Automotive

In pictures: Concept cars of the 2016 Paris Motor Show

In pictures: Concept cars of the 2016 Paris Motor Show
Highlights from the 2016 Paris Motor Show
Highlights from the 2016 Paris Motor Show
View 96 Images
The Volkswagen ID points to VW's electric future
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The Volkswagen ID points to VW's electric future
The Volkswagen ID is the same size as a Golf on the outside
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The Volkswagen ID is the same size as a Golf on the outside
VW says the ID will be on sale in 2020
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VW says the ID will be on sale in 2020
The ID should be able to manage up to 600 km on a single charge
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The ID should be able to manage up to 600 km on a single charge
VW is heralding the ID as a step-change in its evolution as a brand
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VW is heralding the ID as a step-change in its evolution as a brand
The Renault Trezor is a stunning example of French design
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The Renault Trezor is a stunning example of French design
The cabin of the Trezor is designed to be comfortable on long journeys, but the exterior is sporty and menacing
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The cabin of the Trezor is designed to be comfortable on long journeys, but the exterior is sporty and menacing
The Trezor's C-shaped LED lights are a Renault design staple
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The Trezor's C-shaped LED lights are a Renault design staple
Renault is treating the Trezor as the latest step in its design revolution
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Renault is treating the Trezor as the latest step in its design revolution
The pop-up canopy on the Trezor is designed to inspire thoughts of fighter jets
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The pop-up canopy on the Trezor is designed to inspire thoughts of fighter jets
The Trezor's jewel-like vents are both gorgeous and functional
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The Trezor's jewel-like vents are both gorgeous and functional
The Trezor's C-shaped daytime running lights are like modern car jewellery
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The Trezor's C-shaped daytime running lights are like modern car jewellery
The Trezor's skin in detail
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The Trezor's skin in detail
The canopy lifts all the way off the front of the car
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The canopy lifts all the way off the front of the car
Even the Trezor's tires have been treated to some special styling touches
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Even the Trezor's tires have been treated to some special styling touches
The cabin uses an usual set of concept screens and a square wheel
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The cabin uses an usual set of concept screens and a square wheel
The Citroen cXperience is a different take on the ideal French GT car
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The Citroen cXperience is a different take on the ideal French GT car
The cXperience uses broad, horizontal lines to look wider and more powerful
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The cXperience uses broad, horizontal lines to look wider and more powerful
The cXperience is a big, comfortable GT
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The cXperience is a big, comfortable GT
We're hoping the RS16 makes it to production
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We're hoping the RS16 makes it to production
The RS16 is a Renault Clio RS cranked up to the max
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The RS16 is a Renault Clio RS cranked up to the max
The gold detailing on the RS16's exterior doesn't make it any faster, but it is cool
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The gold detailing on the RS16's exterior doesn't make it any faster, but it is cool
The RS16 is a Renault Clio RS cranked up to the max
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The RS16 is a Renault Clio RS cranked up to the max
Ssangyong wants to catch your attention with its big, imposing four-wheel drive concept
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Ssangyong wants to catch your attention with its big, imposing four-wheel drive concept
The Mercedes-Maybach Vision 6 is imposing from any angle
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The Mercedes-Maybach Vision 6 is imposing from any angle
There's no engine behind that big, low bonnet, just electric motors
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There's no engine behind that big, low bonnet, just electric motors
The Ssangyong LIV-2 on the floor of the Paris Motor Show
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The Ssangyong LIV-2 on the floor of the Paris Motor Show
The LIV-2 drew quite a crowd
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The LIV-2 drew quite a crowd
Infiniti gave its QX Inspiration SUV a new paintjob for Paris
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Infiniti gave its QX Inspiration SUV a new paintjob for Paris
The grille on the QX Inspiration will make it onto the next-generation of Infiniti SUV
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The grille on the QX Inspiration will make it onto the next-generation of Infiniti SUV
Copper detailing has become a staple of Infiniti's Inspiration concepts
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Copper detailing has become a staple of Infiniti's Inspiration concepts
The exhaust pipes are another blingy touch
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The exhaust pipes are another blingy touch 
Infiniti is using its Inspiration concept cars to develop a unique, appealing design language
