The Paris Motor Show, or the Mondial de l’Auto if you’re feeling fancy, is one of the world’s oldest auto shows, dating back to 1898. Held every two years at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, it’s where the European auto industry gathers to show off its latest and greatest, and where the rest of the world turns up to prove it deserves a spot on the same stage. This year’s show did not disappoint.
The show’s halls were packed with cars from brands around the world, with plenty of different ideas on display showcasing how the industry could move forward. Some brands dug deep into their back catalogues, reimagining beloved classics for an electric future, while others arrived with a passionate reminder that the combustion engine still has some life in it yet. Not to be outdone, Chinese brands came out swinging, delivering striking options that look ready to take on the status quo. From retro-futuristic coupes to supercars with borderline absurd specs, these are the cars that stopped us in our tracks in Paris.
Alpine A310 Vision
Alpine used the 2026 Paris Motor Show to celebrate one of its most distinctive icons, unveiling the A310 Vision, a one-off concept marking 55 years since the original A310 and 50 years since the V6 variant. Rather than simply copying the 1971 classic, Alpine calls it a retro-futuristic reinterpretation of what the A310 could be today. And let me tell you, it is a striking vehicle.
At 4.55 metres long, just 1.18 metres tall and a full 2.03 metres wide at the rear, the Alpine A310 Vision has some dramatic proportions, topped by a semi-transparent cabin bubble and A-shaped wheels that nod to the original’s early rims. Taking a look inside showcases its vivid red cockpit with organically shaped seats and physical controls inspired by hi-fi equipment, welcome news for anyone tired of touchscreens. Sadly, the Alpine A310 Vision is more of a statement of intent than a production preview, but it is still an incredible-looking automobile.
Alfa Romeo Cuorerosso
Alfa Romeo arrived at the Paris Motor Show with a promise that its heart still beats for performance, quite literally. The Cuorerosso concept is a stunning four-door grand tourer that pairs a hybridized version of the brand’s glorious twin-turbo 2.9-litre V6 with all-wheel drive, showcasing how there is still plenty of life left in the combustion engine, even in the era of electric cars.
Designed under Alejandro Mesonero, the Cuorerosso blends supercar concept with GT proportions, riding on a footprint close to the Giulia with rear-hinged coach doors and a curb weight of just 3,858 lb. Sharp triangular headlights frame a reworked Scudetto grille, while flush glass and a slippery 0.28 drag coefficient keep the surfaces remarkably clean. Inside, physical controls meet the “Magma Display,” with red accents fading into dark tones meant to evoke a beating heart. There is no denying it is a striking car, even it may never see production in its current form.
Denza Z
If one car at this year’s Paris Motor Show made the European establishment sweat, it’s the Denza Z. BYD’s premium performance brand brought all three versions of its all-electric supercar to Paris: Coupe, Spider and the track-focused Racing. The numbers are borderline absurd. A tri-motor powertrain produces 1,583 bhp and 1,240 Nm of torque, launching the Coupe from 0-62 mph in just 2.25 seconds. That’s Bugatti Chiron territory for £142,900, up to £56,000 less than a Porsche 911 Turbo S.
The real kicker is usability. Thanks to a 1,000-volt architecture and BYD’s Flash Charging technology, the Z can charge its 76 kWh battery from 10% to 97% in just nine minutes. Styled by former Lamborghini designer Wolfgang Egger, it even generates up to 1,060 kg of downforce through a Ferrari F80-style S-duct, and even on the press day at the Paris Motor Show, it was hard not to see the car surrounded by people, and I can see why.
Peugeot RCZ Vision
Peugeot was not going to be left out when it came to striking cars on its home turf, and the RCZ Vision, a stylish resurrection of the small coupe it built from 2009 to 2015, managed to turn plenty of heads at this year’s Paris Motor Show. The double-bubble glass roof returns, joined by ultra-slim horizontal three-claw lighting, staggered 21- and 22-inch forged wheels and paint made using recycled aluminum.
Peugeot claims a 1,000-volt architecture, a 10% to 80% charge in 10 minutes and a target range of 373 miles. The battery is just 110 mm thick, helping enable the low-slung silhouette. Inside, things get weird in the best way. Peugeot’s Hypersquare steering control, paired with full steer-by-wire and brake-by-wire systems, eliminates the mechanical link to the wheels, while a transparent micro-LED display and Serica dashboard clock round out the cabin. Production hasn’t been confirmed, but this is a car we couldn’t help getting excited about, and we still can’t get over just how striking the whole thing looks.
BYD Atto 8
While many of the vehicles on this list are concepts that may never see production, BYD used the Paris Motor Show to unveil something much more tangible: its new flagship, the Atto 8. The standout number is one designed to tackle range anxiety: nine minutes. That’s how long the Chinese automaker says its new Flash Charging technology takes to charge the 115 kWh Blade battery from 10% to 97%, roughly the same amount of time it takes to fill a gas tank. Even at -30 C, a 20% to 97% charge takes just 12 minutes.
Beneath the charging party trick sits a genuine seven-seat contender. At just over five metres long, the Atto 8 lines up squarely against the Kia EV9 and Hyundai Ioniq 9, replacing the Tang as BYD’s range-topper. Buyers get two versions: the Design RWD with 449 hp and up to 653 km of WLTP range, or the Excellence AWD with 754 hp, a 4.6-second sprint to 100 km/h and 602 km of range. Inside, there’s a 15.6-inch touchscreen, a 26-inch head-up display, massaging leather seats and, on the AWD model, a built-in fridge. Europe gets it in early 2027. Pricing is still under wraps, but don’t expect it to start below €75,000.
XPENG G9L
XPENG’s flagship electric SUV made a striking impression at this year’s Paris Motor Show, and it’s easy to see why. Priced from €74,990, the G9L pairs luxury with serious capability, offering up to 591 km of WLTP range, an 800-volt architecture with 5C charging that takes the battery from 10% to 80% in as little as 11.7 minutes and is available in six- or seven-seat configurations with AI-Adaptive front seats. Comfort is clearly a priority, with a rear refrigerator, a large entertainment display and generous luggage space all on offer.
Safety is equally impressive, with nine standard airbags, automatic emergency braking at speeds of up to 150 km/h and stability support following a tire blowout. That’s backed by three years of testing across 26 countries and more than 6.74 million km. Following a production trial at Magna’s facility in Graz, Austria, the G9L is set to become the fourth XPENG model built in Europe. In a hall packed with established luxury brands, this newcomer genuinely stood out and turned heads.
