The biggest debut that didn't happen involved Porsche. Journalists turned out at a pre-dawn reveal at the Louvre expecting the Cayenne SUV but were sorely disappointed when the Porsche Carrera GT mega-bucks (say $600,000) concept roadster showed up instead. Look for a handful to arrive here in 2003.
Amongst the vehicles without bullet-holes or nudes or the cars that we hadn't seen, the big news for Canada was the facelifted VW Passat. It debuted here and will be available in Europe soon, but it will likely be Q2 of 2001 before it appears in North America as a 2002 model.
The most obvious change to Passat involves the front end, starting with a grille that's been given a more distinctive chrome outline and is set back more from the new Bi-Xenon headlights.
There are also style tweaks at the rear, involving the taillights and the wing.
A new instrument panel with silver-framed round gauges is meant to impart a more elegant design, and the console between the front seats has given way to a centre armrest.
Lots of work was done to the engines for the rest of the world, but it looks like the engines we get will continue as-is.
The one European car that was on display here that might actually turn up someday in America is the Renault Megane Scénic minivan, which continues to be mentioned as the first model Nissan might take from its French partner. This would be a good thing since it's très cool for a compact minivan.