoroughly practical and spacious luxury interior. The F-Pace is our family sports car

The F-Pace is in the engineering and test phase and the company said that more details on specifications for the crossover SUV will be announced later in the year

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