F1 team’s electric SUV, China’s ‘Baby Tesla’ and famous old name rebooted as an EV… top ten cars at the Paris Motor Show
WE’RE in France this week for the Paris Motor Show.
You know what that means. All the coffee. Too many croissants.
And lots of French cars, obviously.
Here are ten motors that caught our Eiffel.
1. Alpine A390
You’ll know of Alpine from F1. The blue and pink cars.
Well, Alpine already makes a fantastic little sports car called the A110.
Soon they’ll launch the A290, a racy version of the Renault 5.
We’re looking forward to trying that one.
Note: Alpine is Renault-owned.
Next up is the A390.
It’s an electric SUV.
Yep, another one. Except Alpine is really leaning on its F1 credentials here with lots of trick aero adding range.
It was fettled at the F1 team’s wind tunnel at Enstone in the UK.
There’s even an F1-style OV button for “overtake” on the steering wheel.
A390 has three electric motors — one on the front axle, two at the back — and clever active torque vectoring normally only seen in hypercars.
I’ve heard whispers of 440hp and £67k.
Watch out Porsche Macan.
2. Renault Duo and Bento van
Remember the Renault Twizy?
It’s coming back.
But this time as a two-seat electric runabout called Duo AND as a single-seat Deliveroo buggy called Bento.
Twice the range and speed of Citroen’s Ami and, if it’s anything like a Twizy, twice the fun.
Out May from £10k.
I can fit in Bento’s cargo box it’s that big.
3. Renault Twingo
Renault Twingo?
Yes, please.
This is cool. And cheap. £17k. Out 2026.
The problem is Renault has yet to decide on making the little EV right-hand drive because of the cost.
I’m going to start a campaign. DO IT.
We need little cars.
We don’t need more SUVs.
4. Renault 4
Coming in at number four is the Renault 4.
Another famous old name rebooted for the electric age. Bigger and more practical than 5 — like Captur over Clio.
We like the electric canvas roof and the fold-flat front passenger seat.
Perfect for IKEA trips and the Christmas tree.
Price: £27k to £34k. Range: 248 miles. Load length: 2.2 metres.
With us next summer.
5. Citroen C5 Aircross
There’s a theme emerging here.
At five is the Citroen C5 Aircross.
You know it’s going to be comfy because it’s a Citroen. Squishy seats. Pillow-soft suspension.
This new one is 15cm longer, so a smidge bigger inside, and will come in three power types — petrol hybrid, plug-in hybrid and pure electric.
Prices from £29k, I reckon.
Other colours available.
6. Mini Cooper SCW
Mini brought some noise by unveiling John Cooper Works versions of the electric Cooper and Aceman.
As exclusively revealed by yours truly in May, both get a 26hp boost paddle on the steering wheel for lightning-fast overtakes and have a maximum output of 258hp.
Cooper Electric JCW from £38k.
Out April. Petrol JCWs to follow.
7. BYD Sealion 7
We’ve put BYD’s Sealion 7 at number seven because it makes more sense than the actual name of the car.
I can’t work out why it’s called “7” when it’s got five seats, not seven.
Anyway, this electric SUV has absolutely everything on it and has more range and performance than a Jaguar I-Pace — for £10k less.
Meaning prices from £50k.
8. Skyworth Q
Baby Tesla? The Chinese beat them to it.
This electric hatchback with 400hp and 4WD is actually called the Skyworth Q.
Bosses reckon they can bang them out for less than £30k.
9. Alfa Romeo Junior
Alfa Romeo launched Junior as an EV — but promised a cheaper petrol hybrid would follow.
Here it is. Not as powerful, obviously. But more convenient.
The 1.2-litre three-pot is 136hp.
Thought it looked fussy at first but it’s really grown on me. Prices from £28k.
10. Leapmotor B10
Finally, at ten is the Leapmotor B10.
Another Chinese brand we need to take seriously.
Stellantis owns 51 per cent of Leapmotor International and will send FIVE models our way in the next year.
B10 is a £30k electric SUV.
We’ve already tried T03, a £16k dinky EV.
You’ll see them at your local Stellantis dealer — Vauxhall, Peugeot, Citroen, Fiat and so on — very soon.