Renault | Paris Motor Show 2026

With national pride on the line – and home rivals Peugeot and Citroën also in town – Renault is going big at Paris. As well it might, given it seems to be riding something of a wave of good spirit off the back of a very strong line-up at the moment. Its Paris stand is a mix of reality – updates to cars you can actually buy at the moment – and pure fantasy in the shape of various concepts continuing the theme of tapping into Renault’s formidable history and remixing it for the future. Read on!

Back in the days before SUVs Renault captured the imagination of family buyers with its original Espace, first launched in 1984 and going on to influence a generation of cars that became known as people carriers or MPVs. Could Renault be looking to reboot the idea for a new age? Quite possibly, the E-Space Concept perhaps a toe in the water and pitched as “a real alternative to SUVs and saloons” in the press release announcing it. A six-seater, it builds on the original Espace’s famously flexible and adaptable interior layout with the second row able to rotate through 180 degrees to create a face-to-face rear cabin inspired by the high-speed TGV trains the styling evokes. Or you can fold them flat and those in the third-row can enjoy a full-size table, a small fridge, games controllers and more adding to the lounge-like ambience. Up front a full-width display follows the Mercedes lead in such big-screen tech, Renault’s system branded OpenR Panorama and designed not to be operated directly by touch but by separate controllers pivoting around the steering wheel. Sustainable materials meanwhile feature heavily in the interior plastics and upholstery, with wool, organic cotton and even dyed straw featuring. Will it be built? If showgoers show their support and enthusiasm don’t rule anything out!

Perhaps a smaller story than the others on the stand but Renault is proud enough of the new pano roof option on the Twingo to give it a brandname of its own, calling it the Twingobay. The curved outline is distinctive while multi-layered UV and IR protection keeps the car cool without the need for a physical roller blind, or so Renault claims. Like the rest of the range, the Twingo also gets an over-the-air update to add Google Gemini to its infotainment offering.

Renault’s electric range already looks strong, whether that be reboots like the Twingo, 4 and  5 or more contemporary models like the Scenic and Megane. All are enjoying a range of upgrades to the batteries powering them and the Google-based tech you interact with day-to-day. Improvements in range and charging speed to the main battery packs and a move across the board to more stable and predictable LFP chemistry is welcome, these now ‘cell to pack’ for increased structural rigidity and a ‘Fireman Flap’ where firefighters (whatever their gender!) can quickly flood the pack if the worst happens. Onboard, the already Google-powered infotainment across the Renault range now gains the Gemini AI assistant, this coming as an automatic over-the-air update to cars already on the roads.

If you’ve only just got your head around Renault’s historic sporting partnership with Alpine and the modern-day cars this has inspired brace yourself for another blast from the past with the Renault 8 Gordini Concept. This celebrates the sporting Renaults of the past tuned and rallied by Gordini in the classic blue with twin white stripes recreated for this stylish modern-retro concept. Like the original 60s Renault 8, this one is rear-engined but this time electric powered with a claimed 270 horsepower. Petrolheads and classic car fans will appreciate the knowing nods to Gordinis of old, those new to it all will simply dig the cool ‘café racer’ vibe and muscular look. Will it be built? Well, it looks closer to reality than some of the other concepts on the stand…

Another twist on the Renault 4, this surf-themed JP4x4 takes the Plein Air idea and runs with it, turning the 4 into some kind of beach buggy with its stripped-back bodywork and a second motor for all-wheel drive to avoid getting stuck in the dunes. A concept for now, the JP4x4 follows in a long line of stripped back cars better suited to the climate of the south of France than the south of England but it’s nice to see Renault having some further fun with the 4!

Based on the (not so) snappily-named Rafale hyper hybrid E-Tech 4x4 300 hp Atelier Alpine, this Hypnotic limited edition is one car on the stand you can actually buy. If you’re quick enough. Just 1,500 will be built, the satin black paint over gloss black detailing and upgrade interior elevating it above the existing Rafale you can already buy. Big, expensive and luxurious French cars have traditionally struggled to find much of a following outside their homeland, though, and we’d not place bets on many of the 1,500 production run appearing in UK showrooms, if indeed Renault plans to sell it here at all.