Paris Auto Show: The Latest EVs – Concepts and Production Models

The Paris Motor Show is in full swing and is likely the busiest event in a very long time, with an almost endless stream of new concept cars and production models. Nearly all the new vehicles are fully electric, indicating that Europe has truly embraced the shift to electric driving.

Smart #2: Back to Roots

The two-seater Smart is back, this time in the form of the #2 model set to roll off the production lines in China. Its design is clearly inspired by previous Smart models, but it’s not a retro version. The Smart #2 is built on the Electric Compact Architecture platform and is extremely compact: 2764/1669/1555, 1875 mm. It features an electric motor with 60 kW of power and 130 Nm of torque at the rear wheels, delivering a top speed of 140 km/h and an acceleration from 0-100 in 11.5 seconds.

Thanks to its massive 35.8 kWh LFP battery, the Smart #2 boasts an excellent WLTP range of 290 kilometers. The dashboard features an 8.8-inch instrument cluster and a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The trunk capacity is 305 liters, with a split tailgate! The Smart #2 will enter the European market in 2027, though the exact date remains unclear. The starting price in the Netherlands is 21,055 euros.

Leapmotor B03: Chinese budget EV coming to Europe

Leapmotor was one of the many Chinese brands at the Paris Auto Show. The Leapmotor B03 is a compact electric hatchback with a vibrant design. This car has already been on the market in China for a few months, along with the Leapmotor A05. The B03 is front-wheel drive; base models have 70 kW of power while top models offer 90 kW.

The power comes from an LFP battery, but Leapmotor has not yet revealed the capacity for the EU version. Inside, the B03 features an 8.8-inch instrument panel and a 14.6-inch touchscreen. Leapmotor also claims that the new hatchback has 30 storage compartments, a 405-liter trunk space, and advanced ADAS with 21 sensors. The Leapmotor is expected to cost around 21,000 euros.

Opel STX Concept: Electric Station Wagon

Opel unveiled the brand-new STX Concept at the Paris Auto Show, a design study for a future “electric Sports Tourer.” STX stands for Sports Tourer eXperimental. The most striking feature of the design is the new grille, with a large Opel logo in the center and LED elements on the sides.

The STX Concept features wide front and rear screens as well as a perfectly straight rear end. According to Opel, the STX Concept has an electric powertrain with all-wheel drive and a top speed of over 200 km/h. It also includes active aerodynamics in the bumpers and specially designed aero wheels on its 22-inch tires. There are no immediate production plans, but elements of this design may appear in the next generation Opel Astra.

BYD Atto 8: 10-70% in 5 minutes

The BYD Atto 8 made its European debut at the Paris Motor Show, alongside various other models from the BYD group. The Atto 8 is the export version of the BYD Tang L, which has been on the market in China for over a year. The BYD Atto 8 is equipped with Flash Charging technology, resulting in impressive charging times. BYD claims 10-70% charge in 5 minutes and 10-97% charge in 9 minutes. For this to happen, the Atto 8 must be charged using a BYD Flash Charger.

BYD is already working on building a network in Europe, with 3,000 stations planned by the end of 2027. That may seem fast, even for BYD, but it’s not impossible either. The Atto 8 will be available in AWD versions with 340 kW of power or in AWD versions with 570 kW. The latter can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds. The range is 652 and 603 kilometers respectively. The cabin features a typical BYD design, complete with a 10.25-inch instrument panel, a 26-inch HUD, and a 15.6-inch touchscreen. The BYD Atto 8 will arrive in Europe next spring.

Alpine A310 Vision: retro racer

Alpine is also joining the retro trend at the Paris Auto Show. The Alpine A310 Vision draws inspiration from the design of the original Alpine A310 sports car. While the A310 featured four- and six-cylinder gasoline engines, the Alpine A310 Vision is an EV. It is built on the Alpine Performance Platform (APP), which will also support the new Alpine A110 EV.

The Alpine A310 Vision looks stunning, with classic sports car proportions, modern aerodynamics, and huge wheels. Particularly eye-catching are the “pop-down” headlights that unfold when the car starts up. Useless, but very fun nonetheless. Additionally, the concept features an extra-large front splitter, camera mirrors, and a rear view mirror. The Alpine A310 Vision is not just a one-off concept but a serious preview of a production car set to hit the market in 2028.

More news from the Paris Auto Show will follow on E-Drivers.com.