Autosalon: Mehr als nur die Ente – Zehn Studien für Frankreichs Autozukunft

The Paris Auto Show (until October 18th) offers a stage this year for design experiments, primarily led by French manufacturers. The lineup spans electric daily drivers, family vans, and 800 PS sports cars. Renault's E-Space Concept is a nod to the past, while also showcasing the brand's vision for the future. The 4.70-meter-long electric study combines the boxy proportions of the original Espace with large glass surfaces, 23-inch wheels, and modern lighting technology.

Inside, six individual seats on a flat floor await passengers, with second-row seats that can rotate 180 degrees for face-to-face seating. A standout feature is a 1.13-meter-wide panoramic display, which has already been incorporated into upcoming generations of the Rafale and Scenic models. While a series production of the E-Space is not planned, its technology is expected to be used in future Renault models.

Meanwhile, Renault pays homage to the past with another concept, the Renault 8 Gordini Concept. This blue-and-white electro-coupé, measuring 4.12 meters, interprets the sporty rear-engine sedan from the 1960s with a modern electric motor and sleek design elements. The car is set to become part of the planned Renault Museum in Flins, France, after its appearance at the auto show.

Fiat's Multiplay concept car also emphasizes the versatility of the classic van. With a 4.45-meter-long body, the Italian Stellantis subsidiary reminds us of the Multipla, which once offered an unusual amount of space in a small footprint. The car features a movable rear module that can transform the six-seater van into a four-seat pickup with an open cargo area and even function as a bike rack for two wheels.

Inside, the Multiplay demonstrates additional adaptability, with an extra seat element that can serve as a child base, dog carrier, table, or storage space. No specific engine details are provided, and there are no concrete plans for a series production. Opel sticks to the flat body style, showing a glimpse of the electric sports tourer of the future with the STX Concept.

Measuring almost 4.70 meters, the vehicle combines a nearly three-meter-long wheelbase with short overhangs, exposed wheelhouses, and a long roof. Unlike coupé-style sports cars, the rear falls steeply and promises ample interior space. The Opel face, known for its Vizor, is reinterpreted as a large lighting installation with numerous lamellae and a branded illumination.

The rear also features a distinctive light signature. The car is equipped with an electric all-wheel drive system and a power output exceeding 200 km/h. Technical specifications, including battery data and range, remain undisclosed. While the STX Concept is not an Astra's successor, its design elements are expected to trickle down to various Opel models.

Peugeot's E-T16 concept is a more agile interpretation of its legendary Rallye-wagon, the 205 T16, which won the World Championship twice in the 1980s. However, the new version sets new standards with three electric motors producing a staggering 600 kW/816 PS. The car is expected to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.5 seconds and reach 300 km/h within 16 seconds.

An 85-kWh battery with 800-volt technology promises up to 400 kilometers of range and a 15-minute charge to 80 percent. Peugeot's "Feline Future" design language is showcased, featuring a near-edge square steering wheel with steer-by-wire technology that operates without mechanical connection to the front wheels. Despite its impressive performance data, the E-T16 remains a single prototype, with elements of its cockpit and design likely to return in the next-generation Peugeot 208.

Peugeot's RCZ Vision concept also pays tribute to another fan favorite, the Sport Coupe from 2009-2015. The electric study retains the characteristic double-arched roof while adopting a more modern and streamlined body style. The French manufacturer also experiments with a solid-state battery and 1,000-volt architecture. The as-yet uncommercialized technology aims for 600 kilometers of range and a ten-second charge from 10 to 80 percent. The interior is modernized, featuring sleek lines and cutting-edge technology.