Mondial de l’Auto 2026: The 5 French new models you must see in photos
The Citroën 2 CV electric, Peugeot e-208, future DS 3, Renault Espace, and Alpine A310: French automakers took advantage of the 2026 World Motor Show to unveil several stunning concept cars. Beyond the tributes to the past, what stands out are the electric vehicles of tomorrow. Here are the five French innovations to explore through images.
The 2026 Paris Motor Show gives special attention to French brands. This year, nostalgia is particularly evident at the booths! Following the return of the Renault 5 and Twingo, automakers continue to draw inspiration from their history to design future electric models. But the five new vehicles showcased here don’t just look back. Some preview production cars expected in the coming years, while others explore new approaches to car design. From affordable compact city cars to sporty coupes, and including large family minivans, here’s our overview of the French creations at the show.
Citroën 2 CV: The electric return of the Deuche
This is arguably one of the biggest attractions at the 2026 Paris Motor Show. Citroën is reviving its legendary 2 CV in the form of an electric concept car, signaling a production model for 2028. With its rounded fenders, distinctive headlights, canvas roof, and instantly recognizable silhouette, the new vehicle pays homage to its predecessor in many ways. But the goal isn’t to create a stylish neo-retro city car: Citroën aims to restore the original philosophy of the 2 CV—a simple, practical, and affordable vehicle.
At just 3.76 meters long, this future rival to the Renault Twingo electric is expected to have a starting price of 15,000 €. To achieve this, the brand relies on a minimalist design, with only essential features and clever solutions such as easily replaceable bumpers. The technical specifications remain unknown, but Citroën has already made its ambition clear: to make electric cars even more accessible.
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Peugeot E-T16 Concept: the future e-208 hidden under a rally car
At Peugeot, the biggest novelty at the show isn’t yet the next e-208, expected in the second half of 2027, but rather a particularly aggressive concept car. Named E-T16, it pays tribute to the legendary 205 Turbo 16, which was world rally champion in 1985 and 1986. Behind its oversized wings and aerodynamic additions, this concept car still reveals several elements of the future electric city car: a silhouette inspired by the 205, new lighting designs, and especially the rectangular Hypersquare steering wheel paired with a gearshift without mechanical linkage.
Peugeot has also pushed performance to the extreme with three electric motors generating 816 horsepower, a 0 to 100 km/h acceleration time of 2.5 seconds, a 0 to 300 km/h time of 16 seconds, and an 800-volt architecture that allows a 10 to 80% charge in less than 15 minutes. These are features specific to this concept car, but they illustrate Peugeot’s technological ambitions for its next generation of electric vehicles.
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Renault E-Space Concept: What if the minivan made a major comeback?
Renault surprised everyone by unveiling the E-Space Concept, a true minivan that revives the spirit of the original Espace from 1984. Contrary to the SUV trend, this 4.70-meter prototype features a large amount of glass, a bright interior, and highly versatile layout options. Its six seats can be rearranged to allow passengers to sit face to face, with some seats even converting into tables. The interior resembles more of a mobile lounge than that of a traditional car, offering storage spaces, a refrigerator, and screens for the occupants.
At the front, Renault introduces the Open R Panorama, a large display that spans the base of the windshield, with a version expected to appear on the next Scénic model due out in 2028. The manufacturer does not reveal any technical specifications for this concept. More importantly, nothing ensures that a true Espace monospace will return to the lineup. Yet this concept shows that Renault has not forgotten what made its previous lifestyle vehicles successful.
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Alpine A310 Vision: An Electric Coupe That Revives a Legend
Alpine has chosen to revisit another chapter of its history with the A310 Vision, a modern interpretation of the grand tourer coupe that first appeared in 1971. More spacious and comfortable than the original A110, the A310 stood out particularly for its sleek and geometric design. This concept car adopts some of these design elements in a distinctly futuristic silhouette, measuring 4.55 meters in length and just 1.18 meters in height. It features a characteristic side window, a steep front end, and highly sculpted lines.
The entire system is based on the new APP platform, developed for the future electric A110 and designed to accommodate various types of sports cars. Alpine does not disclose any data regarding power, battery capacity, or range. The brand also emphasizes that the A310 Vision does not directly indicate a production model. This is an interesting point, as a new A310 is indeed among the manufacturer’s projects. It remains to be seen what portion of this spectacular concept will eventually make it onto the roads.
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DS F3ver: The next DS 3 abandons its SUV appearance
DS takes advantage of the Paris Motor Show to give a glimpse of its future with the F3ver concept. Behind this name lies a fairly clear indication: the upcoming DS 3 might return to a city car silhouette, moving away from the SUV style of the current generation. The prototype features a lower body, a less aggressive design, and a new lighting identity, including a vertical element at the front that incorporates the brand’s logo.
At 4.19 meters long, the F3ver still appears substantial for an urban car. This design choice is intended to benefit interior space and the trunk, with DS suggesting a volume of 400 liters. Built on the upcoming STLA One platform, the model also aims for a range of 500 kilometers and a price point that is more accessible than the current DS 3 electric. However, patience will be required: the production version is not expected before 2028. With this concept car, DS seeks to both refresh its entry-level model and redefine its stylistic identity.
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