Auto Show 2026: Our Impressions of the Star Cars in Video
The 91st edition of the Mondial de l’Auto gave us a chance to take a look at the latest innovations from car manufacturers. Here are the key details and our observations of the booths in video.
Citroën 2CV
Release: 2028
Power: unknown
Battery: unknown
Range: unknown
Price: starting at 15,000 €
What is it? The star of the show and a return of this iconic tricolor model. The 2CV catches everyone’s eye with its duck-like silhouette, red/orange color scheme, interior covered in yellow tartan, or separate headlights from the fenders. We’re in an era of aesthetic declarations and promises. The only confirmed details are a cleaner version by 2028 and a minimum price of 15,000 euros.
Impressions? You need to see it in person. Photos and videos struggle to capture the proportions of the new Deuche. Its high height and reduced length (3 cm shorter than the original 2CV) stay true to the old model’s style. But it seems doubtful that such a curved roof and shiny materials will be available in series production. The lantern-style lights recall the current trend toward nostalgia for a post-war era that’s heavily idealized. Hopefully.
Peugeot E-T16
Release: 2027 (for the e-208)
Power: 816 hp
Battery: 85 kWh
Price: concept car
Range: 400 km
What is it? A concept car that revives the 1980s 205 Turbo 16. Its technical specs are extreme: 800 volts, 816 horsepower, 3 electric motors including two at the rear for torque vectoring. It can reach 300 km/h in 16 seconds. While the technologies exist, none of this seems feasible for Peugeot in the short term. CEO Alain Favey jokes, “We would be capable of producing it,” adding that the cost would be high.
Any impressions? With its cat-ear rear fins and the monoblock rear hood, the E-T16 continues to hint at the upcoming 208, which will be based on the STLA One platform. While this city car will be more “gentle,” it will still feature the rectangular steering wheel known as “Hypersquare” and wire-driven steering. So, there’s new development at Peugeot after a period of strong technical conservatism. That’s already good news.
Renault E-Space
Release date: none
Power: unknown
Battery: unknown
Range: unknown
Price: unknown
What is it? A 4.70 m concept car that evokes the aesthetic of the first Renault Espace, designed by Matra and Losange at the turn of the 1980s. There are no technical specifications provided, only discussions about “cars for living,” a “monolithic cabin,” and swiveling seats. It also aims to introduce the new Panorama screen to the public, which is set to appear in Renault vehicles in the years to come.
Impressions? There’s room for it. A vehicle like this could serve as a great counterpart to the Volkswagen ID.Buzz. One might even imagine a clever utility version in this format. But we’re not sure the group’s current platform lineup can accommodate such a vehicle. This E-Space also suggests a revised approach to naming under François Provost’s leadership. The current Espace “SUV” is having trouble making an impact with customers.
Audi A2 e-tron
Release: already on sale
Power: 170 to 326 horsepower
Battery: 52 to 84 kWh
Range: 423 to 649 km WLTP
Price: > 38,600 €
What is it? An unexpected reincarnation. Building on a failed project from the 1990s, Ingolstadt has created a vehicle with an unusual format, somewhere between a small single-seater and a compact car. It is based on the MEB+ propulsion platform. Thanks to its excellent aerodynamics (Cx of 0.24), it can achieve ranges of up to 649 km with a 79 kWh battery. That’s about twenty kilometers more than its siblings (Volkswagen ID.3 Neo, Cupra Born…).
Impressions? The interior is refreshing compared to Audi’s usual standards. Soft fabrics and surfaces on the dashboard or door panels, for example, add warmth to the cabin. We’re slightly more skeptical about the plastic boomerang placed behind the steering wheel, which combines controls for the wipers, gear selection, and turn signals, replacing the usual switches. Our first reaction was to accidentally activate the wipers by touching the strange dial meant to control their speed. We’ll have to see how it performs in real use as well.
Dacia Spring
Launch: already on sale
Power: 82 hp
Battery: 27.5 kWh
Range: 250 km WLTP
Price: < 17,900 €
What is it? Another iteration of the recent Renault Twingo. Slightly longer and noticeably wider than the previous Spring model, this version is assembled in Novo Mesto, Slovenia. It will thus be eligible for government subsidies to reduce costs for customers. The lineup is simplified to the extreme, featuring only one battery and one powertrain.
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Impressions? Good job by Renault in creating differentiation. The Twingo and Spring share mechanical components, buttons, and windows (including the compass-shaped openings at the back). Yet the addition of a front bumper and hood gives it a bulldog-like appearance that is completely absent from the mini Renault. It’s a shame, however, that the sliding seats from the Dacia were removed...
Peugeot RCZ Vision
Release date: unknown
Power: 500 hp
Battery: solid-state
Range: 600 km WLTP
Price: concept car
What is it? Just another concept. And yet another reinterpretation. Based on the RCZ coupe from the 2010s, it’s also Peugeot’s last “special edition” vehicle. But it serves as a technological demonstrator as well. Stellantis has announced a solid-state battery, recalling its partnership with the American company Factorial. Mercedes also has involvement in this area. Yet nothing concrete has emerged yet, with dates for large-scale production continuously shifting in the future timeline.
Impressions? It’s a success. The three light strips resembling a grille erase the memory of the RCZ’s “bewildered lion” front end. Peugeot also retained the dual bulges on the glass hood, a signature feature of the model. This concept also reminds us that advancements in battery technology and density will enable the creation of thinner, smaller, more aerodynamic vehicles. This is undoubtedly good news.
