Bentley Continental GT

Bentley has released full details and pictures of its new Continental GT coupe ahead of its official world debut at the Paris motor show.

Whilst clearly an evolution of the 2003 model, it features an all-new body and heavily revised platform. A more upright grille and LED-encrusted headlamps brings its DRG more in line with the larger Mulsanne sedan. Familiar design themes continue around the rest the car, but with a much greater sense of surface tension and crease sharpness. The complexity of the fender and trunk lid surfaces in particular showcase Bentley's extensive use of superforming in the manufacturing process.

A 41mm wider front and 48mm wider rear track, combined with larger, 20-inch wheels add to its muscularity, while horizontal tail lights enhance its breadth both physically and visually.

The interior continues the evolution with new, upgraded materials and equipment but the same double-cowl IP theme. New seats, which liberate more rear legroom, and more storage space increase everyday usability.

Opel GTC Paris

The first official images of Opel/Vauxhall's new GTC Paris concept have been revealed ahead of the car's unveiling at the forthcoming Paris motor show. The three-door Astra-based concept previews the Astra sport hatch's successor and showcases the company's design evolution.

Mark Adams, GM Europe's vice president of design, has described the GTC Paris concept as "bold, pure and iconic" in its appearance. The bodyside features the brand's now signature 'blade' first seen on the Insignia, an element repeated in the head- and taillamps. Designers maximized tension though the flanks and in the shoulder to convey a greater sense of dynamism, which is also apparent in the upwards sweeping beltline and brushed aluminum trim that accentuates the DLO.

GM Europe claims that the production version will not stray far from the rakish lines of the concept and, if the GTC moniker is adopted, it will be the first time it will feature on a Vauxhall model. We'll bring you our own exclusive photos and our opinions of the concept once we see the car in the metal in Paris.

Hyundai ix20

Hyundai has revealed the first images of its new ix20, a new B-segment MPV that will join the Korean automaker's product range in Europe later this year.

Following on from the ix35, the ix20 is the second European car to adopt Hyundai's new 'fluidic sculpture' design language.

The new car, which will make its official debut at the Paris motor show, has been designed and developed at Hyundai's European R&D center in Rüsselsheim, Germany, under the direction of Thomas Buerkle.

The car's name is said to reflect the new model's crossover-like versatility, which combines functionality with sportier driving dynamics.

Hyundai claims the ix20 aims to steer away from the boxy minivan image typically associated with the segment and appeal to buyers with young families.

BMW 6 Series Coupe

The BMW Concept 6 Series Coupe appears to be a thinly-veiled version of the upcoming production version, due next year.

Like the current model, it retains a 2+2 coupe layout and while its exterior styling may not be as shocking as its predecessor's on its unveiling in 2003, it marks an evolution of the current BMW language.

Its face has a subtly evolved kidney grille and more drawn-back headlamps. This is most obvious in side profile, where the low nose, oval lamp graphics and heavily-contoured hood appears more dynamic from these images.

The shallow trunk lid and more generous glasshouse endow it with a litheness reminiscent of earlier BMW coupes.

Inside, the themes of the current car remain: the enveloping sweep of the IP, driver-oriented center stack and wrap-around door cards all remain. Its display screen is now free-standing whereas before it nestled under its own cowl. Bang and Olufsen have created the bespoke sound system.