Paris motor show 2016 – our star cars

Pictures don’t really do justice to the presence the long, low Trezor projected on Renault’s Paris show stage. With its front-opening clamshell bonnet, autonomous driving capability and feisty electric powertrain, the Trezor is glimpse into both Renault’s future and the fertile imaginations of its designs. I love the car’s attitude and some of the neat design touches, such as the Eiffel Tower motifs on the alloy wheels.

Rachel Burgess - Volkswagen ID concept

Not to discredit the work done by BMW, Nissan, Renault and more, but the launch of a dedicated Volkswagen (and Mercedes) electric car feels like the dawn of a new age for motoring. This is the first electric family hatchback with genuine aesthetic appeal and that, along with increased range, means EVs are well on their way to becoming the norm. Exciting times.

Hilton Holloway - BMW X2 concept

You might think there was no way to squeeze another minor variation out of the baby crossover genre, but BMW has done it with the X2. As elegant as the X4 is awkward, this is probably the first truly convincing Range Rover Evoque rival, combining the low roof and shallow glasshouse with a credible BMW flavour.

Greg Kable - Mercedes-Benz Generation EQ concept

The Generation EQ spearheads the anticipated entry of the world’s oldest car maker into the dedicated electric cars ranks. It promises unique styling touches, clever interior packaging and an impressive 310-mile range when it goes on sale in 2019. The new SUV heads a 10-strong fleet of electric cars planned by Mercedes-Benz by 2025.

Julian Rendell - Lexus UX concept

Lexus design feels to have hit a hot spot of urban cool and the compact soft-roader UX concept just reinforces that point. Even better, the production version is said to be very close to the design study. Another Lexus winner.

Andrew Frankel - Nissan Micra

If the new Micra is as good as it looks, Nissan will have pulled off that rare trick of leaping from near the bottom of the class to close to the top. It’s a fun and funky compact hatch and therefore everything the current car is not. It should transform Nissan’s presence in the sector.

Matt Prior - Ferrari GTC4 Lusso T

The V12-powered GTC4 Lusso is a lovely thing, but it’s too ravenous and too four-wheel drive for a lot of customers. This cheaper, lighter and rear-drive-only V8 variant is less powerful but likely faster in the real world because it has more torque. Like a V8 versus W12 Bentley, I think it’ll be the best GTC4 Lusso.

Neil Winn - Audi Q5

With sharper styling (inspired by the larger Audi Q7), a lighter chassis and new five-link suspension front and rear, the new Q5 looks like it has all the right ingredients to dominate the mid-sized SUV class. And with the 450bhp RS Q5 set to blend supercar performance with everyday practicality, Audi might even have another performance car hero on its hands. I, for one, can’t wait to get behind the wheel.

Darren Moss - Seat Ateca X-perience

As first forays into SUV land go, the Seat Ateca has been a hit for Seat and this four-wheel-drive range-topper just strengthens the appeal, with its rugged looks and punchy diesel motor. Still want that Nissan Qashqai?

Sam Sheehan - BMW i3 and i8 Garage Italia Crossfade concepts

Given that rival brands have revealed forward-thinking concepts and launched striking new production models, bringing an i3 and i8 with new paint schemes to Paris might make BMW look lazy. But let us not forget these two vehicles, even a couple of years into their existence, are still ground-breaking machines. Add a snazzy new paint job and, yeah, I’m back to drooling over i8s and checking finance deals on a new i3…

Jimi Beckwith - Peugeot 3008 DKR