Paris Motor Show 2026: A Grand Return with Major Brands and Electric Innovations
The Paris Motor Show 2026, scheduled to take place at the Porte de Versailles exhibition center from Tuesday, October 13, to Sunday, October 18, 2026, is highly anticipated. This 91st edition of the event, first established in 1898, marks a significant resurgence for the prestigious Parisian motor show. Following a challenging post-COVID period in 2022, which many feared would be its last, the 2024 edition already showed strong signs of recovery with the return of brands like Audi, BMW, Ford, Kia, Tesla, and Volkswagen, boasting 48 manufacturers, 158 exhibitors, and an impressive 500,000 visitors.
Major Brands Make Their Comeback
The 2026 show is set to further strengthen this momentum with the confirmed return of Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes, and Fiat. Notably, Volvo, whose vehicles haven’t graced the brand’s stand since 2014, will also be present. Conversely, Toyota Europe and Lexus have reportedly opted not to participate this year.
Anticipated Debuts and Electric Innovations
The event promises a plethora of new models and concept cars, with a particular emphasis on electric vehicles:
- Abarth: Facing challenges in the electric market, Abarth is considering a return to internal combustion engines, potentially with a boosted 600 model, and a Grande Panda Abarth project is also in the works.
- Alpine: 2026 will see the replacement of the A110 berlinette with a new 100% electric generation. While the production version won’t be unveiled, a concept car will offer a glimpse of its design.
- Audi: Returning after its 2024 comeback, Audi will showcase the A2 e-tron, a 100% electric minivan based on the Volkswagen ID.3 platform. Also expected are a new generation of the Q7 and the all-new Q9. The Audi A3 will receive another facelift to celebrate its 30th anniversary.
- BMW: Following its 2024 return with the Neue Klasse concepts, BMW will present the electric family sedan BMW i3 and a new generation of the BMW X5 SUV.
- Citroën: The French brand will offer a preview of its 2028 plans with a concept car for its future E-Car, priced under €15,000, subtly paying homage to the 2CV.
- Cupra: The long-awaited production version of the Cupra Raval, an electric hot hatch targeting the Alpine A290, will make its debut.
- Dacia: A consistent presence at the show, Dacia will unveil the C-Neo project, a family estate car named Dacia Striker, measuring 4.60 meters long and targeting the Skoda Octavia Combi. The restyled Dacia Sandero Hybrid 155 hp will also be exhibited.
- DS: The French premium brand will present its new family SUV, the DS N°7, sharing technical and stylistic elements with the DS N°8 and the Lancia Gamma SUV.
- Fiat: Marking its return, Fiat will exhibit the sedan variant of the Grande Panda, a model designed to compete with the restyled Dacia Logan and the Citroën C4 X.
- Genesis: Hyundai’s premium brand will enter the French market with three 100% electric models: the GV60 and GV70 SUVs, and the G80 grand tourer.
- Hyundai: Returning to the show, Hyundai will present the 5th generation of the Tucson SUV and the compact electric sports coupe Ioniq 3, targeting the Renault Mégane E-Tech.
- Jeep: The American brand will showcase the restyled Avenger, set to hit the market in 2027.
- Kia: Like its sister brand Hyundai, Kia will present its entry-level electric vehicle, the Kia EV2, targeting the Renault 4 E-Tech. The replacement for the Ceed, the Kia K4, will also be featured.
- Lancia: The second model in Lancia’s relaunch, the Gamma SUV, will make its debut, leveraging Stellantis’ synergies, particularly the DS N°7 SUV’s technical base.
- Mercedes-Benz: Celebrating its 140th anniversary, Mercedes will showcase the restyled S-Class limousine, the successor to the electric EQV van (now VLE), and restyled versions of the GLE, GLE Coupé, and GLS. The electric supercar Mercedes AMG GT 4-door, derived from the concept car Mercedes-AMG GT XX, will also be present, along with a mysterious concept car.
- Peugeot: The restyled Peugeot 408 will be displayed for the first time at a French show. The main attraction will be a concept car previewing the future Peugeot 208, and the Peugeot E-208 GTI, available for sale, will also draw significant attention.
- Renault: The Twingo E-Tech, with sales starting this spring, will be a highlight. The restyled Mégane E-Tech and the R4 Plein Sud, featuring a soft top, will also be present.
- Skoda: Skoda will showcase its electric SUV range, from the small Skoda Epiq, a rival to the Renault 4 E-Tech, to the imposing 7-seater SUV derived from the Skoda Vision 7S concept, named Skoda Peaq.
- Volkswagen: Volkswagen’s electric offensive will include two B-segment models: the ID.Polo, competing with the Renault 5, and the ID.Cross, its SUV counterpart targeting the Renault 4.
- Volvo: After a long absence since 2014, Volvo will return with the EX60, an all-electric alternative to its best-selling XC60.
- XPeng: The Chinese premium electric vehicle brand will bring three new SUVs to complement its existing G6, G9, and P7+ models.
A Promising Future for the Paris Motor Show
The strong participation of major manufacturers and the focus on electric and innovative models signal a vibrant future for the Paris Motor Show. The event continues to be a crucial platform for showcasing the latest advancements in the automotive industry and connecting with a broad audience of enthusiasts and potential buyers.
Source: https://www.automobile-magazine.fr/nouveautes/article/50961-mondial-de-lautomobile-de-paris-2026-toutes-les-marques-et-les-nouveautes
