Jump directly to the content

WE’RE in France this week for the Paris Motor Show.

You know what that means. All the coffee. Too many croissants.

We're in France this week for the Paris Motor Show - pictured an Alpine A390
12
We're in France this week for the Paris Motor Show - pictured an Alpine A390Credit: AFP

And lots of French cars, obviously.

Here are ten motors that caught our Eiffel.

1. Alpine A390

Alpine's A390 EV Alpine was fettled at the F1 team’s wind tunnel at Enstone in the UK
12
Alpine's A390 EV Alpine was fettled at the F1 team’s wind tunnel at Enstone in the UKCredit: Supplied

You’ll know of Alpine from F1. The blue and pink cars.

Well, Alpine already makes a fantastic little sports car called the A110.

READ MORE MOTOR NEWS

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.

Ken Gibson tests the Twizy Renault Sport F1 Concept

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

The Twizy is back as a two-seat electric runabout called Duo AND as a single-seat Deliveroo buggy called Bento
12
The Twizy is back as a two-seat electric runabout called Duo AND as a single-seat Deliveroo buggy called BentoCredit: Supplied

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 has yet to decide on making the little EV right-hand drive because of the cost
12
Renault has yet to decide on making the little EV right-hand drive because of the costCredit: Supplied

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

Bigger and more practical than 5 — like Captur over Clio
12
Bigger and more practical than 5 — like Captur over ClioCredit: Supplied

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

Squishy seats. Pillow-soft suspension. That’s a Citroen
12
Squishy seats. Pillow-soft suspension. That’s a CitroenCredit: Supplied

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 unveiled John Cooper Works versions of the electric Cooper and Aceman
12
Mini unveiled John Cooper Works versions of the electric Cooper and AcemanCredit: Supplied
Both new Minis get a 26hp boost paddle on the steering wheel for lightning-fast overtakes
12
Both new Minis get a 26hp boost paddle on the steering wheel for lightning-fast overtakesCredit: Supplied

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

This electric SUV has absolutely everything on it and has more range and perfor­mance than a Jaguar I-Pace — for £10k less
12
This electric SUV has absolutely everything on it and has more range and perfor­mance than a Jaguar I-Pace — for £10k lessCredit: Supplied

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

The Skyworth Q will rocket from 0-62mph in 3.9 seconds and bosses reckon they can bang them out for less than £30k
12
The Skyworth Q will rocket from 0-62mph in 3.9 seconds and bosses reckon they can bang them out for less than £30kCredit: Supplied

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

I thought the Alfa Romeo Junior looked fussy at first but it’s really grown on me. Prices from £28k
12
I thought the Alfa Romeo Junior looked fussy at first but it’s really grown on me. Prices from £28kCredit: Supplied

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

Another Chinese EV brand we need to take seriously - with five models our way in the next year
12
Another Chinese EV brand we need to take seriously - with five models our way in the next yearCredit: Supplied

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.

READ MORE SUN STORIES

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. 

Topics