Last show standing

Motor Shows have dwindled in importance in recent years, and the demise of the Geneva Show – 2024 was the last – means Europe now only has one annual show.

This alternates between Paris and Munich, and the 2024 Paris ‘Mondial’ shows that there’s perhaps life in the concept yet. There were notable absentees – no Ford, Toyota or Mercedes – but the Chinese were there in force, highlighting their ambitious approach to global sales.

Encouragingly for chauffeurs and private hire operators, not everything was SUV-shaped, with plenty of saloons and MPVs on show. How many of these brands will make it to market is not clear – but the brands at Paris were by no means a comprehensive selection of Chinese capability. Munich 2025 should be interesting!

Skoda Elroq

Skoda is following up the success of the Enyaq SUV with a smaller electric car. The Elroq is aimed squarely at the likes of Hyundai Kona and Kia Niro – as well as the many new Chinese compact SUVs. It’s already available to order and sales will start in the new year. Elroq will be capable of between 230 and 360 miles of range depending on battery size, while entry-level pricing is keen at £31,500.

Audi Q6 e-tron Sportback

Audi has added a more sporty coupe-style body to its Q6 e-tron electric SUV range.

The Q6 e-tron Sportback follows the trend set by BMW, Mercedes and Volvo of offering coupe alternatives in its SUV range.

The Q6 e-tron Sportback offers a slightly greater range than the conventional Q6 e-tron, and the rearwheel-drive Performance version now offers a range of 408 miles.

UK sales start in April, with prices from £62,475.

Kia PV5

Kia is entering the van market in 2025, and this could give taxi operators a very useful electric 7-seater.

The Kia PV5 is modern and roomy, and will be available as panel van and pick-up as well as a minibus.

Technical details are thin on the ground, but the PV5 is 4.65m long, with a 3m wheelbase.

The interior is flexible with the option of 2+2 conference seating. It’s expected to have a 350-mile range, better than most electric van-based MPVs on the market.Prices are likely to start just above £30,000 for the panel van.

BMW Neue Klasse and Neue Klasse X

BMW showcased the look of its next generation cars with two ‘Neue Klasse’ concepts, showing the design direction for saloons and SUVs.

Inspired by the 1960s Neue Klasse cars that signaled BMW’s transformation into a luxury automaker, the Neue Klasse and Neue Klasse X concepts have a lighter, airier look, with bigger windows and narrow pillars. The BMW grille receives new treatments too – wide on the saloon, but narrow on the SUV. The look "reflects the essence of the BMW brand”, said BMW design head Adrian van Hooydonk. The look is expected to debut next year on the next-generation 3-series, and will roll out as BMW renews the other models in its range.

XPeng P7+

Chinese newcomer XPeng started making cars in 2018.

But it’s strong on technology and use of AI in autonomous features. VW has invested in the company, so it’s a serious player.

The P7+ executive saloon is a Tesla 3 rival, and in China it undercuts the Tesla on price. European sales are expected to start next year.

Hongqi EH7

Hongqi is one of China’s oldest car brands – owned by the country’s second-biggest automaker FAW, and it has made luxury cars for the ruling elite since the 1950s. It recently hit the headlines with a Rolls-Royce copy that won’t be coming here. But the EH7 EV is coming to the UK in the next 2-3 years, Hongqi says, along with the EHS7 electric SUV.

BYD Sealion 7

A bigger BYD? You bet. The BYD Sealion 7 will hit UK showrooms in early 2025.

Longer and taller than the Seal range, it uses the same battery technology, giving BYD an SUV to challenge Tesla Y, Polestar 3 and even Audi Q6 e-tron.

Pricing will be announced before the February UK launch.

Leapmotor C10

If you can’t beat ’em, buy ’em. That’s what Stellantis has done, setting up a 51:49 JV with China's Leapmotor.

Founded in 2015, it’s grown rapidly to be the third biggest electric and plug-in hybrid vehicle maker in China. The JV is a smart move, as it could help Stellantis avoid tariffs by building Leapmotor cars in Europe. The C10 is the first fruit of the alliance – and this SUV is coming to the UK next year, with a bargain price of £36,500, in just one specification.

The C10 has a 69.9kWh battery for a claimed 260 miles of range. It’s powered by a single rear-mounted motor producing 215hp. DC rapid charging is capped at 84kW –slow by leading standards.

Forthing S7 and V9

All the major Chinese players are now targeting Europe. Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor, one of the largest Chinese automakers, showed two new electric vehicles under its Forthing brand, though it has not announced any launch dates as yet..

The highly aerodynamic Forthing S7 is the brand’s first pure electric sedan, and the company actually drove one from China to Paris. A 56.8 kWh lithium gives the car a 350-mile range.

The Forthing V9 is a large plug-in hybrid MPV with a wheelbase of more than 3,000mm and a very roomy 7-seater interior. Dongfeng claims the V9 has a pure EV range of around 100 miles. Both cars are on sale in China.

GAC AION Hyptec HT and AION V

You might not have heard of GAC AION, but in 2023 only BY and Tesla made more electric cars than the company.

At Paris it effectively launched the brand, showcasing several new models including the GAC AION Hyptec HT (above), and AION V. The Hyptec HT crossover claims a 400-mile plus range, while the larger AION V SUV has been “designed for Europe”, the company says.

Renault Emblème

Developed by Renault’s Ampère advanced EV division, the Emblème grand tourer concept uses a combined electric and hydrogen fuel cell powertrain.

It has a small 40kWh battery pack to keep weight down, and a 2.8kg hydrogen tank, powering a 215hp electric motor. Combined total range is around 217 miles, but you can top up with hydrogen in minutes.

THK LSR-05

This concept coupe-saloon is a showcase for Japanese company THK’s latest EV technology.

Designed by ex-Nissan designer Shiro Nakamura, who penned the Skyline GT-R, t THK LSR-05 is powered by two rear-mounted 93kW in-wheel electric motors and a 220kW front motor, and a four-wheel steering system.

The LSR-05 also previews a wireless charging system called CLPS, which involves lowering the vehicle’s suspension for improved charging efficiency.

Citroen C5 Aircross

Citroen’s new Citroen C5 Aircross SUV shares a platform with the Peugeot 3008, which means an electric version will be offered alongside PHEV versions.

If it matches the Peugeot’s performance, the e-C5 Aircross will have a 320-mile range on a 73kWh battery or a whopping 430 miles with an optional a 98kWh battery.

The C5 Aircross will be pitched as a value-for-money model with prices expected to start below £30,000 for the PHEV, but probably under £40,000 for the electric version.

Peugeot e-408

Peugeot launched an electric version of its 408 crossover, aimed at mid-market executive EVs such as the Tesla Model 3 and Polestar 2.

A 58.2kWh battery pack gives a range of 281 miles, Peugeot claims, though this is below the 400-mile capability of its rivals. However, the e-408 could be upgraded to the larger 98kWh battery used in the Peugeot e-3008 and e-5008 SUVs,

which have a range of more than 420 miles. The e-408 is expected to cost around £45,000 when it goes on sale towards the end of the year.

AITO 7

AITO is one of the newest Chinese brands. Apparently it stands for ‘Adding Intelligence to Auto’, and it’s expected to launch in Europe next year. It’s owned by a Chinese company called Seres, but in the background as technology provider and arm’s length backer is controversial Chinese computer giant Huawei.