The 11 Coolest Cars From the Paris Motor Show



Lamborghini may be synonymous with excess, but its latest concept, the Asterion LPI 910-4, shows the Italians do care at least a smudge about fuel efficiency: This charging bull is a plug-in hybrid electric that delivers a remarkable 75 mpg. Lamborghini



Lamborghini may be synonymous with excess, but its latest concept, the Asterion LPI 910-4, shows the Italians do care at least a smudge about fuel efficiency: This charging bull is a plug-in hybrid electric that delivers a remarkable 75 mpg.


Lamborghini



But it’s not exactly restrained. The combination of three electric motors and a naturally aspirated 5.2-liter V10 engine produces over 900 horsepower, enough to send this hybrid from a standstill to 62 mph in three seconds flat. Lamborghini



But it’s not exactly restrained. The combination of three electric motors and a naturally aspirated 5.2-liter V10 engine produces over 900 horsepower, enough to send this hybrid from a standstill to 62 mph in three seconds flat.


Lamborghini



Jaguar has been on a roll this past year, putting the terrific F-Type sports car on the market and making us shiver with delight at the resurrected racing version of the iconic E-Type. Now it’s making good on its plans to expand into more segments with the XE, an all-new midsize sedan set to compete with the BMW 3 Series. Jaguar Land Rover



Jaguar has been on a roll this past year, putting the terrific F-Type sports car on the market and making us shiver with delight at the resurrected racing version of the iconic E-Type. Now it’s making good on its plans to expand into more segments with the XE, an all-new midsize sedan set to compete with the BMW 3 Series.


Jaguar Land Rover



The most aerodynamic Jag ever, the XE packs a supercharged 3-liter V6 engine that will send it from 0 to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. In the event of a collision with a pedestrian, the hood automatically pops up a few millimeters, creating a cushion of air between the relatively soft aluminum and the much harder engine underneath. Jaguar Land Rover



The most aerodynamic Jag ever, the XE packs a supercharged 3-liter V6 engine that will send it from 0 to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. In the event of a collision with a pedestrian, the hood automatically pops up a few millimeters, creating a cushion of air between the relatively soft aluminum and the much harder engine underneath.


Jaguar Land Rover



France’s Citroen used the home court advantage to reveal one of the craziest we’ve come across in quite a while. Produced for DS, the automaker’s luxury division, the Divine concept will never be built, but comes with a lot of intriguing design details that could make their way onto the road. DS



France’s Citroen used the home court advantage to reveal one of the craziest we’ve come across in quite a while. Produced for DS, the automaker’s luxury division, the Divine concept will never be built, but comes with a lot of intriguing design details that could make their way onto the road.


DS



Don’t expect to see those insane doors on a dealership lot, or the scale-like things (whatever those are) that cover the rear window. But we won’t be surprised if elements of this angular, edgy, near reptilian look creep into production cars, especially since DS plans to double its lineup from three to six models. DS



Don’t expect to see those insane doors on a dealership lot, or the scale-like things (whatever those are) that cover the rear window. But we won’t be surprised if elements of this angular, edgy, near reptilian look creep into production cars, especially since DS plans to double its lineup from three to six models.


DS



With the TT Sportback Concept, Audi fills a niche we didn’t realize needed to be filled. It took the small sports car and made it a bit longer, a bit wider, and added two doors. Audi



With the TT Sportback Concept, Audi fills a niche we didn’t realize needed to be filled. It took the small sports car and made it a bit longer, a bit wider, and added two doors.


Audi



The four door result, which Audi deems a coupe, will hit 60 mph from a standstill in under four seconds, thanks to the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine under the hood, and the Quattro all-wheel drive system. Audi



The four door result, which Audi deems a coupe, will hit 60 mph from a standstill in under four seconds, thanks to the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine under the hood, and the Quattro all-wheel drive system.


Audi



Volvo banks a lot of its reputation on safety, and the renovated XC90 shows the Swedish automaker fully intends to eliminate crash-related deaths in its cars by 2020. The SUV is “semi-autonomous,” and has an industry-first auto brake function that stops drivers from making risky left hand turns. Volvo



Volvo banks a lot of its reputation on safety, and the renovated XC90 shows the Swedish automaker fully intends to eliminate crash-related deaths in its cars by 2020. The SUV is “semi-autonomous,” and has an industry-first auto brake function that stops drivers from making risky left hand turns.


