PETROLHEADS and car industry boffins gathered at this year’s Paris Motor Show to showcase the newest models and cutting-edge concepts – with no shortage of attention-grabbing displays.
The famous show, which runs through to Sunday, comes as European carmakers face challenges on the path to electrification.
Iconic manufacturers such as Volkswagen, BMW, and Stellantis have issued profit warnings in recent times, with weak customer demand for EVs their main source of concern coupled with fierce competition abroad – especially from China.
Perhaps the biggest threat to the current status quo is the ever-growing car brand BYD, with the Chinese EV maker making huge strides across Europe.
In Paris, they showed off the Yangwang U8 – a plug-in hybrid SUV that can “swim” for up to 30 minutes, park sideways, and turn in place like a tank.
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Equipped with four electric motors, one for each wheel, it even boasts a roof-mounted drone to help the driver see further ahead.
It wasn’t all doom and gloom for European brands though, as Stellantis’ very own Peugeot drew attention with its Hypersquare steering wheel, which resembles a video game controller.
Set to debut in 2026, this quirky design is aimed at younger drivers and featured in the Peugeot Inception concept car.
Meanwhile, Peugeot’s French rivals Renault showcased their retro-inspired R4, a small electric SUV designed to rival Chinese budget models.
They also presented the new-and-improved Twizy – which this time is a two-seater electric runabout called the Duo.
It has twice the range and speed of Citroen’s Ami and will hit showrooms in May from £10,000.
Stellantis also introduced the Citroen C4 and C4X, which offers hybrid, electric, and combustion engine options – and even features clever pothole-proof tech.
Another stand out set of wheels from China was Xpeng’s all-electric P7+, which is curiously powered by a chip named after British computing icon Alan Turing – signalling a future of AI-powered mobility.
For a further look at the Paris Motor Show, Sun Motors’ supremo Rob Gill revealed his top ten cars from the event.
This comes as Elon Musk unveiled Tesla’s driverless robot bus EV– with fans spotting an eerie similarity to an iconic kids’ show.
The brand’s new Robovan can carry up to 20 people at a time and transport goods.
Elsewhere, a wacky inventor has dug a 15ft trench with a network of tunnels under his drive to store his iconic DeLorean.
The crazy compound is more than worthy of Back to the Future’s Doc Brown and has been dubbed the “biggest DIY project” in the UK.
Paris Motor Show 2024 greatest hits
Alpine A110 R Ultime
Alpine’s Formula 1 efforts might be a steaming mess in 2024, but their business in the car industry couldn’t be more exciting.
The upcoming Renault 5-inspired Alpine A290 could be the hot hatchback of all hot hatchbacks for the EV era, while newly unveiled A110 R Ultime gives the loveable lightweight sports cars plenty of supercar oomph.
The R Ultime will cost the equivalent of around £222,000, and comes with 345bhp and a 0-60mph acceleration of just 3.6 seconds.
Unfortunately, only 110 examples will be made.
Renault Twingo
Renault’s Twingo is making a comeback as an affordable EV, expected to cost under £17,000. It takes inspiration from both the 1990s model and the new Renault 5, with retro details like round headlights and hidden rear handles.
Leapmotor B10
Little-known Chinese brand Leapmotor showed off their B10, a C-segment SUV competing with the likes of the Mini Aceman. It will feature a customisable digital cockpit and advanced driver assistance systems.
Citroen Ami
Citroen’s updated Ami quadricycle now sports a refreshed look, with design elements inspired by the iconic 2CV and Oli concept. The drivetrain remains unchanged, featuring a 5.5kWh battery with a range of 46 miles, and miniscule 8bhp output.