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Infiniti is using its Inspiration concept cars to develop a unique, appealing design language
The Infiniti QX Inspiration Concept at the Paris Motor Show
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The Infiniti QX Inspiration Concept at the Paris Motor Show
The towing eye on the HN30 is there in case a driver gets optimistic and winds up in a gravel trap
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The towing eye on the HN30 is there in case a driver gets optimistic and winds up in a gravel trap
The HN30's yellow lights are a motorsport throwback, but we love them
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The HN30's yellow lights are a motorsport throwback, but we love them
The carbon wheels and massive brakes add even more racing credibility
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The carbon wheels and massive brakes add even more racing credibility
The N badging will soon find its way onto a production i30
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The N badging will soon find its way onto a production i30
The rear of the HN30 is mean, with lots of cooling
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The rear of the HN30 is mean, with lots of cooling
The Honda Civic Type-R Prototype is overdone, but in the best possible way
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The Honda Civic Type-R Prototype is overdone, but in the best possible way
The rear wing on the Type-R Prototype could be stolen from a BTCC racecar
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The rear wing on the Type-R Prototype could be stolen from a BTCC racecar
The wheels on the Civic Type-R Prototype are wrapped in 245-section rubber
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The wheels on the Civic Type-R Prototype are wrapped in 245-section rubber
Carbon fiber side skirts are a mean looking addition to the Civic Hatch formula
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Carbon fiber side skirts are a mean looking addition to the Civic Hatch formula
The red and black theme on the Type-R Prototype makes it look meaner than your average Civic
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The red and black theme on the Type-R Prototype makes it look meaner than your average Civic
The Type-R Prototype hints at the future of hot Civics
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The Type-R Prototype hints at the future of hot Civics
The Lexus Kinetic Seat Concept looks just as weird in real life as it does in the pictures, but if it's comfortable, who cares?
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The Lexus Kinetic Seat Concept looks just as weird in real life as it does in the pictures, but if it's comfortable, who cares?
The Lexus spindle grille might not be to everyone's tastes, but it works on this concept
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The Lexus spindle grille might not be to everyone's tastes, but it works on this concept
The rear of the Lexus UX Concept is all about aggressive, angular design
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The rear of the Lexus UX Concept is all about aggressive, angular design
Lexus has broken its beige image with some angular, aggressive styling on its UX Concept
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Lexus has broken its beige image with some angular, aggressive styling on its UX Concept
The BMW X2 is a concept for now, but will likely become a reality very soon
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The BMW X2 is a concept for now, but will likely become a reality very soon 
The traditional BMW kidney grille makes an appearance on the X2, as does the brand's squinting angel-eye light signature
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The traditional BMW kidney grille makes an appearance on the X2, as does the brand's squinting angel-eye light signature
Hyundai had its racy N concepts on the ground in Paris
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Hyundai had its racy N concepts on the ground in Paris
The i20 concept will likely turn into a WRC car before long
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The i20 concept will likely turn into a WRC car before long
Hyundai wants to be taken seriously as a sporting brand
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Hyundai wants to be taken seriously as a sporting brand
The patterned paintwork on the i20 concept is a classic trick to hide the lines beneath
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The patterned paintwork on the i20 concept is a classic trick to hide the lines beneath
The Mitsubishi Ground Tourer is bluff and imposing
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The Mitsubishi Ground Tourer is bluff and imposing
The Mitsubishi Ground Tourer
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The Mitsubishi Ground Tourer 
Yep, that's Ground Tourer - not Grand Tourer
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Yep, that's Ground Tourer - not Grand Tourer
The bluff grille on the GT will play a big role in future Mitsubishi design
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The bluff grille on the GT will play a big role in future Mitsubishi design
Big mirrors are out of vogue, and in their place are aerodynamic cameras and tiny bits of glass
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Big mirrors are out of vogue, and in their place are aerodynamic cameras and tiny bits of glass
The Mitsubishi EX Concept pointed its nose downhill at the Paris Show
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The Mitsubishi EX Concept pointed its nose downhill at the Paris Show
The EX Concept is very similar to the Ground Tourer in its style
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The EX Concept is very similar to the Ground Tourer in its style
Would you hop behind the wheel of this funky French EV?
