BMW X1 at the Paris motor show 2008

By Ben Barry Motor Shows 02 October 2008 16:03 The new X1 and 7-series were the stars of BMW’s Paris stand, but there were plenty more treats for showgoers, including the subtly revised 3-series saloon and Touring – the Efficient Dynamics-fettled 3 now boasting the lowest carbon emissions in its class. The X1 is BMW’s smallest off-roader, sitting below X5 and X3 – and, let’s not forget, above the soon-to-be-production-ready Mini Crossover Concept. In the metal it doesn’t actually look much smaller than the X3, but it does look a hell of a lot lower.

Hyundai blamed for France’s economic woes

French Industry Minister Arnaud Montebourg has accused Hyundai Kia of ‘Dumping’ cars in the French market. In an apparent bid to galvanise the workforce of PSA and Renault to emulate French Farmers by setting fire to the competition, French Industry Minister, Arnaud Montebourg, has claimed that Hyundai and Kia are ‘Dumping’ cars in to the French market to undermine sales of Peugeot, Citroen and Renault. Well, he would, wouldn’t he?

Rhonda Renaissance Part 2: Paint vs. vinyl

We dispensed with the basics in Part 1 on Monday: There's a 1963 Pontiac StarChief in the parking garage of Autoweek HQ. It needs of a new coat of something for the summer, so let's explore some of the options confronting today's refinish customers, where candy paint is no longer the only game in town. Let's start with vinyl wraps: We've seen them, felt them and picked at them at shows and in shops.