Volvo



Inside the XC90, Volvo focused on infotainment, replacing good old fashioned buttons with a touchscreen. As we see it, this is something of a safety hazard, forcing drivers who want to do things like turn on the air conditioning to take their eyes off the road. Volvo



Inside the XC90, Volvo focused on infotainment, replacing good old fashioned buttons with a touchscreen. As we see it, this is something of a safety hazard, forcing drivers who want to do things like turn on the air conditioning to take their eyes off the road.


Volvo



Just a month after revealing the latest reincarnation of one of the most beloved sports cars ever, Mazda used the Paris Motor Show to tell us the MX-5 (aka the Miata) will be powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, at least in the U.S. Mazda



Just a month after revealing the latest reincarnation of one of the most beloved sports cars ever, Mazda used the Paris Motor Show to tell us the MX-5 (aka the Miata) will be powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, at least in the U.S.


Mazda



We don’t have any specific power production numbers but yet, but Mazda promises “the fun-to-drive essence that only MX-5 can offer.” We’ll know more before the car hits dealerships mid-2015. Mazda



We don’t have any specific power production numbers but yet, but Mazda promises “the fun-to-drive essence that only MX-5 can offer.” We’ll know more before the car hits dealerships mid-2015.


Mazda



The interesting thing about the Ferrari 458 Speciale Aperta isn’t the fact that it exists, or that it’s got an open top that will let the sonic boom from the 597-hp V8 engine flood directly into your ear canals. What matters here is that this will likely be the final iteration of the glorious 458, and the end of Ferrari’s devotion to naturally aspirated engines. Ferrari



The interesting thing about the Ferrari 458 Speciale Aperta isn’t the fact that it exists, or that it’s got an open top that will let the sonic boom from the 597-hp V8 engine flood directly into your ear canals. What matters here is that this will likely be the final iteration of the glorious 458, and the end of Ferrari’s devotion to naturally aspirated engines.


Ferrari



Ferrari is preparing a successor to the 458, which means those who love the car—which should be everyone with eyes, ears, or a heart bigger than the Grinch’s—should ogle the Aperta all they can. Oh, and it goes from 0 to 60 mph in three seconds flat. Ferrari



Ferrari is preparing a successor to the 458, which means those who love the car—which should be everyone with eyes, ears, or a heart bigger than the Grinch’s—should ogle the Aperta all they can. Oh, and it goes from 0 to 60 mph in three seconds flat.


Ferrari



The Paris show tends to focus on the luxury and supercar segments, so it’s nice to see Nissan putting a good old hot hatch on the floor. Behold the Pulsar Nismo Concept. Nissan



The Paris show tends to focus on the luxury and supercar segments, so it’s nice to see Nissan putting a good old hot hatch on the floor. Behold the Pulsar Nismo Concept.


Nissan



The Nismo version makes the ordinarily staid five-door Pulsar look like a blast, covered in aerodynamic flourishes, sitting lower to the ground, and equipped with a new suspension to keep it going on track day. Nissan



The Nismo version makes the ordinarily staid five-door Pulsar look like a blast, covered in aerodynamic flourishes, sitting lower to the ground, and equipped with a new suspension to keep it going on track day.


Nissan



The automotive public may be focused on hybrids and battery-powered electric vehicles to save them from wallet-crushing gas bills, but Toyota sees another way: Hydrogen. The unimaginatively named Fuel Cell Sedan made its European debut in Paris. Toyota



The automotive public may be focused on hybrids and battery-powered electric vehicles to save them from wallet-crushing gas bills, but Toyota sees another way: Hydrogen. The unimaginatively named Fuel Cell Sedan made its European debut in Paris.


Toyota



The car can drive 300 miles on a full tank of hydrogen, refill in just a few minutes, and the exhaust pumps out nothing but water vapor. But there are downsides the technology: It’s expensive. Hydrogen fuel is hard to find, no cheaper than gas, and its production can produce greenhouse gases, if it’s generated from natural gas. Toyota



The car can drive 300 miles on a full tank of hydrogen, refill in just a few minutes, and the exhaust pumps out nothing but water vapor. But there are downsides the technology: It’s expensive. Hydrogen fuel is hard to find, no cheaper than gas, and its production can produce greenhouse gases, if it’s generated from natural gas.


Toyota



For Paris, Infiniti trotted out the ambitiously named Q80 Inspiration concept. Infiniti



For Paris, Infiniti trotted out the ambitiously named Q80 Inspiration concept.


Infiniti



As a design study, it's superb. Unfortunately, we don't expect the struggling luxury arm of Nissan to make a production car that looks anything like it. Infiniti



As a design study, it's superb. Unfortunately, we don't expect the struggling luxury arm of Nissan to make a production car that looks anything like it.


