Aion | Paris Motor Show 2026

Paris 2026 feels like a full-on turf war between the proud local manufacturers out to prove France is still an automotive powerhouse and a huge push by the Chinese to throw yet more product at the European market, with new brands and models galore. Into this fray lands Aion, already establishing itself in the UK with the not-so-memorably-named V SUV and UT hatchback. Neither look ready to set the world alight based on first impressions from our initial drives, but Aion promises five new cars in the next 18 months on the way to an eight-car line-up by 2030, all selling on its signature Great 8 Promise of eight-year servicing, warranty and breakdown cover as standard. It’s brought two of those new models to Paris – read on for more!

Can a bit of lifestyle gloss liven up the otherwise deeply average UT electric hatchback? Aion is pinning its hopes on just that, the UT Cross following a familiar format of black plastic cladding and a bit more ride height to suggest at aspirations of living your best life beyond city limits. Not that you couldn’t escape for a weekend of camping with the standard UT, of course. But if you want your friends, colleagues and neighbours to know that’s what you do in your spare time the UT Cross is the equivalent of wearing your walking boots to the office. The 204 horsepower motor and 60kWh battery combo are the same as the regular UT, the Cross getting bigger tyres, a bit more ground clearance, aforementioned cladding and some underbody protection if you like your campsites truly on the wild side. Don’t expect any of these additions to do the range any favours, mind.

Thus far all Aion’s cars (or, at least, the ones it sells here) have been fully electric but the GS7 is the first representing its ‘branching out’ into hybrids. There’s not a whole lot to go on but Aion says the GS7 is a “high-quality five-seat SUV” with premium features “not yet seen on Aion models”, without specifying what these might be. Seemingly, there will be regular hybrid and plug-in options available, the GS7 making its European debut having already gone on sale in South American and Central Asian markets.