ART & FASHION: Part 1 of 2; Concept cars take a back seat at Paris as real cars steal the show.(News)

Byline: DUTCH MANDEL, ROGER HART, MIKE FLOYD, BOB GRITZINGER, MATT DAVIS

For two days every other year Paris plays host to an international automotive convergence of art and fashion known as Mondial de L'Automobile. But Paris has always been a "different'' show; different is not bad... it's just different. Viva la difference.

France's Big Three-Citroen, Peugeot and Renault-had the largest displays (and quirkiest vehicles, too). Fashion models were as common as car executives spewing sales forecasts.

If one thing was apparent in Paris, it was that the car companies were less willing to wow showgoers with what might be with concept cars and more inclined to dazzle them with what will be with production cars. The big news was cars you'll soon be able to drive.

We have a suspicion that as the worldwide industry continues to struggle for profitability, future international shows might repeat what Paris laid before us: a focus on the real and a loss of the fantasy. There's nothing wrong with dreaming, but expensive show-car dreams do not turn a profit.

Best in Show: Ferrari F430

When Ferrari introduces a new car it is received by the world with open arms and bated breath. When Ferrari introduces the replacement for its top-selling 360 Modena, the company has a whole bunch of profit riding on its haunches. Throw in the fact American designer Frank Stephenson can point to the F430 as his first real contribution since joining the firm, and the tifosi are almost giddy.