This year’s Paris Car Show excelled on all fronts and clearly reaffirmed its place among the best car shows. One way Paris clearly outdoes other car shows (including the brilliant Brussels car show) is its abundance of cool, unusual cars, especially the concepts.
We initially planned to assemble a Top 20 list (which already grew from 10 in 2022), but the show was so good that we couldn’t stop at under 30 vehicles. We started with the last ten, continued with next ten cars, and now we will reach the finish line.
For a sneak preview, check out the gallery below.
10. The iconic Škoda 130 RS marked 125 years of Škoda Motorsport
The 1978 Škoda 130 RS is probably the most familiar poster car of the Eastern Bloc, right next to the Lada VFTS. Its pinnacle was the team’s victory in the 1981 European Touring Car Championship, albeit with a slight rig in the game.
Around 300 of these racing cars were built between 1975 and 1980, based on the 110 R model, but the spoiler, doors, and roof were made of aluminium, and the extended fenders and tailgate were fibreglass-reinforced plastic. You might wonder how this car could beat so many special, historical and cool cars, but we also wanted to include something unusual in the top 10, not just concepts and supercars. So it’s a rigged race again… 🙂
9. The Aridge Land Aircraft Carrier is straight out of a sci-fi movie…
XPeng delivered quite a show with their stages in Brussels, but here they surpassed it. We included the Land Aircraft Carrier for its rugged looks straight out of an alien movie, but the package with the flying car is a truly promising project.
The Carrier hosts the Modular Flying Car, a foldable hovercraft with a 500 km+ range and a 360 km/h+ top speed, that can be docked in five minutes. This car combines future mobility and sci-fi concepts already available today.
8. The Renault 8 Gordini Concept takes Renault’s racing icon into the electric era
Renault is doing a truly remarkable job with its legacy, reviving several of its coolest models, from the Alpine to the R17 electric restomod x Ora Ïto concept. The Renault 8 Gordini Concept is a two-seater electric coupé, inspired by the successful rally car from the ‘60s and ‘70s.
Renault’s designers did their best to create a modern rally car that honours the golden age, with a low, wide body and a café racer stance that fuses heritage with contemporary styling. The electric powertrain, peaking at 270 horses, makes sure that the car delivers what the looks promised.
7. Opel’s STX Concept foreshadows the estate design of tomorrow
The STX Concept introduces Opel’s new vision for an electric estate of tomorrow. It illustrates Opel’s next design ambition, building on Opel’s long tradition as an estate pioneer in Europe. The manufacturer recalls station wagons from the 1950s. In 1953, Opel introduced the Olympia Rekord Caravan, followed by the Kadett Caravan and many other models up to the latest Astra Sports Tourer bloodline. We also expect (or at least we hope) several design cues to appear on future production vehicles.
The STX Concept also boasts an active aerodynamic system that continuously adapts to driving conditions, using moving elements at the rear to optimise airflow, reduce drag, and improve stability.
6. The Peugeot E-T16 Concept revived one of its most iconic production car
The Peugeot E-T16 Concept pays tribute to the achievements of the iconic 205 T16, World Rally Champion in 1985 and 1986.
The concept was developed at Peugeot Sport’s premises, delivering extraordinary performance peaking at 816 hp, resulting in 0-300 km/h in 16 seconds. The car combines cutting-edge technologies with a ferocious stance. With the flexibility of E-drivetrains, we would love to see a realistic, roadworthy car in production in the spirit of this concept.
5. With the E-Space Concept, Renault outlines its vision for the van of the future
The E-Space Concept was one of the premieres on the Renault stage. The Concept should pave the way for a modern-day successor to the original 1984 Renault Espace. After Renault’s venture into SUV territory, this concept car shall reboot the founding principles of the MPV as part of an ultra-modern vision for the Espace.
The new Espace was designed as a living space, with an innovative, airy, and modular interior built for comfort. With its clean lines and open layout, the new Espace could become a real alternative to SUVs. We really hope for the best for the brand, as we think Renault did a remarkable job reviving its most iconic models.
4. Peugeot’s RCZ Vision concept unveils the future of the lion
Honestly, we really wanted to see a production car after this concept, but for now, the RCZ Vision concept only introduces Peugeot’s Feline Future design language built around five key principles: Freedom, Courage, Elegance, Strength and Instinct.
We shall see whether the company will actually live by these rules, but we think a series-production RCZ would certainly abide by the above principles.
3. Alfa Romeo’s Cuorerosso concept outlines the brand’s vision of the future
The Cuorerosso concept sets out Alfa Romeo’s manifesto for future designs. As usual with concepts, this car explores new design languages, while foreshadowing new functions and technologies, indicating the direction Alfa Romeo intends to take to face a new era of mobility.
But we also think that Alfa really needs a breathtaking design after decades of misses.
2. The Alpine A310 Vision concept is a homage to a car we never really liked
As with most French concepts, the Alpine A310 Vision was never meant to make it to production lines. The Alpine A310 Vision pays tribute to the Alpine A310 by freely reinterpreting its lines, proportions and spirit.
In the Alpine bloodline, this is the model we loved least. Its lines weren’t as well-rounded as the A110 (classic or modern), and overall, it felt like a miss. But not this one, though. The new A310 vision is a pretty cool car in the vein of the experimental exotics of the 70s. And we love to see this enter production, as faithfully as the modern A110 followed the astonishing concept.
1. The Renault 5 Turbo 3E is how you resurrect an icon
The Renault 5 Turbo 3E is the heir to the 1980 Renault 5 Turbo, one of the poster cars from the ‘80s. The production car adopts the original’s muscular, wide body aesthetic but promises performance far beyond the ‘80s car.
It was preceded by the Renault R5 Turbo 3E concept, which was unveiled in 2022 and showcased at the Chantilly Arts & Elegance Richard Mille 2022 concours d’élégance.
In Paris, Renault did its best to make this car a true headline, welcoming visitors at the entrance on a dedicated stage and also taking the podium in the press corner.
To honour the original, 1980 units are planned, and reservations opened in April 2025 already, requiring a €50,000 deposit. The first deliveries are scheduled for 2028, with a starting price around €160,000.
At the end, we included a small exit poll to make your voice heard. If you cannot find your favourite, leave your candidate in the comment box.
Name your choice for the coolest car of the 2024 Paris Car Show!