Infiniti



Two years after buying Ducati, Volkswagen has done something unexpected: It took the motorcycle brand’s 197-bhp V-twin engine, used on the 1199 Superleggara bike, and slapped it under the hood of a car. Thus we have the XL Sport concept. Volkswagen



Two years after buying Ducati, Volkswagen has done something unexpected: It took the motorcycle brand’s 197-bhp V-twin engine, used on the 1199 Superleggara bike, and slapped it under the hood of a car. Thus we have the XL Sport concept.


Volkswagen



That Ducati engine is the world’s most power V-twin. Thanks to the XL’s minimalist and aerodynamic design, it will be enough to send the concept from 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds, and up to a top speed of 168 mph. Volkswagen



That Ducati engine is the world’s most power V-twin. Thanks to the XL’s minimalist and aerodynamic design, it will be enough to send the concept from 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds, and up to a top speed of 168 mph.


Volkswagen



Study questions the prescription for drug resistance

In response to the rise of drug-resistant pathogens, doctors are routinely cautioned against overprescribing antimicrobials. But when a patient has a confirmed bacterial infection, the advice is to treat aggressively to quash the infection before the bacteria can develop resistance.



A new study questions the accepted wisdom that aggressive treatment with high drug dosages and long durations is always the best way to stem the emergence and spread of resistant pathogens. The review of nearly 70 studies of antimicrobial resistance, which was authored by researchers at Princeton and other leading institutions and published last week in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B reveals the lack of evidence behind the practice of aggressive treatment in many cases.


"We found that while there are many studies that test for resistance emergence between different drug regimes, surprisingly few have looked at the topic of how varying drug dosage might affect the emergence and spread of resistance," said Ruthie Birger, a Princeton graduate student who works with C. Jessica Metcalf, an assistant professor of ecology and evolutionary biology and public affairs at Princeton's Woodrow Wilson School, and Bryan Grenfell, the Kathryn Briger and Sarah Fenton Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Public Affairs in Princeton's Woodrow Wilson School. Birger, Metcalf and Grenfell coauthored the paper with colleagues from 16 universities. "We are a long way from having the evidence for the best treatment decisions with respect to resistance for a range of diseases," Birger said.


Microbes such as bacteria and parasites can evade today's powerful drugs by undergoing genetic mutations that enable them to avoid being killed by the drug. For example, bacteria can develop enzymes that degrade certain antibiotics. The logic behind aggressive treatment goes something like this: kill off as many microbes as you can so that few will be around to evolve into resistant forms.


But some scientists have observed a different outcome in mice infected with both an already-resistant strain of malaria and a non-resistant strain. The high-dose drug treatment killed off the non-resistant malarial parasites, leaving the resistant strains to multiply and make the mice even sicker.


The idea that aggressive treatment may backfire against malarial parasites led the authors of the current study to comb the scientific literature to examine whether the same may be true for other types of microbes such as bacteria. The few studies that they found -- mostly in laboratory cell cultures rather than animal models or patients -- suggest that the picture is complicated, and depends on whether the resistance is new or existing, how many mutations are necessary for the pathogen to become resistant, and how long the drugs have been in use. "It's remarkable how little we know about this topic," said Metcalf. "The malaria study conducted by Silvie Huijben and colleagues at Pennsylvania State University is an inspiring step towards developing an evidence base for these important issues."


In the current analysis, the study authors found that drug resistance is governed by two factors: the abundance of the pathogen and the strength of the selection pressure that drives the pathogen to evolve. Aggressive treatment deals with the first factor by killing off as much pathogen as possible, while moderate treatment may, for some pathogens, reduce the ability for the resistant pathogen to thrive (for example, by maintaining the competitive advantage of a co-infecting drug-sensitive strain of the pathogen) but still reduce total pathogen levels sufficiently that the patient can recover.


Finding the ideal dose and duration of treatment, one that cures the patient without aiding the spread of resistance, will likely be done on a disease by disease basis, the authors found.


One possibility is that moderate treatment might be best used against already-resistant microbes to prevent their spread. Moderate treatment may also be best for drugs that have been on the market for several years with plenty of time for resistant strains to develop.


Aggressive treatment might be best for pathogens that develop resistance slowly, over the course of several mutations. High doses early in the process could be effective at heading off the development of resistance.




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The above story is based on materials provided by Princeton University . Note: Materials may be edited for content and length.