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Would you hop behind the wheel of this funky French EV?
The answer - you might be surprised to hear - is a no from us
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The answer - you might be surprised to hear - is a no from us
The X2's kidney grille looks fit to eat small pedestrians whole
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The X2's kidney grille looks fit to eat small pedestrians whole
More slimline mirror goodness from the Paris Motor Show
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More slimline mirror goodness from the Paris Motor Show
The cXperience uses neat little LED detailing to look a bit more special
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The cXperience uses neat little LED detailing to look a bit more special
The Citroen C3 WRC looks compact and angry in person
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The Citroen C3 WRC looks compact and angry in person
The C3 WRC will be taking on rally stages in a mildly tweaked tune next year
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The C3 WRC will be taking on rally stages in a mildly tweaked tune next year
Spoiler alert! The C3 WRC has a massive one
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Spoiler alert! The C3 WRC has a massive one
The Citroen C3 Hyphen looks ready to take you and your family anywhere
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The Citroen C3 Hyphen looks ready to take you and your family anywhere
The Toyota C-HR hasn't made it to series production, but it has already been given a WRC makeover
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The Toyota C-HR hasn't made it to series production, but it has already been given a WRC makeover
Prius hybrid might be in the background, but this is all about performance
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Prius hybrid might be in the background, but this is all about performance
That rear wing could house dinner for a full-size family
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That rear wing could house dinner for a full-size family
Toyota Gazoo Racing may have struggled at Le Mans, but its pushing hard in all sorts of different categories
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Toyota Gazoo Racing may have struggled at Le Mans, but its pushing hard in all sorts of different categories
The Mercedes EQ Generation was hot property at the Paris Motor Show
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The Mercedes EQ Generation was hot property at the Paris Motor Show
The Generation EQ takes the current Mercedes design language into the future
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The Generation EQ takes the current Mercedes design language into the future
The wheels carry on the copper and blue theme of the Generation EQ design
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The wheels carry on the copper and blue theme of the Generation EQ design
The blue grille of the Mercedes EQ
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The blue grille of the Mercedes EQ
The GLM-G4 is a unique French take on the electric supercar
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The GLM-G4 is a unique French take on the electric supercar
The GLM-G4 looks mean, but it can be tough to get behind startups promising big things with their electric supercars
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The GLM-G4 looks mean, but it can be tough to get behind startups promising big things with their electric supercars
The black wheels and big brakes make the GLM look mean
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The black wheels and big brakes make the GLM look mean
The GLM-G4 at the Paris Motor Show
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The GLM-G4 at the Paris Motor Show
The EQ Generation's fake grille and big badge give it serious presence
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The EQ Generation's fake grille and big badge give it serious presence
The Generation EQ was tough to get near at the Paris Motor Show, such was its popularity
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The Generation EQ was tough to get near at the Paris Motor Show, such was its popularity
What's my name again?
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What's my name again?
Even two days after it launched, the crowds were scrambling to get a look at the EQ
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Even two days after it launched, the crowds were scrambling to get a look at the EQ
The Infiniti QX Inspiration looking good in Paris
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The Infiniti QX Inspiration looking good in Paris
The Peugeot Fractal Concept on the floor of the Paris Motor Show
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The Peugeot Fractal Concept on the floor of the Paris Motor Show
The Fractal came with its own personal light show
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The Fractal came with its own personal light show
The cabin of the Hyundai RN30 is all business
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The cabin of the Hyundai RN30 is all business
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Renault wowed the crowds in Paris with the Trezor
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Renault wowed the crowds in Paris with the Trezor
Lexus isn't known for its rough-and-ready off-roaders, but the UX runs with chunky tires
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Lexus isn't known for its rough-and-ready off-roaders, but the UX runs with chunky tires
The Peugeot Fractal on the floor of the Paris Motor Show
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The Peugeot Fractal on the floor of the Paris Motor Show
Highlights from the 2016 Paris Motor Show
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Highlights from the 2016 Paris Motor Show
View gallery - 96 images

