Top 8 Performance Cars from 2016 Paris Motorshow

We’ll get your appetite warmed up with something Italian… Ferrari are entering unknown territory again with a new ‘fastback’ 4 wheel drive, turbocharged ‘GTC Lusso T.’ It looks a bit like their FF model, with 2 seats in the front and 2 in the rear, but this new model is the first Ferrari 4 seater to flaunt a twin-turbo V8 engine. Performance figures look suitably Italian; 602bhp, 760Nm of Torque, 0-60mph in 3.5 seconds and onto a top speed of 200mph.

A brand new concept from Renault was on show in Paris. This extravagant piece of kit is set to be an all-electric GT car with mechanics derived from the Renault Formula E car. The Trezor is a 2 seater coupé with bold styling and a hefty electric powerplant. The press release states a power output of 350bhp and 380Nm of torque. This will equate to a 0-62mph run in under 4 seconds. As with all the concept cars though, details are vague and we’re left guessing about a number of key factors regarding the vehicle, if it ever even gets built. There’s an abundance of obscure terms used in the press release though; ‘bold’, ‘assertive identity’, ‘symbolising feelings of maturity and commitment’ and ‘design strategy founded on the cycle of life: falling in love.’ Sounds rather French, doesn’t it?

Another concept car, this time from Hyundai. Their new RN30 model is designed to set the pulses racing as they get closer and closer to unveiling their high-performance N models. This concept, the RN30, ‘was created as a racing machine to demonstrate sporting DNA of Hyundai N’ and although there are no performance figures, the styling of this model shows Hyundai aren’t going to be holding back when they do eventually get their N range going...

The SLS is dead and buried, it was fun while it lasted but it’s time to move on, and the gullwing doors can’t come. Mercedes debuted their new GT C Roadster at the Paris show, a drop-top version of the GT Coupé currently on sale. The 6.2litre AMG V8 from the SLS has gone too and in its place lies a more compact 4.0litre V8 fitted with two turbochargers. Naturally, the exhaust note is as hair-raising as we have come to expect from AMG and the performance figures add up too. 557bhp, 680Nm of torque and a 0-62mph time of 3.7 seconds. Not bad at all...

Audi are expanding their RS range again and this time it’s the RS3 Hatchback which had its underpinnings carried over to the saloon model. This new beast features the 2.5litre turbocharged 5cylinder petrol TFSI engine; now with 400PS and 480Nm of torque. This is the most powerful 5cylinder engine on the world market and has a top speed of up to 174mph. 0-62mph take just 4.1 seconds. Our favourite quote from the press release; “Relentless traction, steadfast driving safety.”

It doesn’t feel like the latest Type R has been out all that long really, because it hasn’t, but Honda are keen to get their next Type R in the hearts and minds of enthusiasts as soon as possible, which is why they debuted a prototype of the next generation in Paris this year. The new model has changed significantly, with a body shape more suited to the compact saloon market, but the rear lid is still a hatchback - like the WRX STi on sale from Subaru.

Honda seemed to have tamed down the in-your-face aero on this new model, it is still there but it isn’t nearly as intimidating as on the current model.

There’s no official performance figures for this model yet as it is still so early in the development stage, but we’re sure it will be as quick as it looks...

SUVs are still growing in popularity and new models are being thrown into the marketplace from every manufacturer. Mercedes announced their latest offering, the GLC43 Coupé as their new performance version of the GLC. This is a 4 wheel drive beast using the Mercedes 4Matic setup with a power-bias to the rear wheels. This means that although the car has fantastic grip through all wheels it still drives much like any other Mercedes, with superior feedback encouraging the driver through bends. This ‘43’ model features the 3.0litre V6 bi-turbo which is available in a number of AMG models already on the road. The figures; 0-62 in 4.9 seconds, 367bhp and 520Nm of torque - another properly quick car from the boffins at AMG.

The most expensive, most exclusive and (arguably) most attractive Ferrari ever, just got that bit better. The prancing horse has debuted the LaFerrari Aperta. Aperta is Italian for ‘open’ so can you guess what it means? Yes, the LaFerrari is now an open-top hyper car. Only 499 examples of the coupé model were made and we expect roughly the same from the Aperta, although all build slots were sold out before the car was even debuted, by customers invited by Ferrari themselves. Looking at the stats, the Laferrari Aperta will get to 62mph in under 3 seconds, and 0-124mph will take 7.1 seconds. The top-speed will be the same as that of the coupe, a whole 217mph… Nice!