2026 World Motor Show: 7 foreign vehicles you must not miss in photos
The 2026 Mondial de l’Auto highlights not only French automakers. Foreign brands have also come to Paris with their own range of new models, including affordable electric city cars, family SUVs, and high-end vehicles. Here are seven new models worth exploring at the exhibition booths.
Foreign automakers are all set to appear at the 2026 World Motor Show. Volkswagen is updating its family electric SUV, Smart is returning to its roots with a tiny city car, and Audi is reviving an unexpected name. Chinese brands are also stepping up their presence, while Mercedes, Fiat, and Lucid use this Parisian event to showcase their latest models and ambitions in the French market. A look at the models not to be missed.
Smart #2: The big return of the electric ForTwo
This is one of the most anticipated returns from the auto show. With the new Smart #2, the brand finally revisits the formula that made it successful: a tiny car with two seats and an urban-focused design. At just 2.75 meters long, this successor to the ForTwo is equipped with an 82 hp electric motor and a 35.8 kWh LFP battery, offering a claimed range of 290 km under WLTP standards—though this figure is still provisional.
It can also reach 80% charge from 10% in just 20 minutes using a fast charger. Despite its compact size, Smart claims it has a trunk capacity of 305 liters. But it’s especially its price that catches attention: 19,990 euros in France, meaning less than 20,000 euros for a genuine small electric car. Pre-orders opened on October 13, with deliveries expected in 2027.
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Volkswagen ID.Tiguan: The ID.4 gets a new name and design
At Volkswagen, the ID.4 and ID.5 are being phased out to make way for the ID.Tiguan. Behind this new name lies a significant upgrade to the German electric SUV, featuring sharper lines and a completely redesigned interior. It includes a 15-inch central screen, an additional display for the passenger, and, good news, the return of several physical controls.
The range includes three powertrains with outputs of 190, 286, and 299 horsepower, paired with batteries of 58 or 77 kWh. The all-electric version with a large battery can achieve a range of up to 608 km according to WLTP standards. Already available for ordering in France, the ID.Tiguan starts at 43,990 €, while the 286 horsepower version with a 77 kWh battery is priced at 46,990 €. First deliveries are expected in March 2027.
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Audi A2 e-tron: the return of a forgotten name
Audi has chosen to revive the A2, that remarkable small monospace sold in the early 2000s, as a 100% electric compact car. At 4.32 meters long, the new A2 e-tron shares its technical foundation with the Volkswagen ID.3 and Cupra Born, but stands out with a particularly well-designed aerodynamic silhouette. Its drag coefficient reaches 0.24.
Four powertrains ranging from 170 to 326 horsepower are available, along with two LFP batteries of 50 and 58 kWh, as well as one NMC battery with 79 kWh of usable capacity. In its most efficient configuration, this compact car claims a WLTP range of up to 649 kilometers. Inside, Audi focuses on a minimalist design and a 396-liter trunk, supplemented by a small storage area under the hood. The new A2 e-tron will be priced starting at 38,600 euros, with first deliveries expected in December 2026.
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Leapmotor B03: A new Chinese competitor for the Renault 5.
Leapmotor continues its push into Europe with the B03, an electric city car aimed at challenging models like the Renault 5 and Volkswagen ID.Polo. At 4.18 meters in length, this new model is significantly larger than its competitors, which should benefit interior space and trunk capacity. The manufacturer claims a WLTP range of up to 390 km and fast charging capability of 145 kW, allowing the battery to go from 10% to 80% in 21 minutes.
The vehicle is also expected to come equipped generously, featuring a 14.6-inch touchscreen and heated front seats. Leapmotor has not yet announced a price or release date for France, but the brand is likely to set a particularly competitive price again. A starting price below 20,000 euros is being considered, though there is no official confirmation at this stage.
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Mercedes GLA electric: Up to 657 km of range
Mercedes takes advantage of its return to the International Motor Show to introduce the new generation of the GLA, now available in a fully electric version. More modern and slightly more spacious, it stands out especially for its large MBUX Superscreen digital dashboard that can accommodate three screens.
Beneath its 4.56-meter long body, the SUV offers three electric powertrains with outputs of 225, 272, and 354 horsepower, paired with batteries of 58 or 85 kWh. The most powerful version promises up to 657 km of WLTP range, while its 800-volt architecture enables fast charging at 320 kW. Mercedes also mentions a trunk space of 410 liters plus an additional 107 liters of storage under the hood. Already available for ordering, the electric GLA starts at 44,400 euros, with first deliveries expected before the end of the year.
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Lucid Air and Gravity: a new American brand arrives in France
The Mondial de l’Auto also marks an important milestone for Lucid, as it officially enters the French market. This American manufacturer of high-end electric vehicles plans to open its first three sales outlets and service centers in the first quarter of 2027, with plans to expand its network to over 16 locations by the end of the same year.
Two models will be available at launch: the large sedan Lucid Air, which can achieve up to 960 km of WLTP range and 1,251 horsepower in its most powerful version, and the family SUV Lucid Gravity, which can seat up to seven passengers and claims a range of up to 739 km. The prices start at 86,900 and 95,900 euros respectively. With this arrival, Lucid aims to establish itself as a competitor to Tesla and German premium automakers.
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Fiat Multiplay: The return of the Multipla in a very unusual form
Fiat takes advantage of the Auto World to reinvent the spirit of the famous Multipla with a particularly original concept. At 4.45 meters long, the Multiplay focuses on modularity, featuring a sliding rear body panel that allows it to transform in just a few moves from a six-seater family minivan into a four-seater pickup with an open bed.
The Italian manufacturer comes up with numerous innovative ideas, starting with a front bumper that converts into a bike rack, a multifunctional seat designed for pets as well, and a passenger seat that can turn into a chaise longue. All of this is set within a colorful interior inspired by… a watermelon! While Fiat states that this concept does not preview any production model, it could inspire future vehicles. However, no technical details have been disclosed.
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