Renault Megane E-Tech (v.2)
Release: available for purchase
Power: 220 hp
Battery: 67 kWh
Range: 501 km WLTP
Price: starting at 37,500 €
What is it? While there are many concepts on display, there are also “real” cars for sale at this exhibition. This is especially true for the new Renault Megane E-Tech. The lineup has been simplified with a single 67 kWh LFP battery and one 220 hp engine. The prices have also been streamlined.
What are your impressions? The high density of salespeople and curious visitors indicates genuine public interest. With a range of 500 km and a price just over 30,000 euros under favorable conditions, this somewhat overlooked compact car could have a strong second act in its career. Moreover, it is likely to prove its strengths (infotainment, handling, comfort, etc.). We will revisit it after the first tests at the end of the year.
Smart #2
Availability: on sale
Power: 82 hp
Battery: 35 kWh
Range: 290 km WLTP
Price: > €19,990
What is it? Another comeback. This time, the Mercedes/Geely joint venture decides to return to the original city car concept. The specs are impressive, with 35 kWh of LFP batteries housed in a wheelbase of 1.87 meters. The starting price is the same as that of larger city cars. But this Smart assembled in China won’t receive any incentives from French authorities.
First impressions? The older Smart ForTwo models weren’t known for their ergonomics. In this model, the seating position seems particularly uncomfortable due to a very high floor and a seat that tilts forward. Small size + large battery: compromises were necessary. On the other hand, the finish quality on our show car was impressive: padded plastics, tight assembly work...
Fiat Grizzly
Release date: early 2027
Power: 113 hp*
Battery: 42 kWh*
Range: up to 400 km WLTP*
Price: approximately 26,000 € (estimate)
What is it? Behind Stellantis’ flood of concept cars, there were a few genuine production models hidden. Along with the Lancia Gamma, there’s also this multi-energy Fiat Grizzly. Interestingly, Fiat’s booth featured only “hybrids.” Yet the electric version is quite interesting, with an expected price that’s very attractive. Production has started in Kenitra (Morocco). It will likely be available for testing this winter.
Impressions? The interior doesn’t have the cheerful aesthetic of the Grande Panda. But the quality of materials is better than that of the Citroën C3 Aircross or Opel Frontera, which serve as its basis. “Next to the C5 Aircross, it almost feels luxurious,” one colleague joked.
Renault 8 Gordini
Release date: None
Power: 270 hp
Battery: Unknown
Range: Unknown
Price: Unknown
What is it? A pure leisure project for Renault’s designers, meant to boost your affection for the iconic Renault logo. Unlike the classic Gordini, the engine is positioned in the rear center rather than at an angle. It’s electric and produces 270 hp. This modern Gordini also has two doors instead of four. However, it retains the four front headlights and the “V” shaped front hood.
Impressions? The rear lights match perfectly with the two white strips and blend into them. We extend our sincere congratulations to the designer.
Volkswagen ID.Tiguan
Release date: Available for purchase
Power: 190 to 299 hp
Battery: 58 to 77 kWh
Range: 456 to 608 km WLTP
Price: > €43,900
What’s new? We’ve already discussed this significant update to the ID.4 here. Let’s recap the key points. Volkswagen has refined its electric SUV. Esthetically, it features sharper lines and a more assertive look. Technically, it comes with new LFP batteries and an unprecedented powertrain in its entry-level segment.
Any impressions? The Misonéists will be pleased. Just like on the recent ID.3 Neo, VW has chosen to satisfy their nostalgia by replicating the dashboard of the Golf IV on the driver’s screen. It has the same appearance, with red needles indicating blue numbers on a black background. To our great delight, there’s even a display showing the battery temperature. We’re slightly disappointed by the lighting in daylight conditions, as it’s a bit too bright. But true judgment can only come at night, on the road.
Alpine A310 Vision
Release date: unknown
Power: unknown
Battery: unknown
Range: unknown
Price: unknown
What is it? A precursor to a coupe derived from the A310 and its variants GTA or A610, popular from the 1970s to the 1990s. It could signal a premium 2+2 model on Alpine’s new electric APP platform. Yet Alpine’s product plan seems less clear today than it was under Luca de Meo.
What are your impressions? The design is visually engaging. The glass bubble, the recessed sides in front of the rear wheels, the pop-down headlights... The theme is classic, but the stylistic execution is full of innovative touches.
Leapmotor B03
Release: early 2027
Power: 197 hp
Battery: 40 to 53 kWh
Range: up to 390 km WLTP
Price: approximately 20,000 € (estimate)
What is it? A large city car (4.18 meters long), produced by Stellantis’ Chinese partner. The interior meets People’s Republic standards, with neat assembly, large screens, and high-quality materials. Recent press reviews of its technical sibling, the B03X, were not particularly positive. Will things be different here?
Any impressions? We stopped by Geely’s booth a bit later to take a look at the E2. Both cars offer roughly the same things, at comparable prices and with similar aesthetics. If they want to win over European customers, Chinese automakers may need to stand out more in terms of design.
DS F3VER
Release date: unknown
Power: unknown
Battery: unknown
Range: unknown
Price: unknown
What is it? A concept car designed to give us insight into DS’s future directions. Compact at 4.19 meters, this F3VER hints at a successor to the DS 3. Its body styling is very different from the aesthetics of recent DS models like the nᵒ8 and DS n°7.
Impressions? The cosmic blue paint, with its rich effects, is worth a look. So is the bold design at the rear of the vehicle. The manufacturers’ sometimes dark color palettes might be returning to brighter hues.
Photo credits: Nass Mohamed, Joris Clerc