Mondial L'Automobile has swept into Paris and electric mobility is well and truly in vogue for the 2016 event. Along with bold plans for production electric vehicles coming from Volkswagen and Mercedes, there are plenty of exciting design studies and racy variants to keep both electric aficionados and old-fashioned gear heads happy. Take a flick through our gallery to see the cream of the crop from the floor of the 2016 Paris Motor Show.

Here's three of our favorites to whet your appetite:

Renault Trezor

Renault is treating the Trezor as the latest step in its design revolution
Renault is treating the Trezor as the latest step in its design revolution

If we could hand out an award for best in show, this is where it would be going. The Trezor picks up where the 2010 DeZir left off, with a stunning design that hints at what the next generation of production Renaults will look like.

Under the scaly skin, Renault has fitted the powertrain from its Formula-E car for quick, clean, all-electric performance. With 350 hp (261 kW) and 380 Nm of torque, the Trezor will hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in four seconds flat.

That's not exactly supercar pace, but this isn't meant to be an all-out supercar. Instead, Renault says it's more of a long-legged grand tourer. Whatever it's meant to be, we like it.

Volkswagen ID Concept

VW says the ID will be on sale in 2020
VW says the ID will be on sale in 2020

Flicking through Volkswagen's history reveals a couple of major turning points. The Beetle, which has been oft-copied but never successfully replicated (or revived), was crucial in the push to mobilize the German masses. And lets not forget the ubiquitous Golf, which is now into its seventh generation.

VW believes the ID will be as significant as those cars in its narrative. Set to launch in 2020, it will debut the brand's bespoke MEB electric car architecture and kick off a push into the world of mainstream electric mobility.

It also signals a new move toward autonomous driving, with the inclusion of ID mode. When the driver holds the badge in the center of the steering wheel for 10 seconds, the wheel retracts and control is handed to four laser scanners, ultrasonic sensors, radar sensors, and cameras.

Mercedes EQ Generation

The EQ Generation's fake grille and big badge give it serious presence
The EQ Generation's fake grille and big badge give it serious presence

Along with Volkswagen, Mercedes has committed to having a production electric vehicle on the market by 2020. The EQ Generation is that vehicle.

Like the VW ID, it's built on a dedicated platform for electric cars, but Mercedes has run with a high-riding SUV body because, well, buyers just can't get enough of them at the moment. Although it's fitted with a glowing, blue front grille and slick LED lights, the EQ Generation still looks like a regular SUV, which could be key when it comes time to hit the market.

You can expect 500 km (310 mi) on a single charge, and the 300 kW electric motors should be powerful enough to give drivers a decent shove in the back.

To see more of the what the future has in store for our roads, head through to our 2016 Paris Motor Show concept car gallery.

View gallery - 96 images
4 comments
4 comments
Michael Wilson
Love that Renault Trezor
dugnology
VW is a winner for so many different reasons, although I do not see the production model with the rear sliding doors. The MB model is similar to the class B, but a little wackier styling. I am not a fan of cross-overs, and this one is a little bit on the ugly side. I am really glad they are taking Tesla's cue and going electric. Makes so much sense in Europe. The Model X is a pretty car, this one looks like a Ford Edge with a blue front.
Island Architect
Sure looks like the French have defeated the Germans... Woah what ghastly stuff they have.
bill
Grunchy
I like the idea of electric for simplicity, (presumed) reliability, and tractability. I don't like the idea of "refueling" taking several hours over night & the possibility of running out of charge somewhere, and now the car is down and might even need to be towed! Therefore I like the Chevy Volt type of hybrid. Except I'd prefer it were a jet turbine, because jet turbines are much more cool. For example: a turbo engine is cool because it's basically a jet turbine compressor. I'm a little shy of, omg, what is a new battery pack going to cost, etc. I'd prefer a super-capacitor to a battery, if it could be made safe. I want a non-corroding composite body & frame with hybrid power unit for a car that could last 50 years or more.