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News - Motor Show - Paris - 2024Highlights of the 2024 Paris motor showLocal giants powered the Paris show floor, with electricity (and a little hydrogen)28 Oct 2024 By MIKE STEVENS CELEBRATING its 90th edition and the second since returning from the break imposed by COVID-19, the 2024 Paris Motor Show – properly known as Mondial De L’Auto – welcomed nearly 600,000 people over six days.
Held as always at the Parc des Expositions Porte de Versailles in central Paris, the event hosted 48 manufacturers, but it was the local giants that powered the floor, entirely with electricity (and a little hydrogen).
For Renault Group, it was the reveal of the new 4 E-Tech electric hatch, the Emblème FCEV concept that promises a 90 per cent reduction in emissions from cradle to grave, the Kangoo-sized and Trafic-beating Estafette van, and the Master H2-Tech hydrogen van that promises 700km of range from a five-minute ‘charge’.
Renault also presented the public debut of the Twingo E-Tech concept, along with the R17 electric restomod hatch previously shown at the Renault-sponsored Maison5 fashion fair in September. The new Renault 5 was also on display, of course.
Beyond the familiar Renault diamond, Alpine showed the high-riding, electric A390_β “sport fastback silhouette” concept, along with the limited-edition 260kW/420Nm A110 R Ultime and the Alpenglow Hy6 – undeniably the star of the show with its dramatic LMP3 chassis and 550kW 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 with direct-injected hydrogen as its fuel, stored in three high-pressure tanks arrayed in sidepods and a compartment behind the driver position.
Lastly, Renault’s latest brand, Mobilize, showed off a pair of new quadricycle concepts, effectively replacing the Twizy – and, given Australia’s regulations on quadricycles, neither are any more likely to come Down Under than the Twizy was.
For Stellantis, it was an almost entirely Citroën-led affair, with the chevron-badged brand debuting its quirky new styling with the new-generation e-C3 Aircross, facelifted C4, a concept of the upcoming second-gen C5 Aircross, and a much-needed makeover for the supercompact Ami city EV.
Citroën’s luxury spinoff DS showcased its stunning SM Tribute, after having first appeared at Chantilly Arts & Elegance in September. As a one-off showcar, the SM Tribute isn’t destined for the road – just as none of the new Citroën models will be seen in Australia, following the brand’s official departure next month.
Peugeot was also present, but its only new wares were the e-408 and long-range versions of the new e-3008 and e-5008 electric SUVs, with bigger batteries to deliver around 700 kilometres of driving range.
Perhaps the most significant debut outside of the local teams was Skoda’s new Elroq, its third EV after the long-gone Citigo-e iV and the large Enyaq – unveiled in 2020 but only last month launched in Australia. (In 2022-revealed Coupe form.)
The small Elroq previews Skoda’s evolved styling, and promises a driving range of around 580 kilometres. It’ll reach Australia with far less of a delay than the Enyaq, with a local launch set for the middle of 2025.
Elsewhere on the floor, showgoers saw the public debut of the Audi Q6 E-Tron Sportback, the BYD Sealion 7, Dacia Bigster, Leapmotor B10 – all either confirmed for or expected in Australia over the coming year.
It can be difficult in Australia to remember that motor shows are still a major event in other, bigger markets. The Melbourne Motor Show is looking to make a comeback in 2025, however, and its organisers would do well to take whatever inspiration they can from this year’s show in Paris.  |
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